bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Solid‐State Step‐Scan FTIR Spectroscopy of Binuclear Copper(I) Complexes
Authors: Zimmer Manuel , Dietrich Fabian , Volz Daniel , Bräse Stefan , Gerhards Markus
Published: August 2017

The structure in the ground and excited electronic state of two binuclear CuI N‐heterocyclic phosphine complexes that are promising for implementation in organic light‐emitting diodes is investigated by a combination of the time‐resolved step‐scan FTIR technique and quantum chemical calculations at the DFT level of theory. In contrast to the usual application of step‐scan FTIR spectroscopy in solution, the herein‐presented analyses are performed in a solid phase, that is, the CuI complexes are embedded in a KBr matrix (KBr pellet). The application of solid‐state time‐resolved step‐scan FTIR spectroscopy is of great importance for transition metal complexes, since their photophysical properties often change on moving from solid to dissolved samples. The efficient applicability of the solid‐state step‐scan technique in a KBr matrix is demonstrated on the chosen CuI reference systems on nano‐ and microsecond timescales with an excitation wavelength of 355 nm. By comparison with theoretical results, the structure of the complexes in the electronic ground and lowest‐lying electronically excited state can be determined.
A 6‐bit 4 MS/s 26fJ/conversion‐step segmented SAR ADC with reduced switching energy for BLE
Authors: Samadpoor Rikan Behnam , Abbasizadeh Hamed , Cho Sung‐Hun , Kim Sang‐Yun , Ali Imran , Kim SungJin , Lee DongSoo , Pu YoungGun , Lee MinJae , Hwang KeumCheol , Yang Youngoo , Lee Kang‐Yoon
Published: August 2017

This paper presents a 6‐bit 4 MS/s segmented successive approximation register analog‐to‐digital converter for Bluetooth low energy transceiver applications. To improve the linearity and reduce the switching power consumption, a segmented structure with new switching scheme is adopted in the capacitive digital‐to‐analog converter. The proposed switching sequence determines the MSBs according to the thermometer codes and skips some of the unnecessary steps while avoiding bubble errors. To ensure the common mode voltage remains comparatively steady, and to avoid employing power‐hungry common mode reference voltage circuits, each capacitor is divided into 2 identical small capacitors, connecting one of them to “high” and the other one to “low”. The switching sequence is straightforward, and a split capacitor with an integer value is applied, which almost halves the total number of capacitors while retaining the unit capacitor value intact. The prototype analog‐to‐digital converter is fabricated and measured in a 55‐nm (shrinked 65 nm) complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor process and achieves 5.48 to 5.92 Effective Number of Bits (ENOB) at a sampling frequency of 4 MS/s. The Signal to Noise and Distortion Ratio (SNDR) and Spurious Free Dynamic Range (SFDR) for Nyquist input frequency are 34.79 and 40.03 dB, respectively. The current consumption is 4.8 μA from a 1.0‐V supply, which corresponds to the figure of merit of 26 fJ/conversion‐step. The total active area of the analog‐to‐digital converters for the I and Q paths of the receiver is 105 μm × 140 μm.
Cerebrospinal fluid cytology in nonmalignant aseptic meningeal disorders
Authors: Martínez‐Girón Rafael , Pantanowitz Liron
Published: August 2017

Cerebrospinal fluid cytology examination is a common and reliable primary and/or complementary procedure for the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This review provides an update of aseptic meningeal disorders that may be encountered in cytopathology practice. The article covers the cytological findings and helpful ancillary studies needed of nonmalignant aseptic CNS disorders such as viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections, and other noninfectious diseases, such as Mollaret's meningitis (recurrent benign lymphocytic meningitis), Guillain‐Barré syndrome, multiple Sclerosis, subarachnoid haemorrhage, and drug‐induced disorders.
Dorsomedial prefrontal cortex repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in eating disorders: An open‐label case series
Authors: Woodside D. Blake , Colton Patricia , Lam Eileen , Dunlop Katharine , Rzeszutek Julia , Downar Jonathan
Published: August 2017

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common comorbid condition in anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN), and may be associated with reduced response to treatment. We report on a case series employing repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) with a novel target, the dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC). Fourteen subjects with eating disorders and comorbid PTSD received 20–30 neuronavigated DMPFC–rTMS treatments on an open‐label basis. PTSD symptoms were assessed pretreatment and posttreatment with the PTSD checklist‐Civilian (PCL‐C) and the Difficulties in Emotional Regulation Scale (DERS). PCL‐C scores were reduced by 51.99% ± 27.24% overall, from a mean of 54.29 ± 19.34 pretreatment to 24.86 ± 17.43 posttreatment (p < .001). Of the 14, 8 showed an improvement of >50%. DERS scores improved by 36.02% ± 24.24% overall, from 140.00 ± 22.09 at pretreatment to 89.29 ± 38.31 at posttreatment (p < .001). OF the 14 subjects, 5 achieved >50% improvement. These data may suggest that DMPFC–rTMS could be helpful in the treatment of PTSD in some ED patients.
Residual Cobalt Ration during Arc Plasma Melting Treatment of Low‐Level Radioactive Wastes Containing Nickel
Authors: FURUKAWA SHIZUE , IKEDA KOUICHI , KOTARI MASASHI , AMAKAWA TADASHI
Published: August 2017

