bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transmission routes maintaining a viral pathogen of steelhead trout within a complex multi‐host assemblage
Authors: Breyta Rachel , Brito Ilana , Ferguson Paige , Kurath Gael , Naish Kerry A. , Purcell Maureen K. , Wargo Andrew R. , LaDeau Shannon
Published: September 2017

This is the first comprehensive region wide, spatially explicit epidemiologic analysis of surveillance data of the aquatic viral pathogen infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) infecting native salmonid fish. The pathogen has been documented in the freshwater ecosystem of the Pacific Northwest of North America since the 1950s, and the current report describes the disease ecology of IHNV during 2000–2012. Prevalence of IHNV infection in monitored salmonid host cohorts ranged from 8% to 30%, with the highest levels observed in juvenile steelhead trout. The spatial distribution of all IHNV‐infected cohorts was concentrated in two sub‐regions of the study area, where historic burden of the viral disease has been high. During the study period, prevalence levels fluctuated with a temporal peak in 2002. Virologic and genetic surveillance data were analyzed for evidence of three separate but not mutually exclusive transmission routes hypothesized to be maintaining IHNV in the freshwater ecosystem. Transmission between year classes of juvenile fish at individual sites (route 1) was supported at varying levels of certainty in 10%–55% of candidate cases, transmission between neighboring juvenile cohorts (route 2) was supported in 31%–78% of candidate cases, and transmission from adult fish returning to the same site as an infected juvenile cohort was supported in 26%–74% of candidate cases. The results of this study indicate that multiple specific transmission routes are acting to maintain IHNV in juvenile fish, providing concrete evidence that can be used to improve resource management. Furthermore, these results demonstrate that more sophisticated analysis of available spatio‐temporal and genetic data is likely to yield greater insight in future studies.
Flower resource and land management drives hoverfly communities and bee abundance in seminatural and agricultural grasslands
Authors: Lucas Andrew , Bull James C. , de Vere Natasha , Neyland Penelope J. , Forman Dan W.
Published: September 2017

Pollination is a key ecosystem service, and appropriate management, particularly in agricultural systems, is essential to maintain a diversity of pollinator guilds. However, management recommendations frequently focus on maintaining plant communities, with the assumption that associated invertebrate populations will be sustained. We tested whether plant community, flower resources, and soil moisture would influence hoverfly (Syrphidae) abundance and species richness in floristically‐rich seminatural and floristically impoverished agricultural grassland communities in Wales (U.K.) and compared these to two Hymenoptera genera, Bombus, and Lasioglossum. Interactions between environmental variables were tested using generalized linear modeling, and hoverfly community composition examined using canonical correspondence analysis. There was no difference in hoverfly abundance, species richness, or bee abundance, between grassland types. There was a positive association between hoverfly abundance, species richness, and flower abundance in unimproved grasslands. However, this was not evident in agriculturally improved grassland, possibly reflecting intrinsically low flower resource in these habitats, or the presence of plant species with low or relatively inaccessible nectar resources. There was no association between soil moisture content and hoverfly abundance or species richness. Hoverfly community composition was influenced by agricultural improvement and the amount of flower resource. Hoverfly species with semiaquatic larvae were associated with both seminatural and agricultural wet grasslands, possibly because of localized larval habitat. Despite the absence of differences in hoverfly abundance and species richness, distinct hoverfly communities are associated with marshy grasslands, agriculturally improved marshy grasslands, and unimproved dry grasslands, but not with improved dry grasslands. Grassland plant community cannot be used as a proxy for pollinator community. Management of grasslands should aim to maximize the pollinator feeding resource, as well as maintain plant communities. Retaining waterlogged ground may enhance the number of hoverflies with semiaquatic larvae.
Closely related octopus species show different spatial genetic structures in response to the Antarctic seascape
Authors: Strugnell Jan M. , Allcock A. Louise , Watts Phillip C.
Published: September 2017

Determining whether comparable processes drive genetic divergence among marine species is relevant to molecular ecologists and managers alike. Sympatric species with similar life histories might be expected to show comparable patterns of genetic differentiation and a consistent influence of environmental factors in shaping divergence. We used microsatellite loci to quantify genetic differentiation across the Scotia Arc in three species of closely related benthic octopods, Pareledone turqueti, P. charcoti, and Adelieledone polymorpha. The relative importance of environmental factors (latitude, longitude, depth, and temperature) in shaping genetic structure was investigated when significant spatial genetic structure was uncovered. Isolated populations of P. turqueti and A. polymorpha at these species’ range margins were genetically different to samples close to mainland Antarctica; however, these species showed different genetic structures at a regional scale. Samples of P. turqueti from the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, and Signy Island were genetically different, and this divergence was associated primarily with sample collection depth. By contrast, weak or nonsignificant spatial genetic structure was evident across the Antarctic Peninsula, Elephant Island, and Signy Island region for A. polymorpha, and slight associations between population divergence and temperature or depth (and/or longitude) were detected. Pareledone charcoti has a limited geographic range, but exhibited no genetic differentiation between samples from a small region of the Scotia Arc (Elephant Island and the Antarctic Peninsula). Thus, closely related species with similar life history strategies can display contrasting patterns of genetic differentiation depending on spatial scale; moreover, depth may drive genetic divergence in Southern Ocean benthos.
Evaluation of pollinator effectiveness based on pollen deposition and seed production in a gynodieocious alpine plant, Cyananthus delavayi
Authors: Wang Hao , Cao Guo‐Xing , Wang Lin‐Lin , Yang Yong‐Ping , Zhang Zhi‐Qiang , Duan Yuan‐Wen
Published: September 2017

