bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Racial disparities in preoperative chemotherapy use in gastric cancer patients in the United States: Analysis of the National Cancer Data Base, 2006‐2014
Authors: Ikoma Naruhiko , Cormier Janice N. , Feig Barry , Du Xianglin L. , Yamal Jose‐Miguel , Hofstetter Wayne , Das Prajnan , Ajani Jaffer A. , Roland Christina L. , Fournier Keith , Royal Richard , Mansfield Paul , Badgwell Brian D.
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

No studies have investigated whether race/ethnicity is associated with the recommended use of preoperative chemotherapy or subsequent outcomes in gastric cancer. To determine whether there is such an association, analyses of patients with gastric cancer in the National Cancer Data Base (NCDB) were performed.

METHODS

Patients with clinical T2‐4bN0‐1M0 gastric adenocarcinoma, as defined by the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging manual, who underwent gastrectomy from 2006 to 2014 were identified from the NCDB. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to examine factors associated with preoperative chemotherapy use.

RESULTS

This study identified 16,945 patients who met the criteria, and 8286 of these patients (49%) underwent preoperative chemotherapy. The use of preoperative chemotherapy remarkably increased over the study period, from 34% in 2006 to 65% in 2014. Preoperative chemotherapy was more commonly used for cardia tumors than noncardia tumors (83% vs 44% in 2014). In a multivariable analysis, races and ethnicities other than non‐Hispanic (NH) white race were associated with less frequent use of preoperative chemotherapy in comparison with NH whites after adjustments for social, tumor, and hospital factors. The insurance status and the education level mediated an enhanced effect of racial/ethnic disparities in preoperative chemotherapy use. The use of preoperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy was associated with reduced racial/ethnic disparities in overall survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Racial/ethnic disparities in the use of preoperative chemotherapy and in outcomes exist among patients with gastric cancer in the United States. Efforts to improve the access to high‐quality cancer care in minority groups may reduce racial disparities in gastric cancer in the United States. Cancer 2018;124:998‐1007. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Color appearance of afterimages compared to the chromatic adaptation to illumination
Authors: Phuangsuwan Chanprapha , Ikeda Mitsuo , Mepean Janjira
Published: February 2018

The color appearance of negative afterimages was measured by the elementary color naming method, and the results were compared with those obtained by the two‐room technique. Twenty adapting stimuli were presented on a display sequentially. Subjects first assessed the color appearance of the stimuli. After looking at the adapting stimulus for 10 seconds, the subjects assessed color of the afterimage. Apparent hue of the afterimage was in general not opponent color to the adapting color. The relation between the adapting stimuli and the afterimages was analyzed by the angle difference Δθ, when apparent hues are expressed by the angles of the points on the polar diagram of the opponent color theory. The relation relationship of Δθ to the angle of the adapting color θing was quite similar to the results obtained by the two‐room technique, implying that the chromatic adaptation shown by the afterimage also occurs in the brain rather than in the retina.
Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Two Nicotine Patches in Smokers
Authors: Rasmussen Scott , Horkan Kathleen Halabuk , Kotler Mitchell
Published: February 2018

Smoking continues to be a major preventable cause of early mortality worldwide, and nicotine replacement therapy has been demonstrated to increase rates of abstinence among smokers attempting to quit. Nicotine transdermal systems (also known as nicotine patches) attach to the skin via an adhesive layer composed of a mixture of different‐molecular‐weight polyisobutylenes (PIBs) in a specific ratio. This randomized, single‐dose, 2‐treatment, crossover pharmacokinetic (PK) trial assessed the bioequivalence of nicotine patches including a replacement PIB adhesive (test) compared with the PIB adhesive historically used on marketed patches (reference). The test and reference patches were bioequivalent, as determined by the PK parameters of Cmax and AUC0–t. In addition, the parameters Tmax and t1/2 did not significantly differ between the 2 patches, supporting the bioequivalence finding from the primary analysis. The tolerability profiles of the patches containing the replacement and previously used PIB adhesives were similar; application‐site adverse events did not significantly differ between test and reference patches. Overall, these data establish the bioequivalence of the nicotine patch with the replacement PIB adhesive formulation and the previously utilized PIB adhesive formulation.
Identifying Different Halogen‐/Hydrogen‐Bonding Interaction Modes in Binary Systems that Contain an Acetate Ionic Liquid and Various Halobenzenes
Authors: Xu Jing , Zhou Yu , Deng Geng , Ashraf Hamad , Yu Zhi‐Wu
Published: February 2018

Elucidation of the nature of noncovalent interactions between ionic liquids (ILs) and halogenated molecules is of particular importance for both fundamental research and drug development. Herein, the noncovalent interactions between 1‐butyl‐3‐methyl‐imidazolium acetate and three halobenzenes C6F5X (X=I, Br, H) were investigated. The iodine derivative shows the strongest interaction with the IL, followed by C6F5Br and C6F5H. As indicated by the positive/negative peaks and “multi/two‐state” phenomena in the excess IR spectra, combined with DFT calculations, various interaction modes were differentiated. Three complexes, namely anion–C6F5I, anion–2 C6F5I, and ion‐pair–C6F5I in the IL–C6F5I system were identified, whereas only ion‐pair–C6F5Br/C6F5H complexes, together with self‐associates, were found in the other two systems. A possible reason for the behavior of the IL–C6F5I system could be that the iodine‐based halogen‐bonding interactions in the system are strong enough to break interactions between the IL cations and anions. This might make C6F5I a good co‐solvent to regulate the properties of acetate‐based ILs.
Square partition‐based node scheduling algorithm for wireless passive sensor networks
Authors: Lu Xu , Chen Rongjun , Liu Jun , Cheng Lianglun
Published: February 2018

