bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis, crystal structure and in vitro anticancer studies of two bis(8-quinolinolato-N,O)-platinum(II) complexes
Authors: Chen Hong , Liu Mingguo
Published: March 2019

Two bis(8-quinolinolato-N,O)-platinum(II) complexes, C18H12N2O2Pt (1) and C20H16N2O2Pt (2), were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR, elementary analysis and X-ray single crystal diffraction. Complex 1 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21/c with a = 9.3413(7), b = 10.3893(9), c = 14.8495(12) Å, β = 100.574(7)°, V = 1416.7(2) Å3. Complex 2 crystallizes in monoclinic, space group P21/n with a = 9.5115(11), b = 15.5692(18), c = 16.720(2) Å, β = 94.544(2)°, V = 2468.3(5) Å3. Intermolecular C-H···O hydrogen bonding interactions, as well as Pt···Pt and π-π stacking interactions, help to stabilize the crystal structures. The preliminary in vitro anticancer activity of complexes 1 and 2 and the corresponding ligands (L1 and L2) were investigated using human cervical (Hela) and hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) cancer cell lines. The platinum(II) complexes can greatly inhibit the cell proliferation and show stronger cytotoxic activities against the tested cancer cell lines than both ligands.
QSAR and molecular docking studies on 4-quinoline carboxylic acid derivatives as inhibition of vesicular stomatitis virus replication
Authors: Hajalsiddig Tawassl Tajelsir Hassan , Saeed Ahmed Elsadig Mohammed
Published: March 2019

The current study describes the development of in silico models based on quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) analysis has been performed on 4-quinoline carboxylic acid derivatives as inhibition capacity of vesicular stomatitis virus replication in Madin Darby canine kidney epithelial cells. A highly descriptive and predictive QSAR model was obtained through the calculation of alignment-independent descriptors using MOE 2009.10 software. For a training set of 20 compounds, the partial least squares analyses result in a model which displays a squared correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.913. Validation of this model was performed using leave-one-out (q2) of 0.842. This model gives (r2pre) of 0.889 for a test set of five compounds. Docking studies were performed for 25 compounds to investigate the mode of interaction between 4-quinoline carboxylic acid derivatives and the active site of the human dihydroorotate dehydrogenase.
Band edge positions as a key parameter to a systematic design of heterogeneous photocatalyst
Authors: Abdullah Eshraq Ahmed
Published: March 2019

Although, plenty of photocatalytic approaches have been developed in the past few decades to overcome major drawbacks, such as; wide band gap and fast volume/surface recombination of the charge carriers, the researchers still need to carry out careful systematic studies before conducting experiments based on physicochemical properties of a system. Thus, in this review, a detailed discussion of the band edge positions controlling the migration and charge separation of the produced charged carriers and its impact onto the photocatalytic systems are provided. The knowledge of band edge positions is a crucial prerequisite to a rational design of an efficient photocatalytic system. The enhancement mechanism should match these criteria to be reliable in the field of heterogeneous photocatalysis science.
Graphical Contents
Authors: Arslan Hakan
Published: March 2019

Graphical Contents
Hypothetical Thresholds for Effects of Platinum Group Elements
Authors: Bengtsson Gunnar
Published: March 2019

The platinum-group elements are rhodium, ruthenium, palladium, osmium, iridium, and platinum. Together with rhenium and gold they form the highly siderophilic (“iron-loving”) elements. These are poorly known with respect to toxicity and ecotoxicity.

The mobilization by man of the eight metals is about 100 times to 1 million times the natural mobilization. Mean soil concentrations in Europe may now be more than doubled for gold, rhenium and rhodium. The objective of the current work was to enable a preliminary assessment of the consequences of such high environmental levels.

Thresholds for ecological effects found in the literature were divided by the element’s mean soil concentration and plotted against group and period in the periodic system. Thresholds for health effects were correspondingly divided by the mean dietary intake of the element over large population groups.

For health effects, an upper limit of intake is commonly used. This was shown to be about 4 times the mean normal intake for most period 4 elements. For other periods, occupational exposure thresholds entail upper limits of intake in µg/day of: Ru 18, Rh 8, Pd 17, Re 60, Os 15, Ir 4, Pt 20 and Au 160.

For ecological effects, the no effect thresholds for period 4 were 1-5 times the soil concentrations. Very scarce data suggest higher relative thresholds for periods 5 and 6.

The current high contaminations of European soil by Rh and possibly Pd may be of concern. Since the estimates of risks are uncertain, further research is warranted.
Reviewer acknowledgements for International Journal of Biology, Vol. 11, No. 2
Authors: Bai Liam
Published: March 2019

Reviewer acknowledgements for International Journal of Biology, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2019
Africa and the Climate Change Diplomacy
Authors: Eghweree Charles Ogheneruonah , Imuetinyan Festus O.
Published: March 2019

The climate change debate and how to tame impact of climate change in the global context, remains a topical issue that elicits response from both continental bodies and states. While western countries take practical diplomatic steps in the climate change debate, African states appear both silent and unprepared for the challenges of climate change. Exploitation of natural resources has left marked impact on the environment in most African states, as degraded environment; denying them opportunity of harnessing wealth of the environment to achieve sustainable national development. Utilizing secondary data, the paper examines Africa’s effort at striking favourable climate change deals in the global context and what Africans are doing to maintain a healthy environment to achieve sustainable development. The paper recommends that Africa should be proactive in the global climate change politics to avert being short-changed.
The Impact of Cultural Diversity on Economic Development in Saudi Arabia – Empirical Study
Authors: Esmail Hanaa Abdelaty Hasan
Published: March 2019

Ideas and beliefs play an important role in guiding human behavior. As culture has a clear impact on community development, intellectual change or cultural change will rebuild Saudi society.

