bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modified cleaning method for biomineralized components
Authors: Tsutsui Hideto , Jordan Richard W.
Published: February 2018

Abstract. The extraction and concentration of biomineralized components from sediment or living materials is time consuming and laborious and often involves steps that remove either the calcareous or siliceous part, in addition to organic matter. However, a relatively quick and easy method using a commercial cleaning fluid for kitchen drains, sometimes combined with a kerosene soaking step, can produce remarkable results. In this study, the method is applied to sediments and living materials bearing calcareous (e.g., coccoliths, foraminiferal tests, holothurian ossicles, ichthyoliths, and fish otoliths) and siliceous (e.g., diatom valves, silicoflagellate skeletons, and sponge spicules) components. The method preserves both components in the same sample, without etching or partial dissolution, but is not applicable to unmineralized components such as dinoflagellate thecae, tintinnid loricae, pollen, or plant fragments.
The effects of improving coastal park attributes on the recreation demand—A case study in Dalian China
Authors: Wang Erda , Wei Jianhua , Zhu Jiawei
Published: February 2018

In this study, we use an estimation method of combining revealed preference (RP) with stated preference (SP) to measure the effects of park attribute improvement on the tourism demand and recreation benefits. Three categories of attributes are taken into account including nature, management, and economics. Five model estimations are made using RP, SP, and pooled data, respectively. The random effects negative binomial model is used with the SP data, and the mixed negative binomial model is used with the pooled data. The economic value of each specific park attribute improvement is measured by visitors’ marginal willingness to pay that directly addresses the issues of optimal attribute combinations beyond the observed range and scenarios. We survey a sample of the participants on the sites to obtain both revealed and stated behavior data for trips based on a management-relevant park attribute improvement and different park attribute combinations. Recreation demand models are used to derive total consumer surplus. The results indicate that the congestion reduction in the park has a relatively weak effect on the tourist demand, whereas trash reduction and improved seawater visibility appear to have the most important value to the tourists. Furthermore, the estimated consumer surplus at the present park conditions is about US$85 per recreation trip, and this consumer surplus will increase to US$101 as the quality of the park attribute improved. The overall park attribute improvement will increase recreational trip by 1.22 times per person per year from the present condition, and the net increase in consumer surplus reaches to US$205 per participant per year as a result of overall park attribute improvement.
Soil Organic Carbon and Nitrogen Stocks Following Land Use Changes in a Sub-Humid Climate
Authors: Biazin Birhanu , Kim Dong-Gill , Mengistu Tefera
Published: February 2018

There has been an incessant conversion of natural forests to agricultural land uses such as farmlands, grasslands and parkland agro-forestry in Africa during the last century. This study investigated changes in soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks following the conversion of a natural forest to coffee-based agro-forestry, grazing grassland and well-managed maize farm in a sub-humid tropical climate of Ethiopia. Soil samples (up to 1m depth) were taken from each of these four land use types. Taking the natural forest as a baseline and with duration of 35 years since land use conversion, the total SOC and TN stocks were not significantly different (P > 0.05) among the different land use types when the entire 1m soil depth was considered. However, in the upper 0-10cm soil depth, the SOC and TN stocks were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the natural forest than the agricultural land use types. There were different patterns of SOC and TN distributions along the soil depths for the different land use types. The SOC stocks decreased with depth in natural forest, but did not show any increasing or decreasing trends in maize farm, grazing grassland, and coffee-based agroforestry. The results of this study revealed that the negative effects of converting natural forests to agricultural land use types on SOC and TN can be prevented through appropriate land management practices in cultivated and grazing lands and use of proper agroforestry practices in a sub-humid tropical climate.
Awareness of L2 American English Word Stress: Implications for Teaching Speakers of Indo-Aryan Languages
Authors: Abbasi Abdul Malik , Memon Masood Akhter , Channa Mansoor Ahmed , John Stephen
Published: February 2018

This study aims to investigate the word stress placement in English and Sindhi words in learners from Indo-Aryan language and American English backgrounds. Since correct placement of word stress is key for L2 English intelligibility, and it is known that native language background affects English language learners’ word stress perception and production. The study explores English language learners’ intuition through behavioral data from the native speakers of Sindhi and American native speakers to compare their awareness of word stress in L1 and L2. It further investigates learner’s stress patterns by measuring their reports of word stress location in their Sindhi and in their L2 English. There were twenty native speakers (10 from Sindh, Pakistan-10 from Illinois State, America) who were recruited from the location in their countries. Results of three experiments show that Sindhi native speakers have less awareness of stress location in their native language than native English controls, and this effect carries into their L2 English. Teachers of Sindhi-speaking students should be prepared to provide explicit training on word stress.
The Effect of Using the Guided Discovery Method on Enabling the Students with Intellectual Disability to Acquire some Pre-Academic Mathematical Concepts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Saleh Essam Abdou Ahmed
Published: February 2018