The plasma melting treatment of low‐level radioactive waste is currently in practical use. This treatment is applied to typical radioactive wastes such as carbon steel and concrete to produce a solidified product. The scaling factor method is used to evaluate the concentration of radionuclides in the product. Because cobalt (Co) plays a particularly important role, it is important to clarify the behavior of Co during the treatment. In this report, we investigated the residual Co ratio in the slag produced during the plasma melting treatment of a nickel alloy. We found that a residual Co ratio of less than 10% was achieved in the slag when an Ni concentration of less than 80 wt% and an Fe concentration of more than 20 wt% was kept in the molten metal. The effect of the reduction of Co oxides by Fe on the residual Co ration was the most dominant among the Co oxidation/reduction reactions occurring in the molten metal.
Association between vitamin D deficiency and heart failure risk in the elderly
Authors: Porto Catarina Magalhães , Silva Vanessa De Lima , da Luz João Soares Brito , Filho Brivaldo Markman , da Silveira Vera Magalhães
Published: August 2017

Aims

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of heart failure in elderly patients of cardiology outpatient clinics.

Methods and results

A cross‐sectional study with an analytical approach was employed. Clinical data were collected from the elderly from August 2015 to February 2016. The dependent variable was the risk of heart failure; the independent variable was vitamin D deficiency; and intervening factors were age, gender, education, ethnicity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism, renal failure, dementia, stroke, dyslipidaemia, depression, smoking, alcoholism, obesity, andropause, and cardiac arrhythmia. To analyse the association between vitamin D deficiency and risk of heart failure, we used the bivariate logistic analysis, followed by analysis through the multivariate logistic regression model. Of the 137 elderly, the study found the following: women (75.9%); overweight (48.2%); obese (30.6%); increase in the index waist/hip (88.3%); dyslipidaemia (94.2%) and hypertension (91.2%); coronary artery disease (35.0%); and 27.7% with cardiac arrhythmia or left ventricular hypertrophy. Sixty‐five per cent of the elderly were deficient in vitamin D. The risk of heart failure was significantly associated with vitamin D deficiency [odds ratio (OR): 12.19; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.23–35.16; P = 0.000], male gender (OR: 15.32; 95% CI = 3.39–69.20, P = 0.000), obesity (OR: 4.17; 95% CI = 1.36–12.81; P = 0.012), and cardiac arrhythmia (OR: 3.69; 95% CI = 1.23–11.11; P = 0.020).

Conclusions

There was a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly, and the evidence shows a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and increased risk of heart failure in this population.
Organosilicon and ‐germanium Hydrides in Catalyst‐Free Hydrometallation Reactions
Authors: Jambor Roman , Lyčka Antonín
Published: August 2017

Group 14 element hydrides in oxidation states +IV and +II can undergo hydroelementation reactions through addition of the E–H bonds to unsaturated bonds. The neutral group 14 element(IV) hydrides do not have suitable vacant valence orbitals and as a result are only poorly effective for the hydroelementation of unsaturated bonds without addition of any initiators; however, their low‐valent analogues in oxidation state +II seem to be effective in the hydroelementation of unsaturated bonds under mild conditions. The goal of this paper is to overview examples of catalyst‐free hydrosilylation and hydrogermylation reactions to highlight current knowledge about uncatalysed reactions between silicon‐ or germanium(II and IV) hydrides and organic molecules containing unsaturated bonds.
Electronic‐Structure Calculations of Cation‐Ordered II‐III Layered Double Hydroxides: Origin of the Distortion of the Metal‐Coordination Symmetry
Authors: Jayanthi K. , Vishnu Kamath P. , Periyasamy Ganga
Published: August 2017

Cation ordering brings down the crystal symmetry and introduces distortion into the coordination polyhedra around the divalent cations. In particular, edge sharing of the differently sized [M(OH)6] polyhedra causes a non‐uniform distension of the array of hydroxy ions. The question arises as to whether this distortion has its origin in the Jahn–Teller distortion of metal coordination or a 2D “Peierls”‐type distortion of the array of hydroxy ions. To address this question, DFT calculations were performed on the sulfate‐intercalated [Cu–Cr], [Zn–Cr], and [Zn–Al] layered double hydroxides (LDHs). An analysis of the density of states shows that the distortion of the Cu2+ coordination polyhedron is due to the Jahn–Teller effect, whereas the Zn2+ coordination polyhedron in [Zn–Al] LDH likely suffers a “Peierls”‐type distortion. In the [Zn–Cr] LDH, electronic‐structure calculations do not predict any distortion in the metal coordination, which is in agreement with experimental results that show only a slight departure from ideal symmetry.
Quantitative Indices of the Oxidizability of Fatty Acid Compositions
Authors: Nosratpour Mitra , Farhoosh Reza , Sharif Ali
Published: August 2017

The correlation between a wide range of fatty acid composition indices, resulted from different groups of purified edible oils and their binary blends, and two quantitative criteria of primary (induction period of hydroperoxide formation at 60 °C) and secondary (oxidative stability index, OSI, at 100 °C) oxidations was evaluated. On the basis of highly correlated linear regression models, a corrected form of calculated oxidizability index and the content of saturated fatty acids, SFA, were jointly found to be appropriate indices of primary oxidative stability of all vegetable oils whereas the ratio between palmitic and linoleic acids was mainly considered to show their secondary oxidative stability. As for the oils containing fish oil (FO), a combination of SFA/(C18:4 + C20:4 + C20:5 + C22:6), and monounsaturated fatty acids/(C18:2 + C18:3) ratios was used to represent the primary and secondary oxidative stabilities. Among the oils containing vegetable oils and even fish oil, canola oil, and its blends had the best fatty acid composition from a health point of view. Practical Application: Since edible oils have a vast diversity in fatty acid compositions of very different oxidative stability, prediction of oxidizability based on fatty acid compositions has become too complicated. Considering primary and secondary oxidation products over the course of lipid oxidation, the present study simplifies the prediction of the oxidative stability of fatty acid compositions by introducing four predictive linear regression models for vegetable and fish oils.

