bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
General Synthesis of Ultrathin Metal Borate Nanomeshes Enabled by 3D Bark‐Like N‐Doped Carbon for Electrocatalysis
Authors: Hu Qi , Li Guomin , Han Zhen , Wang Ziyu , Huang Xiaowan , Chai Xiaoyan , Zhang Qianling , Liu Jianhong , He Chuanxin
Published: June 2019

Ultrathin nanomeshes perfectly inherit the integrated advantages of ultrathin 2D materials and porous nanostructures, which have shown their great application potential in catalysis and electronic devices. Here, the general synthesis of ultrathin metal borate (i.e., Co‐Bi, Ni‐Bi, and Fe‐Bi) nanomeshes is reported by capitalizing on 3D bark‐like N‐doped carbon (denoted BNC) as nanoreactors. Indeed, this strategy is straightforward, only comprising a one‐step reaction between metal cations and sodium borohydride without using templates. As nanoreactors, the BNC derived from biomass waste of lychee exocarp possesses distinctive advantages of low cost, fractured textures, porous nanostructures (surface area: 1915.5 m2 g−1), electronegative surface (zeta potential: −43.4 mV), and superhydrophilicity for greatly facilitating the adsorption of metal cations with strong strength to effectively control the growth of 2D nanomeshes. The as‐synthesized Co‐Bi and Ru‐doped Co‐Bi (Ru‐Co‐Bi) nanomeshes exhibit excellent performance for the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction, respectively. Impressively, the water splitting device based on the Co‐Bi and Ru‐Co‐Bi nanomeshes can enable a current density of 10 mA cm−2 at a small cell voltage of 1.53 V. Therefore, this work paves new avenues for the facile synthesis of ultrathin metal nanomeshes.
Serial fractional exhaled nitric oxide measurements off and at work in the diagnosis of occupational asthma
Authors: van Kampen Vera , Brüning Thomas , Merget Rolf
Published: June 2019

Background

Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) before and after specific inhalation challenge has been postulated as an additional tool in the diagnosis of occupational asthma (OA), but little is known about serial FeNO measurements at home and at work. The aim of the present study was to assess the contribution of serial measurements of FeNO off and at work toward the diagnosis of OA.

Methods

Forty‐one subjects with suspected (n = 35) or diagnosed (n = 6) OA performed FeNO measurements once daily during a 2‐week holiday and a subsequent 2‐week work period. A work‐related increase in FeNO by 20 ppb (parts per billion) or more was considered positive. Subjects with negative or doubtful specific inhalation challenge but a FeNO increase of 20 ppb or more were evaluated individually by an overall expert rating taking into account all available information.

Results

Seven of 35 subjects (20%) with suspected and three of six subjects (50%) with diagnosed OA showed a work‐related FeNO increase of 20 ppb or more. Six of the seven with suspected OA were reclassified as having an OA diagnosis by the overall expert rating which also considered these FeNO changes.

Conclusions

Serial FeNO measurements off and at work provide complementary information in the diagnosis in about one‐fifth of cases with suspected OA, especially if specific inhalation challenges are negative or cannot be performed.
Molecular Design of a New Diboronic Acid for the Electrohydrodynamic Monitoring of Glucose
Authors: Wang Bing , Chou Kuang‐Hua , Queenan Bridget N. , Pennathur Sumita , Bazan Guillermo C.
Published: June 2019

A new dicationic diboronic acid structure, DBA2+, was designed to exhibit good affinity (Kd≈1 mm) and selectivity toward glucose. Binding of DBA2+ to glucose changes the pKa of DBA2+ from 9.4 to 6.3, enabling opportunities for detection of glucose at physiological pH. Proton release from DBA2+ is firmly related to glucose concentrations within the physiologically relevant range (0–30 mm), as verified by conductimetric monitoring. Negligible interference from other sugars (for example, maltose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, and galactose) was observed. These results demonstrate the potential of DBA2+ for selective, quantitative glucose sensing. The nonenzymatic strategy based on electrohydrodynamic effects may enable the development of stable, accurate, and continuous glucose monitoring platforms.
Fluorescent UO2(II) and ZrO(II) complexes: Synthesis, structural characterization, fluorescence, DNA binding studies and biological applications in cell probing
Authors: Abd El‐Aziz Dina M. , El‐Wakiel Nadia , Gaber Mohamed
Published: June 2019

A new series of UO2(II) and ZrO(II) azo‐complexes based on 5‐nitro‐8‐hydroxyquinoline; [UO2(H2L1)(NO3)EtOH] (1), [ZrO(H2L1)(NO3)H2O] (2), [UO2(HL2)(NO3)EtOH]3H2O (3), [ZrO(HL2)(NO3)EtOH] (4), [UO2(HL3)(NO3)(H2O)3]2H2O (5) and [ZrO(HL3)(NO3)EtOH] (6); have been synthesized. The structure of these complexes has been characterized using elemental analysis, thermal analysis, molar conductance, UV–vis, IR, electron impact mass, X‐ray powder diffraction and NMR spectra. The results revealed the formation of non‐electrolyte mononuclear complexes via the N atom of the azo group or of the quinoline ring and the oxygen atom of the deprotonated OH. Fluorescence properties of the synthesized complexes have been examined and the fluorescence quantum yield (Φf) has been determined. The complexes have been tested as cell staining and imaging under the fluorescent microscope. The data showed that complexes 1 and 2 efficiently stain the nuclei in addition to some focal cytoplasmic areas. Other than complexes 3 and 4 exclusively stained the nuclei. On the other hand, complexes 5 and 6 stained the cytoplasm exclusively. It has been demonstrated that complex 4 was the most effective in cell staining. The binding constant (Kb) with DNA was calculated using UV–vis absorption titration and fluorescence spectral methods. It was concluded that complex 4 can be used effectively as fluorescent probes in studying cell biology.
Organic–inorganic hybrid of anchored dicationic ionic liquid on Al‐MCM‐41‐phosphovanadomolybdate toward selective oxidation of benzene to phenol
Authors: Taheri Masoud , Ghiaci Mehran , Moheb Ahmad , Shchukarev Andrey
Published: June 2019

