bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Erythropoietin regulates immune/inflammatory reaction and improves neurological function outcomes in traumatic brain injury
Authors: Zhou Zi‐wei , Li Fei , Zheng Zhi‐tong , Li Ya‐dan , Chen Tong‐heng , Gao Wei‐wei , Chen Jie‐li , Zhang Jian‐ning
Published: October 2017

Introduction

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a leading cause of disability and death among young people in China. Unfortunately, no specific pharmacological agents to block the progression of secondary brain injury have been approved for clinical treatment. Recently, neuroprotective effects of erythropoietin (EPO) have been demonstrated in addition to its principal function in erythropoiesis, and hence it is viewed as a potential drug for TBI. In this study, we have investigated the neuroprotective effects of EPO associated with immune/inflammatory modulation in a mouse experimental TBI model.

Methods

EPO (5000 U/kg body weight, i.p.) was injected at 1 hr, 1, 2, and 3 days after TBI, and its effect on cognitive function, brain edema, immune/inflammatory cells including regulatory T cells (Tregs), neutrophils, CD3+ T cells, and microglia, cytokines including interleukin‐10 (IL‐10), transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were evaluated at different time points after treatment.

Results

EPO treatment significantly decreased brain edema and improved cognitive function when compared to Saline‐treated mice (p < .05). EPO treatment also significantly increased Tregs level in spleen and injured brain tissue as well as significantly reduced the infiltration and activation of immune/inflammatory cells (neutrophils, CD3+T cells, and microglia) in the injured hemisphere compared to Saline‐treated control animals (p < .05). In addition, ELISA analysis demonstrated that EPO treatment increased the expression of anti‐inflammatory cytokine IL‐10, but decreased the expression of proinflammatory cytokine IL‐1β and TNF‐α in the injured brain tissue (p < .05).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that EPO could improve neurological and cognitive functional outcomes as well as regulate immune/inflammatory reaction in TBI.
Practitioners’ experiences of learning and implementing Counselling for Depression (CfD) in routine practice settings
Authors: Drewitt Leah , Pybis Joanne , Murphy David , Barkham Michael
Published: October 2017

Aim

Counselling for Depression (CfD) is a person‐centred experiential therapy developed for implementation in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme. Training in this model has been available across England since 2011. This study aims to investigate counselling practitioners’ experiences of learning the CfD model and implementing CfD in practice settings.

Method

Participants were recruited by an email sent to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy's (BACP) CfD Practice Research Network (PRN). Of the 53 CfD practitioners belonging to BACP's CfD PRN, 18 participated in this mixed‐methods piece of research. All 18 participants completed an online questionnaire, and one hour follow‐up semi‐structured interviews were conducted with six of the participants.

Results

Descriptive analyses from the online questionnaire indicated a positive experience of CfD training, with practitioners indicating a positive impact on sense of self, practice and skill set. Although a degree of challenge was encountered when training in the CfD model, thematic analysis from the six semi‐structured interviews revealed factors contributing to the positives and challenges experienced on the course. Themes also revealed a predominately negative experience of CfD in practice and service settings, although this was service dependent.

Conclusions and implications for practice

The findings can inform future recruitment of trainees to CfD training programmes and the training programme itself. They can also be used to achieve greater congruence between training in CfD and the delivery of the model. Future research may need to focus on the service level factors influencing practitioners’ experiences, and whether this experience is specific to the CfD modality in IAPT.
Bifunctional Electrocatalytic Behavior of Sodium Cobalt Phosphates in Alkaline Solution
Authors: Gond Ritambhara , Sada Krishnakanth , Senthilkumar Baskar , Barpanda Prabeer
Published: October 2017

Noble‐metal‐free, bifunctional catalysts are essential to develop high‐performance, cost‐effective water‐splitting systems. The current work explores the bifunctional electrocatalytic behavior of two sodium cobalt phosphate systems, namely, NaCoPO4 and Na2CoP2O7, prepared by solution combustion synthesis (SCS) for the first time. Formation of phase‐pure orthorhombic maricite NaCoPO4 (space group: Pnma) and orthorhombic Na2CoP2O7 (space group: Pna21) was confirmed by Rietveld refinement. The electrocatalytic activity of maricite NaCoPO4 and Na2CoP2O7 was investigated by using linear sweep voltammetry with a rotating disk electrode (RDE). The oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activities of these sodium cobalt phosphates are comparable to Vulcan carbon black and Pt/C. Oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of Na2CoP2O7 is dominant compared to NaCoPO4 and Pt/C. The Tafel slope, electron‐transfer number, and stability of the sodium‐metal phosphates were calculated in different concentrations of Na+‐containing aqueous electrolyte. The bifunctional activity and good stability of the sodium cobalt phosphates stem from cobalt ions and stabilization of the catalytic centers by the phosphate frameworks. The present work demonstrates sodium cobalt phosphates as alternate cost‐effective, novel electrocatalysts for efficient OER/ORR activity in alkaline solution.
Ni‐Assisted Low Temperature Synthesis of MoCx with Enhanced HER Activity
Authors: Zhou Yajun , Huang Weimin , Zhang Xiaohua , Wang Min , Zhang Lingxia , Shi Jianlin
Published: October 2017

