bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of online otolaryngology health information
Authors: Biggs T C , Jayakody N , Best K , King E V
Published: July 2018

Objective

Up to 70 per cent of the population search online for medical or health-related information. This study aimed to assess the quality of online health resources available to educate patients on a variety of otolaryngological conditions.

Methods

Two clinicians independently analysed the quality and content of educational websites (patient.co.uk and wikipedia.org) for common and uncommon diagnoses, with cancerresearchuk.org also used to assess two head and neck cancers.

Results

Cancerresearchuk.org, followed by patient.co.uk, scored most highly in their ability to inform readers on a selection of otolaryngological conditions. Although wikipedia.org was less likely to include all relevant information and was more difficult to read, it still provided mostly accurate information.

Conclusion

Where possible, patients should be advised to access professionally maintained health information websites (patient.co.uk and cancerresearchuk.org). However, wikipedia.org can provide adequate information, although it lacks depth and can be difficult to understand.
Regeneration of the tympanic membrane using fibroblast growth factor-2
Authors: Lou Z-C , Lou Z-H , Xiao J
Published: July 2018

Objective

A systematic review was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of fibroblast growth factor-2 on the regeneration of tympanic membrane perforation.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for relevant studies. Experimental studies, human randomised controlled trials, prospective single-arm studies and retrospective studies reporting acute and chronic tympanic membrane perforations in relation to two healing outcomes (success rate and closure time), were selected.

Results

All 11 clinical studies investigating the effect of fibroblast growth factor-2 on traumatic tympanic membrane perforations in humans reported a success rate of 89.3–100 per cent, with a closure time of around 2 weeks. Three studies of fibroblast growth factor-2 combined with Gelfoam showed that the success rate of chronic tympanic membrane perforation was 83–98.1 per cent in the fibroblast growth factor-2 group, but 10 per cent in the gelatine sponge groups.

Conclusion

Fibroblast growth factor-2 with or without biological material patching promotes regeneration in cases of acute and chronic tympanic membrane perforation, and is safe and efficient. However, the best dosage, application time and administration pathway of fibroblast growth factor-2 are still to be elucidated.
Energy cascade rate in isothermal compressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence
Authors: Andrés N. , Sahraoui F. , Galtier S. , Hadid L. Z. , Dmitruk P. , Mininni P. D.
Published: July 2018

Three-dimensional direct numerical simulations are used to study the energy cascade rate in isothermal compressible magnetohydrodynamic turbulence. Our analysis is guided by a two-point exact law derived recently for this problem in which flux, source, hybrid and mixed terms are present. The relative importance of each term is studied for different initial subsonic Mach numbers$M_{S}$and different magnetic guide fields$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$. The dominant contribution to the energy cascade rate comes from the compressible flux, which depends weakly on the magnetic guide field$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$, unlike the other terms whose moduli increase significantly with$M_{S}$and$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$. In particular, for strong$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$the source and hybrid terms are dominant at small scales with almost the same amplitude but with a different sign. A statistical analysis undertaken with an isotropic decomposition based on the SO(3) rotation group is shown to generate spurious results in the presence of$\boldsymbol{B}_{0}$, when compared with an axisymmetric decomposition better suited to the geometry of the problem. Our numerical results are compared with previous analyses made within situmeasurements in the solar wind and the terrestrial magnetosheath.
Codeswitching and emotional alignment: Talking about abuse in domestic migrant-worker returnee narratives
Authors: Ladegaard Hans J.
Published: July 2018

Early research on bilingualism and emotion suggests that bilingual speakers’ L1 may be preferred for emotional expression whereas L2 may be used for emotional detachment. The evidence comes primarily from surveys, interviews, and laboratory studies. Studies of bilingual codeswitching (CS) and emotion tend to focus on perception and recollection of experience rather than actual language data. This article uses data from domestic migrant-worker returnee narratives to explore the use of CS in storytelling. Domestic-worker returnees in Indonesia participated in sharing sessions in which they talked about the trauma they experienced while they worked overseas as domestic helpers. CS was widely used and, through a discourse analysis of selected excerpts, the article shows that CS is used for addressee specification and emotional alignment. The article concludes by considering how researchers may use the trauma narratives of repressed groups for social activism. (Codeswitching and emotion, domestic migrant workers, trauma narratives, Indonesia)*
ASYMPTOTIC WAITING TIME ANALYSIS OF A FINITE-SOURCE M/M/1 RETRIAL QUEUEING SYSTEM
Authors: Sudyko E. , Nazarov A.A. , Sztrik J.
Published: July 2018

The aim of the paper is to derive the distribution of the number of retrial of the tagged request and as a consequence to present the waiting time analysis of a finite-source M/M/1 retrial queueing system by using the method of asymptotic analysis under the condition of the unlimited growing number of sources. As a result of the investigation, it is shown that the asymptotic distribution of the number of retrials of the tagged customer in the orbit is geometric with given parameter, and the waiting time of the tagged customer has a generalized exponential distribution. For the considered retrial queuing system numerical and simulation software packages are also developed. With the help of several sample examples the accuracy and range of applicability of the asymptotic results in prelimit situation are illustrated showing the effectiveness of the proposed approximation.
Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureuscolonisation: epidemiological and molecular characteristics in an acute-care tertiary hospital in Singapore
Authors: Htun H. L. , Kyaw W. M. , de Sessions P. F. , Low L. , Hibberd M. L. , Chow A. , Leo Y. S.
Published: July 2018

