bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sex differences in the treatment and outcomes of patients hospitalized with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Hannan Edward L. , Wu Yifeng , Tamis‐Holland Jacqueline , Jacobs Alice K. , Berger Peter B. , Ling Frederick S. K. , Walford Gary , Venditti Ferdinand J. , King Spencer B.
Published: April 2019

Objectives

To compare mortality for women and men hospitalized with ST‐elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) by age and revascularization status.

Background

There is little information on the mortality of men and women not undergoing revascularization, and the impact of age on relative male–female mortality needs to be revisited.

Methods and results

An observational database of 23,809 patients with STEMI presenting at nonfederal New York State hospitals between 2013 and 2015 was used to compare risk‐adjusted inhospital/30‐day mortality for women and men and to explore the impact of age on those differences. Women had significantly higher mortality than men overall (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.15, 95% CI [1.04, 1.28]), and among patients aged 65 and older. Women had lower revascularization rates in general (AOR = 0.64 [0.59, 0.69]) and for all age groups. Among revascularized STEMI patients, women overall (AOR = 1.30 [1.10, 1.53]) and over 65 had higher mortality than men. Among patients not revascularized, women between the ages of 45 and 64 had lower mortality (AOR = 0.68 [0.48, 0.97]).

Conclusions

Women with STEMI, and especially older women, had higher inhospital/30‐day mortality rates than their male counterparts. Women had higher mortality among revascularized patients, but not among patients who were not revascularized.
Forschung, Lehre und Praxis – wissenschaftlicher Dreiklang oder Widerspruch?
Authors: Keuser Manfred
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Das Wissenschaftsideal Wilhelm von Humboldt's basiert auf der Einheit von Forschung und Lehre. Darüber hinaus sieht Humboldt die Universität als eigenständigen Teil der Gesellschaft mit starkem bezug zur Praxis. Heute wird dies teilweise in Frage gestellt. Am Beispiel von zwei Masterarbeiten zum Brenner ‐ Basistunnel wird die Verbindung von Forschung, Lehre und Praxis aufgezeigt.
Explosionsschutzpflanzen – Bionik und Experiment
Authors: Warnstedt Paul , Gebbeken Norbert
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Die Bedrohung durch terroristische Anschläge hat ein erhöhtes Schutzbedürfnis zur Folge. Insbesondere unmittelbar nach Anschlägen wird der Ruf nach wirksamen Maßnahmen zum Schutz öffentlicher Bereiche laut. Gerade dauerhafte bauliche Schutzmaßnahmen prägen das Erscheinungsbild urbaner Räume. Sie sollten daher so gestaltet sein, dass sie sich unauffällig in das Stadtbild einfügen und im besten Fall sogar die Lebensqualität und die Gestaltung positiv beeinflussen. Gleichzeitig muss ihre Wirksamkeit im Falle eines Anschlags stets gegeben sein. Zu diesem Zweck wird im Rahmen von Forschungsvorhaben an der Universität der Bundeswehr München (UniBwM) in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe (BBK) die Idee innovativer Schutzelemente verfolgt. Dieser Beitrag gibt einen Überblick zum Stand der experimentellen Erforschung zur explosionshemmenden Wirkung von Heckenpflanzen. Anhand umfangreicher experimenteller Studien wird deren Eignung als Schutzelemente dargestellt. Zudem wird ein Ausblick auf weiterführende Fragestellungen im Zusammenhang mit dem Schutz urbaner Räume gegeben.
Comprehensive data collection for the development of anchorage lifetime prediction models
Authors: Wan‐Wendner Roman , Czernuschka Lisa‐Marie , Boumakis Ioannis , Ninčević Krešimir
Published: April 2019

Nowadays, fastening systems represent a very important part of the construction industry due to their versatility and use in reconstruction. Therefore, it is essential to study and understand phenomena and effects influencing the lifetime of a fastening system. However, the mechanisms are complex and not yet fully understood. As a result, numerical models, which are reliable and are able to capture all involved effects, are needed. The basis of these models is a wide range of high quality data, for model development, calibration, and validation purposes. Within the 7‐year Christian Doppler Laboratory (CDL) of Life Cycle Robustness, an extensive concrete data base, consisting of short‐term mechanical properties of concrete, time‐dependent measurements as well as tests on full fastening systems, was generated. The material tests reach from compression, indirect tensile, and fracture tests to long‐term creep and shrinkage tests. Shear and pull‐out tests were carried out on bonded and mechanical anchors. In order to characterize the long‐term performance, sustained load and time to failure tests were conducted at a system level. In total, 12 concrete mixes were tested. This contribution will give an overview of the performed tests and will highlight the importance of sound experimental data.
Risikoorientierte Mittelverwendungskontrolle Herausforderungen bei grenzüberschreitenden Projekten
Authors: Krejcarek Peter , Puz Ulrich
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Eisenbahninfrastrukturprojekte werden über den Rahmenplan und somit mit Steuermitteln finanziert. Der Rahmenplan enthält eine Vielzahl von Vorhaben, Projekten und Programmen unterschiedlicher Größenordnung und Inhalte. Der Rechnungshof prüft fallweise Projekte punktuell anhand konkreter Prüfthemen. Als Steuerzahler stellt man sich daher die Frage, wie der effiziente Einsatz der Steuermittel bei derartigen Investitionen laufend von unabhängiger Stelle kontrolliert wird. Diese Aufgabe wird von der Schieneninfrastruktur‐Dienstleistungsgesellschaft mbH (SCHIG mbH) wahrgenommen. Die SCHIG mbH führt für ihren Eigentümer, das Bundesministerium für Verkehr, Innovation und Technologie (BMVIT), in Erfüllung gesetzlicher Vorgaben wie das Bundesbahn‐, das Schieneninfrastrukturfinanzierungs‐ und das Eisenbahngesetz Kontrolltätigkeiten im Bereich der Eisenbahninfrastruktur durch. Diese umfassen eine Prüfung und die Mitwirkung bei der Entwicklung, Umsetzung und Abwicklung finanziell relevanter Eisenbahninfrastrukturvorhaben.
Bauen im Weltall: Neue Herausforderungen
Authors: Wörner Johann‐Dietrich
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Der Mensch versucht immer, die aktuellen Grenzen seiner Möglichkeiten zu überschreiten. Dies gilt auch für die unendlichen Weiten des Universums. Schritt für Schritt erforschen wir das Universum, astronautisch und robotisch. Sobald wir die schützende Hülle der Erde verlassen, befinden wir uns in einer lebens‐ und technikfeindlichen Umgebung. Strukturen, die in diese Umgebung gebracht werden, müssen daher besondere Merkmale aufweisen. In diesem Beitrag werden am Beispiel bereits durchgeführter Raumfahrtmissionen, der in Betrieb befindlichen internationalen Raumstation und geplanter Raumfahrtvorhaben Projekte aufgezeigt, in denen der konstruktive Ingenieurbau wichtige Beiträge zur Umsetzung liefern kann. Es muss unser aller Bestreben sein, die Erde zu erhalten, wozu auch und gerade die Raumfahrt durch Erkenntnisgewinn, Beobachtung und Bewusstseinsmachung beitragen kann.
Monolithic coefficient design values for seismically strengthening RC columns with jackets
Authors: Dritsos Stephanos , Moseley Jon
Published: April 2019

