bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exosome DNA: Critical regulator of tumor immunity and a diagnostic biomarker
Authors: Sharma Aman , Johnson Abiya
Published: September 2019

Nanosized cellular vesicles “exosome” contains a variety of biological cargo including DNA fragments from cell‐of‐origin. Despite its biological stability and clinical utility in tumor diagnosis, exosome DNA (ExoDNA) is very little studied as compare with exosome RNA. Cytoplasmic accumulation of damaged DNA from nucleus and mitochondria often leads to its packaging in exosomes by yet unknown pathways. ExoDNA modulates tumor immunity via paracrine interactions and activation of cytosolic DNA sensor pathways, for example, STING, cGAS, and so forth in specific immune cell subsets. In addition to priming tumor immunity, ExoDNA is also emerging as a critical regulator of check‐point immunotherapy. As a useful diagnostic biomaterial, ExoDNA contains a variety of clinically relevant tumor‐specific mutations representing multiple genes (e.g., EGFR, BRAF, RAS, IDH, and HER2), thus making it a promising “liquid biopsy” material for therapy recommendations. Hence, ExoDNA in addition to tumor immunity modulation, is also emerging as a suitable diagnostic material for personalized therapy in cancer. Here, we review the current status of ExoDNA research and its potential uses in tumor biology.
Modulation of autophagy in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zeng Zhiqing , Zhang Yao , Jiang Weiping , He Lu , Qu Hongtao
Published: September 2019

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is defined as a traumatically induced structural injury or physiological disruption of brain function as a result of external forces, leading to adult disability and death. A growing body of evidence reveals that alterations in autophagy‐related proteins exist extensively in both experimentally and clinically after TBI. Of note, the autophagy pathway plays an essential role in pathophysiological processes, such as oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and apoptosis, thus contributing to neurological properties of TBI. With this in mind, this review summarizes a comprehensive overview on the beneficial and detrimental effects of autophagy in pathophysiological conditions and how these activities are linked to the pathogenesis of TBI. Moreover, the relationship between oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy occur TBI. Ultimately, multiple compounds and various drugs targeting the autophagy pathway are well described in TBI. Therefore, autophagy flux represents a potential clinical therapeutic value for the treatment of TBI and its complications.
Immortalized Hertwig's epithelial root sheath cell line works as model for epithelial–mesenchymal interaction during tooth root formation
Authors: Zhang Sicheng , Li Xuebing , Wang Shikai , Yang Yan , Guo Weihua , Chen Guoqing , Tian Weidong
Published: September 2019

Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS) is critical for epithelial–mesenchymal interaction (EMI) during tooth root formation. However, the exact roles of HERS in odontogenic differentiation by EMI have not been well characterized, because primary HERS cells are difficult to obtain. Immortalized cell lines constitute crucial scientific tools, while there are few HERS cell lines available. Our previous study has successfully established immortalized HERS cell lines. Here, we confirmed the phenotype of our HERS‐H1 by verifying its characteristics and functions in odontogenic differentiation through EMI. The HERS‐H1‐conditioned medium (CM‐H1) effectively enhanced odontogenic differentiation of dental papilla cells (DPCs) in vitro. Furthermore, Smad4 and p‐Smad1/5/8 were significantly activated in DPCs treated with CM‐H1, and this activation was attenuated by noggin. In vivo, our implanted recombinants of HERS‐H1 and DPCs exhibited mineralized tissue formation and expression of Smad4, p‐Smad1/5/8, and odontogenic differentiation markers. Our results indicated that HERS‐H1 promoted DPCs odontoblastic differentiation via bone morphogenetic protein/Smad signaling. HERS‐H1 exhibits relevant key molecular characteristics and constitutes a new biological model for basic research on HERS and the dental EMI during root development and regeneration.
WNT1‐inducible signaling protein‐1 mediates TGF‐β1‐induced renal fibrosis in tubular epithelial cells and unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse models via autophagy
Authors: Yang Xue , Wang Huan , Tu Yueju , Li Yi , Zou Yurong , Li Guisen , Wang Li , Zhong Xiang
Published: September 2019

Renal fibrosis is a common pathway for the progression of all chronic kidney diseases to end‐stage kidney disease. Studies show that WNT1‐inducible signaling pathway protein‐1 (WISP‐1) is involved in the fibrosis of various organs. The aim of the study was to explore the functional role and potential mechanism of WISP‐1 in renal fibrosis. We observed that overexpression of WISP‐1 in rat tubular epithelial cells (TECs) enhanced transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1)‐induced production of fibrotic markers, including collagen I (Col I), fibronectin (FN) and TGF‐β1, while inhibition of WISP‐1 suppressed such production. In vivo, the messenger RNA and protein levels of Col I, FN, and α‐smooth muscle actin were significantly inhibited after anti‐WISP‐1 antibody treatment for 7 days in unilateral ureteral obstruction mouse models. Moreover, blockade of WISP‐1 by anti‐WISP‐1 antibody significantly reduced autophagy‐related markers, including anti‐microtubule‐associated protein‐1 light chain 3 (LC3) and beclin 1, while increasing sequestosome 1. In addition, overexpression of WISP‐1 in TECs increased autophagy as evidenced by greater numbers of GFP‐LC3 puncta and increased expression of LC3 and beclin 1 in response to TGF‐β1. In contrast, knockdown of WISP‐1 by small interfering RNA decreased the number of GFP‐LC3 puncta and the expression of LC3 and beclin 1 in TGF‐β1‐treated TECs. Collectively, these data suggest that WISP‐1, as a profibrotic protein, may mediate renal fibrosis by inducing autophagy in both obstructive nephropathy and TGF‐β1‐treated TECs. WISP‐1 may serve as an effective therapeutic target for the treatment of renal fibrosis.
Chromatography process development aided by a dye‐based assay
Authors: Jasulaityte Greta , Johansson Hans J , Bracewell Daniel G
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