Current knowledge of methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) colonisation in relation to epidemiological characteristics is incomplete. We conducted a cross-sectional study at an acute-care tertiary infectious diseases hospital of MRSA isolates identified through routine surveillance from January 2009 to December 2011. We randomly selected 205 MRSA isolates (119 inpatients) from 798 isolates (427 inpatients) for molecular profiling using multilocus sequence typing. Multilevel multinomial logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio (OR) assessing the predilection of MRSA strains for anatomic sites, and associations of strains with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The most frequent sequence types (STs) were 239, 22 and 45. The proportion of ST22 increased over the sampling period, replacing ST239 as the dominant lineage. However, ST239 remained the most prevalent among HIV-seropositive individuals who were six times more likely to be colonised with this strain than non-HIV patients (adjusted OR (aOR) 6.44, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.94–21.36). ST45 was >24 times more likely to be associated with perianal colonisation than in the nares, axillae and groin sites (aOR 24.20, 95% CI 1.45–403.26). This study underlines the clonal replacement of MRSA in Singapore as previously reported but revealed, in addition, key strain differences between HIV-infected and non-infected individuals hospitalised in the same environment.
Kinds of individuals defined by patterns of variables
Authors: Kagan Jerome
Published: July 2018

This paper argues that investigators should consider replacing the popular practice of comparing individuals varying in gender, social class, and/or ethnicity on one or more continuous measures with a search for kinds of individuals defined by patterns of properties that include not only their values on outcome measures but also their gender, social class, and ethnicity. Investigators who believe that a particular predictor contributes to an outcome independent of the gender, class, or ethnicity of the participants often implement statistical procedures that promise to remove the contributions of the above categories. These analyses lead to misleading conclusions when the controlled category is correlated with the dependent measures. The final sections summarize the properties of genders, classes, and ethnic groups that make distinctive contributions to many psychological outcomes. The paper ends by noting that a society's ethical beliefs constitute a defensible basis for ignoring the biological properties associated with these categories in order to allow members of these groups access to whatever educational or occupational goals they desire.
The Genetic Relationship Between Psychological Distress, Somatic Distress, Affective Disorders, and Substance Use in Young Australian Adults: A Multivariate Twin Study
Authors: Chang Lun-Hsien , Couvy-Duchesne Baptiste , Medland Sarah E. , Gillespie Nathan A. , Hickie Ian B. , Parker Richard , Martin Nicholas G.
Published: July 2018

Psychological distress (PSYCH), somatic distress (SOMA), affective disorders (AD), and substance use (SU) frequently co-occur. The genetic relationship between PSYCH and SOMA, however, remains understudied. We examined the genetic and environmental influences on these two disorders and their comorbid AD and SU using structural equation modeling. Self-reported PSYCH and SOMA were measured in 1,548 twins using the two subscales of a 12-item questionnaire, the Somatic and Psychological Health Report. Its reliability and psychometric properties were examined. Six ADs, involvement of licit and illicit substance, and two SU disorders were obtained from 1,663–2,132 twins using the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview and/or from an online adaption of the same. SU phenotypes (heritability: 49–79%) were found to be more heritable than the affective disorder phenotypes (heritability: 32–42%), SOMA (heritability: 25%), and PSYCH (heritability: 23%). We fit separate non-parametric item response theory models for PSYCH, SOMA, AD, and SU. The IRT scores were used as the refined phenotypes for fitting multivariate genetic models. The best-fitting model showed the similar amount of genetic overlap between PSYCH–AD (genetic correlationrG= 0.49) and SOMA–AD (rG=0.53), as well as between PSYCH–SU (rG= 0.23) and SOMA–SU (rG= 0.25). Unique environmental factors explained 53% to 76% of the variance in each of these four phenotypes, whereas additive genetic factors explained 17% to 46% of the variance. The covariance between the four phenotypes was largely explained by unique environmental factors. Common genetic factor had a significant influence on all the four phenotypes, but they explained a moderate portion of the covariance.
The Need for a Neutral Speaking Period in Psychosocial Stress Testing
Authors: Grimley Sarah J. , Ko Celine M. , Morrell Holly E. R. , Grace Fran , Bañuelos Maria S. , Bautista Brandon R. , Chavez Gilbert N. , Dalrymple Emily R. , Green Matthew , Gurning Jessica , Heuerman Anne C. , Huerta Misael , Marks Megan , Ov Jenny , Overton-Harris Petter , Olson Lisa E.
Published: July 2018

Abstract. Tasks such as the Trier Social Stress Test, narrative recall, and some cognitive challenges require participants to speak in order to measure acute physiological responses to induced stress. Typically, the physiological measures during the stressed state are compared to a silent baseline period. This does not differentiate between stress that is induced by emotion and stress due to the physical act of vocalization. We modified a psychosocial stress task for 41 participants to add a period of neutral speaking. We hypothesized that there would be significant differences in physiological measures between the silent baseline and neutral speaking periods, and that these differences would explain a substantial proportion of the stress response traditionally attributed to emotion. Blood pressure, skin conductance level, respiration rate, salivary alpha-amylase, and high frequency heart rate variability showed significant changes during the neutral speaking period compared to a silent baseline, demonstrating the need for this control. Of the magnitude of physiological response which would have typically been attributed to emotion, 36–77% was due to vocalization alone. In stress-inducing tasks that require speaking, care should be taken in study design to account for the physiological impact of speech.
Influence of Overlapping décollements, Syntectonic Sedimentation, and Structural Inheritance in the Evolution of a Contractional System: The Central Kuqa Fold‐and‐Thrust Belt (Tian Shan Mountains, NW China)
Authors: Izquierdo‐Llavall Esther , Roca Eduard , Xie Huiwen , Pla Oriol , Muñoz Josep Anton , Rowan Mark G. , Yuan Neng , Huang Shaoying
Published: July 2018

