bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antibiotic free selection for the high level biosynthesis of a silk-elastin-like protein
Authors: Barroca Mário , Rodrigues Paulo , Sobral Rómulo , Costa M. Manuela R. , Chaves Susana R. , Machado Raul , Casal Margarida , Collins Tony
Published: December 2016

Silk-elastin-like proteins (SELPs) are a family of genetically engineered recombinant protein polymers exhibiting mechanical and biological properties suited for a wide range of applications in the biomedicine and materials fields. They are being explored as the next generation of biomaterials but low productivities and use of antibiotics during production undermine their economic viability and safety. We have developed an industrially relevant, scalable, fed-batch process for the high level production of a novel SELP in E. coli in which the commonly used antibiotic selection marker of the expression vector is exchanged for a post segregational suicide system, the separate-component-stabilisation system (SCS). SCS significantly augments SELP productivity but also enhances the product safety profile and reduces process costs by eliminating the use of antibiotics. Plasmid content increased following induction but no significant differences in plasmid levels were discerned when using SCS or the antibiotic selection markers under the controlled fed-batch conditions employed. It is suggested that the absence of competing plasmid-free cells improves host cell viability and enables increased productivity with SCS. With the process developed, 12.8 g L−1 purified SELP was obtained, this is the highest SELP productivity reported to date and clearly demonstrates the commercial viability of these promising polymers.
ARN: Analysis and Visualization System for Adipogenic Regulation Network Information
Authors: Huang Yan , Wang Li , Zan Lin-sen
Published: December 2016

Adipogenesis is the process of cell differentiation through which preadipocytes become adipocytes. Lots of research is currently ongoing to identify genes, including their gene products and microRNAs, that correlate with fat cell development. However, information fragmentation hampers the identification of key regulatory genes and pathways. Here, we present a database of literature-curated adipogenesis-related regulatory interactions, designated the Adipogenesis Regulation Network (ARN, http://210.27.80.93/arn/), which currently contains 3101 nodes (genes and microRNAs), 1863 regulatory interactions, and 33,969 expression records associated with adipogenesis, based on 1619 papers. A sentence-based text-mining approach was employed for efficient manual curation of regulatory interactions from approximately 37,000 PubMed abstracts. Additionally, we further determined 13,103 possible node relationships by searching miRGate, BioGRID, PAZAR and TRRUST. ARN also has several useful features: i) regulatory map information; ii) tests to examine the impact of a query node on adipogenesis; iii) tests for the interactions and modes of a query node; iv) prediction of interactions of a query node; and v) analysis of experimental data or the construction of hypotheses related to adipogenesis. In summary, ARN can store, retrieve and analyze adipogenesis-related information as well as support ongoing adipogenesis research and contribute to the discovery of key regulatory genes and pathways.
High maltose sensitivity of sweet taste receptors in the Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)
Authors: Nishi Emiko , Tsutsui Kei , Imai Hiroo
Published: December 2016

Taste sensitivity differs among animal species depending on feeding habitat. To humans, sucrose is one of the sweetest natural sugars, and this trait is expected to be similar in other primates. However, previous behavioral tests have shown that some primate species have equal preferences for maltose and sucrose. Because sweet tastes are recognized when compounds bind to the sweet taste receptor Tas1R2/Tas1R3, we evaluated the responses of human and Japanese macaque Tas1R2/Tas1R3 to various natural sugars using a heterologous expression system. Human Tas1R2/Tas1R3 showed high sensitivity to sucrose, as expected; however, Japanese macaque Tas1R2/Tas1R3 showed equally high sensitivity to maltose and sucrose. Furthermore, Japanese macaques showed equally high sensitivity to sucrose and maltose in a two-bottle behavioral experiment. These results indicate that Japanese macaques have high sensitivity to maltose, and this sensitivity is directly related to Tas1R2/Tas1R3 function. This is the first molecular biological evidence that for some primate species, sucrose is not the most preferable natural sugar, as it is for humans.
Co-expression analysis and identification of fecundity-related long non-coding RNAs in sheep ovaries
Authors: Miao Xiangyang , Luo Qingmiao , Zhao Huijing , Qin Xiaoyu
Published: December 2016

Small Tail Han sheep, including the FecBBFecBB (Han BB) and FecB+ FecB+ (Han++) genotypes, and Dorset sheep exhibit different fecundities. To identify novel long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) associated with sheep fecundity to better understand their molecular mechanisms, a genome-wide analysis of mRNAs and lncRNAs from Han BB, Han++ and Dorset sheep was performed. After the identification of differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs, 16 significant modules were explored by using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) followed by functional enrichment analysis of the genes and lncRNAs in significant modules. Among these selected modules, the yellow and brown modules were significantly related to sheep fecundity. lncRNAs (e.g., NR0B1, XLOC_041882, and MYH15) in the yellow module were mainly involved in the TGF-β signalling pathway, and NYAP1 and BCORL1 were significantly associated with the oxytocin signalling pathway, which regulates several genes in the coexpression network of the brown module. Overall, we identified several gene modules associated with sheep fecundity, as well as networks consisting of hub genes and lncRNAs that may contribute to sheep prolificacy by regulating the target mRNAs related to the TGF-β and oxytocin signalling pathways. This study provides an alternative strategy for the identification of potential candidate regulatory lncRNAs.
The human intestinal microbiota of constipated-predominant irritable bowel syndrome patients exhibits anti-inflammatory properties
Authors: Gobert Alain P. , Sagrestani Giulia , Delmas Eve , Wilson Keith T. , Verriere Thomas G. , Dapoigny Michel , Del’homme Christophe , Bernalier-Donadille Annick
Published: December 2016

