bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flavonoid and lignan intake and pancreatic cancer risk in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition cohort
Authors: Molina‐Montes Esther , Sánchez María‐José , Zamora‐Ros Raul , Bueno‐de‐Mesquita H.B(as) , Wark Petra A. , Obon‐Santacana Mireia , Kühn Tilman , Katzke Verena , Travis Ruth C. , Ye Weimin , Sund Malin , Naccarati Alessio , Mattiello Amalia , Krogh Vittorio , Martorana Caterina , Masala Giovanna , Amiano Pilar , Huerta José‐María , Barricarte Aurelio , Quirós José‐Ramón , Weiderpass Elisabete , Angell Åsli Lene , Skeie Guri , Ericson Ulrika , Sonestedt Emily , Peeters Petra H. , Romieu Isabelle , Scalbert Augustin , Overvad Kim , Clemens Matthias , Boeing Heiner , Trichopoulou Antonia , Peppa Eleni , Vidalis Pavlos , Khaw Kay‐Tee , Wareham Nick , Olsen Anja , Tjønneland Anne , Boutroun‐Rualt Marie‐Christine , Clavel‐Chapelon Françoise , Cross Amanda J. , Lu Yunxia , Riboli Elio , Duell Eric J.
Published: May 2016

Despite the potential cancer preventive effects of flavonoids and lignans, their ability to reduce pancreatic cancer risk has not been demonstrated in epidemiological studies. Our aim was to examine the association between dietary intakes of flavonoids and lignans and pancreatic cancer risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. A total of 865 exocrine pancreatic cancer cases occurred after 11.3 years of follow‐up of 477,309 cohort members. Dietary flavonoid and lignan intake was estimated through validated dietary questionnaires and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Phenol Explorer databases. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using age, sex and center‐stratified Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for energy intake, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol and diabetes status. Our results showed that neither overall dietary intake of flavonoids nor of lignans were associated with pancreatic cancer risk (multivariable‐adjusted HR for a doubling of intake = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.95–1.11 and 1.02; 95% CI: 0.89–1.17, respectively). Statistically significant associations were also not observed by flavonoid subclasses. An inverse association between intake of flavanones and pancreatic cancer risk was apparent, without reaching statistical significance, in microscopically confirmed cases (HR for a doubling of intake = 0.96, 95% CI: 0.91–1.00). In conclusion, we did not observe an association between intake of flavonoids, flavonoid subclasses or lignans and pancreatic cancer risk in the EPIC cohort.
Exosomal Long Noncoding RNAs are Differentially Expressed in the Cervicovaginal Lavage Samples of Cervical Cancer Patients
Authors: Zhang Jin , Liu Shuang‐Chun , Luo Xin‐Hua , Tao Guo‐Xian , Guan Ming , Yuan Hong , Hu Da‐Kang
Published: May 2016

Background

As the second leading cause of cancer morbidity and death in women, cervical cancer remains an important public health problem worldwide. Novel biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for the early detection and diagnosis of cervical cancer are urgently needed. Increasing evidence shows that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are differentially expressed in cancer tissues and may serve as diagnostic markers. In multiple tumor types, exosomes harboring lncRNAs are actively released from tumor cells. In this study, we investigate the potential association of exosomal lncRNA expression with cervical cancer.

Methods

Cervicovaginal lavage specimens were collected from patients with cervical cancer and cancer‐free volunteers who are HPV‐positive or HPV‐negative. Exosomes in these specimens were isolated by ultracentrifugation and confirmed by transmission electron microscopy. The exosomal lncRNAs HOTAIR, MALAT1, and MEG3 were quantified by qRT‐PCR.

Results

Expression of HOTAIR, MALAT1 and MEG3 was predominantly observed in cervical cancer‐derived exosomes in cervicovaginal lavage samples. The expression levels of lncRNAs were significantly different in exosomes isolated from cervical cancer patients compared to normal controls.

Conclusions

Our data suggest that lncRNAs in exosomes isolated from cervicovaginal lavage are differentially expressed in cervical cancer patients and cancer‐free volunteers. Exosomal lncRNAs may have great potential to be used for the early detection and diagnosis of cervical cancer, and serve as convenient and noninvasive biomarkers.
Ascitic Calprotectin is a Novel and Accurate Marker for Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis
Authors: Fernandes Samuel Raimundo , Santos Patrícia , Fatela Narcisa , Baldaia Cilénia , Tato Marinho Rui , Proença Helena , Ramalho Fernando , Velosa José
Published: May 2016

Background

Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is a known complication of advanced cirrhosis and presents a high mortality rate. A polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell count >250/μl in the ascitic fluid is the current gold standard for diagnosing SBP.

Aim

We evaluated the accuracy of a point‐of‐care test (POCT) for ascitic calprotectin in diagnosing patients with SBP.

Methods

Eighty‐eight patients admitted with decompensation of liver cirrhosis were studied including 41 patients (46.6%) with SBP. Ascitic calprotectin was measured using a quantitative POCT developed by Bühlmann®.

Results

Calprotectin levels correlated with PMN cell count and other inflammatory markers and were significantly higher in patients with SBP. An optimal cutoff of calprotectin above 1.57 μg/ml presented high sensitivity (87.8%), specificity (97.9%), and positive (97.3%) and negative (90.2%) predictive values for diagnosing SBP. Using calprotectin selectively in patients with a serum albumin‐ascites gradient above 11 g/l further increased the sensitivity and negative predictive values of the test.

