bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Noonan syndrome with loose anagen hair associated with trichorrhexis nodosa and trichoptilosis
Authors: Kane Jennifer , Berrebi Kristen , McLean Riley , Petkiewicz Stephanie , Hay Beverly , Martin Madelena , Wiss Karen
Published: June 2017

Key Clinical Message

We report a case of Noonan syndrome with loose anagen hair (NS/LAH), a rare variant of Noonan syndrome, with associated trichorrhexis nodosa and trichoptilosis. The SHOC2 mutation may be responsible for these additional hair shaft defects, revealing the importance of microscopic examination of hairs in these patients.
A SiOx‐Based Anode in a High‐Voltage Lithium‐Ion Battery
Authors: Elia Giuseppe Antonio , Hassoun Jusef
Published: June 2017

A novel synthetic procedure for the preparation of a SiOx‐based nanocomposite, involving gelification of resorcinol‐formaldehyde and tetraethyl orthosilicate, is reported. The composite is characterized as an anode material in a lithium‐ion battery. The micrometric, amorphous material has a characteristic nanostructured configuration and shows an electrochemical process involving both the alloying of Li−Si and the insertion of Li into the hard carbon matrix. The electrode reveals in a lithium half‐cell a relatively low impedance and a reversible capacity ranging from 650 mAh g−1, at the lower current, to 400 mAh g−1 at high current regimes, with a cycle life extending to 200 cycles. The anode is combined with a high‐voltage LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 spinel cathode in a 4.3 V lithium‐ion battery delivering a capacity of about 115 mAh g−1 and operating at the high rate of 5C. The suitable synthesis pathway, the low cost and the promising electrochemical behavior suggest the nanocomposite anode for application in high‐performance lithium‐ion battery.
Effect of Vegetation Communities and Altitudes on the Soil Organic Carbon Stock in Kotli Bhel‐1A Catchment, India
Authors: Kumar Amit , Sharma Mahendra P. , Taxak Arun K.
Published: June 2017

As per international policy agendas on mitigation of greenhouse gas emission, the impact change in land use on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks is of major concern. There has been no systematic study carried out to estimate SOC pool in the catchment of hydroelectric reservoirs. An assessment of SOC stock along altitudinal gradient was carried out in the catchment of proposed Kotli Bhel 1A hydroelectric reservoir located in Uttarakhand, India. The SOC stocks were found to be decreasing with altitude, (i.e. soil under high altitude forests having more SOC and vice versa). The SOC map developed from the normalized difference vegetation index also verified the results and allowed for spatially explicit targeting of potential climate change mitigation efforts through soil carbon sequestration. The results also revealed that the alpine forest soil has a greater potential of C sequestration compared to devdar, oak, and chir species found in the catchment. This information will help policymakers or environmentalists to take preventive measures for afforestation of forest species that can sequester more C.
Fe2PO5‐Encapsulated Reverse Energetic ZnO/Fe2O3 Heterojunction Nanowire for Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Oxidation of Water
Authors: Qin Dong‐Dong , He Cai‐Hua , Li Yang , Trammel Antonio C. , Gu Jing , Chen Jing , Yan Yong , Shan Duo‐Liang , Wang Qiu‐Hong , Quan Jing‐Jing , Tao Chun‐Lan , Lu Xiao‐Quan
Published: June 2017

Zinc oxide is regarded as a promising candidate for application in photoelectrochemical water oxidation due to its higher electron mobility. However, its instability under alkaline conditions limits its application in a practical setting. Herein, we demonstrate an easily achieved wet‐chemical route to chemically stabilize ZnO nanowires (NWs) by protecting them with a thin layer Fe2O3 shell. This shell, in which the thickness can be tuned by varying reaction times, forms an intact interface with ZnO NWs, thus protecting ZnO from corrosion in a basic solution. The reverse energetic heterojunction nanowires are subsequently activated by introducing an amorphous iron phosphate, which substantially suppressed surface recombination as a passivation layer and improved photoelectrochemical performance as a potential catalyst. Compared with pure ZnO NWs (0.4 mA cm−2), a maximal photocurrent of 1.0 mA cm−2 is achieved with ZnO/Fe2O3 core–shell NWs and 2.3 mA cm−2 was achieved for the PH3‐treated NWs at 1.23 V versus RHE. The PH3 low‐temperature treatment creates a dual function, passivation and catalyst layer (Fe2PO5), examined by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, TEM, photoelectrochemical characterization, and impedance measurements. Such a nano‐composition design offers great promise to improve the overall performance of the photoanode material.
Cyclosporine exacerbates ketamine toxicity in zebrafish: Mechanistic studies on drug–drug interaction
Authors: Robinson Bonnie L. , Dumas Melanie , Ali Syed F. , Paule Merle G. , Gu Qiang , Kanungo Jyotshna
Published: June 2017