Contractional deformation in the Kuqa fold‐and‐thrust belt (southern foreland of the Tian Shan Mountains, NW China) is recorded by well‐preserved syntectonic continental sequences. In addition, its structural evolution was strongly controlled by synorogenic salt (Eocene in age) and presalt décollements with varying spatial distribution. We present a balanced and sequentially restored cross section across the central part of this fold‐and‐thrust belt that provides a new interpretation of the structure beneath the evaporites, in which Paleozoic and Mesozoic strata are deformed by a thrust stack involving (i) a thin‐skinned thrust system detached on Triassic‐Jurassic coal units and (ii) an ensemble of south‐directed basement thrusts. The latter formed from the inversion of Mesozoic extensional faults such as those preserved both in the Tarim foreland basin and beneath the frontal part of the Kuqa fold‐and‐thrust belt. The constructed section shows a total shortening of 35 km from the Late Cretaceous to the present. The restoration depicts a three‐stage evolution for the Kuqa fold‐and‐thrust belt: (i) minor Mesozoic extension, (ii) an early compressional stage (Late Cretaceous to early Miocene) with low shortening and syntectonic sedimentary rates, and (iii) a later compressional stage (late Pliocene‐Pleistocene) characterized by a greater and progressively increasing shortening rate and rapid deposition. Our results are discussed in light of previous analogue and numerical modeling studies and demonstrate the control exerted by the interplay between syntectonic sedimentation, the inversion of inherited basement structures, and the nature and extent of Triassic/Jurassic and Eocene décollements.
Glacial Meltwater Plumes Support Greenland Phytoplankton Blooms
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: July 2018

Field measurements from the Bowdoin Glacier show that entrainment of deep water into upwelling glacial discharge delivers crucial nutrients to the surface of the surrounding fjord.
Ten New Moons Discovered Around Jupiter
Authors: Cartier Kimberly
Published: July 2018

The newly plotted moons of Jupiter include one “oddball” that orbits in the wrong direction and may be the remnant of a head-on collision.
Drift‐Bounce Resonance Between Pc5 Pulsations and Ions at Multiple Energies in the Nightside Magnetosphere: Arase and MMS Observations
Authors: Oimatsu S. , Nosé M. , Teramoto M. , Yamamoto K. , Matsuoka A. , Kasahara S. , Yokota S. , Keika K. , Le G. , Nomura R. , Fujimoto A. , Sormakov D. , Troshichev O. , Tanaka Y.‐M. , Shinohara M. , Shinohara I. , Miyoshi Y. , Slavin J. A. , Ergun R. E. , Lindqvist P.‐A.
Published: July 2018

A Pc5 wave is observed by the Exploration of energization and Radiation in Geospace Arase satellite in the inner magnetosphere (L ~5.4–6.1) near postmidnight (L‐magnetic local time ~1.8–2.5 hr) during the storm recovery phase on 27 March 2017. Its azimuthal wave number (m‐number) is estimated using two independent methods with satellites and ground observations to be −8 to −15. The direct measurement of the m‐number enables us to calculate the resonance energy. The flux oscillations of H+ and O+ ions at ≥ 56.3 keV are caused by drift resonance and those of O+ ions at ≤ 18.6 keV by bounce resonance. Resonances of O+ ions at multiple energies are simultaneously observed for the first time. The enhancement of the O+/H+ flux ratio at ≤ 18.6 keV indicates selective acceleration of O+ ions through bounce resonance.
Osterix regulates corticalization for longitudinal bone growth via integrin β3 expression
Authors: Moon Young Jae , Yun Chi-Young , Choi Hwajung , Kim Jung Ryul , Park Byung-Hyun , Cho Eui-Sic
Published: July 2018

Corticalization, coalescence of trabecular bone into the metaphyseal cortex, is important for the longitudinal growth of long bones. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling corticalization. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying corticalization, we analyzed osteoblast-specific Osterix-knockout mice (Col-OMT). In control mice, corticalization was initiated after 7 postnatal days, and the number of osteoblasts in the peripheral spongiosa was increased compared to the number in the central spongiosa. In contrast, in Col-OMT mice, corticalization was delayed, and the number of osteoblasts in peripheral zones was unchanged compared to the central zone. Furthermore, femoral length was decreased in Col-OMT mice at 1 month. Because Col-OMT mice exhibited impaired matrix coalescence and osteoblast migration, we evaluated integrin signaling in Col-OMT mice. Osterix bound to the Itgb3 promoter and increased transcription of the Itgb3 gene in osteoblast cells. Interestingly, the inner and outer cortical bones were separated in Itgb3-null mice at postnatal day 7. In Itgb3-null mice, the number of osteoblasts in peripheral zones was not changed, and the femoral length was decreased. Taken together, these results indicate that Osterix regulates corticalization for longitudinal bone growth via the control of integrin β3 expression in osteoblasts. Our findings imply that the ability to control osteoblast function during corticalization may help in the treatment of short stature.
Endosymbiont genomes yield clues of tubeworm success
Authors: Li Yuanning , Liles Mark R , Halanych Kenneth M
Published: July 2018