For this purpose, our study dealt with a presentation of the various previous studies that clarified the role of cultures in the development of society and whether change and diversity have a clear role in development.

The study was based on a survey of a group of questions to members of the community where the questionnaire was distributed to the University community to take different views of gender. The study also focused on determining the role of cultural diversity and emerging from some old customs to achieve sustainable development which is represented in three main dimensions of economic development, social development and finally political development. Assumptions were analyzed using multiple regressions.
Effect of Replacing Cement with Factory Waste (Steel, Aluminum and Copper) on the Compressive Strength of Concrete
Authors: Alsharie Hesham
Published: March 2019

The steel, aluminum and copper waste from the factories has a negative effect on the environment. This study investigates the possible reuse of steel, aluminum and copper waste as a supplementary cementitious material and its effect on concrete properties. This paper proposes a model for the prediction of the compressive strength of cement concrete and mortar as the cement was replaced with steel, aluminum and copper waste with the following by weight percentages: 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15%.The tests performed in this paper are conducted to the following samples: (50 * 50 * 50 mm) mortar samples, (150 * 150 * 150 mm) concrete cubes, and (150 * 300 mm) concrete cylinders. Tests are performed at the periods of 7 and 28 days. The results show that the use of steel waste (Fe15%) increased compressive strength of concrete by 18.5% and copper waste by (Cu15%) increased it by 15.77%, aluminum (Al15%) increased it by 12.95% and steel waste (Fe15%) increases compressive strength of cement mortar by 9.55% as compared to pure mixing. Consequently, adding steel waste to concrete gives it a compressive strength of more than the double of its original strength.
Construction of Knowledge Test to Measure Knowledge Level of Apple Growers of Arunachal Pradesh on Package of Practices of Apple
Authors: Koyu Bai , Josmee Singh Rajkumar , Devarani L. , Singh Ram , Hemochandra L.
Published: March 2019

The knowledge test was developed to measure the knowledge level of apple growers. 32 items were primarily fabricated on the basis of ratifying rational rather than root memorization and to classify the sound erudite apple growers from the ailing erudite ones. The scores obtained from sample respondents were exposed to item analysis, embracing of item difficulty index & item discrimination index. In the ultimate selection, the scale consisted of 22 items with difficulty index ranging from 30-80 and discrimination index ranging from 0.30 to 0.55. To check the reliability of knowledge test being developed Split-Half method was employed and it was found to be 0.701.
Contamination Levels of Organochlorine and Organophosphorous Pesticide Residues in Water and Sediment from River Owena, Nigeria
Authors: Adeshina Yetunde A. , Solomon Akinnawo , Ademola Aiyesanmi F.
Published: March 2019

River Owena functions as the source of water for the Owena dam which supplies drinking water to the communities in the region, the river also plays an important economic role in irrigation and fish farming in the region. But there has been an indiscriminate used of pesticide because residents of the study area are not well orientated concerning the negative impact of pesticide in the environment. Analysis of organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide residues was carried out in water and sediment from river Owena, the objective of the research is to determine the contamination levels of organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide in the water and sediment of river Owena. Analysis was carried out using gas chromatography coupled with electron capture detector in order to identify and quantify the concentration of organochlorine and organophosphorous pesticide in the water and sediment samples from river Owena. Analysis revealed the contamination of water and sediment with organophosphorous pesticide residues at different contamination levels in both dry and rainy season, while a low levels of organochlorine pesticide residues only during the dry season. The TOPP for sediment samples ranges from 1.045mg/L during the dry season and 2.279mg/L during the rainy season, while the TOPP for water samples ranges from 7.163mg/L during the dry season to 7.83mg/L during the rainy season. The TOCP values ranges from 1.288mg/L to 0.015mg/L for sediment and water samples respectively during the dry season, while organochlorine pesticides were not detected during the rainy season. The occurrence and seasonal variation of organophosphorous pesticide residues in river Owena can be attributed to the intense agricultural and urban activities in the vicinity of river Owena.
Effect of Silica Nanoparticles on Activation Energy of Phenol Novolac Epoxy Resin/Unsaturated Polyester at Various Temperatures
Authors: Mojtaba Mousavi Seyyed , Alireza Hashemi Seyyed , Amani Ali Mohammad , Dashtaki Amir Savar , Reza Jamshidi Mohammad , Fateh Hamed , Ghani Zadeh Farhad , Alikhani Far Sajad
Published: March 2019

