bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D deficiency in patients with diastolic dysfunction or heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Nolte Kathleen , Herrmann‐Lingen Christoph , Platschek Lars , Holzendorf Volker , Pilz Stefan , Tomaschitz Andreas , Düngen Hans‐Dirk , Angermann Christiane E. , Hasenfuß Gerd , Pieske Burkert , Wachter Rolf , Edelmann Frank
Published: February 2019

Aims

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in heart failure (HF), but its relevance in early stages of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is unknown. We tested the association of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] serum levels with mortality, hospitalizations, cardiovascular risk factors, and echocardiographic parameters in patients with asymptomatic diastolic dysfunction (DD) or newly diagnosed HFpEF.

Methods and results

We measured 25(OH)D serum levels in outpatients with risk factors for DD or history of HF derived from the DIAST‐CHF study. Participants were comprehensively phenotyped including physical examination, echocardiography, and 6 min walk test and were followed up to 5 years. Quality of life was evaluated by the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) questionnaire. We included 787 patients with available 25(OH)D levels. Median 25(OH)D levels were 13.1 ng/mL, mean E/e′ medial was 13.2, and mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 59.1%. Only 9% (n = 73) showed a left ventricular ejection fraction <50%. Fifteen per cent (n = 119) of the recruited participants had symptomatic HFpEF. At baseline, participants with 25(OH)D levels in the lowest tertile (≤10.9 ng/L; n = 263) were older, more often symptomatic (oedema and fatigue, all P ≤ 0.002) and had worse cardiac [higher N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) and left atrial volume index, both P ≤ 0.023], renal (lower glomerular filtration rate, P = 0.012), metabolic (higher uric acid levels, P < 0.001), and functional (reduced exercise capacity, 6 min walk distance, and SF‐36 physical functioning score, all P < 0.001) parameters. Increased NT‐proBNP, uric acid, and left atrial volume index and decreased SF‐36 physical functioning scores were independently associated with lower 25(OH)D levels. There was a higher risk for lower 25(OH)D levels in association with HF, DD, and atrial fibrillation (all P ≤ 0.004), which remained significant after adjusting for age. Lower 25(OH)D levels (per 10 ng/mL decrease) tended to be associated with higher 5 year mortality, P = 0.05, hazard ratio (HR) 1.55 [1.00; 2.42]. Furthermore, lower 25(OH)D levels (per 10 ng/mL decrease) were related to an increased rate of cardiovascular hospitalizations, P = 0.023, HR = 1.74 [1.08; 2.80], and remained significant after adjusting for age, P = 0.046, HR = 1.63 [1.01; 2.64], baseline NT‐proBNP, P = 0.048, HR = 1.62 [1.01; 2.61], and other selected baseline characteristics and co‐morbidities, P = 0.043, HR = 3.60 [1.04; 12.43].

Conclusions

Lower 25(OH)D levels were associated with reduced functional capacity in patients with DD or HFpEF and were significantly predictive for an increased rate of cardiovascular hospitalizations, also after adjusting for age, NT‐proBNP, and selected baseline characteristics and co‐morbidities.
CCL21‐expression and accumulation of CCR7+ NK cells in livers of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis
Authors: Langeneckert Annika E. , Lunemann Sebastian , Martrus Glòria , Salzberger Wilhelm , Hess Leonard U. , Ziegler Annerose E. , Poch Tobias , Ravichandran Gevitha , Matschl Urte , Bosse Jens B. , Tiegs Gisa , Fischer Lutz , Koch Martina , Herkel Johannes , Oldhafer Karl J. , Schramm Christoph , Altfeld Marcus
Published: February 2019

The pathogenesis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune liver disease, remains unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize peripheral blood and intrahepatic NK cells from patients with PSC. Peripheral blood samples from patients with PSC, other autoimmune liver diseases, and from healthy control individuals were used, as well as liver tissues from PSC patients undergoing liver transplantation. Multiparameter flow cytometry showed that peripheral blood NK cells from PSC patients were significantly enriched for CCR7+ and CXCR3+ cells, and CCR7+ but not CXCR3+ cells were also significantly increased within intrahepatic NK cells. PSC patients undergoing liver transplantation furthermore had significantly higher plasma levels of the CCR7‐ligand CCL21, and the CXCR3‐ligands CXCL10 and CXCL11, and significantly higher levels of CCL21, but not CXCL10, were detected in liver tissues. CCR7+ and CXCR3+ NK cells from PSC patients exhibited significantly higher functional capacity in peripheral blood, but not liver tissues, consistent with chronic activation of these NK cells in the inflamed liver. These data show that PSC is characterized by intrahepatic CCL21 expression and accumulation of CCR7+ NK cells in the inflamed liver tissue.
The TDMQ Regulators of Copper Homeostasis Do Not Disturb the Activities of Cu,Zn‐SOD, Tyrosinase, or the CoIII Cofactor Vitamin B12
Authors: Huang Ju , Nguyen Michel , Liu Yan , Robert Anne , Meunier Bernard
Published: February 2019

