bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neurotrophin‐3 released from implant of tissue‐engineered fibroin scaffolds inhibits inflammation, enhances nerve fiber regeneration, and improves motor function in canine spinal cord injury
Authors: Li Ge , Che Ming‐Tian , Zeng Xiang , Qiu Xue‐Cheng , Feng Bo , Lai Bi‐Qin , Shen Hui‐Yong , Ling Eng‐Ang , Zeng Yuan‐Shan
Published: March 2018

Spinal cord injury (SCI) normally results in cell death, scarring, cavitation, inhibitory molecules release, etc., which are regarded as a huge obstacle to reconnect the injured neuronal circuits because of the lack of effective stimulus. In this study, a functional gelatin sponge scaffold was used to inhibit local inflammation, enhance nerve fiber regeneration, and improve neural conduction in the canine. This scaffold had good porosity and modified with neurotrophin‐3 (NT‐3)/fibroin complex, which showed sustained release in vitro. After the scaffold was transplanted into canine spinal cord hemisection model, hindlimb movement, and neural conduction were improved evidently. Migrating host cells, newly formed neurons with associated synaptic structures together with functional blood vessels with intact endothelium in the regenerating tissue were identified. Taken together, the results demonstrated that using bioactive scaffold could establish effective microenvironment stimuli for endogenous regeneration, providing a potential and practical strategy for treatment of spinal cord injury. © 2018 The Authors Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 2158‐2170, 2018.
Fabrication and evaluation of interconnected porous carbonate apatite from alpha tricalcium phosphate spheres
Authors: Ishikawa Kunio , Arifta Tya Indah , Hayashi Koichiro , Tsuru Kanji
Published: March 2018

Carbonate apatite (CO3Ap) blocks have attracted considerable attention as an artificial bone substitute material because CO3Ap is a component of and shares properties with bone, including high osteoconductivity and replacement by bone similar to autografts. In this study, we fabricated an interconnected porous CO3Ap block using α‐tricalcium phosphate (TCP) spheres and evaluated the tissue response to this material in a rabbit tibial bone defect model. Interconnected porous α‐TCP, the precursor of interconnected porous CO3Ap, could not be fabricated directly by sintering α‐TCP spheres. It was therefore made via a setting reaction with α‐TCP spheres, yielding interconnected porous calcium‐deficient hydroxyapatite that was subjected to heat treatment. Immersing the interconnected porous α‐TCP in Na–CO3–PO4 solution produced CO3Ap, which retained the interconnected porous structure after the dissolution–precipitation reaction. The diametral tensile strength and porosity of the porous CO3Ap were 1.8 ± 0.4 MPa and 55% ± 3.2%, respectively. Both porous and dense (control) CO3Ap showed excellent tissue response and good osteoconductivity. At 4 weeks after surgery, approximately 15% ± 4.9% of the tibial bone defect was filled with new bone when reconstruction was performed using porous CO3Ap; this amount was five times greater than that obtained with dense CO3Ap. At 12 weeks after surgery, for porous CO3Ap, approximately 47% of the defect was filled with new bone as compared to 16% for dense CO3Ap. Thus, the interconnected porous CO3Ap block is a promising artificial bone substitute material for the treatment of bone defects caused by large fractures or bone tumor resection. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 269–277, 2019.
Utilizing an ecological framework to integrate social identities and sociopolitical analysis in psychotherapy
Authors: LiVecchi Pamela , Obasaju Mayowa
Published: March 2018

This article explores how the political events from the past year have influenced psychotherapeutic sessions with a female adolescent who is Peruvian, undocumented, and initially presented with symptoms of anxiety and a history of trauma. Focusing on this case example and utilizing an ecological framework, this article explores how the social identities of the therapist and their relation to power and privilege impact the therapeutic interventions that were chosen and not chosen. Additionally, there is a review of the benefits of consultation with a colleague of differing social identities and how this form of consultation can influence a clinician's reactions to clients regarding social or political issues, as well as how integrating a sociopolitical analysis is a useful and sometimes necessary addition to the usual work of therapy.
MAO‐BandCOMTGenetic Variations Associated With Levodopa Treatment Response in Patients With Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Sampaio Tiago Furtado , dos Santos Erinaldo Ubirajara Damasceno , de Lima Gessica Dayane Cordeiro , dos Anjos Rute Salgues Gueiros , da Silva Ronaldo Celerino , Asano Amdore Guescel C. , Asano Nadja Maria Jorge , Crovella Sergio , de Souza Paulo Roberto Eleutério
Published: March 2018