Weak structures need to be strengthened. Reinforced concrete is the material of choice used to build structures in many earthquake‐prone regions. In such regions, adding a reinforced concrete jacket to the columns of structures is a traditional and popular strengthening technique. Complex finite element analyses are required to determine the behaviour of strengthened columns and the interface between the new and the old concrete needs to be simulated through the use of specific contact elements. However, to facilitate design in practice, monolithic coefficient values can be applied to an equivalent monolithic column in order to easily estimate the behaviour. In the past, values recommended in seismic codes were either empirical or based on engineering judgment. This paper describes experimental and analytical work carried out at the University of Patras in Greece that resulted in either confirming code values or influenced the latest code specified values. It is concluded that engineers can now have a high degree of confidence in the actual behaviour of strengthened columns during a destructive earthquake, as code specifications are now based on fact.
Vorschriften für Brückenprüfungen
Authors: Hilber Raimund , Stierschneider Elisabeth
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Nach schwerwiegenden Ereignissen fällt der Blick der Öffentlichkeit für kurze Zeit auf wichtige Tätigkeiten, die Ingenieure im Hintergrund leisten, um das sichere Funktionieren wichtiger Infrastrukturen zu gewährleisten. Nach dem Einsturz des Polcevera‐Viadukts in Genua im August 2018 wurden in der nationalen und internationalen Presse in zahlreichen Artikeln Fragen nach den Gründen für einen dermaßen katastrophalen Brückeneinsturz gestellt. Warum die drohende Einsturzgefahr offensichtlich nicht erkannt werden konnte, ist nach wie vor Gegenstand von Untersuchungen. Regelmäßige Brückenprüfungen durch erfahrene Fachleute sind erforderlich, um den Erhaltungs‐ und Stabilitätszustand von Brücken über die gesamte Bauwerkslebensdauer beurteilen und gegebenenfalls rechtzeitig Instandhaltungsmaßnahmen ergreifen zu können. Im folgenden Artikel werden die Vorschriften für Brückenprüfungen in Italien zusammengefasst und in einem tabellarischen Überblick den in Österreich gültigen Richtlinien gegenübergestellt.
Konstruktive Ertüchtigung von historischen Bestandsgebäuden
Authors: Voit Klaus , Hemetsberger Norbert , Schwenn Michael , Zeman Oliver
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Gebäude in Ballungsräumen stammen zumeist aus verschiedenen Bauperioden, die durch unterschiedliche Fundierungs‐ und Konstruktionsarten gekennzeichnet sind. Im Wiener Stadtzentrum sind Gründerzeithäuser aus dem 19. Jahrhundert vorherrschend. Über die Materialeigenschaften der damals verwendeten Baustoffe sowie die statischen Systeme der historischen Gebäude ist jedoch meist nur wenig bekannt. Bei Umbauten am Gebäude oder benachbarter Bautätigkeit ist dementsprechend eine Erhebung des Ist‐Gebäudezustands unter Berücksichtigung aller für die Standsicherheit relevanten Bauteile, inklusive Fundierung, gemäß der geltenden OIB‐Richtlinie durchzuführen. Im vorliegenden Fall erfolgt die konstruktive Betrachtung eines konkreten Wiener Gründerzeithauses im Zuge einer Gebäudeerweiterung bzw. durch nahegelegene Tiefbaumaßnahmen. Die Bestandserhebung des Gebäudes erfolgte im Zuge einer geotechnischen Untergrund‐ sowie Fundierungserkundung, einschließlich der Entnahme von Boden‐ und Mauerwerksproben. Es erfolgte die experimentelle Ermittlung der relevanten Materialparameter sowie die Erstellung eines Untergrund‐ und Gebäudemodells zur Ermittlung der Tragfähigkeit und Gebrauchstauglichkeit des Bestandsgebäudes sowie des Untergrunds u. a. auch im Hinblick auf die Erdbebensicherheit.
Technisch und wirtschaftlich optimierte Hochhausgründungen in schwierigen Baugrundverhältnissen
Authors: Katzenbach Rolf , Leppla Steffen
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Weltweit hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten die stetige Verdichtung in den Innenstädten dazu geführt, dass immer höhere Gebäude errichtet wurden. Dabei wurden die Hochhäuser auch immer häufiger auf wenig tragfähigem, setzungsintensivem Baugrund abgesetzt. Zum sicheren Abtrag der enormen Lasten auf vergleichsweise kleinen Grundrissen und zur Beherrschung der damit verbundenen Setzungen sind i. d. R. Tiefgründungen erforderlich. Zu diesen Tiefgründungen gehören die klassische Pfahlgründung, die Gründung auf Schlitzwandelementen, sogenannten Barretten, und die inzwischen weltweit angewandte Kombinierte Pfahl‐Plattengründung (KPP). Letztere stellt als hybrides Gründungssystem die wirtschaftliche und technische Optimierung der Gründung von Hochhäusern dar. Der nachfolgende Beitrag erläutert für unterschiedliche Hochhausprojekte die entwickelten und umgesetzten Gründungskonzepte.
Screening‐Verfahren zur Reduktion komplexer Modelle bei Bestandstragwerken
Authors: Obel Markus , Sanio David , Mark Peter
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Nachrechnung, Umnutzung oder Restnutzungsdauerabschätzung sind typische Beispiele für die Bewertung von Bestandstragwerken mit Rechenmodellen. Die Modelle müssen dabei eine Vielzahl von Parametern und deren Streubreiten enthalten, sodass aufwendige stochastische Analysen entstehen. Es bietet sich dann an, mit Screening‐Verfahren Streuungen von Parametern geringen Einflusses zu identifizieren und für die weiteren Berechnungen zu vernachlässigen. Der Beitrag zeigt dies mit der Methode der Elementaren Effekte (EE) für die Beispiele von Schädigungsanalysen an Mauerwerksfassaden und die Restnutzungsdaueranalyse einer Spannbetonbrücke. Beide Modelle lassen sich ohne wesentliche Genauigkeitsverluste in gut zwei Drittel ihrer initialen Parameter vereinfachen, was Rechenaufwände signifikant reduziert.
Einfluss des Zementgehalts auf die Frost‐Tau‐Beständigkeit einer Betonrezeptur
Authors: Strieder Emanuel , Schorn Josef , Rösler Lisa , Hilber Raimund , Zeman Oliver
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Bauwerke aus Beton und Stahlbeton sind in ihrem Nutzungszeitraum entsprechend ihrer Exposition unterschiedlichen Beanspruchungen ausgesetzt. Frei der Witterung ausgesetzte Bauteile können beispielsweise Frost‐Tau‐beansprucht sein. Die EN 206 (Beton – Festlegungen, Eigenschaften, Herstellung und Konformität) gibt zwei Konzepte vor, um Dauerhaftigkeit gegenüber Umwelteinflüssen sicherzustellen. Einerseits kann bei einer Betonrezeptur, die empfohlene Grenzwerte der Zusammensetzung einhält, davon ausgegangen werden, dass die Beständigkeit gegeben ist. Andererseits kann diese aber auch durch Prüfung des Betons nachgewiesen werden. In diesem Artikel wird der Einfluss des Zementgehalts auf die Frost‐Tau‐Beständigkeit am Beton an einer Beispielrezeptur ermittelt. Es werden Probekörper mit vier unterschiedlichen Zementanteilen CEM III/B sowie zusätzliche Probekörper aus einem genormten Referenzbeton mit dem Bindemittel CEM II/A (Portlandhüttenzement) hergestellt. Alle Probekörper werden nach mehrwöchiger Lagerung im Wasserbad in einem Klimaschrank 56 Frost‐Tau‐Wechseln ausgesetzt und in definierten Abständen mithilfe eines Ultraschallmessgeräts auf ihre innere Gefügestörung untersucht. Durch die innere Gefügestörung kann der Einfluss des Zementgehalts auf die Frost‐Tau‐Beständigkeit zerstörungsfrei ermittelt werden. Zusätzlich werden die Betonprüfkörper durch zerstörende Prüfung hinsichtlich ihrer Schädigung durch Frost‐Tau‐Wechsel geprüft.
Europäische technische Bewertungen in der Befestigungstechnik in Beton und Mauerwerk
Authors: Lange Gerhart
Published: April 2019