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive drug commonly used in organ transplant patients to prevent allograft rejections. Ketamine is a pediatric anesthetic that noncompetitively inhibits the calcium‐permeable N‐methyl‐d‐aspartic acid receptors. Adverse drug–drug interaction effects between ketamine and CsA have been reported in mammals and humans. However, the mechanism of such drug–drug interaction is unclear. We have previously reported adverse effects of combination drugs, such as verapamil/ketamine and shown the mechanism through intervention by other drugs in zebrafish embryos. Here, we show that ketamine and CsA in combination produce developmental toxicity even leading to lethality in zebrafish larvae when exposure began at 24 h post‐fertilization (hpf), whereas CsA did not cause any toxicity on its own. We also demonstrate that acetyl l‐carnitine (ALCAR) completely reversed the adverse effects. Both ketamine and CsA are CYP3A4 substrates. Although ketamine and CsA independently altered the expression of the hepatic marker CYP3A65, a zebrafish ortholog of human CYP3A4, both drugs together induced further increase in CYP3A65 expression. In the presence of ALCAR, however, CYP3A65 expression was normalized. ALCAR has been shown to prevent ketamine toxicity in mammal and zebrafish. In conclusion, CsA exacerbated ketamine toxicity and ALCAR reversed the effects. These results, providing evidence for the first time on the reversal of the adverse effects of CsA/ketamine interaction by ALCAR, would prove useful in addressing potential occurrences of such toxicities in humans. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Fabrication of in situ polymerized poly(butylene succinate‐co‐ethylene terephthalate)/hydroxyapatite nanocomposite to fibrous scaffolds for enhancement of osteogenesis
Authors: Shirali Hadi , Rafizadeh Mehdi , Afshar Taromi Faramarz , Jabbari Esmaiel
Published: June 2017

A combination of elastic poly(butylene succinate‐co‐ethylene terephthalate) and rigid nano‐hydroxyapatite were used to prepare an in‐situ synthesized nanocomposite mimicing bone structure. The microstructure, morphology, and dispersion of nanoparticles in the nanocomposites were studied using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), respectively. Then, electrospinning method was used to produce nanofiber matrix with lowest fiber diameter. Presence of chemical bonds among nanoparticles and polymer leads to the excellent particle dispersion and solution phase stability. SEM results show that continuous and bead‐free nanofibers were produced and incorporating nanoparticle slightly increased fibers diameter. Elastic modulus, tensile strength, crystallinity, hydrophilicity and hydrolytic degradability of resulted nanofiber increased with nanoparticle but elongation at break slightly decreased. Proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cell significantly improved by introducing nanoparticle which indicate that electrospun nanofibers could be used as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2622–2631, 2017.
Sex-Dependent, Osteoblast Stage-Specific Effects of Progesterone Receptor on Bone Acquisition
Authors: Zhong Zhendong A , Kot Alexander , Lay Yu-An E , Zhang Hongliang , Jia Junjing , Lane Nancy E , Yao Wei
Published: June 2017

The role of the progesterone receptor (PR) in the regulation of sexual dimorphism in bone has yet to be determined. Here we utilized genetic fate mapping and Western blotting to demonstrate age-dependent PR expression in the mouse femoral metaphysis and diaphysis. To define sex-dependent and osteoblast stage–specific effects of PR on bone acquisition, we selectively deleted PR at different stages of osteoblast differentiation. We found that when Prx1-Cre mice were crossed with PR floxed mice to generate a mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) conditional KO model (Prx1; PRcKO), the mutant mice developed greater trabecular bone volume with higher mineral apposition rate and bone formation. This may be explained by increased number of MSCs and greater osteogenic potential, particularly in males. Age-related trabecular bone loss was similar between the Prx1; PRcKO mice and their WT littermates in both sexes. Hormone deficiency during the period of rapid bone growth induced rapid trabecular bone loss in both the WT and the Prx1; PRcKO mice in both sexes. No differences in trabecular bone mass was observed when PR was deleted in mature osteoblasts using osteocalcin-Cre (Bglap-Cre). Also, there were no differences in cortical bone mass in all three PRcKO mice. In conclusion, PR inactivation in early osteoprogenitor cells but not in mature osteoblasts influenced trabecular bone accrual in a sex-dependent manner. PR deletion in osteoblast lineage cells did not affect cortical bone mass. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Agreement Between an Automated Volume Breast Scanner and Handheld Ultrasound for Diagnostic Breast Examinations
Authors: Barr Richard G. , DeVita Robert , Destounis Stamatia , Manzoni Federica , De Silvestri Annalisa , Tinelli Carmine
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To compare the agreement and interobserver variability of diagnostic handheld ultrasound (US) and a single volume on an automated breast volume scanner (ABVS) and to determine whether there was a significant difference if the ABVS was used by a sonographer or mammographic technologist.

Methods

Ninety patients scheduled for diagnostic US examinations were randomized to either handheld US or the ABVS first. The AVBS was randomized between a sonographer and a mammographic technologist performing the study. The studies were blinded, randomized, and read by 2 radiologists. The lesion with the highest Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI‐RADS) score was used in the analysis. Final diagnoses were made by core biopsy or follow‐up for 2 years. Lesions included 9 malignant and 81 benign.

Results

The 90 patients had a mean age ± SD of 53.1 ± 16.3 years. The κ value for agreement between the ABVS and handheld US was 0.831 (95% confidence interval, 0.744–0.925), whereas the global agreement for a 7‐point BI‐RADS score was 0.488 (0.372–0.560). The agreement between the ABVS and handheld US was nearly the same when the ABVS was used by a mammographic technologist (κ = 0.858 [0.723–0.963]) or sonographer (κ = 0.803 [0.596–1.000]; P = .47). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for characterization by the ABVS were 0.91 (0.84–0.96) for reader 1 and 0.91 (0.83–0.96) for reader 2; those for handheld US were 0.91 (0.84–0.96) for reader 1 and 0.83 (0.74–0.90) for reader 2, with no statistical difference. The agreement based on pathologic images was κ = 0.831 (0.718–0.944); for handheld US, κ = 0.795 (0.623–0.967); and for the AVBS, κ = 0.869 (0.725–1.000).