In the current study, the activation energy of modified phenol novolac epoxy (PNE) resin with unsaturated polyester (UPS) and silica nanoparticle (SN) at different filler loadings was investigated. In this case, effect of silica nanoparticles as a nano-size filler on the activation energy of PNE/UPS blend was evaluated. For this matter, tetraethylene pentamine (HA-11) which is an amine hardener was used as curing agent. SNs were dispersed in the mixture using ultrasonic equipment to prevent their agglomeration. The curing reaction of epoxy-based resins is exothermic. In this regard, the dynamic curing process was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) in four different heating rates, including 2, 5, 10 and 15 °C/min. Besides, various methods, including Ozawa, Flynn-Wall, Friedman and Butchart-Denilez were used to determine whether the activation energy of PNE/UPS blend or the best method for calculation of activation energy. Achieved results showed that the addition of SNs to the matrix can increase the activation energy and thus increase the curing time.
Cytotoxicity Activity and Phytochemical Screening of Anthocleista djalonensis Root Extracts against Cancer Cells
Authors: Okoro Ijeoma Solomon , Tor-Anyiin Terrumum Amom , Igoli John Ogbaji , Khan Muluh Emmanuel
Published: March 2019

Aim: Several medicinal uses have been reported for Anthocleista djalonensis and many types of pure compounds have been isolated. However, the anti-cancer activity of this plant has not been proven. The aim of this study was to screen for the phytochemicals present in the rootn-hexane, ethyl acetate, and acetone extracts of Anthocleista djalonensis, and to evaluate its anticancer potential against human cervix adenocarcinoma cells (HeLa cells) in vitro.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Department of Organic Chemistry, Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa. The duration period was between March and July, 2016.

Methodology: Extracts were prepared by soaking the root powder in the respective solvents with continuous stirring; The extracts were filtered and evaporated to remove the solvents. The extracts were then screened for phytocompounds by preliminary screening methods. Anti-cancer potential was carried out by a Resazurin assay and CC50 values were determined.

Results: The extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates, glucoside, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, sterols. All extracts demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity against HeLa cells.

Conclusion: The hexane, ethyl acetate and acetone extracts showed anticancer property. The roots extracts of Anthocleista djalonesis were thus found to possess potential anticancer activities.
Effect of length of hospital stay on infection and readmission after minimally invasive hysterectomy
Authors: Schiff Lauren D. , Voltzke Kristin J. , Strassle Paula D. , Louie Michelle , Carey Erin T.
Published: March 2019

Objective

To assess the effect of length of hospital stay on postoperative outcomes after minimally invasive hysterectomy.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted of women who underwent minimally invasive hysterectomy (vaginal or laparoscopic) for benign conditions between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2016, using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patient information and 30‐day outcomes were compared using multivariable logistic regression after adjusting for patient demographics and medical and procedure variables.

Results

The analysis included 31 347 patients. Women discharged the day after surgery were more likely to be African‐American, older, have prior abdominal surgery, and a higher ASA classification. Prevalence of organ space infection and readmissions were lower in the same day discharge group. No differences between same‐ and next‐day discharge were found for surgical site infection or urinary tract infection (adjusted odds ratios (aORs) 0.83 (95% [CI] 0.65–1.07; P=0.156) and 0.85 (95% CI 0.68–1.06; P=0.151), respectively). Same‐day hospital discharge was associated with a reduced chance of readmission (aOR=0.68, 95% CI 0.54–0.87; P=0.002).

Conclusion

Same‐day hospital discharge after minimally invasive hysterectomy lowered the risk of readmission and did not increase the risk of postoperative complications.
Expanding the Donor Pool With the Use of Extended Criteria Donation After Circulatory Death Livers
Authors: Mihaylov Plamen , Mangus Richard , Ekser Burcin , Cabrales Arianna , Timsina Lava , Fridell Jonathan , Lacerda Marco , Ghabril Marwan , Nephew Lauren , Chalasani Naga , Kubal Chandrashekhar A.
Published: March 2019

Use of donation after circulatory death (DCD) donor livers for transplantation has remained cautious in the United States. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the expansion of a DCD liver transplantation (LT) program with the use of extended criteria donor (ECD) DCD livers. After institutional review board approval, 135 consecutive DCD LTs were retrospectively studied. ECD DCD livers were defined as those with 1 of the following factors: donor age >50 years, donor body mass index >35 kg/m2, donor functional warm ischemia time >30 minutes, and donor liver macrosteatosis >30%. An optimization protocol was introduced in July 2011 to improve outcomes of DCD LT, which included thrombolytic donor flush and efforts to minimize ischemia times. The impact of this protocol on outcomes was evaluated in terms of graft loss, ischemic cholangiopathy (IC), and change in DCD LT volume. Of 135 consecutive DCD LTs, 62 were ECD DCDs. In total, 24 ECD DCD LTs were performed before (era 1) and 38 after the institution of optimization protocol (era 2), accounting for an increase in the use of ECD DCD livers from 39% to 52%. Overall outcomes of ECD DCD LT improved in era 2, with a significantly lower incidence of IC (5% versus 17% in era 1; P = 0.03) and better 1‐year graft survival (93% versus 75% in era 1; P = 0.07). Survival outcomes for ECD DCD LT in era 2 were comparable to matched deceased donor LT. With the expansion of the DCD donor pool, the number of DCD LTs performed at our center gradually increased in era 2 to account for >20% of the center's LT volume. In conclusion, with the optimization of perioperative conditions, ECD DCD livers can be successfully transplanted to expand the donor pool for LT.
INTRODUCTION TO “THE HEBREW INSCRIPTIONS FROM SARDIS”
Authors: Mitten David Gordon
Published: March 2019