Oxidative stability of five different edible oils and their binary blends are determined through the induction period (IP) of hydroperoxide formation and the oxidative stability index (OSI) at 60 and 100 °C, respectively. Considering a range of linear regression models between fatty acid composition indices and the oxidative stability quantities, IP and OSI, four linear regression models of highest correlation were obtained to simplify the prediction of oxidizability of diverse fatty acid compositions.
Integrated Micro‐Flow Synthesis Based on Photochemical Wolff Rearrangement
Authors: Fuse Shinichiro , Otake Yuma , Nakamura Hiroyuki
Published: August 2017

The Wolff rearrangement of α‐diazo carbonyl compounds has remained important in organic synthesis since its development more than 115 years ago. The risks involved in handling diazo compounds can be minimized by utilizing micro‐flow technology. In addition, photochemical Wolff rearrangement can be carried out efficiently with the aid of micro‐flow technology. Integrated micro‐flow synthesis is therefore well‐suited to the preparation of α‐diazo carbonyl compounds and their photochemical Wolff rearrangement. This review article summarizes recently reported micro‐flow photochemical Wolff rearrangements and their application in integrated micro‐flow syntheses.
Stereoselective Synthesis of Trisubstituted Epoxides Marks the Route to Chiral Building Blocks with Quaternary Centers
Authors: Garcia‐Castro Miguel , Annamalai Murali , Golz Christopher , Strohmann Carsten , Kumar Kamal
Published: August 2017

A facile access to enantiomerically pure derivatives of α‐hydroxy‐β‐amino acids bearing a quaternary center and trifluoromethylated tertiary alcohols, which represent highly important building blocks for therapeutically relevant small molecules, has been efficiently achieved by developing an asymmetric epoxidation of α‐activated ketones by employing chiral sulfur ylides.
Effects of bifenthrin exposure on the estrogenic and dopaminergic pathways in zebrafish embryos and juveniles
Authors: Bertotto Luísa Becker , Richards Jaben , Gan Jay , Volz David Christopher , Schlenk Daniel
Published: August 2017

Bifenthrin is a pyrethroid insecticide used in urban and agricultural applications. Previous studies have shown that environmentally relevant (ng/L) concentrations of bifenthrin increased plasma concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2) and altered the expression of dopaminergic pathway components. The dopaminergic neurons can indirectly regulate E2 biosynthesis, suggesting that bifenthrin may disrupt the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis. Because embryos do not have a complete HPG axis, the hypothesis that bifenthrin impairs dopamine regulation was tested in embryonic and 1-mo-old juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) with exposure to measured concentrations of 0.34 and 3.1 µg/L bifenthrin for 96 h. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to investigate transcripts of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), dopamine receptor 1 (DR1) and 2A (DR2A), dopamine active transporter (DAT), estrogen receptor α (ERα), ERβ1, ERβ2, luteinizing hormone β (LHβ), follicle-stimulating hormone β (FSHβ), vitellogenin (VTG), cytochrome P450 cyp19a1a, and cyp19a1b. Levels of E2 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Dopamine and its metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA) concentrations were measured by liquid chromatrography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). Significant decreases in TH and DR1 transcripts and HVA levels, as well as ratios of HVA/dopamine and HVA+DOPAC/dopamine, in zebrafish embryos were observed after bifenthrin treatment. In juveniles, a significant increase in the expression of ERβ1 and the DOPAC to dopamine ratio was noted. These results show a possible antiestrogenic effect of bifenthrin in embryos, and estrogenicity in juveniles, indicating life-stage–dependent toxicity in developing fish. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:236–246. © 2017 SETAC

Abstract
Twentieth anniversary of Homo antecessor (1997‐2017): a review
Authors: Bermúdez de Castro José María , Martinón‐Torres María , Arsuaga Juan Luis , Carbonell Eudald
Published: August 2017

It has been twenty years since diagnosis and publication of the species Homo antecessor.1 Since then, new human fossils recovered from the TD6 level of the Gran Dolina site (Sierra de Atapuerca, northern Spain) have helped to refine its taxonomic and phylogenetic position. In this paper, we present a synthesis of the most characteristic features of this species, as well as our interpretation derived from the latest investigations. We focus on the phylogenetic interpretation of Homo antecessor, taking into account the most recent paleogenetic analyses and a reassessment of the European Middle Pleistocene hominin record. We try to show that, twenty years after its publication, H. antecessor provides a good opportunity to address the morphology of the last common ancestor of Neandertals and modern humans.
An experimental setup for observation of smoldering‐to‐flaming transition on flexible foam/fabric assemblies
Authors: Stoliarov Stanislav I. , Zeller Olga , Morgan Alexander B. , Levchik Sergei
Published: August 2017