The most commonly used Parkinson's disease (PD) treatment is the replacement of dopamine by its levodopa precursor (l‐dopa). Monoamine oxidase‐B (MAO‐B) and catechol‐o‐methyl transferase (COMT) are enzymes involved in the metabolism and regulation of dopamine availability. In our study we investigated the possible relation among selected single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in theMAO‐B(rs1799836) andCOMT(rs4680) genes and the therapeutic response to levodopa (l‐dopa). A total of 162 Brazilian patients from the Pro‐Parkinson service of Clinics Hospital of Pernambuco diagnosed with sporadic PD and treated with levodopa were enrolled. PD patients were stratified into 2 groups according to the daily levodopa dose.MAO‐BandCOMTSNP genotyping was conducted by polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism. After multivariate analysis, we observed a significant difference between PD groups for the following variables: sex (P = .02), longer duration of disease (P = .02), longer levodopa therapy duration (P = .01), younger onset of PD (P =.01), and use of COMT inhibitor (P = .02). We observed that patients carryingMAO‐B(rs1799836) A and AA genotypes and COMT (rs4680) LL genotype suffered more frequently from levodopa‐induced‐dyskinesia. In addition, we found an increased risk of 2.84‐fold for male individuals carrying theMAO‐BG allele to be treated with higher doses of levodopa (P = .04). We concluded that before beginning PD pharmacological treatment, it is important to consider the genetic variants of theMAO‐BandCOMTgenes and the sex, reinforcing the evidence that sexual dimorphism in the genes related to dopamine metabolism might affect PD treatment.
Regional Gastrointestinal Absorption of Apixaban in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Byon Wonkyung , Nepal Sunil , Schuster Alan E. , Shenker Andrew , Frost Charles E.
Published: March 2018

This study was conducted to investigate the extent of absorption in different regions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The relative bioavailability of an apixaban crushed tablet was also assessed to investigate the effect of dissolution on absorption. This was an open‐label, randomized, 4‐period, 4‐treatment crossover study with a 7‐day washout period balanced for first‐order residual effects in 12 healthy subjects. Subjects received a single dose of a 2.5‐mg apixaban solution administered orally, released in the distal small intestine and in the ascending colon. In addition, subjects received a single dose of a 2.5‐mg apixaban crushed tablet released in the ascending colon. The solution and crushed tablet were delivered via Enterion capsules. The location of Enterion capsules was monitored using scintigraphic imaging. Apixaban maximum observed plasma concentration (Cmax) and area under the plasma concentration–time curve from zero to the time of the last quantifiable concentration (AUC0–t) decreased by approximately 60% when it was delivered to the distal small bowel compared with the oral administration. A greater decrease was observed when it was delivered to the ascending colon, with reductions of 90% and 84% in Cmax and AUC0–t, respectively. A crushed tablet delivered to the ascending colon resulted in exposure that was approximately 40% of that observed for solution released in the same region. These findings indicate that apixaban exhibits region‐dependent absorption and that dissolution/solubility of the solid‐dose form is limited in the ascending colon. Apixaban absorption decreased progressively along the GI tract, indicating that absorption occurs primarily in the upper GI tract.
Treatment of super heavy oil wastewater by a combined process of lignite‐activated coke adsorption and immobilized biological filter degradation: performance and the relevant microbial community analysis
Authors: Tong Kun , Zhang Zhena , Lin Aiguo , Song Qihui , Ji Guodong , Wang Dong , Zhang Mingdong
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Treatment of super heavy oil wastewater (SHOW) is an increasing problem due to the large amounts of recalcitrant contaminants. Thus advanced techniques should be explored.

RESULTS

A pilot field study was conducted by unsaturated ligntie‐activated coke (LAC) pre‐adsorption–immobilized biological filter (I‐BF) degradation–LAC post‐adsorption. Specially, the unsaturated LAC from the post‐adsorption stage was sent to the influent wastewater for pre‐adsorption. Through this novel process, the effluent can meet the prescribed discharge standard, and LAC dosage was significantly lower compared with the process without pre‐adsorption. Gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) demonstrated that pre‐adsorption could remove mostly organic substances which benefits the subsequent bio‐treatment; in particular, I‐BFs could remove phenols, organic acid compounds and light alkanes, whereas post‐adsorption preferentially removed amide. Liquid chromatography with organic carbon detection (LC‐OCD) indicated that pre‐adsorption could easily remove hydrophobic organic carbon (HOC), whereas I‐BFs and post‐adsorption principally removed neutrals. Thus, this process readily removes HOC, organic acids, biopolymers and neutrals, although humics (proven to be sewage fulvic acids) and building blocks are hard to remove. We also monitored the microbial community based on polymerase chain reaction‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) and revealed that the predominant bacteria in the I‐BF reactors were Bacteroides spp., Pseudomonas spp., Thermomonas spp., Sphingomonadaceae spp., Sphingomonas spp. and Rhizobium spp.

CONCLUSION

This process provides an effective way for the treatment of SHOW. Results concerning the removal mechanism of recalcitrant contaminants and the in‐depth study of predominant bacteria may provide significant guidance for other wastewater treatments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Typological thinking: Then and now
Authors: Witteveen Joeri
Published: March 2018

A popular narrative about the history of modern biology has it that Ernst Mayr introduced the distinction between “typological thinking” and “population thinking” to mark a contrast between a metaphysically problematic and a promising foundation for (evolutionary) biology, respectively. This narrative sometimes continues with the observation that, since the late‐20th century, typological concepts have been making a comeback in biology, primarily in the context of evolutionary developmental biology. It is hard to square this narrative with the historical and philosophical literature on the typology/population distinction from the last decade or so. The conclusion that emerges from this literature is that the very distinction between typological thinking and population thinking is a piece of mere rhetoric that was concocted and rehearsed for purely strategic, programmatic reasons. If this is right, it becomes hard to make sense of recent criticisms (and sometimes: espousals) of the purportedly typological underpinnings of certain contemporary research programs. In this article, I offer a way out of this apparent conflict. I show that we can make historical and philosophical sense of the continued accusations of typological thinking by looking beyond Mayr, to his contemporary and colleague George Gaylord Simpson. I show that before Mayr discussed the typology/population distinction as an issue in scientific metaphysics, Simpson introduced it to mark several contrasts in methodology and scientific practice. I argue that Simpson's insightful discussion offers useful resources for classifying and assessing contemporary attributions of typological thinking.
Partial pancreatic transdifferentiation of primary human hepatocytes in the livers of a humanised mouse model
Authors: Ren Binhai , La Que T. , O'Brien Bronwyn A. , Nassif Najah T. , Tan Yi , Gerace Dario , Martiniello‐Wilks Rosetta , Torpy Fraser , Dane Allison P. , Alexander Ian E. , Simpson Ann M.
Published: March 2018