Five of these inscriptions on stone in Hebrew were excavated in the Roman synagogue at Sardis, sixty miles northeast of Izmir in Turkey, during the excavation seasons of 1962 and 1963; the sixth is a stray find from near the Temple of Artemis. Other Hebrew inscriptions or joining fragments may well lurk in the piles of hundreds of marble revetment pieces stored in the depots outside of the north wall of the synagogue.
Evaluating the Association Between Tectonic Tremors and Earthquakes in Taiwan From 7 Years Catalogs
Authors: Peng Wei , Chen Kate Huihsuan , Toda Shinji
Published: March 2019

Knowledge of what governs the interaction between slow‐ and fast‐slip earthquakes is essential to understanding the nature of the earthquake cycle. In southern Taiwan, four major earthquakes (2008Mw5.2 Taoyuan, 2010Mw6.4 Jiashian, 2012Mw5.9 Wutai, and 2016Mw6.4 Meinong events) that occurred near the active tremor areas provide a unique opportunity to analyze their spatiotemporal association. With the declustered tremor catalog built in this study, we were able to statistically evaluate the possible association between tremor and mainshock‐aftershock sequences in space and time. We found that close‐by mainshocks influences tremor's timing in a matter of less than 5 days by short‐term triggering, while the 2010ML6.4 Jiashian earthquake appears to be most responsible for such triggering. Assuming a low dip angle thrust faulting mechanism, tremors coincided with small static stress increases (8 kPa) in the 2010ML6.4 Jiashian earthquake. The other three major events, however, caused either negative or neglectable stress changes in the tremor zone. The different responses of the tremors can be explained by coseismic slip‐induced static stress change. In this complex tectonic region as a boundary between continental subduction and collision, the interaction between slow‐ and fast‐slip phenomena could be facilitated by a commonly high fluid pressure environment.
Evaluation study for phosphorus mobilisation-release behaviour on different marine sediments: focus on phosphate sorption characteristics
Authors: Cao Xiaoyan , Wang He , Lu Min , Ge Chengfeng , Zhou Limin , Yang Guipeng
Published: March 2019

Environmental contextPhosphorus is a key nutrient element associated with eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems. We studied phosphate sorption processes, which play a key role in phosphorus cycling, in sediments collected from 23 sites including estuary, coastal sea and aquaculture areas in China. The results show the influence of sediment type on phosphorus buffering capacity and allow better interpretation of phosphorus migration in aquatic ecosystems.
AbstractPhosphorus is well known as an important nutrient element associated with eutrophication in the marine ecosystem, and its sorption on sediments plays a key role in its immobilisation in the bio-geochemical cycle. In this paper, the sorption behaviour of phosphorus onto sediments collected from 23 different sites in estuary, coastal sea and aquaculture areas of China was studied. The main aim is to determine the phosphorus sorption characteristics of these sediments thereby assessing their phosphorus buffering capacities. Both kinetic and equilibrium isotherms of the sorption and desorption of phosphorus were assessed. The resultant sorption and desorption kinetic curves fit well to a two-compartment first-order equation. The equilibration time was considered as 48h. The isotherms agreed well with the Freundlich and Langmuir equations. The hysteresis coefficient values showed an obvious sorption-desorption hysteresis. Decreasing salinity was favourable for the sorption ability in the range from 30 to 3. The mean values of the phosphorus sorption-desorption equilibrium concentration and the maximum phosphorus sorption capacity were 0.098mgL−1 and 0.086mgg−1 for sediments in the Changjiang Estuary and East China Sea shelf, and 0.138mgL−1 and 0.067mgg−1 for the sediments in the aquaculture area. The fractions of clay, calcite and organic matter influenced the sorption and retention abilities and the effects were different for sediments obtained from different origins.
Commemorating Failure: Unsuccessful Rescue of Jews in German Film and Literature, 1945–1960*
Authors: Kabalek Kobi
Published: March 2019

Scholars have so far interpreted postwar depictions of Germans saving Jews from Nazi persecution mainly as apologetic references that allowed Germans to avoid addressing problematic aspects of their history. Yet although such portrayals appear in many postwar German accounts, depictions of successful rescues of Jews are relatively rare in literary and filmic works produced between 1945 and the early 1960s. This article argues that in presenting failed rescue of Jews, several German authors aimed to contribute to the re-education and moral transformation of the German population. The article’s first part shows that narratives of failed rescue were considered particularly useful for arousing Germans’ empathy with the Nazis’ Jewish victims. The article’s second part examines those works that went further and tailored stories of unsuccessful rescue to criticize Germans for not doing more to resist the regime. Although these works presented Germans as victims, as was common in many contemporaneous depictions, it would be misleading to view them merely as apologetic accounts. Rather, the widespread reluctance to commemorate the persecution of Jews urged several authors to retain the common image of Germans as victims in order to avoid alienating their audience. At the same time, using narratives of failed rescue, these writers and filmmakers explored new ways to allow Germans to speak about the Holocaust and reflect on their conduct. Attempts to both arouse a moral debate and avoid directly speaking about Germans’ collective responsibility might seem irreconcilable from today’s perspective, but not for Germans of the 1940s and 1950s.
Responding to Interpersonal Political Disagreement
Authors: Hopmann David Nicolas , Bjarnøe Camilla , Wonneberger Anke
Published: March 2019

