bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ligand‐Tuned C–H Bond Activation/Arylation of 2‐Arylpyridines over Pyridine‐Based N,O/N,N Ligated Ruthenium–Arene Complexes
Authors: Binnani Chinky , Rai Rohit K. , Tyagi Deepika , Mobin Shaikh M. , Singh Sanjay K.
Published: February 2018

Water‐soluble ruthenium(II)–arene complexes [(η6‐arene)Ru(κ2‐L)]n+ (n = 0, 1) ([Ru]‐1–[Ru]‐10) containing pyridine‐based bischelating N,O/N,N donor ligands (L1–L5) are synthesized and employed for the catalytic C–H bond activation/arylation of a wide range of 2‐phenylpyridines and aryl halides in water, affording the corresponding mono‐ and biarylated products. Exploring the reactivity of the synthesized complexes, our investigations, including time‐dependent 1H NMR spectroscopic studies with ruthenium–arene catalysts, demonstrate a remarkable structure–activity relationship for the ligand‐tuned C–H activation/arylation of 2‐phenylpyridine, where the complexes with bischelating N,O donor‐based ligands (acteylpyridine and picolinate) outperform those with N,N donor ligands (iminopyridine). Moreover, among the N,O donor ligands, a distinct effect of the nature of the coordinating oxygen donor on the catalytic activity is also observed, where ruthenium–arene complexes having N,O donor ligands (acetylpyridine) with neutral oxygen‐donor atoms exhibit enhanced catalytic activity over those with anionic oxygen‐donor atoms (picolinate). The observed trend in the catalytic activity is attributed to the ligand‐promoted facile deprotonation and coordination–decoordination interconversion behavior. In addition, molecular structures for a few of the representative complexes ([Ru]‐2, [Ru]‐4, and [Ru]‐5) are authenticated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.
Nitrosotetrazolium‐Catalyzed Aerobic Oxidation of Alcohols to the Corresponding Carbonyl Compounds
Authors: Matsukawa Yuta , Hirashita Tsunehisa , Araki Shuki
Published: February 2018

A mesoionic‐nitrosotetrazolium‐catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols is reported. In the presence of catalytic amounts of 5‐nitroso‐1,3‐diphenyltetrazolium tetrafluoroborate (5 mol‐%) and nitric acid (20 mol‐%), a wide range of alcohols are oxidized to the corresponding aldehydes and ketones in yields of 53–100 % at room temperature under ambient air or oxygen conditions. This oxidation shows a strong preference for secondary alcohols over primary alcohols; sterically hindered alcohols are also smoothly oxidized. A mechanism involving a nitroso/NOx catalytic cycle is proposed.
Biosurfactant production by Mucor circinelloides: Environmental applications and surface‐active properties
Authors: Hasani zadeh Parvin , Moghimi Hamid , Hamedi Javad
Published: February 2018

Biosurfactants are structurally a diverse group of surface‐active molecules widely used for various purposes in industry. In this study, among 120 fungal isolates, M‐06 was selected as a superior biosurfactant producer, based on different standard methods, and was identified as Mucor circinelloides on the basis of its nucleotide sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. M. circinelloides reduced the surface tension to 26 mN/m and its EI24 index was determined to be 66.6%. The produced biosurfactant exhibited a high degree of stability at a high temperature (121°C), salinity (40 g/L), and acidic pH (2–8). The fermentation broth's ability to recover oil from contaminated sand was 2 and 1.8 times higher than those of water and Tween 80, respectively. The ability of biosurfactant to emulsify crude oil in the sea and fresh water was 64.9 and 48% respectively. This strain could remove 87.6% of crude oil in the Minimal Salt Medium (MSM) crude oil as the sole carbon source. The results from a primary chemical characterization of crude biosurfactant suggest that it is of a glycolipid nature. The strain and its biosurfactant could be used as a potent candidate in bioremediation of oil‐contaminated water, soil, and for oil recovery processes.
Probabilistic‐based secrecy rate maximisation for MIMOME wiretap channels: Towards novel convexification procedures—Part II
Authors: Zamanipour Makan
Published: February 2018

This paper extends our previous work on multiple‐input–multiple‐output multiantenna eavesdropper–based wiretap channels aimed at fundamentally proposing optimally secure frameworks. This extension is appropriately conducted providing 2 newly asymptotic bounds for the secrecy outage capacity. Such proposed schemes should be necessarily taken into consideration owing to channel uncertainty sets in relation to the eavesdropping fusion center. Our first resultant closed‐form solution, which is mathematically performed according to Hanson‐Wright inequality, is totally tight as well; something that can be technically assigned to other ergodicity‐driven equilibria. Specifically, our solution's outperformance is highlighted with regard to a significantly more adequate secrecy capacity in the low signal‐to‐noise‐ratio regime. Such outperformance is efficiently guaranteed due to assigning optimally convex paradigms regarding the concentration‐of‐measure‐based inequality aforementioned. Additionally, our framework has a markedly acceptable computational complexity compared with our previous work. The latter characteristic is straightforwardly highlighted in parallel with a considerably acceptable computational error as well. Finally, we optimally generalise our framework to dynamically fast fading processes in terms of the secondly closed‐form asymptotic bound. At the end of the discussion, simulation‐based analytical results principally authenticate our contribution's efficiency and tightness.
Improved third‐order weighted essentially nonoscillatory scheme
Authors: Gande Naga Raju , Rathod Yogita , Samala Rathan
Published: February 2018