A phosphovanadomolybdate hybridized with an anchored dicationic ionic liquid on Al‐MCM‐41 was prepared through the anion exchange and characterized by 1H and 13C NMR, FTIR, UV–Vis, XRD, XPS, TGA, TEM, FESEM, ICP‐OES and BET techniques. The obtained data demonstrated that the composite is a porous material with the high surface area and also having a large pore volume which are 405 m2 g−1 and 0.616 cm3 g−1 respectively. The prepared composite has shown an acceptable catalytic activity for converting benzene selectively to phenol with hydrogen peroxide as eco‐friendly oxidant. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the hybrid catalyst resulted in phenol yield of 14.8% with 100% selectivity and a TOF value of 20.0 h−1. The catalyst also revealed a desired recovery and reusability. The efficient performance of the composite is related to the textural and polyoxometalate properties.
A Predictive Correlation for Dynamic Viscosity of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters and Biodiesel
Authors: Roosta Aliakbar , Bardool Roghayeh
Published: June 2019

The viscosity of biodiesel, which is a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), is an important physical property in the injection and efficient combustion. In this study, a simple correlation, with only one adjustable parameter, is proposed for predicting the viscosity of FAME and their mixtures (biodiesel) as a function of temperature. First, the adjustable parameter of the correlation is calculated for various FAME. The average absolute relative deviation (AARD) is obtained to be 0.97% for 226 data points. Second, the adjustable parameter of FAME is connected to the number of carbon atoms and the number of double bonds to build a predictive correlation for the calculation of viscosity. The AARD for 226 data points is obtained to be 2.28%. Third, the proposed model is employed to predict the viscosity of biodiesel without introducing any new adjustable parameter. To predict the viscosity of biodiesel, the average of the adjustable parameter is applied to the correlation. The AARD of 2.96% is obtained for 185 data points comprised of 23 different biodiesels. To better understand the ability of the correlation in the estimation of the viscosity of biodiesel and FAME, a comparison is made between the present correlation and a number of correlations available in the literature.
A redox poly(ionic liquid) hydrogel: Facile method of synthesis and electrochemical sensing
Authors: Feng Xu , Yi Jingtu , Zhang Wenxia , Niu Yanhui , Xu Lan
Published: June 2019

In this article, a redox‐responsive poly(ionic liquid) (redox‐PIL) hydrogel Poly(1‐vinyl‐3‐propionate imidazole phenothiazine sulfonic acid)‐chitosan [Poly(VPI+PTZ‐(CH2)3SO3−)‐CS] was produced by using chitosan (CS) crosslinking with redox‐PIL Poly(1‐vinyl‐3‐propionate imidazole phenothiazine sulfonic acid [Poly(VPI+PTZ‐(CH2)3SO3−)]. The incorporation of redox‐active counter anions 3‐(phenothiazine‐10‐yl) propane 1‐sulfonic acid anions (PTZ‐(CH2)3SO3−) into cationic PIL‐polyimidazole rendered Poly(VPI+PTZ‐(CH2)3SO3−) with electron catalytic ability, ionic conductivity, and electron conductivity. Poly(VPI+PTZ‐(CH2)3SO3−)‐CS combines the properties of hydrogel and redox‐PIL, thus offering intrinsic porous conducting frameworks and promoting the transport of charges, ions, and molecules, leading hydrogel with excellent electrochemical properties. The crosslinking occurrence of Poly(VPI+PTZ‐(CH2)3SO3−) and CS resulting from the synthetic process of hydrogel was verified by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. A three‐dimensional polymer network hydrogel with good biocompatibility and permeability was formed after crosslinking. In addition, only 64% weight loss within 600 °C was observed in Poly(VPI+PTZ‐(CH2)3SO3−)‐CS representing its thermally stable performance. When used as an electrochemical sensor, the hydrogel‐modified gold electrode improved the electrocatalytic oxidation of cysteine. Differential pulse voltammetry results indicated that the detection range was from 5 × 10−8 to 5 × 10−3 M and the limit of detection was 6.64 × 10−8 M. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 48051.
Interaction of small molecules with polynucleotide repeats and frameshift site RNA
Authors: Nemr Mohamed T. M. , Yousif Mahmoud N. M. , Barciszewski Jan
Published: June 2019

This mini‐review describes the interaction between small molecules and RNA, in addition to its application either in treating RNA‐associated diseases or detecting target molecules. In the case of RNA‐associated disease treatment, the designed small molecules interact with RNA sites, forming adducts and providing successful therapeutic strategies over oligonucleotides. On the other hand, synthetically designed RNA moieties (aptamers) interact with target molecules like toxins, drugs, hormones; these interactions are useful in the detection, quantification or separation of these target moieties.
Cause‐Specific Mortality in Gout: Novel Findings of Elevated Risk of Non–Cardiovascular‐Related Deaths
Authors: Vargas‐Santos Ana Beatriz , Neogi Tuhina , da Rocha Castelar‐Pinheiro Geraldo , Kapetanovic Meliha C. , Turkiewicz Aleksandra
Published: June 2019

Objective

To examine cause‐specific mortality beyond cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients with gout compared to the general population.

