bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
miR‐210 inhibits cell migration and invasion by targeting the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in glioblastoma
Authors: Liu Shouyue , Jiang Tao , Zhong Yingjie , Yu Yin
Published: February 2019

Recently, there is increasing evidence that microRNAs are related to the development, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of glioblastoma. microRNA‐210 (miR‐210) had been identified in many human cancers, but the specific function of miR‐210 remains unclear in glioblastoma. The present study mainly focused on exploring its biological role and potential molecular mechanisms in glioblastoma. We found that miR‐210 expression was decreased in glioblastoma, and downregulation of miR‐210 was related to worse prognosis in glioblastoma patients. In addition, miR‐210 overexpression inhibited the migration and invasion of human glioblastoma cells. At the same time, we found that miR‐210 directly targets the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and reduces BDNF expression level. Consistently, BDNF silencing had the same effects as miR‐210 overexpression in glioblastoma, and upregulation of BDNF counteracted the inhibitory effect of miR‐210 in glioblastoma. In conclusion, miR‐210 suppressed the migration and invasion of glioblastoma cells by targeting BDNF.
Artemisinin inhibits angiogenesis by regulating p38 MAPK/CREB/TSP‐1 signaling pathway in osteosarcoma
Authors: Li Zhi , Ding Xiaomin , Wu Haihui , Liu Chao
Published: February 2019

Osteosarcoma is the most common bone tumor and characterizes a high metastatic potential. In osteosarcoma, angiogenesis is reported to be closely associated with tumor metastasis. Understanding the underlying mechanisms and accordingly developing therapeutic strategies are urgently desired. Antimalarial agent, artemisinin, has been reported to inhibit tumor angiogenesis. However, we still knew little about the effects of artemisinin on angiogenesis and its potential molecular mechanisms in human osteosarcoma. In this study, we found that artemisinin could induce both the expression and secretion of thrombospondin‐1 (TSP‐1) in a dose‐dependent way in osteosarcoma cells. In addition, TSP‐1 could effectively restore the artemisinin‐induced suppression of angiogenesis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). More importantly, we further found that phosphorylation of cAMP response element‐binding protein (CREB) bond specifically to the promoter of TSP‐1 and promoted its transcriptional activation. Moreover, our results showed that artemisinin could induce the phosphorylation of CREB via the activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway in osteosarcoma cells. In vivo, we also found that artemisinin could inhibit osteosarcoma proliferation and angiogenesis by regulating the p38 MAPK/CREB/TSP‐1 signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings indicated that artemisinin could inhibit angiogenesis by regulating the p38 MAPK/CREB/TSP‐1 signaling pathway in osteosarcoma.
Evaluation of prognostic usefulness of long noncoding RNA GAS5 and FAL1 in papillary thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Shams Fatemeh , Ghorbian Saeid
Published: February 2019

Genetic studies on cancers have revealed that lncRNA‐GAS5 and lncRNA‐FAL1 are overexpressed in some cancerous cells. The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the roles of lncRNA‐GAS5 and lncRNA‐FAL1 gene expression changes in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). In a case‐control investigation, we recruited a total of 140 formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded tissues of PTC, including 70 cancerous and noncancerous tissues. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the lncRNA‐GAS5 and lncRNA‐FAL1 level of gene expression in the two tissue groups. The association between the clinicopathological characteristics of patients and the expression level of lncRNA‐GAS5 and lncRNA‐FAL1 was evaluated. Our findings revealed that the level of expression in the lncRNA‐GAS5 and lncRNA‐FAL1 genes was significantly upregulated in thyroid cancerous tissues (P < 0.003 and P < 0.040, respectively). The expression of lncRNA‐GAS5 and lncRNA‐FAL1 revealed a significant association with tumor node metastasis staging (P < 0.042 and P < 0.001, respectively). It seems that the lncRNA‐GAS5 and lncRNA‐FAL1 genes play an oncogenic role in PTC. The two genes have a significant potential prognostic value and may likely be used as novel therapeutic targets for PTC patients in the future.
Interleukin‐17A‐mediated alleviation of cortical astrocyte ischemic injuries affected the neurological outcome of mice with ischemic stroke
Authors: Dai Qingqing , Li Shujuan , Liu Ting , Zheng Jiayin , Han Song , Qu Aijuan , Li Junfa
Published: February 2019

We previously reported that astrocytes are the main sources of interleukin (IL)‐17A production that could aggravate neuronal injuries in ischemic stroke. However, the effects of IL‐17A on ischemic astrocytes themselves and the underlying molecular mechanism are still unclear. In this study, we found that recombinant mouse (rm) IL‐17A could significantly (P < 0.05 or <0.001) alleviate 1‐hour oxygen‐glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation (R) 24‐hour–induced ischemic injuries in cortical astrocytes with a dose‐dependent manner (n = 6 per group). The Western blot and cell cycle analysis results revealed that rmIL‐17A significantly (
P < 0.05) inhibited procaspase‐3 cleavage without affecting cell proliferation in 1‐hour OGD/R 24‐hour–treated cortical astrocytes (n = 6 per group). Among the five IL‐17 receptor subunits (IL‐RA, ‐RB, ‐RC, ‐RD, and ‐RE), only IL‐17RA (
P < 0.01) and ‐17RC (
P < 0.05) membrane translocation (not messenger RNA and protein) levels were downregulated in cortical astrocytes following 1‐hour OGD/reperfusion 24 hours, and rmIL‐17A could significantly (
P < 0.05 or <0.001) inhibit this downregulation (n = 6 per group). To further verify the impact of IL‐17A on the neurological outcome of ischemic stroke, we found that the intracerebroventricular injection of IL‐17A neutralizing monoclonal antibody remarkably (
P < 0.001) reduced the astrocyte activation and improve neurological function (
P < 0.05 or <0.01) of mice following 1‐hour middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (R) 3 to 7 days (n = 6 or 8 per group). These results suggested that IL‐17A‐mediated alleviation of cortical astrocyte ischemic injuries could affect the neurological outcome of mice with ischemic stroke, which might be mainly dependent on the cell apoptosis pathway through inhibiting the downregulation of IL‐17RA and ‐17RC membrane translocations.
The effects of adipose‐derived stem cells on CD133‐expressing bladder cancer cells
Authors: Maj Malgorzata , Kokocha Anna , Bajek Anna , Drewa Tomasz
Published: February 2019