The importance of this study lies in presenting a program to enable the students with mild intellectual disability to acquire some pre-academic mathematical concepts. It also provides a scale to measure the pre-academic mathematical concepts among the educable students with intellectual disability. The study applied the experimental method on a sample of 20 children with intellectual disability who were distributed into two groups; control and experimental. The sample was selected from Rafha Province schools. The program was made up of 96 sessions, four sessions a week. Each session lasted for 60 minutes and was divided into two 30-minute sessions (activities). The researcher used a pre-academic mathematical concepts scale to collect data and to compare the performance of the experimental and control groups in the pre and post-tests. The results of the study indicated that there are statistically significant differences in the pre-academic mathematical concepts scale among the students of the two groups at the (0.01) level in favor of the experimental group.The improvement in the acquisition of some pre-academic mathematical concepts among the sample members is attributed to the student’s utilization of the program used in the current study, which is based on the guided discovery method. The researcher used a group of attractive activities desired by children. The researcher applied number of immediate reinforcements and constant encouragements to enhance proper functioning. He took into consideration presenting these activities in a gradual simplified way, moving from the easy to the hard.
Factors Affecting Customer Citizenship Behavior: A Model of University Students
Authors: Nagy El Sayed A. , Marzouk Wafaa Galal
Published: February 2018

The purpose of this research is to measure the dimensions of student citizenship behavior and the extent of student satisfaction, loyalty, commitment, and trust as integrated factors are antecedents of student citizenship behavior in universities. A sample of 400 students in two private universities in Egypt was selected randomly and a structured questionnaire was used to collect the research data. The student citizenship behavior was found to contain two types of voluntary behavior; voluntary cooperative behavior and voluntary participation behavior. Also, despite the strong and significant interrelationships between the four antecedents of student citizenship behavior, student satisfaction and loyalty can be considered the strongest antecedents of all dimensions of student citizenship behavior in universities. The main implication of this research is that universities should consider students as valuable resources in both their formal roles and voluntary behavior that support the educational environment of a university. The research suggests satisfied and loyal students provide advantages to their universities not only through spreading positive word of mouth about their universities, attending further education in the future and supporting their universities in the community but also through their positive voluntary behavior.
The Mass Line Is the Core Ideas and Values of the Communist Party of China
Authors: Quan Jiayue , An Liqiong
Published: February 2018

The mass line is the concentrated reflection of world outlook, the outlook on life and values of the communist party of China. From the epistemological dimension, the party's mass line is the Chinese Communist Party, according to the general principle of the Marx doctrine, closely combining the actual China, gradually formed in long-term revolution, construction and reform practice in the process of correctly handling the relationship between the party and the masses of the people the route; From the theory of value dimensions, the party's mass line adhere to the basic value goal, “for the people", pay attention to the reality needs of people, put together happy concern members of society rich, achieve comprehensive development of human freedom as the ultimate value pursuit. The party's mass line is the unity of the truth theory and value theory, a high degree of unity consciousness and firm hold to productivity standard and people's interests standard is the inevitable requirement of the practice of the party's mass line.
Quantitative color profiling of images in a comparative framework using the R package colordistance
Authors: Weller Hannah , Westneat Mark
Published: February 2018

Color is a central aspect of biology, with important impacts on ecology and evolution. Organismal color may be adaptive or incidental, seasonal or permanent, species- or population-specific, or modified for breeding, defense or camouflage. Thus, measuring and comparing color among organisms provides important biological insights. However, color comparison is limited by color categorization methods, with few universal tools available for quantitative color profiling and comparison. We present a package of R tools for processing images of organisms (or other objects) in order to quantify color profiles, gather color trait data, and compare color palettes in a reproducible way. The package treats image pixels as 3D coordinates in “color space", producing a multidimensional color histogram for each image. Pairwise distances between histograms are computed using earth mover's distance or a combination of more conventional distance metrics. The user sets parameters for generating color histograms, and comparative color profile analysis is performed through pairwise comparisons to produce a color distance matrix for a set of images. The toolkit provided in the colordistance R package can be used for analyses involving quantitative color variation in organisms with statistical testing. We illustrate the use of colordistance with three biological examples: hybrid coloration in butterflyfishes; mimicry in wing coloration in Heliconius butterflies; and analysis of background matching in camouflaging flounder fish. The tools presented for quantitative color analysis may be applied to a broad range of questions in biology and other disciplines.
Spatially resolved RNA-sequencing of the embryonic heart identifies a role for Wnt/β-catenin signaling in autonomic control of heart rate
Authors: Burkhard Silja Barbara , Bakkers Jeroen
Published: February 2018

Development of specialized cells and structures in the heart is regulated by spatially -restricted molecular pathways. Disruptions in these pathways can cause severe congenital cardiac malformations or functional defects. To better understand these pathways and how they regulate cardiac development we used tomo-seq, combining high-throughput RNA-sequencing with tissue-sectioning, to establish a genome-wide expression dataset with high spatial resolution for the developing zebrafish heart. Analysis of the dataset revealed over 1100 genes differentially expressed in sub-compartments. Pacemaker cells in the sinoatrial region induce heart contractions, but little is known about the mechanisms underlying their development. Using our transcriptome map, we identified spatially restricted Wnt/β-catenin signaling activity in pacemaker cells, which was controlled by Islet-1 activity. Moreover, Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls heart rate by regulating pacemaker cellular response to parasympathetic stimuli. Thus, this high-resolution transcriptome map incorporating all cell types in the embryonic heart can expose spatially restricted molecular pathways critical for specific cardiac functions.
Deficient mismatch repair and RAS mutation in colorectal carcinoma patients: a retrospective study in Eastern China
Authors: Zhang Xiangyan , Ran Wenwen , Wu Jie , Li Hong , Liu Huamin , Wang Lili , Xiao Yujing , Wang Xiaonan , Li Yujun , Xing Xiaoming
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To investigate the frequency and prognostic role of deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) and RAS mutation in Chinese patients with colorectal carcinoma.