Methods

We included all residents of Skåne (Sweden) age ≥18 years in the year 2002. Using the Skåne Healthcare Register, we identified subjects with a new diagnosis of gout (2003–2013) and matched each person with gout with 10 comparators free of gout, by age and sex. We used information on the underlying cause of death from the Swedish Cause of Death Register (through December 31, 2014) to estimate hazard ratios (HRs, with 95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]) of mortality for specific causes of death in a multi‐state Cox model, with adjustment for potential confounders.

Results

Among 832,258 persons, 19,497 had a new diagnosis of gout (32% women) and were matched with 194,947 comparators. Subjects with gout had higher prevalence of chronic kidney disease, metabolic disease, and CVD. Gout was associated with 17% increased hazard of all‐cause mortality overall (HR 1.17 [95% CI 1.14–1.21]), 23% in women (HR 1.23 [95% CI 1.17–1.30]), and 15% in men (HR 1.15 [95% CI 1.10–1.19]). In terms of cause‐specific mortality, the strongest associations were seen in the relationship of gout to the risk of death due to renal disease (HR 1.78 [95% CI 1.34–2.35]), diseases of the digestive system (HR 1.56 [95% 1.34–1.83]), CVD (HR 1.27 [95% CI 1.22–1.33]), infections (HR 1.20 [95% CI 1.06–1.35]), and dementia (HR 0.83 [95% CI 0.72–0.97]).

Conclusion

Several non‐CV causes of mortality are increased in persons with gout, emphasizing the need for improved management of comorbidities.
Tesafilm auf der Zunge? Mechanochemie beim Beutefang des Froschs
Authors: Harrer Roswitha
Published: June 2019

Forscher aus den Vereinigten Staaten, Deutschland und Dänemark haben die Klebewirkung der Zungenoberfläche von Fröschen beim Insektenfang untersucht (Abbildung 1). Sie identifizierten im Froschspeichel auf der Zungenspitze fibrillenartige Strukturen aus Mucinen, den Hauptkomponenten im Schleim. Die Mucinfibrillen könnten die Haftung auf der Zunge verstärken, sagen die Forscher – ähnlich wie die steifen Fibrillenstrukturen bei Tesafilm, die sich beim Abziehen von einer Oberfläche bilden.
Manche mögen's heiß!
Authors: Tetsch Larissa
Published: June 2019

Manche Pflanzen nutzen Feuer zur Verbreitung ihrer Samen. Dazu gehören die australischen Banksien, deren hölzerne Samenstände sich erst bei einem Buschbrand öffnen. Risse und Spalten, die sich mit der Zeit bilden, werden durch Wachse versiegelt, die an heißen Sommertagen schmelzen. Auf diese Weise können die reifen Samen über Jahre sicher aufbewahrt werden – bis zum nächsten Feuer.
150 Millionen Substanzen
Authors: Hübner Karl
Published: June 2019

Am 9. Mai war es so weit: Das Substanzregister des Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS), CAS RegistrySM, erhielt seinen 150millionsten Eintrag: 2‐[[3,3‐Difluoro‐1‐[(2R)‐2‐hydroxy‐1‐oxopropyl]‐4‐piperidinyl]oxy]‐5‐[2‐[[5‐[(2R)‐2,4‐dimethyl‐1‐piperazinyl]‐ 6‐methoxy‐2‐pyridinyl]amino]‐4‐pyrimidinyl]benzonitril heißt die Substanz und ist fortan, vielleicht etwas griffiger, auch mit der CAS‐Nummer 2306877‐20‐1 eindeutig beschrieben.
Estimating rainfall using machine learning strategies based on weather radar data
Authors: T. Aditya Sai Srinivas , Somula Ramasubbareddy , K. Govinda , Saxena Akriti , A. Pramod Reddy
Published: June 2019

The precision of forecasting rainfall is vital owing to current world climate change. As deterministic weather forecasting models are usually time consuming, it becomes challenging to efficiently use this large volume of data in hand. Machine learning methods are already proven to be good replacement for traditional deterministic approaches in weather prediction. This paper presents an approach using recurrent neural networks (RNN) and long short term memory (LSTM) techniques to improve the rainfall forecast performance. This will be compared with the random forest classifier and XGBoost as well. The goal is to predict a set of hourly rainfall levels from sequences of weather radar measurements. Python libraries are utilized to forecast the time series data. The training set comprises of data from first 20 days of every month and the inference set data from the continuing days. This makes sure that both train and inference sets are more or less independent. The idea resides in implementing an end‐to‐end learning framework.
Jamming detection approach based on fuzzy assisted multicriteria decision‐making system for wireless sensor networks
Authors: K.P. Vijayakumar , P. Ganeshkumar
Published: June 2019