Conclusions

Performing a single‐view diagnostic ABVS examination has good agreement with a handheld diagnostic US workup. There is no difference if the ABVS is used by a sonographer or mammographic technologist.
Influence of diabetes on plasma pharmacokinetics and brain bioavailability of grape polyphenols and their phase II metabolites in the Zucker diabetic fatty rat
Authors: Chen Tzu‐Ying , Ferruzzi Mario G. , Wu Qing‐Li , Simon James E. , Talcott Stephen T. , Wang Jun , Ho Lap , Todd George , Cooper Bruce , Pasinetti Giulio M. , Janle Elsa M.
Published: June 2017

Scope

The effect of diabetes on the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and brain distribution of grape polyphenols and select metabolites was studied in the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat model.

Methods and results

(ZDF) rats and their lean controls (LN) were dosed with a Standardized Grape Polyphenol (SGP) Mixture consisting of grape seed extract, Concord grape juice and resveratrol (RES) by oral gavage for 10 days. An 8‐h pharmacokinetic study was performed. After 24 h, a second dose of SGP was administered and 1 h later animals were sacrificed and brain tissue was harvested. Plasma, urine, and brain tissue were analyzed for grape polyphenols. ZDF rats exhibited significantly diminished Cmax for all catechin, epicatechin, quercetin and resveratrol conjugated metabolites. Bioavailability was significantly lower in ZDF rats for methylated flavan‐3‐ol, RES, and quercetin metabolites. Significantly lower levels of metabolites of RES, quercetin, and flavan‐3‐ols were found in brains of ZDF rats. There was no significant difference between ZDF and LN in anthocyanins in plasma and no anthocyanins were detectable in brain extracts. ZDF rats showed significantly higher urinary excretion for all polyphenols.

Conclusion

Diabetes may alter the overall bioavailability of some polyphenols in plasma and brain in part due to higher urinary clearance.
Second generation stationary digital breast tomosynthesis system with faster scan time and wider angular span
Authors: Calliste Jabari , Wu Gongting , Laganis Philip E. , Spronk Derrek , Jafari Houman , Olson Kyle , Gao Bo , Lee Yueh Z. , Zhou Otto , Lu Jianping
Published: June 2017

Purpose

The aim of this study was to characterize a new generation stationary digital breast tomosynthesis system with higher tube flux and increased angular span over a first generation system.

Methods

The linear CNT x‐ray source was designed, built, and evaluated to determine its performance parameters. The second generation system was then constructed using the CNT x‐ray source and a Hologic gantry. Upon construction, test objects and phantoms were used to characterize system resolution as measured by the modulation transfer function (MTF), and artifact spread function (ASF).

Results

The results indicated that the linear CNT x‐ray source was capable of stable operation at a tube potential of 49 kVp, and measured focal spot sizes showed source‐to‐source consistency with a nominal focal spot size of 1.1 mm. After construction, the second generation (Gen 2) system exhibited entrance surface air kerma rates two times greater the previous s‐DBT system. System in‐plane resolution as measured by the MTF is 7.7 cycles/mm, compared to 6.7 cycles/mm for the Gen 1 system. As expected, an increase in the z‐axis depth resolution was observed, with a decrease in the ASF from 4.30 mm to 2.35 mm moving from the Gen 1 system to the Gen 2 system as result of an increased angular span.

Conclusions

The results indicate that the Gen 2 stationary digital breast tomosynthesis system, which has a larger angular span, increased entrance surface air kerma, and faster image acquisition time over the Gen 1 s‐DBT system, results in higher resolution images. With the detector operating at full resolution, the Gen 2 s‐DBT system can achieve an in‐plane resolution of 7.7 cycles per mm, which is better than the current commercial DBT systems today, and may potentially result in better patient diagnosis.
Preparation and orthogonal postmodification of dual‐clickable polymer precursors bearing both aldehyde and alkyne groups
Authors: Lin Lvhuan , Huang Jianbing , Ma Zhi'an , Liang Hui , Lu Jiang
Published: June 2017

A new styrenic monomer 2‐propargyloxy‐5‐vinylbenzaldehyde (PVB) containing both aldehyde and alkyne reactive groups was designed for the synthesis and subsequent orthogonal postfunctionalization of dual‐clickable polymer precursor. Reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer polymerization of PVB afforded a structurally well‐defined polymer poly(2‐propargyloxy‐5‐vinylbenzaldehyde) (PPVB) bearing alkyne and aldehyde functionalities that are reactive towards azide‐ and aminooxy‐containing molecules, respectively. Therefore, the resulting PPVB can be served as a dual‐clickable polymer scaffold for construction of multiple functional polymers via orthogonal alkyne–azide and aldehyde–aminooxy click reactions. Postpolymerization modification of PPVB sequentially with aminooxy‐terminated poly(ethylene oxide)s (H2NO‐PEO) and azide‐functionalized imidazolium‐type ionic liquid (N3‐IL·TFSI, having bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonamide, TFSI, counter‐anion) yielded an interesting multicomponent graft polymer PPVB‐g‐(PEO‐and‐IL·TFSI). After anion exchange of hydrophobic TFSI counter‐anion by bromide (Br) anion, the resulting graft copolymer PPVB‐g‐(PEO‐and‐IL·Br) becomes soluble in water, and its imidazolium units can capture negatively charged tetraphenylethylene disulfonate derivative (TPE‐2
) guest molecule via electrostatic complexation to form in situ self‐assembled fluorescent nanoaggregates with colloidal stability imparted by hydrophilic PEO chains. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2650–2656
Morphology of macroporous silicon subjected to sintering in argon
Authors: Astrova Ekaterina V. , Preobrazhenskiy Nikita E. , Pavlov Sergey I. , Voronkov Vladimir B.
Published: June 2017