The lifetime of chromatography resins typically averages between 10 and 300 cycles for the manufacture of a therapeutic protein. Developing and establishing the robustness of the method for each separation process represents a significant challenge and is subject to extensive regulatory oversight. This paper presents a novel fluorescence‐based assay for residual aggregated proteins to aid the evaluation of the extent of resin regeneration.

RESULTS

The versatility of this method was demonstrated by using strong anion and cation exchange agarose resins Praesto Q and SP in conjunction with bovine serum albumin and monoclonal antibody feed materials. The assay entails applying a molecular rotor dye to a sample of free resin and measuring the fluorescence intensity using a plate reader or visualizing under a confocal laser scanning microscope to gain a more detailed characterization. Following five consecutive chromatography cycles, both methods revealed a 10‐fold increase in fluorescence intensity along with a proportional reduction in dynamic binding capacity. Furthermore, the use of the assay suggested that fouling was dependent on spatial bead position in the column, bead channel structure and cleaning conditions.

CONCLUSION

This work presents a simple assay suitable for use in resin lifetime studies to enhance process understanding. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
NO2‐Fe (II)Pc‐catalyzed synthesis of 2‐ferrocenyl‐5‐aryl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles and study of antifungal activity
Authors: Ge Man , Feng Jie , Huang Hailian , Gou Xiaofeng , Hua Chengwen , Chen Bang , Zhao Junlong
Published: September 2019

Six novel derivatives of 2‐ferrocenyl‐5‐aryl‐1,3,4‐oxadiazoles have been synthesized through catalytic oxidation of benzoylhydrazone with nitrophthalocyanine iron (II) as catalyst and tert‐butyl hydroperoxide as oxidant. All of the compounds have been characterized by high‐resolution mass spectrometry, 1H, 13C NMR, and infrared spectroscopy. Moreover, the antifungal activities of all new compounds have been evaluated and the results showed that the compounds exhibited excellent antifungal activities. In addition, the molecular structure of compound 1c could also be determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction.
Modified hockey stick maneuver utilizing a steerable cryoballoon catheter for left inferior pulmonary vein isolation
Authors: Itoh Taihei , Kimura Masaomi , Tomita Hirofumi
Published: September 2019

Successful cryoballoon pulmonary vein (PV) isolation sometimes requires cryoballoon occlusion techniques including a hockey stick maneuver (HSM) using a steerable sheath, whose steerable segment should be positioned in the left atrium (LA) for left inferior PV (LIPV) occlusion. However, a small LA can cause a transseptal puncture site adjacent to both the LIPV ostium and the LA roof, leading to the steerable segment out of the LA during the HSM. This report illustrates a modified HSM utilizing a steerable cryoballoon catheter, which might be considered as an option when the standard one is not operated as the LIPV occlusion technique.
More hots: Quantifying upward trends in the number of extremely hot days and nights in Tallahassee, Florida, USA: 1892–2018
Authors: Elsner James B. , Elsner Svetoslava C.
Published: September 2019

Hot day and night occurrences in Tallahassee, Florida, USA are analysed and modelled. A hot day is defined as one during which the high temperature exceeds 100°F (37.8°C). A hot night is defined as one during which the low temperature fails to drop below 77°F (25°C). The U.S. National Weather Service Office (WSO) Tallahassee official record shows an upward trend in the number of hot days at a rate of 2.1% (±.96% margin of error [moe]) per year and a more pronounced upward trend in the number of hot nights at a rate of 4.5% (±.71% moe) per year. Increasingly frequent hot days and nights result from more and longer hot events (consecutive hot days/nights). Upward trends estimated from a 127‐year time series of annual hot day/night counts, with the years prior to 1940 adjusted for location, are consistent with upward trends estimated over the shorter, more recent, period. With projected continued warming we expect more hot days and nights making uncomfortable and unhealthy conditions more common in the city.
Prevalence of Bloodstream Infections in Children With Short‐Bowel Syndrome With a Central Line Presenting to Emergency Department With Fever
Authors: Fifi Amanda C. , Bayes Liz , Ehrenpreis Eli D. , Chavez Hector
Published: September 2019

Background

Children with short‐bowel syndrome (SBS) have significant morbidity and mortality from bloodstream infections (BSIs). We studied the prevalence of BSI in children with SBS and identified possible predictors of BSI.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients with SBS who presented to Holtz Children's Hospital from April 1, 2009, to June 30, 2014, with fever or reported fever. Data including vital signs, white blood cell (WBC) count, C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels, and blood and urine cultures were reviewed. We calculated the prevalence of BSI and its confidence level. We also assessed the odds of BSI with increases in WBC and CRP values.