Here we report a novel one‐pot approach to synthesize MoCx catalysts at much lowered temperature for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acidic solution. A room‐temperature co‐precipitation reaction among Ni2+, MoO42− and 2‐methylimidazole in an aqueous solution produced a Mo−Ni−imidazole complex, which was used as the precursor to fabricate MoCx. The morphological and chemical properties of the obtained MoCx affected by calcination and other additive metal sources (like Fe, Co, Cu) were investigated in detail. We demonstrated that Ni−Mo alloying took place prior to MoCx formation during heating, which catalyzed the crystallization of MoCx at relatively low temperature. The MoCx/Ni‐650 catalyst exhibited a quite low overpotential of 172 mV at 20 mA cm−2. The high performance originates from the synergistic effect between MoCx and Ni−Mo alloy, high ratio of Mo3+/Mo2+, as well as high electrochemically active surface area and low charge‐transfer resistance. This work would open a new way to the design and fabrication of other transition‐metal carbide catalysts.
K‐Region‐Extended [c]‐Heteroannulated Pyrenes
Authors: Baumgärtner Kevin , Kirschbaum Tobias , Krutzek Fabian , Dreuw Andreas , Rominger Frank , Mastalerz Michael
Published: October 2017

Extended fused aromatic compounds are promising materials for organic electronics. Among them, structures with five‐membered annulated rings differ from those consisting only of six‐membered carbocyclic rings. To date, fusion of five‐membered rings has been realized mainly via the [b]‐edge, and systems fused via the [c]‐edge are of low stability. Whereas linearly double [b]‐fused systems are stable, analogous [c]‐fused systems have not been described to date. Comparable to the stabilization of longer acenes by peri‐fusion, herein the synthesis of doubly [c]‐annulated systems stabilized by double peri‐fusion is described. The compounds were analyzed by X‐ray crystallography, photophysical methods, and DFT calculations to gain deeper insight into the nature of conjugation in these new systems.
Improving the Catalytic Power of the DszD Enzyme for the Biodesulfurization of Crude Oil and Derivatives
Authors: Ferreira Pedro , Sousa Sérgio F. , Fernandes Pedro A. , Ramos Maria João
Published: October 2017

The enhancement of the catalytic power of enzymes is a subject of enormous interest both for science and for industry. The latter, in particular, due to the vast applications enzymes can have in industrial processes, for instance in the desulfurization of crude oil, which is mandatory by law in many developed countries and is currently performed using costly chemical processes. In this work we sought to enhance the turnover rate of DszD from Rhodococcus erythropolis, a NADH‐FMN oxidoreductase responsible for supplying FMNH2 to DszA and DszC in the biodesulfurization process of crude oil, the 4S pathway. For this purpose, we replaced the wild type spectator residue of the rate limiting step of the reduction of FMN to FMNH2, a process catalysed by DszD and known to play an important role in the reaction energy profile. As replacements, we used all the naturally occurring amino acids, one at a time, using computational methodologies, and repeated the above‐mentioned reaction with each mutant. To calculate the different free energy profiles, one for each mutated model, we applied quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) methods within an ONIOM scheme. The free energy barriers obtained varied between 15.1 and 29.9 kcal mol−1. Multiple factors contributed to the different ΔG values. The most relevant were electrostatic interactions and the induction of a favourable alignment between substrate and cofactor. These results confirm the great potential that chirurgic mutations have for increasing the catalytic power of DszD in relation to the wild type (wt) enzyme.
Generation of α‐Iminyl Radicals from α‐Bromo Cyclic N‐Sulfonylimines and Application to Coupling with Various Radical Acceptors Using a Photoredox Catalyst
Authors: Esumi Naoto , Suzuki Kensuke , Nishimoto Yoshihiro , Yasuda Makoto
Published: October 2017

Visible‐light‐induced generation of α‐iminyl radicals was accomplished using α‐bromo cyclic N‐sulfonylimines and photoredox catalysts such as erythrosine B or Ru(bpy)3(PF6)2. The generated α‐iminyl radical was utilized for various radical reactions with allylation reagents, silyl enol ethers and allenyl stannane to give the corresponding coupling products. Furthermore, atom transfer radical addition (ATRA) to olefin proceeded to provide the ATRA product. This process provided a mild and efficient method for the synthesis of cyclic N‐sulfonylimine‐containing molecules that act as bioactive compounds and become the precursors in sultam synthesis.
Crystal Structures of Staphylococcus aureus Ketol‐Acid Reductoisomerase in Complex with Two Transition State Analogues that Have Biocidal Activity
Authors: Patel Khushboo M. , Teran David , Zheng Shan , Kandale Ajit , Garcia Mario , Lv You , Schembri Mark A. , McGeary Ross P. , Schenk Gerhard , Guddat Luke W.
Published: October 2017

Ketol‐acid reductoisomerase (KARI) is an NAD(P)H and Mg2+‐dependent enzyme of the branched‐chain amino acid (BCAA) biosynthesis pathway. Here, the first crystal structures of Staphylococcus aureus (Sa) KARI in complex with two transition state analogues, cyclopropane‐1,1‐dicarboxylate (CPD) and N‐isopropyloxalyl hydroxamate (IpOHA) are reported. These compounds bind competitively and in multi‐dentate manner to KARI with Ki values of 2.73 μm and 7.9 nm, respectively; however, IpOHA binds slowly to the enzyme. Interestingly, intact IpOHA is present in only ≈25 % of binding sites, whereas its deoxygenated form is present in the remaining sites. This deoxy form of IpOHA binds rapidly to Sa KARI, but with much weaker affinity (Ki=21 μm). Thus, our data pinpoint the origin of the slow binding mechanism of IpOHA. Furthermore, we propose that CPD mimics the early stage of the catalytic reaction (preceding the reduction step), whereas IpOHA mimics the late stage (after the reduction took place). These structural insights will guide strategies to design potent and rapidly binding derivatives of these compounds for the development of novel biocides.
Early detection versus prevention in colorectal cancer screening: Methods estimates and public health implications
Authors: Segnan Nereo , Armaroli Paola
Published: October 2017