The intestinal microbiota of patients with constipated-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (C-IBS) displays chronic dysbiosis. Our aim was to determine whether this microbial imbalance instigates perturbation of the host intestinal mucosal immune response, using a model of human microbiota-associated rats (HMAR) and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental colitis. The analysis of the microbiota composition revealed a decrease of the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Roseburia-Eubacterium rectale and Bifidobacterium and an increase of Enterobacteriaceae, Desulfovibrio sp., and mainly Akkermansia muciniphila in C-IBS patients compared to healthy individuals. The bacterial diversity of the gut microbiota of healthy individuals or C-IBS patients was maintained in corresponding HMAR. Animals harboring a C-IBS microbiota had reduced DSS colitis with a decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines from innate, Th1, and Th17 responses. The pre-treatment of conventional C57BL/6 mice or HMAR with A. muciniphila, but not with Escherichia coli, prior exposure to DSS also resulted in a reduction of colitis severity, highlighting that the anti-inflammatory effect of the gut microbiota of C-IBS patients is mediated, in part, by A. muciniphila. This work highlights a novel aspect of the crosstalk between the gut microbiota of C-IBS patients and host intestinal homeostasis.
Induction of a Cellular DNA Damage Response by Porcine Circovirus Type 2 Facilitates Viral Replication and Mediates Apoptotic Responses
Authors: Wei Li , Zhu Shanshan , Wang Jing , Quan Rong , Yan Xu , Li Zixue , Hou Lei , Wang Naidong , Yang Yi , Jiang Haijun , Liu Jue
Published: December 2016

Cellular DNA damage response (DDR) triggered by infection of DNA viruses mediate cell cycle checkpoint activation, DNA repair, or apoptosis induction. In the present study, infection of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), which serves as a major etiological agent of PCV2-associated diseases (PCVAD), was found to elicit a DNA damage response (DDR) as observed by the phosphorylation of H2AX and RPA32 following infection. The response requires active viral replication, and all the ATM (ataxia telangiectasia-mutated kinase), ATR (ATM- and Rad3-related kinase), and DNA-PK (DNA-dependent protein kinase) are the transducers of the DDR signaling events in the PCV2-infected cells as demonstrated by the phosphorylation of ATM, ATR, and DNA-PK signalings as well as reductions in their activations after treatment with specific kinase inhibitors. Inhibitions of ATM, ATR, and DNA-PK activations block viral replication and prevent apoptotic responses as observed by decreases in cleaved poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) and caspase-3 as well as fragmented DNA following PCV2 infection. These results reveal that PCV2 is able to exploit the cellular DNA damage response machinery for its own efficient replication and for apoptosis induction, further extending our understanding for the molecular mechanism of PCV2 infection.
Biorthogonal click chemistry on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)-polymeric particles
Authors: Olejniczak Jason , Collet Guillaume , Nguyen Huu Viet Anh , Chan Minnie , Lee Sangeun , Almutairi Adah
Published: December 2016

Biodegradable polymeric materials are a key area of investigation in drug delivery and disease treatment.
Cyclotrimerisation of isocyanates catalysed by low-coordinate Mn(ii) and Fe(ii) m-terphenyl complexes
Authors: Sharpe Helen R. , Geer Ana M. , Williams Huw E. L. , Blundell Toby J. , Lewis William , Blake Alexander J. , Kays Deborah L.
Published: December 2016

Isocyanurates can be synthesised through the cyclotrimerisation of primary isocyanates catalysed by low-coordinate manganese(ii) and iron(ii)m-terphenyl complexes under mild conditions.
Synthesis of partially dextran-coated gold nanoworms and anisotropic structure based dual-strategic cargo conjugation for efficient combinational cancer therapy
Authors: Jang Hongje , Kim Young-Kwan , Min Dal-Hee
Published: December 2016

Partially dextran-coated gold nanoworms enabled the dual-strategic conjugation of peptides and genes.
Diarylboryl-phenothiazine based multifunctional molecular siblings
Authors: Neena Kalluvettukuzhy K. , Sudhakar Pagidi , Dipak Kumbhar , Thilagar Pakkirisamy
Published: December 2016

Molecular siblings 1 and 2 are constructed from triarylboron and phenothiazine moieties and showed multifunctional characteristics such as AIE, mechanofluorochromism, triboluminescence and temperature sensing.
Substituent effects on the relaxation dynamics of furan, furfural and β-furfural: a combined theoretical and experimental approach
Authors: Oesterling Sven , Schalk Oliver , Geng Ting , Thomas Richard D. , Hansson Tony , de Vivie-Riedle Regina
Published: December 2016

The photoinduced relaxation of furan, furfural and β-furfural is mediated by conical intersections and has been investigated experimentally and theoretically.
Dynamic phase change and local structures in IL-containing mixtures: classical MD simulations and experiments
Authors: Wu Yang , Wang Xia , Liu Qiaozhen , Ma Xiaoxue , Fang Dawei , Jiang Xuefei , Guan Wei
Published: December 2016

The mechanism of dynamic phase transition and the formation of DSILs were discussed for [Bmim][PF6]/[Bmim][BF4]/H2O mixtures.
Raman optical activity of tetra-alanine in the poly(l-proline) II type peptide conformation
Authors: Furuta Masakazu , Fujisawa Tomotsumi , Urago Hiroyasu , Eguchi Takahiro , Shingae Takahito , Takahashi Satoshi , Blanch Ewan W. , Unno Masashi
Published: December 2016