Kurzfassung

Das Institut für konstruktiven Ingenieurbau (IKI) an der Universität für Bodenkultur Wien und das Deutsche Institut für Bautechnik (DIBt) Berlin verbindet eine lange Zusammenarbeit. Bereits seit 1995 ist das IKI Wien in Forschungsvorhaben auf dem Gebiet der Befestigungstechnik eingebunden. 1997 wurde die Prüfhalle des IKI Wien eröffnet und seitdem für Versuche zur Erlangung von Europäischen Technischen Zulassungen und Bewertungen (ETA) genutzt, die dann vom DIBt erteilt worden sind. Im Jahr 2006 erfolgte die Akkreditierung des Prüflabors. Der Neubau mit Vergrößerung der Prüfhalle wurde 2010 abgeschlossen. Das DIBt ist führend bei der Erteilung von ETA auf dem Gebiet der Befestigungstechnik, nach Anzahl der erteilten ETA gefolgt von Technischen Bewertungsstellen in Tschechien, Polen und Frankreich. Für eine Vielzahl von ETA wurden die Versuche am IKI durchgeführt. Im Referat Befestigungstechnik des DIBt wird eine Vielzahl von Europäischen Bewertungsdokumenten (EAD) als Grundlagendokumente für die ETA erarbeitet. Das IKI Wien ist ein aktives Mitglied in der Expertengruppe Befestigungstechnik.
Influence of edge reinforcement on the concrete breakout strength of anchor channels close to the edge of a concrete member
Authors: Casucci Daniele , Grosser Philipp , Schwenn Michael , Zeman Oliver
Published: April 2019