Results

A total of 246 encounters were evaluated. The adjusted calculated prevalence rate for BSI in children with SBS and fever was 55% (95% CI, 42.3%–65.4%). There were 114 gram‐negative infections (72.6%), 46 gram‐positive infections (29.3%), and 17 fungal infections (10.8%). Using the regression model, each additional 10 units above 20 mg/L CRP increased the odds of BSI by 26%. There was no association between WBC count and the presence of BSI.

Conclusion

Children with fever and SBS are at high risk for BSI with gram‐positive and gram‐negative organisms as well as fungus. WBC count at presentation is a poor predictor of BSI. Though elevated CRP increased the odds of BSI, its low negative predictive value made it a poor predictor of BSI in these patients. Children with SBS and fever should be treated urgently with broad‐spectrum antibiotics.
Effect of pharmacist‐led medication review on medication appropriateness in older adults with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Tesfaye Wubshet H. , Wimmer Barbara C. , Peterson Gregory M. , Castelino Ronald L. , Jose Matthew , McKercher Charlotte , Zaidi Syed Tabish R.
Published: September 2019

This study evaluated the effect of pharmacist‐led review on medication appropriateness in 204 older patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) admitted to an Australian hospital. Medication appropriateness was evaluated using the Medication Appropriateness Index (MAI) prior to medication review, after review (assuming all recommendations were accepted by physicians) and after outcome (acceptance/non‐acceptance) of recommendations. Overall, 95 patients (46%) received a medication review by pharmacists. The median (interquartile range) MAI score decreased significantly from a baseline of 7 (3–12) to 5 (2–10) after medication review (p < 0.001) and to 6 (2–10) after the outcome of recommendations (p < 0.01). The MAI score also decreased in patients with no medication review by a pharmacist from 6 (3–11) at admission to 5 (2–9) at discharge (p < 0.001). MAI scores declined markedly in people with all pharmacist‐conducted medication review recommendations accepted (from 7 to 3; p < 0.05). Reassuringly, hospitalisation alone improved medication appropriateness. However, pharmacist‐led medication review can further optimise medication appropriateness in older CKD patients, particularly when the recommendations are implemented.
Improving medication adherence in people with dementia through a technological design
Authors: El‐Saifi Najwan , Moyle Wendy , Jones Cindy J. , Tuffaha Haitham W.
Published: September 2019

This study aims to describe a protocol to develop a conceptual design for a technological device based on theoretical knowledge to improve medication adherence in people with dementia. The six steps of the intervention mapping approach will be systematically applied. Step 1 will be a needs assessment using a mixed‐methods approach: a survey and interviews with carers to identify determinants of medication non‐adherence. Device outcomes and objectives will be set in Step 2 followed by the selection of practical theory‐informed methods in Step 3. In Step 4, the structure of the conceptual design will be determined through a Delphi technique. Finally, the implementation and evaluation plans for the design will be developed in Steps 5 and 6. To improve medication adherence in this population, the design should address the condition, patients’ and caregivers’ needs and factors contributing to the problem. Involvement of end‐users and a multidisciplinary team will ensure a practical and fit‐for‐purpose design bridging the gap between research and practice.
O/W Pickering emulsions stabilized by Flammulina velutipes polysaccharide nanoparticles as a fat substitute: the effects of phase separation on emulsified sausage's techno‐functional and sensory quality
Authors: Yang Yiran , Wang Wenhang , Wu Zinan , Wang Xiao , Zhang Kai , Li Yu
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

The application of Pickering emulsion stabilized by food‐derived particles is of great interest in the food field, including meat processing. However, the creaming phenomenon is a thorny problem and may impact the resulting product quality. Here, we used polysaccharide nanoparticles from Flammulina velutipes (FVPN) as a stabilizer to prepare a oil/water Pickering emulsion and partly replace the original fat of common emulsified sausage, focusing on exploring the influence of phase separation on the sausage's techno‐functional and sensory quality, with the aim of developing a new alternative fat substitute.

RESULTS

Reformulated sausages showed increases in moisture (53.24–64.85%) and protein content (11.97–12.76%), but were reduced in fat content (27.28–18.76%). The increased FPOE (FVPN–palm oil emulsion; substitution rate 5–37%) amount in sausages resulted in significantly reduced (P < 0.05) cooking loss (18.87–8.63%). Meanwhile, emulsion improved the springiness and cohesiveness of sausage and significantly reduced (P < 0.05) hardness and chewiness when the replacement amount was less than 20%. Experimental sausages attained a more compact pore structure without harming sensory characteristics. Compared with creaming emulsion, pristine emulsion resulted in a sausage with higher moisture content, lower cooking loss, better elasticity and denser structure.