Copper chelators based on a tetradentate monoquinoline (TDMQ) scaffold are currently developed as potential drugs against Alzheimer's disease. Since TDMQ chelators have a high affinity for CuII and are expected to regulate copper homeostasis in the brain, the question whether these chelators might be able to demetalate, and therefore inhibit, essential copper proteins is obviously important, and should be answered before clinical development could be considered. We therefore examined the possible interaction of these chelators with physiological copper proteins, and related metal biomolecules. Our present work evidenced that TDMQ chelators (up to millimolar concentrations) do not affect in vitro the catalytic activities of Cu,Zn‐superoxide dismutase and tyrosinase, two copper enzymes expressed in the brain and involved in the regulation of redox processes. In addition, TDMQ were found unable to demetalate vitamin B12, a CoIII cofactor essential for neurotransmitter synthesis and normal brain function. The validation of the compatibility between TDMQs and several physiological metal complexes is an important positive issue supporting the development of TDMQ chelators as drug‐candidates.
Ceramide‐Templated Macrolactams: Total Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Macrocyclic α‐Galactosylceramide Analogues and their Aglycons
Authors: Janssens Jonas , Van der Eycken Johan , Van Calenbergh Serge
Published: February 2019

We present the total synthesis of macrocyclic analogues of the immunomodulating glycolipid α‐GalCer (KRN7000), along with the corresponding macrocyclic aglycons. Their structures are inspired by the conformation of α‐GalCer when bound to the antigen presenting glycoprotein CD1d. The applied synthesis plan, involving either ring‐closing metathesis or ruthenium‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne cycloaddition for the crucial macrocyclization step, allowed for easy alteration of the ring size of the macrocycles. These compounds constitute a series of novel cyclic glycosphingolipid analogues.
Ir(bis‐NHC)‐Catalyzed Direct Conversion of Amines to Alcohols in Aqueous Glycerol
Authors: Cheong Yeon‐Joo , Lee Seunghyeon , Hwang Sang Joon , Yoon Woojin , Yun Hoseop , Jang Hye‐Young
Published: February 2019

Sustainable catalytic conversion of amines to alcohols was realized in the presence of iridium catalysts and aqueous glycerol. Iridium catalysts involving bis‐N‐heterocyclic carbene (bis‐NHC) show good reactivity and stability in the conversion of amines into alcohols in aqueous glycerol. The reaction was initiated with the dehydrogenation of amines and followed by hydrolysis and reduction. Iridium catalysts play dual roles in both the dehydrogenation and reduction steps. By employing glycerol as a solvent and hydrogen source, the final reduction was facilitated. The synthesis and characterization of various Ir(bis‐NHC) complexes are described along with the catalytic reaction results of the amine into alcohol conversion.
Performance improvement of plasmonic sensors using a combination of AC electrokinetic effects for (bio)target capture
Authors: Avenas Quentin , Moreau Julien , Costella Marion , Maalaoui Arbi , Souifi Abdelkader , Charette Paul , Marchalot Julien , Frénéa‐Robin Marie , Canva Michael
Published: February 2019

Analytes concentration techniques are being developed with the appealing expectation to boost the performance of biosensors. One promising method lies in the use of electrokinetic forces. We present hereafter a new design for a microstructured plasmonic sensor which is obtained by conventional microfabrication techniques, and which can easily be adapted on a classical surface plasmon resonance imaging (SPRI) system without further significant modification. Dielectrophoretic trapping and electro‐osmotic displacement of the targets in the scanned fluid are performed through interdigitated 200 μm wide gold electrodes that also act as the SPR‐sensing substrate. We demonstrate the efficiency of our device's collection capabilities for objects of different sizes (200 nm and 1 μm PS beads, as well as 5–10 μm yeast cells). SPRI is relevant for the spatial analysis of the mass accumulation at the electrode surface. We demonstrate that our device overcomes the diffusion limit encountered in classical SPR sensors thanks to rapid collection capabilities (<1 min) and we show a consequent improvement of the detection limit, by a factor >300. This study of an original device combining SPRI and electrokinetic forces paves the way to the development of fully integrated active plasmonic sensors with direct applications in life sciences, electrochemistry, environmental monitoring and agri‐food industry.
Deep‐DRX: A framework for deep learning–based discontinuous reception in 5G wireless networks
Authors: Memon Mudasar Latif , Maheshwari Mukesh Kumar , Shin Dong Ryeol , Roy Abhishek , Saxena Navrati
Published: February 2019

The tremendous advancement in various types of mobile devices with distinct services demands emerging 5G networks to deal with different kinds of traffic. The high data rates along with beam searching operation in 5G increase user equipment (UE) energy expenses. Discontinuous reception (DRX) is used in long‐term evolution network to save the power of UE. The DRX conserves the energy at the cost of increased latency. On the other hand, long short‐term memory (LSTM), a deep neural network, has shown incredible results in learning time‐varying sequences from data sets. In this article, we propose a novel idea to train LSTM network for prediction of next packet arrival time based on real wireless traffic trace (dataset). Then, we use the trained LSTM model to predict dynamic sleep time in DRX for 5G networks. Our proposed algorithm, deep learning–based DRX (Deep‐DRX) is able to make dynamic sleep cycle in 5G communications. Deep‐DRX achieves 10% and 30% of power saving with a mean delay of 1.006 ms and 1.05 ms for Trace 1 and Trace 2, respectively.
Phylogenetic position of Vicia montbretii and Lens species in relation to Vicia subgenus Cracca (Fabaceae): morphological and isozyme evidence
Authors: Leht Malle , Jaaska Vello
Published: February 2019