Current regulations for fastening systems such as anchor channels consider a reduction of the concrete edge breakout strength of 30% in cracked concrete compared to uncracked concrete. In case the concrete is reinforced, it is assumed that the capacity in cracked concrete can be increased up to the level of uncracked concrete. In specific, according to AC232, the presence of a straight edge reinforcement bar between the anchor channel and the edge permits to increase the concrete edge breakout strength compared to cracked unreinforced concrete by 20%. In case of edge reinforcement enclosed by additional stirrups spaced ≤100 mm, AC232 allows to increase the concrete edge breakout strength by 40% (same capacity as in uncracked concrete). No precise prescriptions on the geometry and the diameter of the reinforcement are given. Experimental investigations on the behavior of anchor channels loaded in shear toward the free edge in uncracked and cracked concrete have been performed with different layouts of edge reinforcement to verify the validity of the code provisions and to define boundary conditions for the geometrical dimensions and location of the reinforcement. All tests have been performed at the Institute of Structural Engineering at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna.
Synthesis of Organosilyl‐Functionalized Cage‐Type Germanoxanes Containing Fluoride Ions
Authors: Sato Naoto , Hayashi Taiki , Tochigi Kazuma , Wada Hiroaki , Shimojima Atsushi , Kuroda Kazuyuki
Published: April 2019

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Atsushi Shimojima and Kazuyuki Kuroda at Waseda University. The image depicts the functionalization of a cubic cage germanoxane (birdcage) containing a fluoride ion (blue bird) inside the cage. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201900439.
Sulfur‐ and Selenium‐Containing Compounds Potentially Exhibiting Al Ion Conductivity
Authors: Meutzner Falk , Zschornak Matthias , Kabanov Artem A. , Nestler Tina , Leisegang Tilmann , Blatov Vladislav A. , Meyer Dirk C.
Published: April 2019

We have created a set of crystalline model structures exhibiting straight lines of Al3+ connected to chalcogenides (O2−, S2−, and Se2−) connected to metal cations of varying valence (Sr2+, Y3+, Zr4+, Nb5+, and Mo6+). They were relaxed with density functional theory computations and analysed by Bader partitioning. As Al3+ ions are supposed to strongly interact with their atomic environment, we studied the electron density topology induced by higher‐valent cations in the extended chemical neighbourhood of Al. In fact, we found a general decrease of ionic charges and an increasing displacement of the chalcogenides towards higher‐valent ions for the heavier chalcogens. Therefore, we comprehensively screened S‐ and Se‐containing compounds for candidates theoretically exhibiting low migration barriers for Al3+ ions by using Voronoi–Dirichlet partitioning and bond valence site energy calculations. The basis for this search is the Inorganic Crystal Structure Database. Indeed, we could extract six promising candidates with low Al3+ migration barriers. which are even lower than the barriers for any other element inside of these materials. This will encourage efforts towards preparing suitable Al3+ conductors.
Children and thyroid cancer: Interpreting troubling trends
Authors: Chen Amy Y. , Davies Louise
Published: April 2019

In this issue, Bernier et al assert that their findings provide evidence that there is a true increase in the incidence of pediatric thyroid cancer, and appear to be working to extend their findings from 2017, in which they came to similar conclusions for the adult population. Although the authors of this editorial agree that a true increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer is possible, and in fact one of them reported in the past on this concern, they also are once again worried that the inferences being drawn from the US cancer epidemiology data may be artifactual.
Benzodithiophene‐Fused Perylene Bisimides as Electron Acceptors for Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells with High Open‐Circuit Voltage
Authors: Tian Zhongrong , Guo Yiting , Li Junyu , Li Cheng , Li Weiwei
Published: April 2019

Tandem‐junction organic solar cells require solar cells with visible light photo‐response as front cells, in which an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) above 1.0 V is highly demanded. In this work, we are able to develop electron acceptors to fabricate non‐fullerene organic solar cells (NFOSCs) with a very high Voc of 1.14 V. This was realized by designing perylene bisimide (PBI)‐based conjugated materials fused with benzodithiophene, in which Cl and S atom were introduced into the molecules in order to lower the frontier energy levels. The fused structures can reduce the aggregation of PBI unit and meanwhile maintain a good charge transport property. The new electron acceptors were applied into NFOSCs by using Cl and S substituted conjugated polymers as electron donor, in which an initial power conversion efficiency of 6.63 % and a high Voc of 1.14 V could be obtained. The results demonstrate that the molecular design by incorporating Cl and S atom into electron acceptors has great potential to realize high performance NFOSCs.
Pharmacogenomics of Cisplatin‐Induced Ototoxicity: Successes, Shortcomings, and Future Avenues of Research
Authors: Drögemöller Britt I. , Wright Galen E.B. , Lo Cody , Le Tan , Brooks Beth , Bhavsar Amit P. , Rassekh Shahrad R. , Ross Colin J.D. , Carleton Bruce C.
Published: April 2019

Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic. Unfortunately, its use is limited by cisplatin‐induced ototoxicity (CIO). Substantial research has been performed to uncover the genetic variants associated with CIO; however, there has been a lack of consistency in the results that have been reported. This paper aims to provide an overview of the current state of CIO genomics research, delving into the shortcomings of past research, and providing recommendations for future avenues of study.
Diabetes: Is There a Future for Pharmacogenomics Guided Treatment?
Authors: Pearson Ewan R.
Published: April 2019