Background

Gene therapy is one treatment that may ultimately cure type 1 diabetes. We have previously shown that the introduction of furin‐cleavable human insulin (INS‐FUR) to the livers in several animal models of diabetes resulted in the reversal of diabetes and partial pancreatic transdifferentiation of liver cells. The present study investigated whether streptozotocin‐diabetes could be reversed in FRG mice in which chimeric mouse‐human livers can readily be established and, in addition, whether pancreatic transdifferentiation occurred in the engrafted human hepatocytes.

Methods

Engraftment of human hepatocytes was confirmed by measuring human albumin levels. Following delivery of the empty vector or the INS‐FUR vector to diabetic FRG mice, mice were monitored for weight and blood glucose levels. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance tests (IPGTTs) were performed. Expression levels of pancreatic hormones and transcription factors were determined by a reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry.

Results

Diabetes was reversed for a period of 60 days (experimental endpoint) after transduction with INS‐FUR. IPGTTs of the insulin‐transduced animals were not significantly different from nondiabetic animals. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed the expression of human albumin and insulin in transduced liver samples. Quantitative RT‐PCR showed expression of human and mouse endocrine hormones and β‐cell transcription factors, indicating partial pancreatic transdifferentiation of mouse and human hepatocytes. Nonfasting human C‐peptide levels were significantly higher than mouse levels, suggesting that transdifferentiated human hepatocytes made a significant contribution to the reversal of diabetes.

Conclusions

These data show that human hepatocytes can be induced to undergo partial pancreatic transdifferentiation in vivo, indicating that the technology holds promise for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.
The final chapter of Vygotsky's Thinking and Speech: A reader's guide
Authors: van der Veer René , Zavershneva Ekaterina
Published: March 2018

The seventh and last chapter of Vygotsky's Thinking and Speech (1934) is generally considered as his final word in psychology. It is a long chapter with a complex argumentative structure in which Vygotsky gives his view on the relationship between thinking and speech. Vygotsky's biographers have stated that the chapter was dictated in the final months of Vygotsky's life when his health was rapidly deteriorating. Although the chapter is famous, its structure has never been analyzed in any detail. In the present article we reveal its rhetorical structure and show how Vygotsky drew on many hitherto unrevealed sources to convince the reader of his viewpoint.
Bioluminescence‐driven optogenetic activation of transplanted neural precursor cells improves motor deficits in a Parkinson's disease mouse model
Authors: Zenchak Jessica R. , Palmateer Brandon , Dorka Nicolai , Brown Tariq M. , Wagner Lina‐Marie , Medendorp William E. , Petersen Eric D. , Prakash Mansi , Hochgeschwender Ute
Published: March 2018

The need to develop efficient therapies for neurodegenerative diseases is urgent, especially given the increasing percentages of the population living longer, with increasing chances of being afflicted with conditions like Parkinson's disease (PD). A promising curative approach toward PD and other neurodegenerative diseases is the transplantation of stem cells to halt and potentially reverse neuronal degeneration. However, stem cell therapy does not consistently lead to improvement for patients. Using remote stimulation to optogenetically activate transplanted cells, we attempted to improve behavioral outcomes of stem cell transplantation. We generated a neuronal precursor cell line expressing luminopsin 3 (LMO3), a luciferase‐channelrhodopsin fusion protein, which responds to the luciferase substrate coelenterazine (CTZ) with emission of blue light that in turn activates the opsin. Neuronal precursor cells were injected bilaterally into the striatum of homozygous aphakia mice, which carry a spontaneous mutation leading to lack of dopaminergic neurons and symptoms of PD. Following transplantation, the cells were stimulated over a period of 10 days by intraventricular injections of CTZ. Mice receiving CTZ demonstrated significantly improved motor skills in a rotarod test compared to mice receiving vehicle. Thus, bioluminescent optogenetic stimulation of transplanted neuronal precursor cells shows promising effects in improving locomotor behavior in the aphakia PD mouse model and encourages further studies to elucidate the mechanisms and long‐term outcomes of these beneficial effects.
What does the occurrence of Sporormiella (Preussia) spores mean in Australian fossil sequences?
Authors: Dodson John , Field Judith H.
Published: March 2018