Raman optical activity spectra of tetra-alanine was characterized by quantum chemical calculations combined with molecular dynamics simulations.
Structural and microstructural characterization and properties of new phases in the Nd–Sr–Co–(Fe/Mn)–O system as air-electrodes in SOFCs
Authors: Boulahya K. , Muñoz Gil D. , Hassan M. , García Martin S. , Amador U.
Published: December 2016

Substitution of Sr and Co in Sr2CoO4 yielded new K2NiF4-like oxides with good electrochemical performance as II-SOFC cathode materials.
Mobility of metallic (nano)particles in leachates from landfills containing waste incineration residues
Authors: Mitrano Denise M. , Mehrabi Kamyar , Dasilva Yadira Arroyo Rojas , Nowack Bernd
Published: December 2016

Incineration of municipal waste and sewage sludge is becoming an increasingly popular option for the disposal of waste materials and energy generation.
Future perspectives for formaldehyde: pathways for reductive synthesis and energy storage
Authors: Heim Leo E. , Konnerth Hannelore , Prechtl Martin H. G.
Published: December 2016

This perspective article spreads light on the recent directions towards the low-temperature reductive synthesis of formaldehyde and its derivatives and low-temperature formaldehyde reforming for hydrogen generation.
Environmental risk-based ranking of solvents using the combination of a multimedia model and multi-criteria decision analysis
Authors: Tobiszewski Marek , Namieśnik Jacek , Pena-Pereira Francisco
Published: December 2016

The environmental distribution and risk ranking of commonly applied solvents were performed to assess their greenness.
Diazabicyclo analogues of maraviroc: synthesis, modeling, NMR studies and antiviral activity
Authors: Legnani L. , Colombo D. , Venuti A. , Pastori C. , Lopalco L. , Toma L. , Mori M. , Grazioso G. , Villa S.
Published: December 2016

Two diazabicyclo analogues of maraviroc, in which the azabicyclooctane moiety is replaced by diazabicyclooctane or diazabicyclononane, were synthesized and tested, through a viral neutralization assay, on a panel of six pseudoviruses.
Synthesis and basic catalytic application of Pd nanoparticles supported on 3D nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Liu Xiang , Zhao Xiaohua , Cao Yuanyuan , Li Ting , Qiu Shu , Shi Qiuzhong
Published: December 2016

The novel catalyst (3D-NrGO/Pd) exhibited promising catalytic activity and stability for use in Suzuki reactions.
Enzymatic decomposition and electrochemical study of alkali lignin by laccase (Trametes versicolor) in the presence of a natural mediator (methyl syringate)
Authors: Yao Bin , Kolla Praveen , Koodali Ranjit , Ding Yichun , Balaranjan Selvaratnam , Shrestha Sunav , Smirnova Alevtina
Published: December 2016

The electrochemical oxidation mechanism of alkali lignin in the presence of a laccase–mediator system (LMS) in an aerobic environment.
Designed C3N4/CdS–CdWO4 core–shell heterostructure with excellent photocatalytic activity
Authors: Wang Qizhao , Shi Yanbiao , Sun Yang , She Houde , Yu Jie , Yang Yuying
Published: December 2016

Charge separation efficiency is improved by the enhanced built-in photogenerated electric field.
A photo-responsive polymeric azopyridine ligand with metal-complexation sensitivity: application to coordination equilibrium studies on the polymer complexes of a cobalt(ii) Schiff base
Authors: Suzuki T. , Moriya T. , Endo R. , Iwasaki N.
Published: December 2016

A photo-responsive polymeric azopyridine ligand with complexation sensitivity provided coordination equilibrium for complexation with cobalt salen in a dilute solution.
PCU-type copper-rich open-framework chalcogenides: pushing up the length limit of the connection mode and the first mixed-metal [Cu7GeSe13] cluster
Authors: Luo Min , Hu Dandan , Yang Huajun , Li Dongsheng , Wu Tao
Published: December 2016

A pure dimeric connection mode and an unprecedented Cu7GeSe13 cluster were found in a series of pcu-type copper-rich open-framework chalcogenides.
Luminescent tetraphenylethene-cored, carbazole- and thiophene-based microporous polymer films for the chemosensing of nitroaromatic analytes
Authors: Palma-Cando A. , Woitassek D. , Brunklaus G. , Scherf U.
Published: December 2016

Chemically and electrochemically generated novel microporous polymer networks (MPNs) have been prepared from tetraphenylethene (TPE)-cored, multifunctional carbazole- or thiophene-based monomers for the fluorescence sensing of nitroaromatic analytes.
Rhodium-catalyzed regiospecific C–H ortho-phenylation of benzoic acids with Cu/air as an oxidant
Authors: Li Shiguang , Deng Guo-Jun , Yin Feifei , Li Chao-Jun , Gong Hang
Published: December 2016

An efficient and practical synthetic approach for the regiospecific C–H ortho-phenylation of aromatic carboxylic acids in the absence of silver.
One-pot synthesis of N-heterocycles and enimino carbocycles by tandem dehydrative coupling–reductive cyclization of halo-sec-amides and dehydrative cyclization of olefinic sec-amides
Authors: Huang Pei-Qiang , Huang Ying-Hong , Wang Shu-Ren
Published: December 2016

We report a versatile approach for the one-pot synthesis of substituted pyrrolidine, piperidine, indolizidine, and quinolizidine ring systems, and enimino carbocycles.
Correction: Plant metabolomics driven chemical and biological comparison of the root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus and Dictamnus angustifolius
Authors: Lv Mengying , Tian Yuan , Zhang Zunjian , Liang Jingyu , Xu Fengguo , Sun Jianbo
Published: December 2016