Conclusion

Ascitic calprotectin appears to be a reliable method for diagnosing SBP in patients with liver cirrhosis. It may present an alternative to other conventional diagnostic methods.
AR‐12 Inhibits Multiple Chaperones Concomitant With Stimulating Autophagosome Formation Collectively Preventing Virus Replication
Authors: Booth Laurence , Roberts Jane L. , Ecroyd Heath , Tritsch Sarah R. , Bavari Sina , Reid St. Patrick , Proniuk Stefan , Zukiwski Alexander , Jacob Abraham , Sepúlveda Claudia S. , Giovannoni Federico , García Cybele C. , Damonte Elsa , González‐Gallego Javier , Tuñón María J. , Dent Paul
Published: May 2016

We have recently demonstrated that AR‐12 (OSU‐03012) reduces the function and ATPase activities of multiple HSP90 and HSP70 family chaperones. Combined knock down of chaperones or AR‐12 treatment acted to reduce the expression of virus receptors and essential glucosidase proteins. Combined knock down of chaperones or AR‐12 treatment inactivated mTOR and elevated ATG13 S318 phosphorylation concomitant with inducing an endoplasmic reticulum stress response that in an eIF2α—dependent fashion increased Beclin1 and LC3 expression and autophagosome formation. Over‐expression of chaperones prevented the reduction in receptor/glucosidase expression, mTOR inactivation, the ER stress response, and autophagosome formation. AR‐12 reduced the reproduction of viruses including Mumps, Influenza, Measles, Junín, Rubella, HIV (wild type and protease resistant), and Ebola, an effect replicated by knock down of multiple chaperone proteins. AR‐12—stimulated the co‐localization of Influenza, EBV and HIV virus proteins with LC3 in autophagosomes and reduced viral protein association with the chaperones HSP90, HSP70, and GRP78. Knock down of Beclin1 suppressed drug‐induced autophagosome formation and reduced the anti‐viral protection afforded by AR‐12. In an animal model of hemorrhagic fever virus, a transient exposure of animals to low doses of AR‐12 doubled animal survival from ∼30% to ∼60% and suppressed liver damage as measured by ATL, GGT and LDH release. Thus through inhibition of chaperone protein functions; reducing the production, stability and processing of viral proteins; and stimulating autophagosome formation/viral protein degradation, AR‐12 acts as a broad‐specificity anti‐viral drug in vitro and in vivo. We argue future patient studies with AR‐12 are warranted. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2286–2302, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Design, Synthesis, Configuration Research, and In Vitro Antituberculosis Activities of two Chiral Naphthylamine Substituted Analogs of Bedaquiline
Authors: Wang Zhiqiang , Li Linwei , Zhou Zhixu , Geng Yiding , Chen Yu , Sun Tiemin
Published: May 2016

Two chiral naphthylamine‐substituted analogs of Bedaquiline were selected from a series of compounds designed as anti‐tuberculosis drugs based on the structure activity relationship of bedaquiline for synthetic and stereochemical research. The compounds were synthesized from the chiral precursors for the first time, and their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism and quantum chemical calculations. Conformational analyses were performed on the compounds to find the stable conformers and get better predicted results. In addition, the in vitro antituberculosis activities of the two compounds were investigated.
Different pattern of viral infections and clinical outcomes in patient with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with pneumonia
Authors: Kim Ho‐Cheol , Choi Sang‐Ho , Huh Jin‐Won , Sung Heungsup , Hong Sang Bum , Lim Chae‐Man , Koh Younsuck
Published: May 2016

Respiratory viruses are well‐known causes of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE‐COPD) and also important pathogens for concomitant pneumonia in COPD (CP‐COPD). However, the differences in a viral infection pattern and clinical impacts of respiratory viruses between the two groups have not been well investigated. The clinical and microbiological data from COPD patients admitted with AE‐COPD (n = 281) or CP‐COPD (n = 284) between January 2010 and December 2012 were reviewed. After excluding 88 patients (40 with AE‐COPD and 48 with CP‐COPD) who did not undergo a multiplex RT‐PCR test for respiratory viruses, the demographic characteristics, identified viruses, and clinical outcomes of the AE‐COPD and CP‐COPD groups were compared. Respiratory viruses were identified in 41.9% of AE‐COPD group and 33.5% of the CP‐COPD groups. The most common virus was influenza virus in the AE‐COPD group (33.7%) versus human coronavirus (24.1%) in the CP‐COPD group. Influenza virus was significantly more common in the AE‐ACOPD group than in the CP‐COPD group (P < 0.01). In‐hospital mortality of AE‐COPD and CP‐COPD were 1.2% and 12.3%, respectively (P < 0.01). Among CP‐COPD patients, in‐hospital mortality of patients with only viral infection group, only bacterial infection group, and viral‐bacterial co‐infection were 2.6%, 25.8%, and 17.5%, respectively (P = 0.01). Respiratory viruses were commonly identified in both AE‐COPD and CP‐COPD, influenza virus and human coronavirus were the most common viruses identified in AE‐COPD and CP‐COPD patients, respectively. The mortality rates of only viral infection group was significantly lower than only bacterial infection or viral‐bacterial co‐infection group in CP‐COPD patients. J. Med. Virol. 88:2092–2099, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Food safety in Thailand. 3: Pesticide residues detected in mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana L.), queen of fruits
Authors: Phopin Kamonrat , Wanwimolruk Sompon , Prachayasittikul Virapong
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

For developing countries like Thailand, regulation of pesticide usage exists, but it is not fully enforced. Therefore, pesticide residues in vegetables and fruits have not been well monitored. This study aimed to determine the pesticide residues in mangosteen fruits sold in Thailand. The mangosteen samples (n = 111) were purchased and the contents of 28 pesticides were analysed by GC‐MS/MS method.