Understanding the loss of the final few species of Australian megafauna is beset by a paucity of data on human arrival, well‐provenanced megafauna, human/megafauna population range and distribution (coexistence and interaction), and the range, scale and impact of environmental changes spanning the human–megafauna period. To overcome these shortcomings, the occurrence and decline of coprophilous fungal spores of Sporormiella in sediments have been used as a proxy for extinct megaherbivores. The Sporormiella evidence is presented as the key indicator of extinction timing and these reports are often from locations where there is no known archaeological record or megafauna remains. However, interpreting fungal spore occurrence is not straightforward, as demonstrated by studies investigating taphonomy, taxonomy and the types of animal dung where Sporormiella occurs. No detailed studies on these problems exist for Australia and no evidence supporting the use of Sporormiella as a valid proxy has been reported. Here we examine the occurrence of Sporormiella spores from Cuddie Springs in south‐eastern Australia. Despite a well‐preserved suite of megafauna fossils, Sporormiella occurrence is sporadic and frequencies are low. We conclude that using Sporormiella alone as an indicator for the presence of megafauna is premature for the Australian context.
Effect of dietary processed sulfur supplementation on water‐soluble flavor precursors, free amino acids, and taste characteristics of pork during refrigerated storage
Authors: Kim Ji‐Han , Ju Min‐Gu , Lee Hyun‐Jin , Yeon Su‐Jung , Lee Chi‐Ho
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

A total of 60 three‐way crossbred (Landrace, Duroc, and Yorkshire) pigs were divided into two groups (processed sulfur‐fed pigs (SFPs) and nonprocessed sulfur‐fed pigs, (NSFPs)) and used to determine the effect of supplementation with 3 g kg−1 processed sulfur on water‐soluble precursors, free amino acids, and taste of meat using an electronic tongue, during refrigerated storage.

RESULTS

Glycogen and glucose levels of SFP were significantly higher than in NSFPs. Glycogen levels decreased and glucose levels increased during storage (P < 0.001). The pH and moisture content of SFPs were higher than in NSFPs. Inosine of SFPs was higher than in NSFPs (P < 0.05). Hence, umami and richness tastes of SFPs were higher than in NSFPs and increased during storage. The total free amino acid content of both groups was not different, although it increased during storage (P < 0.001). The umami taste of water‐soluble precursors was improved in meat derived from SFPs during refrigeration.

CONCLUSION

The storage time and dietary supplementation with processed sulfur increased the taste components of meat. Application of an electronic tongue system can be used to distinguish the taste characteristics of different types of pork, based on differential supplementation and aging. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Analysis of the cocobiota and metabolites of Moniliophthora perniciosa‐resistant Theobroma cacao beans during spontaneous fermentation in southern Brazil
Authors: Bastos Valdeci S , Santos Maria FS , Gomes Laidson P , Leite Analy MO , Flosi Paschoalin Vânia M , Del Aguila Eduardo M
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

Cocoa bean fermentation is a spontaneous process involving a succession of microbial activities, yeasts, lactic acid, and acetic acid bacteria. The spontaneous fermentation of cocoa beans by Theobroma cacao TSH565 clonal variety, a highly productive hybrid resistant to Moniliophthora perniciosa and Phytophthora spp., was investigated. The natural cocobiota involved in the spontaneous fermentation of this hybrid in southern Brazil, was investigated by using both a culture‐dependent microbiological analysis and a molecular analysis. The changes in the physicochemical characteristics and the kinetics of substrate utilization and metabolite production during fermentation were also evaluated.

RESULTS

Yeasts (178) and bacteria (244) isolated during fermentation were identified by partial sequencing of the ITS and 16S rDNAs, respectively. After 144 h of fermentation, the indigenous yeast community was composed of Hanseniaspora spp., Saccharomyces spp., and Pichia spp. The bacterial population comprised Lactococcus spp., Staphylococcus spp., Acetobacter spp. and Lactobacilli strains. The kinetics of substrate transformation reflected the dynamic composition of the cocobiota. Substrates such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, and citric acid, present at the beginning of fermentation, were metabolized to produce ethanol, acetic acid, and lactic acid.

CONCLUSION

The results described here provide new insights into microbial diversity in cocoa bean‐pulp mass fermentation and the kinetics of metabolites synthesis, and pave the way for the selection of starter cultures to increase efficiency and consistency to obtain homogeneous and best quality cocoa products. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Quantitative analysis of amino acids in human and bovine colostrum milk samples through iTRAQ labeling
Authors: Liang Xiaona , Han Hongjiao , Zhao Xue , Cao Xueyan , Yang Mei , Tao Dongbing , Wu Rina , Yue Xiqing
Published: March 2018

BACKGROUND

The types and quantity of proteins vary widely between bovine and human milk, with corresponding differences in free and hydrolytic amino acids. In this study, the free and hydrolytic amino acids of bovine and human colostrum were for the first time qualitatively and quantitatively determined using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification technology combined with liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detection.

RESULTS

Total free amino acid content was 0.32 g L−1 and 0.63 g L−1 in bovine and human colostrum respectively, with free amino acid content in human colostrum twice that of bovine colostrum. However, total hydrolytic amino acid content was 4.2 g L−1 and 2.2 g L−1 in bovine and human colostrum respectively. We found that the hydrolytic amino acid content in bovine colostrum was higher than that in human colostrum; however, the amount of free amino acids and the overall amino acid content in human colostrum were respectively substantially higher and more varied than in bovine colostrum.