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold great promise as therapeutic agents in regenerative medicine. They are also considered as a preferred cell source for urinary tract reconstruction. However, as MSCs exhibit affinity to tumor microenvironment, possible activation of tumor‐initiating cells remains a major concern in the application of stem cell‐based therapies for patients with a bladder cancer history. To analyze the influence of adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) on bladder cancer cells with stem cell‐like properties, we isolated CD133‐positive bladder cancer cells and cultured them in conditioned medium from ASCs (ASC‐CM). Our results showed that parental 5637 and HB‐CLS‐1 cells showed induced clonogenic potential when cultured in ASC‐CM. Soluble mediators secreted by ASCs increased proliferation and viability of unsorted cells as well as CD133+ and CD133− subpopulations. Furthermore, incubation with ASC‐CM modulated activation of intracellular signaling pathways. Soluble mediators secreted by ASCs increased phosphorylation of AKT1/2/3 (1.4‐fold, P < 0.05), ERK1/2 (1.6‐fold, P < 0.02), and p70 S6K (1.4‐fold) in CD133+ cells isolated from 5637 cell line. In turn, decreased phosphorylation of those three proteins involved in PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling was observed in CD133+ cells isolated from HB‐CLS‐1 cell line. Our results revealed that bladder cancer stem‐like cells are responsive to signals from ASCs. Paracrine factors secreted by locally‐delivered ASCs may, therefore, contribute to the modulation of signaling pathways involved in cancer progression, metastasis, and drug resistance.
Cell‐specific elevation of Runx2 promotes hepatic infiltration of macrophages by upregulating MCP‐1 in high‐fat diet‐induced mice NAFLD
Authors: Zhong Li , Huang Lu , Xue Qian , Liu Chang , Xu Keshu , Shen Wei , Deng Liang
Published: February 2019

Objective

We have demonstrated runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) plays important role in atherosclerosis. It has been indicated that atherosclerosis shares the similar histopathology with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), on macrophages infiltration. However, the function of Runx2 in NAFLD is completely unknown. Here, we investigated the underlying mechanism of Runx2 triggering macrophages infiltration in the development of NAFLD.

Methods

Mice were fed with high‐fat diet (HFD) for a long time. Histopathologic features, macrophages infiltration, expression of monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP‐1), and Runx2 were, respectively, analyzed in vivo. Lentivirus or short interfering RNA were transfected in murine hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and the transwell assay was performed to verify the contribution of Runx2 for macrophages migration in vitro.

Results

Long‐term treatment with HFD induced the progression of NAFLD, and NASH was initiated from 8 months on diet. HFD increased the expression of F4/80 upon HFD feeding, indicated HFD promotes hepatic infiltration of macrophages in NAFLD. In addition, HFD upregulated the expression of MCP‐1 and Runx2 during NAFLD development. Unexpectedly, Runx2 upregulation is cell‐type depended in NAFLD, and only abundantly elevated in activated HSCs. Furthermore, we found that Runx2 could increase or decrease the expression of MCP‐1 in HSCs, and regulate macrophages migration by influencing MCP‐1 production in vitro.

Conclusions

Our results give evidence that the upregulation of Runx2 specific in activated HSCs promotes hepatic infiltration of macrophages by increasing MCP‐1 expression in NAFLD, which reveals a novel mechanism and provides a cell‐specific therapeutic target for NAFLD.
Profiles analysis reveals circular RNAs involving zebrafish physiological development
Authors: Liu Heng , Hu Yin , Yin Jing , Yan Xiang‐Yun , Chen Wen‐Juan , Jiang Cheng‐Yao , Hu Xiao‐Shan , Wang Xing‐Yun , Zhu Jin‐Gai , Yu Zhang‐Bin , Han Shu‐Ping
Published: February 2019