RESULTS

Of the pesticides tested, eight were found in 100% of the mangosteen samples. However, in 97% of these samples, either chlorothalonil, chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dimethoate, metalaxyl or profenofos was detected exceeding their maximum residue limits (MRLs), representing a 97% rate of pesticide detection above the MRL. This rate is much higher than those found in other fruits sold in developed countries. However, this conclusion excludes the fresh Thai mangosteens grown for export, as these are generally cultivated and harvested to GAP standards. Since the edible part of the mangosteen is the pulp, washing the fruits with running water can reduce the risk of pesticide residues contaminating the pulp which would be eaten by the consumer.

CONCLUSION

The findings strongly suggest that routine monitoring of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is required to reduce the health risks associated with consuming contaminated food. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Effects of climate change on methane emissions from seafloor sediments in the Arctic Ocean: A review
Authors: James Rachael H. , Bousquet Philippe , Bussmann Ingeborg , Haeckel Matthias , Kipfer Rolf , Leifer Ira , Niemann Helge , Ostrovsky Ilia , Piskozub Jacek , Rehder Gregor , Treude Tina , Vielstädte Lisa , Greinert Jens
Published: May 2016

Large quantities of methane are stored in hydrates and permafrost within shallow marine sediments in the Arctic Ocean. These reservoirs are highly sensitive to climate warming, but the fate of methane released from sediments is uncertain. Here, we review the principal physical and biogeochemical processes that regulate methane fluxes across the seabed, the fate of this methane in the water column, and potential for its release to the atmosphere. We find that, at present, fluxes of dissolved methane are significantly moderated by anaerobic and aerobic oxidation of methane. If methane fluxes increase then a greater proportion of methane will be transported by advection or in the gas phase, which reduces the efficiency of the methanotrophic sink. Higher freshwater discharge to Arctic shelf seas may increase stratification and inhibit transfer of methane gas to surface waters, although there is some evidence that increased stratification may lead to warming of sub‐pycnocline waters, increasing the potential for hydrate dissociation. Loss of sea‐ice is likely to increase wind speeds and sea‐air exchange of methane will consequently increase. Studies of the distribution and cycling of methane beneath and within sea ice are limited, but it seems likely that the sea‐air methane flux is higher during melting in seasonally ice‐covered regions. Our review reveals that increased observations around especially the anaerobic and aerobic oxidation of methane, bubble transport, and the effects of ice cover, are required to fully understand the linkages and feedback pathways between climate warming and release of methane from marine sediments.
Parameterization of natural phytoplankton photo‐physiology: Effects of cell size and nutrient concentration
Authors: Giannini Maria Fernanda Colo , Ciotti Áurea Maria
Published: May 2016

Estimating phytoplankton primary productivity through non‐invasive photosystem II (PSII) photo‐physiology is desirable as a result of high throughput in situ assessment. However, interpretation of photo‐physiological parameters remains challenging where fundamental relationships between photosynthetic processes and carbon fixation rates need to be quantified. Photosynthetic rates vary across phytoplankton taxa, and in particular cell size constrains the efficiency of converting absorbed light into fixed carbon. This study therefore aimed to examine the relationships between phytoplankton community size and photo‐physiological parameters, including the functional absorption cross‐section for PSII at 452 nm (σPSII(452)) and the maximal (Fv/Fm) and effective (
) PSII efficiencies, key to estimates of PSII primary productivity (so‐called electron transfer rates, ETRPSII). Data from meso‐oligotrophic waters in southeastern Brazil show that environmental factors did not explain patterns in the distribution of phytoplankton dominant community size at the temporal scale studied, however, the dominant size was responsible for the major variability of photo‐physiological parameters.
was significantly higher for larger groups, while Fv/Fm was positively and σPSII(452) negatively correlated to the community size, although only significant when the communities were exposed to nutrient levels above the overall median conditions. This dependence is likely due to the high variability in nutrient availability inherent to this system, operating over scales of hours to days, precluding steady‐state growth of the phytoplankton community. This study proposes a novel dominant size‐based parameterization of an ETRPSII model for communities exposed to nutrients concentration above median values, and discusses ETRPSII as a tool to estimate primary production across highly hydrodynamic regions.
Effect of Diffusion and Migration on the Selectivity of a Polymer Inclusion Membrane Containing Dicyclohexano‐18‐crown‐6
Authors: Casadellà Anna , Galama Anne Haye , Schaetzle Olivier , Loos Katja
Published: May 2016

Ion transport and selectivity are compared across a polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) containing dicyclohexano‐18‐crown‐6 (DCH18C6, K+ selective) under two driving forces: concentration gradient (diffusion) and electrical potential gradient (migration). The K+ flux is much larger under diffusion (140 mmol cm−2 h−1) than under migration (≈4 mmol cm−2 h−1). The selectivity of NH4
+ over K+ is 86.0 for diffusion and 1.0 for migration. The selectivity of Na+ over K+ is 21.4 for diffusion and 1.16 for migration. Migration transport might induce a change in the orientation of DCH18C6 and reduce selectivity. Therefore, it is more favorable to apply diffusion rather than migration.