Sintering of macro‐porous silicon can serve as an additional tool to control its structure and morphology. An inert gas, even of high‐purity, contains a small amount of oxidizing agent, which has a significant impact on the processes of reorganization of the porous structure. It was found that the sintering of macroporous silicon in argon flow containing 2.10−4% O2 is strongly affected by the thermal etching due to the formation of volatile silicon monoxide. This leads to an increase in the porosity, or even to the complete disappearance of the porous layer, and is accompanied by deposition of silicon dioxide in different forms. The thermal etching competes with the characteristic sintering processes of pore closure and prevents the formation of a defect‐free crust on the sample surface. From the isochronous annealing performed at T = 1000–1280 °C for 30 minutes was found the activation energy of Si diffusivity Ea = 2,57 eV. This value together with the results of isothermal experiments are indicative of a mixed mechanism of mass transport by surface and bulk diffusion of silicon atoms. The sintering of macro‐porous structures results in faceting with the crystallographic planes (111), (100), and (110), among which the lowest surface energy corresponds to the (111) planes.

The result of competition between sintering and thermal etching: typical worm‐like openings in the surface crust of a macro‐porous silicon annealed in high purity Ar at 1125 °C. Scale bar 1 µm.
New Efficient 1,1′‐Bi‐2‐naphthylamine‐Based Hole‐Transporting Materials for Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zong Xueping , Qiao Wenhua , Chen Yu , Wang Hui , Liu Xu , Sun Zhe , Xue Song
Published: June 2017

Two new efficient hole transporting materials (HTMs) Q216 and Q219 based on C2‐symmetric 1,1′‐bi‐2‐naphthylamine central core have been synthesized. The bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)amine‐substituted 9H‐carbazole were chose as end groups to link with the central core. The two HTMs have suitable molecular orbital energy levels, being well matched with that of CH3NH3PbI3 and carbon counter electrode. By introducing bis(4‐methoxyphenyl)amine unit (BMPA) to “3” position in carbazole donor, Q219 exhibits smaller dihedral angle between carbazole and naphthyl unit than Q216 with “2”‐BMPA, which may improve the electron donor ability of carbazole and favors to charge transport. The highest power conversion efficiency of PSC based‐Q219 is 9.31 %. EIS and IMVS measurements confirm that Q219 reduces charge recombination in perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Accordingly, the PSC with Q219 favors a 99 mV higher open circuit voltage than that of the Q216. The results provide some useful ideas to further design more promising structure of HTMs.
The Effect of the Morphologies of Ni3S2 Anodes on the Performance of Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Yan , Niu Yubin , Li Chang Ming
Published: June 2017

Nanostructured nickel sulfides with different morphologies were one‐pot synthesized on Ni foam using a template‐free hydrothermal method, and were further used as an anode in lithium‐ion batteries. The effect of morphologies on the electrochemical behaviors of the anode in the batteries were investigated, of which the nanosheet array one delivers the best lithium storage properties including reversible specific capacity and rate capability in comparison to the reported Ni3S2 anode‐based lithium‐ion batteries. Results indicate that the electrode kinetics for all three electrode materials is controlled by electron interfacial transfer rather than the mass transport process, and thus the excellent capacity performance is mainly resulted from the morphology‐enabled fast interfacial electron transfer rate.
Lignin macromolecule's implication in slowing the biodegradability of urea‐crosslinked starch films applied as slow‐release fertilizer
Authors: Majeed Zahid , Mansor Nurlidia , Ajab Zainab , Man Zakaria
Published: June 2017

High biodegradability of starch is a major limitation for its commercial usage in developing urea‐crosslinked starch (UcS) film as slow‐release fertilizer. For solving this problem, UcS films were reinforced with 5–20% kraft lignin. Implication of lignin as a macromolecule was tested for slowing the biodegradability of UcS films. These films were biodegraded and characterized in an aerobic soil burial test up to the 60th day. The results were drawn for biodegraded lignin‐reinforced films through comparison made with biodegraded control film, which received 0% lignin. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy peaks at 1625 and 1665 cm−1 corresponded to UcS and were found to be more conspicuous in biodegraded lignin‐reinforced films. Thermogravimetric analysis of biodegraded lignin‐reinforced films showed higher thermal stability. This was inferred from the decrease of ∼85.45°C in the thermal decomposition temperature at 5% weight loss (onset temperature), the increase of ∼31.69°C in the thermal decomposition temperature at maximum weight loss, and the increase of ∼12.90% in char. The molecular weight distribution of the biodegraded lignin‐reinforced films reduced not more than ∼1% and the polydispersity index was conserved to 1.4. Light microscopy of the biodegraded lignin—reinforced films reduced not more than ∼1% and polydispersity index was conserved to 1.4. Light microscopy of biodegraded lignin‐reinforced films showed the shape of starch particles was oblong, less disrupted, and wrinkled. Field‐emission electron microscopy showed lignin addition favored more the fungal growth beside formation of cavities. Atomic force microscopy showed the average surface roughness increased 2.00–7.32 times more as a result of residual lignin's accumulation in biodegraded lignin‐reinforced films. Based on the understanding of biodegradability in UcS films, a theoretical framework has also been proposed for biodegradability‐driven urea‐nitrogen release in soil.
High‐voltage atmospheric cold plasma treatment of different types of starch films
Authors: Pankaj Shashi K. , Wan Zifan , De León J. Eliseo , Mosher Curtis , Colonna William , Keener Kevin M.
Published: June 2017

