bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and characterization of simple sequence repeat markers for the invasive tetraploid waterweed Elodea nuttallii (Hydrocharitaceae)
Authors: Weickardt Isabell , Zehnsdorf Andreas , Durka Walter
Published: May 2018

Premise of the Study

To enhance the understanding of the recent invasion process of the clonal waterweed Elodea nuttallii (Hydrocharitaceae), analyses of population structure and genotypic diversity need to be undertaken, for which genetic markers are needed.

Methods and Results

High‐throughput sequencing of DNA enriched for microsatellites was used to develop 24 loci that were characterized in E. nuttallii, 21 of which were polymorphic, with the number of alleles ranging from two to 10. In two populations, expected heterozygosity ranged among loci between zero and 0.796. In the congener E. canadensis, all markers yielded PCR products, 19 of which were polymorphic, with two to nine alleles and expected heterozygosity ranging from zero to 0.690 in two populations.

Conclusions

The markers described should be useful for future studies of population structure and clonal diversity of E. nuttallii as well as E. canadensis in their native and invasive range.
On‐line high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with biochemical detection method for screening of α‐glucosidase inhibitors in green tea
Authors: Guo Peng‐Cheng , Shen Hua‐Dan , Fang Jiang‐Ji , Ding Tian‐Ming , Ding Xiao‐Ping , Liu Jun‐Feng
Published: May 2018

An on‐line high‐performance liquid chromatography–biochemical detection (HPLC‐BCD) method, in which compounds separated by HPLC were on‐line reacted with enzyme and substrate solutions delivered by flow injection and the enzyme inhibition signal was collected by UV detection, was developed to rapidly screen α‐glucosidase inhibitors from green tea extracts in this study. The chromatographic fingerprints and enzyme inhibition profiles of the different brands of green tea could be simultaneously detected by the on‐line HPLC‐BCD method. Enzyme inhibition profiles were detected by the UV detector at 415 nm based on the reaction of α‐glucosidase and p‐nitrophenyl α‐d‐glucopyranoside (PNPG). PNPG (1.25 mm), α‐glucosidase (0.4 U/mL) and the flow rate 0.07 mL/min were applied as optimized parameters to detect α‐glucosidase inhibitors in green tea. Four components in green tea showed α‐glucosidase inhibition action and three of them were identified as HHDP‐galloyl glucose, (−)‐epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate and (−)‐epicatechin‐3‐gallate by HPLC–fourier‐transform mass spectrometry (HPLC‐FTMS). Two brands of green tea derived from Mengding and Enshi mountainous areas might be superior to the other samples in the prevention and treatment of diabetes owing to their stronger activities of enzyme inhibitors. The proposed on‐line HPLC‐BCD method could be used to rapidly identify the potential enzyme inhibitors in complex matrixes.
Accurate nonrigid 3D human body surface reconstruction using commodity depth sensors
Authors: Lu Yao , Zhao Shang , Younes Naji , Hahn James K.
Published: May 2018

In the last decade, 3D modeling techniques enjoyed a booming development in both hardware and software. High‐end hardware generates high fidelity results, but the cost is prohibitive, whereas consumer‐level devices generate plausible results for entertainment purposes but are not appropriate for medical uses. We present a cost‐effective and easy‐to‐use 3D body reconstruction system using consumer‐grade depth sensors, which provides reconstructed body shapes with a high degree of accuracy and reliability appropriate for medical applications. Our surface registration framework integrates the articulated motion assumption, global loop closure constraint, and a general as‐rigid‐as‐possible deformation model. To enhance the reconstruction quality, we propose a novel approach to accurately infer skeletal joints from anatomical data using multimodality registration. We further propose a supervised predictive model to infer the skeletal joints for arbitrary subjects independent from anatomical data reference. A rigorous validation test has been conducted on real subjects to evaluate the reconstruction accuracy and repeatability. Our system has the potential to make accurate body surface scanning systems readily available for medical professionals and the general public. The system can be used to obtain additional health data derived from 3D body shapes, such as the percentage of body fat.
Outcomes of patients with cardiogenic shock treated with TandemHeart® percutaneous ventricular assist device: Importance of support indication and definitive therapies as determinants of prognosis
Authors: Smith LaVone , Peters Anthony , Mazimba Sula , Ragosta Michael , Taylor Angela M.
Published: May 2018

Objectives

The objective of this study was to review the characteristics of patients in cardiogenic shock treated with TandemHeart® percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD) to determine influential predictors of survival.

Background

The TandemHeart® pVAD is used in the management of patients with cardiogenic shock resulting from a variety of conditions. Several studies have documented the efficacy of this therapy and outlined its complications. Still, there is little data to guide the effective and appropriate use of this resource.

Methods

Patients referred for TandemHeart® pVAD implant for refractory cardiogenic shock at the University of Virginia between September 2007 and October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Univariate analysis was used to identify predictors of mortality.