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Interplay between Mechanical Fatigue and Network Structure and Their Effects on Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Thin Silicone Films with Varying Stoichiometric Imbalance
Authors: Zhang Mengjia , Denes Istvan , Buchmeiser Michael R.
Published: May 2016

Thin silicone films for applications as dielectric electroactive polymer (DEAP) are fatigued under mechanical cycling (Wöhler tests) until rupture. The silicones are based on linear vinyl‐terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) cross‐linked with tetrafunctional methylhydrosiloxane–dimethylsiloxane copolymer. Stoichiometric imbalance of the hydrosilane to vinyl groups is varied (1.3, 1.7, and 3). Complementary, all silicones are compounded with silicone oil (55 wt%) and silica (4.5 wt%). Changes in cross‐linking density, elastic modulus, dielectric permittivity, and dielectric breakdown are examined. The fatigued specimens show increased cross‐linking density due to mechanically induced secondary cross‐linking of excessive hydrosilane groups. This leads to significant changes in the elastic modulus and permittivity of the material, which can negatively affect the performance of the DEAP device. The “critical loading conditions,” where the fatigued specimens show maximum changes in properties, are found to depend on excess hydrosilane content.

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On the Generation of Polyether‐Based Coatings through Photoinduced C,H Insertion Crosslinking
Authors: Schuler Anne‐Katrin , Prucker Oswald , Rühe Jürgen
Published: May 2016

In this work, the synthesis of a photoreactive polyether and its subsequent photochemical attachment to various substrates is described. Poly(bisphenol A‐co‐epichlorohydrin) is chosen as an example for a technologically important class of polymers and modified in a polymeranalogous reaction with photoreactive benzophenone units. During brief UV activation, benzophenone forms reactive intermediates, which are able to formally insert into any aliphatic C,H bond, eventually forming a crosslinked polymer film. During the formation process the emerging polyether networks additionally bind to (practically) any organic molecule present at the substrate surface. This way in one reaction step directly a surface‐attached polymer network is obtained. The examples, which are shown, include silane‐covered oxidic surfaces and unmodified polyolefins. When appropriate masks are used, brief UV irradiation is sufficient to generate crosslinked, surface‐attached polyether microstructures on a broad spectrum of substrate materials. The described strategy allows the generation of one‐component polymer coatings from standard commodity polymers under very simple process conditions, which can be lithographically structured and covalently attached to a broad spectrum of substrates, comprising even chemically rather inert materials.

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Improvement of the Thermal Stability of TEMPO‐Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibrils by Heat‐Induced Conversion of Ionic Bonds to Amide Bonds
Authors: Lavoine Nathalie , Bras Julien , Saito Tsuguyuki , Isogai Akira
Published: May 2016

Improving thermal stability of TEMPO‐oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNs) is a major challenge for the development and preparation of new nanocomposites. However, thermal degradation of TOCNs occurs at 220 °C. The present study reports a simple way to improve thermal stability of TOCNs by the heat‐induced conversion of ionic bonds to amide bonds. Coupling amine‐terminated polyethylene glycol to the TOCNs is performed through ionic bond formation. Films are produced from the dispersions by the casting method. Infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis confirm conversion of ionic bonds to amide bonds for the modified TOCN samples after heating. As a result, improvement of TOCNs' thermal stability by up to 90 °C is successfully achieved.

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Increased biofilm formation ability in Klebsiella pneumoniae after short‐term exposure to a simulated microgravity environment
Authors: Wang Haili , Yan Yanfeng , Rong Dan , Wang Jing , Wang Hongduo , Liu Zizhong , Wang Jiaping , Yang Ruifu , Han Yanping
Published: May 2016

Biofilm formation is closely related to the pathogenetic processes of Klebsiella pneumoniae, which frequently causes infections in immunocompromised individuals. The immune system of astronauts is compromised in spaceflight. Accordingly, K. pneumoniae, which used to be isolated from orbiting spacecraft and astronauts, poses potential threats to the health of astronauts and mission security. Microgravity is a key environmental cue during spaceflight. Therefore, determining its effects on bacterial biofilm formation is necessary. In this study, K. pneumoniae ATCC BAA‐1705 was exposed to a simulated microgravity (SMG) environment. K. pneumoniae grown under SMG formed thicker biofilms compared with those under normal gravity (NG) control after 2 weeks of subculture. Two indicative dyes (i.e., Congo red and calcofluor) specifically binding to cellulose fibers and/or fimbriae were utilized to reconfirm the enhanced biofilm formation ability of K. pneumoniae grown under SMG. Further analysis showed that the biofilms formed by SMG‐treated K. pneumoniae were susceptible to cellulase digestion. Yeast cells mannose‐resistant agglutination by K. pneumoniae type 3 fimbriae was more obvious in the SMG group, which suggests that cellulose production and type 3 fimbriae expression in K. pneumoniae were both enhanced under the SMG condition. Transcriptomic analysis showed that 171 genes belonging to 15 functional categories were dysregulated in this organism exposed to the SMG conditions compared with those in the NG group, where the genes responsible for the type 3 fimbriae (mrkABCDF) and its regulator (mrkH) were upregulated.
Outcomes of intra‐detrusor injections of botulinum toxin in patients with spina bifida: A systematic review
Authors: Hascoet Juliette , Manunta Andrea , Brochard Charlène , Arnaud Alexis , Damphousse Mireille , Menard Hélène , Kerdraon Jacques , Journel Hubert , Bonan Isabelle , Odent Sylvie , Fremond Benjamin , Siproudhis Laurent , Gamé Xavier , Peyronnet Benoit ,   For the French Referral Network of Spina Bifida
Published: May 2016