Examining variations in pollinator effectiveness can enhance our understanding of how pollinators and plants interact. Pollen deposition and seed production after a single visit by a pollinator are often used to estimate pollinator effectiveness. However, seed production is not always directly related to pollen deposition because not all pollen grains that are deposited on a stigma are compatible or conspecific. In the field, we tested pollinator effectiveness based on pollen deposition and the resulting seed production after single visits by different pollinator groups in a gynodieocious alpine plant Cyananthus delavayi (Campanulaceae). Our results showed that mean pollen deposition was generally inconsistent with mean seed production when comparisons were performed among different pollinator groups and sexes. In general, the correlations were not significant between pollen deposition and seed production in both perfect and female flowers after single visits by halictid bees, bumble bees, and hoverflies. We suggest seed set of virgin flowers after single visits is a more reliable indicator of pollinator effectiveness than pollen deposition and would be a better indicator of pollinator effectiveness for future studies.
Nickel‐Catalyzed C–S Coupling: Synthesis of Diaryl Sulfides Starting from Phenyldithiocarbamates and Iodobenzenes
Authors: Liu Xing , Cao Qiang , Xu Wan , Zeng Meng‐Tian , Dong Zhi‐Bing
Published: September 2017

A nickel‐catalyzed C–S bond‐formation protocol for the synthesis of diaryl sulfides is described. In a reaction catalyzed by NiCl2, phenyldithiocarbamates react with iodobenzenes to give diaryl sulfides smoothly in good to excellent yields (66–93 %). The catalyst is cheap, the reaction is easy to carry out, the substrate scope is broad, and the yields are good. Thus, this gives an alternative way to prepare diaryl sulfides.
Three‐chamber Bioelectrochemical System for Biogas Upgrading and Nutrient Recovery
Authors: Zeppilli M. , Mattia A. , Villano M. , Majone M.
Published: September 2017

Here, an innovative three‐chamber bioelectrochemical system configuration is proposed to combine COD, CO2 and NH4+ removal into a single device. In the proposed process, while COD oxidation and CO2 reduction occurred, respectively, in the anodic and cathodic chamber, the consequent current generation promoted the migration of target ionic species towards an intermediate accumulation chamber, across cation and anion exchange membranes, respectively. Under this configuration, COD removal proceeded in the anode chamber with an average removal rate of 841 mgCOD L−1 d−1 while the cathode was able to remove 2.1 gCO2 L−1 d−1 and produce 60 meq L−1 d−1 of CH4. Around 90% of the removed CO2 was contained in the concentrated spill (at around 20 g L−1 of bicarbonate), which was recovered from the intermediate accumulation chamber and also contained the removed nitrogen as ammonium ion (around 32% removal and around 4‐fold concentration with respect to the anode influent). Methane generation allowed a partial recovery of energy of overall energy consumption costs of both COD and CO2 removal. This study confirms the possibility to combine three processes into a single bioelectrochemical device.
Evolution of HIV/AIDS response in Brazil: Policy innovations and challenges in the fourth decade of the epidemic
Authors: da Fonseca Elize Massard , Bastos Francisco Inacio
Published: September 2017

Brazil was the first low‐ and middle‐income country to provide universal treatment access to people living with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), becoming a widely acclaimed model for best practice to managing this epidemic. However, we know little about important challenges to the key pillars of Brazil's response. This article discusses how the evolution of the country's health system institutions and international advancements in AIDS treatment and prevention affected the national response. Decentralization of health system resources and policy making brought fresh challenges to the centralized governance of the national AIDS program and to civil society, weakening their coordination and advocacy capacity. Regardless, AIDS treatment and prevention strategies in Brazil remain aligned with the current international protocols, but unfortunately have been restricted in some geographic areas and/or populations.
Moral foundations, worldviews, moral absolutism and belief in conspiracy theories
Authors: Leone Luigi , Giacomantonio Mauro , Lauriola Marco
Published: September 2017

In the present research, we examined whether individual differences in basic moral concerns might be related to a greater endorsement of conspiracy theories. Building on the notion that conspiracy theories often deal with super‐individual relevant events in which a group perspective is central, we proposed that individual differences in moral concerns pertaining to group‐ and community‐concerns (i.e., binding moral foundations) rather than to individual well‐being (i.e., individualising moral foundations) would be positively associated with conspiracy beliefs. We further hypothesised that such relations would be totally mediated by beliefs in a dangerous world and by embracing moral absolutism. We found support for these predictions in two community samples (Ns: 319; 514). Theoretical implications were discussed.
Polyester vascular patches acquire arterial or venous identity depending on their environment
Authors: Bai Hualong , Hu Haidi , Guo Jianming , Ige Maryam , Wang Tun , Isaji Toshihiko , Kudze Tambudzai , Liu Haiyang , Yatsula Bogdan , Hashimoto Takuya , Xing Ying , Dardik Alan
Published: September 2017

