bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fluoride‐Catalyzed Esterification of Amides
Authors: Wu Hongxiang , Guo Weijie , Daniel Stelck , Li Yue , Liu Chao , Zeng Zhuo
Published: January 2018

In recent years, it has been demonstrated that amide carbon–nitrogen bonds can be activated and selectively cleaved using transition metal catalysts. However, these methodologies have been restricted to specific amides; a one‐to‐one relationship exists between the catalytic system and the amides and also uses large amounts of transition‐metal catalysts and ligands. Hence, we now report a general strategy for esterification of common amides using fluoride as a catalyst. This method shows high functional group tolerance, and notably it requires only a slight excess of the alcohol nucleophile, which is a rare case in transition‐metal‐free amide transformations. Moreover, this approach may provide a new understanding for further studies on esterification of amides and is expected to stimulate the development of alternative methods for direct functionalization of amides.
Processing Difficulty Increases Perceived Competence of Brand Acronyms
Authors: Kim Hae Joo , Dempsey Melanie A.
Published: January 2018

Unlike previous work that shows that processing fluency leads to positive evaluations, the present research demonstrates that processing difficulty can lead to positive inferences of a brand. In three experiments, we show that when a brand acronym is difficult to pronounce, it is evaluated favourably with respect to competence relative to warmth. In contrast, easy‐to‐pronounce acronyms are perceived as similarly warm and competent. We find that individuals perceive a difficult‐to‐pronounce acronym to be more psychologically distant than an easy‐to‐pronounce one. Furthermore, they perceive competence as a more fitting characteristic of a distant brand than warmth is. We find that this relative fit of competence over warmth results in higher competence evaluations. Theoretical and applied contributions of the findings are discussed. Copyright © 2018 ASAC. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Degradation of Atenolol with Electrochemical Oxidation at Mixed Metal Oxide Electrodes Assisted by UV Photolysis
Authors: Zhu Shumin , Dong Bingzhi , Zhou Shiqing
Published: January 2018

Electrochemical oxidation has drawn considerable research attention for the destruction of organic contaminants. This study utilizes the combination of electrolysis and the UV photolysis process to degrade the β‐blocker atenolol (ATL). The results show that the combination of electrolysis and UV photolysis is superior to a single process alone based on the removal rates of ATL and electrical efficiency per order (EE/O). In situ electrogenerated chlorine is confirmed to be responsible for ATL degradation with NaCl electrolytes, and mixed metal oxide (MMO) anodes play a more significant role in the generation of active chlorine than platinum (Pt) anodes. Moreover, reactive species (hydroxyl radical •OH and chlorine radical •Cl) mainly contributed to ATL degradation during the photo‐electrolysis process. Increasing the concentration of NaCl electrolytes and applied current densities can enhance the ATL degradation. Finally, major intermediate products are identified, and a possible degradation pathway of ATL is proposed during the photo‐electrolysis processes. This study demonstrate that the photo‐electrolysis process can be considered as a potential technology for the destruction of pharmaceutical pollutants in water.
Effects of Water‐Washed Biochar on Soil Properties, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Rice Yield
Authors: Lu Haohao , Wang Yaofeng , Liu Yuxue , Wang Yuying , He Lili , Zhong Zheke , Yang Shengmao
Published: January 2018

Biochar application might be a newly agricultural method for improving soil quality and carbon sequestration by its special physical and chemical properties, which has generated great interest for scientists and policy makers. However, the physical structure of biochar and its effect on N2O and CH4 emissions are not yet clear. The effect of bamboo biochar and water‐washed bamboo biochar with or without N fertilization on greenhouse gas emissions, soil properties, and rice yield in a pot experiment were investigated. The results showed that biochar application increased soil pH, total N content, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and rice plant growth. Although biochar application increased DOC content, N2O and CH4 emissions decreased. The soil and contents were significantly decreased by biochar application, indicating that bamboo biochar has a remarkable ability to absorb and . However, no significant differences in N2O emission were observed between biochar and washed biochar treatment. The CH4 emission in the washed biochar treatment was decreased to a greater extent than in the unwashed biochar, indicating that washed biochar has a greater inhibitory effect on CH4 emission than does unwashed biochar, and that the stable physical structure of biochar might be an important factor for reducing CH4 emissions. Additional studies are needed to investigate the role of functional microorganism in order to better understand the biochar on greenhouse gas emissions from paddy soils.
Dual regulation of decorin by androgen and Hedgehog signaling during prostate morphogenesis
Authors: Montano Monica , Dinnon Kenneth H. , Jacobs Logan , Xiang William , Iozzo Renato V. , Bushman Wade
Published: January 2018

