bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Studying psychotherapy change in narrative terms: The innovative moments method
Authors: Batista João , Silva Joana , Magalhães Carina , Ferreira Helena , Fernández‐Navarro Pablo , Gonçalves Miguel M.
Published: February 2020

This paper aims to describe the Innovative Moments (IM) Coding System (IMCS), an idiographic and transtheoretical methodology that allows the identification of IMs—markers of changes in the client's initial maladaptive framework of meaning—throughout psychotherapy. The present study introduces the theoretical background underlying this methodology, along with the main empirical findings resulting from former studies that have applied this tool to clinical data. The IMCS application is also detailed: the coding phases, the training steps and inter‐rater agreement measures. In order to illustrate the application of IM coding, a case study is presented. Although a partial coding was used, the results are in line with previous research. Discussion is centred on the usefulness of the IMCS for the advance of process research in psychotherapy, and the potential use of this methodology in group format.
A criterion for automatic image deconvolution with L0‐norm regularization
Authors: Ahmad Mohamad , Hugelier Siewert , Vitale Raffaele , Eilers Paul , Ruckebusch Cyril
Published: February 2020

Automatic penalty adjustment in sparse deconvolution with penalized least squares is required for improved reliability and broader applicability. In sparse deconvolution with an L0‐norm penalty, the latent signal is by nature discontinuous, and the magnitudes of the residuals and sparsity regularization terms are of different order of magnitude. This makes approaches such as generalized cross validation or L‐curve unsuitable in practice. The criterion proposed in this paper is based on the representation of the sum of the normalized residuals and regularization terms (SNT) as a function of the penalty parameter. We observed that the minimum of the SNT corresponds to the optimal value of the penalty parameter. This approach was tested in the context of super‐resolution fluorescence microscopy imaging. Both simulated and real live‐cell images characterized by different complexities and emitter densities were analyzed to assess the performance of the developed optimization strategy and to demonstrate its usefulness over manual tuning.
Unusual Racemization of Tertiary P‐Chiral Ferrocenyl Phosphines
Authors: Popp John , Hanf Schirin , Hey‐Hawkins Evamarie
Published: February 2020

Tertiary phosphines are generally known to withstand inversion under moderate conditions. In this work, a remarkable racemization process of three P‐chiral ferrocenyl phosphines is reported. Subjected to conventional column chromatography as highly enantioenriched compounds, they greatly experienced racemization when collected at the column outlet within minutes. Initially, attention was drawn to this unusual inversion behavior after observing that the superb enantiomeric excess of these ligands (>95 % ee in all cases) was almost lost in their corresponding ruthenium(II) complexes. Successively excluding possible racemization causes, these P‐chiral ferrocenyl phosphines were found to undergo a significant, acid‐catalyzed racemization process at room temperature within a few minutes. This process is mainly observed during standard column chromatography by using conventional silica or alumina, but can also be triggered deliberately by addition of certain acids. Therefore, the stereochemical preservation of P‐chiral phosphines during their purification may per se not always be guaranteed, since column chromatography is the most frequently used technique for purifying such types of compounds.
Realization of an Asymmetric Non‐Aqueous Redox Flow Battery through Molecular Design to Minimize Active Species Crossover and Decomposition
Authors: Shrestha Anuska , Hendriks Koen H. , Sigman Mathew S. , Minteer Shelley D. , Sanford Melanie S.
Published: February 2020

This communication presents a mechanism‐based approach to identify organic electrolytes for non‐aqueous redox flow batteries (RFBs). Symmetrical flow cell cycling of a pyridinium anolyte and a cyclopropenium catholyte resulted in extensive capacity fade due to competing decomposition of the pyridinium species. Characterization of this decomposition pathway enabled the rational design of next‐generation anolyte/catholyte pairs with dramatically enhanced cycling performance. Three factors were identified as critical for slowing capacity fade: (1) separating the anolyte–catholyte in an asymmetric flow cell using an anion exchange membrane (AEM); (2) moving from monomeric to oligomeric electrolytes to limit crossover through the AEM; and (3) removing the basic carbonyl moiety from the anolyte to slow the protonation‐induced decomposition pathway. Ultimately, these modifications led to a novel anolyte–catholyte pair that can be cycled in an AEM‐separated asymmetric RFB for 96 h with >95 % capacity retention at an open circuit voltage of 1.57 V.
Agronomic and genetic assessment of terminal drought tolerance in two‐row spring barley
Authors: Gordon Tyler , Wang Rui , Bowman Brian , Klassen Natalie , Wheeler Justin , Bonman J. Michael , Bockelman Harold , Chen Jianli
Published: February 2020