Wireless passive sensor networks play an important role in solving the energy limitation of nodes in the Internet of Things, and node scheduling is a significant method used to improve the energy utilization of nodes. In this work, an unused energy model based on analyzing the energy consumption characteristics of passive nodes is proposed because no unified model of passive sensor nodes is reported in previous studies. A rapid square partition clustering method is proposed according to the analysis of the relation between the sensing and communication radii of nodes, and the secondary grouping and node scheduling in each cluster are implemented to ensure the coverage rate of networks. Experimental results show that the state distribution of nodes in the proposed algorithm is favorable. The performance of the proposed algorithm is significantly affected by the P ratio between the working and charging powers of nodes. When the value of P is less than 100, the network coverage and connectivity rate are maintained at more than 95% and 90%, respectively, and are both higher than the existing algorithm.
Ten‐year weight gain is associated with elevated fasting insulin levels and precedes glucose elevation
Authors: Pennings Nicholas , Jaber Johnny , Ahiawodzi Peter
Published: February 2018

Background

Numerous studies have examined the relationship between endogenous insulin and weight change with mixed results. This study examined the relationship between fasting insulin levels, insulin resistance (IR), and 10‐year weight change by glycaemic stage.

Methods

Using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2011‐2014, 3840 participants were divided into 6 groups based on fasting glucose and fasting insulin levels. Fasting insulin concentrations were dichotomized into <25th percentile (normal) and ≥25th percentile (elevated). Ten‐year weight change associated with fasting insulin was assessed by glycaemic stage.

Results

Average weight change over a 10‐year period was higher in individuals with elevated insulin levels compared to the first quartile (1.40 lbs. vs 11.12 lbs, P < .0001). Across all groups, a 1 μU increase in fasting insulin levels resulted in a 0.52‐pound increase in weight (P < .0001). Similarly, an increase in HOMA‐IR was associated with increase in weight (1.32 lbs per IR unit, P < .0001). Marginal increases in weight were most pronounced in the normal insulin groups compared to elevated insulin groups and diminished as glycaemic stage progressed.

Conclusions

Elevated fasting insulin level was positively associated with weight gain. The impact of fasting insulin and IR on weight gain preceded hyperglycaemia and diminished as glycaemic stage progressed.
Synthesis of α‐(Trifluoromethyl)pyridazine Derivatives
Authors: Feraldi‐Xypolia Alexandra , Gomez Pardo Domingo , Cossy Janine
Published: February 2018

Over the last decades, an increasing interest in α‐(trifluoromethyl)pyridazines in medicinal chemistry has been noticed. This interest stems firstly from the recent development of biologically active pyridazines as well as from the capacity of the pyridazine ring to be a bioisoster of other heterocycles. Secondly, due to the influence of a fluorine atom on the chemical and physico‐chemical properties of organic compounds, fluorinated pyridazines have been an attractive scaffold for medicinal chemists. Consequently, the methods that allow the synthesis of fluorinated pyridazines, and more specifically pyridazines possessing either one or two CF3 groups α to the nitrogen atoms, are of great interest and are reported in this review.
Physiological and pathological characterization of capsaicin‐induced reversible nerve degeneration and hyperalgesia
Authors: Chiang H. , Chang K.‐C. , Kan H.‐W. , Wu S.‐W. , Tseng M.‐T. , Hsueh H.‐W. , Lin Y.‐H. , Chao C.‐C. , Hsieh S.‐T.
Published: February 2018

Background

The study aimed to investigate the physiology, psychophysics, pathology and their relationship in reversible nociceptive nerve degeneration, and the physiology of acute hyperalgesia.

Methods

We enrolled 15 normal subjects to investigate intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) density, contact heat‐evoked potential (CHEP) and thermal thresholds during the capsaicin‐induced skin nerve degeneration–regeneration; and CHEP and thermal thresholds at capsaicin‐induced acute hyperalgesia.

Results

After 2‐week capsaicin treatment, IENF density of skin was markedly reduced with reduced amplitude and prolonged latency of CHEP, and increased warm and heat pain thresholds. The time courses of skin nerve regeneration and reversal of physiology and psychophysics were different: IENF density was still lower at 10 weeks after capsaicin treatment than that at baseline, whereas CHEP amplitude and warm threshold became normalized within 3 weeks after capsaicin treatment. Although CHEP amplitude and IENF density were best correlated in a multiple linear regression model, a one‐phase exponential association model showed better fit than a simple linear one, that is in the regeneration phase, the slope of the regression line between CHEP amplitude and IENF density was steeper in the subgroup with lower IENF densities than in the one with higher IENF densities. During capsaicin‐induced hyperalgesia, recordable rate of CHEP to 43 °C heat stimulation was higher with enhanced CHEP amplitude and pain perception compared to baseline.

Conclusions

There were differential restoration of IENF density, CHEP and thermal thresholds, and changed CHEP–IENF relationships during skin reinnervation. CHEP can be a physiological signature of acute hyperalgesia.

