bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anatomical study of the masseteric and obturator nerves: Application to face transplant and reanimation procedures
Authors: Lasso Jose M. , Maranillo Eva , Martinez‐Pascual Paula , Goñi Ender , Vazquez Teresa , Sanudo Jose , Pascual‐Font Aran
Published: February 2019

The masseteric nerve (MN) and the anterior branch of the obturator nerve (ON) that innervate the transferred gracilis muscle have proved highly efficient for reanimating paralyzed facial muscles when muscle transfer is required. Previous researchers have published the total axonal load for myelinated fibers in both nerves. However, the real motor axonal load has not been established. We performed the study on 20 MN and 13 ON. The segments of the MN and the ON were embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 10 μm, and stained following a standard immunohistochemical procedure using anti‐choline acetyltransferase to visualize the motor fibers. The MN has a higher axonal load than the ON. There were statistically significant differences between the axonal load of the proximal segment of the MN and the ON. These findings confirm that end‐to‐end anastomoses between the MN and the ON should preferably use the proximal segment. However, MN neurotomy should ideally be performed between the proximal and distal segments, preserving innervation to the deep fascicles. Our results show that the MN is ideal as a donor motor nerve for reinnervating transplanted muscle for dynamic reanimation of the paralyzed face. The neurotomy should ideally be performed between the first and second collateral branches of the MN. Clin. Anat. 32:612–617, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mobile‐powered head‐mounted displays versus cave automatic virtual environment experiments for evacuation research
Authors: Ronchi Enrico , Mayorga David , Lovreglio Ruggiero , Wahlqvist Jonathan , Nilsson Daniel
Published: February 2019

Different virtual reality (VR) experimental tools and equipment are available for evacuation research, ranging from highly immersive systems such as cave automatic virtual environments (CAVEs) to head‐mounted displays (HMDs). In particular, mobile‐powered HMDs are an extremely cost‐efficient solution, for which the research potential for evacuation studies needs to be assessed. This study compares the results of tunnel evacuation experiments aimed at investigating the design of flashing lights on emergency exit portals using two different VR methods (CAVE vs. mobile‐powered HMD). The experiments were performed by repeating the same case study in a CAVE laboratory and a low‐cost mobile‐powered HMD. The CAVE experiment involved 96 participants, whereas the HMD experiment involved 55 participants. An affordance‐based questionnaire was used to interview participants immersed in a VR road tunnel emergency evacuation scenario and rank different emergency portal designs. Questionnaire results show consistency between the two experimental methods for the variables investigated, thus leading to be in favor of the use of low‐cost mobile‐powered HMD tools in evacuation scenarios with a relatively limited level of complexity.
Developmental delay, coarse facial features, and epilepsy in a patient with EXT2 gene variants
Authors: Gupta Aditi , Ewing Sarah A. , Renaud Deborah L. , Hasadsri Linda , Raymond Kimiyo M. , Klee Eric W. , Gavrilova Ralitza H.
Published: February 2019

Key Clinical Message

We report a patient with developmental delay, autism, epilepsy, macrocephaly, facial dysmorphism, gastrointestinal, and behavioral issues due to EXT2 compound heterozygous likely pathogenic variants. This case report expands the EXT2 gene mutation database and the clinical spectrum of patients with deficiencies in the heparan sulfate pathway.
Intravenous administration of Milrinone, as an alternative approach to treat vasospasm in subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report of transcranial Doppler monitoring
Authors: Santos‐Teles Alex Goes , Passos Rogério Hora , Panerai Ronney B. , Ramalho Clara , Farias Suzete , Rosa João G , Gobatto André , Benigno Paulo , Caldas Juliana Ribeiro
Published: February 2019

Key Clinical Message

This case illustrates the importance and potential of having TCD monitoring in intensive care. This easy‐to‐use, safe, low‐cost, and bedside tool allows evaluation of the safety and feasibility of an alternative treatment of VSP in SCH and demonstrates the potential to avoid the use of angiography, a high cost, invasive procedure.
Hypermobile type Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome associated with hypogammaglobulinemia and fibromyalgia: A case‐based review on new classification, diagnosis, and multidisciplinary management
Authors: Zhang Wei , Windsor Kevin , Jones Richard , Taunton David Oscar
Published: February 2019

Key Clinical Message

Hypermobile type Ehlers‐Danlos syndrome (hEDS) is an underdiagnosed connective tissue disorder characterized by generalized joint hypermobility, chronic fatigue, widespread joints pain, and impaired quality of life. Here, we reported the first hEDS complicated by hypogammaglobulinemia. New insights into classification, diagnosis, and proper management of hEDS are also reviewed.
Alkali Blues: Blue‐Emissive Alkali Metal Pyrrolates
Authors: Back Oliver , Förster Christoph , Basché Thomas , Heinze Katja
Published: February 2019