Forty years after discovery of chemosynthetic symbiosis in the tubeworm Riftia pachyptila, how organisms maintain their unique host–symbiont associations at the cellular level is still largely unknown. Previous studies primarily focus on symbionts associated with host lineages living in hydrothermal vents. To understand physiological adaptations and evolution in these holobiont systems in markedly different habitats, we characterized four novel siboglinid-symbiont genomes spanning deep-sea seep and sedimented environments. Our comparative analyses suggest that all sampled siboglinid chemoautotrophic symbionts, except for frenulate symbionts, can use both rTCA and Calvin cycle for carbon fixation. We hypothesize that over evolutionary time siboglinids have been able to utilize different bacterial lineages allowing greater metabolic flexibility of carbon fixation (e.g., rTCA) enabling tubeworms to thrive in more reducing habitats, such as vents and seeps. Moreover, we show that sulfur metabolism and molecular mechanisms related to initial infection are remarkably conserved across chemoautotrophic symbionts in different habitats. Unexpectedly, we find that the ability to use hydrogen, as an additional energy source, is potentially more widespread than previously recognized. Our comparative genomic results help elucidate potential mechanisms used to allow chemosynthetically dependent holobionts adapt to, and evolve in, different environments.
Potent effect of the MDM2 inhibitor AMG232 on suppression of glioblastoma stem cells
Authors: Her Nam-Gu , Oh Jeong-Woo , Oh Yun Jeong , Han Suji , Cho Hee Jin , Lee Yeri , Ryu Gyu Ha , Nam Do-Hyun
Published: July 2018

Testing new ways to identify untapped opportunities for glioblastoma therapies remains highly significant. Amplification and overexpression of MDM2 gene is frequent in glioblastoma and disrupting the MDM2−p53 interaction is a promising strategy to treat the cancer. RG7112 is the first-in class inhibitor and recently discovered AMG232 is the most potent MDM2 inhibitor known to date. Here, we compared the effects of these two clinical MDM2 inhibitors in six glioblastoma cell lines and ten patient-derived glioblastoma stem cells. Targeted sequencing of the TP53, MDM2 genes and whole transcriptome analysis were conducted to verify genetic status associated with sensitivity and resistance to the drugs. Although TP53 wild-type glioblastoma cell lines are similarly sensitive to AMG232 and RG7112, we found that four TP53 wild-type out of ten patient-derived glioblastoma cells are much more sensitive to AMG232 than RG7112 (average IC50 of 76 nM vs. 720 nM). Among these, 464T stem cells containing MDM2 gene amplification were most sensitive to AMG232 with IC50 of 5.3 nM. Moreover, AMG232 exhibited higher selectivity against p53 wild-type cells over p53 mutant stem cells compared to RG7112 (average selectivity of 512-fold vs. 16.5-fold). Importantly, we also found that AMG232 is highly efficacious in three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroids growth and effectively inhibits the stemness-related factors, Nestin and ZEB1. Our data provide new evidence that glioblastoma stem cells have high susceptibility to AMG232 suggesting the potential clinical implications of MDM2 inhibition for glioblastoma treatment. These will facilitate additional preclinical and clinical studies evaluating MDM2 inhibitors in glioblastoma and direct further efforts towards developing better MDM2-targeted therapeutics.
Effects of p21 on adult hippocampal neuronal development after irradiation
Authors: Li Yu-Qing , Wong Chong Shun
Published: July 2018

Inhibition of hippocampal neurogenesis is implicated in neurocognitive impairment after cranial irradiation. We recently demonstrated that disruption of neuronal development after DNA damage was regulated by p53. The cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 or p21, a downstream effector p53, mediates cell cycle arrest in response to DNA damage. There is evidence that p21 negatively regulates proliferation of neural progenitors (NPCs). Here we characterized the effects of p21 on disruption of neuronal development in the hippocampal dentate gyrus after irradiation. We irradiated young adult mice wild type (+/+) or knockout (−/−) of the Cdkn1a (p21) gene, and used different bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) paradigms for cell fate mapping. The acute apoptotic response of NPCs in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus was independent of p21 after irradiation. In nonirradiated mice, p21 knockout resulted in an increase in neuroblast proliferation and neurogenesis. At 9 weeks after 5Gy, NPCs in the subgranular zone demonstrated increased p21 expression. Loss of newborn type-1 cells and disruption of hippocampal neurogenesis was evident at 9 weeks after irradiation, and these effects were independent of p21 genotype status. Within the developmental milestones of NPCs, irradiation resulted in loss of early intermediate NPCs (type-2a cells) in wild-type mice, whereas the principal effect of irradiation with p21 loss was culling of proliferating late intermediate (type-2b cells) and neuroblasts. These results suggest that p21 exerts differential effects on cell fate of NPCs after irradiation. p21 may serve to protect proliferating late NPCs but does not alter the ultimate inhibition of new neuron production after DNA damage.
Excitatory synaptic dysfunction cell-autonomously decreases inhibitory inputs and disrupts structural and functional plasticity
Authors: He Hai-yan , Shen Wanhua , Zheng Lijun , Guo Xia , Cline Hollis T.
Published: July 2018

Functional circuit assembly is thought to require coordinated development of excitation and inhibition, but whether they are co-regulated cell-autonomously remains unclear. We investigate effects of decreased glutamatergic synaptic input on inhibitory synapses by expressing AMPAR subunit, GluA1 and GluA2, C-terminal peptides (GluA1CTP and GluA2CTP) in developing Xenopus tectal neurons. GluACTPs decrease excitatory synaptic inputs and cell-autonomously decreases inhibitory synaptic inputs in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Visually evoked excitatory and inhibitory currents decrease proportionately, maintaining excitation/inhibition. GluACTPs affect dendrite structure and visual experience-dependent structural plasticity differently in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. Deficits in excitatory and inhibitory synaptic transmission and experience-dependent plasticity manifest in altered visual receptive field properties. Both visual avoidance behavior and learning-induced behavioral plasticity are impaired, suggesting that maintaining excitation/inhibition alone is insufficient to preserve circuit function. We demonstrate that excitatory synaptic dysfunction in individual neurons cell-autonomously decreases inhibitory inputs and disrupts neuronal and circuit plasticity, information processing and learning.
Abp1 promotes Arp2/3 complex-dependent actin nucleation and stabilizes branch junctions by antagonizing GMF
Authors: Guo Siyang , Sokolova Olga S. , Chung Johnson , Padrick Shae , Gelles Jeff , Goode Bruce L.
Published: July 2018