A new third‐order WENO scheme is proposed to achieve the desired order of convergence at the critical points for scalar hyperbolic equations. A new reference smoothness indicator is introduced, which satisfies the sufficient condition on the weights for the third‐order convergence. Following the truncation error analysis, we have shown that the proposed scheme achieves the desired order accurate for smooth solutions with arbitrary number of vanishing derivatives if the parameter ε satisfies certain conditions. We have made a comparative study of the proposed scheme with the existing schemes such as WENO‐JS, WENO‐Z, and WENO‐N3 through different numerical examples. The result shows that the proposed scheme (WENO‐MN3) achieves better performance than these schemes.
Volatility spillover from the US to international stock markets: A heterogeneous volatility spillover GARCH model
Authors: Wang Yudong , Pan Zhiyuan , Wu Chongfeng
Published: February 2018

A recent study by Rapach, Strauss, and Zhou (Journal of Finance, 2013, 68(4), 1633–1662) shows that US stock returns can provide predictive content for international stock returns. We extend their work from a volatility perspective. We propose a model, namely a heterogeneous volatility spillover–generalized autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity model, to investigate volatility spillover. The model specification is parsimonious and can be used to analyze the time variation property of the spillover effect. Our in‐sample evidence shows the existence of strong volatility spillover from the US to five major stock markets and indicates that the spillover was stronger during business cycle recessions in the USA. Out‐of‐sample results show that accounting for spillover information from the USA can significantly improve the forecasting accuracy of international stock price volatility.
Mold infestation and aflatoxins production in traditionally processed spices and aromatic herbs powder mostly used in West Africa
Authors: Akpo‐Djènontin Djinoumi Olivia Opportune , Gbaguidi Fernand , Soumanou Mohamed M. , Anihouvi Victor B.
Published: February 2018

Mold infestation and occurrence of aflatoxins were investigated in 66 samples of dried spices and aromatic herbs powder (SAH) as commercialized in Benin and its neighboring countries. The samples were randomly collected from markets, supermarkets, and processing sites. Mold counts were enumerated according to standard method and aflatoxins levels were assessed using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection (HPLC‐FLD). The results revealed that mold counts of samples ranged between 2.62 and 4.34 LogCFU/g. Aflatoxin B1 contents were between 0.46 μg/kg and 84.84 μg/kg with 40% of samples exceeding the recommended limit of 5 μg/kg. Aflatoxins G1 and G2 levels were low in general with means values varying from 0.24 to 8.56 μg/kg, and 0.11 to 3.68 μg/kg, respectively. Fifty‐two percent (52%) of samples analyzed contained total aflatoxins levels lower than the stipulated limit of 10 μg/kg, whereas 92% of them were contaminated at various levels with one type aflatoxin, B1 or B2, G1 or G2. This study provides the first information about the occurrence of aflatoxins in the common spices used in West Africa.
Determination of geographical origin Turkish hazelnuts according to fatty acid composition
Authors: Tüfekci Fikret , Karataş Şükrü
Published: February 2018

This study focuses on detecting geographical origin of round type hazelnut (Corylus avellena L.) in Turkey using fatty acid (FA) composition. The samples were collected from Western, Central, and Eastern Black Sea regions between 2015 and 2016. FA profiles were determined by gas chromatography (GC), and most abundant fatty acid was oleic acid (C18:1) followed by linoleic acid (C18:2), palmitic acid (C16:0), and stearic acid (C18:1). The effect of geographical origin on the fatty acid profile of hazelnut oils was statistically analyzed by one‐way ANOVA and linear discriminant analysis (LDA). The results showed that the Central Black Sea region had high content of total saturated fatty acids (%8.45), total monounsaturated fatty acids (%83.54), low content of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (%7.85), and Eastern Black Sea region had high content of linoleic (%9.10) and linolenic acid (%0.096). Six fatty acids (C16:1, C18:1, C18:2, C18:3, C20:0, and C20:1) identified by LDA provide 86.2% of correct predictions.
p53 and NF 1 loss plays distinct but complementary roles in glioma initiation and progression
Authors: Gonzalez Phillippe P. , Kim Jungeun , Galvao Rui Pedro , Cruickshanks Nichola , Abounader Roger , Zong Hui
Published: February 2018