High‐voltage atmospheric cold plasma is a novel, environmentally friendly technology that has gained significant attention in recent decades. It has shown promising results for surface modification and decontamination. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of high‐voltage atmospheric plasma treatment at 80 kV for 5 min on starch films of different origins (rice, potato, tapioca, corn) with varying amylose content. Cold plasma treatment resulted in an increase in glass transition temperature, surface roughness, and surface oxygenation for all the films. Rice starch films with low amylose content were found to be most susceptible whereas corn starch films with high amylose content showed the least changes in the physical or chemical properties after cold plasma treatments. The results clearly indicate that amylose content and the starch source plays an important role in determining its interaction with cold plasma.
Photoluminescence Properties of Lanthanide‐Organic Frameworks (LnOFs) with Thiophene‐2,5‐Dicarboxylate and Acetate
Authors: Han Jing , Zhang Sheng , Wei Qing , Xie Gang , Chen Sanping
Published: June 2017

S‐heterocyclic dicarboxylic acid, thiophene‐2,5‐dicarboxylic acid (H2TDC), was employed to construct a series of lanthanide‐organic frameworks (LnOFs) with coligand acetate, formulated as [Ln(TDC)(OAc)(H2O)]n [Ln = Eu (1), Tb (2), Gd (3), Dy (4), Sm (5)] under hydrothermal conditions. Structure analysis reveals that 1–5 have dinuclear 3D metal organic frameworks (MOFs), in which TDC2– and OAc– display (κ1‐κ1)‐(κ1–κ1)‐μ4 and (κ2‐κ1)‐μ2 coordination fashions, respectively. The dehydrated products of all compounds show high thermal stability above 410 °C. As for 1, 2, 4, and 5, the photoluminescence analyses exhibit characteristic luminescence emission bands of the corresponding lanthanide ions in the visible region. In particular, compound 2 displays bright green luminescence in the solid state with 5D4 lifetime of 0.510 ms and relative high overall quantum yield of 16 %, based on an ideal energy gap between the lowest triplet state energy level of H2TDC ligand and the 5D4 state energy level of Tb3+. The energy transfer mechanisms in compounds 1 and 2 were also discussed.
Partial nephrectomy vs. radical nephrectomy for stage I renal cell carcinoma in the presence of predisposing systemic diseases for chronic kidney disease
Authors: Demir Ömer , Bozkurt Ozan , Çelik Serdar , Çömez Kaan , Aslan Güven , Mungan Uğur , Çelebi İlhan , Esen Adil
Published: June 2017

Aim of this study is to compare the effects of partial nephrectomy (PN) and radical nephrectomy (RN) for stage I renal cell carcinoma (RCC) on renal functions in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and/or hypertension (HT). Charts of patients who underwent surgery for stage I RCC in our department were retrospectively reviewed and patients with DM and/or HT were enrolled. Preoperative and postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) were calculated according to the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formulation for both RN and PN groups. Groups were compared for patient demographics, preoperative eGFR, postoperative eGFR and ΔeGFR [(preoperative eGFR) – (postoperative eGFR)] which reflects the renal functional loss. There were 85 patients in the RN and 33 patients in the PN groups. Demographic data were similar but the patients in the PN group had smaller tumor size compared to RN group (32.2 ± 11.8 mm vs 47.1 ± 15.2 mm, p < 0.001). Preoperative eGFR did not differ between groups (75 ± 28.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs 75.5 ± 23.8 mL/min/1.73 m2 in RN and PN groups, p = 0.929). However, there were significant differences between groups in terms of postoperative eGFR (57.5 ± 21.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs 74 ± 27.5 mL/min/1.73 m2 in RN and PN groups, p < 0.001) and ΔeGFR (17.5 ± 4.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs 1.5 ± 0.4 mL/min/1.73 m2 in RN and PN groups, p < 0.001). Our findings favor the use of PN over RN for stage I RCC whenever feasible in patients with predisposing systemic diseases for chronic kidney disease for better preservation of renal functions.
Constitutional Mindset: The Interrelations between Constitutional Law and International Law in the Extraterritorial Application of Human Rights
Authors: Ben-Natan Smadar
Published: June 2017

Applying human rights beyond state borders is thorny. Which law governs the property rights of a Palestinian whose orchard lies across the Israeli border, or the cross-border shooting of a Mexican citizen by a United States border control agent? This article explores the relationship between constitutional law and international law in the extraterritorial enforcement of human rights by offering a typology of models: the American, European and Israeli models. These models are analysed comparatively, highlighting their chosen legal source of rights: the American model applies constitutional law, the European model uses international law, and Israel combines the two.

The article argues that the choice between constitutional and international law is important as it affects the nature and scope of rights, and reflects the relationship between the state and the territory it controls or within which it acts. The dynamic formation process of the Israeli model demonstrates the multiple possible ways to combine these two sources of law and formulate the relationship between them.

All three models share a ‘constitutional mindset’: the use of basic legal concepts and reasoning in legally grey zones. However, these transnational processes are not deterministic and could result in original concepts, contradictions and discrepancies, as well as serve different political visions.
Assessment of cerebral blood flow in adult patients with aortic coarctation
Authors: Wong Rachel , Ahmad Waheed , Davies Allan , Spratt Neil , Boyle Andrew , Levi Christopher , Howe Peter , Collins Nicholas
Published: June 2017

Background

Survival into adult life in patients with aortic coarctation is typical following surgical and catheter-based techniques to relieve obstruction. Late sequelae are recognised, including stroke, hypertension, and intracerebral aneurysm formation, with the underlying mechanisms being unclear. We hypothesised that patients with a history of aortic coarctation may have abnormalities of cerebral blood flow compared with controls.