The jamming detection approach based on fuzzy assisted multicriteria decision‐making system (JDA) is proposed to detect the presence of jamming in downstream communication for Cluster based Wireless Sensor Network (CWSN). The proposed approach is deployed in cluster head (CH). The JDA functions in two aspects: First, the CH periodically measures the jamming detection metrics namely Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) and Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) of every node in the cluster to determine the behavior of the sensor nodes. In order to determine the behavior of members in the cluster, the CH compares the measured PDR with the PDR threshold. If the measured PDR is lesser than the PDR threshold, then CH applies the TOPSIS method on the PDR and RSSI metrics to determine the presence of jamming. These metrics are considered as the criteria and the nodes or the members are considered to be the alternatives. Next, the fuzzy logic is applied on the results obtained from the TOPSIS method to optimize the jamming detection metrics and identify the presence of jamming accurately. The proposed jamming detection approach detects well and arrives at 99.6% jamming detection rate as shown in simulation.
Filling in the gaps in survival analysis: using field data to infer plant responses to environmental stressors
Authors: Tomasek Bradley J. , Burghardt Liana T. , Shriver Robert K.
Published: June 2019

Elucidating how organismal survival depends on the environment is a core component of ecological and evolutionary research. To reconcile high‐frequency covariates with lower‐frequency demographic censuses, many statistical tools involve aggregating environmental conditions over long periods, potentially obscuring the importance of fluctuating conditions in driving mortality. Here, we introduce a flexible model designed to infer how survival probabilities depend on changing environmental covariates. Specifically, the model (1) quantifies effects of environmental covariates at a higher frequency than the census intervals, and (2) allows partitioning of environmental drivers of individual survival into acute (short‐term) and chronic (accumulated) effects. By applying our method to a long‐term observational data set of eight annual plant species, we show we can accurately infer daily survival probabilities as temperature and moisture levels change. Next, we show that a species’ water use efficiency, known to mediate annual plant population dynamics, is positively correlated with the importance of “chronic stress” inferred by the model. This suggests that model parameters can reflect underlying physiological mechanisms. This method is also applicable to other binary responses (hatching, phenology) or systems (insects, nestlings). Once known, environmental sensitivities can be used for ecological forecasting even when the frequency or variability of environments are changing.
Cs3Na(H2C3N3O3)4·3H2O: A Mixed Alkali‐Metal Hydroisocyanurate Nonlinear Optical Material Containing π‐Conjugated Six‐Membered‐Ring Units
Authors: Meng Xianghe , Liang Fei , Tang Jian , Kang Kaijin , Huang Qian , Yin Wenlong , Lin Zheshuai , Xia Mingjun
Published: June 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue are members of the groups of Dr. Mingjun Xia, Xianghe Meng, Fei Liang, and Prof. Zheshuai Lin from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, as well as the group of Dr. Wenlong Yin from the Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics, Mianyang, and Qian Huang from the Institute of Engineering Thermophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. The cover picture shows the synthesis of a new layered hydroisocyanurate salt –Cs3Na(H2C3N3O3)4·3H2O– with second‐harmonic generation response.
Evaluating the rancidity and quality of discarded oils in fast food restaurants
Authors: Esfarjani Fatemeh , Khoshtinat Khadijeh , Zargaraan Aziz , Mohammadi‐Nasrabadi Fatemeh , Salmani Yeganeh , Saghafi Zahra , Hosseini Hedayat , Bahmaei Manochehr
Published: June 2019

This cross‐sectional study attempts to determine the rancidity and quality of discarded oils in fast food restaurants. Samples of the discarded frying oils were collected randomly from 50 fast food restaurants in Tehran, Iran. Their physicochemical properties were assessed and compared to the standard values. The means (±SD) of the physicochemical indicators of the rancidity in the discarded oils were as follows: peroxide value, 3.06 (0.51) (mEq/kg); free fatty acids content, 1.52 (2.26) (%); p‐anisidine value, 57.63 (4.02) (mEq/kg); total oxidation value, 64.53 (4.15); total polar compounds (TPC), 20.19 (1.02) (%); viscosity, 107.87 (2.35) (cp); and red color, 9.64 (0.84). Positive correlations were found between the TPC, viscosity, and red color (p ≤ 0.01) of the oil samples. The majority of discarded oil from fast food restaurants were overdegraded containing hazardous secondary oxidative products, and also, the consumption of nonstandard frying oil has increased in fast food restaurants. Policymakers should develop guidelines to determine whether and when frying oils should be discarded and consider the consumption of overdegraded oils as a public health hazard.
Quantitative phase imaging of cells in a flow cytometry arrangement utilizing Michelson interferometer‐based off‐axis digital holographic microscopy
Authors: Min Junwei , Yao Baoli , Trendafilova Veselina , Ketelhut Steffi , Kastl Lena , Greve Burkhard , Kemper Björn
Published: June 2019

We combined Michelson‐interferometer‐based off‐axis digital holographic microscopy (DHM) with a common flow cytometry (FCM) arrangement. Utilizing object recognition procedures and holographic autofocusing during the numerical reconstruction of the acquired off‐axis holograms, sharply focused quantitative phase images of suspended cells in flow were retrieved without labeling, from which biophysical cellular features of distinct cells, such as cell radius, refractive index and dry mass, can be subsequently retrieved in an automated manner. The performance of the proposed concept was first characterized by investigations on microspheres that were utilized as test standards. Then, we analyzed two types of pancreatic tumor cells with different morphology to further verify the applicability of the proposed method for quantitative live cell imaging. The retrieved biophysical datasets from cells in flow are found in good agreement with results from comparative investigations with previously developed DHM methods under static conditions, which demonstrates the effectiveness and reliability of our approach. Our results contribute to the establishment of DHM in imaging FCM and prospect to broaden the application spectrum of FCM by providing complementary quantitative imaging as well as additional biophysical cell parameters which are not accessible in current high‐throughput FCM measurements.
Mendelian Randomization Analysis Reveals a Causal Influence of Circulating Sclerostin Levels on Bone Mineral Density and Fractures
Authors: Zheng Jie , Maerz Winfried , Gergei Ingrid , Kleber Marcus , Drechsler Christiane , Wanner Christoph , Brandenburg Vincent , Reppe Sjur , Gautvik Kaare M , Medina-Gomez Carolina , Shevroja Enisa , Gilly Arthur , Park Young-Chan , Dedoussis George , Zeggini Eleftheria , Lorentzon Mattias , Henning Petra , Lerner Ulf H , Nilsson Karin H , Movérare-Skrtic Sofia , Baird Denis , Elsworth Benjamin , Falk Louise , Groom Alix , Capellini Terence D , Grundberg Elin , Nethander Maria , Ohlsson Claes , Davey Smith George , Tobias Jonathan H
Published: June 2019