Diabetes is a disease defined on the basis of hyperglycemia. There are monogenic forms of diabetes where defining the genetic cause has a dramatic impact on treatment—with patients being able to transition from insulin to sulfonylureas. However, the majority of diabetes is type 2 diabetes. This review outlines the robust evidence accrued to date for pharmacogenetics of metformin, sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, and dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 inhibitors but highlights that these variants will only be of clinical utility when the genotype is already known at the point of prescribing. The future of pharmacogenetics in diabetes and other common complex disease relies on a paradigm shift—that of preemptive panel genotyping and use of clinical decision support tools to assimilate this genetic information with other clinical phenotypic data and to present this information simply to the prescriber. Given the recent dramatic fall in genotyping costs, this future is not far off.
Who can speak that language? Eleven‐month‐old infants have language‐dependent expectations regarding speaker ethnicity
Authors: May Lillian , Baron Andrew S. , Werker Janet F.
Published: April 2019

Research demonstrates that young infants attend to the indexical characteristics of speakers, including age, gender, and ethnicity, and that the relationship between language and ethnicity is intuitive among older children. However, little research has examined whether infants, within the first year, are sensitive to the co‐occurrences of ethnicity and language. In this paper, we demonstrate that by 11 months of age, infants hold language‐dependent expectations regarding speaker ethnicity. Specifically, 11‐month‐old English‐learning Caucasian infants looked more to Asian versus Caucasian faces when hearing Cantonese versus English (Studies 1 and 3), but did not look more to Asian versus Caucasian faces when paired with Spanish (Study 2), making it unlikely that they held a general expectation that unfamiliar languages pair with unfamiliar faces. Moreover, infants who had regular exposure to one or more significant non‐Caucasian individuals showed this pattern more strongly (Study 3). Given that infants tested were raised in a multilingual metropolitan area—which includes a Caucasian population speaking many languages, but seldom Cantonese, as well as a sizeable Asian population speaking both Cantonese and English—these results are most parsimoniously explained by infants having learned specific language–ethnicity associations based on those individuals they encountered in their environment.
Sitting skill and the emergence of arms‐free sitting affects the frequency of object looking and exploration
Authors: Marcinowski Emily C. , Tripathi Tanya , Hsu Lin‐Ya , Westcott McCoy Sarah , Dusing Stacey C.
Published: April 2019

The development of sitting changes how much infants are able to explore objects. Infants who can sit with their arms free are likely to explore their environment more effectively than prop sitters, as their hands are free to explore. We sought to quantify how prop sitters differed in the amount of visual and manual exploration of objects from arms‐free sitters. Infants younger than 7 months (n = 31) were recruited at sitting emergence, either prop or arms‐free sitting without the ability to change positions. Infants were grouped into sitting stages at baseline: prop (n = 17) or wobbly/arms‐free (n = 14). Across three visits (baseline, 3 weeks later, 6–8 weeks later), researchers assessed the infants’ total gross motor skill, sitting skill, and object looking and active exploration. Infants’ gross motor and sitting skill was assessed using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM)‐66 total scores and GMFM‐88 sitting dimension scores. While researchers supported infants in sitting, object looking and exploration were assessed using a series of three object exploration tasks and scoring modified slightly from the Early Problem Solving Indicator at each visit. Differences between trajectories of prop and wobbly/arms‐free sitters for the frequencies of two behaviors, looks and explores, were analyzed using longitudinal multilevel modeling. Prop sitters initially explored toys less frequently, but increased their exploration more quickly, than wobbly/arms‐free sitters. Sitting skill predicted minor changes in the development of looking; both stage and skill predicted changes uniquely in the development of exploration. These findings suggest that independent, arms‐free sitting changes how capable infants are of exploring objects visually and manually.
RGS1 silencing inhibits the inflammatory response and angiogenesis in rheumatoid arthritis rats through the inactivation of Toll‐like receptor signaling pathway
Authors: Hu Xumin , Tang Jianhua , Zeng Gang , Hu Xuyun , Bao Peng , Wu Jionglin , Liang Yuwei , Deng Weixi , Tang Yong
Published: April 2019

Emerging evidence shows that rheumatoid arthritis (RA) progression can be induced by the activation of Toll‐like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway. Regulator of G‐protein signaling 1 (RGS1) is observed to be a candidate biomarker for arthritis. Accordingly, the present study aims to determine the potential effects of RGS1 mediating TLR on RA. A rat model of collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) was established to mimic the features of RA by injection of bovine type II collagen. The rats with CIA were treated with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) against RGS1 or TLR pathway activator Poly I:C to elucidate the role of RGS1 in RA progression. The inflammatory factors were measured, and the thoracic gland and spleen indexes as well as the vascular density were determined. The expression levels of RGS1, TLR3, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), MMP‐9, and interleukin 1 receptor‐associated kinase‐4 (IRAK4) were determined. RGS1 was robustly increased in RA. The TLR signaling pathway was suppressed by RGS1 silencing. shRNA‐mediated depletion of RGS1 was shown to significantly enhance thoracic gland index and inhibit the serum levels of TNF‐α, IL‐1β, and IL‐17, spleen index, vascular density, and the expression levels of TLR3, VEGF, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and IRAK4. However, when the rats with CIA were treated with Poly I:C, the trend of effects was opposite. These findings highlight that functional suppression of RGS1 inhibits the inflammatory response and angiogenesis by inactivating the TLR signaling pathway in rats with CIA, thereby providing a novel therapeutic target for RA treatment.
Long noncoding RNA MALAT1 mediates stem cell‐like properties in human colorectal cancer cells by regulating miR‐20b‐5p/Oct4 axis
Authors: Tang Dongxin , Yang Zhu , Long Fengxi , Luo Li , Yang Bing , Zhu Ruyi , Sang Xianan , Cao Gang , Wang Kuilong
Published: April 2019