Malignant glioma is one of the deadliest types of cancer. Understanding how the cell of origin progressively evolves toward malignancy in greater detail could provide mechanistic insights and lead to novel concepts for tumor prevention and therapy. Previously we have identified oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) as the cell of origin for glioma following the concurrent deletion of p53 and NF1 using a mouse genetic mosaic system that can reveal mutant cells prior to malignancy. In the current study, we set out to deconstruct the gliomagenic process in two aspects. First, we determined how the individual loss of p53 or NF1 contributes to aberrant behaviors of OPCs. Second, we determined how signaling aberrations in OPCs progressively change from pre‐malignant to transformed stages. We found that while the deletion of NF1 leads to mutant OPC expansion through increased proliferation and decreased differentiation, the deletion of p53 impairs OPC senescence. Signaling analysis showed that, while PI3K and MEK pathways go through stepwise over‐activation, mTOR signaling remains at the basal level in pre‐transforming mutant OPCs but is abruptly up‐regulated in tumor OPCs. Finally, inhibiting mTOR via pharmacological or genetic methods, led to a significant blockade of gliomagenesis but had little impact on pre‐transforming mutant OPCs, suggesting that mTOR is necessary for final transformation but not early progression. In summary, our findings show that deconstructing the tumorigenic process reveals specific aberrations caused by individual gene mutations and altered signaling events at precise timing during tumor progression, which may shed light on tumor‐prevention strategies.
Primary orbital melanoma treated with orbital exenteration and postoperative radiotherapy: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Haskins Christopher P. , Nurkic Sommer , Fredenburg Kristianna M. , Dziegielewski Peter T. , Mendenhall William M.
Published: February 2018

Background

We report on a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐positive disease with a primary orbital melanoma treated with surgery and adjuvant radiation.

Methods

A 53‐year‐old woman with HIV‐positive disease presented with left‐sided progressive ipsilateral vision loss and proptosis. An MRI scan revealed a mass‐enhancing lesion measuring 2.1 × 2.6 × 2.5 cm abutting the optic nerve. The patient underwent left orbital exenteration with temporalis flap reconstruction, pathology revealing malignant melanoma, stage T1N0M0. Posterior margins were positive and lymphovascular invasion was present; therefore, the patient received adjuvant radiation to a total dose of 70 Gy in 35 fractions.

Results

The patient remains with no evidence of disease (NED) at a follow‐up time of 3.5 years.

Conclusion

Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment in patients with primary orbital melanomas, and adjuvant radiotherapy should be considered for those with positive margins or other risk factors for recurrence. We present a patient with significant risk factors with NED at 3.5‐year follow‐up.
Prognostic value of lymph node ratio in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Talmi Yoav P. , Takes Robert P. , Alon Eran E. , Nixon Iain J. , López Fernando , de Bree Remco , Rodrigo Juan P. , Shaha Ashok R. , Halmos Gyorgy B. , Rinaldo Alessandra , Ferlito Alfio
Published: February 2018

Background

Lymph node ratio (LNR) is increasingly reported as a potential prognostic tool. The purpose of this review was to analyze the available literature on the prognostic significance of LNR in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods

A PubMed internet search was performed and articles meeting selection criteria were reviewed.

Results

Twenty‐eight studies were identified in the literature dealing with the prognostic value of LNR. The published results are variable with a range of cutoff values of LNR associated with prognosis (overall survival [OS] and/or disease‐specific survival [DSS]) between 0.02 and 0.20, with an average of 0.09.

Conclusion

The LNR is reported to be of value in assessing prognosis in the patients with HNSCC. Although it is easy to calculate and could be considered in the staging of these patients, the currently available evidence in the literature does not yet provide a solid base for implementation.
The Wnt/β‐catenin pathway determines the predisposition and efficiency of liver‐to‐pancreas reprogramming
Authors: Cohen Helit , Barash Hila , Meivar‐Levy Irit , Molakandov Kfir , Ben‐Shimon Marina , Gurevich Michael , Zoabi Fatima , Har‐Zahav Adi , Gebhardt Rolf , Gaunitz Frank , Gurevich Michael , Mor Eytan , Ravassard Philippe , Greenberger Shoshana , Ferber Sarah
Published: February 2018

Transdifferentiation (TD) is the direct reprogramming of adult cells into cells of alternate fate and function. We have previously shown that liver cells can be transdifferentiated into beta‐like, insulin‐producing cells through ectopic expression of pancreatic transcription factors (pTFs). However, the efficiency of the process was consistently limited to <15% of the human liver cells treated in culture. The data in the current study suggest that liver‐to‐pancreas TD is restricted to a specific population of liver cells that is predisposed to undergo reprogramming. We isolated TD‐predisposed subpopulation of liver cells from >15 human donors using a lineage tracing system based on the Wnt response element, part of the pericentral‐specific promoter of glutamine synthetase. The cells, that were propagated separately, consistently exhibited efficient fate switch and insulin production and secretion in >60% of the cells upon pTF expression. The rest of the cells, which originated from 85% of the culture, resisted TD. Both populations expressed the ectopic pTFs with similar efficiencies, followed by similar repression of hepatic genes. Our data suggest that the TD‐predisposed cells originate from a distinct population of liver cells that are enriched for Wnt signaling, which is obligatory for efficient TD. In TD‐resistant populations, Wnt induction is insufficient to induce TD. An additional step of chromatin opening enables TD of these cells. Conclusion: Liver‐to‐pancreas TD occurs in defined predisposed cells. These cells' predisposition is maintained by Wnt signaling that endows the cells with the plasticity needed to alter their transcriptional program and developmental fate when triggered by ectopic pTFs. These results may have clinical implications by drastically increasing the efficacy of TD in future clinical uses. (Hepatology 2018).
CA1 pyramidal neuron gene expression mosaics in the Ts65Dn murine model of Down syndrome and Alzheimer's disease following maternal choline supplementation
Authors: Alldred Melissa J. , Chao Helen M. , Lee Sang Han , Beilin Judah , Powers Brian E. , Petkova Eva , Strupp Barbara J. , Ginsberg Stephen D.
Published: February 2018