Background: Prostate ductal branching morphogenesis involves a complex spatiotemporal regulation of cellular proliferation and remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM) around the developing ducts. Decorin (Dcn) is a small leucine‐rich proteoglycan known to sequester several growth factors and to act as a tumor suppressor in prostate cancer. Results: Dcn expression in the developing prostate paralleled branching morphogenesis and was dynamically regulated by androgen and Hedgehog (Hh) signaling. DCN colocalized with collagen in the periductal stroma and acellular interstitium. Exogenous DCN decreased epithelial proliferation in ex vivo organ cultures of developing prostate, whereas genetic ablation of Dcn resulted in increased epithelial proliferation in the developing prostate. Conclusions: Dcn expression and localization in the developing prostate is consistent with a primary role in organizing collagen around the developing ducts. Regulation of Dcn expression appears to be complex, involving both androgen and Hh signaling. The growth inhibitory effect of Dcn suggests a unique linkage between a structural proteoglycan and epithelial growth regulation. This may serve to coordinate two elements of the morphogenetic process: ductal growth and organization of the collagen matrix around the nascent duct. Developmental Dynamics 247:679–685, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dominance of Endozoicomonas bacteria throughout coral bleaching and mortality suggests structural inflexibility of the Pocillopora verrucosa microbiome
Authors: Pogoreutz Claudia , Rädecker Nils , Cárdenas Anny , Gärdes Astrid , Wild Christian , Voolstra Christian R.
Published: January 2018

The importance of Symbiodinium algal endosymbionts and a diverse suite of bacteria for coral holobiont health and functioning are widely acknowledged. Yet, we know surprisingly little about microbial community dynamics and the stability of host‐microbe associations under adverse environmental conditions. To gain insight into the stability of coral host‐microbe associations and holobiont structure, we assessed changes in the community structure of Symbiodinium and bacteria associated with the coral Pocillopora verrucosa under excess organic nutrient conditions. Pocillopora‐associated microbial communities were monitored over 14 days in two independent experiments. We assessed the effect of excess dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) and excess dissolved organic carbon (DOC). Exposure to excess nutrients rapidly affected coral health, resulting in two distinct stress phenotypes: coral bleaching under excess DOC and severe tissue sloughing (>90% tissue loss resulting in host mortality) under excess DON. These phenotypes were accompanied by structural changes in the Symbiodinium community. In contrast, the associated bacterial community remained remarkably stable and was dominated by two Endozoicomonas phylotypes, comprising on average 90% of 16S rRNA gene sequences. This dominance of Endozoicomonas even under conditions of coral bleaching and mortality suggests the bacterial community of P. verrucosa may be rather inflexible and thereby unable to respond or acclimatize to rapid changes in the environment, contrary to what was previously observed in other corals. In this light, our results suggest that coral holobionts might occupy structural landscapes ranging from a highly flexible to a rather inflexible composition with consequences for their ability to respond to environmental change.
Genome‐wide comparisons reveal a clinal species pattern within a holobenthic octopod—the Australian Southern blue‐ringed octopus, Hapalochlaena maculosa (Cephalopoda: Octopodidae)
Authors: Morse Peter , Kjeldsen Shannon R. , Meekan Mark G. , Mccormick Mark I. , Finn Julian K. , Huffard Christine L. , Zenger Kyall R.
Published: January 2018

The southern blue‐ringed octopus, Hapalochlaena maculosa (Hoyle, 1883) lacks a planktonic dispersal phase, yet ranges across Australia's southern coastline. This species’ brief and holobenthic life history suggests gene flow might be limited, leaving distant populations prone to strong genetic divergence. This study used 17,523 genome‐wide SNP loci to investigate genetic structuring and local adaptation patterns of H. maculosa among eight sampling sites along its reported range. Within sites, interrelatedness was very high, consistent with the limited dispersal of this taxon. However, inbreeding coefficients were proportionally lower among sites where substructuring was not detected, suggesting H. maculosa might possess a mechanism for inbreeding avoidance. Genetic divergence was extremely high among all sites, with the greatest divergence observed between both ends of the distribution, Fremantle, WA, and Stanley, TAS. Genetic distances closely followed an isolation by geographic distance pattern. Outlier analyses revealed distinct selection signatures at all sites, with the strongest divergence reported between Fremantle and the other Western Australian sites. Phylogenetic reconstructions using the described sister taxon H. fasciata (Hoyle, 1886) further supported that the genetic divergence between distal H. maculosa sites in this study was equivalent to that of between established heterospecifics within this genus. However, it is advocated that taxonomic delineations within this species should be made with caution. These data indicate that H. maculosa forms a clinal species pattern across its geographic range, with gene flow present through allele sharing between adjacent populations. Morphological investigations are recommended for a robust resolution of the taxonomic identity and ecotype boundaries of this species.
Circulating plasmablasts are elevated and produce pathogenic anti‐endothelial cell autoantibodies in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Blum Lisa K. , Cao Richard R.L. , Sweatt Andrew J. , Bill Matthew , Lahey Lauren J. , Hsi Andrew C. , Lee Casey S. , Kongpachith Sarah , Ju Chia‐Hsin , Mao Rong , Wong Heidi H. , Nicolls Mark R. , Zamanian Roham T. , Robinson William H.
Published: January 2018

Idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) is a devastating pulmonary vascular disease in which autoimmune and inflammatory phenomena are implicated. B cells and autoantibodies have been associated with IPAH and identified as potential therapeutic targets. However, the specific populations of B cells involved and their roles in disease pathogenesis are not clearly defined. We aimed to assess the levels of activated B cells (plasmablasts) in IPAH, and to characterize recombinant antibodies derived from these plasmablasts. Blood plasmablasts are elevated in IPAH, remain elevated over time, and produce IgA autoantibodies. Single‐cell sequencing of plasmablasts in IPAH revealed repertoires of affinity‐matured antibodies with small clonal expansions, consistent with an ongoing autoimmune response. Recombinant antibodies representative of these clonal lineages bound known autoantigen targets and displayed an unexpectedly high degree of polyreactivity. Representative IPAH plasmablast recombinant antibodies stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells to produce cytokines and overexpress the adhesion molecule ICAM‐1. Together, our results demonstrate an ongoing adaptive autoimmune response involving IgA plasmablasts that produce anti‐endothelial cell autoantibodies in IPAH. These antibodies stimulate endothelial cell production of cytokines and adhesion molecules, which may contribute to disease pathogenesis. These findings suggest a role for mucosally‐driven autoimmunity and autoimmune injury in the pathogenesis of IPAH.
Synthesis of 2‐Oxindoles from Substituted Indoles by Hypervalent‐Iodine Oxidation
Authors: Jiang Xinpeng , Zheng Cong , Lei Lijun , Lin Kai , Yu Chuanming
Published: January 2018

A practical conversion of indoles into the corresponding 2‐oxindoles is achieved efficiently using a hypervalent iodine reagent. This oxidation is amenable to different substituted indoles, and allows the synthesis of a wide range of synthetically valuable substituted 2‐oxindoles in up to 90 % yield. Furthermore, Ropinirole, a drug used to alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease, was synthesized in three steps in an overall yield of 44 % using this method.
[bmim][Br] as an Inexpensive and Efficient Medium for the Barbier‐Type Allylation Reaction Using a Catalytic Amount of Indium: Mechanistic Studies
Authors: Dey Papiya , Koli Mrunesh , Goswami Dibakar , Sharma Anubha , Chattopadhyay Subrata
Published: January 2018

Barbier‐type allylation reactions of aldehydes and ketones have been carried out with both unsubstituted and γ‐substituted allyl bromides using only a catalytic amount (0.1 equiv.) of In metal in [bmim][Br], but not in H2O, organic solvents, or other room‐temperature ionic liquids. The reactions did not require any metal activator and proceeded chemo‐ and regioselectively. The results of time‐dependent 1H NMR studies suggested that besides acting as a solvent, [bmim][Br] also activates the In metal surface by electron polarization to generate both CH2=CHCH2–In (I) and CH2=CHCH2–InBr2 (II) from allyl bromide and In. Of the active allylating intermediates, species II was regenerated by the in situ reduction of InBr3 with an imidazolium‐based N‐heterocyclic carbene, both produced during the process, accounting for the catalytic action of the In metal.
Objective assessment of induced acute pain in neonatology with the Newborn Infant Parasympathetic Evaluation index
Authors: Cremillieux C. , Makhlouf A. , Pichot V. , Trombert B. , Patural H.
Published: January 2018

Background

Objective tools are needed to improve pain assessment in newborns. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between the Newborn Infant Parasympathetic Evaluation (NIPE) index and two pain scales during a painful procedure in premature infants.

Method

Each baby born at least at 26 weeks of gestational age (GA) undergoing a planned painful procedure in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was eligible. NIPE index, heart rate variability (HRV) indices and Neonatal Acute Pain scale (DAN) were recorded across three periods: the first at rest 5 min before the painful procedure (T1), the second during it (T2) and the third 3 min after the end of it (T3). The Premature Infant Pain Profile‐Revised (PIPP‐R) pain scale was recorded at T2.

Results

Sixty‐four recordings were performed in 29 preterm infants (mean GA = 29.9 ± 4.2 weeks). Twenty‐eight tachograms were coupled to NIPE for analysis. We did not find a correlation between the NIPE index and DAN and PIPP‐R at the pain time T2. Between T1 and T2, heart rate was higher (159 ± 16 vs. 169 ± 12, p < 0.001). Considering the linear HRV indices, we did not observe a modification in parasympathetic or sympathetic activity, while for the nonlinear HRV indices (H exponent, Approximate and conditional Entropy), a significant change towards a loss of physiological chaotic cardiac behaviour was detected.

Conclusions

The NIPE index seems to be not reliable to assess acute pain in the preterm infant, but other HRV indices could be explored as additional tools next to pain scales in NICUs.

Significance

The NIPE monitor was developed for objective pain assessment in neonates based on HFnu variations, but it does not seem reliable enough for assessing acute pain in real time in preterm neonates. Pain assessment in preterm babies still relies on pain scales.
Assessment of efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: Sanchez‐Larsen A. , Sopelana D. , Diaz‐Maroto I. , Perona‐Moratalla A.B. , Gracia‐Gil J. , García‐Muñozguren S. , Palazón‐García E. , Segura T.
Published: January 2018

Background

Antiepileptic drugs are the first‐line treatment for trigeminal neuralgia (TN). Carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine are the most studied with well‐known efficacy. Eslicarbazepine acetate is a third‐generation antiepileptic drug that has not previously been evaluated for the treatment of TN. We aim to assess the efficacy, tolerability and safety of eslicarbazepine for TN.

Design and Methods

Retrospective, open‐label, multicentric, intention‐to‐treat study. We included patients older than 18 years who met the ICHD‐3 beta diagnostic criteria for TN. We evaluated the variation of intensity and frequency of pain paroxysms before and after treatment with eslicarbazepine. Secondary objectives assessed were tolerability and safety of eslicarbazepine.