Context

Bladder management in spina bifida patients relies on clean intermittent catheterization and oral antimuscarinics with a significant failure rate. The efficacy of intradetrusor injections of botulinum toxin has been confirmed in patients with spinal cord injury or multiple sclerosis but not in patients with myelomeningocele.

Objective

To conduct a systematic review of current evidence regarding the efficacy of intra‐detrusor injections of Botulinum Toxin A (BTX‐A) in spina bifida patients with neurogenic detrusor overactivity (NDO) refractory to antimuscarinics.

Methods

A research has been conducted on Medline and Embase using the keywords: (“spina bifida” OR “myelomeningocele” OR “dysraphism”) AND “toxin.” The search strategy and studies selection were performed using the PICOS method according to the PRISMA statement.

Result

Twelve published series were included (n = 293 patients). All patients were <18 years old. There was no randomized study comparing BTX‐A versus placebo and most studies had no control group. Most studies reported a clinical and urodynamic improvement with resolution of incontinence in 32–100% of patients, a decrease in maximum detrusor pressure from 32 to 54%, an increase of maximum cystometric capacity from 27 to 162%, and an improvement in bladder compliance of 28–176%. Two studies suggested lower efficacy in patients with low compliance bladder compared to those with isolated detrusor overactivity.

Conclusion

Intradetrusor injections of BTX‐A could be effective in children with spina bifida but this assumption is not supported by high level of evidence studies. There is no data available in adult patients. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:557–564, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship between body fat and BMI in a US hispanic population‐based cohort study: Results from HCHS/SOL
Authors: Wong William W. , Strizich Garrett , Heo Moonseong , Heymsfield Steven B. , Himes John H. , Rock Cheryl L. , Gellman Marc D. , Siega‐Riz Anna Maria , Sotres‐Alvarez Daniela , Davis Sonia M. , Arredondo Elva M. , Van Horn Linda , Wylie‐Rosett Judith , Sanchez‐Johnsen Lisa , Kaplan Robert C. , Mossavar‐Rahmani Yasmin
Published: May 2016

Objective

To evaluate the percentage of body fat (%BF)‐BMI relationship, identify %BF levels corresponding to adult BMI cut points, and examine %BF‐BMI agreement in a diverse Hispanic/Latino population.

Methods

%BF by bioelectrical impedance analysis was corrected against %BF by 18O dilution in 434 participants of the ancillary Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos. Corrected %BF was regressed against 1/BMI in the parent study (n = 15,261), fitting models for each age group, by sex, and Hispanic/Latino background; predicted %BF was then computed for each BMI cut point.

Results

Bioelectrical impedance analysis underestimated %BF by 8.7 ± 0.3% in women and 4.6 ± 0.3% in men (P < 0.0001). The %BF‐BMI relationship was nonlinear and linear for 1/BMI. Sex‐ and age‐specific regression parameters between %BF and 1/BMI were consistent across Hispanic/Latino backgrounds (P > 0.05). The precision of the %BF‐1/BMI association weakened with increasing age in men but not women. The proportion of participants classified as nonobese by BMI but as having obesity by %BF was generally higher among women and older adults (16.4% in women vs. 12.0% in men aged 50‐74 years).

Conclusions

%BF was linearly related to 1/BMI with consistent relationship across Hispanic/Latino backgrounds. BMI cut points consistently underestimated the proportion of Hispanics/Latinos with excess adiposity.
Cardiovascular disease risk by assigned treatment using the 2013 and 1998 obesity guidelines
Authors: Stevens June , Erber‐Oakkar Eva , Cui Zhaohui , Cai Jianwen , Virani Salim S. , Di Angelantonio Emanuele , Wormser David
Published: May 2016

Objective

The 1998 and the 2013 guidelines on management of overweight and obesity in adults provided algorithms for identification of patients to be treated with weight loss. To date, the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in the groups recommended or not recommended for weight loss treatment has not been estimated and compared.

Methods

Baseline data for the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study were collected between 1987 and 1989 from adults aged 45 to 64 years. Black and White men and women free of CVD were followed over 22.8 years (median), and 2,907 incident CVD events were recorded.

Results

The hazard ratios adjusted for demographic variables in adults not recommended for treatment versus adults recommended for treatment were 0.54 (95% CI: 0.50‐0.59) for the 1998 algorithm and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.58‐0.69) for the 2013 algorithm, respectively. No gender or race differences were detected when the 2013 algorithm was applied, but using the 1998 algorithm, CVD risk between the groups recommended or not recommended for treatment was more pronounced in Black women than in Black men.