Polyester is commonly used in vascular surgery for patch angioplasty and grafts. We hypothesized that polyester patches heal by infiltration of arterial or venous progenitor cells depending on the site of implantation. Polyester patches were implanted into the Wistar rat aorta or inferior vena cava and explanted on day 7 or 30. Neointima that formed on polyester patches was thicker in the venous environment compared to the amount that formed on patches in the arterial environment. Venous patches had more cell proliferation and greater numbers of VCAM‐positive and CD68‐positive cells, whereas arterial patches had greater numbers of vimentin‐positive and alpha‐actin‐positive cells. Although there were similar numbers of endothelial progenitor cells in the neointimal endothelium, cells in the arterial patch were Ephrin‐B2‐ and notch‐4‐positive while those in the venous patch were Eph‐B4‐ and COUP‐TFII‐positive. Venous patches treated with an arteriovenous fistula had decreased neointimal thickness; neointimal endothelial cells expressed Ephrin‐B2 and notch‐4 in addition to Eph‐B4 and COUP‐TFII. Polyester patches in the venous environment acquire venous identity, whereas patches in the arterial environment acquire arterial identity; patches in the fistula environment acquire dual arterial‐venous identity. These data suggest that synthetic patches heal by acquisition of identity of their environment. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3422–3431, 2017.
Osteogenesis for postoperative temporal bone defects using human ear adipose‐derived stromal cells and tissue engineering: An animal model study
Authors: Kim Yeon Ju , Park Seung Gu , Shin Beomyong , Kim Jangho , Kim Seung Won , Choo Oak‐Sung , Yin Xiang Yun , Min Byoung Hyun , Choung Yun‐Hoon
Published: September 2017

Mastoidectomy, the removal of infected mastoid bones, is a common surgical procedure for the treatment of chronic otitis media. Persistent and recurrent otorrhea and accumulation of keratin debris following open cavity mastoidectomy are still bothersome issues for both patients and otologists. In this study, we used human ear adipose‐derived stromal cells (hEASCs) in combination with polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds and osteogenic differentiation medium (ODM) to regenerate temporal bone defects. The hEASCs showed stem cell phenotypes, and these characteristics were maintained up to passage 5. Mastoid bulla and cranial bone defects were induced in Sprague‐Dawley rats using AgNO3 and burr hole drilling, respectively, and the rats were then divided into five groups: (1) control, (2) hEASCs, (3) hEASCs + ODM, (4) hEASCs + PCL scaffolds, and (5) hEASCs + PCL scaffolds + ODM. Osteogenesis was evaluated by micro‐computed tomography and histology. Compared with the control group, the groups transplanted with hEASCs and PCL scaffolds had significantly higher bone formation along the periphery of the mastoid bulla area. Moreover, ODM synergistically enhanced bone formation in mastoid bulla defects. Our results suggest that combining hEASCs with PCL scaffolds represents a promising method for anatomical and functional reconstruction of postoperative temporal bone defects following mastoidectomy. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3493–3501, 2017.
HER2+ breast cancer cells undergo apoptosis upon exposure to tannic acid released from remodeled cross‐linked collagen type I
Authors: Jordan Lauren G. , Booth Brian W.
Published: September 2017

Tannic acid (TA) is a naturally occurring polyphenol that cross‐links collagen type I and possesses anticancer potential. In previous studies, we demonstrated the increased sensitivity of estrogen receptor‐positive (ER+) breast cancer cells to TA as opposed to triple negative breast cancer cells and normal human breast epithelial cells. In the current study, human pre‐adipocytes and HER2+ breast cancer cells were grown on TA cross‐linked collagen type I beads. Cell attachment, growth, and proliferation of the cells result in remodeling of the collagen matrix and release of the cross‐linking TA. TA concentrations in the conditioned media were determined. Induced apoptosis of cells grown on the TA cross‐linked collagen type I beads was imaged and quantified. Viability of HER2+ breast cancer cells and normal breast epithelial cells after exposure TA released from bead remodeling was quantified. Caspase gene expression and protein expression were evaluated. HER2+ breast cancer cells underwent caspase‐mediated apoptosis in response to TA exposure. TA‐induced apoptosis in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner, with HER2+ breast cancer cells demonstrating an increased sensitivity to the TA effects. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 26–32, 2018.
Crosslinked basement membrane‐based coatings enhance glucose sensor function and continuous glucose monitoring in vivo
Authors: Klueh Ulrike , Ludzinska Izabela , Czajkowski Caroline , Qiao Yi , Kreutzer Donald L.
Published: September 2017