2‐Iminopyrroles [HtBuL, 4‐tert‐butyl phenyl(pyrrol‐2‐ylmethylene)amine] are non‐fluorescent π systems. However, they display blue fluorescence after deprotonation with alkali metal bases in the solid state and in solution at room temperature. In the solid state, the alkali metal 2‐imino pyrrolates, M(tBuL), aggregate to dimers, [M(tBuL)(NCR)]2 (M=Li, R=CH3, CH(CH3)CNH2), or polymers, [M(tBuL)]n (M=Na, K). In solution (solv=CH3CN, DMSO, THF, and toluene), solvated, uncharged monomeric species M(tBuL)(solv)m with N,N′‐chelated alkali metal ions are present. Due to the electron‐rich pyrrolate and the electron‐poor arylimino moiety, the M(tBuL) chromophore possesses a low‐energy intraligand charge‐transfer (ILCT) excited state. The chelated alkali cations rigidify the chromophore, restricting intramolecular motions (RIM) by the chelation‐enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect in solution and, consequently, switch‐on a blue fluorescence emission.
Gold(II) Porphyrins in Photoinduced Electron Transfer Reactions
Authors: Preiß Sebastian , Päpcke Ayla , Burkhardt Lukas , Großmann Luca , Lochbrunner Stefan , Bauer Matthias , Opatz Till , Heinze Katja
Published: February 2019

In the context of solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion, inspired by natural photosynthesis, the synthesis, electrochemical properties and photoinduced electron‐transfer processes of three novel zinc(II)‐gold(III) bis(porphyrin) dyads [ZnII(P)–AuIII(P)]+ are presented (P: tetraaryl porphyrin). Time‐resolved spectroscopic studies indicated ultrafast dynamics (k
>1010 s−1) after visible‐light excitation, which finally yielded a charge‐shifted state [ZnII(P⋅+)–AuII(P)]+ featuring a gold(II) center. The lifetime of this excited state is quite long due to a comparably slow charge recombination (k
≈3×108 s−1). The [ZnII(P⋅+)–AuII(P)]+ charge‐shifted state is reductively quenched by amines in bimolecular reactions, yielding the neutral zinc(II)–gold(II) bis(porphyrin) ZnII(P)–AuII(P). The electronic nature of this key gold(II) intermediate, prepared by chemical or photochemical reduction, is elucidated by UV/Vis, X‐band EPR, gold L3‐edge X‐ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and paramagnetic 1H NMR spectroscopy as well as by quantum chemical calculations. Finally, the gold(II) site in ZnII(P)–AuII(P) is thermodynamically and kinetically competent to reduce an aryl azide to the corresponding aryl amine, paving the way to catalytic applications of gold(III) porphyrins in photoredox catalysis involving the gold(III/II) redox couple.
Drug Discovery for Pemphigoid Diseases
Authors: Kasprick Anika , Bieber Katja , Ludwig Ralf J.
Published: February 2019

Pemphigoid diseases (PDs) are a group of autoimmune bullous diseases characterized and caused by autoantibodies targeting structural proteins of the skin and mucous membranes. Chronic inflammation, subepidermal blistering, and often scaring are the clinical characteristics of PDs. Itching and, in severe cases, disabilities resulting from scaring (i.e., blindness, esophageal strictures) are the leading subjective symptoms. Treatment of PDs, which is based on nonspecific immunosuppression, is challenging because of frequent relapses, lack of efficacy, and numerous adverse events. In addition, the incidence of PDs is increasing. Given the high morbidity, limited therapeutic options, and increasing incidence, there is a growing urgency for drug discovery to help treat this condition. The recent development of PD model systems has added to the understanding of PD pathogenesis and, based on these insights, new clinical trials will soon be launched. The (auto‐)antibody transfer PD models allow for investigations into autoantibody‐mediated tissue pathology, while immunization‐induced PD models more closely resemble the clinical situation. The latter duplicate all aspects of the human disease and are useful for investigating PD pathogenesis and testing therapeutic interventions. This article describes antibody transfer and immunization‐induced PD mouse models currently employed for translational PD research. © 2019 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Near‐Infrared Light Driven Photopolymerization Based On Photon Upconversion
Authors: Chen Zhijun , Wang Xue , Li Shujun , Liu Shouxin , Miao Hui , Wu Si
Published: February 2019

Near‐infrared (NIR) light is an ideal source for initiating polymerization because of the lower energy of NIR photons and considering that NIR light usually has deeper penetration depth in materials than UV light. Recently, lanthanide‐doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) were used for NIR photopolymerization. UCNPs convert NIR light to UV or visible light, which can subsequently be absorbed by photosensitizers or photoinitiators. Subsequently, the excited photosensitizers/photoinitiators trigger polymerization. This process is referred to UCNP‐assisted photopolymerization. Herein, recent progress in UCNP‐assisted photopolymerization is introduced, applications of materials prepared via this type of reaction are highlighted, and the associated challenges are discussed.
Investigation of maximum lifetime and minimum delay trade‐off in underwater sensor networks
Authors: Yildiz Huseyin Ugur
Published: February 2019