Recent studies have found that known functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) include sequestration of microRNAs (miRNAs) or proteins, modulation of transcription and interference with splicing, and even translation to produce polypeptides. The zebrafish model is also demonstrably similar to humans in many studies. To explore the changes in circRNAs during embryonic development and to further research the mechanism of action of circRNAs in development‐related diseases, Zebrafish embryos at the blastula period, gastrula period, segmentation period, throat stage, and incubation period were collected. Illumina deep‐sequencing technology and CircRNA Identifier (CIRI) algorithm were used to detect circRNAs. In total, we identified 1,028 circRNAs (junction reads ≥5 and p < 0.05). Considering that the function of circRNAs is related to host genes, a bioinformatics analysis revealed these differentially expressed host genes are involved in NOTCH signaling pathways, cardiovascular system development, retinal ganglion cell axon guidance, and so on. Moreover, circRNAs can participate in biological regulation through the function of miRNA sponges. TargetScan and miRanda were used to predict 73 miRNAs binding to circRNAs such as miR‐19b, miR‐124, and so on. Some miRNAs play important roles in embryogenesis. The peak expression of circRNAs is distributed at different time points, suggesting that it may be involved in embryogenesis at different stages. Our study provides a foundation for understanding the dynamic regulation of circRNA transcriptomes during embryogenesis and identifies novel key circRNAs that might control embryonic development in a zebrafish model.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress and NLRP3 inflammasome: Crosstalk in cardiovascular and metabolic disorders
Authors: Ji Ting , Han Yuehu , Yang Wenwen , Xu Baoping , Sun Meng , Jiang Shuai , Yu Yuan , Jin Zhenxiao , Ma Zhiqiang , Yang Yang , Hu Wei
Published: February 2019

When endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis is disrupted, known as ER stress (ERS), the ER generates an adaptive signaling pathway called the unfolded protein response to maintain the homeostasis of this organelle. However, if homeostasis is not restored, the ER initiates death signaling pathways, which contribute to the pathogenesis of various disorders. The activation of inflammatory mechanisms is also emerging as a crucial component of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. Furthermore, the nucleotide‐binding oligomerization domain‐like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome has attracted more attention than others and is the best‐characterized member of the NLR family of inflammasomes to date. ERS intersects with many different inflammatory pathways, particularly the NLRP3 inflammasome. In this review, we focus on the interactions between ERS and the NLRP3 inflammasome. The pharmacologic and nonpharmaceutical manipulation of these two processes may offer novel opportunities for the treatment of cardiovascular and metabolic disorders.
Long noncoding RNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 promotes the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells by regulating the miR‐34a/Satb1 axis
Authors: Liu Xiangyu , Yu Xueyuan , He Youcheng , Wang Lu
Published: February 2019

The proliferation and migration of Schwann cells contribute to axonal outgrowth and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. Studies have found that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were abnormally expressed after peripheral nerve injury and they played vital roles in peripheral nerve regeneration. LncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) was increased in the cerebral cortex surrounding the injury site of mice after traumatic brain injury, and it promoted the functional recovery in mice. However, its role and mechanism in peripheral nerve injury remain unknown. The expression of NEAT1, miR‐34a, and Special AT‐rich sequence‐binding protein‐1 (Satb1) was detected in the sciatic nerve of mice after sciatic nerve crush at 0, 1, 4 and 7 days. The effects of NEAT1 on the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells were detected by 5‐Ethynyl‐20‐deoxyuridine (Edu) and transwell by gain‐ and loss‐of‐functions. The mechanism was focused on the miR‐34a/Satb1 pathway. In addition, the effect of NEAT1 in Schwann cells on axon outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion neurons was further investigated. We found that the NEAT1 and Satb1 expression was increased, whereas miR‐34a was reduced, in injured sciatic nerve at different time points. Overexpression of NEAT1 promoted, whereas knockdown of NEAT1 suppressed the proliferation and migration of Schwann cells. NEAT1 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate the Satb1 expression via sponging miR‐34a. NEAT1 enhanced the axon outgrowth of dorsal root ganglion neurons via regulating the miR‐34a and Satb1 expression. In conclusion, NEAT1 promotes the proliferation and migration of Schwann cell via miR‐34a/Satb1, which may provide a new approach to peripheral nerve regeneration.
Utilization of Adult Data in Designing Pediatric Pharmacokinetic Studies: How Much Are Historical Adult Data Worth?
Authors: Hsu Chyi‐Hung , Steven Xu Xu , Wang Jian , Zhang Liping , Liu Chao , Wang Yaning
Published: February 2019

In pediatric drug development, large amounts of adult data are often available before the start of a pediatric study. It is believed that borrowing this information will improve the efficiency. However, when adult information is not sufficiently similar to that of pediatrics, incorporating adult data will introduce bias and consequently result in efficiency loss. A Bayesian alternative—namely, commensurate prior approach where the level of information borrowing is based on the concordance of adult and pediatric data—was investigated. Simulation results indicate that the commensurate prior approach, in general, provides a balanced and robust trade‐off between bias and efficiency gain. The benefit of this approach was quantified in terms of sample size savings, and recommended sample sizes are provided.
Long‐term evaluation of urinary copper excretion and non‐caeruloplasmin associated copper in Wilson disease patients under medical treatment
Authors: Pfeiffenberger Jan , Lohse Christine Marie , Gotthardt Daniel , Rupp Christian , Weiler Markus , Teufel Ulrike , Weiss Karl Heinz , Gauss Annika
Published: February 2019

Objective

Urinary copper excretion rates and non‐caeruloplasmin associated copper concentrations are increased in patients with Wilson disease. However, there is little literature describing the monitoring of these parameters over the long term.