Results

Fifty‐five patients underwent successful TandemHeart® implant. Hemodynamics significantly improved following TandemHeart® implant. Cardiac index increased from 1.8 ± 0.6 to 3.1 ± 1.0 L/min/m2 (P = 0.007) and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure decreased from 30. 5 ± 9.9 to 19.6 ± 7.4 mmHg (P =0.0007). Survival was significantly influenced by implant indication with 23.8% surviving in bridge to recovery vs. 51% in bridge to LVAD or surgery (P = 0.04). In patients who did not receive definitive therapy, only 4 (13.8%) were weaned from TandemHeart® support and survived to hospital discharge. Only younger age, 51.8 vs. 62.7 years, predicted survival to hospital discharge (P = 0.004).

Conclusion

Mortality from refractory cardiogenic shock is high even with TandemHeart® support. Our study found that patients with an exit strategy with either cardiac surgery or durable LVAD implant significantly influenced survival to hospital discharge.
Genome‐wide feature analysis of the sequence‐specific recognition in intermolecular interaction between TGF‐β pathway DNA and MEG3 lncRNA in human cancer
Authors: Cao Liang , Xie Bojian , Cui Bingbing , Chen Beibei , Ma Zhaosheng , Chen Xiaobing , Shen Xiaokun , Cao Feilin
Published: May 2018

The long noncoding RNAs MEG3 is involved in the pathogenesis and metastasis of cancer, which has been found to target the distal regulatory elements (DREs) of TGF‐β pathway genes TGFBR1, TGFB2, and SMAD2 by forming DNA‐RNA triplex. Here, the molecular mechanism of MEG3 binding to its cognate or noncognate DNA partners is investigated systematically via an integrative chemometric approach. Here, we apply a spatial information characterization technique to capture the structural and energetic features of DNA‐RNA triplex architecture and then to correlate the extracted features with binding potency of the triplex complexes. A genome‐wide statistical analysis strategy is used to quantitatively evaluate the intermolecular interaction between DNA with RNA in a high‐throughput manner. The strategy is then employed to examine the binding potency and recognition specificity of MEG3 with its interacting DRE partners TGFBR1, TGFB2, and SMAD2. As might be expected, the abundance of GA nucleotide residues in DNA core motif exhibits a positive correlation with the affinity of MEG3 binding to the DREs of TGF‐β pathway, while the MEG3 possesses a moderate specificity for its known cognate DNA partners on the background of numerous random decoys. Therefore, it is suggested that the MEG3 has a broad spectrum of potential targets in the human genome and may regulate diverse cell biological events.
Workforce Scheduling in Administrative Operations: A Case Study in Accounting
Authors: M. Miranda Douglas
Published: May 2018

This paper considers a case study of dynamic job scheduling applied to a real accounting operation. Tasks are assigned to agents over a time horizon minimizing the number of delays and overtime while maximizing the number of anticipated tasks. The solution respects a set of constraints such as agent skills, due time and precedence requirements. It also accounts for uncertainties by capturing changes in the environment such as new orders, changes in the agents' availability and unexpected problems while performing a task. The manager is given a chance to first simulate and then deploy corrective actions to mitigate the impact of changes in the environment. Two heuristics are developed and the results show a significant performance improvement in the operation. Copyright © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Enzymatic in situ synthesis of graphene oxide/polypyrrole composites by peroxidase and their electrical capacitance
Authors: Xu Yue , Raseda Nasrin , Yoo Ikkeun , Ryu Keungarp
Published: May 2018

Recently, diverse composites between carbon nanomaterials and conducting polymers have been intensively investigated for a variety of applications such as sensors and supercapacitors. These composites have been synthesized by either chemical or electrochemical methods, which have the drawbacks of using toxic oxidants or requiring complicated apparatus, respectively. The present study reports that the graphene oxide/polypyrrole (GO/PPy) composites can be easily synthesized in a single‐step catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase in an aqueous solution (pH 4.0). Scanning electron microscopy of the enzymatically synthesized GO/PPy composites shows that GO sheets are evenly coated with PPy without observable granular PPy particles. A symmetric two‐electrode coin cell capacitor (20 mm in diameter and 1.6 mm in thickness) was made to measure the electrical capacitance in an aqueous electrolyte (1 mol/L NaNO3) by the galvanostatic charge/discharge method. When the discharge current was 0.5 mA, the specific capacitance of the GO/PPy composites (46.6 F/g) was ∼390 times greater than graphene oxide (0.12 F/g) or ∼7 times greater than polypyrrole (6.7 F/g). Furthermore, the addition of a 0.2 L/L (20 vol%) water‐miscible ionic liquid, 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM][BF4]), into the aqueous electrolyte enhanced the capacitance of the GO/PPy composites by 57 % at maximum.
Trends, etiologies, and predictors of 90‐day readmission after percutaneous ventricular assist device implantation: A national population‐based cohort study
Authors: Virk Hafeez Ul Hassan , Tripathi Byomesh , Gupta Shuchita , Agrawal Akanksha , Dayanand Sandeep , Inayat Faisal , Krittanawong Chayakrit , Ghani Ali Raza , Zabad Mohammad Nour , Krishnamoorthy Parasuram Melarcode , Amanullah Aman , Pressman Gregg , Witzke Christian , Janzer Sean , George Jon , Kalra Sanjog , Figueredo Vincent
Published: May 2018