Overcoming sensor‐induced tissue reactions is an essential element of achieving successful continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in the management of diabetes, particularly when used in closed loop technology. Recently, we demonstrated that basement membrane (BM)‐based glucose sensor coatings significantly reduced tissue reactions at sites of device implantation. However, the biocompatible BM‐based biohydrogel sensor coating rapidly degraded over a less than a 3‐week period, which effectively eliminated the protective sensor coating. In an effort to increase the stability and effectiveness of the BM coating, we evaluated the impact of crosslinking BM utilizing glutaraldehyde as a crosslinking agent, designated as X‐Cultrex. Sensor performance (nonrecalibrated) was evaluated for the impact of these X‐Cultrex coatings in vitro and in vivo. Sensor performance was assessed over a 28‐day time period in a murine CGM model and expressed as mean absolute relative difference (MARD) values. Tissue reactivity of Cultrex‐coated, X‐Cultrex‐coated, and uncoated glucose sensors was evaluated over a 28‐day time period in vivo using standard histological techniques. These studies demonstrated that X‐Cultrex‐based sensor coatings had no effect on glucose sensor function in vitro. In vivo, glucose sensor performance was significantly enhanced following X‐Cultrex coating throughout the 28‐day study. Histological evaluations of X‐Cultrex‐treated sensors demonstrated significantly less tissue reactivity when compared to uncoated sensors. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 7–16, 2018.
Caffeine and glucosamine mobility shifts by adduction with 2‐butanol depended on interaction energy, charge delocalization, and steric hindrance in ion mobility spectrometry
Authors: Meza‐Morelos Dairo , Fernandez‐Maestre Roberto
Published: September 2017

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is an analytical technique that separates gas‐phase ions drifting under an electric field according to their size to charge ratio. We used electrospray ionization‐drift tube IMS coupled to quadrupole mass spectrometry to measure the mobilities of glucosamine (GH+) and caffeine (CH+) ions in pure nitrogen or when the shift reagent (SR) 2‐butanol was introduced in the drift gas at 6.9 mmol m−3. Binding energies of 2‐butanol‐ion adducts were calculated using Gaussian 09 at the CAMB3LYP/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory. The mobility shifts with the introduction of 2‐butanol in the drift gas were −2.4% (GH+) and −1.7% (CH+) and were due to clustering of GH+ and CH+ with 2‐butanol. The formation of GBH+ was favored over that of CBH+ because GBH+ formed more stable hydrogen bonds (83.3 kJ/mol) than CBH+ (81.7 kJ/mol) for the reason that the positive charge on CH+ is less sterically available than on GH+ and the charge is stabilized by resonance in CH+. These results are a confirmation of the arguments used to explain the drift behavior of these ions when ethyl lactate SR was used (Bull Kor Chem Soc 2014, 1023–1028). This study is a step forward to predict IMS separations of overlapping peaks in IMS spectra, simplifying a procedure that is trial and error by now.
Investigation of temperature changes over India in association with meteorological parameters in a warming climate
Authors: Purnadurga G. , Lakshmi Kumar T.V. , Koteswara Rao K. , Rajasekhar M. , Narayanan M.S.
Published: September 2017

We have used 1° × 1° resolution maximum temperature (TMAX) data sets developed by India Meteorological Department (IMD) to examine the summer time warming over India during the period 2001–2014 in comparison with the period 1971–2000. The two study periods have been arrived at based on the drastic change of Moisture Index (IM) trends over India between the two epochs. The TMAX variations over India are discussed with the corresponding changes in Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) data of the Climate Research Unit (CRU) and Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) data of NOAA ESRL. The study shows a considerable warming over northern parts of India compared to southern parts. Western Himalayas (WH) and Northwest (NW) regions experienced highest warming with 1.4 °C and 0.8 °C increases during Epoch 2 (2001–2014) as compared Epoch 1 (1971–2000) during the summer (March, April and May). Using MERRA Black Carbon Surface Mass Concentration (BCSMC) data, we have analysed the relation of increasing BCSMC with the TMAX over different homogeneous temperature regions of India and found that BCSMC has increased upto 1.6 times between the two epochs. Strong linear association is found between TMAX, PET and OLR evidenced by Coherence Wavelet Spectral analysis. It is also found that the highest warming occurred in the month of March and is 2.2 °C in WH and 1.4 °C in NW parts of India. We calculated mass stream function based on zonal mean meridional velocity for the two periods. In the recent periods we observed the weakening of polar cell and northward expansion of Hadley cell. These changes may be related to warming conditions of the atmosphere which may explain the intensification and northward expansion of the Ferrel cell with favourable conditions during the summer season.
Management of disappearing lesions after chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases: Relation between detectability and residual tumors
Authors: Tani Keigo , Shindoh Junichi , Akamatsu Nobuhisa , Arita Junichi , Kaneko Junichi , Sakamoto Yoshihiro , Hasegawa Kiyoshi , Kokudo Norihiro
Published: September 2017

Background and Objectives

To clarify the detectability of gadolinium ethoxybenzyl diethylene‐triamine pantaacetic acid enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB‐MRI) and contrast‐enhanced intraoperative‐ultrasonography (CE‐IOUS) for residual disease in disappearing colorectal liver metastases (DLMs) and to seek a better management for DLMs.

Methods

Eighty‐two patients who underwent hepatectomy after chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases were retrospectively reviewed. Lesions which disappear on post‐chemotherapy contrast‐enhance CT were defined as DLMs. All the patients underwent EOB‐MRI and CE‐IOUS. With pathologic evaluation for resected specimens and clinical observation of anatomically corresponding site for non‐resected lesions, detectability of residual disease in DLMs were estimated between these two imaging modalities.