Significance

These observations suggested the relationship between nociceptive nerve terminals and brain responses to thermal stimuli changed during different degree of skin denervation, and CHEP to low‐intensity heat stimulus can reflect the physiology of hyperalgesia.
Latest advances in the extraction and determination of saffron apocarotenoids
Authors: Kyriakoudi Anastasia , Z. Tsimidou Maria
Published: February 2018

Saffron, the dried red stigmas of Crocus sativus L. plant, is the most expensive spice in the world. It is highly valued not only for the color and flavor that exerts to various foods and drinks but also for its functional properties. Various classes of apocarotenoids such as crocetin sugar esters, picrocrocin and safranal are responsible for these characteristics. In the present review, the evolution of the methods proposed by the ISO standard for extraction and determination of saffron apocarotenoids since 1980 is presented in parallel to other approaches proposed by various scientists to overcome limitations of the standard. Moreover, the latest advances regarding applications of novel extraction techniques and powerful analytical tools that require limited or no sample preparation are critically discussed.
At the southern limits of the Devonian reef zone: Palaeoecology of the Aferdou el Mrakib reef (Givetian, eastern Anti‐Atlas, Morocco)
Authors: Jakubowicz M. , Król J. , Zapalski M. K. , Wrzołek T. , Wolniewicz P. , Berkowski B.
Published: February 2018

Devonian reefs of north‐western Gondwana represent the southernmost record of shallow‐water coral reefs in the Palaeozoic. However, few studies have attempted to date palaeoecological reconstructions of these high‐latitude reefal buildups. This study provides the first detailed palaeoecological analysis of Aferdou el Mrakib, an isolated, Givetian coral‐stromatoporoid reef, which developed in a semirestricted basin in the south‐eastern part of the Rheic Ocean. The study documents spatial facies variability and succession of faunal replacements accompanying progressive reef accretion towards the sea surface. The investigations included both autochthonous communities found at the base of the reef and, partially, within the reef core, and allochthonous deposits of reef‐derived skeletal debris that accumulated in the fore‐reef setting. Contrary to some previous suggestions, the study shows that the Aferdou reef shared many characteristics of classical Middle Devonian coral‐stromatoporoid buildups, including the ecological succession, limited role of calcareous algae, and development within the range of the euphotic zone, but likely below the zone of regular water agitation. Critical factors in the facies development and temporal changes in the character of reef building were the palaeobathymetry, dominant sedimentary and circulation regimes, level of wave energy, and, possibly, light availability. Distinctive features of the palaeoecology of Aferdou el Mrakib are the dominance of massive colonies of heliolitid tabulates and a subordinate role of massive stromatoporoids, both explained here primarily as a result of increased water turbidity in the high‐latitude sedimentary basin. The growth of the high‐latitude coral‐stromatoporoid reefs in the south‐eastern Rheic Ocean was favoured by a combination of the exceptionally warm climate and plate tectonic configuration typifying the Devonian. Of critical importance appears the palaeogeographic position of the Rheic, which resulted in the seawater circulation in the ocean being dominated by tropical water masses, with restricted inflow of cold water from the circumpolar oceanic circulation.
A single‐cell analysis reveals multiple roles of oligodendroglial lineage cells during post‐ischemic regeneration
Authors: Valny Martin , Honsa Pavel , Waloschkova Eliska , Matuskova Hana , Kriska Jan , Kirdajova Denisa , Androvic Peter , Valihrach Lukas , Kubista Mikael , Anderova Miroslava
Published: February 2018

NG2 cells represent precursors of oligodendrocytes under physiological conditions; however, following cerebral ischemia they play an important role in glial scar formation. Here, we compared the expression profiles of oligodendroglial lineage cells, after focal cerebral ischemia (FCI) and in Alzheimer's‐like pathology using transgenic mice, which enables genetic fate‐mapping of Cspg4‐positive NG2 cells and their progeny, based on the expression of red fluorescent protein tdTomato. tdTomato‐positive cells possessed the expression profile of NG2 cells and oligodendrocytes; however, based on the expression of cell type‐specific genes, we were able to distinguish between them. To shed light on the changes in the expression patterns caused by FCI, we employed self‐organizing Kohonen maps, enabling the division of NG2 cells and oligodendrocytes into subpopulations based on similarities in the expression profiles of individual cells. We identified three subpopulations of NG2 cells emerging after FCI: proliferative; astrocyte‐like and oligodendrocyte‐like NG2 cells; such phenotypes were further confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Oligodendrocytes themselves formed four subpopulations, which reflected the process of oligodendrocytes maturation. Finally, we used 5‐ethynyl‐2′ deoxyuridine (EdU) labeling to reveal that NG2 cells can differentiate directly into reactive astrocytes without preceding proliferation. In contrast, in Alzheimer's‐like pathology we failed to identify these subpopulations. Collectively, here we identified several yet unknown differences between the expression profiles of NG2 cells and oligodendrocytes, and characterized specific genes contributing to oligodendrocyte maturation and phenotypical changes of NG2 cells after FCI. Moreover, our results suggest that, unlike in Alzheimer's‐like pathology, NG2 cells acquire a multipotent phenotype following FCI.
National disparities in treatment package time for resected locally advanced head and neck cancer and impact on overall survival
Authors: Guttmann David M. , Kobie Julie , Grover Surbhi , Lin Alexander , Lukens John N. , Mitra Nandita , Rhodes Karin V. , Feng Weiwei , Swisher‐McClure Samuel
Published: February 2018

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine national disparities in head and neck cancer treatment package time (the time interval from surgery through the completion of radiation) and the associated impact on survival.