Correction for ‘Plant metabolomics driven chemical and biological comparison of the root bark of Dictamnus dasycarpus and Dictamnus angustifolius’ by Mengying Lv et al., RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 15700–15708.
Correction: Pd(0) encapsulated nanocatalysts as superior catalytic systems for Pd-catalyzed organic transformations
Authors: Sadjadi S. , Heravi M. M.
Published: December 2016

Correction for ‘Pd(0) encapsulated nanocatalysts as superior catalytic systems for Pd-catalyzed organic transformations’ by S. Sadjadi and M. M. Heravi, RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 88588–88624.
Correction: Co-Delivery of angiostatin and curcumin by a biodegradable polymersome for antiangiogenic therapy
Authors: Cao Yue , Li Yan , Wu Yin , Li Wenliang , Yu Chunlei , Huang Yanxin , Sun Luguo , Bao Yongli , Li Yuxin
Published: December 2016

Correction for ‘Co-Delivery of angiostatin and curcumin by a biodegradable polymersome for antiangiogenic therapy’ by Yue Cao et al., RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 105442–105448.
Sticky nanopads made of crystallizable fluorescent polymers for rapid and sensitive detection of organic pollutants in water
Authors: Liang Guodong , Ren Feng , Gao Haiyang , Zhu Fangming , Wu Qing , Tang Ben Zhong
Published: December 2016

Novel sticky nanopads made of crystallizable fluorescent polymers have been constructed for the rapid and sensitive detection of organic pollutants in water.
First principles modelling of perovskite solar cells based on TiO2 and Al2O3: stability and interfacial electronic structure
Authors: Akbari Ali , Hashemi Javad , Mosconi Edoardo , De Angelis Filippo , Hakala Mikko
Published: December 2016

Dissociation of CH3NH3 molecules at the interface of perovskite with amorphous alumina, a cause for poor stability of this type of perovskite solar cells.
Origin of fullerene-induced vitrification of fullerene:donor polymer photovoltaic blends and its impact on solar cell performance
Authors: Westacott Paul , Treat Neil D. , Martin Jaime , Bannock James H. , de Mello John C. , Chabinyc Michael , Sieval Alexander B. , Michels Jasper J. , Stingelin Natalie
Published: December 2016

Kinetic and thermodynamic factors influence the vitrifying effect of fullerene:polymer blends leading to a drastic effect on their microstructure and device performance.
Synthesis of graphitic-N and amino-N in nitrogen-doped carbon via a solution plasma process and exploration of their synergic effect for advanced oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Li Oi Lun , Chiba Satoshi , Wada Yuta , Panomsuwan Gasidit , Ishizaki Takahiro
Published: December 2016

N-doped carbon synthesized by a room temperature plasma process demonstrated the synergic effect of amino-N and graphitic-N towards advanced ORR activity.
Depth-resolved band alignments of perovskite solar cells with significant interfacial effects
Authors: Eom Kiryung , Kwon Uisik , Kalanur Shankara S. , Park Hui Joon , Seo Hyungtak
Published: December 2016

The band alignment in heterojunction solar cells, including perovskite solar cells (PSCs), is critically related to power conversion efficiency (PCE) improvement as it has a significant effect on the control of photocarrier transport.
Correction: Photoinduced electron transfer of poly(o-phenylenediamine)–rhodamine B copolymer dots: application in ultrasensitive detection of nitrite in vitro
Authors: Liao Fang , Song Xun , Yang Siwei , Hu Chenyao , He Lin , Yan Shuai , Ding Guqiao
Published: December 2016

Correction for ‘Photoinduced electron transfer of poly(o-phenylenediamine)–rhodamine B copolymer dots: application in ultrasensitive detection of nitrite in vivo’ by Fang Liao et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2015, 3, 7568–7574.
Preparation and biological effects of apatite nanosheet-constructed porous ceramics
Authors: Chen Ying , Sun Zhihui , Li Yanyan , Hong Youliang
Published: December 2016

A kind of apatite nanosheet-constructed porous ceramics could mediate the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
Fast assessment of oxo-biodegradable polyethylene film oxidation by surface-enhanced Raman scattering with in situ formation of a silver nanoparticle substrate
Authors: Wrona Magdalena , Salafranca Jesús , Nerín Cristina
Published: December 2016

A silver substrate for SERS generatedin situon an oxo-biodegradable polyethylene film for assessment of its oxidation upon exposure to different agents.
High-responsivity reduced graphene oxide gel photodetectors for visible-light detection with a large detection area and an end-contact interface
Authors: Alsaedi Dawood , Irannejad Mehrdad , Ibrahim Khaled H. , Almutairi Abdulaziz , Ramahi Omar , Yavuz Mustafa
Published: December 2016

Herein, the engineering and characterization of a photodetector using reduced graphene oxide gel (femtogel) as an active material are reported for the first time.
Evaluation of the Prevalence of Maxillary Sinuses Abnormalities through Spiral Computed Tomography (CT)
Authors: Drumond João , Allegro Bruna , Novo Neil , de Miranda Sérgio , Sendyk Wilson
Published: December 2016

Introduction Maxillary sinus disease is common and numerous disorders can affect this anatomical area. Abnormalities can be classified as: non-neoplastic, neoplastic benign, and neoplastic malignant.

Objective Evaluate through CT the prevalence of diseases in maxillary sinuses, using the Radiology Department's database of a hospital in São Paulo city.