Underwater acoustic sensor networks (UASNs) are subjected to harsh characteristics of underwater acoustic channel such as severe path losses, noise, and high propagation delays. Among these constraints, propagation delay (more generally, end‐to‐end delay) is the most dominating limitation especially for time‐critical UASN applications. Although the minimization of end‐to‐end delay can be achieved by using the minimum hop routing, this solution cannot lead prolonged lifetimes since nodes consume excessive energy for transmission over long links. On the other hand, the maximization of network lifetime is possible by using energy efficient paths, which consist of relatively short links but high number of hops. However, this solution results in long end‐to‐end delays. Hence, there is a trade‐off between maximizing the network lifetime and minimizing the end‐to‐end delay in UASNs. In this work, we develop a novel multi‐objective–optimization (MOO) model that jointly maximizes the network lifetime while minimizing the end‐to‐end delay. We systematically analyze the effects of limiting the end‐to‐end delay on UASN lifetime. Our results reveal that the minimum end‐to‐end delay routing solution results in at most 72.93% reduction in maximum network lifetimes obtained without any restrictions on the end‐to‐end delay. Nevertheless, relaxing the minimum end‐to‐end delay constraint at least by 30.91% yields negligible reductions in maximum network lifetimes.
Birth weight and risk of type 2 diabetes: A dose‐response meta‐analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Tian Gang , Guo Chunmei , Li Quanman , Liu Yu , Sun Xizhuo , Yin Zhaoxia , Li Honghui , Chen Xu , Liu Xuejiao , Zhang Dongdong , Cheng Cheng , Liu Leilei , Liu Feiyan , Zhou Qionggui , Wang Chongjian , Li Linlin , Wang Bingyuan , Zhao Yang , Liu Dechen , Zhang Ming , Hu Dongsheng
Published: February 2019

The association between birth weight and type 2 diabetes mellitus has been debated for several decades. The objective of this systematic review and meta‐analysis was to quantitatively clarify the association between birth weight and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus based on cohort studies. We searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases for cohort study articles on the association between birth weight and risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus published up to 1 March 2018. Random effects of generalized least square regression models were used to estimate relative risk (RR). Restricted cubic splines were conducted to model the dose‐response relationship. We included 21 studies (19 articles) involving 1 041 879 individuals and 35 699 cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus, with follow‐up ranged from 6 to 47 years. We identified significant decreasing trend for the highest versus lowest category of birth weight for the association with type 2 diabetes mellitus risk: The risk was reduced by 35% (RR, 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.53‐0.81) and by 12% (RR 0.88; 95% CI, 0.85‐0.91) per 500‐g increment in birth weight. Our results showed a dose‐response relationship between birth weight and diabetes risk, which was nonlinear (Pnonlinearity < 0.001) and L‐shaped. With increasing birth weight (<5000 g), the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus decreased substantially. The association between birth weight and type 2 diabetes mellitus was curvilinear and L‐shaped.
Burning and mowing similarly increase prairie plant production in the spring, but not due to increased soil temperatures
Authors: Dickson Timothy L.
Published: February 2019

Burning and mowing are two of the most common grassland disturbances across millions of hectares worldwide, but uncertainty remains about when and why these disturbances increase plant production. One of the main hypotheses for increased plant production is that disturbances increase soil temperature in the early growing season and thereby increase plant growth. I tested this hypothesis using a multi‐decade study of the frequency (annual or quadrennial) and season (spring, summer, or autumn) of reconstructed tallgrass prairie burning and mowing. To determine plant production, I measured aboveground biomass during three periods of the 2015 growing season: (1) prior to mid‐May; (2) mid‐May to early July; and (3) early July to the end of the growing season in late September. I also measured soil temperatures from May 2014 to January 2016. This unique dataset allows a detailed picture of when burning and mowing are increasing plant production and whether these increases are likely caused by soil temperatures. I found that, compared to other treatments, autumn burning and mowing similarly increased plant production from the beginning of the growing season to mid‐May (autumn disturbances increased production from 37 to 77 g/m2) and, compared to other treatments, both autumn and spring burning and mowing similarly increased plant production from mid‐May to early July (autumn and spring disturbances increased production from 363 to 439 g/m2). Mowing had little effect on soil temperature but burning increased average daily maximum soil temperature at 2.5 cm depth by 6.4°C in the month after burning. Overall, these results suggest that burning did not increase early growing season plant production due to increased soil temperature, given that mowing similarly affected plant production but did not similarly affect soil temperature. I explore alternate explanations for changes in plant production, including increased light and nutrient availability, and decreased detritus.
Critical review of styrene genotoxicity focused on the mutagenicity/clastogenicity literature and using current organization of economic cooperation and development guidance
Authors: Moore Martha M. , Pottenger Lynn H. , House‐Knight Tamara
Published: February 2019

Styrene is an important high production volume chemical used to manufacture polymeric products. In 2018, International Agency for Research on Cancer classified styrene as probably carcinogenic to humans; National Toxicology Program lists styrene as reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. The genotoxicity literature for styrene and its primary metabolite, styrene 7,8‐oxide (SO), begins in the 1970s. Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) recently updated most genotoxicity test guidelines, making substantial new recommendations for assay conduct and data evaluation for the standard mutagenicity/clastogenicity assays. Thus, a critical review of the in vitro and in vivo rodent mutagenicity/clastogenicity studies for styrene and SO, based on the latest OECD recommendations, is timely. This critical review considered whether a study was optimally designed, conducted, and interpreted and provides a critical assessment of the evidence for the mutagenicity/clastogenicity of styrene/SO. Information on the ability of styrene/SO to induce other types of genotoxicity endpoints is summarized but not critically reviewed. We conclude that when styrene is metabolized to SO, it can form DNA adducts, and positive in vitro mutagenicity/clastogenicity results can be obtained. SO is mutagenic in bacteria and the in vitro mouse lymphoma gene mutation assay. No rodent in vivo mutation studies were identified. SO is clastogenic in cultured mammalian cells. Although the in vitro assays gave positive responses, styrene/SO is not clastogenic/aneugenic in vivo in rodents. In addition to providing updated information for styrene, this review demonstrates the application of the new OECD guidelines for chemicals with large genetic toxicology databases where published results may or may not be reliable. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Theoretical analysis of the influence of drilling compaction on compressional wave velocity in hydrate‐bearing sediments
Authors: Li Lijia , Luo Yongjiang , Peng Jianming , Liao Zhiwei
Published: February 2019