Methods

Patients with a history of aortic coarctation underwent assessment of cerebral vascular function. Vascular responsiveness of intracranial vessels to hypercapnia and degree of cerebral artery stiffness using Doppler-derived pulsatility indices were used. Response to photic stimuli was used to assess neurovascular coupling, which reflects endothelial function in response to neuronal activation. Patient results were compared with age- and sex-matched controls.

Results

A total of 13 adult patients (males=10; 77%) along with 13 controls underwent evaluation. The mean age was 36.1±3.7 years in the patient group. Patients with a background of aortic coarctation were noted to have increased pulse pressure on blood pressure assessment at baseline with increased intracranial artery stiffness compared with controls. Patients with a history of aortic coarctation had less reactive cerebral vasculature to hypercapnic stimuli and impaired neurovascular coupling compared with controls.

Results

Adult patients with aortic coarctation had increased intracranial artery stiffness compared with controls, in addition to cerebral vasculature showing less responsiveness to hypercapnic and photic stimuli. Further studies are required to assess the aetiology and consequences of these documented abnormalities in cerebral blood flow in terms of stroke risk, cerebral aneurysm formation, and cognitive dysfunction.
Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Demographic and Biological Characteristics in Wide-Row Soybean
Authors: Korres Nicholas E. , Norsworthy Jason K.
Published: June 2017

Knowledge of Palmer amaranth demographics and biology is essential for the development and implementation of weed management strategies. A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Palmer amaranth density on seedling mortality, flowering initiation, and flowering progress throughout the growing season and biomass production and fecundity in wide-row soybean. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design with three levels of Palmer amaranth density-clusters: high, medium, and low. Palmer amaranth mortality rate was greater at high Palmer amaranth population density-cluster, reaching a peak within 30 to 40 d after Palmer amaranth emergence (DAE) (0.55 and 0.80 for 2014 and 2015, respectively), in comparison with mortality rate at medium and lower density-clusters. Likewise, as Palmer amaranth density increased, biomass and seed production per unit area of the weed also increased. Biomass production at the high density-cluster in 2014 was 664.7 g m−2compared with 542.9 and 422.1 g m−2at medium and low density-clusters, respectively. Similarly, biomass production at high density-cluster in 2015 was 100.6 g m−2compared with 37.3 and 34.2 at medium and low density-clusters, respectively. In addition, seeds produced at high density-cluster were 1.5 million and 245,400 seeds m−2for 2014 and 2015, respectively. Seed production was reduced by 29% and 54% in 2014 and by 65% and 75% in 2015 at medium and low density-clusters, respectively. Earlier flowering initiation (i.e., between 30 to 40 DAE) occurred in higher Palmer amaranth density-clusters, indicating a trade-off between reproduction and survival at high densities and more stressed environments for species survival. Palmer amaranth male-to-female sex ratio was greater at high densities, 1.3 and 1.9, compared with lower densities of 0.6 to 0.7 and 0.7 to 0.8 in 2014 and 2015, respectively. The plasticity of Palmer amaranth population and population-structure regulation, vegetative growth, and flowering shifts at various levels of intraspecific competition (i.e., high vs. low population density-clusters) and the trade-off between these biological transitions merits further investigation.
Trump Budget Would Set National Science Foundation Back a Decade
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: June 2017

Directorate for Geosciences faces 10.7% cut.
Histone deacetylase 3 overexpression in human cholangiocarcinoma and promotion of cell growth via apoptosis inhibition
Authors: Yin Yuyao , Zhang Mingming , Dorfman Robert Gregory , Li Yang , Zhao Zhenguo , Pan Yida , Zhou Qian , Huang Shan , Zhao Shimin , Yao Yuling , Zou Xiaoping
Published: June 2017

Histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) has an oncogenic role in apoptosis and contributes to the proliferation of cancer cells. MI192 is a novel HDAC3-specific inhibitor that displays antitumor activity in many cancer cell lines. However, the role of HDAC3 and the antitumor activity of its inhibitor MI192 are not known in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The present study aims to identify the target of MI192 in CCA as well as evaluate its therapeutic efficacy. CCK8 and colony formation assays showed that HDAC3 overexpression promotes proliferation in CCA cell lines. HDAC3 knockdown or treatment with MI192 decreased CCA cell growth and increased caspase-dependent apoptosis, while apoptosis was partially rescued by HDAC3 overexpression. We demonstrated that MI192 can inhibit the deacetylation activity of HDAC3 and its downstream targetsin vitro, and MI192 inhibited xenograft tumor growthin vivo.Immunochemistry showed that HDAC3 was upregulated in CCA tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues, and this was correlated with reduced patient survival. Taken together, these results demonstrate for the first time that MI192 targets HDAC3 and induces apoptosis in human CCA cells. MI192 therefore shows the potential as a new drug candidate for CCA therapy.
MiR-125b regulates proliferation and apoptosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by targeting A20/NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Zheng Zhen , Qu Jia-Quan , Yi Hong-Mei , Ye Xu , Huang Wei , Xiao Ta , Li Jiao-Yang , Wang Yuan-Yuan , Feng Juan , Zhu Jin-Feng , Lu Shan-Shan , Yi Hong , Xiao Zhi-Qiang
Published: June 2017