Methods

This is a monocentric retrospective study including data collected between 2003 and 2015 from 321 patients with Wilson disease by chart review. The patients were under therapy with D‐penicillamine, trientine, or zinc. 24‐h urinary copper excretion rates, non‐caeruloplasmin associated copper, and total serum copper concentrations were determined at the start of therapy, as well as 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, and ≥ 60 months after the start of therapy. For patients taking chelating agents, all parameters were measured while under continued therapy, as well as after a 48‐h dose interruption. A mathematical formula to predict 24‐h urinary copper excretion rates under different therapies was established.

Results

In all treatment groups, urinary copper excretion rates decreased over time, but the inter‐individual variation of the results was high. Non‐caeruloplasmin associated copper concentrations tended to decline over time, but with a higher variation of results than that observed for urinary copper excretion rates.

Conclusion

Due to their variability, urinary copper excretion rates and serum copper concentrations are less than ideal parameters by which to monitor the benefit of a copper‐reducing therapy. Urinary copper excretion rates seem to be more suitable than non‐caeruloplasmin associated copper concentrations for this purpose.
Heterologous expression and biochemical characterization of a thermostable xylulose kinase from Bacillus coagulans IPE22
Authors: Zhang Yuming , Zhao Chunhai , Ni Zhihua , Shao Menghua , Han Mengying , Huang Dawei , Liu Fengsong
Published: February 2019

Xylulose kinase is an important enzyme involved in xylose metabolism, which is considered as essential biocatalyst for sustainable lignocellulosic‐derived pentose utilization. Bacillus coagulans IPE22 is an ideal bacterium for refinery due to its strong ability to ferment xylose at high temperature. However, the B. coagulans xylose utilization mechanism remains unclear and the related promising enzymes need to be developed. In the present study, the gene coding for xylulose kinase from B. coagulans IPE22 (Bc‐XK) was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3). Bc‐XK has a 1536 bp open reading frame, encoding a protein of 511 amino acids (56.15 kDa). Multiple sequence alignments were performed and a phylogenetic tree was built to evaluate differences among Bc‐XK and other bacteria homologs. Bc‐XK showed a broad adaptability to high temperature and the enzyme displayed its best performance at pH 8.0 and 60 °C. Bc‐XK was activated by Mg2+, Mn2+, and Co2+. Meanwhile, the enzyme could keep activity at 60 °C for at least 180 min. KM values of Bc‐XK for xylulose and ATP were 1.29 mM and 0.76 mM, respectively. The high temperature stability of Bc‐XK implied that it was an attractive candidate for industrial application.
Dynamic functional nucleus is a potential biomarker for structural degeneration in cervical spine discs
Authors: LeVasseur Clarissa M. , Wawrose Richard , Pitcairn Samuel , Donaldson William F. , Lee Joon Y. , Anderst William J.
Published: February 2019

If intervertebral disc degeneration can be identified early, preventative treatments may be initiated before symptoms become disabling and costly. Changes in disc mechanics, such as the decrease in the compressive modulus of the nucleus, are some of the earliest signs of degeneration. Therefore, in vivo changes in the disc response to compressive load may serve as a biomarker for pending or early disc degeneration. The aim of this study was to assess the potential for using in vivo dynamic disc deformation to identify pathologic structural degeneration of the intervertebral disc. A validated model‐based tracking technique determined vertebral motion from biplane radiographs collected during dynamic flexion/extension and axial rotation of the cervical spine. A computational model of the subaxial intervertebral discs was developed to identify the dynamic functional nucleus of each disc, that is, the disc region that underwent little to no additional compression during dynamic movements. The size and location of the dynamic functional nucleus was determined for 10 C5/C6 spondylosis patients, 10 C5/C6/C7 spondylosis patients, and 10 asymptomatic controls. The dynamic functional nucleus size was sensitive (significantly smaller than controls in 5 of 6 measurements at the diseased disc) and specific (no difference from controls in 9 of 10 measurements at non‐diseased discs) to pathologic disc degeneration. These results provide evidence to suggest that structural disc degeneration, manifested by changes in the disc response to functional loading, may be identified in vivo from dynamic imaging collected during functional movements. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 9999:1–7, 2019.
Integrated bioinformatics analysis of key genes involved in progress of colon cancer
Authors: Yang Haojie , Wu Jiong , Zhang Jingjing , Yang Zhigang , Jin Wei , Li Ying , Jin Lei , Yin Lu , Liu Hua , Wang Zhenyi
Published: February 2019

Background

Colon cancer is one of most malignant cancers around worldwide. Nearly 20% patients were diagnosed at colon cancer with metastasis. However, the lack of understanding regarding its pathogenesis brings difficulties to study it.

Methods

In this study, we acquired high‐sequence data from GEO dataset, and performed integrated bioinformatic analysis including differently expressed genes, gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways analysis, protein–protein analysis, survival analysis to analyze the development of colon cancer.

Results

By comparing the colon cancer tissues with normal colon tissues, 109 genes were dysregulated; among them, 83 genes were downregulated and 26 genes were upregulated. Two clusters were founded based on the STRING database and MCODE plugin of cytoscape software. Then, six genes with prognostic value were filtered out in UALCAN website.

Conclusion

We found that SPP1, VIP, COL11A1, CA2, ADAM12, INHBA could provide great significant prognostic value for colon cancer.
A linear programming approach to inverse planning in Gamma Knife radiosurgery
Authors: Sjölund J. , Riad S. , Hennix M. , Nordström H.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Leksell Gamma Knife® is a stereotactic radiosurgery system that allows fine‐grained control of the delivered dose distribution. We describe a new inverse planning approach that both resolves shortcomings of earlier approaches and unlocks new capabilities.