The Near East endemic vetch Vicia montbretii is a taxonomically controversial species because it has been also treated either as Ervum kotschyanum or Lens montbretii. The phylogenetic affinity and taxonomic treatment of Lens species in relation to Vicia has become debatable. We studied variation of morphological and isozyme characters in V. montbretii, Lens odemensis, L. orientalis and L. nigricans in comparison to 19 species of Vicia subgenus Cracca and three Lathyrus outgroup species in order to get evidence about their systematic and phylogenetic position. The cladistic analysis of morphology revealed that V. montbretii is tightly connected with Lens species and the Ervum group. The cladistic analysis of isozymes placed V. montbretii and the three Lens species in subgenus Cracca as divergent subclades. V. montbretii differs from the Lens species in ten isozymes out of 16 analysed. Vicia montbretii appears sister to Vicia sections Cracca, Panduratae and Pedunculatae, whereas the Lens subclade is linked to the subclade of Vicia sections Ervoides, Ervilia and Lenticula. The consistencies and differences between the morphological and molecular characters (isozymes plus DNA sequences) are discussed.
Paleogeographic implications of the Permian shallow marine carbonates in the eastern Lake Van region (eastern Turkey): Foraminiferal biostratigraphic and sequence stratigraphic constraints
Authors: Atakul‐Özdemir Ayşe
Published: February 2019

The study focuses on the Middle Permian recrystallized limestone succession, previously considered as Triassic, at the eastern parts of Lake Van (eastern Turkey) representing the northern margin of Gondwana. The Middle Permian successions in the region are mainly composed of slightly metamorphosed, recrystallized limestones. The shallow‐water depositional settings of the studied units are characterized by the relative dominance of smaller foraminifers and rare occurrence of fusulinids. Middle Permian foraminifers recorded from eastern Anatolia are typically Tethyan assemblages for the Capitanian (Guadalupian) age. Detailed microfacies analysis by textural analysis and faunal assemblages have been undertaken throughout the studied sections. The Capitanian carbonates of the region are mainly characterized by six major microfacies types representing shallow marine environments, ranging from foreshoal environment to shoal and backshoal environments. Within the scope of sequence stratigraphic interpretations, vertical stacking patterns of these microfacies types reflecting different depositional environments reveal the presence of two third‐order depositional sequences, each of which consists of a transgressive systems tract and a highstand systems tract. Within the context of sequence stratigraphy, the microfacies changes point out the relative sea‐level fall towards the upper part of the sections, coinciding with the onset of a regression recorded worldwide in the Capitanian.
Serum Metabolomic Profiling Identifies Key Metabolic Signatures Associated With Pathogenesis of Alcoholic Liver Disease in Humans
Authors: Yang Zhihong , Kusumanchi Praveen , Ross Ruth A. , Heathers Laura , Chandler Kristina , Oshodi Adepeju , Thoudam Themis , Li Feng , Wang Li , Liangpunsakul Suthat
Published: February 2019

Alcoholic liver disease (ALD) develops in a subset of heavy drinkers (HDs). The goals of our study were to (1) characterize the global serum metabolomic changes in well‐characterized cohorts of controls (Cs), HDs, and those with alcoholic cirrhosis (AC); (2) identify metabolomic signatures as potential diagnostic markers, and (3) determine the trajectory of serum metabolites in response to alcohol abstinence. Serum metabolic profiling was performed in 22 Cs, 147 HDs, and 33 patients with AC using ultraperformance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Hepatic gene expression was conducted in Cs (n = 16) and those with AC (n = 32). We found progressive changes in the quantities of metabolites from heavy drinking to AC. Taurine‐conjugated bile acids (taurocholic acid [TCA], 127‐fold; taurochenodeoxycholic acid [TCDCA], 131‐fold; and tauroursodeoxycholic acid, 56‐fold) showed more striking elevations than glycine‐conjugated forms (glycocholic acid [GCA], 22‐fold; glycochenodeoxycholic acid [GCDCA], 22‐fold; and glycoursodeoxycholic acid [GUDCA], 11‐fold). This was associated with increased liver cytochrome P450, family 7, subfamily B, member 1 and taurine content (more substrates); the latter was due to dysregulation of homocysteine metabolism. Increased levels of GCDCA, TCDCA, GCA, and TCA positively correlated with disease progression from Child‐Pugh A to C and Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease scores, whereas GCDCA, GCA, and GUDCA were better predictors of alcohol abstinence. The levels of glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 but not FGF19 were increased in HDs, and all three were further increased in those with AC. Conclusion: Serum taurine/glycine‐conjugated bile acids could serve as noninvasive markers to predict the severity of AC, whereas GLP‐1 and FGF21 may indicate a progression from heavy drinking to AC.
Roles of electrical stimulation in promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs on conductive fibers
Authors: Jing Wei , Huang Yiqian , Wei Pengfei , Cai Qing , Yang Xiaoping , Zhong Weihong
Published: February 2019