CONCLUSION

Our findings revealed differences between bovine and human colostrum, with these data providing the basis for further research into amino acid metabolomics and infant formula. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Image content adaptive color breakup index for field sequential color displays using a dominant visual saliency method
Authors: Qin Zong , Lin Ying‐Ju , Lin Fang‐Cheng , Kuo Chia‐Wei , Lin Ching‐Huan , Sugiura Norio , Shieh Han‐Ping David , Huang Yi‐Pai
Published: March 2018

An index that can predict the perceptual visibility of color breakup for varying image content is valuable in field sequential color displays, whereas the current indices are usually for fixed patterns. To solve this problem, an image database containing 25 diverse reference images and 125 test cases with various color breakup visibility was first established. Next, visual experiments using a 240‐Hz liquid crystal display were performed to acquire the subjective color breakup scores of the test cases. A theorem based on visual saliency theory was proposed that the color breakup perception is mainly determined by the image regions with visual saliency values higher than a certain threshold, called the dominant visual saliency regions. A computational model based on this theorem was developed to obtain objective color breakup scores of the test cases from retinal images with and without color breakup. An analysis of the objective and subjective results revealed a Pearson linear correlation coefficient as high as 0.82, which matches the top‐level image quality assessment algorithms. Finally, the proposed color breakup index was used to benchmark against several mainstream field sequential color algorithms to determine their performances in color breakup suppression.
Comparative pharmacokinetic study of the components of Jia‐Wei‐Kai‐Xin‐San in normal and vascular dementia rats by ultra‐fast liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Shi Yiwei , Cao Cheng , Zhu Yue , Gao Ting , Yang Wen , Liu Mingzhu Qi Mengqiu , Huang Renjie , Qian Dawei , Duan Jin‐Ao
Published: March 2018

A fast, sensitive, and reliable ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry method has been developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of geniposide, polygalaxanthone III, 3,6′‐disinapoyl sucrose, α‐asarone, β‐asarone, poricoic acid A, poricoic acid B, dehydrotumulosic acid, deoxyschizandrin, schizandrin B, and kaempferide in plasma after oral administration of extracts of Jia‐Wei‐Kai‐Xin‐San in normal and vascular dementia rats. The developed method was precise and accurate within the linearity range of the analytes. The lower limits of quantification were 1.04–2.68 ng/mL for all the analytes. Both intra‐ and inter day precision and accuracy of the analytes were all within accepted criteria. The mean extraction recoveries of the analytes and the internal standard from rat plasma were all >60.0%. The validated method had been successfully applied to compare pharmacokinetic profiles of the analytes in plasma of normal and vascular dementia rat treated with herbal extracts. Results indicated that differences existed between normal and vascular dementia model rats except dehydrotumulosic acid and kaempferide, which might be due to the pathology of vascular dementia and pharmacological effect of the analytes. These pharmacokinetic studies might benefit for the mechanism exploration and clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine formulae.
A simple, fast, and accurate thermodynamic‐based approach for transfer and prediction of GC retention times between columns and instruments Part II: Estimation of target column geometry
Authors: Hou Siyuan , Stevenson Keisean A. J. M. , Harynuk James J.
Published: March 2018

The transfer of thermodynamic parameters governing retention of a molecule in gas chromatography from a reference column to a target column is a difficult problem. Successful transfer demands a mechanism whereby the column geometries of both columns can be determined with high accuracy. This is the second part in a series of three papers. In Part I of this work we introduced a new approach to determine the actual effective geometry of a reference column and thermodynamic‐based parameters of a suite of compounds on the column. Part II, presented here, illustrates the rapid estimation of the effective inner diameter (or length) and the effective phase ratio of a target column. The estimation model based on the principle of least squares; a fast Quasi‐Newton optimization algorithm was developed to provide adequate computational speed. The model and optimization algorithm were tested and validated using simulated and experimental data. This study, together with the work in Parts I and III, demonstrates a method that improves the transferability of thermodynamic models of gas chromatography retention between gas chromatography columns.
How consumption situation anticipated and risk acceptance affect the novelty–intention relationship: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Chang David Y. , Lu Pei‐Fang
Published: March 2018

The study empirically tested reciprocal effects of risk acceptance and consumption situation anticipated and found a moderated mediation model to reexamine the novelty–intention relationship. Responses from 302 individuals were analyzed. The key findings reveal that risk acceptance fully mediates the novelty seeking–visit intention relationship; if the consumption situation can be highly anticipated, the direct effect of novelty seeking on visit intention can be enhanced, the mediating effect of risk acceptance can be alleviated, and the negative influence of novelty seeking on risk acceptance can be reduced. On the other hand, if the consumption situation cannot be anticipated to a certain level, although novelty seeking may still increase risk acceptance, the risk acceptance becomes more influential to one's visit intention. The study provides empirical support to understand some psychological aspects of potential novelty‐seeking travelers.
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in DSM‐5 and ICD‐11: Clinical and Behavioral Correlates
Authors: Hyland Philip , Shevlin Mark , Fyvie Claire , Karatzias Thanos
Published: March 2018