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) ranks fourth in global cereal grain production and is an important crop for animal feed, malting, and human consumption. Identification of two‐row barley germplasm with drought tolerance can increase genetic diversity and facilitate future barley breeding efforts. The present study evaluated 480 two‐row spring barley accessions from the USDA National Small Grains Collection across two years of irrigated and terminal drought trials for grain yield, test weight, protein content, thousand‐kernel weight, and kernel size. Twenty accessions were identified that showed stable high yield, high test weights, and low protein content across trials. An additional 10 accessions were identified with stable high yield, high test weights, and high protein across trials. Genome‐wide association mapping with 6,366 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers revealed 15 drought‐stable genetic loci significantly (false discovery rate‐adjusted P < .05) associated with at least one agronomic trait across and within treatments. One locus, on chromosome 2H between 27.2 and 29.8 Mbp, was significantly associated with heading date, plant height, and kernel size across treatments in this study, and the PPD‐H1 mutation in a previous study. Genetic loci on chromosomes 2H and 3H were significantly associated with increased test weight, and loci on chromosomes 3H and 5H were significantly associated with decreased grain protein content across treatments. Accessions and SNP markers significantly associated with agronomic trait stability across terminal drought and irrigated environments can assist with the development of drought‐tolerant barley germplasm.
Integrating genetic gain and gap analysis to predict improvements in crop productivity
Authors: Cooper Mark , Tang Tom , Gho Carla , Hart Tim , Hammer Graeme , Messina Carlos
Published: February 2020

A Crop Growth Model (CGM) is used to demonstrate a biophysical framework for predicting grain yield outcomes for Genotype by Environment by Management (G×E×M) scenarios. This required development of a CGM to encode contributions of genetic and environmental determinants of biophysical processes that influence key resource (radiation, water, nutrients) use and yield‐productivity within the context of the target agricultural system. Prediction of water‐driven yield‐productivity of maize for a wide range of G×E×M scenarios in the U.S. corn‐belt is used as a case study to demonstrate applications of the framework. Three experimental evaluations are conducted to test predictions of G×E×M yield expectations derived from the framework: (1) A maize hybrid genetic gain study, (2) A maize yield potential study, and (3) A maize drought study. Examples of convergence between key G×E×M predictions from the CGM and the results of the empirical studies are demonstrated. Potential applications of the prediction framework for design of integrated crop improvement strategies are discussed. The prediction framework opens new opportunities for rapid design and testing of novel crop improvement strategies based on an integrated understanding of G×E×M interactions. Importantly the CGM ensures that the yield predictions for the G×E×M scenarios are grounded in the biophysical properties and limits of predictability for the crop system. The identification and delivery of novel pathways to improved crop productivity can be accelerated through use of the proposed framework to design crop improvement strategies that integrate genetic gains from breeding and crop management strategies that reduce yield gaps.
Improving caching resource management: A pricing economic approach using Cournot, Bertrand, and Stackelberg game models
Authors: Assila Bouchaib , Kobbane Abdellatif , Ben‐Othman Jalel
Published: February 2020

Over‐The‐Top broadcasts a huge number of medias that mobile network operators have to manage efficiently before to deliver it to their subscribers. We propose an economic pricing approach to address caching resource management issues in the 5G wireless networks and to overcome limitations in terms of throughput, latency, and reliability. Moreover, we consider this approach based on an oligopolistic multi‐market deducted from Cournot, Stackelberg, and Bertrand models. For simulation purpose, we consider the routing protocol (Ad‐hoc On‐Demand Distance Vector [AODV]) commonly used for the wireless network. We use the NS‐2 package, and we analyze results in terms of End‐to‐End delay representing latency, throughput, packet delivery ratio, and normalized network load.
Neural crest and placode roles in formation and patterning of cranial sensory ganglia in lamprey
Authors: Yuan Tian , York Joshua R. , McCauley David W.
Published: February 2020

Vertebrates possess paired cranial sensory ganglia derived from two embryonic cell populations, neural crest and placodes. Cranial sensory ganglia arose prior to the divergence of jawed and jawless vertebrates, but the developmental mechanisms that facilitated their evolution are unknown. Using gene expression and cell lineage tracing experiments in embryos of the sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, we find that in the cranial ganglia we targeted, development consists of placode‐derived neuron clusters in the core of ganglia, with neural crest cells mostly surrounding these neuronal clusters. To dissect functional roles of neural crest and placode cell associations in these developing cranial ganglia, we used CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing experiments to target genes critical for the development of each population. Genetic ablation of SoxE2 and FoxD‐A in neural crest cells resulted in differentiated cranial sensory neurons with abnormal morphologies, whereas deletion of DlxB in cranial placodes resulted in near‐total loss of cranial sensory neurons. Taken together, our cell‐lineage, gene expression, and gene editing results suggest that cranial neural crest cells may not be required for cranial ganglia specification but are essential for shaping the morphology of these sensory structures. We propose that the association of neural crest and placodes in the head of early vertebrates was a key step in the organization of neurons and glia into paired sensory ganglia.
In the presence of population structure: From genomics to candidate genes underlying local adaptation
Authors: Price Nicholas , Lopez Lua , Platts Adrian E. , Lasky Jesse R.
Published: February 2020