Methods

Clinical and pathological information from 813 patients were reviewed and recorded. Expression of mismatch repair proteins was tested by immunohistochemistry. Mutation analyses for RAS gene were performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Correlations of mismatch repair status and RAS mutation status with clinicopathological characteristics and disease survival were determined.

Results

The overall percentage of dMMR was 15.18% (121/797). The proportion of dMMR was higher in patients <50 years old (p < 0.001) and in the right side of the colon (p < 0.001). Deficient mismatch repair was also associated with mucinous production (p < 0.001), poor differentiation (p < 0.001), early tumor stage (p < 0.05) and bowel wall invasion (p < 0.05). The overall RAS mutation rate was 45.88%, including 42.56% (346/813) KRAS mutation and 3.69% (30/813) NRAS mutation (including three patients with mutations in both). KRAS mutation was significantly associated with mucinous production (p < 0.05), tumor stage (p < 0.05) and was higher in non-smokers (p < 0.05) and patients with a family history of colorectal carcinoma (p < 0.05). Overall, 44.63% (54/121) dMMR tumors harbored KRAS mutation, however, dMMR tumors were less likely to have NRAS mutation. Moreover, dMMR, KRAS and NRAS mutation were not prognostic factors for stage I–III colorectal carcinoma.

Conclusions

This study confirms that the status of molecular markers involving mismatch repair status and RAS mutation reflects the specific clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal carcinoma.
Convolution‐based modified Clarkson integration (CMCI) for electron cutout factor calculation
Authors: Chang Jina , Lin Mu‐Han , Lu Weiguo , Chen Mingli , Jiang Steve
Published: February 2018

Electron therapy is widely used to treat shallow tumors because of its characteristic sharp dose fall‐off beyond a certain range. A customized cutout is typically applied to block radiation to normal tissues. Determining the final monitor unit (MU) for electron treatment requires an output factor for the cutout, which is usually generated by measurement, especially for highly irregular cutouts. However, manual measurement requires a lengthy quality assurance process with possible errors. This work presents an accurate and efficient cutout output factor prediction model, convolution‐based modified Clarkson integration (CMCI), to replace patient‐specific output factor measurement. Like the Clarkson method, we decompose the field into basic sectors. Unlike the Clarkson integration method, we use annular sectors for output factor estimation. This decomposition method allows calculation via convolution. A 2D distribution of fluence is generated, and the output factor at any given point can be obtained. We applied our method to 10 irregularly shaped cutouts for breast patients for 6E, 9E, and 15E beams and compared the results with measurements and the electron Monte Carlo (eMC) calculation using the Eclipse planning system. While both the CMCI and eMC methods showed good agreement with chamber measurements and film measurements in relative distributions at the nominal source to surface distance (SSD) of 100 cm, eMC generated larger errors than the CMCI method at extended SSDs, with up to −9.28% deviations from the measurement for 6E beam. At extended SSD, the mean absolute errors of our method relative to measurements were 0.92 and 1.14, while the errors of eMC were 1.42 and 1.79 for SSD 105 cm and 110 cm, respectively. These results indicate that our method is more accurate than eMC, especially for low‐energy beams, and can be used for MU calculation and as a QA tool for electron therapy.
Increasing the Efficiency of Organic Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells over 10.3% Using Locally Ordered Inverse Opal Nanostructures in the Photoelectrode
Authors: Xu Lin , Aumaitre Cyril , Kervella Yann , Lapertot Gérard , Rodríguez‐Seco Cristina , Palomares Emilio , Demadrille Renaud , Reiss Peter
Published: February 2018

3D inverse opal (3D‐IO) oxides are very appealing nanostructures to be integrated into the photoelectrodes of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Due to their periodic interconnected pore network with a high pore volume fraction, they facilitate electrolyte infiltration and enhance light scattering. Nonetheless, preparing 3D‐IO structures directly on nonflat DSSC electrodes is challenging. Herein, 3D‐IO TiO2 structures are prepared by templating with self‐assembled polymethyl methacrylate spheres on glass substrates, impregnation with a mixed TiO2:SiO2 precursor and calcination. The specific surface increases from 20.9 to 30.7 m2 g−1 after SiO2 removal via etching, which leads to the formation of mesopores. The obtained nanostructures are scraped from the substrate, processed as a paste, and deposited on photoelectrodes containing a mesoporous TiO2 layer. This procedure maintains locally the 3D‐IO order. When sensitized with the novel benzothiadiazole dye YKP‐88, DSSCs containing the modified photoelectrodes exhibit an efficiency of 10.35% versus 9.26% for the same devices with conventional photoelectrodes. Similarly, using the ruthenium dye N719 as sensitizer an efficiency increase from 5.31% to 6.23% is obtained. These improvements originate mainly from an increase in the photocurrent density, which is attributed to an enhanced dye loading obtained with the mesoporous 3D‐IO structures due to SiO2 removal.
MRI‐Visible siRNA Nanomedicine Directing Neuronal Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells in Stroke
Authors: Lu Liejing , Wang Yong , Zhang Fang , Chen Meiwei , Lin Bingling , Duan Xiaohui , Cao Minghui , Zheng Chushan , Mao Jiaji , Shuai Xintao , Shen Jun
Published: February 2018