Formation and turnover of branched actin networks underlies cell migration and other essential force-driven processes. Type I nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) such as WASP recruit actin monomers to Arp2/3 complex to stimulate nucleation. In contrast, mechanisms of type II NPFs such as Abp1 (also known as HIP55 and Drebrin-like protein) are less well understood. Here, we use single-molecule analysis to investigate yeast Abp1 effects on Arp2/3 complex, and find that Abp1 strongly enhances Arp2/3-dependent branch nucleation by stabilizing Arp2/3 on sides of mother filaments. Abp1 binds dynamically to filament sides, with sub-second lifetimes, yet associates stably with branch junctions. Further, we uncover a role for Abp1 in protecting filament junctions from GMF-induced debranching by competing with GMF for Arp2/3 binding. These data, combined with EM structures of Abp1 dimers bound to Arp2/3 complex in two different conformations, expand our mechanistic understanding of type II NPFs.
Introduction of pathogenic mutations into the mouse Psen1 gene by Base Editor and Target-AID
Authors: Sasaguri Hiroki , Nagata Kenichi , Sekiguchi Misaki , Fujioka Ryo , Matsuba Yukio , Hashimoto Shoko , Sato Kaori , Kurup Deepika , Yokota Takanori , Saido Takaomi C.
Published: July 2018

Base Editor (BE) and Target-AID (activation-induced cytidine deaminase) are engineered genome-editing proteins composed of Cas9 and cytidine deaminases. These base-editing tools convert C:G base pairs to T:A at target sites. Here, we inject either BE or Target-AID mRNA together with identical single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) into mouse zygotes, and compare the base-editing efficiencies of the two distinct tools in vivo. BE consistently show higher base-editing efficiency (10.0–62.8%) compared to that of Target-AID (3.4–29.8%). However, unexpected base substitutions and insertion/deletion formations are also more frequently observed in BE-injected mice or zygotes. We are able to generate multiple mouse lines harboring point mutations in the mouse presenilin 1 (Psen1) gene by injection of BE or Target-AID. These results demonstrate that BE and Target-AID are highly useful tools to generate mice harboring pathogenic point mutations and to analyze the functional consequences of the mutations in vivo.
The Prevalence of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder among Chinese Children and Adolescents
Authors: Liu Anni , Xu Yunwen , Yan Qiong , Tong Lian
Published: July 2018

Updating the worldwide prevalence estimates of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has significant applications for the further study of ADHD. However, previous reviews included few samples of Chinese children and adolescents. To conduct a systematic review of ADHD prevalence in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan to determine the possible causes of the varied estimates in Chinese samples and to offer a reference for computing the worldwide pooled prevalence. We searched for PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP, WANFANG DATA, and China Science Periodical Database databases with time and language restrictions. A total of 67 studies covering 642,266 Chinese children and adolescents were included. The prevalence estimates of ADHD in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan were 6.5%, 6.4%, and 4.2%, respectively, with a pooled estimate of 6.3%. Multivariate meta-regression analyses indicated that the year of data collection, age, and family socioeconomic status of the participants were significantly associated with the prevalence estimates. Our findings suggest that geographic location plays a limited role in the large variability of ADHD prevalence estimates. Instead, the variability may be explained primarily by the years of data collection, and children’s socioeconomic backgrounds, and methodological characteristics of studies.
The Impact of Ageing on 11C-Hydroxyephedrine Uptake in the Rat Heart
Authors: Werner Rudolf A. , Chen Xinyu , Maya Yoshifumi , Eissler Christoph , Hirano Mitsuru , Nose Naoko , Wakabayashi Hiroshi , Lapa Constantin , Javadi Mehrbod S. , Higuchi Takahiro
Published: July 2018

We aimed to explore the impact of ageing on 11C-hydroxyephedrine (11C-HED) uptake in the healthy rat heart in a longitudinal setting. To investigate a potential cold mass effect, the influence of specific activity on cardiac 11C-HED uptake was evaluated: 11C-HED was synthesized by N-methylation of (−)-metaraminol as the free base (radiochemical purity >95%) and a wide range of specific activities (0.2–141.9 GBq/μmol) were prepared.11C-HED (48.7 ± 9.7MBq, ranged 0.2–60.4 μg/kg cold mass) was injected in healthy Wistar Rats. Dynamic 23-frame PET images were obtained over 30 min. Time activity curves were generated for the blood input function and myocardial tissue. Cardiac 11C-HED retention index (%/min) was calculated as myocardial tissue activity at 20–30 min divided by the integral of the blood activity curves. Additionally, the impact of ageing on myocardial 11C-HED uptake was investigated longitudinally by PET studies at different ages of healthy Wistar Rats. A dose-dependent reduction of cardiac 11C-HED uptake was observed: The estimated retention index as a marker of norepinephrine function decreased at a lower specific activity (higher amount of cold mass). This observed high affinity of 11C-HED to the neural norepinephrine transporter triggered a subsequent study: In a longitudinal setting, the 11C-HED retention index decreased with increasing age. An age-related decline of cardiac sympathetic innervation could be demonstrated. The herein observed cold mass effect might increase in succeeding scans and therefore, 11C-HED microPET studies should be planned with extreme caution if one single radiosynthesis is scheduled for multiple animals.
Low-tube-voltage combined with adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V technique in CT venography of lower limb deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Chen Dan , Zhou Jiahui , Wang Peixi , Ge Quanxu , Xu Min , Qiu Wei , Li Xinnan , Wang Xiaodong
Published: July 2018