A key element of democracy is citizens exchanging viewpoints on political matters. Yet, we know little about how individuals respond to interpersonal political disagreement with peers: do they avoid it or yield, try to dominate others, or seek compromise? Based on two surveys with random assignment to different political statements, we study how individuals respond to interpersonal political disagreement on party choice and issue disagreement. The results from both surveys show that individuals are more likely to yield and dominate when the level of political disagreement is at a respectively low and high level. Citizens are more willing to seek compromise at low and moderate levels of disagreement, while avoiding is unrelated to the level of political disagreement.
Impact of Health Insurance on Stage at Cancer Diagnosis Among Adolescents and Young Adults
Authors: Keegan Theresa H M , Parsons Helen M , Chen Yi , Maguire Frances B , Morris Cyllene R , Parikh-Patel Arti , Kizer Kenneth W , Wun Ted
Published: March 2019

Background

Uninsured adolescents and young adults (AYAs) and those with publicly funded health insurance are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer at later stages. However, prior population-based studies have not distinguished between AYAs who were continuously uninsured from those who gained Medicaid coverage at the time of cancer diagnosis.

Methods

AYA patients (ages 15–39 years) with nine common cancers diagnosed from 2005 to 2014 were identified using California Cancer Registry data. This cohort was linked to California Medicaid enrollment files to determine continuous enrollment, discontinuous enrollment, or enrollment at diagnosis, with other types of insurance determined from registry data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors associated with later stages at diagnosis.

Results

The majority of 52 774 AYA cancer patients had private or military insurance (67.6%), followed by continuous Medicaid (12.4%), Medicaid at diagnosis (8.5%), discontinuous Medicaid (3.9%), other public insurance (1.6%), no insurance (2.9%), or unknown insurance (3.1%). Of the 13 069 with Medicaid insurance, 50.1% were continuously enrolled. Compared to those who were privately insured, AYAs who enrolled in Medicaid at diagnosis were 2.2–2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with later stage disease, whereas AYAs discontinuously enrolled were 1.7–1.9 times and AYAs continuously enrolled were 1.4–1.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with later stage disease. Males, those residing in lower socioeconomic neighborhoods, and AYAs of Hispanic or black race and ethnicity (vs non-Hispanic white) were more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, independent of insurance.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that access to continuous medical insurance is important for decreasing the likelihood of late stage cancer diagnosis.
Transcription factors involved in the regulatory networks governing the Calvin–Benson–Bassham cycle
Authors: Wang Longxin , Xie Jianbo , Du Qingzhang , Song Fangyuan , Xiao Liang , Quan Mingyang , Zhang Deqiang
Published: March 2019

Transcription factors (TFs) play crucial roles in the regulation of photosynthesis; elucidating these roles will facilitate our understanding of photosynthesis and thus accelerate its improvement for enhancing crop yield. Promoter analysis of 52 nuclear-encoded Populus tomentosa Carr. genes involved in the Calvin–Benson–Bassham (CBB) cycle revealed 706 motifs and 326 potentially interacting TFs. A backward elimination random forest (BWERF) algorithm reduced the number of TFs to 40, involved in a three-layer gene regulatory network (GRN) including 46 photosynthesis genes (bottom layer), 25 TFs (second layer) and 15 TFs (top layer). Phenotype–genotype association identified 248 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within 72 genes associated with 11 photosynthesis traits. Of the regulatory pairs identified by the BWERF (202 pairs), 77 TF–target combinations harbored SNPs associated with the same trait, supporting similar mechanisms of phenotype modulation. We used expression quantitative trait nucleotide (eQTN) analysis to identify causal SNPs affecting gene expression, identifying 1851 eQTN signals for 50 eGenes (genes whose expressions are regulated by eQTNs). Distribution patterns identified 14 eQTNs from seven TFs associated with eight expression levels of their downstream targets (defined in the GRN), whereas seven TF–target pairs were also identified by phenotype–genotype associations. To further validate the roles of TFs at the metabolic level, we selected 6764 SNPs from 55 genes (identified by GRN–association or GRN–eQTN pairs or both) for metabolic association, identifying variants within 10 TFs affecting metabolic processes underlying the CBB cycle. Our study provides new insights into the photosynthesis pathway in poplar and may facilitate understanding of processes underlying photosynthesis improvement.
Clinical significance and sonographic evolution of enlarged abdominal lymph nodes in children
Authors: Quitadamo Paolo , Giannetti Eleonora , Andreozzi Marialuisa , Mancusi Valeria , Caprio Maria Grazia , Brambilla Andrea , Esposito Francesco , Vallone Gianfranco , Siani Paolo , Staiano Annamaria
Published: March 2019

Aim

Paediatric evidence about the clinical implications of enlarged abdominal lymph nodes (EALN) is not univocal. The main purpose of our study was to evaluate the clinical significance and the morphological evolution of enlarged abdominal nodes in children with recurrent abdominal pain.

Methods

All children with recurrent abdominal pain diagnosed with EALN were enrolled at the involved centres between September 2017 and June 2018. Number, size, localisation, shape and architecture of nodes were accurately recorded along with clinical and laboratory data at enrolment and after three and six months.