The American Psychiatric Association and the World Health Organization provide distinct trauma‐based diagnoses in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM‐5), and the forthcoming 11th version of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD‐11), respectively. The DSM‐5 conceptualizes posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a single, broad diagnosis, whereas the ICD‐11 proposes two “sibling” disorders: PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD). The objectives of the current study were to: (a) compare prevalence rates of PTSD/CPTSD based on each diagnostic system; (b) identify clinical and behavioral variables that distinguish ICD‐11 CPTSD and PTSD diagnoses; and (c) examine the diagnostic associations for ICD‐11 CPTSD and DSM‐5 PTSD. Participants in a predominately female clinical sample (N = 106) completed self‐report scales to measure ICD‐11 PTSD and CPTSD, DSM‐5 PTSD, and depression, anxiety, borderline personality disorder, dissociation, destructive behaviors, and suicidal ideation and self‐harm. Significantly more people were diagnosed with PTSD according to the DSM‐5 criteria (90.4%) compared to those diagnosed with PTSD and CPTSD according to the ICD‐11 guidelines (79.8%). An ICD‐11 CPTSD diagnosis was distinguished from an ICD‐11 PTSD diagnosis by higher levels of dissociation (d = 1.01), depression (d = 0.63), and borderline personality disorder (d = 0.55). Diagnostic associations with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and self‐harm were higher for ICD‐11 CPTSD compared to DSM‐5 PTSD (by 10.7%, 4.0%, and 7.0%, respectively). These results have implications for differential diagnosis and for the development of targeted treatments for CPTSD.
Polyethylene Glycols as Efficient Catalysts for the Oxidation of Bicyclic Monoterpenes by Ceric Ammonium Nitrate in Acetonitrile under Acid‐Free Conditions: Kinetic and Mechanistic Approach
Authors: Rajitha N. , Shylaja S. , Rajanna K. C. , Yadagiri B.
Published: March 2018

Polyethylene glycols (PEG) acts as efficient catalysts for the oxidation of bicyclic monoterpenes such as borneol, isoborneol, and camphor by ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN), a laboratory desktop reagent, in acetonitrile medium under mineral acid‐free conditions. The kinetics of the reactions revealed first‐order dependence on in both [CAN] and [bicyclic terpene]. The rate of oxidation is accelerated with an increase in [PEG] linearly, which could be explained by considering PEG‐bound oxidant (PEG‐CAN) as more reactive species than (CAN) itself. The mechanism of oxidation in PEG media has been explained through the participation of PEG‐bound oxidant (PEG‐CAN) and bicyclic monoterpene in the slow step.
Detecting oropharyngeal carcinoma using multispectral, narrow‐band imaging and machine learning
Authors: Mascharak Shamik , Baird Brandon J. , Holsinger F. Christopher
Published: March 2018

Objective

To determine if multispectral narrow‐band imaging (mNBI) can be used for automated, quantitative detection of oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC).

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Multispectral narrow‐band imaging and white light endoscopy (WLE) were used to examine the lymphoepithelial tissues of the oropharynx in a preliminary cohort of 30 patients (20 with biopsy‐proven OPC, 10 healthy). Low‐level image features from five patients were then extracted to train naïve Bayesian classifiers for healthy and malignant tissue.

Results

Tumors were classified by color features with 65.9% accuracy, 66.8% sensitivity, and 64.9% specificity under mNBI. In contrast, tumors were classified with 52.3% accuracy (P = 0.0108), 44.8% sensitivity (P = 0.0793), and 59.9% specificity (P = 0.312) under WLE. Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded areas under the curve (AUC) of 72.3% and 54.6% for classification under mNBI and WLE, respectively (P = 0.00168). For classification by both color and texture features, AUC under mNBI increased (80.1%, P = 0.00230) but did not improve under WLE (below 55% for both models, P = 0.180). Cross‐validation with five folds yielded an AUC above 80% for both mNBI models and below 55% for both WLE models (P = 0.0000410 and 0.000116).

Conclusion

Compared to WLE, mNBI significantly enhanced the performance of a naïve Bayesian classifier trained on low‐level image features of oropharyngeal mucosa. These findings suggest that automated clinical detection of OPC might be used to enhance surgical vision, improve early diagnosis, and allow for high‐throughput screening.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 2514–2520, 2018
Evaluation of the pharyngeal airway using computational fluid dynamics in patients with acromegaly
Authors: Mukaihara Keika , Hasegawa‐Moriyama Maiko , Iwasaki Tomonori , Yamasaki Youichi , Kanmura Yuichi
Published: March 2018

Objectives

Perioperative airway management may be particularly challenging in patients with acromegaly undergoing trans‐sphenoidal pituitary surgery (TSS). Management for airway obstruction is required prior to pituitary surgery to minimize perioperative hypoxia. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate airway obstruction by simulation of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) using computed tomography (CT) images in patients who had undergone TSS.

Methods

CT images of the nasopharyngeal airways of patients with acromegaly (n = 5) or nonfunctional pituitary adenoma (n = 6) undergoing TSS from April 2012 to January 2017 were used to construct these airways in three dimensions. Estimated airflow pressure and velocity in the retropalatal airway (RA), oropharyngeal airway (OA), and hypopharyngeal airway (HA) were simulated using CFD.

Results

Estimated pharyngeal airflow pressure in the HA, OA, and RA was significantly greater in patients with acromegaly than in those with nonfunctional pituitary adenomas whereas the estimated pharyngeal airflow velocity was significantly impaired only in the RA of patients with acromegaly. Minimum postoperative SpO2 both within 3 hours and from 3 to 12 hours after the end of anesthesia was significantly lower in the patients with acromegaly. Additionally, estimated volume of tongue and pharyngeal airflow pressure in the HA, OA, and RA correlated with minimum postoperative SpO2.

Conclusion

Pharyngeal airflow pressure estimated from CT images is high in patients with acromegaly, and these values correlate with postoperative minimum values for SpO2. Preoperative evaluation of CT images by CFD can predict difficulty in airway management and perioperative hypoxia.