CONCLUSION

The characteristics of sausages could be influenced by emulsion stability. Emulsion, especially with no creaming, can be effectively used as fat substitute at a level of 20% or less without adversely affecting the sensory characteristics of emulsified sausages. The incorporation of FPOE provides the potential for developing a new alternative approach for animal fat improvement in meat products. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of parent‐based social media and moderate exercise on the adherence and pulmonary functions among asthmatic children
Authors: Lin Han‐Hong , Hung Yi‐Ping , Weng Shih‐Han , Lee Pei‐Yi , Sun Wei‐Zen
Published: September 2019

Our previous study showed Tai‐Chi‐Chuan (TCC) training, a moderate exercise, at school improved pulmonary function and inflammation profiles in children with mild asthma. However, habitual practice is hard to maintain with the lack of continuous family and peer support. We investigated whether parental intervention with social media could enhance children's adherence to exercise at home and improve asthmatic outcome measures. Parents were opted to attend a 12‐week TCC classroom training, supervise home practice, and report to a four‐step web‐based social media platform to stay updated and motivated through logging activity and tracking competition. Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), FEV1/FVC and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were measured before and after 12 weeks of training. Fifty‐three asthmatic children were allocated into non‐TCC (control, n = 12), TCC groups with moderate‐to‐severe (TCC‐S, n = 26) and mild‐to‐moderate (TCC‐M, n = 15) asthma. We found both TCC groups exhibited better pulmonary function than the non‐TCC control. TCC increased FVC in mild‐to‐moderate asthma children while more pronounced improvement in FEV1, FEV1/FVC, PEF and FeNO was noticed in moderate‐to‐severe asthmatic children. All TCC subjects retained greater participation and better interaction online except for low‐ranking families who dramatically dropped their practice 9 weeks later. For asthmatic children, moderate exercise improves pulmonary functions in a severity‐dependent fashion. Parent‐based Learn‐Practice‐Persuade‐Award wheel is a useful platform to motivate children engagement in physical activity. Classical social persuasive skills could enhance general parent‐child relationship but tend to decrease in persuasiveness over time in low‐ranking families.
A basal‐enriched microRNA is required for prostate tumorigenesis in a Pten knockout mouse model
Authors: Fan Xiying , Bjerke Glen A. , Riemondy Kent , Wang Li , Yi Rui
Published: September 2019

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important roles in prostate cancer development. However, it remains unclear how individual miRNAs contribute to the initiation and progression of prostate cancer. Here we show that a basal layer‐enriched miRNA is required for prostate tumorigenesis. We identify miR‐205 as the most highly expressed miRNA and enriched in the basal cells of the prostate. Although miR‐205 is not required for normal prostate development and homeostasis, genetic deletion of miR‐205 in a Pten null tumor model significantly compromises tumor progression and does not promote metastasis. In Pten null basal cells, loss of miR‐205 attenuates pAkt levels and promotes cellular senescence. Furthermore, although overexpression of miR‐205 in prostate cancer cells with luminal phenotypes inhibits cell growth in both human and mouse, miR‐205 has a minimal effect on the growth of a normal human prostate cell line. Taken together, we have provided genetic evidence for a requirement of miR‐205 in the progression of Pten null‐induced prostate cancer.
The NF‐κB‐modulated miR‐19a‐3p enhances malignancy of human ovarian cancer cells through inhibition of IGFBP‐3 expression
Authors: Bai Ru , Cui Zhenhua , Ma Yongjing , Wu Yang , Wang Ningping , Huang Ling , Yao Qing , Sun Jianmin
Published: September 2019

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy due to the lack of symptoms until advanced stages, and new diagnosis and treatment strategy is in urgent need. In this study, we found higher expression of miR‐19a‐3p in ovarian cancer tissues compared with that in the adjacent normal tissues. By chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) analysis, we showed that nuclear factor‐kappaB (NF‐κB) binds to the promoter of miR‐19a‐3p, leading to reduced expression in ovarian cancer cells. Further study indicated that miR‐19a‐3p inhibits the expression of insulin‐like growth factor binding protein‐3 (IGFBP‐3), resulting in enhanced growth and migration of ovarian cancer cells in vitro and tumor growth in vivo. These results showed that miR‐19a‐3p enhances the oncogenesis of ovarian cancer through inhibition of IGFBP‐3 expression, and which can be inhibited by NF‐κB, suggesting an NF‐κB/miR‐19a‐3p/IGFBP‐3 pathway in the oncogenesis of ovarian cancer, which expands our understanding of ovarian cancer and they may contribute to the development of new diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer.
Compact high‐selectivity tunable dual‐mode filter with constant bandwidth by adopting frequency‐dependent S‐L coupling
Authors: Zhu Jia‐Ming , Xue Yi‐Fan , Sun Liang , Liu Fei , Deng Hon‐Wei
Published: September 2019

A compact high‐selectivity tunable dual‐mode microstrip bandpass filter (BPF) with constant bandwidth is proposed in this letter. Three self‐adaptive transmission zeros (TZs) are generated due to the frequency‐dependent source‐load (S‐L) coupling and intrinsic characteristic of dual‐mode resonator, which can sharpen the skirt and deepen the upper stopband. The passband performance can be mainly determined by the pole separation Δf of dual‐mode and external quality factor Qe. Finally, a tunable filter with tuning range from 1.15 to 1.65GHz, constant 3 dB absolute bandwidth (ABW3dB) of 120 ± 5 MHz is designed and fabricated. The measurement results show good agreement with simulated ones, which confirms the design feasibility.
Ultra wideband THz graphene four‐port circulators
Authors: Dmitriev Victor , Matos da Silva Samara L.
Published: September 2019