Results

A total of 38 children were enrolled. After the six‐month study period, 58% of them had lymph nodes reduced in size, 13% had unchanged lymph nodes, and 29% had lymph nodes increased in size. Overall, we observed a gradual, albeit slight reduction in the average size of enlarged nodes over the six‐month period. The extent of size changes was not correlated with any clinical parameter.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that EALN are a non‐specific finding, which is not worth a change in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of children with abdominal pain.
Low resistivity zones at contacts of igneous intrusions emplaced in organic‐rich formations and their implications on fluid flow and petroleum systems: A case study in the northern Neuquén Basin, Argentina
Authors: Spacapan Juan Bautista , D´Odorico Alejandro , Palma Octavio , Galland Olivier , Senger Kim , Ruiz Remigio , Manceda Rene , Leanza Hector Armando
Published: March 2019

Igneous sills and laccoliths emplaced in sedimentary basins may significantly impact petroleum systems, both positively and negatively. Igneous intrusions provide heat to maturate regionally immature organic‐rich host rocks, act as fractured reservoirs hosting commercial accumulations of hydrocarbons, and form structures affecting fluid flow and trapping at different scales. Nevertheless, the petrophysical implications of igneous intrusions on their host rock are poorly known. In this study, we analyse 200 wells in the Río Grande Valley oil field, Neuquén basin, Argentina, where the main reservoirs are in fractured igneous sills. This dataset represents a globally unique possibility to characterize the igneous–host rock interaction using both wireline logs and core material. We identify a systematic Contact Low Resistivity Zone (CLRsZ) at both the upper and lower contacts of the sills emplaced in the organic‐rich Vaca Muerta and Agrio Formations. We characterize the nature of these CLRsZ and their petrophysical properties by integrating resistivity and gamma ray well logs, petrographic analyses, petrophysical tests and geochemical analyses. The low resistivity signal of the CLRsZ is dominantly carried by massive‐sulphide deposits, mainly pyrite, observed both in the host rock and the chilled margin of the sills. Well log images and porosity‐permeability analysis on core plugs show that both the sills and their associated CLRsZ can act as carrier for fluid flow and reservoir for hydrocarbons storage. The thickness of the upper and lower CLRsZ correlates linearly with the thickness of the sill, and the volume of both the upper and lower CLRsZ represents ca. 40% with respect to the volume of their associated sill. The thickness of the CLRsZ represents ca. 13% of the thickness of contact aureole induced by the sills. In the CLRsZ, a great proportion of kerogen was transformed to hydrocarbon, so that CLRsZ were restricted to the innermost contact aureole of the sills. Our results show that the CLRsZ can have major implications on fluid flow and should be considered in reservoir models in volcanic basins hosting sills emplaced in organic‐rich formations.
Maternal IgG impairs the maturation of offspring intrathymic IL‐17‐producing γδT cells: Implications for murine and human allergies
Authors: de‐Oliveira Marília G. , Lira Aline A. L. , Sgnotto Fábio R. , Inoue Amanda H. S. , Santos Ludimila S. , Nakamatsu Bernardo Y. , Duarte Alberto J. S. , Leite‐de‐Moraes Maria , Victor Jefferson R.
Published: March 2019

Background

The precise mechanism involved in the acquisition of the IL‐17+ profile of γδT cells, the ligands responsible for this change, and whether this default is acquired during intrathymic maturation need to be elucidated.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate whether IL‐17‐producing γδT cells are present in the airways of tolerant offspring from allergen‐sensitized mothers and the possible implication of maternal IgG in the generation of these cells.

Methods

Female mice were immunized or not, and the allergic response, frequency of γδT cell subsets and cytokine production of the offspring were analysed by flow cytometry. The effects of passive in vivo transfer of purified IgG were investigated in offspring. A translational approach was employed to analyse γδT cells in the thymus and PBMCs from humans.

Results

Maternal immunization reduced the frequency of spontaneous IL‐17‐producing γδT cells in the thymus, spleen and lung of offspring. This effect was mimicked by the in vivo treatment of females with purified IgG. IgG directly interacted with γδT cell membranes. The modulatory effect of human IgG on human infant intrathymic and adult peripheral γδT cells showed similarities to murine γδT cells, which is rarely reported in the literature.

Conclusions & Clinical Relevance

Together, our results reveal that IgG from potentially tolerant atopic mothers can influence offspring thymic IL‐17‐producing γδT cell maturation. Furthermore, we suggest that IgG is an unprecedented modulatory factor of murine and human γδT cells. These observations may support the future development of IgG‐based immunoregulatory therapeutic strategies.
Addition of analysis of KRAS mutation or immunohistochemistry with MUC1 and carcinoembryonic antigen improves the diagnostic performance of fine needle aspiration cytology for the diagnosis of pancreatic carcinoma
Authors: Gómez‐Peñaloza Catalina , Serrano‐Arévalo Mónica L. , Villegas‐González Lidia F. , Flores‐Hernández Lorena , Lino‐Silva Leonardo S. , Ruiz‐García Erika B. , Diaz‐Chávez José
Published: March 2019

Background

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) is a health problem because of high lethality, increasing incidence and the absence of an early diagnosis. Biopsy by fine needle aspiration guided by endoscopic ultrasound has allowed obtaining tissue for cytopathological analysis, but there are several problems with their interpretation. We aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of the cytopathological analysis with the addition of either an immunohistochemical (IHC) panel or the KRAS mutation for the diagnosis of PAC.