Borehole wall would be disturbed during sampling when drilling into gas hydrate‐bearing sediments, thereby changing the reservoir physical characteristics obtained by well logging. It would cause significant errors using such logging data to estimate the reservoir parameters such as hydrate saturation and mechanical properties. In this paper, the theoretical method of combination cavity expansion theory with the time‐average equation to predict the compressional velocity (Vp) of hydrate‐bearing sediment after drilling disturbance were proposed based on the hypothesis that the compaction of hydrate‐bearing sediments only causes the porosity change in sediments. The theoretical derivation process of calculation the porosity change caused by drilling compaction based on both Tresca's yield criteria and Mohr–Coulomb yield criteria were presented in detail. And the influence of drilling compaction on Vp were discussed by theory method developed in this paper and experimental method. Both theory‐based results and experimental results show that the Vp difference caused by drilling compaction is considerable. Drilling compaction would cause the increase in Vp, and the increment increase with the increase of bit weight, and samples with low hydrate concentrations would be more sensitive to bit weight variations. The proposed method is feasible to simplify the influences of complex processes involved in the disturbance of hydrate‐bearing sediments during drilling.
Provenance and palaeoenvironment of Upper Devonian Shetianqiao Formation mudstones in Shaoyang Sag, Xiangzhong Depression, Central China
Authors: Chen Lin , Chen Xiaohong , Zhang Baomin , Zhang Guotao , Li Hai , Lin Weibing , Chen Ping , Hu Haiyan , Tian Wei
Published: February 2019

The Upper Devonian Shetianqiao Formation mudstones are considered to be the most petroliferous shale gas source rocks in the Shaoyang Sag of Xiangzhong Depression in China. These Shetianqiao dark mudstones have been collected systematically to investigate their geochemical characteristics by analysing their major elements, trace elements, and rare earth elements (REEs), in order to reveal their provenance, palaeoenvironment and tectonic setting. The results show that the total REEs content (ΣREE) of dark mudstone is 34.22–246.62 ppm (average 131.66 ppm) and characterized by low ΣREE, light rare earth element (LREE) enrichments, negative Eu anomalies, and minor negative Ce anomalies. The normalized distribution pattern of REE, Eu anomaly, as well as discrimination diagrams of trace elements and REEs, are applied to explain the source rock types and properties of Shetianqiao mudstones. The results indicate that the sediments have a weak sedimentary recycling and mainly originated from the upper continental crust, and the source rocks of the black mudstones are mainly constituted by felsic granite. The Ce anomaly, Th/U, V/Sc, V/Cr, and V/(Ni + V) ratios of the dark mudstones suggest a long‐term oxidizing depositional environment interrupted by a short period of a dysoxic/anoxic depositional environment in the middle section of the formation. This short period corresponds to a dramatic marine transgression with relatively high TOC. The La/Ce, LaN/SmN, Ce anomaly, and normalized REE distribution pattern characteristics indicate that the depositional process of the Shetianqiao mudstones has consistently been influenced by the regional upwelling hydrothermal activities. The chemical index of alteration (CIA) and Al2O3‐(CaO* + Na2O)‐K2O triangular plot reveal that a warm and humid climate with moderate chemical weathering in the source areas of the Shetianqiao mudstones occurred during the deposition. The ratio of major elements, trace elements, and REEs are used to analyse the tectonic setting of the depositional area which suggests that the source area is dominated by continental island arc tectonic setting. Combined with the previous regional studies, it is concluded that the continental island arc granite formed by plate collisions in the Caledonian stage constitutes the main source of the Shaoyang Sag during the Shetianqiao period. The depositional environment was not stable due to the lasting influence of deep hydrothermal activities. The upwelling currents controlled by hydrothermal activity transport nutrients to the study area, resulting in the formation of organic‐rich mudstones.
Cost for treatment and follow‐up of thyroid cancer increases according to the severity of disease
Authors: Kim Soo Young , Kim Seok‐Mo , Chang Hojin , Kim Bup‐Woo , Lee Yong Sang , Kwon Soon‐Sun , Shin Hyunjung , Chang Hang‐Seok , Park Cheong Soo
Published: February 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to provide an analysis of thyroid cancer‐related health care costs over a 5‐year period, according to the extent of thyroid surgery.

Methods

The study included 33 patients from our institutional database who underwent thyroid cancer surgery in 2010. Patients were divided into four groups based on surgical extent: (1) hemithyroidectomy, (2) total thyroidectomy, (3) total thyroidectomy with ipsilateral radical neck dissection, and (4) total thyroidectomy with bilateral radical neck dissection and mediastinal dissection. Costs for admission and outpatient follow‐up for 5 years were analyzed.