MiR-125b is aberrantly expressed and has a role in the various types of tumors. However, the role and mechanism of miR-125b in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) are unclear. In this study, we investigated the role and mechanism of miR-125b in NPC. We observed that miR-125b was significantly upregulated in the NPC tissues relative to normal nasopharyngeal mucosa (NNM), and its increment was correlated with poor patient survival, and was an independent predictor for reduced patient survival; miR-125b promoted NPC cell proliferation and inhibited NPC cell apoptosis; in a mouse model, administration of miR-125b antagomir significantly reduced the growth of NPC xenograft tumors. Mechanistically, we confirmed that A20 was a direct target of miR-125b, and found that activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway by A20 mediated miR-125b-promoting NPC cell proliferation and -inhibiting NPC cell apoptosis. With a combination of loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches, we further showed that A20 inhibited NPC cell proliferation, induced NPC cell apoptosis, and reduced the growth of NPC xenograft tumors. Moreover, A20 was significantly downregulated, whereas p-p65(RelA) was significantly upregulated in the NPC tissues relative to normal nasopharyngeal mucosa, and miR-125b level was negatively associated with A20 level, whereas positively associated with p-p65 level. Our data demonstrate that miR-125b regulates NPC cell proliferation and apoptosis by targeting A20/NF-κB signaling pathway, and miR-125b acts as oncogene, whereas A20 functions as tumor suppressor in NPC, highlighting the therapeutic potential of miR-125b/A20/NF-κB signaling axis in the NPC.
Myosin Va molecular motors manoeuvre liposome cargo through suspended actin filament intersections in vitro
Authors: Lombardo Andrew T. , Nelson Shane R. , Ali M. Yusuf , Kennedy Guy G. , Trybus Kathleen M. , Walcott Sam , Warshaw David M.
Published: June 2017

Intracellular cargo transport relies on myosin Va molecular motor ensembles to travel along the cell’s three-dimensional (3D) highway of actin filaments. At actin filament intersections, the intersecting filament is a structural barrier to and an alternate track for directed cargo transport. Here we use 3D super-resolution fluorescence imaging to determine the directional outcome (that is, continues straight, turns or terminates) for an ∼10 motor ensemble transporting a 350 nm lipid-bound cargo that encounters a suspended 3D actin filament intersection in vitro. Motor–cargo complexes that interact with the intersecting filament go straight through the intersection 62% of the time, nearly twice that for turning. To explain this, we develop an in silico model, supported by optical trapping data, suggesting that the motors’ diffusive movements on the vesicle surface and the extent of their engagement with the two intersecting actin tracks biases the motor–cargo complex on average to go straight through the intersection.
Inefficient skeletal muscle oxidative function flanks impaired motor neuron recruitment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis during exercise
Authors: Lanfranconi F. , Ferri A. , Corna G. , Bonazzi R. , Lunetta C. , Silani V. , Riva N. , Rigamonti A. , Maggiani A. , Ferrarese C. , Tremolizzo L.
Published: June 2017

This study aimed to evaluate muscle oxidative function during exercise in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients (pALS) with non-invasive methods in order to assess if determinants of reduced exercise tolerance might match ALS clinical heterogeneity. 17 pALS, who were followed for 4 months, were compared with 13 healthy controls (CTRL). Exercise tolerance was assessed by an incremental exercise test on cycle ergometer measuring peak O2 uptake ($$\dot{{\rm{V}}}$$

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O2peak), vastus lateralis oxidative function by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and breathing pattern ($$\dot{{\rm{V}}}$$

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E peak). pALS displayed: (1) 44% lower $$\dot{{\rm{V}}}$$

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O2peakvs. CTRL (p < 0.0001), paralleled by a 43% decreased peak skeletal muscle oxidative function (p < 0.01), with a linear regression between these two variables (r2 = 0.64, p < 0.0001); (2) 46% reduced $$\dot{{\rm{V}}}$$

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Epeakvs. CTRL (p < 0.0001), achieved by using an inefficient breathing pattern (increasing respiratory frequency) from the onset until the end of exercise. Inefficient skeletal muscle O2 function, when flanking the impaired motor units recruitment, is a major determinant of pALS clinical heterogeneity and working capacity exercise tolerance. CPET and NIRS are useful tools for detecting early stages of oxidative deficiency in skeletal muscles, disclosing individual impairments in the O2 transport and utilization chain.
Evidence for mutual assessment in a wild primate
Authors: Benítez Marcela E. , Pappano David J. , Beehner Jacinta C. , Bergman Thore J.
Published: June 2017

In aggressive interactions, game theory predicts that animals should assess an opponent’s condition relative to their own prior to escalation or retreat. Despite the benefits of suchmutual assessment, few studies have been able to reject simpler assessment strategies. Here we report evidence for mutual assessment in a wild primate. Gelada (Theropithecus gelada) males have conspicuous loud calls that may function as a signal of male quality. “Leader” males with harems putatively use loud calls to deter challenges from non-reproductive “bachelor” males. By contrast, leader males pose no threat to each other and congregate in large groups for a dilution effect against bachelors. In playback experiments and natural observations, gelada males responded to loud calls according to both their ownandtheir opponent’s attributes. Although primates routinely classify others relative to themselves using individual attributes, this represents some of the first direct evidence for mutual assessment in primate signaling contests.
A kinetic Monte Carlo simulation method of van der Waals epitaxy for atomistic nucleation-growth processes of transition metal dichalcogenides
Authors: Nie Yifan , Liang Chaoping , Cha Pil-Ryung , Colombo Luigi , Wallace Robert M. , Cho Kyeongjae
Published: June 2017