Results

Twenty (18%) patients presented with 111 DLMs, and EOB‐MRI and CE‐IOUS identified 64 (57.6%) and 62 (55.9%), respectively. Residual disease was pathologically confirmed for 69.2% in resected specimens and clinically estimated in 33.3% for non‐resected DLMs. EOB‐MRI showed a higher accuracy of prediction of residual disease compared with CE‐IOUS (0.90 vs 0.70). Of the 11 non‐resected lesions which were undetected with CE‐IOUS and regrew after surgery, 9 (81.8%) were detected on EOB‐MRI.

Conclusions

EOB‐MRI may be superior to CE‐IOUS in detecting residual tumors for DLMs. Maximum attempt of resection would be needed for visualized lesions in EOB‐MRI.
Nationwide, population‐based study of post radical prostatectomy urinary incontinence correction surgery
Authors: Ventimiglia Eugenio , Folkvaljon Yasin , Carlsson Stefan , Bratt Ola , Montorsi Francesco , Volz Daniela , Akre Olof , Johansson Eva , Stattin Pär
Published: September 2017

Objectives

To assess the use of post radical prostatectomy (RP) urinary incontinence (PPI) surgery and to investigate factors related to its use.

Methods

Cohort study in Prostate Cancer database Sweden (PCBaSe) of men who underwent primary RP between 1998 and 2012. PPI correction procedures were identified in the Patient Registry. Hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of PPI surgeries were estimated.

Results

Seven hundred eighty‐two out of 26 280 (3%) men underwent PPI surgery at a median time of 3 years after RP. There was an eightfold increase in the absolute number of PPI surgeries during 2000‐2014 and a threefold increase in the number per 1000 RPs performed. Factors associated with high use PPI surgery were age >70, HR 1.96 (1.54‐2.50), and high hospital RP volume (>100 RPs/year), HR 0.81 (0.66‐0.99). There was a 10‐fold difference in use of PPI surgery per 1000 RPs between the county with the highest versus lowest use. In a subgroup of men with Patient‐Reported Outcome Measures (PROM); severe PPI was reported by 7% of men and 24% of them underwent PPI surgery.

Conclusions

Three percent of all men received PPI surgery, with a 10‐fold variation among health care providers. Only a quarter of men with severe PPI underwent PPI surgery, suggesting that PPI surgery remains underutilized.
Assessment of the Fetal Cerebral Artery: Importance of Doppler Preset Settings
Authors: Wibbeke Denis , Hammer Kerstin , Möllers Mareike , Braun Janina , Köster Helen Ann , Falkenberg Maria Karina , Oelmeier de Murcia Kathrin , Borowski Matthias , Klockenbusch Walter , Schmitz Ralf
Published: September 2017

Objectives

The Doppler assessment of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) has a central role in the monitoring of high‐risk pregnancies. The objective of this study was to investigate the importance of Doppler preset settings for measurement of the peak systolic velocity (PSV) and pulsatility index (PI) of the MCA.

Methods

The PI and PSV of the MCA were determined prospectively in 350 healthy fetuses between 19 and 42 weeks of pregnancy. The first measurement of the MCA (MCA.S) was performed with the conventional settings and the second (MCA.O) with an optimized setting of the maximum achievable frame rate. For the MCA.O measurement, the width of the B‐mode image and the color Doppler window were adjusted as narrowly as possible. In addition, the MCA was shown in optimized high‐definition zoom. Resulting values were compared with commonly used reference values.

Results

The PSV and PI values and frame rates of the MCA.O setting were noticeably greater than those of the MCA.S setting (P < .001 for all). For both settings, the PSV and PI values were increased compared to common reference values.

Conclusions

The assessment of the MCA with the optimized Doppler default setting yielded increased PSV and PI values compared to the commonly used measurement technique. Moreover, the resulting median curves differed from the established median reference curves. Therefore, an updated standardization for measuring the MCA should be set out, and current reference values should be adjusted.
Multi‐objective Optimization of Benzamide Derivatives as Rho Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Cardoso Gajo Giovanna , Rodrigues Silva Daniela , Barigye Stephen J. , da Cunha Elaine Fontes Ferreira
Published: September 2017