Percutaneous ventricular assist devices (pVADs) are indicated to provide hemodynamic support in high‐risk percutaneous interventions and cardiogenic shock. However, there is a paucity of published data regarding the etiologies and predictors of 90‐day readmissions following pVAD use. We studied the data from the US Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) for the years 2013 and 2014. Patients with a primary discharge diagnosis of pVAD use were collected by searching the database for International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD‐9‐CM) procedural code 37.68 (Impella and TandemHeart devices). Amongst this group, we examined 90‐day readmission rates. Comorbidities as identified by “CM_” variables provided by the NRD were also extracted. The Charlson Comorbidity Index was calculated using appropriate ICD‐9‐CM codes, as a secondary diagnosis. A 2‐level hierarchical logistic regression model was then used to identify predictors of 90‐day readmission following pVAD use. Records from 7074 patients requiring pVAD support during hospitalization showed that 1562 (22%) patients were readmitted within 90 days. Acute decompensated heart failure (22.6%) and acute coronary syndromes (11.2%) were the most common etiologies and heart failure (odds ratio [OR]: 1.39, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–1.67), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07–1.49), peripheral vascular disease (OR: 1.305, 95% CI: 1.09–1.56), and discharge into short‐ or long‐term facility (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.08–1.51) were independently associated with an increased risk of 90‐day readmission following pVAD use. This study identifies important etiologies and predictors of short‐term readmission in this high‐risk patient group that can be used for risk stratification, optimizing discharge, and healthcare transition decisions.
The art of cardiovascular risk assessment
Authors: Khambhati Jay , Allard‐Ratick Marc , Dhindsa Devinder , Lee Suegene , Chen John , Sandesara Pratik B. , O'Neal Wesley , Quyyumi Arshed A. , Wong Nathan D. , Blumenthal Roger S. , Sperling Laurence S.
Published: May 2018

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the United States. Healthcare expenditures have been principally allocated toward treatment of CVD at the end of the health/disease continuum, rather than toward health promotion and disease prevention. A focused effort on both primordial and primary prevention can promote cardiovascular health and reduce the burden of CVD. Risk‐factor assessment for predicting atherosclerotic CVD events serves as the foundation of preventive cardiology and has been driven by population‐based scoring algorithms based on traditional risk factors. Incorporating individual nontraditional risk factors, biomarkers, and selective use of noninvasive measures may help identify more at‐risk patients as well as truly low‐risk individuals, allowing for better targeting of treatment intensity. Using a combination of validated population‐based atherosclerotic CVD risk‐assessment tools, nontraditional risk factors, social health determinants, and novel markers of atherosclerotic disease, we should be able to improve our ability to assess CVD risk. Through scientific evidence, clinical judgment, and discussion between the patient and clinician, we can implement an effective evidence‐based strategy to assess and reduce CVD risk.
Psychosocial roots of paranoid ideation: The role of childhood experiences, social comparison, submission, and shame
Authors: Carvalho Célia Barreto , da Motta Carolina , Pinto‐Gouveia José , Peixoto Ermelindo
Published: May 2018

Background

Social experiences have a significant impact on cognitive functioning and appraisals of social interactions. Specifically, recalls of antipathy from parents, submissiveness, and bullying during childhood can have a significant influence on paranoid ideation later in life.

Method

Multiple hierarchical regression analysis was performed on a sample of 91 patients diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in remission and active phase, their first‐degree relatives (n = 32) and unaffected controls (n = 64).

Objectives

Exploring the impact of distal (events from childhood) and proximal factors (current cognitive, emotional, and behavioural aspects of social functioning) in the frequency, degree of conviction, and distress resulting from paranoid ideation in the participants from 4 samples.

Results

Proximal and distal factors (shame, submissive behaviour, negative social comparison, antipathy from father) predicted several aspects of paranoid ideation. Those variables had a differential impact in affected patients and healthy controls.

Discussion

Finding suggests different variables being involved in paranoid ideation, and the specificities of patients with paranoid schizophrenia should be considered in the development of more effective psychotherapeutic interventions.
Irrigated areas grow faster than the population
Authors: Puy Arnald
Published: May 2018

Unfolding regularities between population and irrigated agriculture might increase our capacity to predict their coevolution and better ensure food security and environmental welfare. Here I use three different data sets with detailed information at the national level for ~70% of the countries of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe between 1950 and 2017 to show that irrigated areas might grow disproportionally for a given increase in population, e.g., with β > 1. The results are robust across continents, time series, population cut‐offs, and variations in the area accounted for irrigation by official institutions and independent scholars. This systematic pattern suggests the existence of an underlying law driving the growth rate of irrigated areas that transcends local particularities and can be well approximated by a power function of population, specially in the case of the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Nonlinearities derived from the open‐ended growth rate of irrigated areas should be taken into consideration when designing irrigation policies in order to avoid unexpected environmental costs.
Root functional change achieves water source separation under vegetation succession
Authors: Yamanaka Tsutomu
Published: May 2018