Methods The sample consisted of 762 facial CT scans that we divided into three groups: Group A (12–19 years old); Group B (20–49 years old); Group C (above 50 years old); and male or female. We considered the following pathological processes: I - Mucoperiosteal Thickening; II - Chronic Sinusitis; III - Chronic Odontogenic Sinusitis; IV - Rhinosinusitis; V - Polypoid Lesions; VI - Bone Lesions; VII - Neoplasms; VIII - Antrolith; IX - Foreign Bodies; X - Oroantral Fistula.

Results Our study found that 305 exams (40.02%) were normal and 457 exams (59.97%) were abnormal. We found the following disease frequencies: focal mucoperiosteal thickening (21.25%); polypoid lesions (10.76%); chronic sinusitis (7.48%); chronic odontogenic sinusitis (2.29%); neoplasms (2.03%); rhinosinusitis (1.77%); bone lesions, foreign bodies and oroantral fistula in 0.65%; 0.13% and 0.06% respectively. There was no significant difference between male and female, and Groups A, B, or C when relating the frequencies of abnormalities found. There was no significant difference between male and female and the age group for the side of the altered maxillary sinus.

Conclusion We observed a high prevalence of sinus maxillary diseases. Mucoperiosteal thickening; acute, chronic, and odontogenic sinusitis; polypoid lesions and neoplasms have high prevalence in maxillary sinuses. Thus, facial CT exam was effective for the evaluation of diseases in maxillary sinuses.
Patterns of Maxillofacial Fractures in Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Agarwal Padmanidhi , Mehrotra Divya , Agarwal Rajul , Kumar Sumit , Pandey Rahul
Published: December 2016

This study aimed to obtain dependable epidemiologic data of the variation in cause and characteristics of maxillofacial fractures by identifying, describing, and quantifying trauma. This retrospective study was conducted in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India, over 1 year, based on a systematic computer-assisted database search from March 2015 to March 2016 for maxillofacial fractures. The demographics, etiology, geographic distribution, date of injury, site and number of fractures, and type of intervention were recorded for each. The study population consisted of 1,000 patients with 1,543 fractures. The male:female ratio was 8:1. A peak incidence of fractures was seen in the third decade (mean age: 30.3) with maximum patients younger than 40 years (80.8%). The incidence of fractures was highest in spring (42.9%). Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of trauma (64.4%) and mainly involved two wheelers (60.2%). Single-site fractures were most common. Mostly zygomatic (45.1%) and mandibular fractures (44.4%) were encountered, accounting for approximately 90% of all fractures. The main site of mandibular fractures was the body (34.4%); 46.2% of fractures underwent open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) while 53.8% were treated by closed methods. The study provides important data to contrive future plans for injury prevention. The trend of most traffic-related injuries continues with the increasing traffic on roads. Zygomatic complex and mandibular fractures remain the most frequent. The major populations at risk are young men and those driving two wheelers. The use of helmets could achieve a large reduction in maxillofacial fractures. Awareness for preventive measures and safety guidelines should be propagated and legislation on traffic rules strictly reinforced.
A study on interactions between ions and polarized Alfvén waves below cyclotron resonance frequency
Authors: Lu Xing-Qiang , Tang Wei-Zhong , Guo Wei , Gong Xue-Yu
Published: December 2016

Ion heating by different polarized Alfvén waves below the cyclotron resonance frequency is studied using test-particle simulation. The results indicate that the interactions between ions and waves are affected by the polarization and frequency of the waves. If the frequency of waves is higher (ω>0.1Ωp), the interactions between ions and left-hand (LH) waves are stronger than right-hand (RH) waves due to the sub-cyclotron resonance. However, with the decrease of the frequency, the interactions between different polarized Alfvén waves and particles tend to be the same. The heating effects of LH waves on ions are better than RH waves at higher frequencies. When the frequency of the waves is lower enough (ω<0.1Ωp), the heating effects of LH waves and RH waves on ions are almost identical. The change of heating efficiency with the polarization and frequency of the waves is consistent with the change of the heating effect.
Microturbulence in DIII-D tokamak pedestal. IV. Electrostatic turbulent transport
Authors: Liao X. , Lin Z. , Holod I. , Li B. , Sun G. Y.
Published: December 2016

Gyrokinetic simulations of electrostatic microturbulence in the edge plasmas of DIII-D shot 131997 find that the geodesic acoustic mode (GAM) is generated after nonlinear saturation both at the pedestal top and in the peak gradient region, and in turn, regulates the turbulence in both regions. Collisions significantly reduce the GAM amplitude and the associated GAM modulation of the turbulence in both regions. Collisions have little effects on the ion temperature gradient turbulent transport level at the pedestal top. On the other hand, collisional damping of the TEM significantly reduces the turbulent transport level in the peak gradient region.
Discharge stratification in noble gases as convergence of electron phase trajectories to attractors
Authors: Golubovskii Yu. , Valin S. , Pelyukhova E. , Nekuchaev V. , Sigeneger F.
Published: December 2016

A new dynamic method to analyse resonance effects in glow discharges is proposed as a supplement to fluid and kinetic approaches for the investigation of discharge stratification. The method is applicable to striations, which are caused by the nonlocal electron behaviour at lower pressure and current. It is based on the analysis of the electron phase trajectories in spatially periodic fields. Being quite intuitive and easier than the solution of the Boltzmann equation, this method gives a quantitative description of the main effects arising from the kinetic analysis, for example, the appearance of attractors of the phase trajectories. The dynamic theory eliminates the main difficulty of the kinetic theory associated with the large relaxation length of the electron energy distribution function in periodic fields and describes the integer and rational resonances that correspond to S-, P- and R-striations. As a result, the stratification of the discharge can be interpreted as the excitation of one of the spatial resonator modes of the positive column.
Early pancreatic cancer lesions suppress pain through CXCL12-mediated chemoattraction of Schwann cells
Authors: Demir Ihsan Ekin , Kujundzic Kristina , Pfitzinger Paulo L. , Saricaoglu Ömer Cemil , Teller Steffen , Kehl Timo , Reyes Carmen Mota , Ertl Linda S. , Miao Zhenhua , Schall Thomas J. , Tieftrunk Elke , Haller Bernhard , Diakopoulos Kalliope Nina , Kurkowski Magdalena U. , Lesina Marina , Krüger Achim , Algül Hana , Friess Helmut , Ceyhan Güralp O.
Published: December 2016