Conclusions

The 2013 algorithm performed similarly in Black and White men and women but did not improve upon the 1998 algorithm in terms of discriminating risk of CVD.
“Shock Therapy” in Ukraine: A Radical Approach to Post‐Soviet Police Reform
Authors: Peacock Robert , Cordner Gary
Published: May 2016

Ukraine has pursued an aggressive “shock therapy” approach to police reform since early 2015, in the aftermath of the February 2014 Maidan protests and subsequent change of government. This approach is described and examined in light of previous 21st century post‐Soviet police reform efforts in Ukraine, Georgia, and Kyrgyzstan. Internal and external pressures to demonstrate real commitment to corruption control and rule of law seem to have been responsible for pushing Ukraine in the direction of the Georgian shock therapy model. Early results are very promising, but significant challenges remain, including sustaining the reform political coalition, overcoming bureaucratic resistance to change, surviving the armed insurgency in eastern Ukraine, downsizing the old militsiya, reshaping the culture of corruption that permeates the entire government and much of society, and convincing the citizenry that the new police are truly committed to serving the public, not regime protection. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Varieties of Participatory Security: Assessing Community Participation in Policing in Latin America
Authors: Gonzalez Yanilda
Published: May 2016

The language of community and societal participation in the context of crime prevention has become ubiquitous throughout Latin America, as governments increasingly turn to police–community partnerships as a means of addressing the seemingly intractable problems of rising crime and insecurity. But to what extent has such “participatory security” had any influence on the capacity of the state to provide security? I argue that in order to understand whether and how these participatory instruments shape what police actually do, we must look to variation in institutional design and how community participation operates in practice. I develop a typology of participatory security that considers how different institutional features may differentially affect police and other state agencies by alternatively serving as channels for the flow of information and oversight mechanisms or simply as a tool for improving the police's image. Drawing on evidence from participatory security institutions in Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, I illustrate the impact of institutional design on police and state capacity to provide security. I conclude by considering the unintended consequences of institutional design, including the degree of police resistance that different institutional models will generate. This opposition, may, in turn, affect the durability of the participatory institution. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Grounding Police Accountability and Performance in Context: A Comparative Study of Stop and Frisk Between New York City and Taipei City
Authors: Chu Chin‐chih , Lu Elaine Yi , Wang Chun‐yuan , Tsai Ting‐Jung
Published: May 2016

The linkage between accountability and performance is not always positive. This study proposes that contextual factors affect the accountability–performance link. The central question we explore in this research is how citizens' trust and police culture influence the link between police accountability and performance. We conducted in‐depth interviews and compared the stop and frisk practices in both New York City in the United States and Taipei City in Taiwan, which are located in different contexts. The article concludes that both citizens' high level of trust and an open police culture improve the performance return of accountability pressure. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Hippo effector TAZ (WWTR1) transforms myoblasts and TAZ abundance is associated with reduced survival in embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Mohamed Abdalla , Sun Congshan , De Mello Vanessa , Selfe Joanna , Missiaglia Edoardo , Shipley Janet , Murray Graeme I , Zammit Pete S , Wackerhage Henning
Published: May 2016

The Hippo effector YAP has recently been identified as a potent driver of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS). Most reports suggest that the YAP paralogue TAZ (gene symbol WWTR1) functions as YAP but, in skeletal muscle, TAZ has been reported to promote myogenic differentiation, whereas YAP inhibits it. Here, we investigated whether TAZ is also a rhabdomyosarcoma oncogene or whether TAZ acts as a YAP antagonist. Immunostaining of rhabdomyosarcoma tissue microarrays revealed that TAZ is significantly associated with poor survival in ERMS. In 12% of fusion gene‐negative rhabdomyosarcomas, the TAZ locus is gained, which is correlated with increased expression. Constitutively active TAZ S89A significantly increased proliferation of C2C12 myoblasts and, importantly, colony formation on soft agar, suggesting transformation. However, TAZ then switches to enhance myogenic differentiation in C2C12 myoblasts, unlike YAP. Conversely, lentiviral shRNA‐mediated TAZ knockdown in human ERMS cells reduced proliferation and anchorage‐independent growth. While TAZ S89A or YAP1 S127A similarly activated the 8XGTIIC–Luc Hippo reporter, only YAP1 S127A activated the Brachyury (T‐box) reporter. Consistent with its oncogene function, TAZ S89A induced expression of the ERMS cancer stem cell gene Myf5 and the serine biosynthesis pathway (Phgdh, Psat1, Psph) in C2C12 myoblasts. Thus, TAZ is associated with poor survival in ERMS and could act as an oncogene in rhabdomyosarcoma. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
Preparation and characterization of hybrid nanocomposites based on NBR/Nanoclay/Carbon black
Authors: Esmizadeh Elnaz , Naderi Ghasem , Paran Seyed Mohammad Reza
Published: May 2016

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)/carbon black (CB)/nanoclay (NC) nanocomposites containing 5 phr NC and 12, 24, and 48 phr CB with resorcinol/hexamethylenetetramine as compatibilizer were prepared in an internal mixer. The possible interacting behavior between NC and CB was studied by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, cure rheometry, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, and tensile test. The results show an increased cure rate upon incorporation of 5 phr NC to NBR especially in presence of CB. It is also observed that increasing CB content in nanocomposites leads to an extra enhancement in mechanical properties and crosslink density which can be attributed to the synergistic effect between NC and CB due to formation of physical and chemical network. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E181–E188, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Impedance spectroscopy study of polyester/carbon nanotube composites
Authors: Samir Z. , El Merabet Y. , Graça M.P.F. , Teixeira S. Soreto , Achour M.E. , Costa L.C.
Published: May 2016