Water source separation can be one of strategies for different plant species to coexist in a community. This study first demonstrates mechanisms of water source separation during vegetation succession. An isotope‐incorporated mechanistic model was employed to simulate the xylem water isotopic composition and the root water uptake profile for a Pinus densiflora–Quercus myrsinaefolia mixed stand undergoing secondary succession and a pure P. densiflora stand before succession. In the mixed stand, the model successfully simulated the xylem water isotopic composition on the assumption that the root surface resistance per unit length of root (rrs*) decreases with increasing depth for P. densiflora but is constant for Q. myrsinaefolia. Uptake fraction for P. densiflora was greater in deeper zones but in shallower for Q. myrsinaefolia. In contrast, in the pure stand, a constant rrs* for P. densiflora gave good reproducibility in isotope simulation and shallow water uptake dominated. These findings highlight root functional change as a mechanism of water source separation; pre‐existing P. densiflora trees decrease their deep‐root rrs* to compensate for an increase in shallow‐root rrs*. This mechanism was caused by competition against invading Q. myrsinaefolia trees.
Therapeutic implications of a combined diagnostic workup including endomyocardial biopsy in an all‐comer population of patients with heart failure: a retrospective analysis
Authors: Sotiriou Efthymios , Heiner Susanne , Jansen Thomas , Brandt Moritz , Schmidt Kai Helge , Kreitner Karl‐Friedrich , Emrich Tilman , Schultheiss Heinz‐Peter , Schulz Eberhard , Münzel Thomas , Wenzel Philip
Published: May 2018

Background

Aetiology of heart failure (HF) often remains obscure. We therefore evaluated the usefulness of a combined diagnostic approach including cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) and endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) to assess the cause of unexplained cardiomyopathy underlying HF.

Methods and results

We retrospectively investigated 100 consecutive patients (36% women, mean age 53.6 ± 18.8 years) presenting with unexplained cardiomyopathy (HF with reduced ejection fraction or left ventricular hypertrophy; excluding ischaemic and valvular heart disease; left ventricular ejection fraction 31.6 ± 13.9%, Left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure 18.2 ± 9.3 mmHg, heart rate 89 ± 26.6 b.p.m.; mean ± SEM) at the University Medical Center Mainz. We performed electrocardiography, echocardiography, CMRI, and cardiac catheterization with EMB analysed at a Food and Drug Administration‐approved reference centre in 100%, 94%, 69%, and 100% of patients, respectively. On the basis of CMRI findings, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and medical history, the exact cause of cardiomyopathy remained uncertain in 37 of 69 cases (53.6%). In EMB, 25% of patients had viral replication, 23% had inflammation defined as lymphocytic infiltrations without active virus replication, 1% had giant cell myocarditis, and 1% had eosinophilic myocarditis. After diagnostic workup including EMB findings, the cause of cardiomyopathy remained unidentified in 14% of the cases, classified as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in 10% or 4%, respectively. EMB helped to discuss a causal treatment strategy of HF involving immunosuppression or antiviral treatment in 53% of patients, which was opted for in 12% of the patients.

Conclusions

A comprehensive workup including imaging and EMB in an all‐comer population of patients with HF may help physicians to improve diagnostics of unexplained cardiomyopathy in the majority of cases.
Differential requirements for IRF4 in the clonal expansion and homeostatic proliferation of naive and memory murine CD8+ T cells
Authors: Miyakoda Mana , Honma Kiri , Kimura Daisuke , Akbari Masoud , Kimura Kazumi , Matsuyama Toshifumi , Yui Katsuyuki
Published: May 2018

Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) has critical roles in immune cell differentiation and function and is indispensable for clonal expansion and effector function in T cells. Here, we demonstrate that the AKT pathway is impaired in murine CD8+ T cells lacking IRF4. The expression of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN), a negative regulator of the AKT pathway, was elevated in Irf4−/− CD8+ T cells. Inhibition of PTEN partially rescued downstream events, suggesting that PTEN constitutes a checkpoint in the IRF4‐mediated regulation of cell signaling. Despite the clonal expansion defect, in the absence of IRF4, memory‐like CD8+ T cells could be generated and maintained, although unable to expand in recall responses. The homeostatic proliferation of naïve Irf4−/− CD8+ T cells was impaired, whereas their number eventually reached a level similar to that of wild‐type CD8+ T cells. Conversely, memory‐like Irf4−/− CD8+ T cells underwent homeostatic proliferation in a manner similar to that of wild‐type memory CD8+ T cells. These results suggest that IRF4 regulates the clonal expansion of CD8+ T cells at least in part via the AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, IRF4 regulates the homeostatic proliferation of naïve CD8+ T cells, whereas the maintenance of memory CD8+ T cells is IRF4‐independent.
Antiepileptic drug therapy in autoimmune epilepsy associated with antibodies targeting the leucine‐rich glioma‐inactivated protein 1
Authors: Feyissa Anteneh M. , Lamb Christopher , Pittock Sean J. , Gadoth Avi , McKeon Andrew , Klein Christopher J. , Britton Jeffrey W.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To characterize seizure semiology and the utility of antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy in leucine‐rich glioma inactivated‐1 ( LGI1‐Ab) autoimmune epilepsy (AE).

Methods

Patients with voltage‐gated potassium channel complex (VGKCc) titers higher than 0.02 nmol/L who were evaluated between May 2008 and June 2016 at the 3 Mayo Clinic sites (Arizona, Florida, or Minnesota) were identified. We then performed a retrospective review of those who were LGI1‐Ab positive and were treated for seizures.