Methods

We conducted an observational cohort study using the National Cancer Database of 15 234 patients with resected head and neck cancer who underwent adjuvant radiotherapy from 2004‐2012. Predictors of prolonged package time were identified by multivariable linear regression. Survival outcomes were assessed using a multivariable Cox model.

Results

Mean package time was 100 days (SD 23). Package time was 7.52 days (95% confidence interval [CI] 6.23‐8.81; P < .001) longer with Medicaid versus commercial insurance. Low income and African American race also predicted for longer package times. All‐cause mortality increased an average of 4% with each 1 week increase in treatment package time (hazard ratio [HR] 1.04; 95% CI 1.03‐1.05; P < .001).

Conclusion

Significant national socioeconomic disparities exist in treatment package time. Treatment delays in this setting may contribute to worse survival outcomes.
Novel encoding and updating of positional, or directional, spatial cues are processed by distinct hippocampal subfields: Evidence for parallel information processing and the “what” stream
Authors: Hoang Thu‐Huong , Aliane Verena , Manahan‐Vaughan Denise
Published: February 2018

The specific roles of hippocampal subfields in spatial information processing and encoding are, as yet, unclear. The parallel map theory postulates that whereas the CA1 processes discrete environmental features (positional cues used to generate a “sketch map”), the dentate gyrus (DG) processes large navigation‐relevant landmarks (directional cues used to generate a “bearing map”). Additionally, the two‐streams hypothesis suggests that hippocampal subfields engage in differentiated processing of information from the “where” and the “what” streams. We investigated these hypotheses by analyzing the effect of exploration of discrete “positional” features and large “directional” spatial landmarks on hippocampal neuronal activity in rats. As an indicator of neuronal activity we measured the mRNA induction of the immediate early genes (IEGs), Arc and Homer1a. We observed an increase of this IEG mRNA in CA1 neurons of the distal neuronal compartment and in proximal CA3, after novel spatial exploration of discrete positional cues, whereas novel exploration of directional cues led to increases in IEG mRNA in the lower blade of the DG and in proximal CA3. Strikingly, the CA1 did not respond to directional cues and the DG did not respond to positional cues. Our data provide evidence for both the parallel map theory and the two‐streams hypothesis and suggest a precise compartmentalization of the encoding and processing of “what” and “where” information occurs within the hippocampal subfields.
Examining drivers of trading volume in European markets
Authors: Batrinca Bogdan , Hesse Christian W. , Treleaven Philip C.
Published: February 2018

This study presents an in‐depth exploration of market dynamics and analyses potential drivers of trading volume. The study considers established facts from the literature, such as calendar anomalies, the correlation between volume and price change, and this relation's asymmetry, while proposing a variety of time series models. The results identified some key volume predictors, such as the lagged time series volume data and historical price indicators (e.g. intraday range, intraday return, and overnight return). Moreover, the study provides empirical evidence for the price–volume relation asymmetry, finding an overall price asymmetry in over 70% of the analysed stocks, which is observed in the form of a moderate overnight asymmetry and a more salient intraday asymmetry. We conclude that volatility features, more recent data, and day‐of‐the‐week features, with a notable negative effect on Mondays and Fridays, improve the volume prediction model.
Bu‐Shen‐Huo‐Xue‐Fang modulates nucleus pulposus cell proliferation and extracellular matrix remodeling in intervertebral disk degeneration through miR‐483 regulation of Wnt pathway
Authors: Yang Shaofeng , Li Linghui , Zhu Liguo , Zhang Chao , Li Zhaoyong , Guo Yantao , Nie Ying , Luo Zhenhua
Published: February 2018

Intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) has been widely considered as one of the main causes for low back pain, which can cause a severe impact to human health and huge economic burden to worldwide society. IDD pathogenesis can be affected by extensive degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and the hyperproliferation of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. During the IDD process, expression of the ECM degradation enzymes matrix metalloproteinase and ADAMTS increases, whereas expression of ECM synthesis–related aggrecan and COL2A1 decreases. In addition, the Wnt signaling pathway is reportedly involved in the process of IDD. Bu‐Shen‐Huo‐Xue‐Fang (BSHXF), a Chinese traditional medicine formula that contains six Chinese traditional medicinal herbs, is widely used in the treatment of IDD. Herein, we obtained the serum containing BSHXF from BSHXF‐fed rat and demonstrated that the BSHXF promoted NP cell proliferation and ECM synthesis through the Wnt signaling pathway. By using DIANA online tools and luciferase reporter gene assays, we confirmed that miR‐483‐3p and miR‐23c regulated CTNNB1 and GSK3B, respectively, through direct targeting, thereby affecting the effect of BSHXF on NP cell proliferation and ECM synthesis through the Wnt signaling pathway. Taken together, we demonstrated the function and mechanism of BSHXF in regulating NP cell proliferation and ECM remodeling through the Wnt signaling pathway during IDD.
Spin–orbit effects on magnetically induced current densities in the () clusters
Authors: Alvarez‐Thon Luis , Inostroza‐Pino Natalia
Published: February 2018