Methods

We evaluated 62 pancreatic lesions by fine needle aspiration guided by endoscopic ultrasound, applying an IHC panel with mucin (MUC)‐1, MUC4, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and p53. All cases also had a KRAS mutation determination. Three cytopathologists blinded to clinical data and the KRAS status reviewed the cytology independently. We calculated diagnostic performances for the cytology alone, cytology+IHC and cytology+KRAS to show the best method to diagnose PAC.

Results

From 62 samples, 50 (80.6%) were PAC and 12 benign lesions. The cytopathological analysis correctly interpreted 26 malignant and 12 non‐neoplastic cases (sensitivity 52%, specificity 100% and diagnostic accuracy 61.3%). The KRAS mutation was present in 88% of PAC. The cytology+ KRAS mutation increased the sensitivity by 10% and the diagnostic accuracy by 8%. The sensitivity increased by 2% adding either MUC1 or CEA to the cytology, and the diagnostic accuracy by 10 or 18%, respectively.

Conclusion

The addition of IHC either with CEA or MUC1 improved the diagnostic performance of the cytology alone to diagnose PAC. The cytology + IHC evaluation was superior to the cytology + KRAS mutation to diagnose PAC.
A novel imaging flow cytometry method for the detection of histone H4 acetylation in myeloid cells
Authors: Uitrakul Suriyon , Hutton Claire , Veal Gareth J. , Jamieson David
Published: March 2019

Background

The histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACI) valproic acid has been shown to inhibit the growth of multiple paediatric tumour types and is well tolerated in a childhood cancer setting. The current study was designed to develop a novel imaging flow cytometry method for the detection of histone H4 acetylation in white blood cells obtained from childhood cancer patients treated with valproic acid.

Materials and methods

HL‐60 cells and whole blood samples from healthy volunteers were incubated with valproic acid (0‐8 mM) for 0‐24 hours, with additional blood samples collected from ependymoma patients receiving valproic acid on the SIOP Ependymoma II clinical trial. An imaging flow cytometry method was developed using an ImageStream®χ flow cytometer, collecting 100 000 images per sample following excitation of PE tagged acH4 antibody and DAPI.

Results

The mean percentage of acH4‐positive cells increased to a greater extent than increases in mean and median fluorescence intensity following incubation with valproic acid. Comparable results were observed for in vitro and ex vivo experiments, and the assay was shown to be appropriate for clinical sample analysis. Myeloid cells exhibited a smaller proportion of acH4‐positive cells than the lymphoid population, but a greater fold increase above basal levels.

Conclusions

The percentage of acH4‐positive myeloid cells has the potential to be used as a robust pharmacodynamic biomarker for the measurement of acH4 for HDACIs. The developed assay is now being utilised in a clinical trial involving the treatment of childhood ependymoma patients with valproic acid.
Pine branch of Araucaria angustifolia in horse bronchi: A series of four cases
Authors: Barussi F. C. M. , Bastos F. Z. , Zenni L. , Camargo C. E. , Michelotto P. V.
Published: March 2019

Horses at pasture are susceptible to the aspiration of foreign bodies. In Curitiba, southern Brazil, four horses of different breeds and ages were examined with regards to a persistent cough that lasted for several months, fetid breath, and no fever. The animals were referred for bronchoscopic examination performed under sedation and tracheobronchial topical anaesthesia. Bronchoscopies in all four horses revealed a pine branch of the species Araucaria angustifolia, native to southern Brazil, in the lumen of a third to fifth generation bronchus. Complete removal of the branch was possible in one case using a polypectomy loop inserted through the biopsy channel of the bronchoscope. In two cases, partial removal was possible. In one case the branch was adhered to the swollen mucosa and could not be extracted; this animal is being kept at pasture with intermittent antibiotic treatment as necessary. In conclusion, foreign bodies consisting of pine branches in the tracheobronchial tree of horses may be more common than currently recognised, as Araucaria genus is present in other countries and should be suspected in horses with chronic coughing associated with fetid breath and a history of reoccurrence following symptomatic treatments.
The influence of rider:horse bodyweight ratio and rider‐horse‐saddle fit on equine gait and behaviour: A pilot study
Authors: Dyson S. , Ellis A. D. , Mackechnie‐Guire R. , Douglas J. , Bondi A. , Harris P.
Published: March 2019

The effect of rider weight on equine welfare and performance requires further investigation. The objective of this prospective, cross‐over, randomised trial was to assess gait and behavioural responses of horses to riders of similar ability, but different bodyweights. Six nonlame horses in regular work were ridden by each of four riders: Light (L), Moderate (M), Heavy (H) and Very Heavy (VH). Saddle fit was assessed subjectively throughout the study. Each horse was ridden twice by riders L and M, and once by rider H. RiderVHrode five horses once and one twice. Each horse‐rider combination undertook a standardised, 30‐min ‘dressage‐test' which was abandoned if we observed lameness grade ≥ 3/8 in one limb, grade ≥ 2/8 in ≥ 2 limbs, or ≥ 10/24 behavioural markers of pain. Horses were reassessed in hand 45–60 min after any abandonment. Mean rider bodyweights, body mass index (BMI) values and rider:horse bodyweight percentages for the L, M, H andVHriders were respectively: 60.8, 77.8, 91.0, 142.1 kg; 23.2, 28.0, 26.3, 46.9 kg/m2; 10.0–11.7%, 12.8–15.0%, 15.3–17.9%, 23.6–27.5%. All 13 H andVHrider tests (lameness, n = 12; behaviour, n = 1) and one of 12 M rider tests (lameness) were abandoned. Lameness was confirmed using inertial measurement unit data. All horses trotted sound after test abandonment and completed the study moving well when ridden. Limitations of the study were saddle fit was not ideal in all horse‐rider combinations and abandonment criteria were subjective. The conclusions and clinical relevance of the study were that large riders can induce temporary lameness and behaviours consistent with musculoskeletal pain. This may relate to rider bodyweight and/or weight distribution. Riders M and H had similarBMIbut markedly different test abandonment rates, therefore bodyweight is likely to be more relevant thanBMI. Further work is required to determine if horse fitness, adaptation to heavier weights and better saddle fit for heavier/taller riders will increase horses' weight‐carrying capacity.
Keratin‐binding ability of the N‐terminal Solo domain of Solo is critical for its function in cellular mechanotransduction
Authors: Fujiwara Sachiko , Matsui Tsubasa S. , Ohashi Kazumasa , Mizuno Kensaku , Deguchi Shinji
Published: March 2019