Fires that involve upholstered furniture frequently begin as a smoldering combustion and, with time, transition to a flaming combustion, which sharply increases the level of hazard. Therefore, understanding how the compositions of the primary flammable components of the furniture, ie, flexible foam and upholstery fabric, affect this transition is important for fire safety considerations. In the current study, an experiment was designed to observe this transition using a sample consisting of 30 × 15 × 6 cm3rectangular foam block covered with 30 × 15 cm2piece of fabric. For a representative system of 1.8 lb/ft3(29 kg/m3) flexible polyurethane foam and 11 oz (0.37 kg/m2) cotton fabric, 0.69 transition probability was measured. This probability decreased by a factor of 4 when a small amount of phosphorus‐based flame retardant, Fyrol® HF‐9, was added to the foam. The transition to flaming was speculated to be associated with the formation of adjacent pyrolysis and smoldering regions within the foam. The pyrolysis region, dominated by anaerobic decomposition, provided gaseous fuel, the ignition of which resulted in the transition. The smoldering region, dominated by oxidation reactions at the solid‐gas interface, generated the heat necessary to maintain the pyrolysis process and ignite the gaseous fuel.
Handling Critical Infrastructure Information in a WikiLeaks World
Authors: Minear Beth R.
Published: August 2017

Companies who are part of the natural gas and electric industries are among what is deemed “critical infrastructure” of the United States.
Wood Poles Still Best Alternative for Most Uses
Authors: Bernhardt Butch
Published: August 2017

They are an ever‐present symbol of our modern age, serving as the backbone of the North American electrical system. Used for more than 100 years, preservative‐treated wood utility poles are still an essential part of today's infrastructure and will remain so in the technology‐dominated twenty‐first century.
Face‐to‐Face Communications Is Powerful, Postdigital Communications Tool
Authors: Egan John
Published: August 2017

In Malcolm Gladwell's first book, The Tipping Point, he asked, and answered, a number of provocative questions about change, including why word‐of‐mouth communications continues to be so powerful.
Decoding fMRI events in sensorimotor motor network using sparse paradigm free mapping and activation likelihood estimates
Authors: Tan Francisca M. , Caballero‐Gaudes César , Mullinger Karen J. , Cho Siu‐Yeung , Zhang Yaping , Dryden Ian L. , Francis Susan T. , Gowland Penny A.
Published: August 2017

Most functional MRI (fMRI) studies map task‐driven brain activity using a block or event‐related paradigm. Sparse paradigm free mapping (SPFM) can detect the onset and spatial distribution of BOLD events in the brain without prior timing information, but relating the detected events to brain function remains a challenge. In this study, we developed a decoding method for SPFM using a coordinate‐based meta‐analysis method of activation likelihood estimation (ALE). We defined meta‐maps of statistically significant ALE values that correspond to types of events and calculated a summation overlap between the normalized meta‐maps and SPFM maps. As a proof of concept, this framework was applied to relate SPFM‐detected events in the sensorimotor network (SMN) to six motor functions (left/right fingers, left/right toes, swallowing, and eye blinks). We validated the framework using simultaneous electromyography (EMG)–fMRI experiments and motor tasks with short and long duration, and random interstimulus interval. The decoding scores were considerably lower for eye movements relative to other movement types tested. The average successful rate for short and long motor events were 77 ± 13% and 74 ± 16%, respectively, excluding eye movements. We found good agreement between the decoding results and EMG for most events and subjects, with a range in sensitivity between 55% and 100%, excluding eye movements. The proposed method was then used to classify the movement types of spontaneous single‐trial events in the SMN during resting state, which produced an average successful rate of 22 ± 12%. Finally, this article discusses methodological implications and improvements to increase the decoding performance. Hum Brain Mapp 38:5778–5794, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Response assessment after induction chemotherapy for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: From physical examination to modern imaging techniques and beyond
Authors: de Bree Remco , Wolf Gregory T. , de Keizer Bart , Nixon Iain J. , Hartl Dana M. , Forastiere Arlene A. , Haigentz Missak , Rinaldo Alessandra , Rodrigo Juan P. , Saba Nabil F. , Suárez Carlos , Vermorken Jan B. , Ferlito Alfio
Published: August 2017

Significant correlations between the response to induction chemotherapy and success of subsequent radiotherapy have been reported and suggest that the response to induction chemotherapy is able to predict a response to radiotherapy. Therefore, induction chemotherapy may be used to tailor the treatment plan to the individual patient with head and neck cancer: following the planned subsequent (chemo)radiation schedule, planning a radiation dose boost, or reassessing the modality of treatment (eg, upfront surgery). Findings from reported trials suggest room for improvement in clinical response assessment after induction chemotherapy, but an optimal method has yet to be identified. Historically, indices of treatment efficacy in solid tumors have been based solely on systematic assessment of tumor size. However, functional imaging (eg, fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET) potentially provides an earlier indication of response to treatment than conventional imaging techniques. More advanced imaging techniques are still in an exploratory phase and are not ready for use in clinical practice.
Patient education materials assessment tool for laryngectomy health information
Authors: Wong Kevin , Gilad Amir , Cohen Michael B. , Kirke Diana N. , Jalisi Scharukh M.
Published: August 2017

Background

The decision to undergo laryngectomy carries medical, social, and emotional consequences. This study evaluates the understandability and actionability of current laryngectomy information.

Methods

Laryngectomy‐related educational materials from an online search were evaluated using the validated Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). Reading difficulty was calculated using the Flesch‐Kincaid Level, Flesch Reading Ease, Gunning‐Fog Index (GFI), Coleman‐Liau Index, Automated Readability Index, and Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) score. Interrater agreement was assessed using Cohen's kappa. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship among readability, understandability, and actionability.

Results

Forty‐four articles were included. Interrater agreement was substantial (κ = 0.71). Mean understandability was 68.3% ± 17% and mean actionability was 66.3% ± 24%. Average reading difficulty exceeded the ability of an average American adult. There was a negative correlation between readability and understandability (R = −0.49; P < .05).