Controlled growth of crystalline solids is critical for device applications, and atomistic modeling methods have been developed for bulk crystalline solids. Kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulation method provides detailed atomic scale processes during a solid growth over realistic time scales, but its application to the growth modeling of van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures has not yet been developed. Specifically, the growth of single-layered transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) is currently facing tremendous challenges, and a detailed understanding based on KMC simulations would provide critical guidance to enable controlled growth of vdW heterostructures. In this work, a KMC simulation method is developed for the growth modeling on the vdW epitaxy of TMDs. The KMC method has introduced full material parameters for TMDs in bottom-up synthesis: metal and chalcogen adsorption/desorption/diffusion on substrate and grown TMD surface, TMD stacking sequence, chalcogen/metal ratio, flake edge diffusion and vacancy diffusion. The KMC processes result in multiple kinetic behaviors associated with various growth behaviors observed in experiments. Different phenomena observed during vdW epitaxy process are analysed in terms of complex competitions among multiple kinetic processes. The KMC method is used in the investigation and prediction of growth mechanisms, which provide qualitative suggestions to guide experimental study.
Transcriptomic analysis of short-fruit 1 (sf1) reveals new insights into the variation of fruit-related traits in Cucumis sativus
Authors: Wang Lina , Cao Chenxing , Zheng Shuangshuang , Zhang Haiyang , Liu Panjing , Ge Qian , Li Jinrui , Ren Zhonghai
Published: June 2017

Fruit size is an important quality trait in different market classes of Cucumis sativus L., an economically important vegetable cultivated worldwide, but the genetic and molecular mechanisms that control fruit size are largely unknown. In this study, we isolated a natural cucumber mutant, short fruit 1 (sf1), caused by a single recessive Mendelian factor, from the North China-type inbred line CNS2. In addition to significantly decreased fruit length, other fruit-related phenotypic variations were also observed in sf1 compared to the wild-type (WT) phenotype, indicating that sf1 might have pleiotropic effects. Microscopic imaging showed that fruit cell size in sf1 was much larger than that in WT, suggesting that the short fruit phenotype in sf1 is caused by decreased cell number. Fine mapping revealed that sf1 was localized to a 174.3 kb region on chromosome 6. Similarly, SNP association analysis of bulked segregant RNA-Seq data showed increased SNP frequency in the same region of chromosome 6. In addition, transcriptomic analysis revealed that sf1 might control fruit length through the fine-tuning of cytokinin and auxin signalling, gibberellin biosynthesis and signal transduction in cucumber fruits. Overall, our results provide important information for further study of fruit length and other fruit-related features in cucumber.
Dimensionless number is central to stress relaxation and expansive growth of the cell wall
Authors: Ortega Joseph K. E.
Published: June 2017

Experiments demonstrate that both plastic and elastic deformation of the cell wall are necessary for wall stress relaxation and expansive growth of walled cells. A biophysical equation (Augmented Growth Equation) was previously shown to accurately model the experimentally observed wall stress relaxation and expansive growth rate. Here, dimensional analysis is used to obtain a dimensionless Augmented Growth Equation with dimensionless coefficients (groups of variables, or Π parameters). It is shown that a single Π parameter controls the wall stress relaxation rate. The Π parameter represents the ratio of plastic and elastic deformation rates, and provides an explicit relationship between expansive growth rate and the wall’s mechanical properties. Values for Π are calculated for plant, algal, and fungal cells from previously reported experimental results. It is found that the Π values for each cell species are large and very different from each other. Expansive growth rates are calculated using the calculated Π values and are compared to those measured for plant and fungal cells during different growth conditions, after treatment with IAA, and in different developmental stages. The comparison shows good agreement and supports the claim that the Π parameter is central to expansive growth rate of walled cells.
Immunochemical Approach for Monitoring of Structural Transition of ApoA-I upon HDL Formation Using Novel Monoclonal Antibodies
Authors: Kimura Hitoshi , Mikawa Shiho , Mizuguchi Chiharu , Horie Yuki , Morita Izumi , Oyama Hiroyuki , Ohgita Takashi , Nishitsuji Kazuchika , Takeuchi Atsuko , Lund-Katz Sissel , Akaji Kenichi , Kobayashi Norihiro , Saito Hiroyuki
Published: June 2017

Apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) undergoes a large conformational reorganization during remodeling of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. To detect structural transition of apoA-I upon HDL formation, we developed novel monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Splenocytes from BALB/c mice immunized with a recombinant human apoA-I, with or without conjugation with keyhole limpet hemocyanin, were fused with P3/NS1/1-Ag4-1 myeloma cells. After the HAT-selection and cloning, we established nine hybridoma clones secreting anti-apoA-I mAbs in which four mAbs recognize epitopes on the N-terminal half of apoA-I while the other five mAbs recognize the central region. ELISA and bio-layer interferometry measurements demonstrated that mAbs whose epitopes are within residues 1–43 or 44–65 obviously discriminate discoidal and spherical reconstituted HDL particles despite their great reactivities to lipid-free apoA-I and plasma HDL, suggesting the possibility of these mAbs to detect structural transition of apoA-I on HDL. Importantly, a helix-disrupting mutation of W50R into residues 44–65 restored the immunoreactivity of mAbs whose epitope being within residues 44–65 against reconstituted HDL particles, indicating that these mAbs specifically recognize the epitope region in a random coil state. These results encourage us to develop mAbs targeting epitopes in the N-terminal residues of apoA-I as useful probes for monitoring formation and remodeling of HDL particles.