In bone, sclerostin is mainly osteocyte-derived and plays an important local role in adaptive responses to mechanical loading. Whether circulating levels of sclerostin also play a functional role is currently unclear, which we aimed to examine by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). A genetic instrument for circulating sclerostin, derived from a genomewide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis of serum sclerostin in 10,584 European-descent individuals, was examined in relation to femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD; n = 32,744) in GEFOS and estimated bone mineral density (eBMD) by heel ultrasound (n = 426,824) and fracture risk (n = 426,795) in UK Biobank. Our GWAS identified two novel serum sclerostin loci, B4GALNT3 (standard deviation [SD]) change in sclerostin per A allele (β = 0.20, p = 4.6 × 10−49) and GALNT1 (β  = 0.11 per G allele, p = 4.4 × 10−11). B4GALNT3 is an N-acetyl-galactosaminyltransferase, adding a terminal LacdiNAc disaccharide to target glycocoproteins, found to be predominantly expressed in kidney, whereas GALNT1 is an enzyme causing mucin-type O-linked glycosylation. Using these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as genetic instruments, MR revealed an inverse causal relationship between serum sclerostin and femoral neck BMD (β = –0.12, 95% confidence interval [CI] –0.20 to –0.05) and eBMD (β = –0.12, 95% CI –0.14 to –0.10), and a positive relationship with fracture risk (β = 0.11, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.21). Colocalization analysis demonstrated common genetic signals within the B4GALNT3 locus for higher sclerostin, lower eBMD, and greater B4GALNT3 expression in arterial tissue (probability >99%). Our findings suggest that higher sclerostin levels are causally related to lower BMD and greater fracture risk. Hence, strategies for reducing circulating sclerostin, for example by targeting glycosylation enzymes as suggested by our GWAS results, may prove valuable in treating osteoporosis. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatase 14 promotes proliferation and migration through regulating phosphorylation of YAP of Hippo signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Han Xu , Sun Tong , Hong Jia , Wei Rongrong , Dong Yingzi , Huang Di , Chen Jie , Ren Xiyun , Zhou Haibo , Tian Wenjing , Jia Yunhe
Published: June 2019

Background

The Hippo signaling pathway is associated with cell proliferation and organ size, and its transcriptional coactivator Yes‐associated protein (YAP), emerges as a crucial oncoprotein in multiple cancers. It was increasingly recognized that nonreceptor tyrosine phosphatase 14 (PTPN14) was relevant to the cell membrane and cytoskeleton, and had a critical effect on cell adhesion, growth, and actin cytoskeleton organization. Furthermore, PTPN14 was also certified to operate the translocation and phosphorylation of YAP. The present experiment was aimed to explore the impact of PTPN14 on gastric cancer (GC) cell proliferation and migration through regulating the phosphorylation of YAP.

Methods

The pEGFP‐N1‐PTPN14 recombinant plasmid was stably transfected into three differentiation degrees GC cell lines, including MKN‐28, SGC‐7901, and BGC‐823. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assay were performed to analyze the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels. The proliferative and migratory capacity of cells was appraised by Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay and transwell chamber.

Results

Compared with the normal control and vector transfection group, the capacity of these three cell lines, which transfected with the pEGFP‐N1‐PTPN14 to proliferate and migrate in vitro was increased obviously (P < .05). There was no YAP mRNA detected in MKN‐28 cell line. Meanwhile, after transfecting the pEGFP‐N1‐PTPN14 plasmid, the mRNA level of YAP in SGC‐7901 was reduced (P < .05), and it was increased in BGC‐823 (P < .05). The YAP protein level in SGC‐7901 and BGC‐823 has no apparent transformation by transfecting, but the protein level of phospho‐Ser127 YAP and phospho‐Ser397 YAP is upregulated (P < .05).

Conclusion

PTPN14 could enhance the proliferative and migratory ability of GC cells by promoting the YAP phosphorylation in the Hippo signaling pathway. Taken together, PTPN14 might be involved in the occurrence and development of GC and become a molecular regulator to treat GC.
The effect of extracellular matrix on the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells
Authors: Ozdil Berrin , Güler Günnur , Acikgoz Eda , Kocaturk Duygu Calik , Aktug Huseyin
Published: June 2019