In the presence of a DC magnetic field, the conductivity of graphene acquires tensor character with antisymmetric nondiagonal elements. This property can be used for creation of nonreciprocal elements in THz region. In this work, we propose and investigate two 4‐port circulators with a planar structure. They are composed of a graphene layer placed on a dielectric substrate. The orientation of the external DC magnetic field is normal to the graphene layer. The graphene geometry of the first circulator presents four strips with surface plasmon‐polariton waves. The strips are connected symmetrically to the magnetized central region such that the whole structure possesses 4‐fold rotational symmetry. The operating region of the circulator at low frequency end is limited by the cyclotron frequency of magnetized graphene and at high frequencies by the appearance of the higher mode in the graphene waveguidings structures. Using numerical calculus, we give an example of the circulator project with the following scattering parameters:
S11 is better than −10 dB, the isolation level is less than −15 dB, insertion loss is better than −3 dB in the (1.6 ÷ 2.65) THz region with the bandwidth of 44%. The second four‐port circulator has a linear geometry with lower symmetry where the number of ports can be easily increased. It has the bandwidth also of about 44%. In both cases, the DC magnetic field is 1.5 T and the Fermi energy of graphene
μc = 0.15 eV.
Whole‐body exposure to cigarette smoke alters oocyte miRNAs expression in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Budani Maria Cristina , D'Aurora Marco , Stuppia Liborio , Gatta Valentina , Tiboni Gian Mario
Published: September 2019

Cigarette smoke is toxic for the female reproductive system with particular reference to the ovary. The purpose of the study was to investigate if the microRNAs (miRNAs) pattern could be altered by cigarette smoke exposure in mouse oocytes. For this purpose, C57BL/6 mice were whole‐body exposed to three cigarettes daily, 7 days/week, for 2 or 4 months by a specific rodent ventilator. Mice were then superovulated and oocytes collected. MII oocytes pools obtained by single animals were deprived of cumulus cells and used to extract total RNA including miRNAs. TaqMan™ Rodent MicroRNA A Array v2.0 was used to analyze the miRNAs expression profile. The biological functions and the functional networks of the identified up‐ and downregulated miRNAs were analyzed by ingenuity pathway analysis software. The gene expression of deregulated‐miRNAs targets was evaluated. For the first time, the global miRNAs changes in mouse oocyte in response to cigarette smoke exposure were disclosed. Our results revealed significant modulation of miRNAs mainly involved in inflammatory processes, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis. miRNAs expression was altered in a time‐dependent manner. Smoke exposure induced an early downregulation of Dicer1. Transcriptional alterations of the modulated miRNAs major targets, estrogen receptor 1, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha, and tumor protein 53, as well as that of other key regulatory genes, were evidenced. Cigarette smoke represents a stimulus able to alter miRNAs pattern in mouse oocyte. This study increases our understanding of the ovarian toxicity profile of cigarette smoke, and open new roads toward the identification of biomarkers of oocyte toxicity and dysregulation.
Improving clinical outcomes with lower motor voltage (≤3 V) during stage 1 sacral neuromodulation for interstitial cystitis or bladder pain syndrome
Authors: Marinkovic Serge P.
Published: September 2019

Aims

We desire to evaluate whether utilization of ≤3 V (new experimental approach) vs the traditional four or more volts for lead motor response during stage 1 sacral neuromodulation may impart an improvement in voiding and pain parameters.

Methods

An observational, retrospective, double cohort review was conducted of 179 female patients who experienced medically recalcitrant interstitial cystitis (IC) or bladder pain syndrome (BPS) between January 2002 and January 2013. Group A included 105 women with a motor response of ≤3 V; group B was comprised of 65 women with a motor response at ≥4 V for medically recalcitrant IC or BPS. Patients completed a 3‐day pre‐ and postoperative voiding diary, visual analog pain (VAP) scale, pain urgency frequency (PUF), and Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI‐I) questionnaire.

Results

The mean (standard deviation) follow‐up in months was 120.1 ± 33.3 in group A and 116.3 ± 29.2 in group B (P < .45). A successful conversion from stage 1 to stage 2 showed statistically significant improvement for group A compared with group B (95.4% vs 73.8% conversion rate; P < .001). The success rate also favored group A, with 87.6% success compared with 66.2% for group B (P < .002). Group A mean postoperative VAP scores improved over group B with 3.3 ± 1.2 compared with 5.0 ± 0.8 (P < .001). Group A mean postoperative PUF scores were 10.2 ± 2.7 and group B 14.7 ± 3.5, (P < .001).

Conclusions

In the ≤3 V patient cohort, a compelling, significant statistical improvement was noted in most clinical voiding parameters, including the VAP, PGI‐I, and performance questionnaires.
Parallel adaptive FETI‐DP using lightweight asynchronous dynamic load balancing
Authors: Klawonn Axel , Kühn Martin J. , Rheinbach Oliver
Published: September 2019

A parallel FETI‐DP domain decomposition method using an adaptive coarse space is presented. The implementation builds on a recently introduced adaptive FETI‐DP approach for elliptic problems in three dimensions and uses small, local eigenvalue problems for faces and, additionally, for a small number of edges. The condition number of the preconditioned operator then satisfies a bound that is independent of coefficient heterogeneities in the problem. The computational cost of the local eigenvalue problems is not negligible, and also a significant load imbalance can be introduced. As a remedy, certain eigenvalue problems are discarded by a theory‐guided heuristic strategy, based on the diagonal entries of the stiffness matrices. Additionally, a lightweight pairwise dynamic load balancing strategy is implemented for the eigenvalue problems. The load balancing is supervised by an orchestrating rank using asynchronous point‐to‐point communication. The resulting method shows good weak and strong scalability up to thousands of cores while fast convergence is obtained even for heterogeneous problems.
“I'll donate money today and time tomorrow”: The moderating role of attitude toward nonprofit organizations on donation intention
Authors: Song Doori , Kim Dong Hoo
Published: September 2019