Results

Eighteen patients were included, 15 women, mean age 65.2 years old, mean follow‐up 21.1 months. The mean number of drugs tested before eslicarbazepine was 2; 10 patients used eslicarbazepine as monotherapy. After the treatment with ESL, the median of pain intensity improved from 9.5 to 2.5 (p < 0.001) and the median of pain paroxysms frequency improved from 70 episodes per week to 0.37 (p < 0.001). Responder rate was 88.9%; 44.4% became asymptomatic after treatment. Sixty‐one per cent of patients presented some adverse event; four patients discontinued eslicarbazepine for this reason. Despite this, 16 patients (88.9%) noticed a good subjective tolerance to eslicarbazepine. The retention rate at 6 months was 77.8% and at 12 months 61.1%.

Conclusions

Our study supports the hypothesis that eslicarbazepine acetate is an effective, safe and well‐tolerated treatment for the treatment of TN. Further studies are warranted to corroborate these results.

Significance

Eslicarbazepine acetate has shown to be an effective, safe and well‐tolerated drug for TN. This is the first study that evaluated the efficacy of this drug on TN in humans.
Pain and sensitization after total knee replacement or nonsurgical treatment in patients with knee osteoarthritis: Identifying potential predictors of outcome at 12 months
Authors: Arendt‐Nielsen L. , Simonsen O. , Laursen M.B. , Roos E.M. , Rathleff M.S. , Rasmussen S. , Skou S.T.
Published: January 2018

Background

This study is a secondary analysis of 12‐month follow‐ups from two parallel, randomized controlled trials (RCT) in painful knee osteoarthritis patients. RCT1: Total knee replacement (TKR) followed by nonsurgical treatment compared with nonsurgical treatment. RCT2: Nonsurgical treatment compared with usual care. The aims were to investigate (1) possible predictors of treatment outcome after TKR and nonsurgical interventions at 12 months, (2) associations between pain intensity and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs) (pain sensitization) at baseline and after 12 months and (3) possible gender differences.

Method

Each RCT included 100 patients. Pain intensities, PPTs and number of painful sites were assessed at baseline and after 12 months.

Results

In all groups, pain improved and pain sensitization decreased. In RCT1, the TKR group had the greatest improvements in pain. In RCT2 the nonsurgical group had the greatest improvement, with no between‐group differences in PPTs. Lower PPTs at baseline predicted higher pain after TKR. Baseline pain intensity and PPT levels were associated with the number of painful sites. Subjects with the highest pain and lowest PPTs at baseline showed the largest relative improvement in pain and sensitization but were still experiencing highest absolute pain and lowest PPTs after 12 months (combined cohorts).

Conclusion

Low PPTs at baseline predicted worse pain outcome after TKR, but did not predict outcome after nonsurgical interventions. The number of painful sites was weakly associated with pain and PPTs, and the higher pain/lower PPTs, the higher pain/lower PPTs at 12 months with females showing the lowest PPT values.

Significance

Human experimental pain assessment was used to assess the degree of pain sensitization in patients with painful knee osteoarthritis. High sensitization before TKR predicted worse outcome. Outcome after nonsurgical interventions could not be predicted.
Comparative pharmacology and toxicology of tramadol and tapentadol
Authors: Faria J. , Barbosa J. , Moreira R. , Queirós O. , Carvalho F. , Dinis‐Oliveira R.J.
Published: January 2018

Moderate‐to‐severe pain represents a heavy burden in patients’ quality of life, and ultimately in the society and in healthcare costs. The aim of this review was to summarize data on tramadol and tapentadol adverse effects, toxicity, potential advantages and limitations according to the context of clinical use. We compared data on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of tramadol and tapentadol, after an extensive literature search in the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed). Tramadol is a prodrug that acts through noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibition, with a weak opioid component added by its metabolite O‐desmethyltramadol. Tapentadol does not require metabolic activation and acts mainly through noradrenaline reuptake inhibition and has a strong opioid activity. Such features confer tapentadol potential advantages, namely lower serotonergic, dependence and abuse potential, more linear pharmacokinetics, greater gastrointestinal tolerability and applicability in the treatment of chronic and neuropathic pain. Although more studies are needed to provide clear guidance on the opioid of choice, tapentadol shows some advantages, as it does not require CYP450 system activation and has minimal serotonergic effects. In addition, it leads to less side effects and lower abuse liability. However, in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that tramadol and tapentadol cause similar toxicological damage. In this context, it is important to underline that the choice of opioid should be individually balanced and a tailored decision, based on previous experience and on the patient's profile, type of pain and context of treatment.

Significance

This review underlines the need for a careful prescription of tramadol and tapentadol. Although both are widely prescribed synthetic opioid analgesics, their toxic effects and potential dependence are not completely understood yet. In particular, concerning tapentadol, further research is needed to better assess its toxic effects.
Genotoxicity of fine and coarse fraction ambient particulate matter in immortalised normal (TT1) and cancer‐derived (A549) alveolar epithelial cells
Authors: Jarvis Ian W.H. , Enlo‐Scott Zachary , Nagy Eszter , Mudway Ian S. , Tetley Teresa D. , Arlt Volker M. , Phillips David H.
Published: January 2018