The percentage of mortality reduction due to prevention via the removal of adenomatous polyps or to early detection using comparison of survivals in intervention and usual‐care groups is flawed by lead time. Herein, a simple alternative algorithm is used and approximately 79% of averted colorectal cancer deaths are found to be due to prevention in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Some implications for public health are discussed.

See also pages 4815‐22.
Yolk sac erythromyeloid progenitors expressing gain of function PTPN11 have functional features of JMML but are not sufficient to cause disease in mice
Authors: Tarnawsky Stefan P. , Yoshimoto Momoko , Deng Lisa , Chan Rebecca J. , Yoder Mervin C.
Published: October 2017

Background: Accumulating evidence suggests the origin of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is closely associated with fetal development. Nevertheless, the contribution of embryonic progenitors to JMML pathogenesis remains unexplored. We hypothesized that expression of JMML‐initiating PTPN11 mutations in HSC‐independent yolk sac erythromyeloid progenitors (YS EMPs) would result in a mouse model of pediatric myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Results: E9.5 YS EMPs from VavCre+;PTPN11D61Y embryos demonstrated growth hypersensitivity to granulocyte‐macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) and hyperactive RAS‐ERK signaling. Mutant EMPs engrafted the spleens of neonatal recipients, but did not cause disease. To assess MPN development during unperturbed hematopoiesis we generated CSF1R‐MCM+;PTPN11E76K;ROSAYFP mice in which oncogene expression was restricted to EMPs. Yellow fluorescent protein‐positive progeny of mutant EMPs persisted in tissues one year after birth and demonstrated hyperactive RAS‐ERK signaling. Nevertheless, these mice had normal survival and did not demonstrate features of MPN. Conclusions: YS EMPs expressing mutant PTPN11 demonstrate functional and molecular features of JMML but do not cause disease following transplantation nor following unperturbed development. Developmental Dynamics 246:1001–1014, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Landscape‐scale genetic differentiation of a mycangial fungus associated with the ambrosia beetle,Xylosandrus germanus(Blandford) (Curculionidae:Scolytinae) in Japan
Authors: Ito Masaaki , Kajimura Hisashi
Published: October 2017

In this study, we examined the genetic structures of the ambrosia fungus isolated from mycangia of the scolytine beetle,Xylosandrus germanusto understand their co‐evolutionary relationships. We analyzed datasets of three ambrosia fungus loci (18SrDNA, 28SrDNA, and the β‐tubulin gene) and aX. germanuslocus dataset (cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) mitochondrialDNA). The ambrosia fungi were separated into three cultural morphptypes, and their haplotypes were distinguished by phylogenetic analysis on the basis of the three loci. TheCOIphylogenetic analysis revealed three distinct genetic lineages (clades A, B, and C) withinX. germanus, each of which corresponded to specific ambrosia fungus cultural morphptypes. The fungal symbiont phylogeny was not concordant with that of the beetle. Our results suggest thatX. germanusmay be unable to exchange its mycangial fungi, but extraordinary horizontal transmission of symbiotic fungi between the beetle's lineages occurred at least once during the evolutionary history of this symbiosis.
Population structure and connectivity of the mountainous star coral, Orbicella faveolata, throughout the wider Caribbean region
Authors: Rippe John P. , Matz Mikhail V. , Green Elizabeth A. , Medina Mónica , Khawaja Nida Z. , Pongwarin Thanapat , Pinzón C. Jorge H. , Castillo Karl D. , Davies Sarah W.
Published: October 2017

As coral reefs continue to decline worldwide, it becomes ever more necessary to understand the connectivity between coral populations to develop efficient management strategies facilitating survival and adaptation of coral reefs in the future. Orbicella faveolata is one of the most important reef‐building corals in the Caribbean and has recently experienced severe population reductions. Here, we utilize a panel of nine microsatellite loci to evaluate the genetic structure of O. faveolata and to infer connectivity across ten sites spanning the wider Caribbean region. Populations are generally well‐mixed throughout the basin (FST = 0.038), although notable patterns of substructure arise at local and regional scales. Eastern and western populations appear segregated with a genetic break around the Mona Passage in the north, as has been shown previously in other species; however, we find evidence for significant connectivity between Curaçao and Mexico, suggesting that the southern margin of this barrier is permeable to dispersal. Our results also identify a strong genetic break within the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System associated with complex oceanographic patterns that promote larval retention in southern Belize. Additionally, the diverse genetic signature at Flower Garden Banks suggests its possible function as a downstream genetic sink. The findings reported here are relevant to the ongoing conservation efforts for this important and threatened species, and contribute to the growing understanding of large‐scale coral reef connectivity throughout the wider Caribbean.
The role of species‐specific sensory cues in male responses to mating rivals in Drosophila melanogaster fruitflies
Authors: Bretman Amanda , Rouse James , Westmancoat James D. , Chapman Tracey
Published: October 2017