Results

Costs for outpatient follow‐up and admission, and overall cost increased with increasing stage of disease and increasing extent of thyroid surgery. Patients who underwent only hemithyroidectomy had the lowest costs for outpatient follow‐up and admission, as well as the lowest overall cost.

Conclusion

Over the 5‐year follow‐up period, surgery performed at an early disease stage was the most cost‐effective.
Influence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Preoperative Hemoglobin A1c Levels on Outcomes of Liver Transplantation
Authors: Gray Meagan , Singh Sanjeev , Zucker Stephen D.
Published: February 2019

Liver transplant centers often establish hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) criteria for candidates with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on data from other surgical specialties showing worse outcomes in patients with poor glycemic control. However, because of the reduced reliability of HbA1C in cirrhosis, it is unclear whether pretransplant HbA1C values are predictive of postoperative complications in liver recipients. We retrospectively examined the association between preoperative HbA1C and postoperative outcomes in 173 consecutive patients who underwent liver transplantation at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center between August 2012 and March 2015. Demographic correlates of pretransplant HbA1C included age, T2DM, native Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease, hemoglobin, serum albumin, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis as the indication for transplantation. No association was identified between pretransplant HbA1C and most outcome measures, including survival, length of stay, reoperation or readmission rates, rejection, bacteremia, and viremia. Significant correlates of HbA1C in liver recipients with diabetes were posttransplant insulin requirement and anastomotic biliary stricture formation. On multivariate analysis, HbA1C was the sole determinant of biliary strictures, with patients in the highest quartile (HbA1C >7.3%) exhibiting a 4‐fold increased risk. Correlation of HbA1C with morning blood glucose levels was much tighter after versus before transplantation. Conclusion: Preoperative HbA1C is predictive of anastomotic biliary stricture formation and the need for insulin following liver transplantation.
Impact and cost of preoperative computed tomography imaging on the management of patients diagnosed with high‐grade endometrial cancer
Authors: Dai Serina , Nahas Samar , Murphy Joan K. , Lawrence Janet , May Taymaa , Feigenberg Tomer
Published: February 2019

Objective

To investigate the cost and impact of routine preoperative computed tomography (CT) in patients with high‐grade endometrial cancer, and its role in identifying extrauterine disease.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients with high‐grade endometrial cancer who underwent routine CT scan prior to surgical procedure between September 1, 2005, and January 31, 2015. Cases in which CT findings led to alterations in the treatment plan were documented. Incidental findings unrelated to endometrial cancer diagnosis were captured. Cost of imaging and diagnostic procedures was based on Ontario's Physician Services–Schedule of Benefits.

Results

Of 179 patients included, 57 (31.9%) were diagnosed with stage 3–4 disease. CT showed evidence of metastatic disease in 30 (16.8%) patients; however, planned surgical procedure was altered in only nine (5.0%) cases. CT results showed incidental findings requiring follow‐up in 78 (43.6%) cases, three of which were second malignancies. We estimate an expenditure of CAD$14 185.85 on routine imaging for every case in which surgical management was changed.

Conclusions

Preoperative CT imaging is efficacious in identifying extrauterine disease in patients with high‐grade endometrial cancer, although it seldom alters surgical management. Many of these CT scans will identify incidental findings requiring further interventions, resulting in substantial costs.
Hierarchical microchannel architecture in chitosan/bioactive glass scaffolds via electrophoretic deposition positive‐replica
Authors: Ghalayani Esfahani Arash , Soleimanzade Mehdi , Campiglio Chiara Emma , Federici Angelica , Altomare Lina , Draghi Lorenza , Boccaccini Aldo R. , De Nardo Luigi
Published: February 2019

One of the main challenges in the design of scaffolds for cortical bone regeneration is mimicking the highly oriented, hierarchical structure of the native tissue in an efficient, simple, and consistent way. As a possible solution to this challenge, positive replica based on electrophoretic deposition (EPD) was here evaluated as a technique to produce organic/inorganic scaffolds with oriented micro‐porosities mimicking Haversian canals diameter and spacing. Two different sizes of 45S5 bioactive glass (BG) powders were chosen as inclusions and loaded in a chitosan matrix via EPD on micro‐patterned cathodes. Self‐standing chitosan scaffolds, with a homogeneous dispersion of BG particles and regularly‐oriented micro‐channels (ϕ = 380 ± 50 μm, inter‐channel spacing = 600 ± 40 μm), were obtained. In vitro analysis in simulated body fluid (SBF) revealed the ability to induce a deposition of a homogenous layer of hydroxyapatite (HA), with Ca/P nucleation reactions appearing kinetically favored by smaller BG particles. Cell interaction with hybrid scaffolds was evaluated in vitro with bone osteosarcoma cells (SAOS‐2). The osteoconductive potential of EPD structures was assessed by evaluating cells proliferation, viability and scaffold colonization. Results indicate that EPD is a simple yet extremely effective technique to prepare composite micro‐patterned structures and can represent a platform for the development of a new generation of bone scaffolds. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2019.
Effects of hydrogen peroxide on biological characteristics and osteoinductivity of decellularized and demineralized bone matrices
Authors: Qing Quan , Zhang Yan‐Jing , Yang Jie‐Liang , Ning Liang‐Ju , Zhang Ya‐Jing , Jiang Yan‐Lin , Zhang Yi , Luo Jing‐Cong , Qin Ting‐Wu
Published: February 2019