This study contains 2 arms: (1) the ASIR-V technique combined with low-tube-voltage in lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) diagnosis was investigated; and (2) CT venography and ultrasound results in DVT diagnosis were compared. For arm 1, 90 patients suspected of DVT were randomly divided into 3 groups (30/group): groups A and B were scanned under 100-kV with pre-set ASIR-V weights of 30% and 50% respectively; group C were scanned under 70-kV with a 50% weight. For arm 2, 75 patients were divided into 3 groups (25/group), each group was CT scanned as in arm 1 and then all subjects were examined by ultrasound. Groups A, B and C had 16, 14 and 17 patients diagnosed with DVTs, respectively. There was no significant difference in subjective ratings of image quality among all groups. The 70-kV protocol remarkably increased venous attenuation value while all groups had similar DVT attenuation value. Higher noise was observed in group C, the CNR however, was actually augmented due to elevated venous attenuations. More importantly, group C had significantly lower CTDIvol and DLP values. In conclusion, the 70-kV protocol is superior to the 100 kV protocols, which was supported by findings from the second arm study.
Detection and characterization at nM concentration of oligomers formed by hIAPP, Aβ(1–40) and their equimolar mixture using SERS and MD simulations
Authors: D’Urso Luisa , Condorelli Marcello , Puglisi Orazio , Tempra Carmelo , Lolicato Fabio , Compagnini Giuseppe , La Rosa Carmelo
Published: July 2018

We report a structural investigation on IAPP, Aβ(1–40) and their equimolar mixture at nM concentration using SERS spectroscopy and molecular dynamic simulations.
Molecularly imprinted polymers’ application in pesticide residue detection
Authors: Farooq Saqib , Nie Jiyun , Cheng Yang , Yan Zhen , Li Jing , Bacha Syed Asim Shah , Mushtaq Aamar , Zhang Hui
Published: July 2018

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are produced using molecular imprinting technology (MIT) and have specific analyte-binding abilities and unique properties, including chemical and thermal stability, reusability, high selectivity, and high sensitivity.
A portal to a class of novel sultone-functionalized pyridines via an annulative SuFEx process employing earth abundant nickel catalysts
Authors: Chen Xing , Zha Gao-Feng , Fang Wan-Yin , Rakesh K. P. , Qin Hua-Li
Published: July 2018

An efficient Ni2+ promoted process for the synthesis of a class of structurally unique heterocycles containing both pyridines and sultones was developed through a SuFEx annulation. This protocol serves as an irreplaceable asset for medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.
Disilanylene-bridged BODIPY-based D–σ–A architectures: a novel promising series of NLO chromophores
Authors: Zheng Xianghui , Du Wei , Gai Lizhi , Xiao Xuqiong , Li Zhifang , Xu Liwen , Tian Yupeng , Kira Mitsuo , Lu Hua
Published: July 2018

A novel series of disilanylene-bridged BODIPY-based chromophores have been reported.
Self-assembled reversed bilayers directed by pnictogen bonding to form vesicles in solution
Authors: Moaven Shiva , Yu Jingze , Vega Maythe , Unruh Daniel K. , Cozzolino Anthony F.
Published: July 2018

Vesicles with a reversed bilayer membrane are self-assembled through pnictogen bonding.
On the importance of Pb⋯X (X = O, N, S, Br) tetrel bonding interactions in a series of tetra- and hexa-coordinated Pb(ii) compounds
Authors: Seth Saikat Kumar , Bauzá Antonio , Mahmoudi Ghodrat , Stilinović Vladimir , López-Torres Elena , Zaragoza Guillermo , Keramidas Anastasios D. , Frontera Antonio
Published: July 2018

We study Pb⋯X (X = N, S, Br) tetrel bonding interactions in a series of tetra- and hexa-coordinated Pb(ii) compounds that exhibit hemidirectional coordination.
Improved conductivity of a new Co(ii)-MOF by assembled acetylene black for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Zhou Wei , Wu Ya-Pan , Wang Xiao , Tian Jun-Wu , Huang Dan-Dan , Zhao Jun , Lan Ya-Qian , Li Dong-Sheng
Published: July 2018

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) incorporating different metal nanoparticles or conductive additives are expected to possess desirable catalytic performance.
Translational and rotational dynamics of an ultra-thin nanorod probe particle in linear polymer melts
Authors: Li Shu-Jia , Qian Hu-Jun , Lu Zhong-Yuan
Published: July 2018

Translational and rotational dynamics of a single rigid ultra-thin nanorod probe particle in linear polymer melts are investigated using coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CG-MD) simulations.
Impact of the lanthanide contraction on the activity of a lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenase – a kinetic and DFT study
Authors: Lumpe Henning , Pol Arjan , Op den Camp Huub J. M. , Daumann Lena J.
Published: July 2018

Lanthanide-dependent methanol dehydrogenases show highest activity with early lanthanides.
Covalent mechanochemical functionalization of carbon-encapsulated iron nanoparticles towards the improvement of their colloidal stability
Authors: Kasprzak Artur , Fateyeva Kristina , Bystrzejewski Michał , Kaszuwara Waldemar , Fronczak Maciej , Koszytkowska-Stawinska Mariola , Poplawska Magdalena
Published: July 2018