Results

A total of 1,095 patients with VGKCc titers higher than 0.02 nmol/L were identified, in which 77 were LGI1 positive. Of these, 56 patients with seizures were included in the analysis. Mean age at symptom onset was 62.9 years; 66% (n = 37) were male. The most common seizure semiology was focal faciobrachial dystonic seizures with preserved awareness (FBDS) (n = 35, 63%), followed by focal with impaired awareness (FIA) (n = 29, 52%), generalized tonic–clonic (GTCs) (n = 28, 50%), and focal non‐motor seizures with preserved awareness (n = 28, 50%). The majority had more than one seizure type (n = 49, 88%; median = 2.5). Thirty‐eight patients (68%) became seizure free: 29 (76%) with immunotherapy, 3 (5%) with AEDs alone, 2 (3%) with AEDs before any immunotherapy, and 4 (7%) with AEDs after immunotherapy. Levetiracetam (n = 47, 84%) and valproic acid (n = 21, 38%) were the most commonly used AEDs, but neither were associated with seizure freedom. Sodium channel blocking (NCB) AEDs were associated with seizure freedom in 4 patients compared to none treated with non‐NCB AEDs. Regardless of class, AEDs prior to or apart from immunotherapy were associated with seizure freedom in only five patients (9%). In patients with FBDS, seizure freedom was more often associated with immunotherapy than AEDs (20/30 vs. 3/34, p = 0.001).

Significance

Although FBDS are the most characteristic seizure type seen in LGI1‐Ab AE, other seizure types including FIA and GTCs also occur. Immunotherapy was the treatment most frequently associated with seizure freedom in LGI1‐Ab AE. In general, AEDs seemed to confer a very low chance for seizure freedom, although AEDs with NCB‐blocking properties were associated with seizure freedom in a limited number. Levetiracetam in particular appears to be ineffective in this patient population.
The influence of neap–spring tidal variation and wave energy on sediment flux in salt marsh tidal creeks
Authors: Lacy Jessica R. , Ferner Matthew C. , Callaway John C.
Published: May 2018

Sediment flux in marsh tidal creeks is commonly used to gauge sediment supply to marshes. We conducted a field investigation of temporal variability in sediment flux in tidal creeks in the accreting tidal marsh at China Camp State Park adjacent to northern San Francisco Bay. Suspended‐sediment concentration (SSC), velocity and depth were measured near the mouths of two tidal creeks during three 6‐ to 10‐week deployments: two in winter and one in summer. Currents, wave properties and SSC were measured in the adjacent shallows. All deployments spanned the largest spring tides of the season. Results show that tidally averaged suspended‐sediment flux (SSF) in the tidal creeks varied from slightly landward to strongly bayward with increasing tidal energy. SSF was negative (bayward) for tidal cycles with maximum water surface elevation above the marsh plain. Export during the largest spring tides dominated the cumulative SSF for each deployment. During ebb tides following the highest tides, velocities exceeded 1 m s−1 in the narrow tidal creeks, resulting in negative tidally averaged water flux, and mobilizing sediment from the creek banks or bed. Storm surge also produced negative SSF. Tidally averaged SSF was positive in wavy conditions with moderate tides. Spring tide sediment export at the creek mouth was about twice that at a station 130 m further up the tidal creek. The negative tidally averaged water flux near the creek mouth during spring tides indicates that in the lower marsh some of the water flooding directly across the bay–marsh interface drains through the tidal creeks, and suggests that this interface may be a pathway for sediment supply to the lower marsh as well. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Using performance reference compounds to compare mass transfer calibration methodologies in passive samplers deployed in the water column
Authors: Joyce Abigail S. , Burgess Robert M.
Published: May 2018

Performance reference compounds (PRCs) are often added to passive samplers prior to field deployments to provide information about mass transfer kinetics between the sampled environment and the passive sampler. Their popularity has resulted in different methods of varying complexity to estimate mass transfer and better estimate freely dissolved concentrations (Cfree) of targeted compounds. Three methods for describing a mass transfer model are commonly used: a first-order kinetic method, a nonlinear least squares fitting of sampling rate, and a diffusion method. Low-density polyethylene strips loaded with PRCs and of 4 different thicknesses were used as passive samplers to create an array of PRC results to assess the comparability and reproducibility of each of the methods. Samplers were deployed in the water column at 3 stations in New Bedford Harbor (MA, USA). Collected data allowed Cfree comparisons to be performed in 2 ways: 1) comparison of Cfree derived from one thickness using different methods, and 2) comparison of Cfree derived by the same method using different thicknesses of polyethylene. Overall, the nonlinear least squares and diffusion methods demonstrated the most precise results for all the PCBs measured and generated Cfree values that were often statistically indistinguishable. Relative standard deviations (RSDs) for total PCB measurements using the same thickness and varying model types ranged from 0.04 to 12% and increased with sampler thickness, and RSDs for estimates using the same method and varying thickness ranged from 8 to 18%. Environmental scientists and managers are encouraged to use these methods when estimating Cfree from passive sampling and PRC data. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2089–2097. Published 2018 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.