Due to the similar collagen composition and closely physiological relationship with soft connective tissues, demineralized bone matrices (DBMs) were used to repair the injured tendon or ligament. However, the osteoinductivity of DBMs would be a huge barrier of these applications. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been proved to reduce the osteoinductivity of DBMs. Nevertheless, the biological properties of H2O2‐treated DBMs have not been evaluated completely, while the potential mechanism of H2O2 compromising osteoinductivity is also unclear. Hence, the purpose of this study was to characterize the biological properties of H2O2‐treated DBMs and search for the proof that H2O2 could compromise osteoinductivity of DBMs. Decellularized and demineralized bone matrices (DCDBMs) were washed by 3% H2O2 for 12 h to fabricate the H2O2‐treated DCDBMs (HPTBMs). Similar biological properties including collagen, biomechanics, and biocompatibility were observed between DCDBMs and HPTBMs. The immunohistochemistry staining of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP‐2) was negative in HPTBMs. Furthermore, HPTBMs exhibited significantly reduced osteoinductivity both in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, these findings suggest that the BMP‐2 in DCDBMs could be the target of H2O2. HPTBMs could be expected to be used as a promising scaffold for tissue engineering. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2019.
High expression of MUC20 drives tumorigenesis and predicts poor survival in endometrial cancer
Authors: Zheng Fei , Yu Huimin , Lu Jingjing
Published: February 2019

Mucins (MUCs) have been reported to play a critical role in the tumorigenesis of different cancers. This study was performed to explore the effect of MUC20 in endometrial cancer (EC). A total of 541 patients with EC were examined from The Cancer Genome Atlas. The relationship between MUC20 expression and clinical characteristics was analyzed with the Wilcoxon signed‐rank test and logistic regression. The Kaplan‐Meier method and the Cox regression model was performed to evaluate the prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted. MUC20 high expression was associated with age, histology, positive peritoneal cytology, advanced stage, and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.05). Kaplan‐Meier survival showed that patients with MUC20 high expression had a poorer prognosis than those with MUC20 low expression. Furthermore, multivariate analysis showed that MUC20 high expression was an independent prognostic factor for worse overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.93, 95% confidence interval = 1.00‐3.74). Moreover, interferon α/γ response, cell‐cell adhesion, O‐glycan processing, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway were associated with MUC20 high expression. MUC20 high expression may be a potential prognostic molecular factor of poor survival. The interferon α/γ response, cell‐cell adhesion, O‐glycan processing, and ROS pathway may be the key processes regulated by MUC20 in EC.
Nuclear localization and Overexpression of Smoothened in Pancreatic and Colorectal Cancers
Authors: Niyaz Madiha , Khan Mosin S. , Wani Rauf A. , Shah Omar J. , Besina Syed , Mudassar Syed
Published: February 2019

Smoothened (SMO) is a significant signalling protein which functions as a key transducer for the hedgehog signalling pathway, an important signalling mechanism with key roles in development and oncogenesis. The correlation of expression dynamics of SMO with pancreatic and colorectal cancer genesis has been known but with ambiguity. Therefore, in this study, we investigated messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of SMO in pancreatic and colorectal cancers in our population and assessed relationship with various clinicopathological parameters. Surgically resected tumour and adjacent histologically normal tissues from 33 and 61 pancreatic and colorectal cancer patients were investigated in the present study. Expression of SMO was analysed by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. At mRNA level, SMO was overexpressed in 72.72% (24 of 33) and 50.81% (31 of 61) of the pancreatic and colorectal cancer cases as compared with their adjacent normal tissues. SMO immunohistochemical analysis revealed nuclear localization and overexpression was observed in 51.51% (17 of 33) and 40.98% (25 of 61) of pancreatic and colorectal cancer tissues. SMO overexpression was significantly associated with smoking, late‐stage disease and lymph node metastasis in patients with Colorectal cancer. Our results showed that SMO is dysregulated in pancreatic and colorectal cancers and may be considered as a target in cancer therapeutics.
Retracted: LncRNA MT1JP functions as a tumor suppressor via regulating miR‐214‐3p expression in bladder cancer
Authors: Yu Haifeng , Wang Shuaibin , Zhu Haibo , Rao Dapang
Published: February 2019

Growing evidence suggested that the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate several pathophysiological processes in tumorigenesis and may be new biomarkers for tumor therapy. In this study, we studied the expression and role of lncRNA MT1JP in the development of bladder cancer. We demonstrated that the expression of MT1JP was downregulated in bladder tumor samples and cell lines. Ectopic expression of MT1JP suppressed cell proliferation, cycle, and invasion in bladder cancer. In addition, our result suggested that miR‐214‐3p overexpression decreased the luciferase activity of wild‐type MT1JP but not mutated‐type MT1JP and elevated expression of MT1JP decreased miR‐214‐3p expression in the bladder cancer cell. Furthermore, we indicated that the expression of miR‐214‐3p was upregulated in bladder tumor samples and cell lines. Ectopic expression of miR‐214‐3p promoted cell proliferation, cycle, and invasion in bladder cancer. MT1JP suppressed cell proliferation, cycle, and invasion via negative modulation of miR‐214‐3p in bladder cancer. These data suggested that lncRNA MT1JP acts a tumor suppressor gene in bladder cancer progression, considering MT1JP as a new therapeutic target in bladder cancer.
RETRACTED: Lavandula angustifolia biological characteristics: An in vitro study
Authors: Soheili Masoud , Salami Mahmoud
Published: February 2019

Objective

Lavender is an aromatic shrub belonging to the Lamiaceae family. The flowers and leaves in different forms of extracts are used as herbal medicine. The accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques, reduction of acetylcholine due to hyperactivity of acetylcholinesterase, and glutamate neurotoxicity are known to be involved in decreased level of cognitive function. In our previous study, we proved that the aqueous extract of lavender improves learning and memory. This in vitro study was designed to evaluate antiaggregative, antioxidant, and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of the herbal medicine.