Across two experiments, this study provides support for the concept that money and time are marked by psychologically distinct constructs. As temporal distance increases, preferences are more likely to be based on the value associated with a high‐level construal of options than the value associated with a low‐level construal of options. That is, as potential contributors are asked to donate later, high‐level featured resources (i.e., time) take focal precedent over low‐level ones (i.e., money) in judging preference for donation methods. This study also found that the match effect between temporal distance and construal level holds only when the level of attitude toward nonprofit organization (NPO) is relatively favorable. However, donation intention is enhanced under mismatch conditions when the level of attitude is less favorable. That is, when potential contributors hold relatively less favorable attitudes toward the NPO, those who are requested to make an expediting decision of donation are more likely to have higher intention to donate with a high‐level construal resource. This study attributed the finding to the shift of people's focal resource through their level of attitude toward the NPO.
Mechanochemical Preparations of Anion Coordinated Architectures Based on 3‐Iodoethynylpyridine and 3‐Iodoethynylbenzoic Acid
Authors: Morin Vincent M. , Szell Patrick M. J. , Caron‐Poulin Estelle , Gabidullin Bulat , Bryce David L.
Published: September 2019

The halogen bond has previously been explored as a versatile tool in crystal engineering and anion coordination chemistry, with mechanochemical synthetic techniques having been shown to provide convenient routes towards cocrystals. In an effort to expand our knowledge on the role of halogen bonding in anion coordination, here we explore a series of cocrystals formed between 3‐iodoethynylpyridine and 3‐iodoethynylbenzoic acid with halide salts. In total, we report the single‐crystal X‐ray structures of six new cocrystals prepared by mechanochemical ball milling, with all structures exhibiting C≡C−I⋅⋅⋅X− (X=Cl, Br) halogen bonds. Whereas cocrystals featuring a pyridine group favoured the formation of discrete entities, cocrystals featuring a benzoic acid group yielded an alternation of halogen and hydrogen bonds. The compounds studied herein were further characterized by 13C and 31P solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance, with the chemical shifts offering a clear and convenient method of identifying the occurrence of halogen bonding, using the crude product obtained directly from the mechanochemical ball milling. Whereas the 31P chemical shifts were quickly able to identify the occurrence of cocrystallization, 13C solid‐state NMR was diagnostic of both the occurrence of halogen bonding and of hydrogen bonding.
Does access to domestic finance and international finance contribute to sustainable development goals? Implications for policymakers
Authors: Khattak Muhammad Sualeh
Published: September 2019

Seventeen goals presented by the United Nation General Assembly provide an evidence‐based framework of planning and programming for sustainable development goals (SDGs) until 2030. There is a growing catalog of related reviews, recommendations, advice, and publications, whereas the professional community is undoubtedly emphasizing the need to adopt evidence‐based methodologies for the implementation of SDGs. In particular, emerging economies face a big challenge to implement SDGs practices efficiently. Some countries have focused on the business sector for this mission, whereas others invest in a variety of projects to gain SDGs. However, it is still not yet realized how small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) contribute to SDGs. This research examines the influence of SMEs' access to domestic and international finances on SDGs (community and environmental practices). Data were collected from 310 Pakistani SMEs through a structured questionnaire. The findings revealed from structural equation modeling indicate that access to both domestic and international finances significantly contributes to community practices. However, access to international finance significantly helps in community practices but does not substantially facilitate environmental practices. This research recommends policymakers and practitioners to encourage domestic and international financial institutions and capitalists to invest in industrial sectors, which in turn can configure SDGs. Further implications are discussed.
Tumor bed proton irradiation in young children with localized medulloblastoma
Authors: Grewal Amardeep S. , Li Yimei , Fisher Michael J. , Minturn Jane , Paltin Iris , Belasco Jean , Phillips Peter , Kang Tammy , Lustig Robert A. , Hill‐Kayser Christine
Published: September 2019

Background

Radiotherapy is often deferred in very young children with medulloblastoma, in favor of more intense chemotherapy and stem cell rescue; however, posterior fossa radiation has been shown to improve overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival compared with adjuvant chemotherapy alone. This study was performed to assess the OS, recurrence‐free survival (RFS), patterns of failure, and clinical toxicity for children aged five and under who received focal proton radiation to the tumor bed alone.

Procedure

From 2010 to 2017, 14 patients with newly diagnosed medulloblastoma at one institution received tumor bed irradiation following surgery and chemotherapy. The median age of the patients was 40 months (range, 10.9‐62.9 months).