Abstract

Mean freely dissolved water concentration (Cfree) per polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congener as measured without performance reference compound correction and by each examined performance reference compound modeling approach for a 76-μm-thick low-density polyethylene passive sampler deployed in the water column of New Bedford Harbor (MA, USA).
Developing and applying control charts to detect changes in water chemistry parameters measured in the Athabasca River near the oil sands: A tool for surveillance monitoring
Authors: Arciszewski Tim J. , Hazewinkel Rod R. , Munkittrick Kelly R. , Kilgour Bruce W.
Published: May 2018

Control charting is a simple technique to identify change and is well suited for use in water quality programs. Control charts accounting for covariation associated with discharge and in some cases time were used to explore example and representative variables routinely measured in the Athabasca River near the oil sands area for indications of change. The explored variables include 5 major ions (chloride, sodium, sulfate, calcium, magnesium), 5 total metals (aluminum, iron, thallium, molybdenum, vanadium), and total suspended solids at two sites straddling the developments north of Fort McMurray. Regression equations developed from reference data (1988–2009) were used to predict observations and calculate residuals from later test data (2010–2016). Evidence of change was sought in the deviation of residual errors from the test period compared with the patterns expected and defined from probability distributions of the reference residuals using the odds ratio. In most cases, the patterns in test residuals were not statistically different from those expected from the reference period at either site, especially when data were examined annually. However, differences were found at both locations, more were found at the downstream site, and more differences emerged as data accumulated and were analyzed over time. In sum, the analyses at the downstream site suggest higher concentrations than predicted in most major ions, but the source of the changes is uncertain. In contrast, the concentrations of most metals at during the test period were lower than expected, which may be related to deposition patterns of materials or weathering of minerals during construction activities of the 2000s which influence the reference data used. The analyses also suggest alternative approaches may be necessary to understand change in some variables. Despite this, the results support the use of control charts to detect changes in water chemistry parameters and the value of the tool in surveillance phases of long-term and adaptive monitoring programs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2296–2311. © 2018 SETAC
The health benefits of a targeted cash transfer: The UK Winter Fuel Payment
Authors: Crossley Thomas F. , Zilio Federico
Published: May 2018

Each year, the UK records 25,000 or more excess winter deaths, primarily among the elderly. A key policy response is the “Winter Fuel Payment” (WFP), a labelled but unconditional cash transfer to households with a member above the female state pension age. The WFP has been shown to raise fuel spending among eligible households. We examine the causal effect of the WFP on health outcomes, including self‐reports of chest infection, measured hypertension, and biomarkers of infection and inflammation. We find a robust, 6 percentage point reduction in the incidence of high levels of serum fibrinogen. Reductions in other disease markers point to health benefits, but the estimated effects are less robust.
Internal migrants' experiences with and perceptions of frontline health workers: A nationwide study in 13 Indian cities
Authors: Babu Bontha V. , Sharma Yogita , Kusuma Yadlapalli S. , Sivakami Muthusamy , Lal Dharmesh K. , Marimuthu Palaniappan , Geddam Jagjeevan B. , Khanna Anoop , Agarwal Monika , Sudhakar Godi , Sengupta Paramita , Borhade Anjali , Khan Zulfia , Kerketta Anna S. , Brogen Akoijam
Published: May 2018

The role of frontline health workers is crucial in strengthening primary health care in India. This paper reports on the extent of services provided by frontline health workers in migrants' experiences and perceptions of these services in 13 Indian cities. Cluster random sampling was used to sample 51 055 households for a quantitative survey through interviewer‐administered questionnaires. Information was sought on the receipt of health workers' services for general health care overall (from the head/other adult member of the household) and maternal and immunization services in particular (from mothers of children <2 years old). Purposively, 240 key informants and 290 recently delivered mothers were selected for qualitative interviews. Only 31% of the total respondents were aware of the visits of frontline health workers, and 20% of households reported visits to their locality during past month. In 4 cities, approximately 90% of households never saw health workers in their locality. Only 20% of women and 22% of children received antenatal care and vaccination cards from frontline health workers. Qualitative data confirm that the frontline health workers' visits were not regular and that health workers limited their services to antenatal care and childhood immunization. It was further noted that health workers saw the migrants as“outsiders.” These findings warrant developing migrant‐specific health‐care services that consider their vulnerability and living conditions. The present study has implications for India's National Urban Health Mission, which envisions addressing the health care needs of the urban population with a focus on the urban poor.
Comparison of the nasopharynx microbiome between influenza and non‐influenza cases of severe acute respiratory infections: A pilot study
Authors: Borges Luiz Gustavo dos Anjos , Giongo Adriana , Pereira Leandro de Mattos , Trindade Fernanda J. , Gregianini Tatiana Schäffer , Campos Fabrício Souza , Ghedin Elodie , da Veiga Ana Beatriz Gorini
Published: May 2018

Aims

Influenza A virus (IAV) can cause severe acute respiratory infection (SARI), and disease outcome may be associated with changes in the microbiome of the nasopharynx. This is a pilot study to characterize the microbiome of the nasopharynx in patients hospitalized with SARI, infected and not infected by IAV.

Methods and Results

Using target sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, we assessed the bacterial community of nasopharyngeal aspirate samples and compared the microbiome of patients infected with IAV with the microbiome of patients who were negative for IAV. We observed differences in the relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Firmicutes between SARI patients, with Streptococcus being enriched and Pseudomonas underrepresented in IAV patients compared with patients who were not infected with IAV.