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are promising research materials to investigate cell fate determination since they have the capability to differentiate. Stem cell differentiation has been extensively studied with various microenvironment mimicking structures to modify cellular dynamics associated with the cell‐extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions and cell‐cell communications. In the current study, our aim was to determine the effect of microenvironmental proteins with different concentrations on the capacity and differentiation capability of mouse ESCs (mESCs), combining the biochemical assays, imaging techniques, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and unsupervised multivariate analysis. Based on our data, coating the surface of mESCs with Matrigel, used as an acellular matrix substrate, resulted in morphological and biochemical changes. mESCs exhibited alterations in their phenotype after growing on the Matrigel‐coated surfaces, including their differentiation capacity, cell cycle phase pattern, membrane fluidity, and metabolic activities. In conclusion, mESCs can be stimulated physiologically, chemically, or mechanically to convert them a new phenotype. Thus, identification of ESCs’ behavior in the acellular microenvironment could be vital to elucidate the mechanism of diseases. It might also be promising to control the cell fate in the field of tissue engineering.
Melatonin attenuates inflammation‐related venous endothelial cells apoptosis through modulating the MST1–MIEF1 pathway
Authors: Lu Kai , Liu Xiaoping , Guo Wei
Published: June 2019

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is a prevalent and potentially debilitating condition that affects millions of individuals. An excessive endothelial inflammatory response is reportedly involved in the development of CVD. In this study, we explored the effect and mechanism of melatonin on venous endothelial damage induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α). Our data demonstrated that inflammation injury triggered mitochondrial dysfunction, activated reactive oxygen species‐related oxidative damage, inhibited mitochondrial potential and ultimately initiated caspase‐involved cellular death. Interestingly, melatonin preserved inflammation‐attacked mitochondrial performance and thus increased cell survival under TNF‐α. Cellular experiments illustrated that inflammation injury promoted the levels of mammalian sterile 20‐like kinase 1 (MST1) and mitochondrial elongation factor 1 (MIEF1); active MST1–MIEF1 pathway disturbed mitochondria‐related energy production, leading to mitochondria‐induced cell damage. Interestingly, melatonin effectively suppressed MST1–MIEF1 axis and thus improved cell survival ratio under TNF‐α‐mediated inflammation injury. Reactivation of MST1–MIEF1 pathway attenuated melatonin‐related endothelial protective actions. Herein, our results illuminate that melatonin is an effective approach to attenuate inflammation‐related venous endothelial cell damage through handling the MST1–MIEF1 signaling pathway.
Pseudogene DUXAP10 can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in human cancers
Authors: Yue Chaosen , Ren Yaoyao , Ge Hua , Yan Lijun , Xu Yingchen , Wang Guyan , Wu Jixiang
Published: June 2019

The pseudogene DUXAP10 is overexpressed in numerous types of human cancers. However, the diagnostic and prognostic value of DUXAP10 in cancers has yet to be characterized. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and Gene Expression Omnibus databases were comprehensively searched in this study. A total of 50 studies comprising 11,292 patients were collected in this integrated analysis. DUXAP10 was confirmed to be significantly overexpressed in various human cancers (p < .05). Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve analysis was implemented, which indicated that DUXAP10 was a potential diagnostic biomarker for human cancers (area under the curve [AUC] of SROC curve = 0.81 [0.77–0.84]; pooled sensitivity = 0.69 [0.62–0.75]; pooled specificity = 0.81 [0.73–0.87]). In addition, hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained to evaluate the association of DUXAP10 expression with overall survival (OS) time of cancer patients. Outcomes of meta‐analysis suggested that upregulation of DUXAP10 was closely associated with poor OS (pooled HR = 1.11 [1.03–1.18]). Our study revealed that the pseudogene DUXAP10 was upregulated in multiple types of cancers and could be a potential biomarker with good diagnostic and prognostic value for human cancers.
Lagrangian carotid strain imaging indices normalized to blood pressure for vulnerable plaque
Authors: Varghese Tomy , Meshram Nirvedh H. , Mitchell Carol C. , Wilbrand Stephanie M. , Hermann Bruce P. , Dempsey Robert J.
Published: June 2019

Objective

Ultrasound Lagrangian carotid strain imaging (LCSI) utilizes physiological deformation caused by arterial pressure variations to generate strain tensor maps of the vessel walls and plaques. LCSI has been criticized for the lack of normalization of magnitude‐based strain indices to physiological stimuli, namely blood pressure. We evaluated the impact of normalization of magnitude‐based strain indices to blood pressure measured immediately after the acquisition of radiofrequency (RF) data loops for LCSI.

Materials and Methods

A complete clinical ultrasound examination along with RF data loops for LCSI was performed on 50 patients (30 males and 20 females) who presented with >60% carotid stenosis and were scheduled for carotid endarterectomy. Cognition was assessed using the 60‐minute neuropsychological test protocol.

Results

For axial strains correlation of maximum accumulated strain indices (MASI), cognition scores were −0.46 for non‐normalized and −0.45, −0.49, −0.37, and −0.48 for systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure, and mean arterial pressure normalized data, respectively. The corresponding area under the curve (AUC) values for classifiers designed using maximum likelihood estimation of a binormal distribution with a median‐split of the executive function cognition scores were 0.73, 0.70, 0.71, 0.70, and 0.71, respectively.

Conclusions

No significant differences in the AUC estimates were obtained between normalized and non‐normalized magnitude‐based strain indices.
Which “culture”? A critical analysis of intercultural communication in engineering education
Authors: Handford Michael , Van Maele Jan , Matous Petr , Maemura Yu
Published: June 2019

Background

It is increasingly acknowledged that technical expertise is not sufficient for engineers today, given the complex intercultural global contexts in which they are required to work. This article, therefore, examines how the concept of culture is typically operationalized in engineering education and discusses possible reasons for this approach.

Purpose/Hypothesis

The specific research question explored here is “How is culture conceptualized in engineering education?”