Conclusion

Most laryngectomy information is too difficult for the average person to read, understand, or act upon. Revisions may be warranted to benefit a larger readership.
Innervation of the human posterior cricoarytenoid muscle by the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve
Authors: Uludag Mehmet , Aygun Nurcihan , Kartal Kinyas , Besler Evren , Isgor Adnan
Published: August 2017

Background

The posterior cricoarytenoid muscle is the abductor muscle for the vocal cords and is innerved by the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN). The purpose of this study was to present our determination if the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) contributes to the motor innervation of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle.

Methods

We performed electromyographies (EMGs) via needle electrodes on 47 posterior cricoarytenoid muscles from 28 patients during thyroidectomy (9 lobectomies and 19 total thyroidectomies) with intraoperative neural monitoring. The RLN, vagus nerve, and external branch of the SLN were stimulated intraoperatively and the responses were evaluated by EMG.

Results

Positive EMG responses were obtained from 16 (34%) of 47 posterior cricoarytenoid muscles after external branch of the SLN stimulation. The EMG of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle was unilaterally positive in 8 of 19 patients (42%) with total thyroidectomy, and 2 of 19 patients (10.5%) were bilaterally positive.

Conclusion

The external branch of the SLN contributes to the ipsilateral posterior cricoarytenoid muscle innervation in one‐third of the cases. This contribution is usually unilateral, but is occasionally bilateral.
Association between radioiodine treatment for thyroid cancer and risk of stroke
Authors: Lin Chun‐Yi , Lin Cheng‐Li , Lo Yi‐Chen , Kao Chia‐Hung
Published: August 2017

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between radioiodine (I‐131) therapy for thyroid cancer and the risk of stroke in Taiwan.

Methods

A total of 10 104 of the patients aged 20 years or older, who were newly diagnosed with thyroid cancer during 2000‐2010, were recruited and classified into 2 cohorts according to whether they received I‐131 therapy through 1:1 propensity score matching. The cumulative Kaplan‐Meier curves for the incidence of stroke in the 2 cohorts were compared using the log‐rank test.

Results

After adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities, the I‐131 therapy group showed no significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted HR [aHR] = 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.82‐1.34) or hemorrhagic stroke (aHR = 1.06; 95% CI = 0.58‐1.93) than did the non‐I‐131 therapy group.

Conclusion

The I‐131 treatment for thyroid cancer did not increase the risk of stroke during 10‐year follow‐up.
Chronic impairment of ERK signaling in glutamatergic neurons of the forebrain does not affect spatial memory retention and LTP in the same manner as acute blockade of the ERK pathway
Authors: Vithayathil Joseph , Pucilowska Joanna , Friel David , Landreth Gary E.
Published: August 2017

The ERK/MAPK signaling pathway has been extensively studied in the context of learning and memory. Defects in this pathway underlie genetic diseases associated with intellectual disability, including impaired learning and memory. Numerous studies have investigated the impact of acute ERK/MAPK inhibition on long‐term potentiation and spatial memory. However, genetic knockouts of the ERKs have not been utilized to determine whether developmental perturbations of ERK/MAPK signaling affect LTP and memory formation in postnatal life. In this study, two different ERK2 conditional knockout mice were generated that restrict loss of ERK2 to excitatory neurons in the forebrain, but at different time‐points (embryonically and post‐natally). We found that embryonic loss of ERK2 had minimal effect on spatial memory retention and novel object recognition, while loss of ERK2 post‐natally had more pronounced effects in these behaviors. Loss of ERK2 in both models showed intact LTP compared to control animals, while loss of both ERK1 and ERK2 impaired late phase LTP. These findings indicate that ERK2 is not necessary for LTP and spatial memory retention and provide new insights into the functional deficits associated with the chronic impairment of ERK signaling.
Seasonality of stable isotope composition of atmospheric water input at the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Authors: Otte Insa , Detsch Florian , Gütlein Adrian , Scholl Martha , Kiese Ralf , Appelhans Tim , Nauss Thomas
Published: August 2017

To understand the moisture regime at the southern slopes of Mt. Kilimanjaro, we analysed the isotopic variability of oxygen (δ18O) and hydrogen (δD) of rainfall, throughfall, and fog from a total of 2,140 samples collected weekly over 2 years at 9 study sites along an elevation transect ranging from 950 to 3,880 m above sea level. Precipitation in the Kilimanjaro tropical rainforests consists of a combination of rainfall, throughfall, and fog. We defined local meteoric water lines for all 3 precipitation types individually and the overall precipitation, δDprec = 7.45 (±0.05) × δ18Oprec + 13.61 (±0.20),n = 2,140,R2 = .91,p < .001. We investigated the precipitation‐type‐specific stable isotope composition and analysed the effects of amount, altitude, and temperature. Aggregated annual mean values revealed isotope composition of rainfall as most depleted and fog water as most enriched in heavy isotopes at the highest elevation research site. We found an altitude effect of δ18Orain = −0.11‰ × 100 m−1, which varied according to precipitation type and season. The relatively weak isotope or altitude gradient may reveal 2 different moisture sources in the research area: (a) local moisture recycling and (b) regional moisture sources. Generally, the seasonality of δ18Orainvalues follows the bimodal rainfall distribution under the influences of south‐ and north‐easterly trade winds. These seasonal patterns of isotopic composition were linked to different regional moisture sources by analysing Hybrid Single Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory backward trajectories. Seasonality ofdexcess values revealed evidence of enhanced moisture recycling after the onset of the rainy seasons. This comprehensive dataset is essential for further research using stable isotopes as a hydrological tracer of sources of precipitation that contribute to water resources of the Kilimanjaro region.
Using high‐resolution isotope data and alternative calibration strategies for a tracer‐aided runoff model in a nested catchment
Authors: Tunaley Claire , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Birkel Christian , Soulsby Chris
Published: August 2017