Conclusion

Pseudomonas taxon seems to be in high frequency on the nasopharynx of SARI patients with non‐IAV infection and might present a negative association with Streptococcus taxon. Microbial profile appears to be different between SARI patients infected or not infected with IAV.
Circadian nutritional behaviours and cancer risk: New insights from the NutriNet‐santé prospective cohort study: Disclaimers
Authors: Srour Bernard , Plancoulaine Sabine , Andreeva Valentina A , Fassier Philippine , Julia Chantal , Galan Pilar , Hercberg Serge , Deschasaux Mélanie , Latino‐Martel Paule , Touvier Mathilde
Published: May 2018

Circadian disruption has been classified as probably carcinogenic to humans by the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer. The circadian clock is subject to environmental factors, particularly light exposure and food intake rhythms. However, the association between nutritional circadian behaviours and cancer is not well understood. We investigated the longitudinal associations between number of eating episodes, night‐time fasting duration, time of first and last eating episodes, as well as nutritional quality of last eating episode, respectively, with breast and prostate cancer risks, the two main cancer locations in women and men respectively. This prospective study included 41,389 day‐working adults in the French NutriNet‐Santé cohort (2009–2016) who completed at least three 24 h dietary records during the first 2 years of follow‐up. Multivariable Cox models were computed. 1,732 first primary incident cancer cases were diagnosed during the follow‐up, among which 428 breast and 179 prostate cancers. After adjustment for covariates including sleep duration, late eaters (last eating episode after 9:30 pm) had an increased risk of breast (Hazard ratio [HR] = 1.48 [1.02–2.17], p = 0.03) and prostate (HR = 2.20 [1.28–3.78], p = 0.004) cancers. However, no association was observed between cancer risk and number of eating episodes, night‐time fasting duration, time of first eating episode or macronutrient composition of the last eating episode. This large cohort study suggests that circadian perturbations resulting from late time of last food intake may be involved in carcinogenesis at different locations. Beyond nutritional quality of food intake, nutritional circadian regulation should be further investigated in the context of cancer prevention.
Evaluation of biochemical, endocrine, and metabolic biomarkers for the early diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome among non‐obese Saudi women
Authors: Daghestani Maha H.
Published: May 2018

Objective

To investigate the potential of selected biochemical, endocrine, and metabolic biomarkers for early diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) among non‐obese women.

Methods

A prospective observational cross‐sectional study was conducted at three medical centers in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, between July 15 and September 20, 2017. Eligible participants were non‐obese women diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria (n=44) and non‐obese normo‐ovulatory women without signs of PCOS (control group; n=44). Anthropometric variables related to metabolic profile were determined. Laboratory measures were assessed using fasting blood samples.

Results

Waist circumference and waist‐to‐hip ratio were increased among women with PCOS (both P˂0.001). When compared with the control group, patients in the PCOS group exhibited increases in cholesterol (13.8%), triglycerides (36.6%), low‐density lipoprotein (73.2%), fasting glucose (9.2%), fasting insulin (49.4%), luteinizing‐hormone/follicle‐stimulating‐hormone ratio (205.3%), 17β‐estradiol (39.2%), testosterone (202.3%), and vascular endothelial growth factor (241.7%) (all P<0.001); and decreases in high‐density lipoprotein (−25.3%), progesterone (−7.4%), and sex hormone‐binding globulin (−54.0%) (all P<0.001). Vitamin D (P=0.095) and Kisspeptin (P=0.944) levels did not differ between the groups.

Conclusion

Various parameters could potentially be used as biomarkers to assess risk of PCOS, even among symptom‐free non‐obese women.
Half‐panel jackknife fixed‐effects estimation of linear panels with weakly exogenous regressors
Authors: Chudik Alexander , Pesaran M. Hashem , Yang Jui‐Chung
Published: May 2018

This paper considers estimation and inference in linear panel regression models with lagged dependent variables and/or other weakly exogenous regressors when N (the cross‐section dimension) is large relative to T (the time series dimension). It allows for fixed and time effects (FE‐TE) and derives a general formula for the bias of the FE‐TE estimator which generalizes the well‐known Nickell bias formula derived for the pure autoregressive dynamic panel data models. It shows that in the presence of weakly exogenous regressors inference based on the FE‐TE estimator will result in size distortions unless N/T is sufficiently small. To deal with the bias and size distortion of the FE‐TE estimator the use of a half‐panel jackknife FE‐TE estimator is considered and its asymptotic distribution is derived. It is shown that the bias of the half‐panel jackknife FE‐TE estimator is of order T−2, and for valid inference it is only required that N/T3→0, as N,T→∞ jointly. Extension to unbalanced panel data models is also provided. The theoretical results are illustrated with Monte Carlo evidence. It is shown that the FE‐TE estimator can suffer from large size distortions when N>T, with the half‐panel jackknife FE‐TE estimator showing little size distortions. The use of half‐panel jackknife FE‐TE estimator is illustrated with two empirical applications from the literature.
Inside Cover: Optimized perfusion‐based CUBIC protocol for the efficient whole‐body clearing and imaging of rat organs (J. Biophotonics 5/2018)
Authors: Matryba Paweł , Bozycki Lukasz , Pawłowska Monika , Kaczmarek Leszek , Stefaniuk Marzena
Published: May 2018

Optical tissue clearing is a method allowing post‐mortem deep imaging of organs in three dimensions. By optimizing the CUBIC clearing protocol, the authors provide rapid and simple approach to clear the entire adult rat organism within as little as four days, which is accompanied by the variety of its staining and imaging techniques. The image was captured with polarizers and demonstrates transparent rodent heart with thread‐like crystals of clearing reagent.