Understanding the genomic signatures, genes, and traits underlying local adaptation of organisms to heterogeneous environments is of central importance to the field evolutionary biology. To identify loci underlying local adaptation, models that combine allelic and environmental variation while controlling for the effects of population structure have emerged as the method of choice. Despite being evaluated in simulation studies, there has not been a thorough investigation of empirical evidence supporting local adaptation across these alleles. To evaluate these methods, we use 875 Arabidopsis thaliana Eurasian accessions and two mixed models (GEMMA and LFMM) to identify candidate SNPs underlying local adaptation to climate. Subsequently, to assess evidence of local adaptation and function among significant SNPs, we examine allele frequency differentiation and recent selection across Eurasian populations, in addition to their distribution along quantitative trait loci (QTL) explaining fitness variation between Italy and Sweden populations and cis‐regulatory/nonsynonymous sites showing significant selective constraint. Our results indicate that significant LFMM/GEMMA SNPs show low allele frequency differentiation and linkage disequilibrium across locally adapted Italy and Sweden populations, in addition to a poor association with fitness QTL peaks (highest logarithm of odds score). Furthermore, when examining derived allele frequencies across the Eurasian range, we find that these SNPs are enriched in low‐frequency variants that show very large climatic differentiation but low levels of linkage disequilibrium. These results suggest that their enrichment along putative functional sites most likely represents deleterious variation that is independent of local adaptation. Among all the genomic signatures examined, only SNPs showing high absolute allele frequency differentiation (AFD) and linkage disequilibrium (LD) between Italy and Sweden populations showed a strong association with fitness QTL peaks and were enriched along selectively constrained cis‐regulatory/nonsynonymous sites. Using these SNPs, we find strong evidence linking flowering time, freezing tolerance, and the abscisic‐acid pathway to local adaptation.
First Total Synthesis of Neostrictinin
Authors: Ikeuchi Kazutada , Ueji Tatsuya , Matsumoto Shintaro , Wakamori Shinnosuke , Yamada Hidetoshi
Published: February 2020

Herein, we describe the first total synthesis of neostrictinin, a natural ellagitannin bearing a (R)‐hexahydroxydiphenoyl (HHDP) bridge between the 4‐ and 6‐oxygens of d‐glucose. Among the multitude of 4,6‐O‐HHDP bridged ellagitannins, (R)‐axial chirality of the HHDP bridge is quite rare as it is less stable than the corresponding (S)‐isomer. The labile bridge was constructed using a two‐step bislactonization that involved: (1) monoacylation of the primary alcohol of ethyl 2,3‐O‐benzyl‐1‐thio‐β‐d‐glucopyranoside using protected (R)‐hexahydroxydiphenic anhydride and (2) intramolecular lactonization of the obtained seco acid by treatment with a Mukaiyama condensation reagent (2‐chloro‐N‐methylpyridinium iodide) and 2,6‐lutidine. Structural confirmation of the synthesized neostrictinin and the preparation of its epimer are also reported.
A model‐order reduction framework for hybrid simulation based on component‐mode synthesis
Authors: Miraglia Gaetano , Petrovic Milos , Abbiati Giuseppe , Mojsilovic Nebojsa , Stojadinovic Bozidar
Published: February 2020

Testing of stiff physical substructures (PSs) still poses major technical issues that prevent from adopting hybrid simulation (HS) as a standard structural testing method. Firstly, elastic deformation of reaction frames, as well as the limited resolution of displacement transducers, deteriorate displacement control accuracy. Secondly, as a consequence of control errors, small perturbations of actuator displacements entail large restoring force oscillations that spuriously excite the higher eigenmodes of the hybrid model. For this reason, in the current practice, force‐controlled hydraulic jacks handle vertical degrees of freedom, which are typically associated with stiff axially loaded members and excluded from the time integration loop. Vertical forces are either kept constant or adjusted during the experiment based on simplified redistribution rules. Besides deterioration of displacement control accuracy, stiff PSs naturally increase the frequency bandwidth of the hybrid model, whose higher eigenfrequencies (divided by the testing time scale) may fall outside the frequency bandwidth of the actuation system, thus destabilizing the HS. This is a collateral issue to which, in the authors' knowledge, no sufficient attention as been dedicated yet, and this paper tries to address it. From this standpoint, we propose component‐mode synthesis as a rigorous approach for deriving reduced‐order physical and numerical substructure mass and stiffness matrices that minimize the frequency bandwidth of the hybrid model. The proposed methodology allowed for performing HSs of a load‐bearing unreinforced masonry structure including both horizontal and vertical degrees of freedom with a standard three‐actuator setup used for cyclic testing.
Genome‐wide interaction study of single‐nucleotide polymorphisms and alcohol consumption on blood pressure: The Ansan and Ansung study of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES)
Authors: Kim Youngjun , Kim Jihye , Lim Ji Eun , Oh Bermseok , Won Sungho , Kim Mi Kyung
Published: February 2020

Hypertension is a common disease worldwide. Alcohol consumption is one of the risk factors for hypertension, however, it is unclear how alcohol consumption elevates blood pressure. Blood pressure could be affected by interactions between genetic variations and alcohol consumption. Thus, we performed a genome‐wide interaction study (GWIS) to assess the effect of gene‐alcohol consumption interaction on blood pressure among adults aged ≥40 years from the Ansan and Ansung cohort study (n = 6,176), a part of the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study (KoGES). As a result, rs1297184, single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in locus LGR5 was significant (PGWIS = 8.78 × 10−9) in GWIS analysis on diastolic blood pressure, but not on systolic blood pressure. However, there was a heteroscedasticity of alcohol consumption. In the GWIS analysis, applying the inverse‐variance weighting to correct the systematic inflation slightly attenuated the strength of interaction (PGWIS_IVW = 7.14 × 10−8). This interaction was replicated in the Health Examinees cohort (p = .026), a large‐scale community‐based cohort (n = 18,708). In conclusion, we identified a possible novel interaction between an SNP (rs1297184) and alcohol consumption on blood pressure.
Effect of brine salinity on the geological sequestration of CO2 in a deep saline carbonate formation
Authors: Kumar Ram , Campbell Scott , Sonnenthal Eric , Cunningham Jeffrey
Published: February 2020