Methods

Thin layer chromatography, high‐performance liquid chromatography, thioflavin, atomic force microscope (AFM), Elleman,and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl hydrazyl techniques were used for qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, antiaggregative characteristics, anti‐acetylcholinestrase activity and antioxidant activity of the lavender extract, respectively.

Results

We found chromatographic peaks of caffeic acid and luteolin‐7‐glycosid in the lavender extract. Our results indicated that aqueous extract of lavender dose‐dependently inhibits the formation of Aβ aggregate. The AFM technique showed that lavender largely diminished the Aβ fibril formation. We also observed a considerable radical scavenging activity of the extract.

Conclusions

Prevention of Aβ plaque formation and antioxidant activity along with nontoxic features of the lavender extract promise possible effectiveness of this plant on improving some neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease.
Induction of protective immune response to intranasal administration of influenza virus‐like particles in a mouse model
Authors: Keshavarz Mohsen , Namdari Haideh , Arjeini Yaser , Mirzaei Hamed , Salimi Vahid , Sadeghi Ahmadreza , Mokhtari‐Azad Talat , Rezaei Farhad
Published: February 2019

Human influenza A viruses (IAVs) cause global pandemics and epidemics, which remains a nonignorable serious concern for public health worldwide. To combat the surge of viral outbreaks, new treatments are urgently needed. Here, we design a new vaccine based on virus‐like particles (VLPs) and show how intranasal administration of this vaccine triggers protective immunity, which can be exploited for the development of new therapies. H1N1 VLPs were produced in baculovirus vectors and were injected into BALB/c mice by the intramuscular (IM) or intranasal (IN) route. We found that there were significantly higher inflammatory cell and lymphocyte concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage samples and the lungs of IN immunized mice; however, the IM group had little signs of inflammatory responses. On the basis of our results, immunization with H1N1 influenza VLP elicited a strong T cell immunity in BALB/c mice. Despite T cell immunity amplification after both IN and IM vaccination methods in mice, IN‐induced T cell responses were significantly more intense than IM‐induced responses, and this was likely related to an increased number of both CD11bhigh and CD103+ dendritic cells in mice lungs after IN administration of VLP. Furthermore, evaluation of interleukin‐4 and interferon gamma cytokines along with several chemokine receptors showed that VLP vaccination via IN and IM routes leads to a greater CD4+ Th1 and Th2 response, respectively. Our findings indicated that VLPs represent a potential strategy for the development of an effective influenza vaccine; however, employing relevant routes for vaccination can be another important part of the universal influenza vaccine puzzle.
The determination of frequency domain soil parameters of horizontally layered structure by using dipole‐dipole array
Authors: Li Zhong‐Xin , Rao Shao‐Wei
Published: February 2019

A method to determine frequency domain soil parameters of horizontally layered structure is developed, including resistivity and permittivity. The theoretical formula of apparent resistivity of dipole‐dipole array is derived from Green's function under quasi‐static field condition. Complex image method is introduced to avoid time‐consuming numerical integration in apparent resistivity calculation, which improves the computational efficiency significantly. The frequency domain soil parameters are optimized using simulated annealing algorithm at each frequency. This method is applied to invert synthetic data with noise and the inversion results validate the accuracy of this method.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Micellization Behavior of Cationic Surfactants: n‐Alkyl‐3‐Methylpyridinium Bromides and Their Drug Interaction Study by UV–Visible Spectroscopy and Conductometry
Authors: Fayyaz Summaira , Talat Rabia , Ali Saqib , Khalid Nasir , Shah Afzal , Ullah Faizan
Published: February 2019

The synthesis of new cationic surfactants i.e., n‐hexyl‐3‐methylpyridium bromide (a) and n‐octyl‐3‐methylpyridium bromide (b), and their characterization using multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) (1H, 13C) and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) spectroscopic techniques were reported. The micellization behavior of the synthesized surfactants was studied using conductometry and ultraviolet–Visible spectroscopy. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of compounds a and b was found to be 0.41 and 0.35 m mol L−1, respectively. The effect of temperature on the CMC of these compounds was examined in the range of 298–318 K and thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS) of the micellization process were calculated. The antibacterial study of the synthesized surfactants revealed their strong activity against different bacterial strains. Moreover, the interaction of drugs i.e., flurbiprofen and ketoprofen, with the synthesized surfactants was investigated for gaining insights into the role of micelles as drug‐delivery devices. Drug–surfactant interactions were also confirmed via a conductometric method.
Time‐for‐space substitution in N‐mixture modeling and population monitoring
Authors: Costa Andrea , Oneto Fabrizio , Salvidio Sebastiano
Published: February 2019