Despite recent advances in Computer Aided Drug Discovery and High Throughput Screening, the attrition rates of drug candidates continue to be high, underscoring the inherent complexity of the drug discovery paradigm. Indeed, a compromise between several objectives is often required to obtain successful clinical drugs. The present manuscript details a multi‐objective workflow that integrates the 4D‐QSAR and molecular docking methods in the simultaneous modeling of the Rho Kinase inhibitory activity and acute toxicity of Benzamide derivatives. To this end, the pIC50/pLD50ratio is considered as the response variable, permitting the concurrent modeling of both properties and representing a shift from classical step‐by‐step evaluations. The 4D‐QSAR strategy is used to generate the Grid Cell Occupancy Descriptors (GCODs), and Stochastic Gradient Boosting (SGB) and Partial Least Squares (PLS) methods as the model fitting techniques. While the statistical parameters for the PLS model do not meet established criteria for acceptability, the SGB model yields satisfactory performance, with correlation coefficients r2=0.95 and r2pred=0.65 for the training and test set, respectively. Posteriorly, the structural interpretation of the most relevant GCODs according to the SGB model is performed, allowing for the proposal of 139 novel benzamide derivatives, which are then screened using the same model. Of these 9 compounds were predicted to possess pIC50/pLD50ratio values higher than those for the employed dataset. Finally, in order to corroborate the results obtained with the SGB model, a docking simulation was formed to evaluate the binding affinity of the proposed molecules to the ROCK2 active site and 3 chemical structures (i. e. p6, p14 and p131) showed higher binding affinity than the most active compound in the training set, while the rest generally demonstrated comparable behavior. It may therefore be concluded that the consensus models that intertwine the 4D‐QSAR and molecular docking methods contribute to more reliable virtual screening and compound optimization experiments. Additionally, the use of multi‐objective modeling schemes permits the simultaneous evaluation of different chemical and biological profiles, which should contribute to the controla prioriof causative factors for the high attrition rates in later drug discovery phases.
Comparing excitability at 37°C versus at 20°C: Differences between motor and sensory axons
Authors: Kovalchuk Maria O. , Franssen Hessel , Van Schelven Leonard J. , Sleutjes Boudewijn T. H. M.
Published: September 2017

Introduction

In some peripheral nervous system disorders, cold induces symptoms of muscle weakness without loss of sensation. To understand this selective effect on motor function, it is first essential to delineate the effects of cooling in motor and sensory axons of healthy subjects.

Methods

In 17 healthy volunteers, we performed excitability and clinical tests of median nerve motor and sensory axons at 37°C and at 20°C. Clinical tests consisted of assessing thenar muscle strength, 2‐point discrimination, and joint position sense of the third finger.

Results

Excitability tests showed that cooling induced opposite changes to hyperpolarizing current in threshold electrotonus (motor, decreased threshold change; sensory, increased threshold change) and current–voltage relation slopes (motor, steepening; sensory, less steep). Clinical tests showed worsening in motor function but no consistent changes in sensory function.

Discussion

Cooling induces changes in motor axons consistent with depolarization and more complicated changes in sensory axons, possibly related to differences in hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated channel expression. Muscle Nerve 57: 574–580, 2018
Trends in urodynamic testing prior to midurethral sling placement—What was the value of the VALUE trial?
Authors: Lloyd Jessica C. , Dielubanza Elodi , Goldman Howard B.
Published: September 2017

Background

Many urologists use urodynamic testing (UDS) to assist clinical decision‐making. The VALUE study, a multi‐institutional, randomized controlled trial published in 2012, demonstrated that UDS prior to midurethral sling placement for uncomplicated stress urinary incontinence (SUI) did not change management. We sought to determine whether use of UDS for evaluation of SUI diminished thereafter.

Methods

Records of patients who underwent isolated mid‐urethral sling surgery at our tertiary‐care referral center from 2008 to 2009 (pre‐VALUE) and 2014 to 2016 (post‐VALUE) were reviewed. Comorbidities, presenting symptoms, surgeon specialty, use of UDS, UDS results and sling type were recorded. Patients with neurologic comorbidities or prior anti‐incontinence procedures were excluded. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multivariable logistic regression analyses performed.

Results

Three hundred and eighty‐seven patients met inclusion criteria. Median age was 54 years. Patients most frequently presented with stress urinary incontinence (56% pre, 50% post), followed by stress predominant mixed urinary incontinence (40% pre, 48% post, P = 0.09). Before VALUE, UDS was performed in 70% of patients prior to primary sling; in the later cohort, this decreased to 41% (P < 0.0001). On multivariable analysis, provider specialty (P < 0.0001) and belonging to the pre‐VALUE cohort (P = < 0.0001) predicted use of UDS prior to sling.

Conclusion

It is paramount that new data be incorporated into diagnostic and treatment algorithms. We found that the rate of preoperative urodynamic testing decreased after publication of a randomized‐controlled trial demonstrating that these studies did not change procedural decision‐making. Future studies that identify instances of over‐testing may have the ability to positively impact patient care and contain costs.
Designing polymeric sensing materials: what are we doing wrong?
Authors: Stewart Katherine M. E. , Penlidis Alexander
Published: September 2017

The article from this special issue was previously published in Polymers for Advanced Technologies, Volume 28, Issue 3, 2017. For completeness we are including the title page of the article below. The full text of the article can be read in Issue 28:3 on Wiley Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pat.3893/full
Reliability in the characterization of fiber length distributions of injection molded long carbon fiber composites
Authors: Sharma Bhisham N. , Kijewski Seth A. , Fifield Leonard S. , Shin Yongsoon , Tucker Charles L. , Sangid Michael D.
Published: September 2017