Complex sets of cues can be important in recognizing and responding to conspecific mating competitors and avoiding potentially costly heterospecific competitive interactions. Within Drosophila melanogaster, males can detect sensory inputs from conspecifics to assess the level of competition. They respond to rivals by significantly extending mating duration and gain significant fitness benefits from doing so. Here, we tested the idea that the multiple sensory cues used by D. melanogaster males to detect conspecifics also function to minimize “off‐target” responses to heterospecific males that they might encounter (Drosophila simulans, Drosophila yakuba, Drosophila pseudoobscura, or Drosophila virilis). Focal D. melanogaster males exposed to D. simulans or D. pseudoobscura subsequently increased mating duration, but to a lesser extent than following exposure to conspecific rivals. The magnitude of rivals’ responses expressed by D. melanogaster males did not align with genetic distance between species, and none of the sensory manipulations caused D. melanogaster to respond to males of all other species tested. However, when we removed or provided “false” sensory cues, D. melanogaster males became more likely to show increased mating duration responses to heterospecific males. We suggest that benefits of avoiding inaccurate assessment of the competitive environment may shape the evolution of recognition cues.
The causes of disproportionate non‐random mortality among life‐cycle stages
Authors: Green Peter T. , Harms Kyle E.
Published: October 2017

The emergent properties of the collection of species in a natural community, such as diversity and the distribution of relative abundances, are influenced by both niche‐based and neutral (stochastic) processes. This pluralistic view of the natural world reconciles theory with empirical observations better than does either a strictly niche‐ or neutrality‐based perspective. Even so, rules (or rules of thumb) that govern the relative contributions that niche‐based and stochastic processes make as communities assemble remain only vaguely formulated and incompletely tested. For example, the translation of non‐random (non‐neutral) ecological processes, which differentially sort among species within a community, into species‐compositional patterns may occur more influentially within some demographic subsets of organisms than within others. In other words, the relative contributions of niche vs. neutral processes may vary among age‐, size‐, or stage‐classes. For example, non‐random patterns of mortality that occur among seedlings in a rain forest, or among newly settled juveniles in communities of sessile marine communities, could be more influential than non‐random mortality during later stages in determining overall community diversity. We propose two alternative, mutually compatible, hypotheses to account for different levels of influence from mortality among life‐cycle stages toward producing non‐random patterns in organismal communities. The Turnover Model simply posits that those demographic classes characterized by faster rates of turnover contribute greater influence in the short‐term as sufficient mortality gives rise to non‐random changes to the community, as well as over the longer‐term as multiple individuals of a given fast‐turnover demographic class transition into later classes compared to each individual that ratchets from a slow‐turnover starting class into a later class. The Turnover Model should apply to most communities of organisms. The Niche Model, which posits that niche‐based processes are more influential in some demographic classes relative to others, may alternatively or additionally apply to communities. We also propose several alternative mechanisms, especially relevant to forest trees, that could cause dynamics consistent with the Niche Model. These mechanisms depend on differences among demographic classes in the extent of demographic variation that individual organisms experience through their trait values or neighborhood conditions.
Mercaptoaryl‐Oxazoline Complexes of Palladium and Their High Activities as Catalysts for Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reactions in Water
Authors: Holzer Christof , Dupé Antoine , Peschel Lydia M. , Belaj Ferdinand , Mösch‐Zanetti Nadia C.
Published: October 2017

The synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, and catalytic activities of a series of PdII complexes bearing the monoanionic, bidentate ligand 2‐(2‐thiophenyl)‐4,4‐dimethyloxazoline (S‐Phoz) are reported. These complexes were used as precatalysts for Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reactions under aqueous conditions. The dimers [{PdX(S‐Phoz)}2] (X = Cl, Br, I; 1–3) were treated with the N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligand 1,3‐bis(2,4,6‐trimethylphenyl)imidazol‐2‐ylidene (IMes) to afford the mononuclear complexes [PdX(S‐Phoz)(IMes)] (X = Cl, Br, I; 4–6). The σ‐donor/π‐acceptor complexes [PdCl(S‐Phoz)(EPh3)] (E = P, As, Sb; 7–9) were synthesized to evaluate the influence of a second donor ligand on the catalytic activity. Within the [PdCl(S‐Phoz)L] series, the activity trend for L follows the trend PPh3 > IMes ≈ AsPh3 > SbPh3. The sulfur‐bridged dinuclear complexes 1–3 are highly active for the benchmark coupling of p‐bromoacetophenone with phenylboronic acid and exhibit turnover frequencies (TOFs) of up to 16000 h–1. DFT and G0W0 calculations were performed to rationalize the facile reduction and, hence, excellent activities of the dinuclear complexes.
Salvinorin A reduces neuropathic nociception in the insular cortex of the rat
Authors: Coffeen U. , Canseco‐Alba A. , Simón‐Arceo K. , Almanza A. , Mercado F. , León‐Olea M. , Pellicer F.
Published: October 2017

Background

Neuropathic pain is one of the most important challenges in public health. The search for novel treatments is important for an adequate relief without adverse effects. In this sense salvinorin A (SA), the main diterpene of the medicinal plant Salvia divinorum is an important antinociceptive compound, which acts as a potent agonist of kappa opioid receptor (KOR) and cannabinoid CB1 receptors.