The electrical properties of carbon nanotubes loaded in polyester polymer matrix were studied by using the impedance spectroscopy technique. The study was carried out in the frequency range between 100 Hz and 1 MHz and temperature between 170 and 400 K. Cole–Cole representation was used to interpret the impedance spectra of all the samples. The variation of the electrical conductivity, as a function of temperature, for concentrations higher than the conduction threshold was analyzed. This variation undergoes a significant decrease from a critical temperature that corresponds to the phenomenon known as positive temperature coefficient in resistivity. Tunneling effect is responsible for the change of the conductivity. The carbon particles are not in physical contact and the electrons tunnel through the insulating polymer gap between particles. With the rise of temperature, the gap between particles increases and tunneling becomes less probable. Consequently, above this temperature, the electrical conductivity begins to increase, due to the fact that the temperature dependence of conductivity is mainly related with different thermal expansion of polymer matrix and carbon nanotubes. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:1297–1302, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Hydrophilic PET surfaces by aminolysis and glycopolymer brushes chemistry
Authors: Lepoittevin Bénédicte , Costa Ludovic , Pardoue Sylvain , Dragoé Diana , Mazerat Sandra , Roger Philippe
Published: May 2016

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a semiaromatic thermoplastic polyester used in many fields. For specific applications, controlled of the surface wettability (hydrophily/hydrophoby) could be a great challenge. Aminolysis of PET surfaces with branched polyethylenimine gives amino functional groups on the surface with high grafting density. Then, in a second step, atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator was grafted by reaction with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. Surface initiated ATRP of 2‐lactobionamidoethyl methacrylate (LAMA) was performed in solution in the presence of a sacrificial initiator or an appropriate amount of Cu(II) species that act as deactivator. The efficiency of all reactions was confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Wetting properties and surface energy were found to vary systematically depending to the type of functionalization and grafting. The quantity of grafted carbohydrate was determined by phenol/sulfuric acid colorimetric titration. The sugar graft density was observed to vary according to the ratio (monomer)/(free initiator). High graft density could be obtained yielding to superhydrophilic polymer brushes. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 2689–2697
Prospective Design of Anti‐Transferrin Receptor Bispecific Antibodies for Optimal Delivery into the Human Brain
Authors: Kanodia JS , Gadkar K , Bumbaca D , Zhang Y , Tong RK , Luk W , Hoyte K , Lu Y , Wildsmith KR , Couch JA , Watts RJ , Dennis MS , Ernst JA , Scearce‐Levie K , Atwal JK , Ramanujan S , Joseph S
Published: May 2016

Anti‐transferrin receptor (TfR)‐based bispecific antibodies have shown promise for boosting antibody uptake in the brain. Nevertheless, there are limited data on the molecular properties, including affinity required for successful development of TfR‐based therapeutics. A complex nonmonotonic relationship exists between affinity of the anti‐TfR arm and brain uptake at therapeutically relevant doses. However, the quantitative nature of this relationship and its translatability to humans is heretofore unexplored. Therefore, we developed a mechanistic pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic (PK‐PD) model for bispecific anti‐TfR/BACE1 antibodies that accounts for antibody‐TfR interactions at the blood‐brain barrier (BBB) as well as the pharmacodynamic (PD) effect of anti‐BACE1 arm. The calibrated model correctly predicted the optimal anti‐TfR affinity required to maximize brain exposure of therapeutic antibodies in the cynomolgus monkey and was scaled to predict the optimal affinity of anti‐TfR bispecifics in humans. Thus, this model provides a framework for testing critical translational predictions for anti‐TfR bispecific antibodies, including choice of candidate molecule for clinical development.
Increased nuchal translucency thickness and risk of neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Hellmuth S. G. , Pedersen L. H. , Miltoft C. B. , Petersen O. B. , Kjærgaard S. , Ekelund C. , Tabor A.
Published: May 2016

Objective

To investigate the association between fetal nuchal translucency (NT) thickness and neurodevelopmental disorders in euploid children.

Methods

This study included 222 505 euploid children who had undergone routine first‐trimester screening during fetal life. Children were divided according to prenatal NT into three groups: NT < 95th percentile (n = 217 103 (97.6%)); NT 95th–99th percentile (n = 4760 (2.1%)); and NT > 99th percentile (n = 642 (0.3%)). All children were followed‐up to a mean age of 4.4 years. Information on diagnoses of intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), cerebral palsy, epilepsy and febrile seizures was obtained from national patient registries.

Results

There was no excess risk of neurodevelopmental disorders among euploid children with first‐trimester NT 95th–99th percentile. For children with NT > 99th percentile, there were increased risks of intellectual disability (odds ratio (OR), 6.16 (95% CI, 1.51–25.0), 0.31%) and ASD (OR, 2.48 (95% CI, 1.02–5.99), 0.78%) compared with children with NT < 95th percentile (incidence of 0.05% for intellectual disability and 0.32% for ASD), however, there was no detected increase in the risk of cerebral palsy (OR, 1.91 (95% CI, 0.61–5.95), 0.47%), epilepsy (OR, 1.51 (95% CI, 0.63–3.66), 0.78%) or febrile seizures (OR, 0.72 (95% CI, 0.44–1.16), 2.65%).