Methods

We fix the isocenter positions and perform sector‐duration optimization using linear programming, and study the effect of beam‐on time penalization on the trade‐off between beam‐on time and plan quality. We also describe two techniques that reduce the problem size and thus further reduce the solution time: dualization and representative subsampling.

Results

The beam‐on time penalization reduces the beam‐on time by a factor 2–3 compared with the naïve alternative. Dualization and representative subsampling each leads to optimization time‐savings by a factor 5–20. Overall, we find in a comparison with 75 clinical plans that we can always find plans with similar coverage and better selectivity and beam‐on time. In 44 of these, we can even find a plan that also has better gradient index. On a standard GammaPlan workstation, the optimization times ranged from 2.3 to 26 s with a median time of 5.7 s.

Conclusion

We present a combination of techniques that enables sector‐duration optimization in a clinically feasible time frame.
Technical Note: A comparison of point set registration methods for electromagnetic tracking
Authors: Götz TI. , Wankerl H. , Tomé A. M. , Meyer‐Baese A. , Bert Ch. , Hensel B. , Lang E. W.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

High dose rate brachytherapy applies intense and destructive radiation. A treatment plan defines radiation source dwell positions to avoid irradiating healthy tissue. The study discusses methods to quantify any positional changes of source locations along the various treatment sessions.

Methods

Electromagnetic tracking (EMT) localizes the radiation source during the treatment sessions. But in each session the relative position of the patient relative to the filed generator is changed. Hence, the measured dwell point sets need to be registered onto each other to render them comparable. Two point set registration techniques are compared: a probabilistic method called coherent point drift (CPD) and a multidimensional scaling (MDS) technique.

Results

Both enable using EMT without external registration and achieve very similar results with respect to dwell position determination of the radiation source. Still MDS achieves smaller grand average deviations (CPD‐rPSR: MD = 2.55 mm, MDS‐PSR: MD = 2.15 mm) between subsequent dwell position determinations, which also show less variance (CPD‐rPSR: IQR = 4 mm, MDS‐PSR: IQR = 3 mm). Furthermore, MDS is not based on approximations and does not need an iterative procedure to track sensor positions inside the implanted catheters.

Conclusion

Although both methods achieve similar results, MDS is to be preferred over rigid CPD while nonrigid CPD is unsuitable as it does not preserve topology.
Family and nonfamily support in relation to burnout and work engagement among Italian teachers
Authors: Fiorilli Caterina , Schneider Barry , Buonomo Ilaria , Romano Luciano
Published: February 2019

Italy had traditionally been considered a family‐oriented culture where support from relatives is primary. The major purpose of this study was to clarify the benefits of social support inside and outside the family for schoolteachers in Italy, focusing on the teacher burnout and work engagement. Findings indicated that the family was by far the most significant source of support. School colleagues who felt close to each other resembled each other in terms of burnout and work engagement. Difficult interactions with colleagues were associated with burnout more extensively at later stages of the teaching career; supervisor support was linked with burnout at an early stage.
The effects of deeper learning opportunities on student achievement: Examining differential pathways
Authors: Ottmar Erin
Published: February 2019

This study investigates relations between cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal opportunities, noncognitive outcomes, and student achievement in 1,096 students from 20 high schools (10 Deeper Learning [DL] network, 10 control) who participated in the Study of DL (SDL). DL is an umbrella term used to encompass the cognitive, interpersonal, and intrapersonal skills and knowledge that students need to be successful in school and the workforce. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test a theoretical model that hypothesizes plausible pathways between DL opportunities to interpersonal, intrapersonal, and cognitive outcomes. Further, a multigroup structural equation modeling examined differences in these relations between DL and matched nonnetwork schools. Cognitive and intrapersonal opportunities were related to both interpersonal and intrapersonal outcomes. Further, cognitive opportunities were indirectly related to student achievement through interpersonal outcomes. Similar patterns of relations were found in DL and control schools. This study helps to build a stronger understanding of how types of DL opportunities and strategies can best develop the complex skills that students need to be successful in school and can also be used to inform future intervention designs and research studies.
Enhancing student access to science curricula through a reading intervention
Authors: Saqui Sonja , Mercer Sterett H. , Cheng Michèle P.
Published: February 2019

The current study explored whether a reading intervention combining flexibly applied multisyllabic word‐decoding strategies with evidence‐based fluency strategies was effective in improving the science text reading skills of upper‐elementary struggling readers. Four students, three in fourth and one in fifth grade, participated in the study. A delayed multiple baseline design was utilized, with a staggered 3‐week baseline followed by 8 weeks of reading intervention. Three students demonstrated small to moderate gains in reading fluency on science instructional passages, but no generalized gains in reading fluency on standardized passages. All students demonstrated direct gains in multisyllabic word‐decoding accuracy on science instructional passages, but no generalized gains in decoding accuracy on standardized passages. Participating students rated the intervention favorably and perceived gains in their reading skills. These findings support the use of science curricular passages when implementing reading interventions to enhance students’ ability to access the curriculum.
Structural characterization of the third scavenger receptor cysteine‐rich domain of murine neurotrypsin
Authors: Canciani Anselmo , Catucci Gianluca , Forneris Federico
Published: February 2019