Methods

We evaluated nociceptive responses in a neuropathic pain model induced by the sciatic nerve ligature (SNL) in the right hind paw, after the microinjection of SA, Salvinorin B (SB), KOR and CB1 antagonists directly in the insular cortex (IC) in male wistar rats.

Results

We found a potent antinociceptive effect with the administration of SA. Moreover, this effect was blocked by the administration of a KOR antagonist as well as the administration of a CB1 antagonist.

Conclusion

Salvinorin A has a potent antinociceptive effect when is administered centrally in the IC by the interaction with KOR and CB1 receptors.

Significance

We show evidence on the effectiveness of the administration of salvinorin A in the IC in a rodent model of neuropathic pain. These results support the use of novel compounds like SA as a therapeutic alternative for neuropathic pain relief.
Effects of Temperature Differences Among Cells on the Discharging Characteristics of Lithium‐Ion Battery Packs with Series/Parallel Configurations during Constant Power Discharge
Authors: Yang Naixing , Zhang Xiongwen , Li Guojun , Cai Anjiang , Xu Yunhua
Published: October 2017

This work aims to make a comparative analysis of the unbalanced discharging phenomenon for battery packs with series/parallel configurations due to the temperature differences among the cells. A theoretically‐based model is developed for the battery pack and constant power discharging processes are simulated by the model. At a constant temperature difference, lowering the operating temperature increases the divergence among the cell terminal voltages for the series pack and the cell discharging currents for the parallel pack. Increasing the temperature differences decreases the dischargeable energy of the series battery pack, whereas it has little effect on that of the parallel configuration. Given the same temperature difference, the cell energy differences within the parallel battery pack are 5–10 times higher than those within the series configuration, which shows that the temperature can be maintained much more uniformly for a parallel battery pack than for series configuration.
Incidence of seizure exacerbation and seizures reported as adverse events during adjunctive treatment with eslicarbazepine acetate: A pooled analysis of three Phase III controlled trials
Authors: Carreño Mar , Benbadis Selim , Rocha Francisco , Blum David , Cheng Hailong ,   the Study 301, 302 and 304 Investigators (Appendix 1)
Published: October 2017

Objective

To investigate whether adjunctive eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) could lead to exacerbation of seizures in some patients.

Methods

Post‐hoc analysis of data pooled from three Phase III trials of adjunctive ESL (studies 301, 302, and 304) for refractory partial‐onset seizures (POS). Following an 8‐week baseline period, patients were randomized to receive placebo or ESL 400, 800, or 1,200 mg once daily (2‐week titration, 12‐week maintenance, 2–4 week tapering‐off periods). Patient seizure diary data and seizure treatment‐emergent adverse event (TEAE) reports were pooled for analysis.

Results

The modified intent‐to‐treat and safety populations comprised 1,410 patients and 1,447 patients, respectively. Titration period: Compared with placebo (32/21%), significantly smaller proportions of patients taking ESL 800 mg (20/15%) and 1,200 mg (22/12%) had a ≥25/≥50% increase in standardized seizure frequency (SSF) from baseline; there was no significant difference between placebo and ESL 400 mg. Maintenance period: Compared with placebo (20%), significantly smaller proportions of patients taking ESL (400 mg, 12%; 800 mg, 12%; 1,200 mg, 14%) had an increase in SSF ≥25%. When evaluating ≥50% increases in SSF, only ESL 800 mg (7%) was significantly different from placebo (12%). Some patients had no secondarily generalized tonic‐clonic (sGTC) seizures during baseline but had ≥1 sGTC seizure during maintenance treatment (placebo, 11%; ESL 400 mg, 5%; 800 mg, 10%; 1,200 mg, 5%). Fewer patients had a ≥25% increase in sGTC seizure frequency with ESL (400 mg, 11%; 800 mg, 9%; 1,200 mg, 14%) versus placebo (19%). The incidence of seizures reported as TEAEs was low in all treatment groups; incidences were generally lower with ESL versus placebo. Tapering‐off period: Similar proportions of patients taking ESL and placebo had a ≥25/≥50% increase in SSF. Seizure TEAE incidence was numerically higher with ESL versus placebo.

Significance

Treatment with adjunctive ESL does not appear to aggravate POS or sGTC seizures.
Exposure to a national multimedia Alzheimer's disease awareness campaign: Assessing stigmatic beliefs towards persons with the disease
Authors: Werner Perla , Kermel Schiffman Ile
Published: October 2017

Objective

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of being exposed to a multimedia campaign on stigmatic beliefs towards a person with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

A cross‐sectional posttest online survey was conducted immediately after the campaign among 510 Jewish participants aged 40 and above.

Results

Most the participants reported being exposed to the campaign. The campaign elicited significantly higher positive than negative emotions. Exposure to the campaign was not significantly associated with any of the stigmatic beliefs as a direct or moderating variable. Worry about developing AD was associated with increased stigmatic beliefs.