Although there are changes in gene expression and alterations in neuronal density and afferent inputs in the forebrain of trisomic mouse models of Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is a lack of systematic assessments of gene expression and encoded proteins within individual vulnerable cell populations, precluding translational investigations at the molecular and cellular level. Further, no effective treatment exists to combat intellectual disability and basal forebrain cholinergic neurodegeneration seen in DS. To further our understanding of gene expression changes before and following cholinergic degeneration in a well‐established mouse model of DS/AD, the Ts65Dn mouse, we assessed RNA expression levels from CA1 pyramidal neurons at two adult ages (∼6 months of age and ∼11 months of age) in both Ts65Dn and their normal disomic (2N) littermates. We further examined a therapeutic intervention, maternal choline supplementation (MCS), which has been previously shown to lessen dysfunction in spatial cognition and attention, and have protective effects on the survival of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons in the Ts65Dn mouse model. Results indicate that MCS normalized expression of several genes in key gene ontology categories, including synaptic plasticity, calcium signaling, and AD‐associated neurodegeneration related to amyloid‐beta peptide (Aβ) clearance. Specifically, normalized expression levels were found for endothelin converting enzyme‐2 (Ece2), insulin degrading enzyme (Ide), Dyrk1a, and calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein kinase II (Camk2a), among other relevant genes. Single population expression profiling of vulnerable CA1 pyramidal neurons indicates that MCS is a viable therapeutic for long‐term reprogramming of key transcripts involved in neuronal signaling that are dysregulated in the trisomic mouse brain which have translational potential for DS and AD.
The volatility trap: Precautionary saving, investment, and aggregate risk
Authors: Cherif Reda , Hasanov Fuad
Published: February 2018

We study the effects of permanent and temporary income shocks on precautionary saving and investment in a “store‐or‐sow” model of growth. High volatility of permanent shocks results in high precautionary saving in the safe asset and low investment or a “volatility trap,” namely, big savers invest relatively little. In contrast, low volatility of permanent shocks leads to low precautionary saving and high or low investment, depending on the volatility of temporary shocks. Empirical evidence shows a nonlinear relationship between investment and saving and that investment is a hump‐shaped function of the volatility of permanent shocks, as predicted by the model.
Rethinking Irrigation for Global Food Security
Authors: Kadiresan Kundhavi , Khanal Puspa Raj
Published: February 2018

This paper highlights the increasing importance of irrigation for future food security in a changing context driven by economic growth, population growth and climate change impacts. Given the complexity of future irrigation management, it argues for a multilayered approach to water management that boosts ecosystem services and water productivity, promotes water conservation, maintains water quality across agriculture, fishery and livestock, facilitates multiple water use and their supply chains, and adopts bottom‐up participatory approaches right from local to river basin level. It further calls for reforms in policy and institutions and the increased capacity of the stakeholders to address future water management challenges. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of various culture conditions on pluripotent stem cell derivation from chick embryos
Authors: Farzaneh Maryam , Zare Masoumeh , Hassani Seyedeh‐Nafiseh , Baharvand Hossein
Published: February 2018

Pluripotent stem cell (PSC) lines derived from embryonated avian eggs are a convenient platform for production of various recombinant proteins and vaccines. In chicks, both embryonic stem cells (ESC) and embryonic germ cells (EGC) are considered to be pluripotent cells obtained from early blastodermal cells (stage X) and gonadal tissues (stage HH28), respectively. However, the establishment and long‐term maintenance of avian PSC lines faces several challenges and differs in efficiency between chick strains. This study aims to determine the effects of PSC culture media, including serum‐based and serum‐free media as well as various feeder layers, growth factors, and small molecules on derivation and maintenance of avian embryonic derived‐PSCs. Our results have shown that among the different culture conditions, N2B27 serum‐free medium supplemented with PD0325901 and SB431542, MEK and TGFβ chemical inhibitors, named as R2i and cytokine leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) improved PSC derivation from stages X‐ and HH28 embryos. The application of N2B27/R2i + LIF medium validates the effect of defined pluripotency supporting medium on efficient derivation of chick PSCs and facilitates the use of these cells in biotechnology and biobanking of valuable species.
Inulin Hydrolysis by Immobilized Inulinase on Functionalized Magnetic Nanoparticles Using Soy Protein Isolate and Bovine Serum Albumin
Authors: Torabizadeh Homa , Mikani Mohaddeseh , Rahmanian Reza
Published: February 2018

Inulin hydrolysis was performed by inulinase from Aspergillus niger covalently immobilized on magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) covered with soy protein isolate (Fe3O4/SPI) functionalized by bovine serum albumin (Fe3O4/SPI/BSA) nanoparticles as a new bio‐functional carrier. The specific activity and protein content of the immobilized enzyme were 25.99 U/mg and 3.52 mg/mL, respectively, with 80% enzyme loading. The immobilized inulinase showed maximum activity at 45 °C, which is 5 °C higher than the optimum temperature of the free enzyme. Also, the optimum pH of the immobilized enzyme shifted from 6 to 5.5, which is more acidic compared to that of the free enzyme. The Km value of immobilized inulinase decreased to 2.03 mg/mL. Thermal stability increased considerably at 65 and 75 °C, and a 5.13‐fold rise was detected in the enzyme half‐life at 75 °C after immobilization. Moreover, 80% of initial activity of immobilized inulinase remained after 10 cycles of hydrolysis.
A multilateral investigation of the effects of zinc level on pregnancy
Authors: Özgan Çelikel Özgül , Doğan Özlem , Aksoy Nurkan
Published: February 2018

Backround

The relationship between maternal zinc level and birth weight, birth week, delivery type, garvida, maternal age, etc., contribute to diagnosis and clinical follow‐up.