A major challenge in stroke treatment is the restoration of neural circuit in which neuron function plays a central role. Although transplantation of exogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) is admittedly a promising therapeutical means, the treatment outcome is greatly affected due to the poor NSCs differentiation into neurons caused by myelin associated inhibitory factors binding to Nogo‐66 receptor (NgR). Herein, a nanoscale polymersome is developed to codeliver superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and siRNA targeting NgR gene (siNgR) into NSCs. This multifunctional nanomedicine directs neuronal differentiation of NSCs through silencing the NgR gene and meanwhile allows a noninvasive monitoring of NSC migration with magnetic resonance imaging. An improved recovery of neural function is achieved in rat ischemic stroke model. The results demonstrate the great potential of the multifunctional siRNA nanomedicine in stroke treatment based on stem cell transplantation.
Retracted: Ordered Mesoporous Ag–ZnO@g‐CN Nanohybrid as Highly Efficient Bifunctional Sensing Material
Authors: Malik Ritu , Tomer Vijay K. , Kienle Lorenz , Chaudhary Vandna , Nehra Satyapal , Duhan Surender
Published: February 2018

The development of highly efficient and multifunctional sensors for accurately detecting indoor climate has always remained a challenging task. In this work, an important progress for nanocasting synthesis of ordered mesoporous Ag–ZnO‐loaded graphitic carbon nitride (g‐CN) prepared through template inversion of mesoporous silica, KIT‐6, is presented. The cubic 3D ordered mesoporous Ag–ZnO@g‐CN nanohybrid demonstrates excellent sensitivity, rapid response/recovery (5.1/2 s), excellent reversibility (0.3%), high stability, and negligible hysteresis (0.5%) to relative humidity (%RH) in the 11–98%RH range. Besides, it shows outstanding selective response (R = Ra/Rg) of 62.4 and 37.6 under dry and 90%RH environment, respectively, along with a fast response/recovery (16.1/10.5 s) time toward detection of acetone at 200 °C. In addition, the sensor shows excellent response at significant lower operating temperatures (R = 3.2 at 60 °C and R = 6.7 at 80 °C) to 50 ppm acetone gas. Compared to mesoporous Ag–ZnO, the g‐CN supported Ag–ZnO nanocomposite shows ≈1.8 times better response to acetone while marking an impressive reduction in optimized operating temperature by 50 °C. The findings in this study add insight and assist in the further optimization of this new class of 2D layered ordered mesoporous materials in realizing next‐generation sensors with multiple utilities.
Implantable and Biodegradable Poly(l‐lactic acid) Fibers for Optical Neural Interfaces
Authors: Fu Ruxing , Luo Wenhan , Nazempour Roya , Tan Daxin , Ding He , Zhang Kaiyuan , Yin Lan , Guan Jisong , Sheng Xing
Published: February 2018

Advanced optical fibers and photonic structures play important roles in neuroscience research, along with recent progresses of genetically encoded optical actuators and indicators. Most techniques for optical neural implants rely on fused silica or long‐lasting polymeric fiber structures. In this paper, implantable and biodegradable optical fibers based on poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) are presented. PLLA fibers with dimensions similar to standard silica fibers are constructed using a simple thermal drawing process at around 220 °C. The formed PLLA fibers exhibit high mechanical flexibility and optical transparency, and their structural evolution and optical property changes are systematically studied during in vitro degradation. In addition, their biocompatibility with brain tissues is evaluated in living mice, and full in vivo degradation is demonstrated. Finally, PLLA fibers are implemented as a tool for intracranial light delivery and detection, realizing deep brain fluorescence sensing and optogenetic interrogation in vivo. The presented materials and device platform offer paths to fully biocompatible and bioresorbable photonic systems for biomedical uses.
N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine improves bone marrow endothelial progenitor cells in prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia patients post allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: Kong Yuan , Shi Min‐Min , Zhang Yuan‐Yuan , Cao Xie‐Na , Wang Yu , Zhang Xiao‐Hui , Xu Lan‐Ping , Huang Xiao‐Jun
Published: February 2018