Conclusions

More research is needed to better understand which types of media campaigns work best to increase awareness and reduce stigma associated with AD.
Measuring the diffusion of housing prices across space and over time: Replication and further evidence
Authors: Shen Shulin , Pang Jindong
Published: October 2017

Brady (Journal of Applied Econometrics, 2011, 26(2), 213–231) studies how fast and how long a change in housing prices in one region affects its neighbors by estimating the impulse response functions using a spatial autoregressive model (SAR). This paper replicates Brady's empirical results, but reports different SAR test statistics. Additional robustness checks are conducted by analyzing three different housing price indexes covering a more extensive period. Analysis shows that the model specifications and model estimates vary with the housing price indexes.
A genomic characterization of the influence of silver nanoparticles on bone differentiation in MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Qing Tao , Mahmood Meena , Zheng Yuanting , Biris Alexandru S. , Shi Leming , Casciano Daniel A.
Published: October 2017

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been widely used in a variety of biomedical applications. Previous studies demonstrated that AgNPs significantly enhanced bone cell mineralization and differentiation in MC3T3–1 cells, a model in vitro system, when compared to several other NPs. This increased bone deposition was evaluated by phenotypic measurements and assessment of the expression of miRNAs associated with regulation of bone morphogenic proteins. In the present study, we used RNA‐seq technology, a more direct measurement of gene expression, to investigate further the mechanisms of bone differentiation induced by AgNP treatment. Key factors associated with the osteoclast pathway were significantly increased in response to AgNP exposure including Bmp4, Bmp6 and Fosl1. In addition, genes of metabolism and toxicity pathways were significantly regulated as well. Although this study suggests the potential for AgNPs to influence bone morphogenesis in injury or disease applications, further investigation into the efficacy and safety of AgNPs in bone regeneration is warranted.
Imaging neuronal structure dynamics using 2‐photon super‐resolution patterned excitation reconstruction microscopy
Authors: Urban Ben E. , Xiao Lei , Dong Biqin , Chen Siyu , Kozorovitskiy Yevgenia , Zhang Hao F.
Published: October 2017

Visualizing fine neuronal structures deep inside strongly light‐scattering brain tissue remains a challenge in neuroscience. Recent nanoscopy techniques have reached the necessary resolution but often suffer from limited imaging depth, long imaging time or high light fluence requirements. Here, we present two‐photon super‐resolution patterned excitation reconstruction (2P‐SuPER) microscopy for 3‐dimensional imaging of dendritic spine dynamics at a maximum demonstrated imaging depth of 130 μm in living brain tissue with approximately 100 nm spatial resolution. We confirmed 2P‐SuPER resolution using fluorescence nanoparticle and quantum dot phantoms and imaged spiny neurons in acute brain slices. We induced hippocampal plasticity and showed that 2P‐SuPER can resolve increases in dendritic spine head sizes on CA1 pyramidal neurons following theta‐burst stimulation of Schaffer collateral axons. 2P‐SuPER further revealed nanoscopic increases in dendritic spine neck widths, a feature of synaptic plasticity that has not been thoroughly investigated due to the combined limit of resolution and penetration depth in existing imaging technologies.
In‐loop flow [11C]CO2 fixation and radiosynthesis of N,N′‐[11C]dibenzylurea
Authors: Downey Joseph , Bongarzone Salvatore , Hader Stefan , Gee Antony D.
Published: October 2017

Cyclotron‐produced carbon‐11 is a highly valuable radionuclide for the production of positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracers. It is typically produced as relatively unreactive carbon‐11 carbon dioxide ([11C]CO2), which is most commonly converted into a more reactive precursor for synthesis of PET radiotracers.

The development of [11C]CO2 fixation methods has more recently enabled the direct radiolabelling of a diverse array of structures directly from [11C]CO2, and the advantages afforded by the use of a loop‐based system used in 11C‐methylation and 11C‐carboxylation reactions inspired us to apply the [11C]CO2 fixation “in‐loop.” In this work, we developed and investigated a new ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) loop‐based [11C]CO2 fixation method, enabling the fast and efficient, direct‐from‐cyclotron, in‐loop trapping of [11C]CO2 using mixed DBU/amine solutions. An optimised protocol was integrated into a proof‐of‐concept in‐loop flow radiosynthesis of N,N′‐[11C]dibenzylurea. This reaction exhibited an average 78% trapping efficiency and a crude radiochemical purity of 83% (determined by radio‐HPLC), giving an overall nonisolated radiochemical yield of 72% (decay‐corrected) within just 3 minutes from end of bombardment.

This proof‐of‐concept reaction has demonstrated that efficient [11C]CO2 fixation can be achieved in a low‐volume (150 μL) ETFE loop and that this can be easily integrated into a rapid in‐loop flow radiosynthesis of carbon‐11–labelled products.

This new in‐loop methodology will allow fast radiolabelling reactions to be performed using cheap/disposable ETFE tubing setup (ideal for good manufacturing practice production) thereby contributing to the widespread usage of [11C]CO2 trapping/fixation reactions for the production of PET radiotracers.
Predictors of prolonged length of hospital stay or readmissions for acute viral lower respiratory tract infections among infants with a history of bronchopulmonary dysplasia
Authors: Rodriguez‐Martinez Carlos E. , Acuña‐Cordero Ranniery , Sossa‐Briceño Monica P.
Published: October 2017