Method

Multivariate investigated for data of 275 patients were obtained during their pregnancy periods until birth. 3 cc blood samples were centrifuged for 15 minutes at 2500 g within a period of 30 minutes and were stored at −80°C until the time of analysis. The zinc levels of the patients were found to be within the range of 49‐129 μg/dL. Patients were divided into 8 groups according to their zinc levels (49‐59, 60‐69, …, 120‐129) and the relationships of zinc level with the parameters related to the mode of delivery, week of delivery, birth weight, age, early membrane rupture, live‐stillbirth, and gravid were statistically analyzed to determine differences between the groups.

Results

There was a significant difference between the live births and stillbirths with a 95% confidence level regarding the zinc level. The zinc level affected the live‐stillbirth status; patients with a zinc level of 49‐59 μg/dL had stillbirths, the live birth rate for 59‐69 μg/dL was approximately 50%, whereas it was approximately 88% for in the patients with a zinc level of 109‐119 μg/dL. All patients with a zinc level of 119 μg/dL and above had live births.

Conclusion

Based on the results of this study, it is suggested that zinc supplementation may be an appropriate treatment for the pregnant women with low zinc levels to provide the realization of live births.
Determinants of muscle preservation in individuals with cerebral palsy across the lifespan: a narrative review of the literature
Authors: Verschuren Olaf , Smorenburg Ana R.P. , Luiking Yvette , Bell Kristie , Barber Lee , Peterson Mark D.
Published: February 2018

In individuals with cerebral palsy (CP), smaller muscle and atrophy are present at young age. Many people with CP also experience a decline in gross motor function as they age, which might be explained by the loss of muscle mass. The clinical observation of muscle wasting has prompted a comparison with sarcopenia in older adults, and the term accelerated musculoskeletal ageing is often used to describe the hallmark phenotype of CP through the lifespan. However, there has been very little research emphasis on the natural history of ageing with CP and even less with respect to the determinants or prevention of muscle loss with CP.

Considering the burgeoning interest in the science of muscle preservation, this paper aims to (i) describe the characteristics of accelerated musculoskeletal ageing in people with CP, (ii) describe the pathophysiology of sarcopenia and parallels with CP, and (iii) discuss possible therapeutic approaches, based on established approaches for sarcopenia.
Breaking self-tolerance during autoimmunity and cancer immunity: Myeloid cells and type I IFN response regulation
Authors: Tarbell Kristin V , Egen Jackson G
Published: February 2018

The generation and regulation of innate immune signals are key determinants of autoimmune pathogenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that parallel processes operating in the setting of solid tumors can similarly determine the balance between tolerance and immunity and ultimately the effectiveness of the antitumor immune response. In both contexts, self-specific responses start with innate immune cell activation that leads to the initial break in self-tolerance, which can be followed by immune response amplification and maturation through innate-adaptive crosstalk, and finally immune-mediated tissue/tumor destruction that can further potentiate inflammation. Of particular importance for these processes is type I IFN, which is induced in response to endogenous ligands, such as self-nucleic acids, and acts on myeloid cells to promote the expansion of autoreactive or tumor-specific T cells and their influx into the target tissue. Evidence from the study of human disease pathophysiology and genetics and mouse models of disease has revealed an extensive and complex network of negative regulatory pathways that has evolved to restrain type I IFN production and activity. Here, we review the overlapping features of self- and tumor-specific immune responses, including the central role that regulators of the type I IFN response and innate immune cell activation play in maintaining tolerance, and discuss how a better understanding of the pathophysiology of autoimmunity can help to identify new approaches to promote immune-mediated tumor destruction.
Nutrition‐Focused Quality Improvement Program Results in Significant Readmission and Length of Stay Reductions for Malnourished Surgical Patients
Authors: Sriram Krishnan , Sulo Suela , VanDerBosch Gretchen , Kozmic Sarah , Sokolowski Malgorzata , Summerfelt Wm. Thomas , Partridge Jamie , Hegazi Refaat , Nikolich Sanja
Published: February 2018

Background

Addressing nutrition needs of inpatients results in improved health outcomes. We conducted a post hoc analysis of previously published data. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the clinical benefits of a nutrition quality improvement program (QIP) in surgical patients when compared with medical patients.

Methods

Data were collected from 1269 QIP patients and 1319 historical controls. These combined 2588 patients were categorized into surgical (390, 15%) and medical (2198, 85%) patient subgroups.

Results

Readmission rate relative risk reductions were significantly higher among surgical patients when compared with the medical patients (46.9% vs 20.6%, P < .001). Average length of stay decreased significantly for both groups (29.0% and 29.6%, P = .8).