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are crucial components of the tumor microenvironment that take part in tumor initiation, progression, recurrence, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapy. This study explores the mechanisms through which CSCs maintain their stemness, especially in tumors of colorectal cancer (CRC), which thus far remain uncertain. Our findings indicated that the expression of miR‐20b‐5p is negatively correlated with that of metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript‐1 (MALAT1, r = −0.928, p = 0.023) and Oct4 (r = −0.894, p = 0.041) in CRC cells. We hypothesized that there may be some targeted regulatory relationships among MALAT1, miR‐20b‐5p, and Oct4. We proceeded to show that both si‐MALAT1 and miR‐20b‐5p‐mimic attenuated microsphere formation and self‐renewal capacity, decreased the proportion of CSCs, and downregulated the expression of proteins associated with tumor cell stemness maintenance (Oct4, Nanog, sex‐determining region Y‐box 2, and Notch1) and cellular metabolism (glucose transporter 1, lactate dehydrogenase B, hexokinase 2, and pyruvate kinase isozyme M2) in HCT‐116 cells in vitro. In addition, a xenograft model based on Balb/c mice demonstrated that the administration of either si‐MALAT1 or miR‐20b‐5p‐mimic suppressed the tumorigenicity of HCT‐116 cells in vivo. The underlying mechanisms may involve the targeting of the tumor cell stemness maintenance‐related factor Oct4 by miR‐20b‐5p. For the first time, we present the possible underlying effects of MALAT1 in influencing the stem cell‐like properties of CRC cells. We propose that microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs have vital functions in mediating tumor stemness, which remain to be fully elucidated.
Cytokine profile, Treg/Th17 cell frequency changes during different posttransplantational time points in patients undergoing renal transplantation
Authors: Mortazavi Hamid , Soltani‐Zangbar Mohammad Sadegh , Eghbal‐Fard Shadi , Mehdizadeh Amir , Kamrani Amin , Chakeri‐Khiavi Forough , Kafil Hossein Samadi , Jadidi‐Niaragh Farhad , Rahimifar Shahrzad , Khosroshahi Hamid Tayebi , Yousefi Mehdi
Published: April 2019

Renal transplantation is the best therapeutic approach for end stage renal dysfunction patients. There are direct relationships between proportions of Treg cells, Treg/Th17 cells ratio and secreted immunosuppressive cytokines with increased survival rate of the transplanted organ. The aim of this study was the measurement of Treg and Th17 cells frequency and their secreted cytokines. Ninety renal‐transplanted patients were divided in three groups based on times after transplantation (1–6 month, 6–36 month, and more than 3 years). Treg and Th17 cells frequency, expression level of their transcription factors and cytokines, and their secreted cytokines level were measured in these groups. Higher expression level of Interleukin (IL)‐10 and FoxP3 mRNA were observed in patients who had longer posttransplantation time. In contrast, lower mRNA expressions of IL‐6, IL‐17, IL‐23, and TGF‐β were observed in this group. Receptor γt showed no significant changes in studied groups. In addition IL‐10 level was increased and IL‐6, IL‐17, IL‐23, and TGF‐β level were decreased in patients who had longer posttransplantation time. Treg cells frequency was raised in mentioned group whereas no remarkable changes were observed in Th17 cell frequency. The present study declared that in stable renal transplantation, over time, the percentage of Treg cells and Treg/Th17 ration is increased. This increase in ratio induces a change in cytokine profile, resulting in an increased immunosuppressive cytokines such as IL‐10 leading to increase in the survival rate of the transplanted organ.
Biology of MarR family transcription factors and implications for targets of antibiotics against tuberculosis
Authors: Gong Zhen , Li Hui , Cai Yuhua , Stojkoska Andrea , Xie Jianping
Published: April 2019

The emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains and increased incidence of HIV coinfection fueled the difficulty in controlling tuberculosis (TB). MarR (multiple antibiotic resistance regulator) family transcription factors can regulate marRAB operon and are involved in resistance to multiple environmental stresses. We have summarized the structure, function, distribution, and regulation of the MarR family proteins, as well as their implications for novel targets for antibiotics, especially for tuberculosis.
Safety, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of the Autotaxin Inhibitor GLPG1690 in Healthy Subjects: Phase 1 Randomized Trials
Authors: van der Aar Ellen , Desrivot Julie , Dupont Sonia , Heckmann Bertrand , Fieuw Ann , Stutvoet Simone , Fagard Liesbeth , Van de Wal Karen , Helmer Eric
Published: April 2019

GLPG1690 is a novel autotaxin inhibitor in development for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We report phase 1 studies investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics (PD) of GLPG1690 in healthy subjects. We performed a first‐in‐human randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of single (20, 60, 150, 300, 600, 1000, 1500 mg) and multiple (14 days: 150 mg twice daily; 600 and 1000 mg once daily) ascending oral doses of GLPG1690 (NCT02179502), and a randomized, open‐label, crossover relative bioavailability study to compare the PK of tablet and capsule formulations of GLPG1690 600 mg and to assess the effect of food on PK of the tablet formulation (NCT03143712). Forty and 13 subjects were randomized in the first‐in‐human and relative bioavailability studies, respectively. GLPG1690 was well tolerated, with no dose‐limiting toxicity at all single and multiple doses. GLPG1690 was rapidly absorbed and eliminated, with a median tmax and mean t1/2 of approximately 2 and 5 hours, respectively. GLPG1690 exposure increased with increasing dose (mean Cmax, 0.09‐19.01 µg/mL; mean AUC0‐inf, 0.501‐168 µg·h/mL, following single doses of GLPG1690 20‐1500 mg). PD response, evidenced by rapid reduction in plasma lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) C18:2 levels, increased with increasing GLPG1690 plasma levels, plateauing at approximately 80% reduction in LPA C18:2 at around 0.6 µg/mL GLPG1690. Tablet and capsule formulations had similar PK profiles, and no clinically significant food effect was observed when comparing tablets taken in fed and fasted states. The safety, tolerability, and PK/PD profiles of GLPG1690 support continued clinical development for IPF.
Comparative analysis of polyester hydrolysis activity among three lipolytic enzymes
Authors: Lin Hong , Mu Xiangduo , Huang Jianzhong , Jiang Hong , Niu Jinghong , Shu Zhengyu
Published: April 2019

Background

Bacillus subtilis lipase (BSL), Burkholderia sp. lipase (BCL) and Ophiostoma piceae sterol esterase (OPE) represent three typical structural features of lipolytic enzyme active sites. In this research, enzymatic characterization, especially polyester degradation activity, of these lipolytic enzymes was conducted, which might give clues to enzymatic degradation of polyester plastics in the future.