When supercritical CO2 is injected into a deep saline aquifer, the salinity of the brine can influence both the solubility of the injected CO2 in the brine and the subsequent aqueous geochemical reactions that occur. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of brine salinity on CO2 storage in deep saline carbonate formations. Specifically, the study aims to quantitatively assess the effect of brine salinity on (a) the amount of CO2 that can be sequestered in the aqueous phase, (b) the storage efficiency of the repository, (c) the change in pH of the residual brine after dissolution of CO2, and (d) changes in the mineralogy and porosity of the rock matrix that result from mineral dissolution and precipitation reactions induced by CO2 injection. Injection of CO2 into a model layered carbonate formation was simulated using the reactive‐transport code TOUGHREACT 3.3. The simulations consisted of 50 years of injection into a partially completed injection well, followed by 50 years of equilibration (no injection). Salinity of the brine was varied between 1% and 15% to determine the effects of salinity. Because the solubility of CO2 decreases as the salinity of the brine increases, an increase in brine salinity from 1% to 15% resulted in a 19% decrease in storage efficiency and a 25% decrease in the mass of CO2 dissolved in the aqueous phase. However, despite the strong effect of brine salinity on CO2 dissolution, there was almost no effect of salinity on the pH change in the residual brine: the chemical activity coefficient of the dissolved CO2 increases with brine salinity, counteracting the effects of decreased solubility. Consequently, brine salinity had little effect on mineral dissolution or precipitation, or on changes in formation porosity. The study therefore helps to choose sequestration sites depending upon the salinity of the brine: lower salinity results in more solubility trapping and better storage efficiency without noticeable differences in pH drop or mineral dissolution. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low‐income, low‐asset debtors in the U.S. bankruptcy system
Authors: Littwin Angela
Published: February 2020

The United States' bankruptcy system faces a major problem: many consumers are too poor to file for bankruptcy, usually because they cannot afford the necessary attorney fees. Some consumers appear to spend months trying to save the funds to pay their attorneys, thus either delaying their bankruptcies or foregoing bankruptcy altogether when they fail to save enough money. Others file for repayment bankruptcy in order to pay attorney fees during the case, when liquidation bankruptcy is usually a better fit for consumers with low incomes and low asset levels. The most recent comprehensive bankruptcy reform, the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA), exacerbated these problems by implementing additional procedural requirements that resulted in attorneys raising their fees. These problems have led to calls for administrative bankruptcy, especially for low‐income, low‐asset (LILA)/no‐income, no‐asset (NINA) debtors. Administrative bankruptcy would make bankruptcy more accessible by lowering access costs, for example, by eliminating the need for consumers to hire attorneys. Administrative programs in the United States, however, have a history of long‐term decline, especially when these programs serve low‐income people. It has become a cliché that poor people's programs become poor programs. A better solution would be to eliminate the procedural requirements imposed by BAPCPA and simplify the decision consumers must make about which type of bankruptcy to use.
Point‐of‐care detection of neutrophils in live skin microsamples using chemiluminescence
Authors: Ibarra‐Silva Esmeralda , Raff Adam B. , Cardenas Antonio , Franco Walfre
Published: February 2020

Many skin diseases are defined by the presence of neutrophils, which are among the first cells to respond to infection and inflammation. Currently, neutrophil identification in the skin is costly and slow. The objectives of the present work are to investigate the feasibility of detecting the presence of neutrophils in live skin microsamples using chemiluminescence and develop a device and procedures that will enable preclinical and clinical investigations. Our approach consists of collecting skin microsamples and exposing them to reagents that activate neutrophils and amplify the light emission produced by chemiluminescence. Experiments using live pig skin with and without inflammation show that it is feasible to detect the presence of neutrophils in the skin. The proposed method is minimally invasive, simple, fast, and does not require user specialization. The developed system is compact in size with a small footprint, which makes it portable and suitable for point‐of‐care diagnostics.
Facile preparation of tissue engineering scaffolds with pore size gradients using the muesli effect and their application to cell spheroid encapsulation
Authors: Forget Aurelien , Rojas Darling , Waibel Michaela , Pencko Daniella , Gunenthiran Satyathiran , Ninan Neethu , Loudovaris Thomas , Drogemuller Chris , Coates Patrick T. , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Blencowe Anton
Published: February 2020