The mechanical properties of a discontinuous fiber reinforced composite material are dependent on the length of the reinforcing fibers. Long‐fiber thermoplastic (LFT) composites offer a compromise between ease of manufacture and mechanical properties for structural applications and are conventionally made using fibers that are initially 10–14 mm long. However, fiber attrition during the injection molding process significantly reduces the final fiber lengths in molded composite and produces a fiber length distribution (FLD), which depends on the processing parameters. Thus, accurate FLD measurements are important for reliable predictions of the composite properties. Here, we present a detailed methodology for experimentally measuring the FLD in LFT composites based on best practices. Possible biases occurring during the measurement process are discussed and their effect on the measured FLD and averaged fiber length values are evaluated. We then employ a Mori–Tanaka implementation of the Eshelby model to predict the elastic stiffness of the LFT composite and analyze the sensitivity of the stiffness values to the biases in the FLD measurements. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:4594–4604, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Initiator‐free atom transfer radical polymerization of methyl methacrylate based on FeBr3(PPh3)n system
Authors: Yang Danfeng , Wang Jirong , Han Jianyu , Khan Mohd Yusuf , Xie Xiaolin , Xue Zhigang
Published: September 2017

A tricomponent system, constituting monomer (methyl methacrylate, MMA), higher oxidation state transition‐metal catalyst (FeBr3) and a ligand (triphenylphosphine, PPh3), MMA/FeBr3/PPh3 system without external initiator (alkyl halide) has been studied extensively with different spectroscopic analyses. To figure out the mechanism, a series of explicit model reactions were conducted with a molar ratio of [MMA]0/[FeBr3]0/[PPh3]0 = 200/1/n (n = 0.1–3.0) at 80 °C, and the corresponding polymerization behaviors were investigated. Combined with theoretical deduction and spectroscopic evidences, the composition of the in‐situ generated initiators was gradually confirmed, which were redox products of FeBr3 and PPh3. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3842–3850
Longitudinal change of sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio in singleton pregnancy with early‐onset fetal growth restriction
Authors: Herraiz I. , Quezada M. S. , Rodriguez‐Calvo J. , Gómez‐Montes E. , Villalaín C. , Galindo A.
Published: September 2017

Objective

To describe the evolution of soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 to placental growth factor (sFlt‐1/PlGF) ratio in the last 5 weeks prior to delivery in singleton pregnancy complicated by early‐onset fetal growth restriction (FGR), with or without pre‐eclampsia (PE).

Methods

This was a prospective observational cohort study of early‐onset FGR cases that underwent serial assessment of maternal serum sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio from diagnosis to delivery. Measurements were made at weekly intervals and within the last 48 h before birth. Absolute values and percentage increase between time intervals were computed, and previously described cut‐off values of 38 (suspicion of PE), 85 (aids diagnosis of PE) and 655 (high risk for imminent delivery) were used for analysis of the sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio. We compared findings between cases with early‐onset FGR only (n = 37) and those that additionally developed PE (n = 36).

Results

Overall perinatal survival was 63/73 (86.3%). A sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio above 38 was observed 4 weeks before delivery in most FGR‐only and FGR with PE cases (73% and 100%, respectively), but absolute values of sFlt‐1/PlGF were significantly higher in FGR cases with PE. Extremely elevated values of the ratio (≥ 655) within the last 48 h before delivery were found in 65% of cases of FGR with PE, but in only 8% of isolated FGR cases (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Elevated sFlt‐1/PlGF was observed in most early‐onset FGR pregnancies from 4 weeks before delivery, and values were even higher if there was concurrent PE. However, serial measurements of the ratio were of limited value, being useful only to anticipate the need for imminent delivery in cases of FGR with PE when sFlt‐1/PlGF values ≥ 655 were reached. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Fetal intra‐abdominal umbilical vein varix: retrospective cohort study and systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: di Pasquo E. , Kuleva M. , O'Gorman N. , Ville Y. , Salomon L. J.
Published: September 2017

Objective

To investigate the ultrasound characteristics and outcome of pregnancies with fetal intra‐abdominal umbilical vein varix (FIUVV).

Methods

Cases of FIUVV managed at our tertiary university hospital over an 8‐year period were reviewed. Information retrieved included gestational age and diameter of the umbilical varix at diagnosis, increase in varix diameter, associated ultrasound or chromosomal anomalies and pregnancy outcome. Furthermore, a systematic review and meta‐analysis of series of FIUVV in the literature was performed to assess the incidence of chromosomal anomalies, small‐for‐gestational age infants and intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD), and to pool odds ratio (OR) estimates on the relationship between the incidence of these outcomes and the presence of additional associated ultrasound anomalies.

Results

Thirteen cases of FIUVV were included in the cohort study. Additional ultrasound anomalies were found in two (15.4%) of 13 cases. One case of IUFD was observed and no case of chromosomal anomaly or thrombosis of varix was recorded. A total of five studies comprising 254 cases met the inclusion criteria of the systematic review. FIUVV was associated with additional ultrasound anomalies (non‐isolated FIUVV) in 19% (95% CI, 10.9–29.1%) of cases. No case of chromosomal abnormality or IUFD was reported in fetuses with isolated FIUVV. In contrast, in the group of non‐isolated FIUVV, the incidence of chromosomal anomalies was 19.6% and that of IUFD was 7.3%, with ORs of 14.8 (95% CI, 2.9–73.0) and 8.2 (95% CI, 1.05–63.1), respectively, when compared with the group of isolated FIUVV.