Design/Method

To examine this previously unasked question, a mixed‐methods methodology was developed, one that uses both quantitative and qualitative tools. More specifically, a corpus‐assisted discourse analysis of relevant engineering education articles published in leading academic journals between 2000 and 2015 was combined with a close reading of each and a critical discussion of two representative articles.

Results

Our findings reveal that, first, intercultural communication has not received the attention it deserves, given the multidisciplinary, diverse, global nature of the engineering profession. Furthermore, when intercultural concerns are discussed, the predominant approach is essentialist, meaning that culture is regarded as given (rather than constructed), framed in terms of differences between nations and potentially offering a causal explanation for individual behavior. This approach has been criticized for reinforcing stereotypical thinking and offering simplistic answers to complex problems.

Conclusions

We conclude by exploring reasons for the relatively wide‐spread acceptance of the “culture‐as‐given” approach in engineering education, then by urging educators to adopt a “small culture” approach for constructing culture in engineering, and finally by suggesting alternative ways for developing intercultural communicative competence.
Engineering representations guide student problem‐solving in statics
Authors: Johnson‐Glauch Nicole , Herman Geoffrey L.
Published: June 2019

Background

Engineering students inconsistently apply equilibrium when solving problems in statics, but few studies have explored why. Visual cognition studies suggest that features of the visual representations we use to teach students influence what domain knowledge they use to solve problems. However, few studies have explored how visual representations influence what problem‐solving strategies and domain knowledge students of different levels of expertise use when solving problems that require them to create and coordinate multiple representations.

Purpose/Hypothesis

This study addressed the following research question: How do students with different levels of expertise coordinate their problem‐solving strategies, problem‐solving heuristics, and representation features when sketching their shear force and bending moment diagrams?

Design/Method

We conducted think‐aloud interviews while students sketched shear force and bending moment diagrams. These interviews were subsequently analyzed using the constant comparative method to examine the effect of representations on students' problem‐solving approaches.

Results

Three themes emerged from the data: Students used heuristics that are based on perceptually salient features to sketch their shear force and bending moment diagrams; students across levels of expertise rely on the object translation heuristic rather than equilibrium problem‐solving schema to sketch and reason through their shear force and bending moment diagrams, and domain knowledge aids students' ability to resolve conflicting heuristics. Our findings suggest that students primarily rely on heuristics triggered by representation features they notice.

Conclusions

Students engaged with shear force and bending moment diagrams not as a way to describe systems that are not accelerating but as a series of representations that “should go to zero” or arrows that make things “not zero.”
Molecular Docking Study of Newly Synthesized Thiopyrimidines as Antimicrobial Agents Targeting DNA Gyrase Enzyme
Authors: El‐serwy Walaa S. , Mohamed Hanaa S. , El‐serwy Weam S. , Mohamed Neama A. , Kassem Emad M. M. , Nossier Eman S. , Shalaby Al Shimaa G.
Published: June 2019

A new series of thiopyrimidine‐5‐carbonitrile derivatives were synthesized and the chemical identity of them was established on the basis of spectral methods. The antimicrobial properties of all derivatives were investigated against Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria as well as fungal strains. The results of the antimicrobial screening showed that compounds 4, 11, and 12 have a higher and broad spectrum efficacy against all the tested organisms in comparison with the reference drugs. Interestingly, the most active compounds 4 and 12 showed good binding assay results with Escherichia coli DNA gyrase comparable to that of the reference, methotrexate. Furthermore, a molecular docking study of these compounds was carried out to investigate their binding pattern with the target, DNA gyrase.
The evolution of femoral cross‐sectional properties in sciuromorph rodents: Influence of body mass and locomotor ecology
Authors: Scheidt Adrian , Wölfer Jan , Nyakatura John A.
Published: June 2019

In several groups of mammals, adaptation to differing functional demands is reflected in long bone cross‐sectional properties (CSP), which relate to the resistance to compression and to bending loads in the craniocaudal and mediolateral directions. Members of the Sciuromorpha (“squirrel‐like” rodents) display a diversity of locomotor ecologies and span three orders of magnitude in terms of body size. The availability of robust phylogenies is rendering them a suitable group to further substantiate the relationship of long bone CSP with locomotor ecology and body mass while taking the phylogenetic non‐independence among species into account. Here, we studied 69 species of Sciuromorpha belonging to three lifestyle categories, “arboreal,” “fossorial,” and “aerial” (i.e., gliding). We hypothesized locomotor category specific loading regimes that act on femora during predominant or, in terms of gliding, critical locomotor behaviors of each category. High resolution computed tomography scans of the specimens' femora were obtained and cross‐sections in 5% increments were analyzed. Cross‐sectional area, the craniocaudal second moment of area (SMAcc), and the mediolateral second moment of area were quantified. Further, a scaling analysis was conducted for each bone cross‐section to examine how the CSP scale with body mass. Body mass accounted for variances in CSP with mainly positive allometry. The aerial sciuromorphs showed lower values of CSP compared to the arboreal and fossorial species in the distal epiphysis for all quantified parameters and along the bone for SMAcc. In contrast to previous studies on other mammalian lineages, no differences in CSP were found between the fossorial and the arboreal lifestyles.
Pedicled descending branch latissimus dorsi mini‐flap in repairing partial mastectomy defect: Shoulder functional and esthetic outcomes
Authors: Zhou Lihuan , Wang Yan , Cai Ruizhao , Huang Junhao , Li Xing , Xie Zeming , Wang Jin , Sun Ya , Chang Edward I. , Tang Jun
Published: June 2019

Background

The axillary‐approach pedicled descending branch latissimus dorsi (LD) mini‐flap presents clear benefits in repairing partial mastectomy defects. This study assessed the functional and esthetic outcomes of this flap compared with conventional breast‐conserving surgery (BCS).