Prolonged isolated thrombocytopenia (PT) is a serious complication following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo‐HSCT). According to murine studies, endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a crucial role in the regulation of hematopoiesis and thrombopoiesis in the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment. We previously showed that the reduced frequency of BM EPCs was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of PT following allo‐HSCT. However, the functional role of BM EPCs and methods to improve the impaired BM EPCs in PT patients are unknown. In the current case‐control study, we investigated whether the BM EPCs in PT patients differed from those in good graft function patients. Moreover, we evaluated whether N‐acetyl‐L‐cysteine (NAC, a reactive oxygen species [ROS] scavenger) could enhance BM EPCs from PT patients in vitro and in vivo. The PT patients exhibited dysfunctional BM EPCs characterized by high levels of ROS and apoptosis and decreased migration and angiogenesis capabilities. In vitro treatment with NAC improved the quantity and function of the BM EPCs cultivated from the PT patients by downregulating the p38 MAPK pathway and rescued the impaired BM EPCs to support megakaryocytopoiesis. Furthermore, according to the results of a preliminary clinical study, NAC is safe and effective in PT patients. In summary, these results suggested that the reduced and dysfunctional BM EPCs are involved in the occurrence of PT. The defective BM EPCs in the PT patients can be quantitatively and functionally improved by NAC, indicating that NAC is a promising therapeutic approach for PT patients following allo‐HSCT.
Commentary: IARC Monographs Program and public health under siege by corporate interests
Authors: Infante Peter F. , Melnick Ronald , Vainio Harri , Huff James
Published: February 2018

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) evaluates causes of cancer with help from independent international experts in an open and transparent manner. Countries, research and regulatory agencies, and other organizations adopt IARC evaluations for communication of human cancer hazards, and for strategies to prevent cancer. Scientists worldwide endorse IARC cancer evaluations and process. Those with economic interests, however, challenge IARC's cancer evaluations, most recently for glyphosate and red and processed meats, and are conducting a campaign including intervention from US Congressional Representatives to discredit IARC's review process and to undermine financial support—a campaign intimidating to IARC and Working Group members. Challenges to scientific interpretations serve to advance science and should be resolved by scientific experts who do not have conflicts of interest. Such interference does not bode well for the free flow of scientific information that informs and protects the public from risks of cancer.
Supramolecular Nanostructures of Structurally Defined Graphene Nanoribbons in the Aqueous Phase
Authors: Huang Yinjuan , Dou Wei‐Tao , Xu Fugui , Ru Hong‐Bo , Gong Qiuyu , Wu Dongqing , Yan Deyue , Tian He , He Xiao‐Peng , Mai Yiyong , Feng Xinliang
Published: February 2018

Structurally well‐defined graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have attracted great interest because of their unique optical, electronic, and magnetic properties. However, strong π–π interactions within GNRs result in poor liquid‐phase dispersibility, which impedes further investigation of these materials in numerous research areas, including supramolecular self‐assembly. Structurally defined GNRs were synthesized by a bottom‐up strategy, involving grafting of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) chains of different lengths (GNR‐PEO). PEO grafting of 42–51 % percent produces GNR‐PEO materials with excellent dispersibility in water with high GNR concentrations of up to 0.5 mg mL−1. The “rod–coil” brush‐like architecture of GNR‐PEO resulted in 1D hierarchical self‐assembly behavior in the aqueous phase, leading to the formation of ultralong nanobelts, or spring‐like helices, with tunable mean diameters and pitches. In aqueous dispersions the superstructures absorbed in the near‐infrared range, which enabled highly efficient conversion of photon energy into thermal energy.
Nitrogen‐Based Lewis Acids: Synthesis and Reactivity of a Cyclic (Alkyl)(Amino)Nitrenium Cation
Authors: Zhou Jiliang , Liu Liu Leo , Cao Levy L. , Stephan Douglas W.
Published: February 2018

A room‐temperature‐stable crystalline cyclic (alkyl)(amino)nitrenium cation 2 features cationic nitrogen atom with a smaller HOMO–LUMO gap compared to that of a 1,2,3‐triazolium 5 (an N‐heterocyclic nitrenium cation). The low‐lying LUMO of 2 results in an enhanced electrophilicity, which allowed for the formation of Lewis adducts with neutral Lewis bases, such as Me3P, nBu3P, and IiPr. The N‐based Lewis acid 2 also forms an FLP with tBu3P but subsequently reacts with (PrS)2 to cleave the S−S bond. Both experimental and theoretical results suggest that the Lewis acidity of 2 is stronger than its N3 analogues.
Synthesis and Electronic Structure of Boron‐Graphdiyne with an sp‐Hybridized Carbon Skeleton and Its Application in Sodium Storage
Authors: Wang Ning , Li Xiaodong , Tu Zeyi , Zhao Fuhua , He Jianjiang , Guan Zhaoyong , Huang Changshui , Yi Yuanping , Li Yuliang
Published: February 2018

Boron‐graphdiyne (BGDY), which has a unique π‐conjugated structure comprising an sp‐hybridized carbon skeleton and evenlydistributed boron heteroatoms in a well‐organized 2D molecular plane, is prepared through a bottom‐up synthetic strategy. Excellent conductivity, a relatively low band gap and a packing mode of the planar BGDY are observed. Notably, the unusual bonding environment of the all sp‐carbon framework and the electron‐deficient boron centers generates affinity to metal atoms, and thus provides extra binding sites. Furthermore, the expanded molecule pores of the BGDY molecular plane can also facilitate the transfer of metal ions in the perpendicular direction. The practical effect of the all sp‐carbon structure and boron heteroatoms on the properties of BGDY are demonstrated in its performance as the anode in sodium‐ion batteries.
Randomized clinical trial of adjuvant gemcitabine chemotherapy versus observation in resected bile duct cancer
Authors: Ebata T , Hirano S , Konishi M , Uesaka K , Tsuchiya Y , Ohtsuka M , Kaneoka Y , Yamamoto M , Ambo Y , Shimizu Y , Ozawa F , Fukutomi A , Ando M , Nimura Y , Nagino M , Nakamori S , Ajiki T , Baba H , Yamaguchi R , Kawai M , Nagano H , Miura F , Arai T , Nishiwaki Y , Kawasaki S , Shinchi H , Shimoda M , Yamamoto Y , Endo I , Isaji S , Otsubo T , Ishihara S , Takahara T , Shimada M , Unno M , Imamura M , Ohkochi N , Murakami Y , Fujimoto J , Ikuta S , Fujino Y , Uebayashi M , Ishiyama S , Takakura N , Kumamoto Y , Kato T , Yoshioka I , Uemoto S , Yanaga K
Published: February 2018