This study reports the spin–orbit effects on the aromaticity of the
,
,
,
,
, and
anionic clusters via the magnetically induced current‐density method. All‐electron density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out using the four‐component Dirac‐Coulomb (DC) hamiltonian, including scalar and spin–orbit relativistic effects. The magnetic index of aromaticity was calculated by numerical integration over the current flow between two atoms in the pentagonal ring. These values were compared to the spin‐free values (spin–orbit coupling switched off), in order to assess the spin–orbit effect on aromaticity. It was found that in the heavy anions,
and
, there is a significant influence of the spin–orbit coupling. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Magnetic Solid Base Catalyst Fe3O4@Gly Used as Acid‐Resistant Catalyst for Biodiesel Production
Authors: Zhang Pingbo , Shi Min , Fan Mingming , Jiang Pingping , Dong Yuming
Published: February 2018

Fe3O4@Gly nanoparticles were synthetized by coprecipitation and studied in the transesterification of soybean oil and methanol to determine its performance for biodiesel synthesis. The magnetism and catalytic performance of Fe3O4@Gly alkaline catalyst were investigated in detail. With a catalyst dosage 1.5 wt %, methanol/soybean oil ratio of 15:1, reaction temperature of 65 °C, and a reaction time of 3 h, the highest yield of biodiesel was 95.8%. The strong base catalyst CaO was used as comparison, from which it was seen that Fe3O4@Gly was more hydrophobic than the former. Moreover, because of the complete dissolution of oleic acid in methanol, Fe3O4@Gly could make better contact with oleic acid, which made it perform far better than pure CaO in oleic acid. In addition, after four times recycling, the yield of biodiesel was still 86.6%. The results show that Fe3O4@Gly possesses excellent properties of acid resistance and recyclability. The catalyst can be a high‐efficiency alkaline heterogeneous catalyst for biodiesel production.
Controlling microbubbles in alcohol solutions by using a multi‐channel ceramic membrane distributor
Authors: Liu Yefei , Han Yang , Li Xiaoli , Jiang Hong , Chen Rizhi
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Microbubbles are gaining more attention in environmental, medical, agricultural and industrial processes. Alcohol addition plays an important role in controlling microbubble generation. The effect of n‐butanol concentration on microbubble characteristics has not been studied, thus experiments have been done to investigate the control of microbubbles in alcohol solutions.

RESULTS

Microbubbles were successfully generated using a 19‐channel ceramic membrane. The bubble Sauter diameter was found to decrease with increasing n‐butanol concentration. Increasing cross flow velocity and decreasing superficial gas velocity resulted in smaller bubbles. Gas holdup and specific interfacial area was found to increase with increasing n‐butanol concentration. The volumetric mass transfer coefficient Kla was found to increase with increasing n‐butanol concentration, following the trend in specific interfacial area. Increasing cross‐flow velocity and superficial gas velocity resulted in increased Kla.

CONCLUSIONS

Bubble characteristics in solutions with different n‐butanol concentrations are very different. Alcohol addition is an important way to generate smaller bubbles and larger gas holdup. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Graphs in which some and every maximum matching is uniquely restricted
Authors: Penso Lucia Draque , Rautenbach Dieter , dos Santos Souza Uéverton
Published: February 2018

A matching M in a graph G is uniquely restricted if there is no matching in G that is distinct from M but covers the same vertices as M. Solving a problem posed by Golumbic, Hirst, and Lewenstein, we characterize the graphs in which some maximum matching is uniquely restricted. Solving a problem posed by Levit and Mandrescu, we characterize the graphs in which every maximum matching is uniquely restricted. Both our characterizations lead to efficient recognition algorithms for the corresponding graphs.
Poverty and Policy Selectivity of World Bank Trust Funds
Authors: Eichenauer Vera Z. , Knack Stephen
Published: February 2018

Over the past decade, donors of foreign aid quadrupled their annual contributions to trust funds at the World Bank. This earmarking of contributions to donors' preferred recipient countries and issues has raised concerns about the alignment of trust funds with the performance‐based aid allocations by the International Development Association, the World Bank's concessional lending arm. This study finds that the cross‐country allocations of aggregate trust fund aid are poverty‐selective and policy‐selective but reveals differences between types of trust funds. Overall, the evidence indicates that trust funds administered by the World Bank do not undermine the International Development Association's allocation criteria. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ITGB4is essential for containing HDM-induced airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness
Authors: Liu Chi , Yuan Lin , Zou Yizhou , Yang Ming , Chen Yu , Qu Xiangping , Liu Huijun , Jiang Jianxin , Xiang Yang , Qin Xiaoqun
Published: February 2018

Airway epithelial cells play a significant role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Although the structural and functional defects of airway epithelial cells have been postulated to increase asthma susceptibility and exacerbate asthma severity, the mechanism and implication of these defects remain uncertain. Integrin β4 (ITGB4) is a structural adhesion molecule that is downregulated in the airway epithelium of asthma patients. In this study, we demonstrated that ITGB4 deficiency leads to severe allergy-induced airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR) in mice. After house dust mite (HDM) challenge, epithelial cell-specific ITGB4-deleted mice showed increased lymphocyte, eosinophil, and neutrophil infiltration into lung compared with that of the wild-type mice. ITGB4 deficiency also resulted in increased expression of the Th2 cytokine IL-4, IL-13, and the Th17 cytokine IL-17A in the lung tissue and in the T cells after HDM challenge. The aggravated inflammation in ITGB4 defect mice was partly caused by enhanced disrupted epithelial barrier integrity after HDM stress, which induced the increased thymic stromal lymphopoietin secretion from airway epithelial cells. This study therefore demonstrates that ITGB4 plays a pivotal role in containing allergen-mediated lung inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness in allergic asthma.
Heat-shock protein-90 prolongs septic neutrophil survival by protecting c-Src kinase and caspase-8 from proteasomal degradation
Authors: Gupta Sahil , Lee Chan-Mi , Wang Jia-Feng , Parodo Jean , Jia Song-Hui , Hu Jim , Marshall John C
Published: February 2018