Results

With a median follow‐up of 54 months, four patients relapsed: three within the central nervous system (CNS) outside of the posterior fossa, and one within the tumor bed after subtotal resection. All relapses occurred within 28 months after the completion of radiation therapy. Five‐year OS and RFS for this cohort of patients were 84% (95% CI, 48%‐96%) and 70% (95% CI, 38%‐88%), respectively. One patient experienced significant tumor regrowth soon after completion of radiation, autopsy showed viable tumor and necrosis near and within the brainstem, with relation to radiation unknown; however, no other acute clinical toxicities greater than grade 2 were observed in this group of patients. In the nine patients with available performance status follow‐up, no significant changes in Lansky performance status were observed.

Conclusions

Five‐year OS and RFS following tumor bed irradiation in young children with medulloblastoma appear to be improved compared with other studies that forego the use of radiation therapy in this patient population. This approach should be further investigated in young children with medulloblastoma.
Comprehensive quality evaluation of Polygoni Orientalis Fructus and its processed product: chemical fingerprinting and simultaneous determination of seven major components coupled with chemometric analyses
Authors: Ba Yinying , Xiao Ran , Chen Qi‐Jun , Xie Li‐Yuan , Xu Rong‐Rong , Yu Ping , Chen Xiao‐Qing , Wu Xia
Published: September 2019

Introduction

Polygoni Orientalis Fructus (POF) is a clinically effective Chinese medicine. Raw POF (RPOF) and POF Tostus (POFT) are used separately in clinics. However, incomplete progress has been made on quality control.

Objective

To establish a comprehensive method for quality assessment of RPOF and POFT and to discriminate these two varieties.

Methodology

High‐performance liquid chromatography combined with the diode array detector (HPLC‐DAD) methods were developed for fingerprinting and quantitative analysis of seven major compounds in RPOF and POFT, and the main components were determined by HPLC‐DAD coupled with Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance‐mass spectrometry. Chemometric approaches were performed to discriminate RPOF and POFT and to screen discriminatory components.

Results

Fingerprints were established and 12 common peaks were identified, cannabisin G and cannabisin E were firstly identified from POF. In quantitative analysis, all analytes showed good regression (R > 0.9996) within test ranges and the recovery of the method was in the range 96.6–104.3%. Fingerprints in conjunction with similarity analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) demonstrated the consistent quality of RPOF and showed a clear discrimination between RPOF and POFT. Principal component analysis, partial least‐squares discriminant analysis, and heatmap‐HCA on quantitative data not only gave a clear differentiation between RPOF and POFT, but they also suggested that quercetin, 3,5,7‐trihydroxychromone, and N‐trans‐feruloyltyramine acted as the main factors responsible for the sample differences.

Conclusions

Chromatographic analysis in combination with chemometric analysis provides a simple and reliable method of comparing and evaluating the qualities of RPOF and POFT.
Dynamic Fragility of α‐Olefin Molecular Bottlebrushes
Authors: López‐Barrón Carlos R. , Hagadorn John R.
Published: September 2019

The glass transition temperature, dynamic fragilities, and flow activation energy of a series of well‐entangled poly(α‐olefin) (PαO) molecular bottlebrushes were measured as a function of side chain length (Nsc). The PαO bottlebrushes studied here have side chain lengths,Nsc, ranging from 4 (poly(1‐hexene)) to 10 (poly(1‐dodecene). A linear polyolefin (polypropylene), with Nsc = 1, was included in this study as a reference. The observed glassy dynamics behavior in the PαO bottlebrushes is opposite to that observed in linear polymers, namely, the glass transition temperature, the dynamic fragility, and the activation energy of structural relaxation are decreasing functions of the backbone rigidity. This anomalous behavior is due to a decrease in correlation between adjacent backbones, which is directly related to their cooperativity in the α‐relaxation, asNscand the concomitant distance between backbones increase. This change in conformation is also manifested as an increase in free volume and the consequent decrease in monomeric friction coefficient. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2019,57, 1293–1299
Evaluation of the pulmonary radioaerosol mucociliary clearance scan as an adjunctive test for the diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia in children
Authors: Vali Reza , Ghandourah Hasan , Charron Martin , Nezhad Kimiya V. , Omarkhail Yusuaf , Khazaee Afsoon , Shammas Amer , Dell Sharon D.
Published: September 2019

Introduction

The accuracy of primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) diagnosis has improved but no single test is diagnostic and some cases remain unsolved. Data regarding the accuracy of pulmonary radioaerosol mucociliary clearance scan (PRMCC) for the diagnosis of PCD are limited to predominantly adults using a 24‐hour test. This study was performed to determine the accuracy of a 60‐minute PRMCC test for diagnosing PCD in children.

Methods

Children with suspected PCD and inconclusive clinical diagnostic testing in an expert center were selected for PRMCC testing. Nebulized 99mTc sulfur colloid was inhaled and dynamic imaging acquired for 60 to 120 minutes. Two independent radiologists blinded to the clinical diagnosis and health records overread PRMCC studies. The PRMCC result was compared with the reference standard diagnosis of PCD made by two physicians using the cumulative health record, blinded to PRMCC results.

Results

From 2008 to 2018, 57 patients (6‐17 years) participated, of which 16 met criteria for the reference diagnosis of PCD. The PRMCC test was conclusive in 54 patients (94.7%) and had a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 78.2–100), specificity of 85.7% (95% CI = 69.7–95.2), positive predictive value of 75% (95% CI = 57.1–87.1), negative predictive value of 100% (95% CI = 90.2–100), and accuracy of 90% (95% CI = 78.2–96.7).