Background

Although some retrospective studies have suggested the value of adjuvant therapy, no recommended standard exists in bile duct cancer. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that adjuvant gemcitabine chemotherapy would improve survival probability in resected bile duct cancer.

Methods

This was a randomized phase III trial. Patients with resected bile duct cancer were assigned randomly to gemcitabine and observation groups, which were balanced with respect to lymph node status, residual tumour status and tumour location. Gemcitabine was given intravenously at a dose of 1000 mg/m2, administered on days 1, 8 and 15 every 4 weeks for six cycles. The primary endpoint was overall survival, and secondary endpoints were relapse-free survival, subgroup analysis and toxicity.

Results

Some 225 patients were included (117 gemcitabine, 108 observation). Baseline characteristics were well balanced between the gemcitabine and observation groups. There were no significant differences in overall survival (median 62·3 versus 63·8 months respectively; hazard ratio 1·01, 95 per cent c.i. 0·70 to 1·45; P = 0·964) and relapse-free survival (median 36·0 versus 39·9 months; hazard ratio 0·93, 0·66 to 1·32; P = 0·693). There were no survival differences between the two groups in subsets stratified by lymph node status and margin status. Although haematological toxicity occurred frequently in the gemcitabine group, most toxicities were transient, and grade 3/4 non-haematological toxicity was rare.

Conclusion

The survival probability in patients with resected bile duct cancer was not significantly different between the gemcitabine adjuvant chemotherapy group and the observation group. Registration number: UMIN 000000820 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/).
Evaluation of Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center and International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group prognostic scoring systems to predict Overall Survival in intracranial Primary CNS lymphoma
Authors: Jahr Guro , Broi Michele Da , Holte Harald , Beiske Klaus , Meling Torstein R.
Published: February 2018

Objectives

To evaluate the validity of Memorial Sloan‐Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) and International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group (IELSG) prognostic scoring systems for Overall Survival (OS) in intracranial Primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL) of all patients diagnosed at a single center.

Material and Methods

Pretreatment clinical factors including tumor characteristics and histology, treatment, and survival of PCNSL patients with diagnostic biopsies over a 12‐year period (2003–2014) were retrieved from a prospective database at Oslo University Hospital.

Results

Seventy‐nine patients with intracranial PCNSL were identified. The female:male ratio was 1:1.63 and the median age was 65.3 years [range 18.9–80.7]. Involvement of deep brain structures was shown in 63 patients. Six patients were MSKCC risk group 1, 35 patients were in risk group 2, and 38 patients were in risk group 3. International Extranodal Lymphoma Study Group scores were <2 in 17 patients (22%). After a median follow‐up of 70.5 months, 55 patients were dead. Median OS was 16.4 months [range 0.2–157.7]. Age, sLDH by recursive partitioning analysis (RPA), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score (ECOG), lesion size, involvement of deep brain structures, IELSG score, and MSKCC score were significant factors for OS in univariate analysis. Multivariate analysis confirmed the significance of age (p < .05), sLDH by RPA (p < .005), ECOG (p < .05), and deep brain structure involvement (p < .05) for OS. The six‐tiered IELSG scores had to be dichotomized according to RPA analysis into <2 and ≥2 in order to have prognostic value. In contrast, when using the three‐tiered MSKCC, three distinct risk groups were identified.

Conclusions

Our study failed to verify the IELSG, but validated the use of MSKCC for prognostication of OS in intracranial PCNSL.
A Lucifer‐Based Environment‐Sensitive Fluorescent PNA Probe for Imaging Poly(A) RNAs
Authors: Sabale Pramod M. , Ambi Uddhav B. , Srivatsan Seergazhi G.
Published: February 2018

Fluorescence‐based oligonucleotide (ON) hybridization probes greatly aid the detection and profiling of RNA sequences in cells. However, certain limitations such as target accessibility and hybridization efficiency in cellular environments hamper their broad application because RNAs can form complex and stable structures. In this context, we have developed a robust hybridization probe suitable for imaging RNA in cells by combining the properties of 1) a new microenvironment‐sensitive fluorescent nucleobase analogue, obtained by attaching the Lucifer chromophore (1,8‐naphthalimide) at the 5‐position of uracil, and 2) a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) capable of forming stable hybrids with RNA. The fluorescence of the PNA base analogue labeled with the Lucifer chromophore, when incorporated into PNA oligomers and hybridized to complementary and mismatched ONs, is highly responsive to its neighboring base environment. Notably, the PNA base reports the presence of an adenine repeat in an RNA ON with reasonable enhancement in fluorescence. This feature of the emissive analogue enabled the construction of a poly(T) PNA probe for the efficient visualization of polyadenylated [poly(A)] RNAs in cells—poly(A) being an important motif that plays vital roles in the lifecycle of many types of RNA. Our results demonstrate that such responsive fluorescent nucleobase analogues, when judiciously placed in PNA oligomers, could generate useful hybridization probes to detect nucleic acid sequences in cells and also to image them.
The Un(f)told Story of General Anesthesia
Authors: Zsila Ferenc
Published: February 2018