Human exposure to airborne particulate matter (PM) is associated with adverse cardiopulmonary health effects, including lung cancer. Ambient PM represents a heterogeneous mixture of chemical classes including transition metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their derivatives such as nitro‐PAHs, many of which are classified as putative carcinogens. As the primary site of human exposure to PM is the lungs, we investigated the response of two alveolar epithelial cell lines, the tumour‐derived A549 and newly described TT1 cells, to fine and coarse PM collected from background and roadside locations. We show that coarse PM elicits a genotoxic response in the TT1 cells, with the strongest signal associated with the background sample. This response could be recapitulated using the organic extract derived from this sample. No responses were observed in PM‐challenged A549 cells. Fine PM failed to elicit a genotoxic response in either cell line despite the higher PAH concentrations within this fraction. Consistent with the lack of a simplistic association between PM PAH content and the observed genotoxic response, TT1 cells treated with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) demonstrated no increase in the selected markers. In contrast, a pattern of response was observed in TT1 cells challenged with 3‐nitrobenzanthrone (3‐NBA) similar to that with coarse PM. Together, these data illustrated the suitability of the TT1 cell line for assessing PM‐induced genotoxicity and challenge the contention that fine roadside PM poses the higher cancer risk. Furthermore, the response to 3‐NBA and not BaP suggests a major contribution of nitro‐PAHs to the overall toxicity of PM. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:290–301, 2018. © 2018 The Authors Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Environmental Mutagen Society
Dilution destabilizes engineered ligand-coated nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions
Authors: Wan Jiamin , Kim Yongman , Mulvihill Martin J. , Tokunaga Tetsu K.
Published: January 2018

It is commonly true that a diluted colloidal suspension is more stable over time than a concentrated one because dilution reduces collision rates of the particles and therefore delays the formation of aggregates. However, this generalization does not apply for some engineered ligand-coated nanoparticles (NPs). We observed the opposite relationship between stability and concentration of NPs. We tested 4 different types of NPs: CdSe-11-mercaptoundecanoic acid, CdTe-polyelectrolytes, Ag-citrate, and Ag-polyvinylpyrrolidone. The results showed that dilution alone induced aggregation and subsequent sedimentation of the NPs that were originally monodispersed at very high concentrations. Increased dilution caused NPs to progressively become unstable in the suspensions. The extent of the dilution impact on the stability of NPs is different for different types of NPs. We hypothesize that the unavoidable decrease in free ligand concentration in the aqueous phase following dilution causes detachment of ligands from the suspended NP cores. The ligands attached to NP core surfaces must generally approach exchange equilibrium with free ligands in the aqueous phase; therefore, ligand detachment and destabilization are expected consequences of dilution. More studies are necessary to test this hypothesis. Because the stability of NPs determines their physicochemical and kinetic behavior including toxicity, dilution-induced instability needs to be understood to realistically predict the behavior of engineered ligand-coated NPs in aqueous systems. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1301–1308. © 2018 SETAC
Rescue‐Sink: Dynamic sink augmentation for RPL in the Internet of Things
Authors: Khelifi Nesrine , Nataf Emmanuel , Oteafy Sharief , Youssef Habib
Published: January 2018

The Internet of Things (IoT) is largely built on the interconnection of low‐power networked devices, generally referred to as low‐power and lossy networks (LLNs). The prime routing protocol designed over IPv6, named routing protocol for LLNs (RPL), presents the main effort to standardize an IPv6‐based routing protocol for all LLNs. Routing protocol for LLNs has gained significant prominence in IoT research due to its flexibility in adapting to different topologies and could run in agnostic replicas over the same network to serve different applications. However, as RPL is based on virtualizing a tree topology, many challenges ensue in scaling with network traffic and diverse traffic patterns in the IoT. The current RPL standard focus on operation under a single sink, toward which all traffic flows, and thereby its survivability determines the lifetime of the IoT network. However, it mentions briefly in its RFC6550, the using of multiple roots. However, it does not study when, where, and how deploying multiple roots. In this paper, we propose a dynamic Rescue Sink protocol, which actively monitors the performance of IoT nodes in a given RPL network and introduces a dynamic mechanism for mitigating RPL performance by introducing new sinks when needed. We define a suffering index computed over intervals by RPL nodes in a decentralized approach, which monitors their tendency to yield high traffic load without inducing control overhead. Furthermore, our Rescue Sink protocol is designed in line with the RPL standard, and we elaborate on all the components to integrate with the standard. We present a thorough evaluation of our Sink Rescue protocol, using the Cooja simulator over the Contiki OS, most prevalently used in IoT devices. We demonstrate the performance improvements in terms of energy consumption and data delivery.
Effect of preoperative immunonutrition on postoperative short‐term outcomes of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Aeberhard Carla , Mayer Catherine , Meyer Simone , Mueller Simon Andreas , Schuetz Philipp , Stanga Zeno , Giger Roland
Published: January 2018

Background

Patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) often acquire an impaired nutritional status resulting in compromised outcomes. Perioperative immunonutrition may have a positive effect on outcomes after elective surgery.

Methods

Short‐term outcomes before and after implementation of preoperative immunonutrition were retrospectively assessed. Regression models adjusted for outcome predictors were used to compare the length of stay (LOS) in the hospital, local infections, and general complications.

Results

Four hundred eleven patients were included (control group = 209 and the intervention group = 202). With immunonutrition, hospital LOS was significantly lower (median 6 vs 8 days; adjusted mean difference of −5.65 days; P < .001) and local infections were significantly reduced (7.4% vs 15.3%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.30; P = .006). Subgroup analysis showed more pronounced effects in patients with previous radiotherapy and extensive surgery.