The brief lifespan of the polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) is regulated through its capacity to undergo apoptosis, a constitutive process that is actively inhibited during sepsis. We sought to define the cellular mechanisms through which Heat Shock Protein 90 (Hsp90) prolongs the survival of inflammatory PMN. We evaluated Hsp90 expression and interaction with client proteins in PMNs from patients with sepsis and in healthy control PMNs treated with LPS (1 μg/mL). Hsp90 activity was inhibited pharmacologically using radicicol (Rad; 1 μM), and Hsp90 transcription was silenced in septic PMN using siRNA. PMN apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry and expression of cleaved caspase-8 and -3. Septic PMNs showed reduced rates of apoptosis compared with control PMNs 21 h after isolation, and Hsp90-α mRNA was significantly more abundant in septic PMN. Caspase-8 coimmunoprecipitated with Hsp90, c-Src, and the p85 inhibitory subunit of PI3K in both septic and LPS-treated PMN. Inhibition of Hsp90 activity with Rad or its translation using siRNA restored basal rates of apoptosis in both septic and LPS-treated PMN. Radicicol further reduced c-Src protein abundance, increased the ubiquitination of caspase-8 and c-Src, and enhanced the cleavage of caspase-8 and -3. We conclude that Hsp90 prolongs the survival of activated neutrophils by stabilizing a molecular complex of c-Src kinase and caspase-8, preventing their ubiquitination, and resulting in inhibition of the catalytic activity of caspase-8 and -3.
Radiomics Strategy for Molecular Subtype Stratification of Lower‐Grade Glioma: Detecting IDH and TP53 Mutations Based on Multimodal MRI
Authors: Zhang Xi , Tian Qiang , Wang Liang , Liu Yang , Li Baojuan , Liang Zhengrong , Gao Peng , Zheng Kaizhong , Zhao Bofeng , Lu Hongbing
Published: February 2018

Background

Noninvasive detection of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) and TP53 mutations are meaningful for molecular stratification of lower‐grade gliomas (LrGG).

Purpose

To explore potential MRI features reflecting IDH and TP53 mutations of LrGG, and propose a radiomics strategy for detecting them.

Study Type

Retrospective, radiomics.

Population/Subjects

A total of 103 LrGG patients were separated into development (n = 73) and validation (n = 30) cohorts.

Field Strength/Sequence

T1‐weighted (before and after contrast‐enhanced), T2‐weighted, and fluid‐attenuation inversion recovery images from 1.5T (n = 37) or 3T (n = 66) scanners.

Assessment

After data preprocessing, high‐throughput features were derived from patients' volumes of interests of different sequences. The support vector machine‐based recursive feature elimination (SVM‐RFE) was adopted to find the optimal features for IDH and TP53 mutation detection. SVM models were trained and tested on development and validation cohort. The commonly used metric was used for assessing the efficiency.

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi‐square, or Fisher's exact test were applied on clinical characteristics to confirm whether significant differences exist between three molecular subtypes decided by IDH and TP53 status. Intraclass correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the robustness of the radiomics features.

Results

The constituent ratio of histopathologic subtypes was significantly different among three molecular subtypes (P = 0.017). SVM models for detecting IDH and TP53 mutation were established using 12 and 22 optimal features selected by SVM‐RFE. The accuracies and area under the curves for IDH and TP53 mutations on the development cohort were 84.9%, 0.830, and 92.0%, 0.949, while on the validation cohort were 80.0%, 0.792, and 85.0%, 0.869, respectively. Furthermore, the stratified accuracies of three subtypes were 72.8%, 71.9%, and 70%, respectively.

Data Conclusion

Using a radiomics approach integrating SVM model and multimodal MRI features, molecular subtype stratification of LGG patients was implemented through detecting IDH and TP53 mutations. The results suggested that the proposed approach has promising detecting efficiency and T2‐weighted image features are more important than features from other images.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:916–926.
Nasal obstruction during adolescence induces memory/learning impairments associated with BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway hypofunction and high corticosterone levels
Authors: Ogawa Takuya , Okihara Hidemasa , Kokai Satoshi , Abe Yasunori , Karin Harumi Uchima Koecklin , Makiguchi Mio , Kato Chiho , Yabushita Tadachika , Michikawa Makoto , Ono Takashi
Published: February 2018

The hippocampus is an important brain region involved in memory and learning. Brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine kinase receptor B (TrkB), and phospho‐p44/p42 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) are known to contribute to hippocampal memory/learning. The present study aimed to clarify the effects of nasal obstruction during the growth period on memory/learning in an animal model, using combined behavioral, biochemical, and histological approaches. Male BALB/C mice underwent unilateral nasal obstruction (UNO) by cauterization at 8 days of age and were subjected to Y‐maze and passive avoidance tests at 15 weeks of age. The serum corticosterone levels were measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and brain tissues were subjected to hematoxylin‐eosin staining and histological analysis or homogenization and Western blot analysis. Compared with control mice, UNO mice had lower blood oxygen saturation levels and exhibited apparent memory/learning impairments during behavioral testing. Additionally, the UNO group had higher hippocampal BDNF levels and serum corticosterone levels, lower hippocampal TrkB and phospho‐p44/p42 MAPK levels, and reduced neuron numbers relative to controls. Our findings suggest that UNO during adolescence affects the hippocampus and causes memory/learning impairments.
All‐dielectric core/shell resonators: From plasmon‐free SERS to multimodal analysis
Authors: Bontempi Nicolò , Vassalini Irene , Alessandri Ivano
Published: February 2018