Porous biodegradable scaffolds have many applications in bioengineering, ranging from cell culture and transplantation, to support structures, to induce blood vessel and tissue formation in vivo. While numerous strategies have been developed for the manufacture of porous scaffolds, it remains challenging to control the spatial organization of the pores. In this study, we introduce the use of the granular convection effect, also known as the muesli or brazil nut effect, to rapidly engineer particulate templates with a vertical size gradient. These templates can then be used to prepare scaffolds with pore size gradients. To demonstrate this approach, we prepared templates with particle size gradients, which were then infused with a prepolymer solution consisting of the pentaerythritol ethoxylate (polyol), sebacoyl chloride (acid chloride), and poly(caprolactone). Following curing, the template was dissolved to yield biodegradable polyester‐ether scaffolds with pore size gradients that could be tuned depending on the size range of the particulates used. The application of these scaffolds was demonstrated using pancreatic islets, which were loaded via centrifugation and retained within the scaffold's pores without a decrease in viability. The proposed strategy provides a facile approach to prepare templates with spatially organized pores that could potentially be used for cell transplantation, or guided tissue formation.
Increased Osteoclast and Decreased Osteoblast Activity Causes Reduced Bone Mineral Density and Quality in Genetic Hypercalciuric Stone‐Forming Rats
Authors: Krieger Nancy S , Chen Luojing , Becker Jennifer , DeBoyace Sean , Wang Hongwei , Favus Murray J , Bushinsky David A
Published: February 2020

To study human idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH), we developed an animal model, genetic hypercalciuric stone‐forming (GHS) rats, whose pathophysiology parallels that in IH. All GHS rats form kidney stones and have decreased BMD and bone quality compared with the founder Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. To understand the bone defect, we characterized osteoclast and osteoblast activity in the GHS compared with SD rats. Bone marrow cells were isolated from femurs of GHS and SD rats and cultured to optimize differentiation into osteoclasts or osteoblasts. Osteoclasts were stained for TRAcP (tartrate resistant acid phosphatase), cultured to assess resorptive activity, and analyzed for specific gene expression. Marrow stromal cells or primary neonatal calvarial cells were differentiated to osteoblasts, and osteoblastic gene expression as well as mineralization was analyzed. There was increased osteoclastogenesis and increased resorption pit formation in GHS compared with SD cultures. Osteoclasts had increased expression of cathepsin K, Tracp, and MMP9 in cells from GHS compared with SD rats. Osteoblastic gene expression and mineralization was significantly decreased. Thus, alterations in baseline activity of both osteoclasts and osteoblasts in GHS rats, led to decreased BMD and bone quality, perhaps because of their known increase in vitamin D receptors. Better understanding of the role of GHS bone cells in decreased BMD and quality may provide new strategies to mitigate the low BMD and increased fracture risk found in patients with IH. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Long noncoding RNA HOXA‐AS2 mediates microRNA‐106b‐5p to repress sepsis‐engendered acute kidney injury
Authors: Wu Huifeng , Wang Jing , Ma Zhen
Published: February 2020

HOXA cluster antisense RNA 2 (HOXA‐AS2) is a long noncoding RNA associated with the development of numerous cancers. But, whether HOXA‐AS2 exhibits a certain function in sepsis‐engendered acute kidney injury (AKI) remains uninvestigated. We strived to unveil the role of HOXA‐AS2 in sepsis‐engendered AKI. The expression of HOXA‐AS2 in sepsis patients, animal models and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐impaired HK‐2 cells was primarily assessed via a real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The effects of HOXA‐AS2 on cell survival of HK‐2 cells under LPS irritation were evaluated after overexpression of HOXA‐AS2. The correlation between HOXA‐AS2 and microRNA (miR)‐106b‐5p was forecasted via bioinformatics software and verified by using a luciferase report system. Subsequently, the functions of miR‐106b‐5p in LPS‐damaged HK‐2 cells were reassessed. Western blot was used for the determination of Wnt/β‐catenin and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) pathways. HOXA‐AS2 expression was decreased in sepsis patients, animal operation group and LPS‐irritated HK‐2 cells. Overexpressed HOXA‐AS2 mollified LPS‐triggered impairment in HK‐2 cells. In addition, a negative mediatory relation between HOXA‐AS2 and miR‐106b‐5p was predicated. Synchronously, overexpressed miR‐106b‐5p counteracted the protection of HOXA‐AS2 in LPS‐damaged HK‐2 cells. Ultimately, Wnt/β‐catenin and NF‐κB pathways were hindered by HOXA‐AS2 via targeting miR‐106b‐5p. HOXA‐AS2 exhibited protection in sepsis‐engendered AKI via targeting miR‐106b‐5p and hindering the Wnt/β‐catenin and NF‐κB pathways.
High‐fat diet induced alteration in lipid enzymes and inflammation in cardiac and brain tissues: Assessment of the effects of Atorvastatin‐loaded nanoparticles
Authors: Abd‐Rabo Marwa M. , Wahman Lobna F. , El Hosary Rania , Ahmed Iman S.
Published: February 2020