Further details can be found in the article by Paweł Matryba et al. (e201700248).

image
Human organotypic retinal flat‐mount culture (HORFC) as a model for retinitis pigmentosa11
Authors: Azizzadeh Pormehr Leila , Daftarian Narsis , Ahmadian Shahin , Rezaei Kanavi Mozhgan , Ahmadieh Hamid , Shafiezadeh Mahshid
Published: May 2018

The splicing factor PRPF31 is the most commonly mutated general splicing factor in the retinitis pigmentosa. We used a rapid, convenient and cost effective transfection method with an efficient PRPF31 knockdown in HORFC in order to study the effect of PRPF31 downregulation on retinal gene expressions in an ex vivo model. Modified calcium phosphate method was used to transfect HORFC by PRPF31 siRNA. Different times and doses of siRNA for transfection were assayed and optimum condition was obtained. PRPF31 mRNA and protein downregulation were assessed by qRTPCR and Western blot. The tissue viability of HORFC was measured using the MTT. ImageJ analysis on stained retinal sections by immunohistochemistry was used for thickness measurement of outer nuclear photoreceptor layer. The PRPF31 gene downregulation effects on retinal specific gene expression were analyzed by qRTPCR. A total of 50 nM of PRPF31 siRNA transfection after 63 h in HORFC, showed the optimum reduction in the level of PRPF31 mRNA and protein as shown by qRTPCR and Western blot (over 90% and 50% respectively). The PRPF31 mRNA silencing with calcium phosphate had no effect on cell viability in the period of the experiment. Thickness measurement of outer nuclear photoreceptor layer with IHC showed the significant reduction after 63 h of study (P value = 0.02). siRNA induced PRPF31 knockdown, led to reduction of retinal specific mRNA gene expression involved in phototransduction (RHO, GNAT1, RP1), photoreceptor structure (ROM1, FSCN2, CA4, SEMA4) and transcription factor (CRX) (fold change >5), after 63 h.
Knockdown of Uba2 inhibits colorectal cancer cell invasion and migration through downregulation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Cheng Hongjing , Sun Xun , Li Ji , He Ping , Liu Wanqi , Meng Xiangwei
Published: May 2018

Colorectal cancer is a serious threat to human health, and has a high mortality rate. There is currently no effective therapy for end‐stage colorectal cancer. In recent years, molecular targeted therapy has received increasing attention for cancer treatment. In particular, the role of Uba2, a vital component of SUMO‐activating enzyme, has been highlighted, which plays important roles in the progression of certain cancers; however, its role in colorectal cancer remains unclear. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Uba2 and colorectal cancer. Uba2 expression was knocked down in two colorectal cancer cell lines, and gene microarray analysis was conducted, followed by proliferation, migration, and invasion assays. Uba2 knockdown influenced the expression of several genes, and significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. To determine the underlying mechanism, the expression of related signaling pathways and molecules was evaluated in the knockdown cell lines. Overall, the results suggest that Uba2 participates in the progression, invasion, and metastasis of colorectal cancer, and the possible mechanism is via regulating the Wnt signaling pathway and enhancing epithelial‐mesenchymal transition behaviors of colorectal cancer cells. Therefore, Uba2 is expected to be an important oncoprotein and potential therapeutic target in colorectal cancer.
Expression of Pannexin 1 and Pannexin 3 during skeletal muscle development, regeneration, and Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Pham Tammy L. , St‐Pierre Marie‐Eve , Ravel‐Chapuis Aymeric , Parks Tara E. C. , Langlois Stéphanie , Penuela Silvia , Jasmin Bernard J. , Cowan Kyle N.
Published: May 2018

Pannexin 1 (Panx1) and Pannexin 3 (Panx3) are single membrane channels recently implicated in myogenic commitment, as well as myoblast proliferation and differentiation in vitro. However, their expression patterns during skeletal muscle development and regeneration had yet to be investigated. Here, we show that Panx1 levels increase during skeletal muscle development becoming highly expressed together with Panx3 in adult skeletal muscle. In adult mice, Panx1 and Panx3 were differentially expressed in fast‐ and slow‐twitch muscles. We also report that Panx1/PANX1 and Panx3/PANX3 are co‐expressed in mouse and human satellite cells, which play crucial roles in skeletal muscle regeneration. Interestingly, Panx1 and Panx3 levels were modulated in muscle degeneration/regeneration, similar to the pattern seen during skeletal muscle development. As Duchenne muscular dystrophy is characterized by skeletal muscle degeneration and impaired regeneration, we next used mild and severe mouse models of this disease and found a significant dysregulation of Panx1 and Panx3 levels in dystrophic skeletal muscles. Together, our results are the first demonstration that Panx1 and Panx3 are differentially expressed amongst skeletal muscle types with their levels being highly modulated during skeletal muscle development, regeneration, and dystrophy. These findings suggest that Panx1 and Panx3 channels may play important and distinct roles in healthy and diseased skeletal muscles.