Inhalational anesthetics are routinely employed in clinical practice to accomplish general anesthesia. Concerns have recently emerged regarding the deleterious impact of these volatile agents on cognitive performance, immune functions, and tumor recurrence and metastasis. These agents have been shown to modify the gene‐expression pattern as well as cell signaling in tumor cells, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain a matter of conjecture. Regulatory/signaling proteins either of cytosolic or membrane origin abundantly contain intrinsically disordered sequences, the conformational pliability of which is pivotal in their biological functions. It is well known that chloroform (an anesthetic itself), trifluoroethanol, hexafluoroisopropanol, and related haloalcohols markedly affect the structure of disordered proteins and protein regions by inducing folding, misfolding, or even aggregation. Taking into consideration the physicochemical similarities and protein interaction modes of these volatile solvents and inhaled anesthetics, it is postulated that administration of these drugs can also modify the secondary structure of disordered protein segments. Accordingly, pharmacological effects of anesthetics may, at least in part, be mediated by conformational perturbations of intrinsic disorder‐based regulatory protein networks of cells.
Redox Properties and Interchromophoric Electronic Interactions in Isoalloxazine−Anthraquinone Dyads
Authors: Valenti Giovanni , Iurlo Matteo , Claramunt Rosa María , Accorsi Gianluca , Paolucci Francesco , Farrán M. Ángeles , Marcaccio Massimo
Published: February 2018

The electrochemistry of a family of recently synthesized isoalloxazine cyclophanes containing anthraquinones, variously substituted and linked by aliphatic chains of different lengths, has been studied. The redox behavior of such species was elucidated by complementing the voltammetric studies with DFT molecular modelling. In these cyclophanes (mimicking the active centers of enzymes), the distance between chromophores and their reciprocal orientations were found to significantly modify their redox properties. Inter‐moiety π−π stacking plays an important role in the electrochemical behavior by modulating the orbital energies, which leads to an inversion of the localization of the first reduction, with the anthraquinone being reduced before the more electron‐accepting flavine.
Azoliniums, Adducts, NHCs and Azomethine Ylides: Divergence in Wanzlick Equilibrium and Olefin Metathesis Catalyst Formation
Authors: Jolly Phillip I. , Marczyk Anna , Małecki Paweł , Ablialimov Osman , Trzybiński Damian , Woźniak Krzysztof , Osella Silvio , Trzaskowski Bartosz , Grela Karol
Published: February 2018

The dimerization of a saturated N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) to tricyclic piperazine in preference to the commonly observed Wanzlick dimerization is presented. Mechanistic investigations revealed that the N‐fluorene substituent of the heterocycle is implicated in both ring opening of corresponding carbene dimer and tautomerization of NHC to an azomethine ylide. This has consequences for the fate of the NHC when generated from either an azolinium salt or a pentafluorophenyl adduct. The insights gained permitted the synthesis of a new indenylidene metathesis precatalyst, which exhibits exceptional selectivity and high TONS in self‐metathesis of 1‐octene.
Stable Nitrogen‐Centered Bis(imino)rylene Diradicaloids
Authors: Zeng Wangdong , Hong Yongseok , Medina Rivero Samara , Kim Jinseok , Zafra José L. , Phan Hoa , Gopalakrishna Tullimilli Y. , Herng Tun Seng , Ding Jun , Casado Juan , Kim Dongho , Wu Jishan
Published: February 2018

The synthesis of stable open‐shell singlet diradicaloids is critical for their practical material application. So far, most reported examples are based on carbon‐centered radicals, which are intrinsically reactive, and there are very few examples of stable nitrogen‐centered diradicaloids. In this full paper, a series of soluble and stable bis(imino)rylenes up to octarylene were synthesized on the basis of newly developed dibromorylene intermediates. It was found that from hexarylene onward, these quinoidal rylenes showed open‐shell singlet ground states and could be thermally populated to paramagnetic triplet aminyl diradicals. They are stable due to efficient spin delocalization onto the rylene backbone as well as kinetic blocking of the aminyl sites by the bulky and electron‐deficient 2,4,6‐trichlorophenyl groups. They exhibited very different electronic structures, diradical character, excited‐state dynamics, one‐photon absorption, two‐photon absorption, and electrochemical properties from their respective aromatic rylene counterparts. These bis(imino)rylenes represent a rare class of stable, neutral, nitrogen‐centered aminyl diradicaloids.
Tris(1‐methyl‐imidazol‐2‐yl)phosphane Complexes of Pnictogen, Tetrel, and Triel Cations
Authors: Suter Riccardo , Gray Paul A. , Burford Neil , McDonald Robert
Published: February 2018