The strategy of using conductive materials in regenerating bone defects is attractive, benefiting from the bioelectricity feature of natural bone tissues. Thereby, POP conductive fibers were fabricated by coating polypyrrole (PPY) onto electrospun poly(l‐lactide) (PLLA) fibers, and their potentials in promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs) were investigated. Different from the smooth‐surfaced PLLA fibers, POP fibers were rough‐surfaced and favorable for protein adsorption and mineralization nucleation. When electrical stimulation (ES) was applied, the surface charges on the conductive POP fibers further promoted the protein adsorption and the mineral deposition, while the non‐conductive PLLA fibers displayed no such promotion. When BMSCs were cultured on these fibers, strong cell viability was detected, indicating their good biocompatibility and cell affinity. In osteogenic differentiation studies, BMSCs demonstrated the strongest ability in differentiating toward osteoblasts when they were cultured on the POP fibers under ES, followed by the case without ES. In comparison with the conductive POP fibers, the non‐conductive PLLA fibers displayed significantly weaker ability in inducing the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs with ES being applied or not. Alongside the differentiation, both the calcium deposition on BMSC/material complexes and the intracellular Ca2+ concentration were identified the most abundant when BMSCs grew on the POP fibers under ES. These findings suggested that the surface charges of conductive fibers played roles in regulating protein adsorption, ion migration and nucleation, particularly under ES, which contributed much to the increased intracellular Ca2+ ions, and thus accelerated the osteogenic differentiation of the seeded cells. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2019.
Polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid microspheres added to fixative cements and its role on bone infected architecture
Authors: Ibarra Blanca , García‐García Joaquin , Azuara Galo , Vázquez‐Lasa Blanca , Ortega Miguel A. , Asúnsolo Ángel , San Román Julio , Buján Julia , García‐Honduvilla Natalio , De la Torre Basilio
Published: February 2019

Joint prostheses are an essential element to improve quality of life. However, prostheses may fail due to several factors, including the most frequent cause, Staphylococcus aureus infection. The identification of new fixing bone cements with less reactivity on bone tissue and an adequate response to infection remains a primary challenge. The aim of this study is to evaluate the response of bone tissue in rabbits after introduction of a hydroxyapatite‐coated titanium rod with a commercial fixative cement (Palacos®) compared to a modified experimental cement (EC) containing polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres in the presence or absence of contaminating germs. This study used 20 New Zealand rabbits which were divided into four groups (n = 5) depending on the presence or absence of S. aureus and the use of commercial (Palacos®) or EC. A histological method, based on bone architecture damage, was proposed to evaluate from 1 to 9 the histological results and the response of the infected tissue. The macrophage response was also evaluated using monoclonal antibody RAM‐11. The study showed better bone conservation with the use of EC with PLGA microspheres against the Palacos® commercial cement, including the noncontaminated and contaminated groups. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B:2517–2526, 2019.
A meta‐analysis of the relationship between foot local characteristics and major lower extremity amputation in diabetic foot patients
Authors: Wang Ning , Yang Bo‐Hua , Wang Gang , Gao Yu , Cao Xin , Zhang Xiao‐Fu , Yan Cheng‐Cheng , Lian Xiao‐Tong , Liu Bo‐Hong , Ju Shang
Published: February 2019

Objective

To clarify and quantify risk factors among local characteristics of the foot for major amputation in diabetic foot patients.

Methods

Articles published before January 2018 on PubMed and Embase were conducted observational studies about risk factors for major amputation in patients with diabetic foot were retrieved and systematically reviewed by using Stata 12.0 statistical software.

Results

A total of 4668 major amputees and 65 831 controls were reported in 18 observational studies. Across the studies, the overall odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of significant risk factors are ulcer reaching bone (OR, 11.796; 95% CI, 6.905‐20.152), gangrene (OR, 6.487; 95% CI, 4.088‐10.293), hindfoot position (OR, 3.913; 95% CI, 2.254‐6.795), decreased ankle‐brachial index (ABI) (OR, 2.522; 95% CI, 1.805‐3.523), infection (OR, 2.516; 95% CI, 1.708‐3.706), peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (OR, 2.114; 95% CI, 1.326‐3.372). While there is no significant difference in the size of the ulcer, neuropathy, Charcot foot, osteomyelitis and intermittent claudication (OR, 1.15; 95% CI, 0.85‐1.54).

Conclusion

Factors among local characteristics of the foot associated with major amputation in patients with diabetic foot are the ulcer reaching bone, gangrene, hindfoot position, decreased ABI, infection, and PAD, a negative risk factor for the risk of amputation. Further studies are required to provide more details of foot local characteristics.
Experimental study on the antioxidant activity of Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehd extracts in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Liu Ji , Guo Dongyan , Fan Yu , Sun Jing , Cheng Jiangxue , Shi Yajun
Published: February 2019

Extracts of Malus hupehensis (Pamp.) Rehder, containing flavonoids with good antioxidant and antiliver injury properties, possess various biological activities. The aim of this study was to explore the antioxidant activity of these extracts in vitro and in vivo. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was studied using scavenging 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals, 2,2′‐azino‐bis(3‐ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radicals, and superoxide free radicals and by inhibiting mushroom tyrosinase activity in vitro. An in vivo antioxidant experiment was performed using a rat‐aging model. Aging was induced in rats with D‐galactose through treating them at doses of extracts about 150, 300, and 600 mg·kg−1·day−1. The Malus hupehensis extracts showed high antioxidant activity; the IC50 values of DPPH radicals, ABTS radicals, superoxide radicals, and mushroom tyrosinase inhibition were 19.00 μg/mL, 303.94 μg/mL, and 3.71 mg/mL, and 1.16 mg/mL, respectively. Our experiments showed that the extracts significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the serum and tissue homogenate in vivo, and that the effects were positively correlated with the dose, compared with the activity observed in controls. Histopathological observation also confirmed that the extracts had protective effects after oxidative injury in rat tissues. In conclusion, the extracts of M. hupehensis showed effective antioxidant activity both in vitro and in vivo.
Accelerating AIREBO: Navigating the Journey from Legacy to High‐Performance Code
Authors: Höhnerbach Markus , Bientinesi Paolo
Published: February 2019