Significance

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC) cells have an exceptional propensity to invade nerves via pronounced crosstalk between nerves and cancer cells, but the mechanisms of this early neural invasion are yet unknown. By using genetically engineered mouse models, we show that in the precursor stage PDAC induces the generation of ready-to-use nerves for dissemination by secreting the chemokine CXCL12 that attracts glia (Schwann) cells of nerves. This migration of glia cells to cancerous cells at this very early stage intriguingly attenuates cancer-associated pain via downregulation of pain-associated targets in Schwann cells and via suppression of central glia. Hence, malignant transformed cells seem to disguise cancer-associated symptoms (such as pain) actively and thereby delay the early diagnosis of cancer.
Deletion of the sclerotome-enriched lncRNA
PEAT
augments ribosomal protein expression
Authors: Stafford David A. , Dichmann Darwin S. , Chang Jessica K. , Harland Richard M.
Published: December 2016

Significance

The majority of transcription generates noncoding RNAs, most of which are uncharacterized. Using RNA-seq on cultured mouse sclerotome, we identified
PEAT
, a long-noncoding RNA (lncRNA) adjacent to a key regulator of sclerotome,
Pax1
. We deleted the entire
PEAT
-transcribed unit using CRISPR/Cas9 and analyzed RNA-seq from mutant embryos. While some lncRNAs regulate the expression of their proximal genes, our analysis showed
Pax1
expression to be unchanged. However, we identified 60 ribosomal proteins with elevated expression, and found evidence that bone morphogenetic protein signaling is slightly elevated in
PEAT
mutants. This study reveals a role for the lncRNA
PEAT
in sclerotome development and shows next-generation sequencing to be a powerful tool to reveal surprising functions for lncRNAs.
Colloidal quantum-dots surface and device structure engineering for high-performance light-emitting diodes
Authors: Shang Yuequn , Ning Zhijun
Published: December 2016

The application of colloidal quantum dots for light-emitting devices has attracted considerable attention in recent years, due to their unique optical properties such as size-dependent emission wavelength, sharp emission peak and high luminescent quantum yield. Tremendous efforts have been made to explore quantum dots for light-emission applications such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and light converters. The performance of quantum-dots-based light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) has been increasing rapidly in recent decades as the development of quantum-dots synthesis, surface-ligand engineering and device-architecture optimization. Recently, the external quantum efficiencies of red quantum-dots LEDs have exceeded 20.5% with good stability and narrow emission peak. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in QD-LEDs, focusing on quantum-dot surface engineering and device-architecture optimization.
Guidelines for Family-Centered Care in the Neonatal, Pediatric, and Adult ICU
Authors: Davidson Judy E. , Aslakson Rebecca A. , Long Ann C. , Puntillo Kathleen A. , Kross Erin K. , Hart Joanna , Cox Christopher E. , Wunsch Hannah , Wickline Mary A. , Nunnally Mark E. , Netzer Giora , Kentish-Barnes Nancy , Sprung Charles L. , Hartog Christiane S. , Coombs Maureen , Gerritsen Rik T. , Hopkins Ramona O. , Franck Linda S. , Skrobik Yoanna , Kon Alexander A. , Scruth Elizabeth A. , Harvey Maurene A. , Lewis-Newby Mithya , White Douglas B. , Swoboda Sandra M. , Cooke Colin R. , Levy Mitchell M. , Azoulay Elie , Curtis J. Randall
Published: December 2016

Objective:

To provide clinicians with evidence-based strategies to optimize the support of the family of critically ill patients in the ICU.

Methods:

We used the Council of Medical Specialty Societies principles for the development of clinical guidelines as the framework for guideline development. We assembled an international multidisciplinary team of 29 members with expertise in guideline development, evidence analysis, and family-centered care to revise the 2007 Clinical Practice Guidelines for support of the family in the patient-centered ICU. We conducted a scoping review of qualitative research that explored family-centered care in the ICU. Thematic analyses were conducted to support Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome question development. Patients and families validated the importance of interventions and outcomes. We then conducted a systematic review using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluations methodology to make recommendations for practice. Recommendations were subjected to electronic voting with pre-established voting thresholds. No industry funding was associated with the guideline development.

Results:

The scoping review yielded 683 qualitative studies; 228 were used for thematic analysis and Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome question development. The systematic review search yielded 4,158 reports after deduplication and 76 additional studies were added from alerts and hand searches; 238 studies met inclusion criteria. We made 23 recommendations from moderate, low, and very low level of evidence on the topics of: communication with family members, family presence, family support, consultations and ICU team members, and operational and environmental issues. We provide recommendations for future research and work-tools to support translation of the recommendations into practice.