Conclusion

The 60‐minute PRMCC test is noninvasive and feasible in children with a high negative predictive value for PCD. It may be a helpful adjunctive test to rule out PCD when clinical suspicion remains after guideline recommended first‐line clinical testing.
Novel phosphorylation‐dependent regulation in an unstructured protein
Authors: Cannon John F.
Published: September 2019

This work explores how phosphorylation of an unstructured protein region in inhibitor‐2 (I2) regulates protein phosphatase‐1 (PP1) enzyme activity using molecular dynamics (MD). Free I2 is largely unstructured; however, when bound to PP1, three segments adopt a stable structure. In particular, an I2 helix (i‐helix) blocks the PP1 active site and inhibits phosphatase activity. I2 phosphorylation in the PP1‐I2 complex activates phosphatase activity without I2 dissociation. The I2 Thr74 regulatory phosphorylation site is in an unstructured domain in PP1‐I2. PP1‐I2 MD demonstrated that I2 phosphorylation promotes early steps of PP1‐I2 activation in explicit solvent models. Moreover, phosphorylation‐dependent activation occurred in PP1‐I2 complexes derived from I2 orthologs with diverse sequences from human, yeast, worm, and protozoa. This system allowed exploration of features of the 73‐residue unstructured human I2 domain critical for phosphorylation‐dependent activation. These studies revealed that components of I2 unstructured domain are strategically positioned for phosphorylation responsiveness including a transient α‐helix. There was no evidence that electrostatic interactions of I2 phosphothreonine74 influenced PP1‐I2 activation. Instead, phosphorylation altered the conformation of residues around Thr74. Phosphorylation uncurled the distance between I2 residues Glu71 to Tyr76 to promote PP1‐I2 activation, whereas reduced distances reduced activation. This I2 residue Glu71 to Tyr76 distance distribution, independently from Thr74 phosphorylation, controls I2 i‐helix displacement from the PP1 active site leading to PP1‐I2 activation.
A Two‐Parameter Model for Colloidal Particles with an Extended Magnetic Cap
Authors: Neumann Maximilian , Strobel Aaron , Al-Saadawi Yara , Steinbach Gabi , Erbe Artur , Gemming Sibylle
Published: September 2019

Self‐assembly of magnetic colloidal particles in solution has successfully been simulated by hard‐ or soft‐sphere models with a set of embedded magnetic point dipoles, and the position and orientation of each dipole are adapted to mimic the magnetization distribution. Herein, a conceptually simpler approach is introduced for magnetically capped colloidal particles, which replaces the set of dipoles by the extended magnetization distribution of a single conductive loop. Only two parameters are required to characterize the magnetization distribution: the diameter of the loop and its radial off‐center shift within the sphere. This approach reflects the radial symmetry and the spatial extension of the magnetic cap. At larger distance and in the limit of very small loops that model reproduces the far field and particle arrangements obtained with the single, radially shifted dipole model. For larger loop radii, additional stable assembly patterns are obtained, which occur in experiments, but cannot be simulated with a single shifted dipole model.
Buried‐Tunnel Junction Current Injection for InP‐Based Nanomembrane Photonic Crystal Surface Emitting Lasers on Silicon
Authors: Reuterskiöld Hedlund Carl , Liu Shih-Chia , Zhao Deyin , Zhou Weidong , Hammar Mattias
Published: September 2019

Herein, the design, metal‐organic vapor‐phase epitaxial growth, fabrication, and characterization of buried‐tunnel junction (BTJ) current injection structures for InP/Si hybrid nanomembrane photonic crystal surface emitting lasers (PCSELs) are reported. Corresponding BTJ‐light‐emitting diodes on InP substrate show low series resistance and uniform carrier injection over square‐shaped device areas with side length ranging from 15 up to 250 μm, whereas BTJ‐PCSEL structures with similar current injection configuration fabricated on photonic‐crystal silicon‐on‐insulator substrate using transfer print technology show significant linewidth narrowing at low current density.
Defect and Threading Dislocations in Single Crystal Diamond: A Focus on Boron and Nitrogen Codoping
Authors: Issaoui Riadh , Tallaire Alexandre , Mrad Aida , William Ludovic , Bénédic Fabien , Pinault-Thaury Marie-Amandine , Achard Jocelyn
Published: September 2019

For the fabrication of vertical power electronic components, the use of a freestanding highly boron‐doped single crystal diamond substrate is mandatory, on top of which a thin low‐doped active layer is overgrown. The crystalline quality of this substrate is of prime importance as the high doping level required is also likely to lead to the generation of extended defects in the active layer. Herein, the improvement of the quality of thick highly boron‐doped diamond films grown by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is investigated. Codoping with a low amount of nitrogen is explored as a way to limit the formation and propagation of extended defects. It is shown that the growth rate and boron concentration are not impacted by the addition of nitrogen with the parameters used in this study. Surface morphology and defect density estimated for each amount of nitrogen are presented; and Raman spectroscopy confirms that nitrogen addition compensates the strain induced by boron incorporation in single crystal diamond. Codoping with nitrogen is thus demonstrated as a useful strategy to obtain high quality boron‐doped diamond substrates potentially suitable for the development of power devices.