Mechanochemical routes for the covalent functionalization of CEINs are reported, together with insight into the colloidal stability of the obtained materials.
Heterometallic CuIIFeIII and CuIIMnIII alkoxo-bridged complexes revealing a rare hexanuclear M6(μ-X)7(μ3-X)2 molecular core
Authors: Nesterova Oksana V. , Nesterov Dmytro S. , Vranovičová Beáta , Boča Roman , Pombeiro Armando J. L.
Published: July 2018

The uncommon cores of Cu/M (M = Fe, Mn) diethanolamine-based complexes as well as the magnetic and catalytic studies of the copper/iron one are discussed.
Structural transition pathway and bipolar switching of the GeTe–Sb2Te3 superlattice as interfacial phase-change memory
Authors: Inoue Nobuki , Nakamura Hisao
Published: July 2018

We investigated the resistive switching mechanism between the high-resistance state (HRS) and the low-resistance state (LRS) of the GeTe–Sb2Te3 (GST) superlattice.
Effects of multiple freeze–thaw treatments on physicochemical and biological activities of egg phosvitin and its phosphopeptides
Authors: Li Mei , Li Xiang , Li Jing , Lu Mei , Liu Xuebo , Duan Xiang
Published: July 2018

Multiple freeze–thaw treatments improved the emulsifying and biological activities of egg phosvitin.
Correction: Development of a microparticulate system containing Brazilian propolis by-product and gelatine for ascorbic acid delivery: evaluation of intestinal cell viability and radical scavenging activity
Authors: de Francisco Lizziane Maria Belloto , Pinto Diana , Rosseto Hélen Cássia , de Toledo Lucas de Alcântara Sica , dos Santos Rafaela Said , Costa Paulo , Rodrigues Francisca , Oliveira M. Beatriz P. P. , Sarmento Bruno , Bruschi Marcos Luciano
Published: July 2018

Correction for ‘Development of a microparticulate system containing Brazilian propolis by-product and gelatine for ascorbic acid delivery: evaluation of intestinal cell viability and radical scavenging activity’ by Lizziane Maria Belloto de Francisco et al., Food Funct., 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c8fo00863a.
Nano-V2O5/Ti porous membrane electrode with enhanced electrochemical activity for the high-efficiency oxidation of cyclohexane
Authors: Zhang Yujun , Qi Yubo , Yin Zhen , Wang Hong , He Benqiao , Liang Xiaoping , Li Jianxin , Li Zhenhuan
Published: July 2018

In ECMR, V2O5nanocatalysts with different morphologies were loaded onto a Ti membrane, demonstrating superior activity toward CHA oxidation.
Preparation of valeric acid and valerate esters from biomass-derived levulinic acid using metal triflates + Pd/C
Authors: Zhou Jian , Zhu Rui , Deng Jin , Fu Yao
Published: July 2018

The selective conversion of biomass-derived levulinic acid to produce valeric acid and valerate esters was successfully performed in the presence of H2, in which metal triflates and Pd/C were used as the catalysts.
Photoelectrochemical driving and clean synthesis of energetic salts of 5,5′-azotetrazolate at room temperature
Authors: He Huichao , Du Jinyan , Wu Bo , Duan Xiaohui , Zhou Yong , Ke Gaili , Huo Tingting , Ren Qin , Bian Liang , Dong Faqin
Published: July 2018

A photoelectrochemical route with a W, Mo co-doped BiVO4 film photoanode was exploited to drive the coupling reaction of 5-amino-1H-tetrazole at the room temperature for clean synthesis of sodium 5,5′-azotetrazolate.
An on-demand femtoliter droplet dispensing system based on a gigahertz acoustic resonator
Authors: He Meihang , Zhou Yangchao , Cui Weiwei , Yang Yang , Zhang Hongxiang , Chen Xuejiao , Pang Wei , Duan Xuexin
Published: July 2018

This work proposed a new concept of a droplet dispensing and microarray printing technique by using gigahertz (GHz) acoustic resonators.
Novel membranes from physico-chemically modified deproteinized natural rubber latex: development, characterisation and drug permeation
Authors: Jayadevan Janisha , Unnikrishnan G.
Published: July 2018

Novel blend membranes from physico-chemically modified deproteinized natural rubber latex for drug release applications.
Orientalol L–P, novel sesquiterpenes from the rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep and their nephrotoxicity on HK2 cells
Authors: Zhang Jianqing , Jin Qinghao , Li Shiyou , Wu Jia , Wang Zhen , Hou Jinjun , Qu Hua , Long Huali , Wu Wanying , Guo Dean
Published: July 2018

Two new sesquiterpenes and three new nor-sesquiterpenes from the rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep, and their nephrotoxicities.
Gas phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein on an amino siloxane-functionalized MCM-41 supported Wells–Dawson type H6P2W18O62 catalyst
Authors: Ding Jianfei , Ma Tianlin , Shao Rong , Xu Wei , Wang Pengfei , Song Xiaoyong , Guan Rongfeng , Yeung Kinglun , Han Wei
Published: July 2018

A novel amino siloxane-functionalized MCM-41 supported Wells–Dawson type H6P2W18O62 (D-HPW) catalyst was synthesized by a two-step method and investigated in the gas phase dehydration of glycerol to acrolein, and the yield of acrolein was obviously improved.
Where do photogenerated holes at the g-C3N4/water interface go for water splitting: H2O or OH−?
Authors: Ma Huizhong , Feng Jin , Jin Fan , Wei Min , Liu Chengbu , Ma Yuchen
Published: July 2018