Neurotrypsin (NT) is a multi‐domain serine protease of the nervous system with only one known substrate: the large proteoglycan Agrin. NT has seen to be involved in the maintenance/turnover of neuromuscular junctions and in processes of synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Roles which have been tied to its enzymatic activity, localized in the C‐terminal serine‐protease (SP) domain. However the purpose of NT's remaining 3–4 scavenger receptor cysteine‐rich (SRCR) domains is still unclear. We have determined the crystal structure of the third SRCR domain of murine NT (mmNT‐SRCR3), immediately preceding the SP domain and performed a comparative structural analysis using homologous SRCR structures. Our data and the elevated degree of structural conservation with homologous domains highlight possible functional roles for NT SRCRs. Computational and experimental analyses suggest the identification of a putative binding region for Ca2+ ions, known to regulate NT enzymatic activity. Furthermore, sequence and structure comparisons allow to single out regions of interest that, in future studies, might be implicated in Agrin recognition/binding or in interactions with as of yet undiscovered NT partners.
Combining stock‐and‐flow, agent‐based, and social network methods to model team performance
Authors: Anderson Edward G. , Lewis Kyle , Ozer Gorkem Turgut
Published: February 2019

Across disciplines, there has been an increasing interest in combining different simulation methods. Team science provides a particularly challenging context because of the interplay across levels of analysis. For example, team performance is decisively influenced by accumulated individual attributes, the interactions among individuals and emergent team structures—each of which is affected by multiple feedback loops at different levels of analysis. To address these challenges, we compare the modeling methods of stock‐and‐flow models, agent‐based models and social network analysis to argue for the advantages of a hybrid approach to formal mathematical modeling in a team science context. We develop a proof‐of‐concept model, which combines aspects of all three methods, to investigate the effects of expertise, the patterns of members’ interactions and diversity‐based subgroups on team performance. Novel, important insights into team science theory result from this investigation, including, among others, the dynamic tradeoff between diversity and homogeneity on teams’ performance and the importance of the communication network structure in affecting that tradeoff.

© 2019 System Dynamics Society
Regression to the mean for the bivariate binomial distribution
Authors: Khan Manzoor , Olivier Jake
Published: February 2019

Regression to the mean (RTM) occurs when subjects having relatively high or low measurements are remeasured and found closer to the population mean. This phenomenon can potentially lead to an inaccurate conclusion in a pre‐post study design. Expressions are available for quantifying RTM when the distribution of pre and post observations are bivariate normal and bivariate Poisson. However, situations exist where the response variables are the number of successes in a fixed number of trials and follow the bivariate binomial distribution. In this article, expressions for quantifying RTM effects are derived when the underlying distribution is the bivariate binomial. Unlike the normal and Poisson distributions, the correlation between pre and post observations can be either negative or positive under the bivariate binomial distribution and the severity of RTM is greater in the former case. The percentage relative difference is used to highlight the differences in quantifying RTM under the bivariate binomial distribution and normal and Poisson approximations to the bivariate binomial distribution. Expressions for estimating RTM using the method of maximum likelihood along with its asymptotic distribution are derived. A simulation study is conducted to empirically assess the statistical properties of the RTM estimator and its asymptotic distribution. Data examples using the number of obese individuals and the number of nonconforming cardboard cans are discussed.
Modelling and estimation for optimal treatment decision with interference
Authors: Su Lin , Lu Wenbin , Song Rui
Published: February 2019

In many network‐based intervention studies, treatment applied on an individual or his or her own characteristics may also affect the outcome of other connected people. We call this interference along network. Approaches for deriving the optimal individualized treatment regimen remain unknown after introducing the effect of interference. In this paper, we propose a novel network‐based regression model that is able to account for interaction between outcomes and treatments in a network. Both Q‐learning and A‐learning methods are derived. We show that the optimal treatment regimen under our model is independent from interference, which makes its application in practice more feasible and appealing. The asymptotic properties of the proposed estimators are established. The performance of the proposed model and methods is illustrated by extensive simulation studies and an application to a mobile game network data.
Experimental study on seismic performance of L‐shaped partly precast reinforced concrete shear wall with cast‐in‐situ boundary elements
Authors: Lu Zheng , Wang Yan , Li Jianbao , Fan Qiaoqiao
Published: February 2019

In order to promote industrial production of reinforced concrete shear wall, a typical partly precast reinforced concrete shear wall with both end boundary elements cast‐in‐situ and the other part precast is experimentally studied. In this paper, three L‐shaped specimens of this kind and one completely cast‐in‐situ specimen as a control group are tested under low‐frequency cyclic loading to investigate their safety, applicability, and different characteristics. For the partly precast specimen, the vertical distributed reinforcements of precast part are equivalently spliced by grouting sleeves arranged along the center line of the wall whereas the horizontal reinforcements are directly anchored into the cast‐in‐situ boundary elements. During the test, the axial compression ratio of these specimens is fixed at 0.2, 0.3, and 0.5, respectively. Such test phenomena and test data including failure modes, yielding load and displacement, the skeleton curve, energy dissipation, stiffness degradation, ductility, and so on are observed, analyzed, and compared. Chinese code and American Concrete Institute code are adopted to estimate the bearing capacity. Results show that the partly precast specimens have good integrity. With the increase of axial compression ratio, the bearing capacity of these partly precast specimens increases whereas the ductility decreases. It is also found that the partly precast specimens have slightly lower bearing capacity compared with the cast‐in‐situ specimen as well as excellent deformation capacity and ductility, which indicates the tested partly precast shear wall has good and reliable seismic performance and can be used as a structural element in building construction.
Nomenclatural synopsis of the Old World's “manna” lichens (Aspicilia,Megasporaceae)
Authors: Sohrabi Mohammad , Ahti Teuvo
Published: February 2019