Level of Evidence

4.
Revisiting vascular contraindications for transoral robotic surgery for oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Gorphe Philippe , Auperin Anne , Honart Jean‐François , Ton Van Jean , El Bedoui Sophie , Bidault François , Temam Stéphane , Kolb Frédéric , Qassemyar Quentin
Published: March 2018

Objective

We analyzed the outcomes for patients with a retropharyngeal internal carotid artery (ICA) who underwent a transoral robotic surgery (TORS) procedure involving a cervical‐transoral robotic oropharyngectomy course with free flap reconstruction.

Methods

Patients were included in the prospective multicentric trial NCT02517125. These patients were scheduled to undergo surgery for an oropharyngeal localization. By pre‐operative CT scan and MRI it was determined that they had a retropharyngeal internal carotid artery.

Results

Three patients had a retropharyngeal ICA: a patient with a 35 mm synovial sarcoma of the tonsillar fossa, a patient with a T2N2b squamous‐cell carcinoma (SCC) of the glossotonsillar sulcus, and a patient with a T3N0 SCC of the tonsillar fossa in a previously irradiated field. These patients encountered neither preoperative nor postoperative complications.

Conclusions

In our experience, TORS for oropharyngeal cancers appears to be feasible in patients with a retropharyngeal ICA, provided that the procedure has been adapted for complex situations.

Level of evidence

4.
CO2 limited conditions favor cyanobacteria in a hypereutrophic lake: An empirical and theoretical stable isotope study
Authors: Van Dam Bryce R. , Tobias Craig , Holbach Andreas , Paerl Hans W. , Zhu Guangwei
Published: March 2018

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a global problem, exacerbated by rising temperatures, cultural eutrophication, urbanization, and agricultural development. During these HABs, phytoplankton consumption of CO2 may result in conditions of C limitation, where algal taxa best adapted for these conditions will be at a competitive advantage. Many cyanobacteria are capable of alleviating CO2 limitation by a variety of strategies, including the active assimilation of
. In this study, we utilized a high‐resolution, month‐long time series of stable C isotopes and high‐performance liquid chromatograph‐based algal taxonomy in the hypereutrophic Lake Taihu, China, to investigate whether cyanobacteria are indeed advantaged by CO2 limiting conditions. We employed a model of phytoplankton C acquisition to support the inferences derived from direct measurements. Diurnal cycles of production and respiration caused δ13CDIC to vary between −4‰ and −9‰, while δ13CPOC varied between −29.6‰ and −19.6‰. Measured and modeled phytoplankton fractionation of DIC were positively correlated with pCO2 and negatively correlated with cyanobacterial abundance, suggesting that CO2 limitation preferentially favored increased cyanobacterial biomass, relative to other taxa. We propose that the ability of many cyanobacteria to access otherwise limiting pools of inorganic C is intrinsically linked with their capacity to cope with CO2 limiting conditions, and may be a key factor in their dominance during HABs.
Group‐Velocity‐Controlled and Gate‐Tunable Directional Excitation of Polaritons in Graphene‐Boron Nitride Heterostructures
Authors: Jiang Yuyu , Lin Xiao , Low Tony , Zhang Baile , Chen Hongsheng
Published: March 2018

A fundamental building block in nano‐photonics is the ability to directionally excite highly squeezed optical mode dynamically, particularly with an electrical bias. Such capabilities would enable the active manipulation of light propagation for information processing and transfer. However, when the optical source is built‐in, it remains challenging to steer the excitation directionality in a flexible way. Here, a mechanism is revealed for tunable directional excitation of highly squeezed polaritons in graphene‐hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) heterostructures. The effect relies on controlling the sign of the group velocity of the coupled plasmon‐phonon polaritons, which can be flipped by simply tuning the chemical potential of graphene (through electrostatic gating) in the heterostructures. Graphene‐hBN heterostructures thus present a promising platform toward nano‐photonic circuits and nano‐devices with electrically reconfigurable functionalities.
Most commensally bacterial strains in human milk of healthy mothers display multiple antibiotic resistance
Authors: Huang Mao‐Sheng , Cheng Ching‐Chang , Tseng Shu‐Ying , Lin Yi‐Ling , Lo Hui‐min , Chen Po‐Wen
Published: March 2018