Conclusions:

These guidelines identify the evidence base for best practices for family-centered care in the ICU. All recommendations were weak, highlighting the relative nascency of this field of research and the importance of future research to identify the most effective interventions to improve this important aspect of ICU care.
Attenuation of genome-wide 5-methylcytosine level is an epigenetic feature of cutaneous malignant melanomas
Authors: Micevic Goran , Theodosakis Nicholas , Taube Janis M. , Bosenberg Marcus W. , Rodić Nemanja
Published: December 2016

Epigenetic modification of DNA, namely covalent changes of cytosine residues, plays a key role in the maintenance of inactive chromatin regions, both in health and in disease. In the vast majority of malignant melanomas, the most notable known epigenetic abnormality is the attenuation of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5-hmC) residues. However, it remains unknown whether a decrease in 5-hmC represents a primary defect of melanoma cancer epigenome or whether it is secondary to the loss of 5-methylcytosine (5-mC), a chemical substrate for 5-hmC. Here, we evaluated 5-mC levels in a spectrum of melanocytic proliferations. To study the epigenetic features of melanocytic nuclei, we began by measuring 5-mC levels in histologic specimens semiquantitatively by immunohistochemistry. We next treated established melanoma cell lines with S-adenosyl methionine (SAM), a universal methyl group donor, in an effort to cause changes in 5-mC levels. We detected a marked reduction in 5-mC levels in both primary and metastatic melanomas compared with 5-mC levels in benign melanocytic nevi. We also empirically induced changes in 5-mC in melanoma cell lines by incubation with SAM. To our surprise, we observed a significant cytoreductive effect of SAM on all melanoma cell lines examined. At subcytotoxic levels, SAM treatment is accompanied by a genome-wide increase in 5-mC. Moreover, we recorded a dose-dependent increase in genome-wide 5-mC levels in melanoma cell lines following SAM treatment. Taken together, we report that genome-wide attenuation of 5-mC is a hallmark of malignant melanomas. We propose that genome-wide attenuation of 5-mC is not merely an epiphenomenon as it is required for melanoma cell growth, albeit by an as of yet undetermined mechanism. Given its potential benefit in slowing down the growth of melanoma cells, SAM should be studied further to determine its role in epigenome modulation.
Predictors of Long-Term Victimization After Early Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Hung Anna H. , Cassedy Amy , Schultz Hanna M. , Yeates Keith Owen , Taylor Hudson Gerry , Stancin Terry , Walz Nicolay Chertkoff , Wade Shari L.
Published: December 2016

Objective:

Pediatric traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) adversely affect long-term functional and social outcomes. Limited research suggests children with TBI are more likely to be victimized by peers than noninjured children. Deficits in social information processing (SIP), cognitive ability, and executive functioning (EF) may contribute to increased victimization risk. This study examined rates of peer victimization/bullying in children with early TBI compared with children with orthopedic injuries (OIs) and the role of processing speed, executive function (EF), and SIP as mediators of the association of TBI and peer victimization.

Method:

Children ages 10 to 14 years who sustained a complicated mild/moderate or severe TBI (N = 58) or OI (N = 72) during early childhood (ages 3–7 yr) and their parents participated in a longitudinal prospective follow-up 6.8 years postinjury. SIP, EF and processing speed, and peer victimization were assessed.

Results:

Parents of children with severe TBI reported greater rates of peer victimization than parents of children with OIs. Children with severe TBI demonstrated greater EF deficits than children with complicated mild/moderate TBI or OI and poorer processing speed than children with OI. No significant indirect relationships were found between groups and any outcome variables to indicate mediation.

Conclusion:

Based on parent report, children with severe TBI have higher risk of peer victimization than those with less severe injuries. In addition, children with severe TBI have more impaired EF and cognitive ability than counterparts with less severe TBI. Further research is needed to explore predictors of long-term victimization after early TBI to create interventions aimed at providing social, emotional, and behavioral skill building for victimized youth.
The quality perception gap between employees and patients in hospitals
Authors: Willems Jurgen , Ingerfurth Stefan
Published: December 2016

Background:

To assess hospital performance, quality perceptions of various stakeholders are increasingly taken into account. However, because of substantial background differences, various stakeholder groups might have different and even contrasting quality perceptions.

Purpose:

We test the hypothesis that an overall perception gap exists between employees and patients with respect to perceived hospital quality. We additionally elaborate on how various employee groups differ from each other and from patients.

Methodology:

We use primary survey data on perceived hospital quality from 9,979 patients and 4,306 employees from 11 German hospitals. With a multilevel regression and variance analysis, we test the impact of respondent type (employee or patient) on quality perception scores and test the interaction with hospital size. We additionally contrast different employee groups and test differences for various quality dimensions.

Results and Conclusion:

Hospital employees score hospital quality consistently lower than patients and are also more heterogeneous in their assessments. This makes it from a managerial point of view relevant to subdivide employees in more homogeneous subgroups. Hospital size has no clear effect on the perception gap. Doctors compared to patients and other employee groups have substantially different perceptions on hospital quality.

Practice Implications:

Our findings fuel the practical and ethical debate on the extent that perception gaps could and should be allowed in the context of high-quality and transparent hospital performance. Furthermore, we recommend that the quality perception gap is a substantial part of the overall hospital evaluation for ethical reasons but also to enable managers to better understand the (mis)match between employees’ priorities and patients’ preferences. However, we do warn practitioners that perceptions are only to a limited extent related to the organizational level (in contrast to the individual level), and only minimal improvements can thus be reached by differentiating from other hospitals.
Organizational characteristics associated with the provision of cultural competency training in home and hospice care agencies
Authors: AbuDagga Azza , Weech-Maldonado Robert , Tian Fang
Published: December 2016

Background:

Despite the increasing interest in community-based health care, little information exists on cultural competency training (CCT) and its predictors in this setting.