In a synopsis of the nomenclature of the Eurasian and African species of the so–called vagrant manna lichens twelve species are recognized. The group is included in the genusAspicilia. Most of the accepted and synonymous names are typified. Special attention was paid to the numerous infraspecific entities published by the Russian lichenologists A.A. Elenkin and K.S. Mereschkowsky. The new combinationAspicilia fruticulosofoliacea(Elenkin) Sohrabi is proposed.
Why are there so many plant species in the Neotropics?
Authors: Antonelli Alexandre , Sanmartín Isabel
Published: February 2019

The Neotropical region (tropical America) is the most species rich region on Earth. Several causes have been proposed to explain this extraordinary biodiversity, which may be very roughly classified into two major categories: 'biotic' (e.g.soil adaptations; biotic interactions with pollinators, dispersers and herbivores; niche conservatism; dispersal ability) and 'abiotic' (e.g.time; rainfall, temperature and area; mountain uplift; hydrological changes). In this paper we review the evidence for each of these postulated causes of diversification and provide general directions towards further testing. We highlight the need of more well‐sampled and dated phylogenies and urge increased inter‐disciplinary collaboration.
Endocarps of Prunus (Rosaceae: Prunoideae) from the early Eocene of Wutu, Shandong Province, China
Authors: Li Ya , Smith Thierry , Liu Chang-Jiang , Awasthi Nilamber , Yang Jian , Wang Yu-Fei , Li Cheng-Sen
Published: February 2019

Endocarps of the genus Prunus (family Rosaceae) have been described from early Eocene clay deposits in the Wutu Coal Mine, Shandong Province, China. Endocarps are elliptical or ovoid in lateral view, with a long canal that approaches the apex of the endocarp and contains the ventral vascular bundle. Comparisons with related living and fossil species of Prunus indicate that these endocarps should be assigned to Prunus wutuensis sp. nov. The endocarps from Wutu represent the earliest record of Prunus in Asia. Based on the distribution of fossil Prunus endocarps, the palaeobiogeographic history of the genus is shown on palaeogeographic maps of the Northern Hemisphere. The fossil data suggest that the genus first appeared in the early Eocene of North America and Asia, and then extended to Europe in the middle Eocene.
Phylogeny and biogeography ofLonchocarpussensu lato and its allies in the tribe Millettieae (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae)
Authors: da Silva Marcos José , de Queiroz Luciano Paganucci , Tozzi Ana Maria Goulart de Azevedo , Lewis Gwilym Peter , de Sousa Anete Pereira
Published: February 2019

The phylogenetic relationships betweenLonchocarpuss.l. and allies were studied using Bayesian and parsimony independent and combined analyses of nuclear ribosomal DNA (5.8S and flanking internal transcribed spacers ITS1 and 2) and chloroplast DNA (trnL-trnF, matK) sequences. Topologies resulting from ITS and combined datasets were congruent, while thematKanalysis resulted in poorly resolved hypotheses probably because of its low substitution rate. Our results support the monophyly ofApurimacia, Deguelia, Philenoptera, Piscidia, andTephrosiaand the polyphyly ofMillettia. Lonchocarpus, as traditionally circumscribed, is paraphyletic, and subgenera and sections within it are also paraphyletic or polyphyletic with the exception of sect.Willardiawhich is monophyletic. InLonchocarpuss.l., three large subclades can be recognized, here referred to as the Muellera, the Dahlstedtia, and the Lonchocarpus s.str. subclades. We propose recogition of these as three recircumscribed genera (Muellera, Dahlstedtia, Lonchocarpus) supported by morphological traits and major distribution ranges. Thegenera BergeroniaandMargaritolobiumare synonymized withMuellera. Nineteen new combinations inMuelleraand ten inDahlstedtiaare proposed, and five lectotypes are presented. Analysis of the molecular data reveals that (1)Lonchocarpuss.str. originated about 8.7 ± 0.05 Ma ago in Central America, in contrast toDahlstedtiaandMuellerathat both arose in South America, 6.3 ± 0.05 Ma and 8.0 ± 0.09 Ma ago, respectively; (2) at least three migration events ofLonchocarpushave occurred from Central to South America, and one to Africa, the latter best explained by long distance dispersal across the Atlantic Ocean.
Pollen morphology and phylogeny of the tribe Tabernaemontaneae (Apocynaceae, subfamily Rauvolfioideae)
Authors: van der Weide Jasmijn C. , van der Ham Raymond W.J.M.
Published: February 2019