Testing hydrological models over different spatio‐temporal scales is important for both evaluating diagnostics and aiding process understanding. High‐frequency (6‐hr) stable isotope sampling of rainfall and runoff was undertaken during 3‐week periods in summer and winter within 12 months of daily sampling in a 3.2‐km2 catchment in the Scottish Highlands. This was used to calibrate and test a tracer‐aided model to assess the (a) information content of high‐resolution data, (b) effect of different calibration strategies on simulations and inferred processes, and (c) model transferability to <1‐km2 subcatchment. The 6‐hourly data were successfully incorporated without loss of model performance, improving the temporal resolution of the modelling, and making it more relevant to the time dynamics of the isotope and hydrometric response. However, this added little new information due to old‐water dominance and riparian mixing in this peatland catchment. Time variant results, from differential split sample testing, highlighted the importance of calibrating to a wide range of hydrological conditions. This also provided insights into the nonstationarity of catchment mixing processes, in relation to storage and water ages, which varied markedly depending on the calibration period. Application to the nested subcatchment produced equivalent parameterization and performance, highlighting similarity in dominant processes. The study highlighted the utility of high‐resolution data in combination with tracer‐aided models, applied at multiple spatial scales, as learning tools to enhance process understanding and evaluation of model behaviour across nonstationary conditions. This helps reveal more fully the catchment response in terms of the different mechanistic controls on both wave celerites and particle velocities.
Impact of adenoma detection on the benefit of faecal testing vs. colonoscopy for colorectal cancer
Authors: Meester Reinier G.S. , Doubeni Chyke A. , Zauber Ann G. , van Ballegooijen Marjolein , Corley Douglas A. , Lansdorp‐Vogelaar Iris
Published: August 2017

Colonoscopy quality, as measured by adenoma detection rates, varies widely across providers and is inversely related to patients' post‐colonoscopy cancer risk. This has unknown consequences for the benefits of faecal immunochemical testing (FIT) vs. primary colonoscopy screening for colorectal cancer. Using an established microsimulation model, we predicted the lifetime colorectal cancer incidence and mortality benefits of annual FIT vs. 10‐yearly colonoscopy screening at differing ADR levels (quintiles; averages 15.3–38.7%), with colonoscopy performance assumptions estimated from community‐based data on physician ADRs and patients' post‐colonoscopy risk of cancer. For patients receiving FIT screening with follow‐up colonoscopy by physicians from the highest ADR quintile, simulated lifetime cancer incidence and mortality were 28.8 and 5.4 per 1,000, respectively, vs. 20.6 and 4.4 for primary colonoscopy screening (risk ratios, RR = 1.40; 95% probability interval (PI), 1.19–1.71 for incidence, and RR = 1.22; 95%PI, 1.02–1.54 for mortality). With every 5% point ADR decrease, lifetime cancer incidence was predicted to increase on average 9.0% for FIT vs. 12.3% for colonoscopy, and mortality increased 9.9% vs. 13.3%. In ADR quintile 1, simulated mortality was lower for FIT than colonoscopy screening (10.1 vs. 11.8; RR = 0.85; 95%PI, 0.83–0.90), while incidences were more similar. This suggests that relative cancer incidence and mortality reductions for FIT vs. colonoscopy screening may differ by ADR, with fewer predicted deaths with colonoscopy screening in higher ADR settings and fewer deaths with annual FIT screening in lower ADR settings.
Fe‐Catalyzed Cycloisomerizations
Authors: Teske Johannes , Plietker Bernd
Published: August 2017

Cycloisomerizations allow the generation of defined molecular complexity starting from structurally simple polyunsaturated starting materials. Iron‐based catalysts are newcomers in this field of catalysis that is dominated by catalysts based mainly on palladium, ruthenium, and in particular rhodium. In this review we summarize the most important contributions in this field of catalysis. Apart from “classical” Lewis‐acid activations catalysts that possess redox‐active ligands are of particular interest since they open new mechanistic pathways and hence new cycloisomerization venues.
Rician noise removal in magnitude MRI images using efficient anisotropic diffusion filtering
Authors: Pal Chandrajit , Das Pabitra , Chakrabarti Amlan , Ghosh Ranjan
Published: August 2017

In this article, a new methodology for denoising of Rician noise in Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI) is presented. MRI imaging creates a distinctive view into the interior of a human body and has become an essential tool of clinical diagnosis. However, Rician noise is a type of artifact inherent to the acquisition process of the magnitude MRI image, making diagnosis difficult. We proposed a moment‐based Rician noise reduction technique in anisotropic diffusion filtering. We extend the work of the classical anisotropic diffusion filter and have customized it to remove Rician noise in the magnitude MRI image in 3D domain space. Our proposed scheme shows better results against various quality measures in terms of noise removal and edge preservation while retaining fine textures.
An efficient automated methodology for detecting and segmenting the ischemic stroke in brain MRI images
Authors: Sivakumar P. , Ganeshkumar P.
Published: August 2017