Energy level alignment and behavior of photogenerated holes at the g-C3N4/water interface.
Transition-metal-free synthesis of polysubstituted pyrrole derivatives via cyclization of methyl isocyanoacetate with aurone analogues
Authors: Wang Zhi-Peng , He Yun , Shao Pan-Lin
Published: July 2018

A transition-metal-free, operationally simple and atom-economic protocol that converts isocyanoacetates and aurones to 2,3,4-trisubstituted pyrroles catalyzed by NaOH was presented.
Facile surfactant-free synthesis of polybenzoxazine-based polymer and nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres
Authors: Zhao Jianming , Gilani Muhammad Rehan Hasan Shah , Liu Zhongyuan , Luque Rafael , Xu Guobao
Published: July 2018

Facile surfactant-free synthesis of monodisperse polymer and nitrogen-doped carbon nanospheres with controllable sizes less than 200 nm based on the benzoxazine chemistry.
Reversible coordination of N2 and H2 to a homoleptic S = 1/2 Fe(i) diphosphine complex in solution and the solid state
Authors: Doyle Laurence R. , Scott Daniel J. , Hill Peter J. , Fraser Duncan A. X. , Myers William K. , White Andrew J. P. , Green Jennifer C. , Ashley Andrew E.
Published: July 2018

A 15 valence-electron Fe(i) species rapidly and reversibly binds N2 and H2, the latter producing a rare paramagnetic dihydrogen complex.
Nickel(0)-catalyzed linear-selective hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes and styrenes with aryl boronic acids
Authors: Lv Honggui , Xiao Li-Jun , Zhao Dongbing , Zhou Qi-Lin
Published: July 2018

The first nickel(0)-catalyzed linear-selective hydroarylation of unactivated alkenes and styrenes with organoboronic acids are achieved under redox-neutral conditions.
Increase in soluble protein oligomers triggers the innate immune system promoting inflammation and vascular dysfunction in the pathogenesis of sepsis
Authors: Komic Amel , Martinez-Quinones Patricia , McCarthy Cameron G. , Webb R. Clinton , Wenceslau Camilla F.
Published: July 2018

Sepsis is a profoundly morbid and life-threatening condition, and an increasingly alarming burden on modern healthcare economies. Patients with septic shock exhibit persistent hypotension despite adequate volume resuscitation requiring pharmacological vasoconstrictors, but the molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon remain unclear. The accumulation of misfolded proteins is linked to numerous diseases, and it has been observed that soluble oligomeric protein intermediates are the primary cytotoxic species in these conditions. Oligomeric protein assemblies have been shown to bind and activate a variety of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) including formyl peptide receptor (FPR). While inhibition of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and stabilization of protein homeostasis have been promising lines of inquiry regarding sepsis therapy, little attention has been given to the potential effects that the accumulation of misfolded proteins may have in driving sepsis pathogenesis. Here we propose that in sepsis, there is an accumulation of toxic misfolded proteins in the form of soluble protein oligomers (SPOs) that contribute to the inflammation and vascular dysfunction observed in sepsis via the activation of one or more PRRs including FPR. Our laboratory has shown increased levels of SPOs in the heart and intrarenal arteries of septic mice. We have also observed that exposure of resistance arteries and vascular smooth muscle cells to SPOs is associated with increased mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling including phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK) and p-P38 MAPK pathways, and that this response is abolished with the knockout of FPR. This hypothesis has promising clinical implications as it proposes a novel mechanism that can be exploited as a therapeutic target in sepsis.
Semi‐tensor product approach to minimal‐agent consensus control of networked evolutionary games
Authors: Li Yalu , Li Haitao , Xu Xiaojing , Li Yuanyuan
Published: July 2018

How to find the minimum number of control agents needed to guarantee the strategy consensus of networked evolutionary games (NEGs) is studied. First, the minimal‐agent consensus control (MACC) problem is formulated, and given a set of control agents, a necessary and sufficient condition is presented for the consensus of NEGs based on the algebraic form. Second, using the necessary and sufficient condition, an algorithm is established to solve the MACC problem. Third, the consensus of NEGs with switching topology is considered, and a necessary and sufficient condition is presented by introducing the concept of switching reachability. Finally, three illustrative examples are given to show the effectiveness of the obtained results.
Study on artificial multi‐stress ageing characteristics of composite insulators
Authors: Yuan Zhikang , Tu Youping , Wang Cong , Liang Dong , Jiang Yinan
Published: July 2018

In recent years, abnormal heating of composite insulators has become a serious problem, especially in the coastal areas of southern China. In this paper, an improved multi‐stress aging test for composite insulators was proposed based on the environment of the coastal areas in southern China, and 5000 h aging test was carried out. The test results showed that the wet flash‐over voltage decreased linearly, while the hydrophobicity of the shed showed a nonlinear aging characteristics, whose change rate increased gradually. The multi‐stress aging condition had little influence on shed hardness for the change of the shed hardness remained within 1%. The aged composite insulator showed significant temperature rise and the temperature rise concentrated on the high voltage end at high humidity, while it showed little temperature rise at low humidity. The dielectric loss of silicone rubber after moisture absorption was tested. It could effectively reflect the moisture absorption characteristics and the dielectric properties of silicone rubber after moisture absorption, and was closely related to the wet flash‐over voltage and temperature rise of the composite insulator. The dielectric loss of silicone rubber after moisture absorption could be used as a new method to evaluate the operating state of composite insulators.