Despite initiatives to improve the quality of scientific software, there still is a large presence of legacy code. The focus of such code is usually on domain‐science features, rather than maintainability or highest performance. Additionally, architecture specific optimizations often result in less maintainable code. In this article, we focus on the AIREBO potential from LAMMPS, which exhibits large and complex computational kernels, hindering any systematic optimization. We suggest an approach based on complexity‐reducing refactoring and hardware abstraction and present the journey from the C++ port of a previous Fortran code to performance‐portable, KNC‐hybrid, vectorized, scalable, and optimized code supporting full and reduced precision. The journey includes extensive testing that fixed bugs in the original code. Large‐scale, full‐precision runs sustain speedups of more than 4× (KNL) and 3× (Skylake). © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
High‐density lipoprotein lipid peroxidation as a molecular signature of the risk for developing cardiovascular disease: Results from MASHAD cohort
Authors: Samadi Sara , Mehramiz Mehrane , Kelesidis Theodoros , Mobarhan Majid Ghayour , Sahebkar Amir Hosein , Esmaily Habibollah , Moohebati Mohsen , Farjami Zahra , Ferns Gordon A. , Mohammadpour Amir hooshang , Avan Amir
Published: February 2019

High‐density lipoprotein (HDL) function rather than level may better predict cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, the contribution of the impaired antioxidant function of HDL that is associated with increased HDL lipid peroxidation (HDLox) to the development of clinical CVD remains unclear. We have investigated the association between serum HDLox with incident CVD outcomes in Mashhad cohort. Three‐hundred and thirty individuals who had a median follow‐up period of 7 years were recruited as part of the cohort. The primary end point was cardiovascular event, including myocardial infarction, stable angina, unstable angina, or coronary revascularization. In both univariate/multivariate analyses adjusted for traditional CVD risk factors, HDLox was an independent risk factor for CVD (odds ratio, 1.62; 95% confidence interval, 1.41–1.86;
p < 0.001). For every increase in HDLox by 0.1 unit, there was an increase in CVD risk by 1.62‐fold. In an adjusted analysis, there was a >2.5‐fold increase in cardiovascular risk in individuals with HDLox higher than cutoff point of 1.06 compared to those with lower scores, suggesting HDLox > 1.06 is related to the impaired HDL oxidant function and in turn exposed to elevated risk of CVD outcomes (hazard ratio, 2.72; 95% CI, 1.88–3.94). Higher HDLox is a surrogate measure of reduced HDL antioxidant function that positively associated with cardiovascular events in a population‐based cohort.
The brain cognitive reserve hypothesis: A review with emphasis on the contribution of nuclear medicine neuroimaging techniques
Authors: Giovacchini Giampiero , Giovannini Elisabetta , Borsò Elisa , Lazzeri Patrizia , Riondato Mattia , Leoncini Rossella , Duce Valerio , Mansi Luigi , Ciarmiello Andrea
Published: February 2019

Neuropathological and clinical evidence indicates that the clinical expression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) occurs as neuropathology exceeds the brain reserve capacity. The brain or cognitive reserve (BCR) hypothesis states that high premorbid intelligence, education, and an active and stimulating lifestyle provide reserve capacity, which acts as a buffer against the cognitive deficits due to accumulating neuropathology. Neuroimaging studies that assessed the BCR hypothesis are critically reviewed with emphasis on study design and statistical analysis. Many studies were performed in the last two decades owing to the increasing availability of positron emission tomography (PET) and PET/computed tomography scanners and to the synthesis of new radiopharmaceuticals, including tracers for amyloid and tau proteins. Studies with different tracers provided complementary consistent results supporting the BCR hypothesis. Many studies were appropriately designed with a measure of reserve, a measure of brain anatomy/function/neuropathology, and a measure of cognitive functions that are necessary. Most of the early studies were performed with PET and [
18F]fluorodeoxyglucose, and occasionally with [
15O]water, reporting a significant association between higher occupation/education and lower glucose metabolism (blood flow) in associative temporo‐parietal cortex in patients with AD and also in patients with MCI, after correcting for the degree in the cognitive impairment. On the contrary, performances on several neuropsychological tests increased with increasing education for participants with elevated [
11C]PiB uptake. Studies with the tracers specific for tau protein showed that patients with AD with elevated tau deposits had higher cognitive performances compared with patients with similar levels of tau deposits. BCR in AD is also associated with a preserved cholinergic function. The BCR hypothesis has been validated with methodologically sound study designs and sophisticated neuroimaging techniques using different radiotracers and providing an explanation for neuropathological and clinical observations on patients with AD.
Inactivating the ubiquitin ligase Parkin suppresses cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human keloids
Authors: Lei Rui , Shen Jian , Zhang Shizhen , Liu Aiyu , Chen Xi , Wang Yang , Sun Jiaqi , Dai Siya , Xu Jinghong
Published: February 2019