Brain tumor and brain stroke are two important causes of death in and around the world. The abnormalities in brain cell leads to brain stroke and obstruction in blood flow to brain cells leads to brain stroke. In this article, a computer aided automatic methodology is proposed to detect and segment ischemic stroke in brain MRI images using Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference (ANFIS) classifier. The proposed method consists of preprocessing, feature extraction and classification. The brain image is enhanced using Heuristic histogram equalization technique. Then, texture and morphological features are extracted from the preprocessed image. These features are optimized using Genetic Algorithm and trained and classified using ANFIS classifier. The performance of the proposed ischemic stroke detection system is analyzed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Mathew's correlation coefficient.
An alternative procedure to cumulative sum for cyber‐physical attack detection
Authors: Coluccia Angelo , Fascista Alessio
Published: August 2017

Motivated by the importance of change detection in cyber‐physical systems security, an alternative procedure to the classical cumulative sum (CUSUM) algorithm is explored. By capitalizing on recent results appeared in the statistical literature, it is shown that superior performance can be obtained in terms of reaction time while being robust against parameter mismatches. In order to translate such quickest‐detection‐theoretic advances into practical system‐engineering tools, a simple pseudocode is provided that ensures approximately flat response with respect to the change time. We believe the latter is a very important property that is missing in CUSUM‐based detection approaches.
Optical properties of mice's stool in 550 to 1000 nm wavelength range
Authors: Isler Helene , Germanier Catherine , Ahnen Linda , Jiang Jingjing , Lindner Scott , Di Costanzo Mata Aldo , Karen Tanja , Sánchez Majos Salvador , Wolf Martin , Kalyanov Alexander
Published: August 2017

The aim of this work was to measure optical properties of stool of mice to provide this relevant wavelength‐dependent behavior for optical imaging modalities such as fluorescent molecular tomography and near‐infrared optical tomography. BALB/c nude female mice were studied and optical properties of the stool were determined by employing the inverse adding‐doubling approach. The animals were kept on chlorophyll‐free diet. Nine stool samples were measured. The wavelength‐dependent behavior of absorption and scattering in 550 to 1000 nm range is presented. The reduced scattering spectrum is fitted to the Mie scattering approximation in the near‐infrared (NIR) wavelength range and to the Mie + Rayleigh approximation in visible/NIR range with the fitting coefficients presented. The study revealed that the absorption spectrum of stool can lead to crosstalk with the spectrum of hemoglobin in the NIR range.
Evaluation in zebrafish model of the toxicity of rhodamine B‐conjugated crotamine, a peptide potentially useful for diagnostics and therapeutics
Authors: Chan Judy Yuet‐Wa , Zhou Hefeng , Kwan Yiu Wa , Chan Shun Wan , Radis‐Baptista Gandhi , Lee Simon Ming‐Yuen
Published: August 2017

Crotamine is defensin‐like cationic peptide from rattlesnake venom that possesses anticancer, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. Despite these promising biological activities, toxicity is a major concern associated with the development of venom‐derived peptides as therapeutic agents. In the present study, we used zebrafish as a system model to evaluate the toxicity of rhodamine B‐conjugated (RhoB) crotamine derivative. The lethal toxic concentration of RhoB‐crotamine was as low as 4 μM, which effectively kill zebrafish larvae in less than 10 min. With non‐lethal concentrations (<1 μM), crotamine caused malformation in zebrafish embryos, delayed or completely halted hatching, adversely affected embryonic developmental programming, decreased the cardiac functions, and attenuated the swimming distance of zebrafish. The RhoB‐crotamine translocated across vitelline membrane and accumulated in zebrafish yolk sac. These results demonstrate the sensitive responsivity of zebrafish to trial crotamine analogues for the development of novel therapeutic peptides with improved safety, bioavailability, and efficacy profiles.
Investigation of acetylcholinesterase and mammalian DNA topoisomerases, carbonic anhydrase inhibition profiles, and cytotoxic activity of novel bis(α‐aminoalkyl)phosphinic acid derivatives against human breast cancer
Authors: Dastan Taner , Kocyigit Umit M. , Durna Dastan Sevgi , Canturk Kilickaya Pakize , Taslimi Parham , Cevik Ozge , Koparir Metin , Orek Cahit , Gulçin İlhami , Cetin Ahmet
Published: August 2017

The aim of this study was to evaluate biologically active novel molecules having potentials to be drugs by their antitumor properties and by activities of apoptotic caspase and topoisomerase. Following syntheses of novel eight bis(α‐aminoalkyl)phosphinic acid derivatives (4a–h) as a result of array of reactions, compounds were evaluated by cytotoxic effects in vitro on human breast cancer (MCF‐7) and normal endothelial (HUVEC) cell lines. All phosphinic acid derivatives were effective for cytotoxicity on both MCF‐7 and HUVEC lines, while 4c, 4e, and 4f compounds were found significantly more effective. For the evaluation of antitumor properties of compounds in a highly sensitive method, their effects on inhibiting topoisomerases I and II were investigated. Also, some of the bis(α‐aminoalkyl)phosphinic acid derivatives (4a, 4e–h) showed nice inhibitory action against acetylcholinesterase and human carbonic anhydrase isoforms I and II.
P2Y6 regulates cytoskeleton reorganization and cell migration of C2C12 myoblasts via ROCK pathway
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Mengjie , Gao Yingna , Song Xianmin , Zheng Hongliang , Zhang Kaiyong , Zhang Bimeng , Chen Donghui
Published: August 2017