Conclusion

Patients receiving preoperative immunonutrition had a shorter hospital LOS and a lower rate for wound infections and local complications. These effects remained robust after a multivariate adjustment.
Double‐Stranded RNA‐Specific Templated Reaction with Triplex Forming PNA
Authors: Kim Ki Tae , Chang Dalu , Winssinger Nicolas
Published: January 2018

RNA, originally perceived as a simple information transfer biopolymer, is emerging as an important regulator in cellular processes. A number of non‐coding RNAs are double‐stranded and there is a need for technologies to reliably detect and image such RNAs for biological and biomedical research. Herein we report double‐stranded RNA‐specific templated reaction resulting from PNA‐reagent conjugates that are brought within reactive distance through the formation of sequence‐specific triplexes onto double‐stranded RNA. The reaction makes use of a ruthenium‐based photocatalyst that reduces a pyridinium‐based immolative linker, unmasking a profluorophore. The reaction was shown to proceed with signal amplification and to be selective for double‐stranded RNA over DNA as well as single‐stranded RNA. The generality of the triplex formation was enabled by non‐canonical nucleobases that extend the Hoogsteen base‐pairing repertoire. The technology was applied to a templated reaction using pre‐microRNA 31.
Engaging a disadvantaged community with a fruit and vegetable box scheme
Authors: Zorbas Christina , McCartan Julia , De Mel Randini , Narendra Karthika , Tassone Eliza C. , Yin Ebony , Palermo Claire
Published: January 2018

Issue addressed

Interventions which target the determinants of unhealthy diets are required to promote healthy eating and reduce the burdens of diet‐related diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers.

Methods

Qualitative interviews (n = 12) were conducted to explore the perspectives and experiences of local stakeholders regarding the implementation and uptake of a healthy eating initiative (a fruit and vegetable box scheme) in a disadvantaged, regional community.

Results

Factors affecting the community's engagement included marketing strategies, customer experiences, a community‐centred approach, partnerships and logistics.

Conclusions

Community engagement is often essential for an intervention to be effective. The factors which influence community engagement should be considered during planning, especially when targeting disadvantaged groups.

So what?

Behavioural change interventions may continue to be met with limited success if community engagement and the overarching structural barriers to healthy eating are not addressed.
Left ventricular mass estimation by different partition values in a large population of black hypertensive subjects
Authors: Ojji Dike B. , Libhaber Elena , Alfa Jacob , Murtala Ngabea , Abdullahi Bolaji , Nwankwo Ada , Nnamonu Anita , Karen Sliwa
Published: January 2018

Aims

Our aim is to compare the impact of the 2 most widely used methods of indexing left ventricular mass (LVM) on the distribution of abnormal left ventricular (LV) geometric patterns, in a large sample of untreated asymptomatic black hypertensive subjects.

Methods and Results

All patients with hypertension referred to the Cardiology unit of University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria from 2006 to 2013, who gave informed consent, and underwent physical examination and echocardiography. LVM indexation was classified into 4 geometric patterns after echocardiography: normal geometry, concentric hypertrophy, concentric remodeling, and eccentric hypertrophy. Concentric hypertrophy was the commonest geometric pattern and was detected in 33.6% to 39.5% of the patients. LVM/height2.7 was a better method to detect abnormal geometric pattern than LVM/BSA (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In a large cohort of hypertensive subjects with no clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease, abnormal LV geometry was found in greater than four‐fifths of the population. In addition, LVM indexed for height 2.7 was found to be a better method for detecting LVH than LVM indexed for BSA, as the highest prevalence of abnormal geometry was diagnosed when LVM was indexed for height2.7.
I hear your yes‐no questions: Children's response tendencies to a humanoid robot
Authors: Okanda Mako , Zhou Yue , Kanda Takayuki , Ishiguro Hiroshi , Itakura Shoji
Published: January 2018

This study investigated the responses of 4‐ and 5‐year‐old Japanese children to yes‐no questions about familiar and unfamiliar objects that were asked by a communicative or a non‐communicative humanoid robot. The children in the communicative condition watched a pretrial video in which a humanoid robot interacted with a human adult, and those in the non‐communicative condition watched a pretrial video in which the same humanoid robot was unresponsive to the same human adult's utterances and actions. Then, all the children watched a video in which the robot asked 24 yes‐no questions. The results indicated that 4‐ and 5‐year‐olds in the two conditions showed similar response tendencies, with no age differences. Further, the children showed no response biases to familiar objects and nay‐saying bias to unfamiliar objects. Children's perception of robots is discussed.

Highlights

We investigated whether 4‐ to 5‐year‐olds answer humanoid robot's yes‐no questions.

The children were asked yes‐no questions by either a communicative and non‐communicative humanoid robot.