Keloids are a common type of pathological skin healing, characterized by the destruction of the vascular network. Thus, keloids often exhibit anoxic conditions. Hypoxia‐inducible factor‐1α (HIF‐1α) is a core factor that mediates hypoxia stress responses and allows the cells to adapt to low‐oxygen conditions. In the current study, we identified that Parkin acted as an E3 ubiquitin ligase, contributing to the degradation of HIF‐1α in keloid fibroblasts (KFs). Silencing of Parkin in KFs upregulated HIF‐1α expression and prolonged its protein half‐life. Furthermore, Parkin influenced transforming growth factor β (TGF‐β)/Smad signaling by targeting HIF‐1α. Under hypoxic conditions, silencing Parkin enhanced KF proliferation and inhibited apoptosis through the TGF‐β/Smad signaling pathway. Notably, metformin, an antidiabetic drug, could significantly induce Parkin expression and enhance the interaction between Parkin and HIF‐1α. As a result, we revealed an important mechanism for Parkin in keloid development and suggested that targeting Parkin could be an alternative method for keloid treatment.
KCNQ1OT1 affects the progression of diabetic retinopathy by regulating miR‐1470 and epidermal growth factor receptor
Authors: Shao Jun , Pan Xubin , Yin Xiaowen , Fan Guangming , Tan Chengye , Yao Yong , Xin Yu , Sun Chao
Published: February 2019

Long noncoding RNAs have been reported to play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR), which has been considered as the most common disease leading to vision loss. However, it is still unclear whether KCNQ1 overlapping transcript 1 (KCNQ1OT1) could affect DR. In this study, regarding quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay, KCNQ1OT1 level was upregulated while microRNA‐1470 (miR‐1470) was decreased in DR patients and human retinal endothelial cells. High KCNQ1OT1 expression was correlated with DR stage and low visual function. Using miR‐1470 mimic or knockdown of KCNQ1OT1 could lead to the similar phenomenon; phospho‐AKT, Bax, B‐cell lymphoma 2, and cleaved poly‐ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) were regulated, while vascularization was inhibited and apoptosis was promoted. Regarding bioinformatics analysis and in vitro dual luciferase reporter assay, there should be a negative correlation between KCNQ1OT1 and miR‐1470. Additionally, mRNA of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was proved as the target of miR‐1470 and EGFR targeting by miR‐1470 initiated KCNQ1OT1 deficiency‐induced apoptosis and promoted proliferation. KCNQ1OT1 and miR‐1470 were proved to be the promoter and repressor of EGFR, respectively. The results suggested that KCNQ1OT1 could sponge miR‐1470 and further regulate EGFR in DR.
Irradiation‐induced osteocyte damage promotes HMGB1‐mediated osteoclastogenesis in vitro
Authors: He Feilong , Bai Jiangtao , Wang Jianping , Zhai Jianglong , Tong Ling , Zhu Guoying
Published: February 2019

Irradiation‐induced bone loss is widely reported, especially in radiotherapy‐induced osteoporosis. In addition to the mechanism of osteogenesis inhibition and osteoclastogenesis promotion, the regulation effect of osteocytes, which also send signals to modulate osteoclastogenesis, should be elucidated. In this study, the effect of irradiation on osteocyte and its accommodation to osteoclastogenesis via the release of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) was explored. Furthermore, the control response of HMGB1 inhibitor on receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression in osteocyte and osteocyte‐induced osteoclastogenesis was assessed. It was observed that irradiated osteocyte‐like MLO‐Y4 cells exhibited polygonal‐shaped morphological changes and shortened dendrites, inhibited cell viability and induced cellular apoptosis, along with the reduction in dendritic E11 protein/messenger RNA expression at a doses of 4 Gy. Additionally, the secretion of HMGB1 in supernatants was promoted, accompanied by the decreased OPG and elevated RANKL expression. When the RAW264.7 cells were cocultured with irradiated MLO‐Y4 cells or its conditioned medium, enhanced migration and differentiation of osteoclast precursor was observed, and this difference was alleviated with anti‐HMGB1 neutralizing antibody. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that irradiation deteriorated osteocytes’ potential to promote recruitment and differentiation of osteoclast precursor via stimulating HMGB1 release and subsequent elevation of RANKL/OPG level. This study will assist in designing the intervention programs for irradiation‐induced bone loss.
The effect of final irrigation with MTAD, QMix, and EDTA on smear layer removal and mineral content of root canal dentin
Authors: Nogo‐Živanović Dajana , Kanjevac Tatjana , Bjelović Ljiljana , Ristić Vladimir , Tanasković Irena
Published: February 2019

To compare the smear layer removal ability and mineral content of root canal dentine after initial irrigation with NaOCl and final irrigation with MTAD, QMix, and 17% EDTA. Forty extracted human maxillary incisors before root canal preparation and irrigation with NaOCl were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10) according to the type of final irrigants used: MTAD, QMix, 17% EDTA, and control (sterile distilled water). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess the presence of smear layer. SEM energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy was used to quantify dentin mineral composition in MTAD, QMix, 17% EDTA group, and in no‐treatment samples (no‐treatment group; n = 10). Among the various chelating agents, there were no significant differences in the smear layer removal in the middle and coronal thirds (p > .05). In the apical third, QMix removed significantly more smear layer than 17% EDTA (p < .05), but similarly to MTAD (p > .05). Final irrigation with MTAD resulted in a significant increase in the carbon (C) value compared to EDTA (p < .001). There was no significant difference in the mineral composition between the MTAD and the QMix group, although the values of the mineral elements were significantly altered in the MTAD group. QMix had smear layer removal capability similar to MTAD but better than EDTA in the apical third. MTAD yielded the most pronounced effect on mineral component of root dentin; however, differences were significant only for C level compared to 17% EDTA.
Mark Twain's life‐long fascination with phrenology
Authors: Finger Stanley
Published: February 2019