Conclusion

When isolated, the outcome of cases affected by FIUVV is usually favorable. In about 20% of cases, additional ultrasound anomalies are found, which are associated with an increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities and IUFD. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Composition of cladoceran dormant stages in intermittent ponds with different hydroperiod lengths
Authors: Stenert Cristina , Wüsth Regiane , Pires Mateus Marques , Freiry Raquel Fontoura , Nielsen Daryl , Maltchik Leonardo
Published: September 2017

Dormancy is an adaptive mechanism found in cladoceran species to tolerate hydrologic fluctuations in temporary habitats. However, the effects of hydroperiod length on invertebrate community structure remain not fully understood. In this study, we conducted an experiment to assess changes in community structure of dormant stages of cladoceran species among ponds with different hydroperiods. Dry sediment samples were collected from intermittent ponds in southern Brazil, posteriorly assigned to three hydroperiod categories (long, medium and short). We tested for differences in the richness and composition of emerging cladoceran species along this hydroperiod gradient. Nine species emerged over the experiment, and cladoceran community structure changed among hydroperiods. Cladoceran richness was higher in medium‐ than in short‐ and long‐hydroperiod ponds. In addition, the composition of cladoceran species changed significantly between short‐ and long‐hydroperiod ponds. Our results indicated that changes in hydroperiod of intermittent ponds influenced the dormant stages of Cladocera, an important result regarding future predicted changes in hydric regime of freshwater ecosystems due to human‐induced climate change. We propose that desiccation‐resistant cladoceran species are likely to predominate and that richness of egg banks tends to be higher in ponds that hold water for periods shorter than 1 year.
Latino Mass Mobilization
Authors: Zepeda-Millán Chris
Published: September 2017

In the spring of 2006, millions of Latinos across the country participated in the largest civil rights demonstrations in American history. In this timely and highly anticipated book, Chris Zepeda-Millán analyzes the background, course, and impacts of this unprecedented wave of protests, highlighting their unique local, national, and demographic dynamics. He finds that because of the particular ways the issue of immigrant illegality was racialized, federally proposed anti-immigrant legislation (H.R. 4437) helped transform Latinos' sense of latent group membership into the racial group consciousness that incited their engagement in large-scale collective action. Zepeda-Millán shows how nativist policy threats against disenfranchised undocumented immigrants can provoke a political backlash - on the streets and at the ballot box - from not only 'people without papers', but also naturalized and US-born citizens. Latino Mass Mobilization is an important intervention into contemporary debates regarding immigration policy, social movements, and racial politics in the United States.
Out-of-Control Criminal Justice
Authors: Mears Daniel P.
Published: September 2017

Out-of-Control Criminal Justice shows that our system of criminal justice is broken; it is out of control. The author writes that a research-based strategy is needed that builds on the insights of those who work within criminal justice or are affected by it. Such a strategy must entail continuous evaluation and improvement, so that what works can be expanded and what does not can be eliminated. Out-of-Control Criminal Justice identifies how systems problems plague our criminal justice systems. It then presents a comprehensive strategy for bringing these systems under control to reduce crime, to increase justice and accountability, and to do so at less cost. The strategy can be used, too, to create greater responsiveness to victims and communities, effectiveness in reducing racial and ethnic disparities, and understanding of the causes and consequences of crime. After describing this new approach, the book identifies the tools needed to implement a systems solution to create a safer and more just society.
A new radiodontan oral cone with a unique combination of anatomical features from the early Cambrian Guanshan Lagerstätte, eastern Yunnan, South China
Authors: Zeng Han , Zhao Fangchen , Yin Zongjun , Zhu Maoyan
Published: September 2017

The radiodontans, including anomalocaridids and their allies, are enigmatic stem-group euarthropods and are the most ancient apex giant predators known from the fossil record. Most studies on their feeding behaviors have emphasized their diverse and abundant raptorial frontal appendages, while the oral cone surrounding the mouth opening in these animals has attracted less attention. At present, three oral cone morphotypes are known, fromAnomalocarisWhiteaves, 1892,PeytoiaWalcott, 1911, andHurdiaWalcott, 1912, respectively. In this paper, we report on a novel form of radiodontan oral cone from the Guanshan Lagerstätte (Cambrian Series 2, Stage 4) in the Wulongqing Formation, eastern Yunnan, South China. This oral cone is unique in combining features seen inPeytoia/HurdiaandAnomalocaris. It possesses aPeytoia/Hurdia-type ‘tetraradial’ configuration comprising a 32-plate outer ring that consists of four perpendicularly arranged large plates and 28 small plates, in addition to furrowed folds and scale-like nodes on plate surfaces otherwise seen only inAnomalocaris. As an intermediate morphotype, the Guanshan oral cone improves our understanding of the occurrence and morphological disparity of radiodontan oral cones, illuminates future investigations on potentially variable radiodontan feeding mechanisms, and reveals possible evolutionary transformations of these peculiar feeding structures. The resolution of current radiodontan phylogeny would be potentially improved by new knowledge on other body parts apart from frontal appendages in future studies.