Both the tribe Tabernaemontaneae and the genusTabernaemontanahave been much discussed concerning delimitation and classification. In the present paper, the pollen morphology of Tabernaemontaneae s.l. is studied with light and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and compared with the results of a phylogenetic analysis of molecular data. No pollen morphological synapomorphy was found supporting the monophyly of the tribe Tabernaemontaneae s.l. The monophyly of Tabernaemontaneae s.str. is supported by the occurrence of distinctly lalongate endoapertures that might be fused to form an endocingulum. Although the endocingulum does occur in some Old World species, it is interpreted as a synapomorphy of the New World species, which make up a monophyletic group according to molecular data. The inclusion of the genusStemmadeniain the New World clade withinTabernaemontanais fully supported by pollen morphology. The Old WorldTabernaemontanaclade is supported by the occurrence of densely perforate pollen with long colpi.
Phylogeny of the tribe Phlomideae (Lamioideae: Lamiaceae) with special focus on Eremostachys and Phlomoides: New insights from nuclear and chloroplast sequences
Authors: Salmaki Yasaman , Zarre Shahin , Ryding Olof , Lindqvist Charlotte , Scheunert Agnes , Bräuchler Christian , Heubl Günther
Published: February 2019

The tribe Phlomideae (Lamiaceae: Lamioideae) is divided into the three genera Phlomis, Phlomoides (incl. Pseud- eremostachys, Lamiophlomis and Notochaete), and Eremostachys (incl. Paraeremostachys), contains about 278 species and has a distribution range extending from Europe to Mongolia, China, and India. Here, we present a phylogenetic analysis based on nuclear ribosomal (ITS) and cpDNA (partial trnK, rpl32-trnL, and trnT-A) sequence data of 56 accessions representing all genera and major subgeneric taxa of Phlomideae. Taxon sampling covered the genera Phlomoides and Eremostachys more intensively than previous phylogenetic investigations of the tribe. Parsimony and Bayesian analyses of each marker, as well as the combined plastid datasets, produced nearly congruent trees. Monophyly of Phlomis s.str. is confirmed here, although only few representatives of this genus were included. In all obtained trees a core group of Phlomoides and Eremostachys is strongly supported. In accordance with morphological evidence, molecular data confirm the inclusion of Eremostachys, Notochaete, and Paraeremostachys in Phlomoides. In conclusion, the number of recognized genera in Phlomideae is reduced to two: Phlomis and Phlomoides. The necessary new combinations are proposed.
Model uncertainty in ancestral area reconstruction: A parsimonious solution?
Authors: Pirie Michael D. , Humphreys Aelys M. , Antonelli Alexandre , Galley Chloé , Linder H. Peter
Published: February 2019

Increasingly complex likelihood–based methods are being developed to infer biogeographic history. The results of these methods are highly dependent on the underlying model which should be appropriate for the scenario under investigation. Our example concerns the dispersal among the southern continents of the grass subfamily Danthonioideae (Poaceae). We infer ancestral areas and dispersals using likelihood–based Bayesian methods and show the results to be indecisive (reversible–jump Markov chain Monte Carlo; RJ–MCMC) or contradictory (continuous–time Markov chain with Bayesian stochastic search variable selection; BSSVS) compared to those obtained under Fitch parsimony (FP), in which the number of dispersals is minimised. The RJ–MCMC and BSSVS results differed because of the differing (and not equally appropriate) treatments of model uncertainty under these methods. Such uncertainty may be unavoidable when attempting to infer a complex likelihood model with limited data, but we show with simulated data that it is not necessarily a meaningful reflection of the credibility of a result. At higher overall rates of dispersal FP does become increasingly inaccurate. However, at and below the rate observed in Danthonioideae multiple dispersals along branches are not observed and the correct root state can be inferred reliably. Under these conditions parsimony is a more appropriate model.
Phylogenetic analyses of ITS and rbcL DNA sequences for sixteen genera of Australian and New Zealand Brassicaceae result in the expansion of the tribe Microlepidieae
Authors: Heenan Peter B. , Goeke Dagmar F. , Houliston Gary J. , Lysak Martin A.
Published: February 2019

Sequence data from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) nrDNA and rbcL cpDNA regions were used to determine relationships of genera of Brassicaceae from Australia and New Zealand (NZ) that were previously unassigned to a tribe. Maximum likelihood analysis of 71 ITS sequences identified a monophyletic clade of Australian genera, including Carinavalva and Microlepidium that had previously been assigned to the tribe Microlepidieae. Pachycladon is not supported as monophyletic, comprising a clade of the NZ species and another clade of the Tasmanian P. radicatum. These two Pachycladon clades form a polytomy with the Australian clade. Maximum likelihood analysis of the rbcL region generally supports the ITS analysis with the Australian genera forming a monophyletic clade with Pachycladon. Arabidella is polyphyletic in the rbcL phylogeny as A. eremigena is member of the Australian clade but A. trisecta is placed in a sister clade that comprises mainly genera of tribe Camelineae. As a result of these phylogenetic analyses the tribe Microlepidieae is expanded and now includes 16 genera and 56 species endemic to Australia and New Zealand. Genera included in the Microlepidieae are Arabidella, Ballantinia, Blennodia, Carinavalva, Cuphonotus, Drabastrum, Geococcus, Harmsiodoxa, Irenepharsus, Menkea,Microlepidium, Pachycladon, Pachymitus,Phlegmatospermum, Scambopus and Stenopetalum. Whole­genome duplication has previously been shown to have occurred in the ancestry of Arabidella, Ballantinia, Pachycladon and Stenopetalum and is likely to be a defining feature of the tribe Microlepidieae. Future research needs to investigate circumscription of the Australian genera as there is a predominance of closely related monotypic genera in the Microlepidieae. With resolution of the tribal placement of these Australian and New Zealand genera, ca. 94% (302) of the 321 genera in the family have been assigned to a tribe.