Purpose:

We examined the associations between six organizational characteristics and the provision of CCT in home health care and hospice agencies.

Methodology:

We used cross-sectional data from the agency component of the 2007 National Home and Hospice Care Survey. The CCT provision composite was composed of three items: whether the agency provides mandatory cultural training to understand cultural differences/beliefs that may affect delivery of services to (a) all administrators, clerical, and management staff; (b) all direct service providers; and (c) all volunteers. Organizational characteristics were volume, ownership status, chain membership, teaching status, Joint Commission accreditation status, and formal contracts.

Principal Findings:

The weighted sample (n = 14,469) had a mean CCT provision score of 1.75 (range = 0–3). Our ordinal logistic regression model showed that Joint Commission accreditation increased CCT provision odds in the home health (odds ratio [OR] = 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.01, 4.24]) and hospice (OR = 4.40, 95% CI [2.07, 9.38]) settings. Teaching status increased CCT provision odds (OR = 2.71, 95% CI [1.19, 6.17]) in the home health setting. Formal contracts increased CCT provision odds (OR = 4.03, 95% CI [1.80, 9.00]), whereas not-for-profit ownership decreased CCT provision odds (OR = 0.19; 95% CI [0.07, 0.50]) in the hospice setting.

Practice Implications:

Home health care and hospice agencies need to increase their CCT practices to overcome health disparities in an increasingly diverse and aging population.
VARIABILITY IN FOVEAL AVASCULAR ZONE AND CAPILLARY DENSITY USING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY MACHINES IN HEALTHY EYES
Authors: Magrath George N. , Say Emil Anthony T. , Sioufi Kareem , Ferenczy Sandor , Samara Wasim A. , Shields Carol L.
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

To evaluate the variability in foveal avascular zone (FAZ) and capillary density measurements on optical coherence tomography angiography using Optovue RTVue XR Avanti (OA) (Optovue) and Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 5000 (ZC) (Carl Zeiss Meditec).

Methods:

In this prospective, comparative case series, parafoveal (3 × 3 mm) optical coherence tomography angiography scans were obtained on healthy volunteers using both the Avanti and Cirrus. The FAZ area and capillary density at the level of both the superficial and deep capillary plexus were measured automatically using the built-in ReVue software (Optovue) with the Avanti as well as manually using ImageJ (National Institutes of Health) with both machines.

Results:

There were 50 eyes in 25 healthy volunteers included in the analysis. Mean subject age was 33 years and there were 14 women (56%). On optical coherence tomography, mean central macular thickness was significantly greater on OA (259.1 μm) than ZC (257.6 μm, P = 0.0228). On optical coherence tomography angiography, mean superficial and deep plexus FAZ measured 0.2855 mm2 and 0.3465 mm2 on Avanti automated (A-A), 0.2739 mm2 and 0.3637 mm2 on Avanti manual (A-M), and 0.2657 mm2 and 0.3993 mm2 on Cirrus manual (C-M), respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in superficial plexus FAZ measurements between the A-A and A-M (P = 0.4019) or A-A and C-M (P = 0.1336). The A-M measured significantly larger than C-M (P = 0.0396). Deep plexus FAZ measurements were similar on A-A and A-M (P = 0.6299), but both were significantly less compared with C-M (P < 0.0001 for A-A vs. C-M, P = 0.0184 for A-M vs. C-M). Mean superficial and deep plexus capillary densities were 53.6% and 59.3% on A-A, 48.1% and 47.7% on A-M, and 52.5% and 48.1% on C-M, respectively. Superficial plexus capillary density measurements were statistically similar on A-A and C-M (P = 0.0623), but both were significantly higher than A-M (P < 0.0001 for A-A vs. A-M, P < 0.0001 for A-M vs. C-M). However, deep plexus capillary density measurements on A-A were significantly higher than A-M (P < 0.0001) and C-M (P < 0.0001), but A-M and C-M measurements were similar (P = 0.5986). There was no significant difference in all parameters measured in both eyes of one subject using any of the three measuring techniques.

Conclusion:

While measurements taken with the same machine and technique are consistent and reliable between fellow eyes, significant variability exists in FAZ and capillary density measurements among different machines and techniques. Comparison of measurements across machines and techniques should be considered with caution.
SHORT-TERM FINDINGS ON OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY AND MICROPERIMETRY IN CHRONIC CENTRAL SEROUS CHORIORETINOPATHY PATIENTS TREATED WITH HALF-DOSE PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
Authors: van Dijk Elon H. C. , Dijkman Greet , Theelen Thomas , Hoyng Carel B. , Boon Camiel J. F.
Published: December 2016

Purpose:

To assess the short-term outcome of and possible temporary vision loss after half-dose verteporfin photodynamic therapy (PDT) in patients with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (cCSC).

Methods:

In this prospective study, 14 eyes of 13 cCSC patients who underwent half-dose PDT were included. Patients received spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and microperimetry before PDT on the day of treatment and 1 week after treatment.

Results:

Five patients (38%) reported worsening of visual complaints in the week after half-dose PDT. No significant changes in both central foveal thickness, height of subretinal fluid, and choroidal thickness on optical coherence tomography imaging and retinal sensitivity on microperimetry were observed, neither in the patients who did not experience worsening of visual symptoms, nor in those who did.

Conclusion:

Worsening of visual complaints can occur in a noteworthy number of cCSC patients in the first week after half-dose verteporfin PDT. Despite the fact that no significant short-term changes on both optical coherence tomography and microperimetry have been detected in this study, the assessment could be of importance for the long-term outcome of treatment and needs further investigation.