All‐dielectric materials are emerging as a new class of substrates for enhanced Raman scattering. As ohmic losses are reduced in the absence of plasmonic metals, Raman data obtained with dielectrics are very reproducible and reliable. This mini‐review summarizes our recent work in the field of core/shell dielectric resonators designed for Raman purposes, with a special focus on SiO2/TiO2 (T‐rex) core/shell beads. These systems are able to exploit the evanescent field generated by total internal reflection and multiple scattering of light at the sphere‐to‐sphere interface to multiply the number of Raman photons, improving the sensitivity of Raman detection and extending the application of surface enhanced Raman scattering for investigating surface chemical reactions. Examples of the application of T‐Rex beads in detecting and monitoring environmental pollutants, greenhouse gases, biochemical species, and biochemical reactions are presented. The use of core/shell resonators for multimodal analysis based on the combination of surface enhanced Raman scattering with either mass spectrometry or refractive index optical sensing is also discussed, suggesting different possible future developments.
Contrasting metabolic profiles of tasty Andean varieties of tomato fruit in comparison with commercial ones
Authors: D'Angelo Matilde , Zanor María I , Sance María , Cortina Pablo R , Boggio Silvana B , Asprelli Pablo , Carrari Fernando , Santiago Ana N , Asís Ramón , Peralta Iris E , Valle Estela M
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

The fruits of most commercial tomato cultivars (Solanum lycopersicum L.) are deficient in flavour. In contrast, traditional ‘criollo’ tomato varieties are appreciated for fruit of excellent organoleptic quality. Small farmers from the Andean valleys in Argentina have maintained their own tomato varieties, which were selected mainly for flavour. This work aims to correlate the chemical composition of the fruit with the sensory attributes of eight heirloom tomato varieties. The long‐term goal is to identify potential candidate genes capable of altering the chemicals involved in flavour.

RESULTS

A sensory analysis was conducted and the metabolomics of fruit were determined. The data revealed that defined tomato aroma and sourness correlated with citrate and several volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as α‐terpineol, p‐menth‐1‐en‐9‐al, linalool and 3,6‐dimethyl‐2,3,3a,4,5,7a‐hexahydrobenzofuran (DMHEX), a novel volatile recently identified in tomato. Two sensory attributes – sweetness and a not‐acidic taste – correlated with the characteristic tomato taste, and also with fructose, glucose, and two VOCs, benzaldehyde, and 2‐methyl‐2‐octen‐4‐one.

CONCLUSIONS

These data provide new evidence of the complex chemical combination that induced the flavour and aroma of the good‐tasting ‘criollo’ tomato fruit. That is, the compounds that correlated with defined tomato aroma and acidic taste did not correlate with sweetness, or with characteristic tomato taste. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Intellectual capital disclosure in private sector listed companies in India
Authors: Seng Dyna , Kumarasinghe Sriyalatha , Pandey Rakesh
Published: February 2018

This study aims to investigate the extent and variety of voluntary intellectual capital disclosure (ICD) by listed private firms in India. It also compares the level of ICD of firms in the high‐IC‐intensive and low‐IC‐intensive industry sector. In addition, it evaluates the effect of firm size on ICD levels. Consistent with previous ICD research, the results show that relational capital (in particular about “brands and customers”) is the most frequently reported, followed by human capital, and lastly structural capital. In addition, the extent and variety of voluntary ICD by large firms is higher than that of small firms. Again, consistent with prior research, high‐IC‐intensive firms disclose significantly higher IC than low‐IC‐intensive firms. The findings of this study can have implications for regulators, who may want to be aware of how voluntary ICD influences and informs users. This study is one of the few that examines the extent of firms' voluntary ICD in India. It is the first to investigate the extent and variety of voluntary ICD by incorporating two different measures—count and presence—of each component of ICD.
Hemostatic Ability of Chitosan‐Phosphate Inspired by Coagulation Mechanisms of Platelet Polyphosphates
Authors: Wang Younseon , Kim Keumyeon , Lee Moon Sue , Lee Haeshin
Published: February 2018

Hemostatic materials have been studied to minimize bleeding time. Recently, polyphosphate (polyP) have received attention as potential hemostatic compounds, which are released from activated platelets. Long polyP chains are essential to form thick fibrin clots. Herein, chitosan is functionalized by covalently tethering phosphate groups to mimic polyP. It is hypothesized that utilizing a known hemostatic polysaccharide, chitosan, and tethering phosphate groups to mimic polyP's functionality show synergistic effect in hemostasis. Five different phosphorylated chitosan conjugates (Chi‐Ps), s‐Chi‐7P, s‐Chi‐28P, s‐Chi‐74P, is‐Chi‐29P, and is‐Chi‐56P are prepared, where “s” indicates water soluble Chi‐Ps and “is” represents water insoluble Chi‐Ps. Unexpectedly, an important carbon in D‐glucosamine is found, which determines chitosan solubility. Phosphate groups conjugated to C6 carbon resulted in water soluble Chi‐P, but conjugation to C3 group exhibited water insoluble behavior. Hemostasis capability showed a positive correlation with the degree of phosphate conjugations regardless of water solubility of Chi‐P.
Symmetric and finitely symmetric polynomials on the spaces and
Authors: Galindo Pablo , Vasylyshyn Taras , Zagorodnyuk Andriy
Published: February 2018