Samuel Langhorne Clemens (Mark Twain; 1835–1910), American humorist and writer, followed scientific and medical developments, and relished exposing questionable practices and ideas. In his youth, he pondered how phrenologists were assessing character, and in 1855 he copied sections of a phrenology book and a skull diagram into a notebook. Later, in London, he had two phrenological examinations by Lorenzo Fowler—one without and the other after identifying himself. Following his “test,” which produced contrasting results, he began to ridicule phrenologists and phrenology inTom Sawyer,Huckleberry Finn,and other works. He underwent at least two more head readings in the United States, and inEddypus, an unfinished work from 1901 to 1902, he maintained that phrenologists base their insights primarily on how people dress and answer questions. Although now lampooning the craniological tenets of phrenology, Twain never seemed to reject the idea of distinct faculties of mind associated with specialized brain organs.
Reevaluating the initial impact of John Broadus Watson on American psychology: The necessity of comparative parameters
Authors: de Freitas Araujo Saulo , Saraiva Fernando Tavares , de Carvalho Neto Marcus Bentes
Published: February 2019

In recent decades, various studies have challenged the traditional view that John Broadus Watson's Behaviorist Manifesto prompted a psychological revolution. However, methodological hindrances underlie all these attempts to evaluate the impact of Watson's study, such as the absence of comparative parameters. This article remedies this problem by conducting a comparative citation analysis involving Watson and eight other representative psychologists of the time: J. R. Angell, H. Carr, J. M. Cattell, J. Dewey, G. S. Hall, W. James, E. L. Thorndike, and E. B. Titchener. Eight important American journals were scrutinized for the period between 1903 and 1923, a decade before and a decade after the publication of Watson's Manifesto. The results suggest that even if Watson's study cannot be taken as revolutionary, it had an impact between 1914 and 1923 that was close to Dewey's, Titchener's, and Thorndike's and higher than Angell's, Carr's, Cattell's, and Hall's, although distant from James's. Finally, some methodological implications of this study are discussed.
Reaction between Zinc and Hydrochloric Acid in Solutions Containing Alkyltrimethylammonium Bromide CnTAB (n = 8, 10, and 12) Cationic Surfactants: Influence of Surfactant Chain Length
Authors: Altwaiq Abdelmnim M. , Abdel‐Rahem Rami A.
Published: February 2019

The influence of CnTAB cationic surfactant chain length (n = 8, 10, and 12) on the reaction rate of zinc powder and 0.1 M HCl hydrochloric acid in aqueous solutions was determined at room temperature. Solutions of single surfactants consisting of dodecyl, decyl, and octyl‐trimethyl‐ammonium bromide surfactants CnTAB were prepared at room temperature. From the surface tension and conductivity measurements, the critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of the three surfactants were obtained in the presence and absence of the acid. No significant change was observed for CMC values in pure water and in 0.01 M HCl. Adsorption of CnTAB surfactants onto 1% wt./vol zinc (in powder form), using surface tension measurements, was then investigated. The adsorption tendency of CnTAB surfactants onto zinc powder followed the order: C8TAB > C10TAB > C12TAB. The role of surfactants in the reaction rate between zinc powder and 0.1 M M HCl was then investigated using conductivity measurements. A significant difference in the reaction rate was found depending on the surfactant chain length. Reaction times of 3830, 4963, 14,172, and 20,053 s were found for the zinc reaction with (0.1 M HCl), (0.1 M HCl + 40 mM C8TAB), (0.1 M HCl + 40 mM C10TAB), and (0.1 M HCl + 40 mM C12TAB), respectively, suggesting a significant dependency of the reaction rate on the CnTAB chain length. Finally, some corrosion parameters such as the corrosion rate, corrosion inhibition efficiency, and their dependency on CnTAB chain length were presented and discussed.
Synthesis, Surface Activity, Thermodynamic Parameters, and Performance Evaluation of Branched Carboxylate Gemini Surfactants
Authors: Xie Yangchun , Li Jie , Zhu Ruihua , Sun Tong , Qu Guangmiao
Published: February 2019

Three novel carboxylate gemini surfactants (3CntaDA, n = 8, 10, and 12) were synthesized by two simple steps, and their structures were characterized using FT‐IR and 1H NMR. The surface activities of these surfactants were obtained from surface tension measurements at different temperatures, and the surface parameters containing the critical micelle concentration (CMC), surface tension (γ), minimum surface area per molecule (
Amin), and maximum surface excess concentration (
Γmax) were obtained from surface tension measurements. The experimental results show that 3CntaDA surfactants have higher surface activities compared with the corresponding conventional surfactants. The thermodynamic parameters of the micellization process were investigated, and the calculated results show that it was an exothermic and spontaneous process. The emulsification and foam performance of these surfactants were also evaluated at different concentrations at 298.15 K.
Development of a two‐layer transport model in layered muddy–permeable marsh sediments using224Ra–228Th disequilibria
Authors: Shi Xiangming , Benitez‐Nelson Claudia R. , Cai Pinghe , He Lijian , Moore Willard S.
Published: February 2019