Conclusions

In a large unselected cohort of euploid children, there was no increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders among those with a first‐trimester NT 95th–99th percentile. Among euploid children with first‐trimester NT > 99th percentile, there were increased risks of intellectual disability and ASD, but the absolute risk was reassuringly low (< 1%). Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Shadowing the wandering mind: how understanding the mind‐wandering state can inform our appreciation of conscious experience
Authors: Konishi Mahiko , Smallwood Jonathan
Published: May 2016

The mind‐wandering state illustrates two fundamental aspects of consciousness: its generative nature, which is reflected by the stimulus‐independent content of thought that occurs when our minds wander; and metacognition, the unique capacity of the mind to reflect and understand itself. Self‐generated thought, which allows us to consider people and events that are not present in the immediate environment, and metacognition, allowing us to introspect and report our inner experiences, are both essential to the scientific study of mind‐wandering. Nevertheless, they also inevitably lead to specific issues that mirror more general problems in the field of consciousness research. The generative nature of consciousness makes it difficult to have direct control on the phenomenon, and the act of introspecting on inner experience has the potential to influence the state itself. We illustrate how the field of mind‐wandering research can overcome these problems. Its generative nature can be understood by triangulating the objective measures (such as neural function) with subjective measures of experience and it can be manipulated indirectly by varying the demands of the external environment. Furthermore, we describe candidate covert markers for the mind‐wandering state, which allow the phenomenon to be observed without direct interference, minimizing the concern that instructions to introspect necessarily change conscious experience.WIREs Cogn Sci2016, 7:233–246. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1392

This article is categorized under:

Philosophy > Consciousness

Neuroscience > Cognition
Authentication of the botanical origin of Western herbal products using Cimicifuga and Vitex products as examples
Authors: Masada Sayaka
Published: May 2016

Various herbal medicines have been developed and used in various parts of the world for thousands of years. Although locally grown indigenous plants were originally used for traditional herbal preparations, Western herbal products are now becoming popular in Japan with the increasing interest in health. At the same time, there are growing concerns about the substitution of ingredients and adulteration of herbal products, highlighting the need for the authentication of the origin of plants used in herbal products. This review describes studies onCimicifugaandVitexproducts developed in Europe and Japan, focusing on establishing analytical methods to evaluate the origins of material plants and finished products. These methods include a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method and a multiplex amplification refractory mutation system method. A genome-based authentication method and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based authentication for black cohosh products, and the identification of two characteristic diterpenes of agnus castus fruit and a shrub chaste tree fruit-specific triterpene derivative are also described.
Petrographic and Geochemical Characterization of Coal from Talcher Coalfield, Mahanadi Basin, India
Authors: Singh Alok K.
Published: May 2016

In the present study an attempt has been made to characterize the coals of Talcher coalfield employing petrographic and geochemical techniques on a large number of coal samples. Pillar coal samples were collected from all the six workable coal seams, which occur in the Karharbari (Seam-I) and the Barakar (Seams II, III, IV, V and IX) formations.

The petrographic study shows that these coals are vitrinite rich followed by the liptinite and inertinite groups. The quantitative maceral analysis suggests that the concentration of vitrinite is higher in the Karharbari coals as compared to the Barakar coals while the amount of liptinite is greater in the coals of Barakar Formation. The concentration of inertinite is almost same in the coals of these two formations. The microlithotype analysis shows the dominance of vitrite, clarite, vitrinetite and inertite. The concentration of liptite, clarodurite, duroclarite and vitrinertoliptite are insignificant. The mean vitrinite reflectance of the Karharbari coal is higher than that of the Barakar coals. The vitrinite reflectance values rank the Karharbari coal as High volatile Bituminous ‘C’ to High Volatile ‘B’ Bituminous and the Barakar coal as Sub-Bituminous ‘A’ to High Volatile Bituminous ‘C’. The study reveals that the Talcher coals have originated under wet moor with intermittent moderate to high flooding and the fluctuation in the water table has ultimately resulted in the variation in the petrographic and chemical contents of the two coals.
The Effect of Diagenesis on Reservoir Quality of Mamu Sandstone, Anambra Basin, Nigeria
Authors: Mode A. W. , Anyiam O. A. , Anigbogu E. C.
Published: May 2016

The petrography and powder diffraction analyses were integrated to study the effect of diagenesis on the reservoir quality of the Mamu Sandstone in areas around Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. The sands are moderately to well sorted, very fine to fine grained feldspathic arenite deposited in diverse environments of upper to lower shoreface and sub-environments of delta plain. Pressure solutions, authigenic clays and quartz and feldspar overgrowths are the main diagenetic features of the sandstones in the area. These diagenetic features result in mechanical and chemical compaction, alteration of framework grains and precipitation of dissolved grains. In varying degrees, coating of clasts and filling of pore-spaces by clay and heavy minerals reduced the pore throat diameter, which caused mild reduction of the porosity and permeability of sands. Despite these observed diagenetic effects, the Mamu sands still have the potential to serve as good hydrocarbons reservoir especially for gas.