Length of hospital stay and readmissions are outcome measures that have been largely overlooked in many studies that have evaluated the clinical evolution of pediatric patients with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). The aim of the present study was to identify predictors of prolonged hospitalizations or readmissions for acute lower respiratory infections (ALRIs) in infants with BPD. In a prospective cohort study, we determined independent predictors of prolonged hospitalizations or readmissions for ALRIs during the first 2 years of life in a population of infants with BPD living in Bogota, Colombia. Of a total of 138 patients included in the study, 83 (60.1%) had at least one hospitalization for ALRI during the follow‐up period. After controlling for potential confounders, we found that independent predictors of prolonged hospitalizations or readmissions for ALRIs included male gender (OR = 3.09; CI 95% 1.27‐7.52; P = 0.013), ambulatory oxygen therapy between 90 and 119 days (OR = 3.21; CI 95% 1.00‐10.24; P = 0.049), ambulatory oxygen therapy equal to or greater than 120 days (OR = 5.73; CI 95% 2.01‐16.32; P = 0.001), gestational age at birth (OR = 1.35; CI 95% 1.03‐1.76; P = 0.026), birth weight (OR = 0.997; CI 95% 0.996‐0.999; P = 0.010), and duration of breastfeeding equal to or greater than 6 months (OR = 0.39; CI 95% 0.16‐0.96; P = 0.039). The factors identified can be taken into account when planning policies to reduce duration of hospital stay and readmissions in infants with BPD.
Herpes simplex and human papilloma virus coinfections in oral mucosa of men—A 6‐year follow‐up study
Authors: Mäki Johanna , Paavilainen Henrik , Kero Katja , Hukkanen Veijo , Syrjänen Stina
Published: October 2017

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) establishes latency in neurons and recurrent infections in oral mucosa. This prospective study analyzes HSV prevalence in oral mucosal brush samples from men with known human papillomavirus (HPV) status. We hypothesized that HSV‐1‐infection could facilitate HPV persistence as a cofactor. This study was a part of the Finnish Family HPV study accomplished at the University of Turku/Turku University Hospital, Finland. A total of 139 men (mean age 28.6 ± 4.9 years) were enrolled at 36+‐weeks of their partner's pregnancy and thereafter followed‐up for 6 years. Altogether, 722 samples, extracted from oral brush samples collected at the enrollment timepoint (baseline) and at 2‐, 6‐, 12‐, 24‐, 36‐month, and 6 years, were available. HSV DNA was analyzed with quantitative PCR. HSV‐1 results were compared with the known HPV data. The prevalence of oral HSV‐1 shedding varied between 0‐7.2% (mean 2.8%) among the men. Mean copy numbers varied between 4 and 550 genome copies/sample. A total of 18 (12.9%) men were found HSV‐1‐positive at least once, two of them twice. Neither smoking nor oral sex was associated with the oral HSV‐1‐DNA finding. HPV/HSV‐1 co‐infection was found in 6 (4.3%) men, all of them having persistent HPV‐infection. In conclusion, HSV‐1 and its coinfection with HPV in oral mucosa was rare.
Analysis of skeletal muscle microcirculation in a porcine polytrauma model with haemorrhagic shock
Authors: Qiao Zhi , Horst Klemens , Teuben Michel , Greven Johannes , Yin Luxu , Kalbas Yannik , Tolba René H. , Pape Hans‐Christoph , Hildebrand Frank , Pfeifer Roman ,   TREAT group
Published: October 2017

Polytraumatised patients with haemorrhagic shock are prone to develop systemic complications, such as SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome), ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) and MOF (multiple organ failure). The pathomechanism of severe complications following trauma is multifactorial, and it is believed that microcirculatory dysfunction plays an important role. The aim of this study was to determine the changes in the microcirculation in musculature over time during shock and subsequent resuscitation in a porcine model of haemorrhagic shock and polytrauma. Twelve pigs (German Landrace) underwent femur fracture, liver laceration, blunt chest trauma, and haemorrhagic shock under standard anaesthesia and intensive care monitoring. Microcirculation data were measured from the vastus lateralis muscle using a combined white light spectrometry and laser spectroscopy system every 15 min during the shock and resuscitation period, and at 24, 48, and 72 h. Oxygen delivery and oxygen consumption were calculated and compared to baseline. The relative haemoglobin, local oxygen consumption, and saturation values in the microcirculation were observed significantly lower during shock, however, no changes in the microcirculatory blood flow and microcirculatory oxygen delivery were observed. After resuscitation, the microcirculatory blood flow and relative haemoglobin increased and remained elevated during the whole observation period (72 h). In this study, we observed changes in microcirculation during the trauma and shock phases. Furthermore, we also measured persistent dysfunction of the microcirculation over the observation period of 3 days after resuscitation and haemorrhagic shock. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1377–1382, 2018.
Healing in peri‐implant gap with BMP‐2 and systemic bisphosphonate is dependent on BMP‐2 dose—A canine study
Authors: Cleemann Rasmus , Sorensen Mette , Bechtold Joan E. , Soballe Kjeld , Baas Jorgen
Published: October 2017