Children in both age groups in two conditions showed similar response tendencies to humanoid robot: They may have expectation for humanoid robots that they are communicative partner.
A dyadic analysis of power in sibling and friend conflict in early childhood
Authors: Abuhatoum Shireen , Howe Nina , Della Porta Sandra , DeHart Ganie
Published: January 2018

Power processes in siblings' and friends' conflict interactions are of significance for children's development and socialization. This study conducted a comparative analysis of power behaviours (resources and effectiveness) utilized by dyadic partners in sibling and friend conflict during early childhood when focal children were aged 4. The sample consisted of 65 families and included 347 sibling conflict sequences and 326 friend conflict sequences. Data based upon naturalistic observations were coded for resources of power and power effectiveness. Patterns of findings were identified in the conflict process. Specifically, dyads used simple demands most often, followed by coercive, then elaborated information, and finally questioning power. Despite similarities, sibling dyads used coercive power and negative reward power more often than friends. Regarding power effectiveness, sibling and friend dyads were most effective using coercive power, followed by elaborated, and then questioning power. These findings provide strong support for the importance of taking the dyadic relationship context into account when studying the power process in children's interactions.

Highlights

How does siblings' and friends' dyadic use of power resources and effectiveness differ in the process and outcome of conflict in early childhood?

Data were based upon naturalistic observations of conflict, and findings provide strong support for dyadic analyses when studying the power process in siblings and friends interactions.

The findings provide new and novel insights regarding children's agency in conflict, thus highlighting the contributions of children to their own socialization process.
Does TV viewing during toddlerhood predict social difficulties and conduct problems?
Authors: Jackson Dylan B.
Published: January 2018

Some research suggests that various features of screen media use (e.g., television viewing) may promote or interfere with cognitive, social, or behavioural development. Nevertheless, empirical investigations of the link between features of TV/media use among very young subjects (e.g., toddlers) and subsequent social interactions with peers at school using nationally representative samples are lacking. The present study employs data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort, and a quasi‐experimental, propensity score matching design to explore the link between 3 components of TV viewing during toddlerhood (excessive viewing, unattended viewing, and adult content viewing), social difficulties, and conduct problems at school during the kindergarten school year. The results reveal that the risk of social difficulties with peers at school is heightened when family members do not engage in interactive TV viewing with toddlers or when toddlers primarily view adult programming. In contrast, excessive TV viewing among toddlers was not predictive of either social or behavioural problems upon entry into kindergarten in the matched sample. Ultimately, and in line with recent American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, the findings suggest that interactive, engaged viewing of age‐appropriate content may be a more useful approach than simply limiting the amount of TV that toddlers are watching.

Highlights

The present study explores toddler TV viewing and later social/behavioral development.

Using Propensity Score Matching techniques, unattended and age‐inappropriate viewing during toddlerhood was associated with an increased risk of social difficulties during kindergarten.

Aspects of viewing content and context during toddlerhood may be linked to social development during early childhood.
Head and neck cancers associated with exposure to the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center terrorist attacks
Authors: Leeman Jonathan E. , McBride Sean M. , Spielsinger Daniel , Sherman Eric J. , Wong Richard , Riaz Nadeem , Lee Nancy Y. , Tsai Chiaojung Jillian
Published: January 2018

Exposure at the World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist collapse site on September 11, 2001 has been associated with increased cancer risk, though observational studies have identified very few cases of head and neck cancer (HNC) in exposed individuals. Eighty seven patients were identified who presented to our institution with HNC diagnosed from 2002 to 2017 who reported WTC exposure. The annual number and proportion of WTC‐exposed HNC patients has been steadily increasing since 2002, with most cancers developing >10 years following the event. Furthermore, WTC‐exposed patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)‐positive OPC experienced significantly inferior outcomes compared with non‐WTC exposed patients with HPV+ OPC (disease free survival 80.1% vs. 65.6% at 4 years, p = 0.04). This single institution study cannot establish evidence of exposure‐mediated causation but higher recurrence rates in the WTC‐exposed HPV+ OPC population suggest a treatment refractory tumor biology and possible exposure synergism with HPV‐mediated oncogenesis.
FOXK2 suppresses the malignant phenotype and induces apoptosis through inhibition of EGFR in clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Zhang Fan , Ma Xin , Li Hongzhao , Zhang Yu , Li Xintao , Chen Luyao , Guo Gang , Gao Yu , Gu Liangyou , Xie Yongpeng , Duan Junyao , Zhang Xu
Published: January 2018

Forkhead box K2 (FOXK2) belongs to the forkhead box transcription factor family. Recent studies have revealed that FOXK2 plays essential roles in cancer cell proliferation and survival. However, the biological function of FOXK2 in renal cell carcinoma remains unexplored. In our study, we demonstrated that FOXK2 mRNA and protein levels were decreased in clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tissues compared to those in corresponding non‐tumor renal tissues, and decreased FOXK2 levels were associated with poor prognosis in ccRCC patients after nephrectomy. FOXK2 suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion capabilities of ccRCC cells and induced cellular apoptosis in vitro. Moreover, we found that FOXK2 overexpression inhibited xenograft tumor growth and promoted apoptosis in vivo. Genome‐wide transcriptome profiling using FOXK2 overexpressed 769‐P cells revealed that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was a potential downstream gene of FOXK2. Overexpression of EGFR is able to rescue the inhibited proliferation capacity and the enhanced apoptosis capacity due to the overexpression of FOXK2 in 769‐P cells. Collectively, our results indicate that FOXK2 inhibits the malignant phenotype of ccRCC and acts as a tumor suppressor possibly through the inhibition of EGFR.
Investigation of Methanol Behavior at the Designed Electrochemical Sensor based on Ni(II) Complex and Graphene Nanosheets
Authors: Benvidi Ali , Dehghan Tezerjani Marzieh , Dehghani Firouzabadi Afsaneh , Rezaeinasab Masoud , Mazloum Ardakani Mohammad , Kianfar Ali Hossein , Sedighipoor Maryam
Published: January 2018