Treatment with Lipitor is associated with several adverse impacts. Here we investigated the effects of low Lipitor nanoparticles (atorvastatin calcium nanopartilcle [AC‐NP]), with size less than 100 , on enzymes of lipid metabolism and inflammation in cardiac, hepatic, and brain tissues of hypercholestremic adult male rats. Adult male rats were divided into five experimental groups. In group 1, the intact control (normal pellet diet), animals were fed a normal control diet; the other four groups were fed a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, groups from 2 to 5 were assigned as a positive control (HFD), HFD + Lipitor, HFD + AC‐NP‐R1, or HFD + AC‐NP‐R2. Different treatments were administrated orally for two regimen periods (R1 daily and R2 once every 3 days). The treatment was conducted for two consecutive weeks. The HFD group faced a significant elevation in 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG‐CoA), associated with a significant reduction in low‐density lipoprotein receptor (LDL‐R) along with cholesterol 7 α‐hydroxylase enzyme in hepatic tissues, compared with the control group. Also, the HFD group induced hepatic, cardiac, and brain inflammation, evidenced by increased hepatic oxidative stress markers and cardiac homocysteine, together with elevated proinflammatory cytokines interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) and IL‐6 levels in brain tissue, compared with the control group. Different AC‐NP treatments significantly augmented both mRNA LDL‐R and mRNA 7α‐hydroxylase expression in hepatic tissues, associated with significant depletion in mRNA HMG‐CoA expression, compared with HFD + Lipitor. The inflammation symptoms were ameliorated by the AC‐NP treatments, compared to HFD + Lipitor. Lipitor encapsulation in NP formulation results in increased efficiency and reduced dose‐related adverse effects known to be associated with the Lipitor chronic administration.
GABA consumption during early pregnancy impairs endometrial receptivity and embryo development in mice
Authors: Tian Na , Liang Hao , Luo Wenping , Wang Xiaojie , Cao Ke , Zhang Qian , Tan Yi , Tan Dongmei
Published: February 2020

γ‐Aminobutyrate (GABA) is commonly used as a food supplement and a health care product by young females, due to its positive roles in relieving stress, alleviating anxiety, and improving sleep. However, its recommended daily dose in different products varies widely. Besides, it is unknown whether, and how, GABA consumption during early pregnancy influences pregnancy establishment. In this study, we found that when pregnant mice were treated with a high (12.5 mg/g) dose of GABA (orally) during preimplantation, there was a reduction in the number of implantation sites on day 5 of pregnancy. Also, among these unimplanted embryos, most exhibited morphological degeneration and developmental retardation, and only a few of them developed into blastocysts but could not implant into the uterus. Moreover, the expression of uterine receptivity–related factors—LIF, E‐cadherin, and HOXA10—were all downregulated, while the number of uterine glands was reduced in the high GABA dose group. Finally, in vitro results demonstrated that GABA (ranging from 10 to 50 μg/μL) markedly inhibited preimplantation embryo development in a dose‐response manner. However, this inhibitory effect was not observed when the embryos were pretreated with 40 μΜ 2‐hydroxysaclofen, a GABAB antagonist, indicating that GABA exerts its inhibitory effects via its B‐type receptor. Our results suggest that exposure to certain GABA concentrations, during early pregnancy, can impair preimplantation embryo development via its B‐type receptor, and endometrial receptivity, which greatly disturbs early embryo implantation in mice. These findings could raise concerns about GABA consumption during the early stages of pregnancy.
Potentiation of cancerous progression by LISCH7 via direct stimulation of TGFB1 transcription in triple‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Tang Xiaojiang , Zhou Yuhui , Liu Yang , Zhang Wei , Liu Chao , Yan Changyou
Published: February 2020

As an aggressive breast cancer (BCa) subtype, triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) responses poorly to chemotherapy and endocrine therapy, and usually has a worse prognosis. This is largely due to the lack of specific therapeutic targets, laying claim to an imperious demand to clarify the key signaling pathways potentiating TNBC progression. Herein, we report that expression levels of the liver‐specific bHLH‐Zip transcription factor (LISCH7), a recently identified key player in cancerous progression, preferentially enriched in TNBC in comparison with other BCa subtypes, and this upregulation was observed to be correlated to a poor survival outcome in patients with TNBC. Ablation of LISCH7 in TNBC cells impaired cell proliferation, reduced cell invasiveness, and enhanced sensitivity to the first‐line chemotherapeutic drug docetaxel at both in vitro and in vivo levels. Importantly, concurrent induction of TGFB1, the gene encoding transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), an essential multipluripotent regulator of TNBC, was accompanied with these alterations in cancerous properties. We further showed that LISCH7 could directly bind to the TGFB1 promoter and stimulate TGFB1 transcription in TNBC cells. The recruitment of LISCH7 onto the TGFB1 chromatin and transactivation of TGFB1 were substantially augmented by treatment with the exogenous TGF‐β1 in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. Collectively, these findings suggest that LISCH7 and TGF‐β1 form a reciprocal positive regulatory loop and cooperatively regulate cancerous progression in TNBC cells. Thus, simultaneous inhibition of both LISCH7 and TGF‐β1 signaling may represent a more effective approach to counteract advanced TNBC.
Why mentor? A validation study of the volunteer functions inventory for use in youth mentoring
Authors: Teye Amanda C. , Peaslee Liliokanaio
Published: February 2020

This study explores the functional motivations of volunteers in youth mentoring programs and tests the validity of the Volunteer Functions Inventory (VFI) for this population. Participants included 473 volunteer mentors matched within a one‐to‐one mentoring program. The study utilizes a mixed‐methods approach to validate the VFI, which was administered before the match. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were employed to test for content validity and determine fit. These were complemented by an emergent theme analysis from a semi‐structured interview, which included questions assessing mentor motivations. Findings suggest a five‐factor structure model best captures functional motivations. In addition, results from the qualitative analysis suggest there may be previously unexplored domains to consider for contemporary volunteer populations. These include community/civic responsibility, organizational structure and reputation, and self‐concept. Future research should seek to refine scales that are uniquely predictive of mentor motivations to expand practical applications for use.
Multithreshold graphs
Authors: Jamison Robert E. , Sprague Alan P.
Published: February 2020