The bone–implant interface of cementless orthopedic implants can be described as a series of uneven sized gaps with discontinuous areas of direct bone–implant contact. Bridging these voids and crevices by addition of an anabolic stimulus to increase new bone formation can potentially improve osseointegration of implants. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP‐2) stimulates osteoblast formation to increase new bone formation but also indirectly stimulates osteoclast activity. In this experiment, we investigate the hypothesis that osseointegration, defined as mechanical push‐out and histomorphometry, depends on the dose of BMP‐2 when delivered as an anabolic agent with systemic administration of the anti‐resorptive agent zoledronate to curb an increase in osteoclast activity. Four porous coated titanium implants (one with each of three doses of surface‐applied BMP‐2 (15 µg; 60 µg; 240 µg) and untreated) surrounded by a 0.75 mm empty gap, were inserted into the distal femurs of each of twelve canines. Zoledronate IV (0.1 mg/kg) was administered 10 days into the observation period of 4 weeks. Bone–implant specimens were evaluated by mechanical push‐out test and histomorphometry. The 15 µg implants had the best fixation on all mechanical parameters and largest surface area covered with new bone compared to the untreated, 60 and 240 µg implants, as well as the highest volume of new bone in the implant gap compared to 60 and 240 µg implants. The results in a canine implant model demonstrated that a narrow range of BMP‐2 doses have opposite effects in bridging an empty peri‐implant gap with bone, when combined with systemic zoledronate. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:1406–1414, 2018.
Impact of biochar properties on soil conditions and agricultural sustainability: A review
Authors: Al‐Wabel Mohammad I. , Hussain Qaiser , Usman Adel R.A. , Ahmad Mahtab , Abduljabbar Adel , Sallam Abdulazeem S. , Ok Yong Sik
Published: October 2017

This review summarizes the influences of pyrolysis conditions and feedstock types on biochar properties and how biochar properties in turn affect soil properties. Mechanistic evidence of biochar's potential for enhancing crop productivity, carbon sequestration, and nutrient use efficiency are also discussed. The review identifies the knowledge gaps, limitations, and future research directions for large‐scale use of biochar. Both pyrolytic parameters and feedstock types are considered to be the main factors controlling biochar properties such as nutrient content, recalcitrance, and pH. Biochar produced at low temperatures may improve nutrient availability and crop yield in acidic and alkaline soils, whereas high‐temperature biochar may enhance long‐term soil carbon sequestration. Biochar can also improve the efficiency of inorganic and organic fertilizers by enhancing microbial functions and reducing nutrient loss, thereby making nutrients more available to plants. Integration of biochar and chemical or organic fertilizers generally provides for better nutrient management and crop yield in most types of soils. Although biochar can improve degraded soils, it is not a panacea; as such, soil‐ and crop‐specific biochar are needed in order to ensure optimum crop yield and agricultural sustainability.
Advances in pH‐Sensitive Polymers for Smart Insulin Delivery
Authors: Xie Jing , Li Anqi , Li Jianshu
Published: October 2017

Since diabetes mellitus has become one of the most serious threats to human health, researchers have been designing new drugs and developing new technologies to control the blood glucose level (BGL) while improving patient compliance. In addition to the traditional subcutaneous injection method, alternative routes of insulin delivery have been investigated and tested, including oral, pulmonary, transdermal, and nasal. The final goal of all these technologies is to develop a system that releases insulin in a controlled manner depending on the BGL. pH‐Sensitive polymers appear to be good candidates to achieve this goal because they exhibit a conformational transition when the pH in the surrounding medium fluctuates, which changes the solubility of the polymers and leads to the swelling of hydrogels. Many pH‐sensitive polymers, such as poly(2‐dimethylamino)ethylmethacrylate) and natural biopolymers such as chitosan, have been used in different delivery systems. This review focuses on the most commonly used pH‐sensitive polymers and their applications in insulin delivery systems. In particular, the relationship between the chemical structure of the polymeric systems and their insulin delivery performance is discussed.
Effect of basalt fiber hybridization on the vibration‐damping behavior of carbon fiber/epoxy composites
Authors: Bozkurt Ömer Yavuz , Gökdemir Muhammet Enver
Published: October 2017

Carbon fiber reinforced polymer composites (CFRPs) have increasingly gained importance among the scientific community as well as industry due to their high specific strength and light weight properties. However, CFRPs suffer from menace of high frequency vibration and low damping ability under normal operating conditions. This study aimed to experimentally investigate the effect of basalt fiber hybridization on vibration damping and tensile properties of carbon fiber/epoxy composites. Interply hybrid composites with varying basalt fiber percentages were fabricated through vacuum assisted resin transfer molding process and the vibration damping properties were evaluated from frequency response curves using half‐power bandwidth method. The results showed that incorporation of basalt fiber into the carbon fiber/epoxy composites significantly affected and enhanced damping properties with the increase in volume fraction of basalt fiber content. However, the results from tensile tests displayed significant drops in tensile strength and tensile modulus. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E2274–E2282, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Kinetics and related studies of the formation of 2,3‐dihydroquinazolin‐4(1H)‐ones in the presence of different benzaldehyde derivatives
Authors: Mostafa Bahareh , Shahraki Mehdi , Habibi‐Khorassani Sayyed Mostafa
Published: October 2017

The kinetics and activation parameters for the reaction between 2‐amino‐benzamide and some benzaldehyde derivatives in the presence of formic acid have been reported and discussed. A linear plot of lnk vs l/T showed that the reactions obey the Arrhenius equation. Both the Arrhenius and the Eyring equations were used to calculate the activation energy. The effect of nitro groups was studied on different positions of benzaldehyde. For all substituents, the reactions followed second‐order kinetics, and the partial orders of reactions were recognized with respect to each reactant. Comparisons between the magnitudes of ΔH‡ and TΔS‡showed that the reactions were enthalpy controlled. The validity of the isokinetic relationship and the compensation effect was tested, and the isokinetic temperature (β) was obtained. A linear enthalpy‐entropy plot (ΔH‡versusΔS‡) showed that the compensation effect is established, and this process occurs via a same mechanism across a series of reactions. From the Van't Hoff and Exner's plots, the isokinetic temperature was obtained.