In this work, the electrochemical oxidation of methanol was investigated by different electrochemical methods at a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with (N‐5‐methoxysalicylaldehyde, N´‐2‐hydroxyacetophenon‐1, 2 phenylenediimino nickel(II) complex (Ni(II)–MHP) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO), which is named Ni(II)‐MHP/RGO/CPE, in an alkaline solution. This modified electrode was found to be efficient for the oxidation of methanol. It was found that methanol was oxidized by the NiOOH groups generated by further electrochemical oxidation of nickel(II) hydroxide on the surface of the modified electrode. Under optimum conditions, some parameters of the analyte (MeOH), such as the electron transfer coefficient (α), the electron transfer rate constant) ks), and the diffusion coefficient of species in a 0.1 M solution (pH = 13), were determined. The designed sensor showed a linear dynamic range of 2.0–100.0 and 100.0–1000.0 μM and a detection limit of 0.68 μM for MeOH determination. The Ni(II)‐MHP/RGO/CPE sensor was used in the determination of MeOH in a real sample.
Progress in Total Syntheses of Anti‐malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Compounds
Authors: Man Yi , Liu Bo
Published: January 2018

Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is a fatal tumor, which spreads aggressively and highly resists conventional chemotherapeutic agents. It continues to be a difficult clinical problem, and efficient treatment is still an enormous challenge. Alimta is used currently as an anti‐MPM medicine, obtained mainly through chemical syntheses. Meanwhile, phenanthroindolizidine alkaloids such as tylophorine and cuevaene A, diterpenes such as cafestol and kahweol, naphthoquinones such as JBIR‐76 and JBIR‐77, anagucycline C‐glycosides, and dodecahydrodibenzo[b,d]furan skeletons such as JBIR‐23 and JBIR‐24 have been isolated and found with different cytotoxic effects against several MPM cell lines. The present short review summarizes the synthetic strategies of these anti‐MPM molecules.
Polyethylene Glycol‐(N‐Methylimidazolium) Hydroxide‐Grafted γ‐Fe2O3@HAp: A Novel Nanomagnetic Recyclable Basic Phase‐Transfer Catalyst for the Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzopyran Derivatives in Aqueous Media
Authors: Talaei Hamed , Fallah‐Mehrjardi Mehdi , Hakimi Fatemeh
Published: January 2018

Polyethylene glycol‐(N‐methylimidazolium) hydroxide‐grafted hydroxyapatite encapsulated γ‐Fe2O3 nanoparticles, γ‐Fe2O3@HAp@PEG(mim)OH, were prepared and characterized by FTIR, SEM, TEM, TGA, and EDAX. This nanocomposite was applied as a novel, green, nanomagnetic, and recyclable basic phase‐transfer catalyst for the synthesis of tetrahydrobenzopyrans in high yields via the three‐component reaction of aromatic aldehydes, malononitrile, and dimedone or 1,3‐cyclohexanedione in aqueous media at ambient temperature.
Material and Method Developments for Developing and Lifting Latent Finger Mark from Wet Polymer‐Coated Metal Surfaces
Authors: Chen Franklin M.
Published: January 2018

We have developed two strategies to develop finger mark images when powdering methods are no longer effective. One strategy is based on flocculation‐on‐demand colloidal chemistry. An example of this strategy is to apply a suspension of titanium dioxide, water, and chitosan polymer onto the finger mark after the surface is pretreated with a dilute solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Pigmented titanium dioxide particles get flocculated and deposited to the finger mark surface when the suspension becomes unstable as the cationic polymer (chitosan) electrostatically interacts with the anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate) at the interface. The second strategy is based on the differential adsorptions of pigmented particles on background versus the finger mark surface. By choosing proper pigment–surfactant combinations, particles can be oriented such that the surfactant molecules will attract the pigment particles on the finger mark surfaces but not on the background. An example of this strategy is a suspension made of titanium dioxide particles and a fluorocarbon–hydrocarbon amine oxide surfactant. Differential adsorption results in clear finger mark images, which can be lifted off using various sol–gel chemistries.
Synthesis, Surface, and Antimicrobial Activity of Hydrophobically Thiadiazole, Pyridazine, and Pyrimidine Systems Based on Surface Active Agents
Authors: Althagafi Ismail , El‐Sayed Refat
Published: January 2018

A series of hydrophobically thiadiazole, pyridazine, and pyrimidine were synthesized with surface and biological activities from cheap, available, and safe raw materials such as fatty acids. Thus, diazotizations of thiadiazole derivative 2 and malononitrile resulted a hydrazone derivative 3, which was used to construct various biologically active compounds with low toxicity, good solubility and biodegradation, surface properties with biological activity. The results revealed that these substances have the ability to reduce the surface tension, reduce the wetting time, varying degrees of foam and emulsifying stability, which makes use in the different industries. As well as their biodegradability, which confirms that these compounds are environmentally friendly to humans and the environment. Furthermore, the effect of these compounds against certain microorganisms has been studied and shown to be highly effective against the activity of these organisms.