Methods

From October of 2015 to March of 2017, patients with early breast cancer were enrolled and assigned to the LD group or conventional BCS (CCS) group according to the need of using the pedicled descending branch LD mini‐flap for volume replacement. Muscle strength and range of motion (ROMs) of bilateral shoulders, a disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire, and an esthetic evaluation were conducted in all patients at 1 year after surgery.

Results

Thirty‐two patients were assigned in the LD group, and 28 in the CCS group. There was no significant difference in muscle strength, ROMs of the shoulder or DASH scores between LD and CCS groups. The results of esthetic survey also revealed a similarly high level of esthetics in both groups. Donor‐site seroma occurred in three patients in the LD group, and no other complication was observed.

Conclusions

The pedicled descending branch LD mini‐flap enabled larger excision with favorable esthetics, minimal functional impairment, low rate of complications, and high level of satisfaction.
Prognosis in patients with synchronous colorectal cancer metastases after complete resection of the primary tumor and the metastases
Authors: Stelzner Sigmar , Radulova‐Mauersberger Olga , Zschuppe Ernst , Kittner Thomas , Abolmaali Nasreddin , Puffer Eric , Zimmer Joerg , Witzigmann Helmut
Published: June 2019

Background

Synchronous metastases are considered a negative prognostic factor in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). We investigated the outcomes of stage IV CRC patients undergoing complete gross resection (R0/1) of both the primary tumor and the metastases under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Methods

All CRC patients with synchronous metastases were retrieved from a prospective database. Patients treated from 2006 to 2017 who underwent complete resection were analyzed. Various factors, including multiple metastatic sites and complex procedures, were investigated. Univariate and multivariate overall survival (OS) calculations were performed.

Results

Of 330 consecutive patients with synchronous metastases, 101 (30.6%) achieved an R0/1 status including 12 (11.9%) patients with multiple metastatic sites. Complex procedures were necessary in 45 (44.6%) patients. Five‐year OS was 53.0% for the R0/1 patient group. Multivariate analysis could not detect factors associated with prognosis.

Conclusions

With modern treatment, the prognosis of patients with synchronous CRC metastases can be improved. Decisions made by a MDT offered one‐third of patients a potentially curative approach to their stage IV disease. Despite the treatment of a high rate of patients with complex metastases necessitating complex procedures, we achieved a favorable 5‐year OS rate.
Simple, efficient, and eco‐friendly sample preparation for simultaneous determination of paracetamol and chloramphenicol in meat
Authors: Jian Ningge , Li Ruixian , Li Jian , Liang Sihui , Xu Qian , Wang Chunmin
Published: June 2019

We have developed and validated a simple, eco‐friendly, and reliable method to simultaneously determine paracetamol and chloramphenicol in meat with ultra performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. The samples were firstly extracted with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid–McIlvaine's buffer and then purified by solid‐phase extraction by using a novel core‐shell polyaniline/polyacrylonitrile nanofibers mat. Compared with existing methods for the two analytes, the proposed method was simplified greatly with much fewer sample preparation steps, consumed much less time (< 2 min per sample) and organic solvent (0.7 mL per sample). Low detection levels (0.15–0.20 µg/kg for paracetamol, 0.01 µg/kg for chloramphenicol) with good precision and recoveries of the target compounds were obtained. The proposed method was applied to determine the residual paracetamol and chloramphenicol in pork, chicken, and beef samples, and the test results were consistent with those using the Chinese national standard methods, which demonstrates the reliability and practicality of the new method.
Surface Processing: An Elegant Way to Enhance the Femtosecond Laser Ablation Rate and Ablation Efficiency on Human Teeth
Authors: Loganathan Sarathkumar , Santhanakrishnan Soundarapandian , Bathe Ravi , Arunachalam Muthukumaraswamy
Published: June 2019

Background and Objectives

The employability of the non‐invasive femtosecond laser ablation technique for dental treatment has been severely limited by its low ablation rate despite the advantage of minimal tissue damage. The study explores a means of improving the femtosecond laser ablation rate and efficiency by physiochemical surface modification.

Materials and Methods

Surface modification of dental hard tissues has been carried out by food graded orthophosphoric acid and Carie care gel pretreatment. The laser ablation characteristics were studied by using a Ti:Sapphire laser (10 kHz, 10 mm/s, 100 fs, 800 nm) to ascertain the influence of pretreatment. Surface morphology and chemical composition were obtained by using an optical profiler, SEM and EDAX.

Results

The ablation threshold fluence decreased by almost one‐third whereas the ablation rate and ablation efficiency nearly tripled upon pretreatment. The microstructural and compositional analysis clearly reveals that surface modification and demineralization reduce the threshold fluence and increase the ablation rate by effective utilization of the laser beam energy. The pretreatment effect is more pronounced in orthophosphoric acid as compared with Carie care gel.

Conclusions

Physiochemical surface modification can be an efficient method to improve the laser ablation rate and ablation efficiency. Compositional analysis can be an elegant tool for pre‐surgery determination of laser ablation characteristics.

Clinical Significances

Pretreatment surface modification can be an effective way to overcome the limitation of the femtosecond laser for tooth preparation in the clinical setting by strongly enhancing the ablation rate. An enhanced ablation rate along with de nova prediction of ablation characteristics will enable the clinician to perform dental surgery in real time with minimal tissue damage. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.