Results

The optimum temperatures of BSL, BCL and OPE were 40, 40 and 35 °C, respectively. The optimum pH of BSL, BCL and OPE were 8.0, 8.0 and 7.5, respectively. All three lipolytic enzymes displayed a preference for esters with medium acyl chain length (C8–C10). The initiation reaction rates towards poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) hydrolysis catalyzed by BSL and BCL were 57 and 80 μg min−1 U−1, respectively. However, OPE showed very low activity towards poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) degradation. In contrast, OPE displayed high activity towards poly(vinyl acetate) degradation.

Conclusions

Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) could be enzymatically hydrolyzed using BSL and BCL, while poly(vinyl acetate) could only be enzymatically hydrolyzed using OPE. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Probing demyelination and remyelination of the cuprizone mouse model using multimodality MRI
Authors: Wang Nian , Zhuang Jie , Wei Hongjiang , Dibb Russell , Qi Yi , Liu Chunlei
Published: April 2019

Background

Various studies by MRI exhibit that the corpus callosum (CC) is the most vulnerable to cuprizone administration, detecting the demyelination and remyelination process using different MRI parameters are, however, lacking.

Purpose

To investigate the sensitivity of multiparametric MRI both in vivo and ex vivo for demyelination and remyelination.

Study Type

Prospective.

Animal Model

A cuprizone mice model with an age‐matched control group (n = 5), 4‐week cuprizone exposure group followed by 9‐week on a normal diet (n = 6), and a 13‐week cuprizone exposure group (n = 6).

Field Strength/Sequence

3D gradient recalled echo, T2‐weighted, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) at 7.0T and 9.4T.

Assessment

Quantification of DTI metrics, quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), and T2‐weighted imaging intensity in major white matter bundles.

Statistical Tests

Nonparametric permutation tests were used with a cluster‐forming threshold as 3.09 (equivalent to P = 0.001), and the significant level as P = 0.05 with family‐wise correction.

Results

In vivo susceptibility values increased from –11.7 to –0.7 ppb (P < 0.001) in CC and from –13.7 to –5.1 ppb (P < 0.001) in the anterior commissure (AC) after the 13‐week cuprizone exposure. Ex vivo susceptibility values increased from –25.4 to 7.4 ppb (P < 0.001) in CC and from –41.6 to –15.8 ppb (P < 0.001) in AC. Susceptibility values showed high variations to demyelination for in vivo studies (94.0% in CC, 62.8% in AC). Susceptibility values exhibited higher variations than radial diffusivity for ex vivo studies (129.1% vs. 28.3% in CC, 62.0% vs. 25.0% in AC). In addition to the differential susceptibility variations in different white matter tracts, intraregional demyelination variation was also present not only in CC but also in the AC area by voxel‐based analysis.

Data Conclusion

QSM is sensitive to the demyelination process of cuprizone exposure, which can be a complementary technique to conventional T2‐weighted images and DTI metrics.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy Stage: 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1852–1865.
Seroepidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus in western India with special reference to appropriate age for infant vaccination
Authors: Arankalle Vidya A. , Kulkarni Ruta , Malshe Nandini , Palkar Sonali , Lalwani Sanjay , Mishra Akhilesh Chandra
Published: April 2019

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes significant infant mortality worldwide and a vaccine may be available soon. This study determined age‐stratified anti‐RSV antibody positivity (enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) at Pune, India (cord blood‐85 years). Antibody positivity declined from 100% at birth to 71.3% (3 months), and 0.7% (6 months). A significant rise was noted at 15 months (16%), 16 to 24 months (64.5%) and 4 years (95.2%) with concomitant IgM‐anti‐RSV positivity indicative of recent infection. Antibody decline was higher in infants born preterm than full‐term. Across subsequent age groups including the elderly, antibody positivity was similar and comparable, suggestive of repeated exposure to the virus. Early protection/vaccination is essential for the infant population.
Carbamate Chemistry at Interfaces: Practical Considerations and Challenges of Studying Amine Surfactants
Authors: Hellström Anna‐Karin , Nordstierna Lars , Bordes Romain
Published: April 2019

It is well known that CO2 reacts with primary and secondary amines in aqueous solutions and forms carbamates. This reaction can have consequences when studying the self‐assembly of amines. In this article, we discuss the practical challenges when working with an alkyl Y‐shaped amine (Y12‐amine) and demonstrate how the formation of carbamate species influences the physicochemistry of the amine‐based surfactant. A drift in dynamic surface tension was observed for Y12‐amine at pH above pKa due to the reaction with the naturally occurring CO2 from the atmosphere. The drift in dynamic surface tension was more pronounced at pH above pKa, than at and below pKa. Furthermore, the drift in dynamic surface tension of Y12‐amine at pH 12 also affected the surfactant's critical micelle concentration (CMC). CMC of Y12‐amine determined by the pendant drop at the air/water interface was almost five times higher than at the N2/water interface. The latter result was in agreement with the one determined by monitoring the change in chemical shift of 1H NMR in a N2 atmosphere. Moreover, it was also shown that the adsorption of the amine at different interfaces influences carbamate formation.
Preparative isolation and purification of steroidal glycoalkaloid from the ripe berries of Solanum nigrum L. by preparative HPLC–MS and UHPLC–TOF‐MS/MS and its anti‐non‐small cell lung tumors effects in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Shi Fengqiang , Wang Caifang , Wang Lixue , Song Xueying , Yang Hua , Fu Qi , Zhao Wenhua
Published: April 2019