Population size is a fundamental state variable in ecology, and the analysis of temporal variation in abundance (i.e., detection of trends) is a prime objective in wildlife monitoring. However, population abundance cannot be directly observed because part of the population remains undetected and methods that account for imperfect detection are often not used. Capture‐mark‐recapture approaches give reliable estimates of abundance but are time‐ and effort‐consuming. In the last decade, the application of hierarchical, or N‐mixture, models that use repeated counts of unmarked animals seem to give great advantages in the estimation of population size. Hierarchical models require repeated surveys at multiple sites, but sometimes only data obtained for a single site in successive years are available. We applied the time‐for‐space substitution implemented within the N‐mixture modeling framework to estimate population size and evaluate the dynamics of the endangered European leaf‐toed gecko (Euleptes europaea) surveyed >20 years. We compared these results with capture‐mark‐recapture estimates obtained from the same population and over the same time period. Estimates and trends were comparable and both methods indicated similar population declines; moreover, N‐mixture modeling indicated temperature affected detection. Therefore, the application of the time‐for‐space substitution in hierarchical modeling seems valuable and may be useful in species monitoring and conservation. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.
Land cover transitions and changing climate conditions in the Polish Carpathians: Assessment and management implications
Authors: Kędra Mariola , Szczepanek Robert
Published: February 2019

Widespread, human‐induced land cover (LC) transitions in areas surrounding national parks and nature reserves, accompanied by changing climate conditions, can trigger serious consequences for these natural environments and their ecosystems. The aim of the study was to assess the direction and magnitude of transitions in LC in the Polish Carpathians since 1990 for determining the current status of land degradation neutrality and future degradation risk as well as to analyze concomitant changes in climate conditions to enable sustainable land management. The study area encompasses six national parks with the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization biosphere reserves, several dozen nature reserves, and landscape parks and is a key source of drinking water in Poland. We studied detailed changes in LC (13 classes). The Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated significant increases in built‐up areas (urban fabric and industrial/transport infrastructure), waters, dense forest cover, and herbaceous vegetation but a decrease in heterogeneous agricultural areas. On the basis of two new methods, we assessed the LC transitions for 20 mountain catchments and for the entire Polish Carpathians. Although we found a slight positive transition in LC for the entire Polish Carpathians, clearly negative transitions occurred in the five analyzed catchments, including those covering two national parks. These LC transitions are accompanied by changing climate conditions with significant increases in air temperature and precipitation. The ongoing intensive urbanization in the studied mountain region, which is accompanied by significant regional warming, implies the need to apply sustainable management practices that will avoid or reduce degradation in the catchments involved.
Natural Polymers from Biomass Resources as Feedstocks for Thermoplastic Materials
Authors: Müller Kerstin , Zollfrank Cordt , Schmid Markus
Published: February 2019

With the objective of a more sustainable circular economy, one long‐term goal is the utilization of renewable resources as feedstock for the production of polymer‐based materials. In order to successfully process such materials using existing industrial‐scale technologies or even recycling processes, the natural polymers must have thermoplastic properties. With only a few exceptions, natural polymers are not thermoplastic. However, chemical and physical modification techniques are able to induce thermoplasticity in natural polymers from biomass resources such as cellulose, lignin, and chitin. Modification techniques focus on masking the hydroxyl groups to disrupt dense hydrogen bonding and so enable polymer chain mobility upon heating. The introduction of long alkyl chains into the polymer backbone effectively improves the thermoplastic processing of natural polymers. With regard to polymer blending, chemical grafting and graft copolymerization are powerful tools for enhancing compatibility. For both chemical and physical modification, solvents such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents are currently being explored for biomass and fiber processing and show promise for the future development of thermoplastic biopolymers. This review describes possible modifications, potential processing difficulties, and gives a summary of relevant studies described in the scientific literature.
Animal use in a Shang Village: The Guandimiao zooarchaeological assemblage
Authors: Hou Yanfeng , Campbell Roderick , Zhang Yan , Li Suting
Published: February 2019

Chinese Bronze Age zooarchaeological data sets have almost exclusively been derived from large, urban centres and often from elite contexts. The Anyang period (ca. 1250–1050 BCE) village site of Guandimiao fills an important lacuna as a small, non‐elite, rural site. The large urban sites of the Chinese Bronze Age are thought to have been more centres of animal consumption than of stock rearing, and so, Guandimiao presents the first glimpse of a possible production site. In addition, the near total excavation of the original village affords a rarely fine‐grained understanding of context allowing us to distinguish broadly between domestic, ritual‐related, and mortuary assemblages. These assemblages show differences in relative quantities of taxa, in body part distribution, bone modification, and taphonomy, giving additional insight into animal‐related human behaviour at the site. In addition, a variety of lines of evidence demonstrates a large dog‐related taphonomic bias, a subject that is generally ignored in Chinese zooarchaeology. Finally, the survivorship curves for pig and cattle generally show gradual attrition with a significant proportion of older animals, in contrast with contemporaneous Shang urban sites. This fact, plus the fact that the sex analysis performed on the pig mandibles demonstrated that they were nearly all female, supports the hypothesis that Guandimiao was a site of livestock raising and origin point for urban provisioning.