Multithreshold graphs are defined in terms of a finite sequence of real thresholds that break the real line into a set of regions, alternating between NO and YES. If real ranks can be assigned to the vertices of a graph in such a way that two vertices are adjacent iff the sum of their ranks lies in a YES region, then that graph is a multithreshold graph with respect to the given set of thresholds. If a graph can be represented with k or fewer thresholds, then it is k‐threshold. The case of one threshold is the classical case introduced by Chvátal and Hammer. In this paper, we show for every graph G, there is a k such that G is k‐threshold, and we exhibit graphs for which the required number of thresholds is linear in the order of the graph.
Precise anatomical resection based on structures of nerve and fibrous tissue around the superior mesenteric artery for mesopancreas dissection in pancreaticoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer
Authors: Nagakawa Yuichi , Yi Shuang‐Qin , Takishita Chie , Sahara Yatsuka , Osakabe Hiroaki , Kiya Yoshitaka , Yamaguchi Hiroshi , Miwa Yoko , Sato Iwao , Tsuchida Akihiko
Published: February 2020

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the feasibility of resection based on the nerve and fibrous tissue (NFT) structures around the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma (R‐PDAC) patients.

Methods

NFTs around the SMA were classified into four “intensive NTFs area” with spreading the NFTs around the SMA and three SMA nerve plexus regions without branching nerves according to autopsy findings. Complete dissection of four “intensive NTFs areas” was performed by pre‐exposing three SMA nerve plexus regions without branching nerves as “dissection‐guiding points” with SMA nerve plexus preservation (NFT‐based resection). Among 157 R‐PDAC patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, surgical outcomes of 78 patients with NFT‐based resection were compared with 59 patients with half‐SMA nerve plexus dissection and 20 patients without NFTs dissection.

Results

In the NFT‐based resection group, 76.5% had tumor involvement and metastasis in each intensive NTFs area. Operative time, blood loss, and postoperative diarrhea rate were significantly lower in NFT‐based resection than in half‐SMA nerve plexus group (321 vs 390 min; P < .01, 228 vs 550 mL; P < .01, 5.1% vs 15.3%; P = .04, respectively). R0 rate and median overall survival significantly improved in NFT‐based resection than in non‐NFT dissection group (93.6% vs 65.0%; P < .01, 49.6 vs 23.6 months, P = .01).

Conclusion

NFT‐based resection may become a novel method for R‐PDAC patients.
Application of PTR‐TOF‐MS for the quality assessment of lactose‐free milk: Effect of storage time and employment of different lactase preparations
Authors: Bottiroli Riccardo , Pedrotti Michele , Aprea Eugenio , Biasioli Franco , Fogliano Vincenzo , Gasperi Flavia
Published: February 2020

Lactose‐free dairy products undergo several chemical modifications during shelf life because of the reactivity of glucose and galactose produced by the lactose enzymatic hydrolysis. In this study, proton transfer reaction‐mass spectrometry (PTR‐MS), coupled with a time‐of‐flight (TOF) mass analyzer, was applied to get an insight on the phenomena occurring during the shelf life of ultrahigh‐temperature (UHT) lactose‐free milk (LFM). UHT LFMs produced by three different commercial lactase preparations were evaluated during storage at 20°C over a 150 days period, sampling the milk every 30 days. Production was repeated three times, on three consecutive weeks, in order to take milk variability into consideration. Principal component analysis applied to the whole “volatilome” data demonstrated the capability of PTR‐TOF‐MS in detecting the milk batch‐to‐batch variability: Freshly produced milk samples were distinguished based on the week of production at the beginning of shelf life. Additionally, a clear evolution of the volatiles organic compounds (VOCs) profiling during storage was highlighted. Further statistical analysis confirmed VOCs temporal evolution, mostly because of changes in methyl ketones concentration. Differences caused by the commercial lactases did not emerged, except for benzaldehyde. Altogether, data demonstrated PTR‐TOF‐MS analysis as a valuable and rapid method for the detection of changes in the VOCs profiling of UHT LFM.
Neuropeptide Y in PTSD, MDD, and chronic stress: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Tural Umit , Iosifescu Dan V.
Published: February 2020