cations

gallium

indium

nitrogen ligands

pnictogens

tetrelThe synthesis and characterization of salts with the generic formula [P(Im)3M][OTf]x (Im=1‐methyl‐imidazol‐2‐yl; M=P, As or Sb and x=3; M=Ge or Sn and x=2) are reported. In all cases, the cations adopt a cage structure with two chemically and energetically distinct apical lone pairs. In contrast, complexes of gallium and indium engage two P(Im)3 ligands resulting in a distorted octahedral geometry for the triel center in compounds of the generic formula [{P(Im)3}2M][OTf]3 (M=Ga or In). An assessment of the acidity and basicity of the new compounds is presented.
P63 expression plays a role in developmental rate, embryo size, and local morphogenesis
Authors: Boughner Julia C. , van Eede Matthijs C. , Spring Shoshana , Yu Lisa X. , Rostampour Nasim , Henkelman R. Mark
Published: February 2018

Background: The p63 gene is integral to the development of many body parts including limb, palate, teeth, and urogenital tract. Loss of p63 expression may alter developmental rate, which is crucial to normal morphogenesis. To validate a novel, unbiased embryo phenotyping software tool, we tested whether delayed development contributes to the pathological phenotype of a p63 mouse mutant (p63‐/‐). We quantified dysmorphology in p63‐/‐ embryos and tested for universal growth delay relative to wild‐type (WT) embryos. Fixed embryos (n = 6; p63‐/‐) aged day (E) 15.5 were micro‐CT scanned and quantitatively analyzed using a digital WT atlas that defined volumetric differences between p63‐/‐ and WT embryos. Results: p63‐/‐ embryos showed a growth delay of approximately 22 hr (0.9 days). Among the E15.5 mutants, overall size was closest to WT E14.6 mice but shape was closest to WT E14.0. The atlas clearly identified in p63‐/‐ embryos malformations of epithelial derivatives including limbs, tail, urogenital structures, brain, face, and tooth. Conclusions: The software atlas technique described the p63‐/‐ phenotype as a combination of developmental delay (i.e., heterochrony) and malformation (i.e., pathological shape; failed organogenesis). This study identifies for the first time global and local roles for p63 in prenatal growth and development. Developmental Dynamics 247:779–787, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A staging table for the embryonic development of the brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum)
Authors: Onimaru Koh , Motone Fumio , Kiyatake Itsuki , Nishida Kiyonori , Kuraku Shigehiro
Published: February 2018

Background: Studying cartilaginous fishes (chondrichthyans) has helped us understand vertebrate evolution and diversity. However, resources such as genome sequences, embryos, and detailed staging tables are limited for species within this clade. To overcome these limitations, we have focused on a species, the brownbanded bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium punctatum), which is a relatively common aquarium species that lays eggs continuously throughout the year. In addition, because of its relatively small genome size, this species is promising for molecular studies. Results: To enhance biological studies of cartilaginous fishes, we establish a normal staging table for the embryonic development of the brownbanded bamboo shark. Bamboo shark embryos take around 118 days to reach the hatching period at 25°C, which is approximately 1.5 times as fast as the small‐spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula) takes. Our staging table divides the embryonic period into 38 stages. Furthermore, we found culture conditions that allow early embryos to grow in partially opened egg cases. Conclusions: In addition to the embryonic staging table, we show that bamboo shark embryos exhibit relatively fast embryonic growth and are amenable to culture, key characteristics that enhance their experimental utility. Therefore, the present study is a foundation for cartilaginous fish research. Developmental Dynamics 247:712–723, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential isotopic characteristics of eco‐hydrologic processes in a subtropical watershed, China
Authors: Hao Zhuo , Gao Yang , Sun Xiaomin , Wen Xuefa
Published: February 2018

In order to better understand isotopic characteristics of eco‐hydrologic processes in subtropical zones, this study selected a typical subtropical watershed in China to investigate and determine the complex differential mechanisms inherent to this water body type. Results showed that stable isotopes in precipitation within a Local Meteoric Water Line in the Xiangxi River basin (where δD = (8.23 ± 0.27)δ18O + (17.97 ± 1.65); R2 = 0.94) weighted δD and δ18O average precipitation values were −22.11‰ and −5.23‰, respectively. Furthermore, enrichment trends in river water δ18O (−4.21‰ to −6.91‰) and δD (−25.11‰ to −38.13‰) and soil solution δ18O (−6.30‰ to −11.21‰) and δD (−11.21‰ to −34.57‰) were greater compared with precipitation δ18O (−0.23‰ to −12.06‰) and δD (0.54‰ to −98.52‰) and throughfall δ18O (−1.11‰ to −4.72‰) and δD (−2.11‰ to −24.95‰). This study found obvious seasonality and higher deuterium excess (d‐excess) values in precipitation during the dry season and lower values during the rainy season. Moreover, the orchard was more enriched and the coniferous and broad‐leaved mixed forest was more depleted in δD and δ18O compared with other land cover types. Precipitation was an important climate variable in subtropical watersheds under the influence of monsoon systems. According to results from the isotopic mixture model, precipitation input fractions were greater than 88% in the soil solution and greater than 21% in river water.