Migration of skeletal muscle precursor cells is required for limb muscle development and skeletal muscle repair. This study aimed to examine the role of P2Y6 receptor in C2C12 myoblasts migration. C2C12 myoblasts were treated with P2Y6 agonist UDP, P2Y6 antagonist MRS2578, Ca2+ channel blocker BTP2, or ROCK inhibitor GSK269962 or Y27632, and the migration ability of C2C12 cells was assessed by wound healing assay. The cellular Ca2+ content was analyzed with fluo‐4 probe and the activation of ROCK (phosphorlyation of LIMK and cofilin) was assayed by western blot. The cytoskeleton was labeled with Actin‐Tracker Green and Tubulin‐Tracker‐Red. Silencing P2Y6 expression in C2C12 myoblasts reduced intracellular Ca2+ content and cell motility. Whereas UDP increased cellular Ca2+ content, actin filaments, and cell migration, MRS2578 had the opposite effects. The effects of UDP were abrogated by BTP2 and GSK269962 (and Y27632). Disruption of P2Y6 signaling pathway caused C2C12 myoblasts to have an elongated morphology. These results demonstrated that P2Y6 signaled through Ca2+ influx and RhoA/ROCK to reorganize cytoskeleton and promote migration in myoblasts.
LincRNA DYN‐LRB2‐2 upregulates cholesterol efflux by decreasing TLR2 expression in macrophages
Authors: Li Yongqiang , Shen Shuxin , Ding Shoukun , Wang Lixia
Published: August 2017

This study is designed to determine whether lincRNA‐DYNLRB2‐2 could promote cholesterol efflux through regulating the expression of TLR2. THP‐1 and RAW264.7 cells were incubated with oxLDL for 48 h to induce the formation of foam cells, and ORO staining was performed and intracellular cholesterol contents were measured by HPLC assay. qRT‐PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect mRNA and protein expression levels, respectively. Lentiviral vector LV‐DYNLRB2‐2 and lincRNA‐DYNLRB2‐2 siRNA was constructed to explore its potential role. The cholesterol efflux was assessed by liquid scintillation counting. The effects of TRL2 were determined in apoE−/− mice that fed a high fat diet and were randomly divided into three groups and infected with LV‐Mock, LV‐Sh‐TRL2, or LV‐TRL2. Atherosclerosis was observed in the aortic sinus and the levels of cytokines and serum biochemical parameters were measured. Ox‐LDL induced foam cell formation in the THP‐1 and RAW264.7 cells. LincRNA DYN‐LRB2‐2 was upregulated in oxLDL‐treated THP‐1 and Raw264.7 cells. LincRNA‐DYNLRB2‐2 plays important role in regulating the cholesterol efflux, ABCA1 expression level and anti‐inflammatory processes in THP‐1 and RAW264.7 cells. Further study indicated that lincRNA‐DYNLRB2‐2 negatively regulated TRL2 expression and TRL2 overexpression reversed the effects of lincRNA‐DYNLRB2‐2 on cholesterol efflux and ABCA1 expression level in THP‐1 and RAW264.7 cells. Besides, we found TRL2 plays important role in lipid accumulation, plaque formation and regulating serum inflammatory cytokines level in apoE−/− mice with a high fat diet. LincRNA DYN‐LRB2‐2 upregulates cholesterol efflux by decreasing TLR2 expression in macrophages.
Loss of BMI‐1 dampens migration and EMT of colorectal cancer in inflammatory microenvironment through TLR4/MD‐2/MyD88‐mediated NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Ye Kai , Chen Qi‐Wei , Sun Ya‐Feng , Lin Jian‐An , Xu Jian‐Hua
Published: August 2017

Increasing evidence from various clinical and experimental studies has demonstrated that the inflammatory microenvironment created by immune cells facilitates tumor migration. Epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) is involved in the progression of cancer invasion and metastasis in an inflammatory microenvironment. B‐lymphoma Moloney murine leukemia virus insertion region 1 (BMI‐1) acts as an oncogene in various tumors. Ectopic expression of Bmi‐1 have an effect on EMT and invasiveness. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of BMI‐1 on inflammation‐induced tumor migration and EMT and the underlying mechanism. We observed that the expression of BMI‐1, TNF‐α, and IL‐1β was significantly increased in HT29 and HCT116 cells after THP‐1 Conditioned‐Medium (THP‐1‐CM) stimulation. Additionally, inhibition of BMI‐1 impeded cell invasion induced by THP‐1‐CM‐stimulation in both HT29 and HCT116 cells. BMI‐1 knockdown remarkably repressed THP‐1‐CM—induced EMT by regulating the expression of EMT biomarkers with an increase in E‐cadherin accompanied by decrease in N‐cadherin and vimentin. Furthermore, downregulation of BMI‐1 dramatically impeded THP‐1‐CM‐triggered Toll‐like receptor 4(TLR4)/myeloid differentiation protein 2(MD‐2)/myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88) activity by repressing the expression of the TLR4/MD‐2 complex and MyD88. Further data demonstrated that knockout of BMI‐1 also dampened NF‐κB THP‐1‐CM‐triggered activity. Taken all data together, our findings established that BMI‐1 modulated TLR4/MD‐2/MyD88 complex‐mediated NF‐κB signaling involved in inflammation‐induced cancer cells invasion and EMT, and therefore, could be a potential chemopreventive agent against inflammation‐associated colorectal cancer.

Highlights.

Establishment of an inflammatory microenvironment.

Suppression of BMI‐1 reverses THP‐1‐CM‐induced inflammatory cytokine production in CRC.

Loss of BMI‐1 suppressed TLR4/MD‐2/MyD88 complex‐mediated NF‐κB signaling.