Previous studies have suggested that neuropeptide Y (NPY) levels may be altered in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic stress. We investigated, through systematic review and meta‐analysis, whether the mean levels of NPY are significantly different in patients with MDD, PTSD or chronic stress, compared to controls. The main outcome was the pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals between cases and controls, using the random‐effects model. Heterogeneity and publication bias were evaluated. Thirty‐five studies met eligibility criteria. Meta‐regression determined that medication and sex could explain 27% of the between‐study variance. Females and participants currently prescribed psychotropic medications had significantly higher levels of NPY. NPY levels were significantly lower in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in PTSD patients versus controls. Patients with MDD had significantly lower levels of NPY in plasma compared to controls, but not in the CSF. The magnitudes of the decrease in plasma NPY levels were not significantly different between PTSD and MDD. However, chronic stress patients had significantly higher plasma NPY levels compared to controls, PTSD or MDD. Our findings may imply a shared role of NPY in trauma and depression: nevertheless, it is not clear that the association is specific to these disorders. Psychotropic medications may help restore NPY levels. Further controlled studies are needed to better delineate the contribution of confounding variables such as type of depression, body mass index, appetite or sleep architecture.
Summary of Proceedings and Expert Consensus Statements From the International Summit “Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition”
Authors: Martindale Robert G. , Berlana David , Boullata Joseph I. , Cai Wei , Calder Philip C. , Deshpande Girish H. , Evans David , Garcia‐de‐Lorenzo Abelardo , Goulet Olivier J. , Li Ang , Mayer Konstantin , Mundi Manpreet S. , Muscaritoli Maurizio , Pradelli Lorenzo , Rosenthal Martin , Seo Jeong‐Meen , Waitzberg Dan L. , Klek Stanislaw
Published: February 2020

Background

The 2018 Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition summit involved a panel of experts in clinical nutrition, lipid metabolism, and pharmacology, to assess the current state of knowledge and develop expert consensus statements regarding the use of intravenous lipid emulsions in various patient populations and clinical settings. The main purpose of the consensus statements is to assist healthcare professionals by providing practical guidance on common clinical questions related to the provision of lipid emulsions as part of parenteral nutrition (PN).

Methods

The summit was designed to allow interactive discussion and consensus development. The resulting consensus statements represent the collective opinion of the members of the expert panel, which was informed and supported by scientific evidence and clinical experience.

Results

The current article summarizes the key discussion topics from the summit and provides a set of consensus statements designed to complement existing evidence‐based guidelines. Lipid emulsions are a major component of PN, serving as a condensed source of energy and essential fatty acids. In addition, lipids modulate a variety of biologic functions, including inflammatory and immune responses, coagulation, and cell signaling. A growing body of evidence suggests that lipid emulsions containing ω‐3 fatty acids from fish oil confer important clinical benefits via suppression of inflammatory mediators and activation of pathways involved in the resolution of inflammation.

Conclusions

This article provides a set of expert consensus statements to complement formal PN guideline recommendations.
A first look at oxygen isotope records from modern and Holocene‐aged gastropod (Stenomelania) shells from Lake Kutubu, Papua New Guinea
Authors: Long Kelsie , Schneider Larissa , Williams Ian S. , Fallon Stewart J. , Stuart‐Williams Hilary , Haberle Simon
Published: February 2020

The oxygen isotopic composition of Stenomelania gastropod shells was investigated to reconstruct Holocene palaeoclimate change at Lake Kutubu in the southern highlands of Papua New Guinea. Oxygen isotope (δ18O) values recorded in aquatic gastropod shells change according to ambient water δ18O values and temperature. The gastropod shells appear to form in oxygen isotopic equilibrium with the surrounding water and record a shift in average shell oxygen isotopic composition through time, probably as a result of warmer/wetter conditions at ca. 600–900 and 5900–6200 cal a bp. Shorter term fluctuations in oxygen isotope values were also identified and may relate to changes in the intensity or source of rainfall. Further δ18O analyses of gastropod shells or other carbonate proxies found in the Lake Kutubu sediments are warranted. © 2020 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Community health worker‐based hearing screening on a mobile platform: A scalable protocol piloted in Haiti
Authors: Jayawardena Asitha D. L. , Nassiri Ashley M. , Levy Dylan A. , Valeriani Vienna , Kemph Alison J. , Kahue Charissa N. , Segaren Nathaniel , Labadie Robert F. , Bennett Marc L. , Elisée Carl A. , Netterville James L.
Published: February 2020

Objective

To establish the feasibility of a systematic, community health worker (CHW)‐based hearing screening program that gathers Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act‐compliant electronic data (otoscopic images of tympanic membrane and audiometric evaluation) on a smartphone in an effort to streamline treatment options in resource‐limited communities.

Methods

This is a cross‐sectional study in which four schools were screened in Port‐au‐Prince, Haiti, during in April 2018. A total of 122 subjects (61% female) aged 5‐17 years underwent an initial brief audiometric screen followed by a more comprehensive air conduction audiometric evaluation if they failed their initial screen. Participants with more than 35‐dB loss in any frequency on their comprehensive audiometric evaluation received endoscopic otoscopy.

Results

Seventy‐five percent of subjects (91/122) passed their initial screen. Of those who failed, 9% (4/44 ears) had a severe or profound hearing loss on comprehensive evaluation. Abnormal otoscopic findings (11/36 ears, 31%) included are cerumen impaction (n = 6), myringosclerosis (n = 3), tympanic membrane perforation (n = 1), and tympanic membrane retraction (n = 1). The average duration of the initial testing was 100 seconds (SD = 74 seconds), whereas the duration of comprehensive testing was 394 seconds (SD = 175 seconds). Extrapolating from these data, we estimate that a group of seven trained CHWs could gather formal audiologic and otologic data points for 100 children per hour using this protocol.

Conclusions

A systematic approach that utilizes local resources (CHWs) and existing infrastructure (cell phones and the Internet) can significantly reduce the burden of hearing healthcare specialists while simultaneously facilitating early diagnosis and management of disabling hearing loss in low‐resourced settings.

Level of evidence

Level 4.