Recent reports have shown that food‐borne or commensal bacteria can function as reservoirs of antibiotic resistance. However, the antibiotic susceptibility of bacterial isolates of most milk samples or the total bacterial counts (TBC) in human milk from healthy donors, are not fully understood in Taiwan. Thus, five healthy mothers were randomly recruited each month, and totally 30 mothers without any symptoms of infection were recruited over 6 months. Milk samples were then harvested and analyzed immediately after collection. The antibiotic susceptibility was analyzed in bacteria isolated from milk samples using nine clinically relevant antibiotics, such as oxacillin, ampicillin, cephalothin, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, clindamycin, gentamicin, and oxytetracycline. The Staphylococcus strains (48 isolates) found in milk resisted to 48.6 ± 20.1% selected antibiotics. Streptococcus‐related isolates (8 isolates) exhibited resistance to 41.7 ± 26.4% selected antibiotics. Acinetobacter isolates (5 isolates) were resistant to 66.7 ± 13.6% antibiotics, and Enterococcus isolates (5 isolates) were resistant to 73.3 ± 6.1% tested antibiotics. Rothia‐related isolates (4 isolates) were resisted to 58.2 ± 31.9% of tested antibiotics. In contrast, Corynebacterium isolates (5 isolates) were sensitive to 66%–100% of selected antibiotics. Furthermore, the TBC ranged from 40 to 710,000 CFU/ml, implying a wide spectrum of bacteria in milk from healthy mothers. Despite this, all milk donors were healthy during sampling, and they did not show any symptoms related to mastitis or subclinical mastitis. According to the previously described TBC criteria for the use of donated human milk, only 73% of the current milk samples could be accepted for the milk bank. In conclusion, the majority of the isolated bacterial strains from current human milk samples are multiresistant strains. In milk samples for preterm infants or milk banks, higher TBC levels or potentially antibiotic‐resistant bacteria in some milk samples have supported people using approaches to disinfect human milk partially.
Phase determination using chromosomal microarray and fluorescence in situ hybridization in a patient with early onset Parkinson disease and two deletions in PRKN
Authors: Williams Eli S. , Barrett Matthew J. , Dhamija Radhika , Toran Lisa , Chambers Chelsea , Mahadevan Mani S. , Golden Wendy L.
Published: March 2018

Background

Mutations in the parkin gene (PRKN) are the most commonly identified genetic factors in early onset Parkinson disease (EOPD), with biallelic mutations, resulting in a clinical phenotype. However, normal variation is also common in PRKN, particularly in the form of copy number variation (CNV), challenging interpretation of genetic testing results. Here we report a case of a 29‐year‐old male with EOPD and two deletions in PRKN detected by chromosomal microarray (CMA).

Methods

The proband was clinically examined by a neurologist for postural instability with frequent falls, bradykinesia, gait freezing with festination, and hypophonia. Chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) was performed on the proband and his parents using the Affymetrix CytoScan HD microarray. Subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed on the proband and both parents.

Results

Chromosomal microarray detected the presence of two deletions of PRKN in the proband. Parental CMA analysis was performed to determine the clinical significance of this finding, as well as to demonstrate phase of these deletions. Parental CMA revealed that one deletion was paternally inherited and one deletion was de novo. A custom FISH approach was then successfully used to phase the deletions.

Conclusion

Chromosomal microarray and fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of this trio identified two deletions in PRKN occurring in trans, providing a genetic etiology for the clinical diagnosis of EOPD. The determination of inheritance and phase of the deletions was critical to the proper interpretation of these results. These findings highlight the utility of CMA in the detection of clinically relevant CNVs in cases of EOPD, and also serve to emphasize the importance of follow‐up FISH and parental testing.
Flavan‐3‐ol/Procyanidin Metabolomics in Rat Urine Using HPLC‐Quadrupole TOF/MS
Authors: Masumoto Saeko , Aoki Shiori , Miura Tomisato , Shoji Toshihiko
Published: March 2018

Scope

Several studies have demonstrated that flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins are associated with biological functions in the prevention of various chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. Knowledge of their mechanisms, including bioavailability, has significantly progressed in the last decade. However, the differences of the metabolic signatures among flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins remain ambiguous.

Methods and results

The metabolites in urine over time after acute administration of three typical flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins ((epi)catechin [EPC], epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG], and procyanidin dimer [PC]) in view of the chemical structure were analyzed by HPLC‐quadrupole TOF/MS. Several bile acid and amino acid derivatives including tryptophan and tyrosine, as well as flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidin conjugates and phenolic acid degradation products generated by the gut microbiota were observed in rat urine.

Conclusion

Multivariate statistical analyses suggest that the exogenous and endogenous metabolites of flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins greatly differ, although the chemical structures of three typical flavan‐3‐ol/procyanidins—EPC, EGCG, and PC—are similar. Thus, metabolomic differences likely affect their biological functions and health benefits.
Butyrate Inhibits Indices of Colorectal Carcinogenesis via Enhancing α‐Ketoglutarate‐Dependent DNA Demethylation of Mismatch Repair Genes
Authors: Sun Xiaofei , Zhu Mei‐Jun
Published: March 2018

Scope

Butyrate, the fermentation end product of gut microbiota in the colon, is known for its antitumor effects, but the mechanisms remained to be defined. α‐ketoglutarate (α‐KG) mediates DNA demethylation and aberrant epigenetic modifications are associated with carcinogenesis. The objectives of this study are to evaluate the effects of butyrate on α‐KG mediated epigenetic modification in colorectal adenocarcinoma HT‐29 and Caco‐2 cells.

Methods and results

Butyrate suppressed proliferation, potentiated differentiation, and induced apoptosis in both HT‐29 and Caco‐2 cells, associated with enhanced expression of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) and pyruvate dehydrogenase. Furthermore, butyrate upregulated acetyl‐CoA and α‐KG, concomitant with enhanced histone acetylation and DNA demethylation in the promoter of DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene. Knocking down IDH1 abolished the positive effects of butyrate on CRC apoptosis and MMR protein expression, in conjunction with reduced α‐KG content. Importantly, α‐KG supplementation recovered the beneficial effects of butyrate in IDH1‐deficient cells.

Conclusion

In summary, butyrate inhibits indices of colorectal carcinogenesis in an α‐KG‐dependent manner.