Conclusion

Malnourished hospitalized surgical and medical patients experienced improved readmission rates and length of stay. However, surgical patients saw a significantly greater reduction in the readmission rate when compared with the medical patients, thus highlighting the importance of nutrition on surgical outcomes. The ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier for this study is NCT02262429.
The application of pomelo peel as a carrier for adsorption of epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate
Authors: Zhang Guoying , Sun Yun , Guo Yaling , Liu Jianghong , Wu Liangyu , Lin Jinke
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Pomelo (Citrus grandis) is the largest citrus fruit, the peel of which is a well‐known agricultural wastes. Disposal of pomelo peel after consumption is a serious environment problem. As a natural, versatile bio‐absorbent, pomelo peel has shown excellent adsorption capacity for several pollutants, attributed to its micro‐pores; however, there is no relevant report on its adsorption capacity for natural products or food ingredients. The ability of pomelo peel to adsorb epigallocatechin‐3‐gallate (EGCG) was examined in this study. The physicochemical characterizations of pomelo peel were determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and high‐performance liquid chromatography. The adsorption process of EGCG onto pomelo peel from aqueous solution was carried out at a range of concentrations (50–800 mg L−1) and temperatures (25, 40 and 55 °C).

RESULTS

The main components of pomelo peel are composed of dietary fiber, which provide sufficient adsorption sites during the adsorption process. The adsorption of EGCG onto pomelo peel showed excellent fitness with a pseudo‐second‐order model. Both Langmuir and Freundlich models were able to describe the isothermal adsorption of EGCG onto pomelo peel. The results of thermodynamic analysis suggested that adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic in nature, and that the process is likely to be dominated by a physisorption mechanism.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study indicate that pomelo peel has potential adsorption capacity for EGCG, which can be used as an effective, low‐cost carrier for delivery of natural products in functional food and dietary supplement applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Synergy of two fatty acids as additives on lubricity of a nematic liquid crystal 5CB
Authors: Tadokoro Chiharu , Araya Shoki , Watanabe Masaya , Okubo Hikaru , Nakano Ken , Sasaki Shinya
Published: February 2018

In examining the lubricity of a nematic liquid crystal (4‐pentyl‐4′‐cyanobiphenyl [5CB]), synergy of 2 fatty acids (stearic acid [C18] and behenic acid [C22]) as additives was observed. In “friction measurements” using a ball‐on‐plate‐type tribometer, the friction coefficient for the “mixed‐additive” lubricant (5CB‐C18‐C22) was lower than those for the “single‐additive” lubricants (5CB‐C18 and 5CB‐C22). This synergy mechanism was discussed with considering the results obtained in other tests: “orientation observations” in a stationary cell using polarising microscopy and “surface topography measurements” of adsorbed films using atomic force microscopy. As a result, it is believed that the microscopic patterned surface formed by the mixed additive strengthens the surface anchoring of 5CB, which leads to increase in the effective viscosity of 5CB and therefore to decrease in the macroscopic friction coefficient in the mixed lubrication regime.
Poly(N‐methylvinylamine)‐Based Copolymers for Improved Gene Transfection
Authors: Dréan Mathilde , Debuigne Antoine , Jérôme Christine , Goncalves Cristine , Midoux Patrick , Rieger Jutta , Guégan Philippe
Published: February 2018

Poly(N‐methylvinylamines) with secondary amines can form complexes with plasmid DNA (pDNA) and provide transfection efficiency in HeLa cells in the same order as linear polyethyleneimine but with higher cell viability. Chemical modifications of poly(N‐methylvinylamine) backbones are performed to further improve transfection efficiency while maintaining low degree of cytotoxicity. In a first type of polymer, primary amino groups are incorporated via a copolymerization strategy. In a second one, primary amino and imidazole groups are incorporated also via a copolymerization strategy. In a third one, secondary amino groups are substituted with methylguanidine functions through a postpolymerization reaction. Thus, novel polymers of various molecular masses are synthesized, characterized, and their interaction with pDNA studied. Then, their transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity are tested in HeLa cells. Two polymethylvinylamine‐based copolymers, one containing 20% of imidazole moieties and another one composed of 12% of guanidinyl units allow remarkable transfection efficiency of HeLa, pulmonary (16HBE), skeletal muscle (C2C12), and dendritic (DC2.4) cells. Overall, this work thus identifies new promising DNA carriers and chemical modifications that improve the transfection efficiency while maintaining low degree of cytotoxicity.
Highly Loaded Semipermeable Nanocapsules for Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Schlegel Isabel , Renz Patricia , Simon Johanna , Lieberwirth Ingo , Pektor Stefanie , Bausbacher Nicole , Miederer Matthias , Mailänder Volker , Muñoz‐Espí Rafael , Crespy Daniel , Landfester Katharina
Published: February 2018