Underground seepage and the sediment–water interface are important pathways for transporting concentrated pore water solutes through permeable sediments. In this study, we utilized radium‐224/thorium‐228 disequilibria to examine solute transport throughout shallow sediments (depth < 30 cm) of a tidal marshland, North Inlet, South Carolina, over a seasonal cycle. Distinct224Ra–228Th disequilibria patterns indicate that significant pore water exchange occurred both directly across the sediment–water interface and at depth as underground seepage. Temporal variations in phosphorus (P), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn) pore water concentrations also support this two‐layer transport model. Solute transport across the interface was influenced by seasonal bioirrigation, with highest exchange rates occurring in the late spring. Interfacial flux of dissolved Fe ranged over two orders of magnitude, from 0.5 mmol m−2d−1to 134 mmol m−2d−1, and fluxes of soluble reactive phosphate (SRP) and dissolved Mn varied from 0.01 mmol m−2d−1to 0.72 mmol m−2d−1and from 0.04 mmol m−2d−1to 2.7 mmol m−2d−1, respectively. Seepage occurs year‐round, with fluid exchange rates related to the distance from the tidal creek. SRP transport via seepage ranged from 0.98 mmol m−2d−1to 5.0 mmol m−2d−1, one order of magnitude higher than across the sediment–water interface. Reduction/oxidation reactions at depth diminished trace metal concentrations in deep pore water, and lowered the transport efficiency of Fe and Mn along seepage paths. Although an appreciable fraction of exported solutes likely returns to marsh sediments during tidal circulation, our results indicate that organic‐rich sediments provide a potentially large source of nutrients and trace elements to the coastal ecosystem.
Do people trust more when they are happy or when they are sad? Evidence from an experiment
Authors: Saadaoui Hayet , El Harbi Sana , Ibanez Lisette
Published: February 2019

This paper deals with the role played by incidental emotions on trust decisions. Based on a laboratory experiment with monetary incentives, we explore the way positive and negative emotions impact transfers in a trust game. In addition, we investigate the mechanism through which risk intervenes in the relationship between emotions and trust. Our results suggest that negative emotions influence trust positively, whereas positive emotions decrease trust. This effect disappears once risk is included to the game. Furthermore, we found that transfer in the trust game is driven by other‐regarding preferences and by risk preferences.
Radiating a circularly polarized impulse through a dispersive spiral antenna
Authors: Park Hong Soo , Hong Sun K.
Published: February 2019

A novel method of radiating circularly polarized (CP) impulse through a dispersive spiral antenna is presented. The proposed method utilizes time‐reversal‐based pulse compression to radiate a CP impulse without any modification to the existing antenna design, providing flexibility where the antenna can be used as a normal dispersive spiral antenna when TR is not applied. Using an Archimedean spiral antenna, the proposed method is validated with numerical simulation and measurement.
Miniaturized half‐mode SIW band‐pass filter design integrating dumbbell DGS cells
Authors: Noura Ahmed , Benaissa Mohamed , Abri Mehadji , Badaoui Hadjira , Vuong Tan‐Hoa , Tao Junwu
Published: February 2019

This paper presents the numerical and experimental results of a miniaturized half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide HMSIW C‐band pass filter with defected ground structure DGS, using two slots and dumbbell shape defected ground structure. These two slots which are etched on the upper plane of the SIW cavity are used to constitute a multiple‐mode resonator, and the dumbbell‐shape fractal DGS etched on the bottom plane can considerably enhance the filter's performances. The manufactured band‐pass filter in half mode based on SIW technology has a size nearly half of that of a normal filter. The measurements results obtained by CST in C‐band show that the manufactured filter has a large transmitted bandwidth of about 1.53 GHz from 5.97 to 7.5 GHz. The higher measured insertion is about −2.6 dB and the lower return loss measured is about −34 dB. The size of filter design achieved is 7.48 × 38.12 mm2 which make it the more compact in comparison with some published works at the C‐band frequency.
Gain and Bandwidth Investigations of a Novel PIFA Antenna employing Partial Ground at 2.3 GHz for WiMax/WiFi/WLAN Applications
Authors: Raviteja G. Viswanadh , Lakshmi V. Rajya
Published: February 2019

This paper deals with a modified planar inverted F‐antenna designed to operate at 2.3 GHz. The modifications are done with an intention of achieving wide bandwidth. It involves the simulation of a basic PIFA, for which dual U‐Slots are deployed and in order to obtain wider bandwidth the concept of the partial ground is taken into consideration. The main motivation behind this is to achieve an impedance bandwidth over 1 GHz which will prove to be useful in addressing several types of wireless and mobile applications. The simulated findings show that proposed PIFA achieved a bandwidth of 1.35 GHz (55.9%) with a gain close to 4.98 dB. The new antenna's size 20 mm × 10 mm (L1 × L2 mm) was compact and the fabrication cost is also less. The fabricated prototype was tested and measured and a good agreement was observed between the simulated and the measured results.
Fusion of multiple time‐domain GPR datasets of different center frequencies
Authors: Xu Xianlei , Li Junpeng , Qiao Xu , Fang Gui
Published: February 2019

Ground‐penetrating radar is widely used in non‐destructive underground inspection because of its precision and high resolution, especially at shallow layers. However, single‐antenna ground‐penetrating radar data may lead to erroneous evaluations. To avoid this problem, we propose a fusion method for ground‐penetrating radar data acquired at different center frequencies. The datasets are first preprocessed using zero calibration and denoizing, and subsequently processed further using a novel algorithm for spatial (horizontal and vertical) calibration that produces results in the same spatial coordinate system. We carried out a comparative fusion experiment using Fourier, wavelet, S and principal‐component transforms and using data acquired at center frequencies 100, 200 and 400 MHz. Our results show that the proposed fusion algorithm can effectively exploit the complementarity and redundancy of information at different center frequencies, with the wavelet‐transform‐based fusion showing the best performance on image quality according to different metrics. Moreover, the proposed method enhanced the information entropy and the average gradient, whereas the root‐mean‐square error of the fusion data remained below 24%.