Overcoming epidermal growth factor receptor resistance is a critical problem that needs to be solved in clinical practice. Drugs that downregulate the fatty acid synthase‐epidermal growth factor receptor will become novel treatments for non‐small cell lung cancer. Solanum nigrum, extracted with water at 4°C, shows strong cytotoxic activity and inhibits tumor growth in Lewis tumor bearing‐mice in a dose‐dependent manner. A novel active compound in S. nigrum, solaoiacid, was successfully separated and purified from S. nigrum by preparative high‐performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry and ultra high performance liquid chromatography with time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry. The IC50 of solaoiacid on lung cancer cells was 2.3 µmol/L, which was significantly lower than that of the known steroidal glycoalkaloid. Label‐free proteomics and STRING Network analysis were used to identify significantly deregulated proteins in lung cancer cells that were treated with the fresh ripe fruit extracts of S. nigrum. S. nigrum regulates multiple signal pathways, including the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway. S. nigrum downregulated 24 main proteins with direct roles in fatty acid biosynthesis. Both S. nigrum and solaoiacid showed strong downregulation of the fatty acid synthase‐epidermal growth factor receptor and anti‐non‐small cell lung cancer effects, and thus will become a novel drug for the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer.
Fast determination of 14 mycotoxins in chestnut by dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Liang Jingyun , Dong Yanjie , Yuan Xuexia , Fan Lixia , Zhao Shancang , Wang Lei
Published: April 2019

A dispersive solid‐phase extraction coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of T‐2 toxin, penicillic acid, fumonisins B1, B2, and B3, aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, and G2, ochratoxin A, deoxynivalenol, 3‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, 15‐acetyldeoxynivalenol, and zearalenone in chestnut samples. The method was used to analyze 136 samples obtained from Shandong province in China. The mycotoxins were extracted using a dispersive solid‐phase extraction method and cleaned using an improved quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe approach. The mycotoxins were then detected using a triple‐quadrupole mass spectrometer. The limits of detection and quantification ranged from 0.02 to 1 and 0.1 to 2 μg/kg, respectively. The recovery rates ranged from 74.2 to 109.5%, with relative standard deviations below 15%. A total of 71 samples were contaminated with seven mycotoxins at concentrations ranging from 1.2 to 105.5 μg/kg, with a number of samples exceeding the maximum limits set in the European regulations for mycotoxins in unprocessed chestnuts.
Preparation and Gas Separation Properties of Triptycene‐Based Microporous Polyimide
Authors: Li Fenfen , Zhang Caili , Weng Yunxuan
Published: April 2019

Polyimides with intrinsic microporosity (PIM‐PIs) are widely regarded as one of the most promising next‐generation membrane materials to simultaneously achieve high permeability and selectivity. Despite the fact that tremendous microporous polyimides have been synthesized, only cost‐efﬁcient PIM‐PIs have the potential to be used in industrial applications. In this work, a PIM‐PI is prepared by using the commercial and inexpensive planar pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) as the dianhydride monomer, and 2,6‐diaminotriptycene as the diamine monomer. The CO2 permeability of PMDA‐DAT is ≈23‐fold higher than that of Kapton, one of the commercially available polyimide membranes also made from PMDA, and with almost the same CO2/CH4 selectivity. In addition, no plasticization phenomenon is observed for PMDA‐DAT membrane even at a CO2 pressure up to 15 atm. The good plasticization resistance performance of PMDA‐DAT can be mainly attributed to the formation of pseudo‐physical crosslinking by interlocking and π–π interactions in triptycene moieties.
Solution‐Processable Conductive Organics via Anion‐Induced n‐Doping and Their Applications in Organic and Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Yan Kangrong , Li Chang‐Zhi
Published: April 2019

The essential challenge for accessing high‐performance organic optoelectronics strongly relies on how to enable organic materials with high charge transport capabilities. This short review gives an elucidation of the mild n‐doping that occurs between Lewis base anions and n‐semiconductors, as well as their extension to develop solution‐processable conductive interlayers for organic and perovskite solar cells.
Deletion of Prl7d1 causes placental defects at mid‐pregnancy in mice
Authors: Zhang Qiong , Hao Jie , Li Gang
Published: April 2019

Prolactin family 7, subfamily d, member 1 (Prl7d1), a member of the expanding prolactin family, is mainly expressed in the placental junctional zone (including trophoblast giant cells and spongiotrophoblast cells) with peak expression observed at 12 days postcoitum (dpc) in mice. Previous studies have shown that PRL7D1 is a key mediator of angiogenesis in vitro; however, its physiological roles in placental development in vivo have not been characterized. To address this issue, we deleted Prl7d1 in mice and demonstrated that its absence results in reduced litter size and fertility. Histologically, Prl7d1 mutants exhibited striking placental abnormalities at 12.5 dpc, including a reduction in the proportion of labyrinth layers and a significant increase in decidual natural killer cells, glycogen trophoblasts, and trophoblast giant cells in the junctional zone. Moreover, placentas from Prl7d1‐null mice displayed a thickened decidual spiral artery. Notably, these negative effects were more pronounced in male fetuses. Further RNA‐sequencing analysis showed that Prl7d1 deletion results in significant differences in the placental transcriptome profile between the two sexes of fetuses. Together, this study demonstrates that Prl7d1 possesses antiangiogenic properties in deciduas and inhibits the development of junctional zone, which potentially alters the functional capacity of the placenta to support optimal fetal growth. Moreover, of note, the role of Prl7d1 in the placenta is regulated in a fetal sex‐specific manner.