Magnetic resonance imaging has become an essential tool in medicine for the investigation of physiological processes. The key issues related to contrast agents, i.e., substances that are injected in the body for imaging, are the efficient enhancement of contrast, their low toxicity, and their defined biodistribution. Polyurea nanocapsules containing the gadolinium complex Gadobutrol as a contrast agent in high local concentration and high relaxivity up to 40 s−1 mmol−1 L are described. A high concentration of the contrast agent inside the nanocapsules can be ensured by increasing the crystallinity in the shell of the nanocapsules. Nanocapsules from aliphatic polyurea are found to display higher crystallinity and higher relaxivity at an initial Gadobutrol concentration of 0.1 m than aromatic polyurea nanocapsules. The nanocapsules and the contrast agent are clearly identified in cells. After injection, the nanocarriers containing the contrast agent are mostly found in the liver and in the spleen, which allow for a significant contrast enhancement in magnetic resonance imaging.
A homozygous loss‐of‐function mutation in PDE2A associated to early‐onset hereditary chorea
Authors: Salpietro Vincenzo , Perez‐Dueñas Belen , Nakashima Kosuke , San Antonio‐Arce Victoria , Manole Andreea , Efthymiou Stephanie , Vandrovcova Jana , Bettencourt Conceicao , Mencacci Niccolò E. , Klein Christine , Kelly Michy P. , Davies Ceri H. , Kimura Haruhide , Macaya Alfons , Houlden Henry
Published: February 2018

Background: We investigated a family that presented with an infantile‐onset chorea‐predominant movement disorder, negative for NKX2‐1, ADCY5, and PDE10A mutations. Methods: Phenotypic characterization and trio whole‐exome sequencing was carried out in the family. Results: We identified a homozygous mutation affecting the GAF‐B domain of the 3’,5’‐cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase PDE2A gene (c.1439A>G; p.Asp480Gly) as the candidate novel genetic cause of chorea in the proband. PDE2A hydrolyzes cyclic adenosine/guanosine monophosphate and is highly expressed in striatal medium spiny neurons. We functionally characterized the p.Asp480Gly mutation and found that it severely decreases the enzymatic activity of PDE2A. In addition, we showed equivalent expression in human and mouse striatum of PDE2A and its homolog gene, PDE10A. Conclusions: We identified a loss‐of‐function homozygous mutation in PDE2A associated to early‐onset chorea. Our findings possibly strengthen the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate metabolism in striatal medium spiny neurons as a crucial pathophysiological mechanism in hyperkinetic movement disorders. © 2018 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Spectral parameter power series for arbitrary order linear differential equations
Authors: Kravchenko Vladislav V. , Porter R. Michael , Torba Sergii M.
Published: February 2018

Let L be the n‐th order linear differential operator Ly=ϕ0y(n)+ϕ1y(n−1)+⋯+ϕny with variable coefficients. A representation is given for n linearly independent solutions of Ly=λry as power series in λ, generalizing the SPPS (spectral parameter power series) solution that has been previously developed for n=2. The coefficient functions in these series are obtained by recursively iterating a simple integration process, beginning with a solution system for λ=0. It is shown how to obtain such an initializing system working upwards from equations of lower order. The values of the successive derivatives of the power series solutions at the basepoint of integration are given, which provides a technique for numerical solution of n‐th order initial value problems and spectral problems.
An a priori error analysis of an HDG method for an eddy current problem
Authors: Bustinza Rommel , Lopez‐Rodriguez Bibiana , Osorio Mauricio
Published: February 2018

This paper concerns itself with the development of an a priori error analysis of an eddy current problem when applying the well‐known hybridizable discontinuous Galerkin (HDG) method. Up to the authors' knowledge, this kind of theoretical result has not been proved for this kind of problems. We consider nontrivial domains and heterogeneous media which contain conductor and insulating materials. When dealing with these domains, it is necessary to impose the divergence‐free condition explicitly in the insulator, what is done by means of a suitable Lagrange multiplier in that material. In the end, we deduce an equivalent HDG formulation that includes as unknowns the tangential and normal trace of a vector field. This represents a reduction in the degrees of freedom when compares with the standard DG methods. For this scheme, we conduct a consistency and local conservative analysis as well as its unique solvability. After that, we introduce suitable projection operators that help us to deduce the expected a priori error estimate, which provides estimated rates of convergence when additional regularity on the exact solution is assumed.
A Lyapunov‐type inequality with the Katugampola fractional derivative
Authors: Łupińska Barbara , Odzijewicz Tatiana
Published: February 2018

In this work we consider the higher order fractional differential equation with derivative defined in the sense of Katugampola. We present some equivalent integral form of the considered boundary value problem and using properties of an appropriate Green function and prove fractional counterpart of the Lyapunov inequality.
Analytical incorporation of fractionation effects in probabilistic treatment planning for intensity‐modulated proton therapy
Authors: Wahl Niklas , Hennig Philipp , Wieser Hans‐Peter , Bangert Mark
Published: February 2018

Purpose

We show that it is possible to explicitly incorporate fractionation effects into closed‐form probabilistic treatment plan analysis and optimization for intensity‐modulated proton therapy with analytical probabilistic modeling (APM). We study the impact of different fractionation schemes on the dosimetric uncertainty induced by random and systematic sources of range and setup uncertainty for treatment plans that were optimized with and without consideration of the number of treatment fractions.