We consider on the space polynomials that are invariant regarding permutations of the sequence variable or regarding finite permutations. Accordingly, they are trivial or factor through c0. The analogous study, with analogous results, is carried out on , replacing the permutations of by measurable bijections of that preserve the Lebesgue measure.
Cucurbitacin B induces inhibitory effects via CIP2A/PP2A/Akt pathway in glioblastoma multiforme
Authors: Qin Shanshan , Li Jing , Si Yuan , He Zhongwei , Zhang Te , Wang Dawei , Liu Xuewen , Guo Yang , Zhang Liang , Li Shan , Li Qiang , Liu Ying
Published: February 2018

Cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is a human oncoprotein that is overexpressed in multiple types of tumors and promotes the proliferation and transformation of cancer cells. However, whether CIP2A can be a new drug target for human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is largely unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that the overexpression of CIP2A promotes invasive behavior in GBM, and a natural compound, cucurbitacin B (CuB), shows an anti‐proliferative and anti‐invasion effect in GBM cell lines. CuB effectively induces apoptosis, downregulates CIP2A expression and its downstream signaling molecule, phospho‐Akt, and upregulates protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity. Overexpression of CIP2A reduced CuB‐inhibited growth and invasion in GBM cells. Silencing CIP2A enhanced CuB‐induced invasion inhibition and apoptosis in GBM. CuB combined with cisplatin synergistically inhibited GBM cells. CuB also inhibited tumor growth in murine models. Western blot results further revealed that CuB downregulates CIP2A, and phospho‐Akt in vivo. In summary, inhibition of CIP2A determines the effects of CuB‐induced invasive behavior inhibition and apoptosis in GBM cells. These characteristics render CuB as a promising candidate drug for further development and for designing new effective CIP2A inhibitors.
Gait initiation is influenced by emotion processing in Parkinson's disease patients with freezing
Authors: Lagravinese Giovanna , Pelosin Elisa , Bonassi Gaia , Carbone Federico , Abbruzzese Giovanni , Avanzino Laura
Published: February 2018

Background: Freezing of gait is a symptom that affects more than 50% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and increasing evidence suggests that nonmotor systems (i.e., limbic system) are involved in its underlying mechanisms.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate whether gait initiation characteristics are influenced by emotional stimuli in patients with PD, with or without freezing of gait.

Methods: A total of 44 participants, divided into 3 groups (15 PD patients with and 15 PD patients without freezing of gait and 14 controls), stood on a sensorized mat and were asked to take a step forward in response to a pleasant image and a step backward in response to an unpleasant one (congruent task, low cognitive load) or to take a step backward in response to a pleasant image and a step forward in response to an unpleasant one (incongruent task, high cognitive load). Reaction time, step size, anticipatory postural adjustments, and sway path were measured.

Results: In PD with freezing of gait, the reaction time was longer and the step size was shorter than in the other groups when they took a step forward in response to an unpleasant image (incongruent task). Changes in reaction time performance in response to unpleasant images remained significant after having adjusted for executive dysfunction and positively correlated with the “frequency” of freezing episodes.

Conclusions: This study demonstrates that gait initiation was influenced by the emotional valence of visual stimuli in addition to the cognitive load of the task suggesting that the limbic system may be involved in freezing of gait. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Asymptotic and numerical solutions of three‐dimensional boundary‐layer flow past a moving wedge
Authors: Kudenatti Ramesh B. , Gogate S Shashi Prabha , Bujurke N. M.
Published: February 2018

We consider a laminar boundary‐layer flow of a viscous and incompressible fluid past a moving wedge in which the wedge is moving either in the direction of the mainstream flow or opposite to it. The mainstream flows outside the boundary layer are approximated by a power of the distance from the leading boundary layer. The variable pressure gradient is imposed on the boundary layer so that the system admits similarity solutions. The model is described using 3‐dimensional boundary‐layer equations that contains 2 physical parameters: pressure gradient (β) and shear‐to‐strain‐rate ratio parameter (α). Two methods are used: a linear asymptotic analysis in the neighborhood of the edge of the boundary layer and the Keller‐box numerical method for the full nonlinear system. The results show that the flow field is divided into near‐field region (mainly dominated by viscous forces) and far‐field region (mainstream flows); the velocity profiles form through an interaction between 2 regions. Also, all simulations show that the subsequent dynamics involving overshoot and undershoot of the solutions for varying parameter characterizing 3‐dimensional flows. The pressure gradient (favorable) has a tendency of decreasing the boundary‐layer thickness in which the velocity profiles are benign. The wall shear stresses increase unboundedly for increasingαwhen the wedge is moving in thex‐direction, while the case is different when it is moving in they‐direction. Further, both analysis show that 3‐dimensional boundary‐layer solutions exist in the range −1<α<∞. These are some interesting results linked to an important class of boundary‐layer flows.