Solo (ARHGEF40) is a RhoA‐targeting guanine nucleotide exchange factor that regulates tensional force‐induced cytoskeletal reorganization. Solo binds to keratin 8/keratin 18 (K8/K18) filaments through multiple sites, but the roles of these interactions in the localization and mechanotransduction‐regulating function of Solo remain unclear. Here, we constructed two Solo mutants (L14R/L17R and L49R/L52R) with leucine‐to‐arginine replacements in the N‐terminal conserved region (which we termed the Solo domain) and analyzed their K18‐binding activities. These mutations markedly decreased the K18‐binding ability of the N‐terminal fragment (residues 1–329) of Solo but had no apparent effect on the K18‐binding ability of full‐length (FL) Solo. When expressed in cultured cells, wild‐type Solo‐FL showed a unique punctate localization near the ventral surface of cells and caused the reinforcement of actin filaments. In contrast, despite retaining the K18‐binding ability, the L14R/L17R and L49R/L52R mutants of Solo‐FL were diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm and barely induced actin cytoskeletal reinforcement. Furthermore, wild‐type Solo‐FL promoted traction force generation against extracellular matrices and tensional force‐induced stress fiber reinforcement, but its L14R/L17R and L49R/L52R mutants did not. These results suggest that the K18‐binding ability of the N‐terminal Solo domain is critical for the ventral localization of Solo and its function in regulating mechanotransduction.
MRG‐1 is required for both chromatin‐based transcriptional silencing and genomic integrity of primordial germ cells in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Miwa Takashi , Inoue Kunio , Sakamoto Hiroshi
Published: March 2019

In Caenorhabditis elegans, germline cells remain transcriptionally silenced during embryogenesis. The transcriptional silencing is achieved by two different mechanisms: One is the inhibition of RNA polymerase II in P2‐P4 cells at the establishment stage, and another is chromatin‐based silencing in two primordial germ cells (PGCs) at the maintenance stage; however, the molecular mechanism underlying chromatin‐based silencing is less understood. We investigated the role of the chromodomain protein MRG‐1, which is an essential maternal factor for germline development, in transcriptional silencing in PGCs. PGCs lacking maternal MRG‐1 showed increased levels of two histone modifications (H3K4me2 and H4K16ac), which are epigenetic markers for active transcription, and precocious activation of germline promoters. Loss of MES‐4, a H3K36 methyltransferase, also caused similar derepression of the germline genes in PGCs, suggesting that both MRG‐1 and MES‐4 function in chromatin‐based silencing in PGCs. In addition, the mrg‐1 null mutant showed abnormal chromosome structures and a decrease in homologous recombinase RAD‐51 foci in PGCs, but the mes‐4 null mutant did not show such phenotypes. Taken together, we propose that MRG‐1 has two distinct functions: chromatin‐based transcriptional silencing and preserving genomic integrity at the maintenance stage of PGCs.
Inter‐seasonality of influenza in Australia
Authors: Moa Aye M. , Adam Dillon C. , MacIntyre C. Raina
Published: March 2019

Background

It appears inter‐seasonal influenza notifications have been increasing in summer months in Australia. This study aims to determine changes in inter‐seasonal influenza activity in Australia over time.

Methods

Routine influenza surveillance data and hospitalisations data were analysed to study the epidemiology of inter‐seasonal influenza and to examine the impact of inter‐seasonal influenza on morbidity in Australia at a national level. To adjust for changes in testing over time, we calculated a ratio of summer‐to‐winter notifications for each year in the study. AP‐value of <0.05 was used for statistical significance.

Results

Nationally, 18 933 notifications were reported during summer months from December to February 2005‐2016. There have been increasing summer notifications over time, which corresponded to similarly increased notifications in winter. A significant upward trend was observed for rate of notification during summer period over these years,P < 0.01. However, the ratio of summer‐to‐winter notifications demonstrated that while notifications have increased, the ratio has not increased markedly over the years and did not show a significant trend. No seasonal trend in rates of hospitalisation for influenza and pneumonia, respiratory and circulatory diagnosis was observed over the studied years.

Conclusion

This study provides a clearer understanding of the epidemiology and burden of inter‐seasonal influenza and trends over time in Australia. The ratio of summer‐to‐winter notifications remains relatively constant and is supported by reasonably constant hospitalisation rates over the years.