Methods

The APM framework is capable of handling arbitrarily correlated uncertainty models including systematic and random errors in the context of fractionation. On this basis, we construct an analytical dose variance computation pipeline that explicitly considers the number of treatment fractions for uncertainty quantitation and minimization during treatment planning. We evaluate the variance computation model in comparison to random sampling of 100 treatments for conventional and probabilistic treatment plans under different fractionation schemes (1, 5, 30 fractions) for an intracranial, a paraspinal and a prostate case. The impact of neglecting the fractionation scheme during treatment planning is investigated by applying treatment plans that were generated with probabilistic optimization for 1 fraction in a higher number of fractions and comparing them to the probabilistic plans optimized under explicit consideration of the number of fractions.

Results

APM enables the construction of an analytical variance computation model for dose uncertainty considering fractionation at negligible computational overhead. It is computationally feasible (a) to simultaneously perform a robustness analysis for all possible fraction numbers and (b) to perform a probabilistic treatment plan optimization for a specific fraction number. The incorporation of fractionation assumptions for robustness analysis exposes a dose to uncertainty trade‐off, i.e., the dose in the organs at risk is increased for a reduced fraction number and/or for more robust treatment plans. By explicit consideration of fractionation effects during planning, we demonstrate that it is possible to exploit this trade‐off during optimization. APM optimization considering the fraction number reduced the dose in organs at risk compared to conventional probabilistic optimization neglecting the fraction number.

Conclusion

APM enables computationally efficient incorporation of fractionation effects in probabilistic uncertainty analysis and probabilistic treatment plan optimization. The consideration of the fractionation scheme in probabilistic treatment planning reveals the trade‐off between number of fractions, nominal dose, and treatment plan robustness.
A fast 4D IMRT/VMAT planning method based on segment aperture morphing
Authors: Klawikowski Slade , Tai An , Ates Ozgur , Ahunbay Ergun , Li X. Allen
Published: February 2018

Purpose

Four‐dimensional volumetric modulated arc therapy (4D VMAT) and four‐dimensional intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (4D IMRT) are developing radiation therapy treatment strategies designed to maximize dose conformality, minimize normal tissue dose, and deliver the treatment as efficiently as possible. The patient's entire breathing cycle is captured through 4D imaging modalities and then separated into individual breathing phases for planning purposes. Optimizing multiphase VMAT and IMRT plans is computationally demanding and currently impractical for clinical application. The purpose of this study is to assess a new planning process decreasing the upfront computational time required to optimize multiphased treatment plans while maintaining good plan quality.

Methods

Optimized VMAT and IMRT plans were created on the end‐of‐exhale (EOE) breathing phase of 10‐phase 4D CT scans with planning tumor volume (PTV)‐based targets. These single‐phase optimized plans are analogous to single‐phase gated treatment plans. The simulated tracked plans were created by deformably registering EOE contours to the remaining breathing phases, recalculating the optimized EOE plan onto the other individual phases and realigning the MLC's relative positions to the PTV border in each of the individual breathing phases using a segment aperture morphing (SAM) algorithm. Doses for each of the 10 phases were calculated with the treatment planning system and deformably transferred back onto the EOE phase and averaged with equal weighting simulating the actual delivered dose a patient would potentially receive in a tracked treatment plan.

Results

Plan DVH quality for the 10‐phase 4D SAM plans were comparable with the individual EOE optimized treatment plans for the PTV structures as well as the organ at risk structures. SAM‐based algorithms out performed simpler isocenter‐shifted only approaches. SAM‐based 4D planning greatly reduced plan computation time vs individually optimizing all 10 phases. In addition, since this technique allows irradiation during all 10 breathing phases it will also decrease the treatment times required to treat each fraction in comparison to the gated treatment planning approach.

Conclusions

Segment aperture morphing (SAM) can successfully be used to transfer radiation therapy plans originally planned on a single breathing phase image set to other patient breathing phase image sets. SAM is a useful tool for the fast creation of 4D, multibreathing phase radiation therapy treatment plans.
The New York City Mental Health Needs Assessment Study (MHNAS): Objectives, design, and methods
Authors: Norman Christina C. , McDonald Kate , Schneider Amanda E. , Malinovsky Igor , Goldmann Emily , Blauschild Michael K. , Driver Cynthia
Published: February 2018

Objectives

This paper describes the objectives, design, and methods of the Mental Health Needs Assessment Study (MHNAS). The objective of the MHNAS was to assess the needs of individuals transitioning to the community following psychiatric hospitalization and again 3–5 months later to inform community service planning. Needs were defined broadly to include domains like housing, employment, treatment, and social support.

Methods

The MHNAS used a 2‐stage clustered sampling approach where the primary sampling units were hospitals and secondary sampling units were patients. The study included an in‐person patient interview, an assessment of need from a key hospital worker, and a follow‐up telephone interview 3–5 months after discharge.

Results

One thousand one hundred twenty‐nine patients from 8 randomly selected hospitals participated. The overall response rate was 54.3% with a cooperation rate of 71.8%. The sample was similar to the overall population of psychiatric patients with respect to several key demographics.

Conclusion

The MHNAS demonstrates the feasibility of conducting a needs assessment with a random sample of psychiatric inpatients in a large urban setting. Results from this study may improve community service planning to better meet individuals' needs, with the ultimate goal of reducing rehospitalization and promoting recovery.