bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lateral Organization of Host Heterogeneous Raft‐like Membranes Altered by the Myristoyl Modification of Tyrosine Kinase c‐Src
Authors: Dwivedi Mridula , Mejuch Tom , Waldmann Herbert , Winter Roland
Published: June 2017

Membrane‐bound c‐Src non‐receptor tyrosine kinase, unlike other acyl‐modified lipid‐anchored proteins, anchors to the membrane by a myristoyl chain along with a polybasic residue stretch, which is shorter in chain length than its host membrane. The packing defect arising from this mismatched chain length of the host and the lipid anchor significantly affects the lateral organization of heterogeneous membranes. We reveal the mixing of phase domains and formation of novel nanoscale‐clusters upon membrane binding of the Myr‐Src (2–9) peptide. Fluorescence cross correlation spectroscopy was used to explore the nature of these clusters. We show that Myr‐Src (2–9) is able to oligomerize, and the peptide clusters are embedded in a lipid platform generated by lipid sorting. Further, using confocal fluorescence microscopy and FRET assays we show that localized charge enrichment and membrane curvature are able to shift the partition coefficient towards the more ordered lipid phase.
Spermatogenic Cycle and Steroidogenic Control of Spermatogenesis in Mytilus galloprovincialis Collected in the Bay of Naples
Authors: Prisco Marina , Agnese Marisa , De Marino Adriano , Andreuccetti Piero , Rosati Luigi
Published: June 2017

The aim of the present article was to study the spermatogenic cycle of Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in the Bay of Naples during a whole year and to acquire new insights into the mechanism of control. Knowledge of the Mytilus cycle in this geographic area is of particular interest as, to the best of our knowledge, the male gonad cycle has been hitherto unexplored. Testis organization was evaluated together with the localization of the enzymes 3β‐HSD, 17β‐HSD, and P450‐aromatase, which are strictly connected to the synthesis of two key hormones involved in the testis activity: testosterone and 17β‐estradiol. It was demonstrated that: (1) the spermatogenic cycle starts in late Summer‐early Fall and continues until early Winter, when the first spawning occurs; after rapid gonad restoration, several spawning events take place until June, when the testis becomes non‐active again; (2) in the testis, true Leydig and Sertoli cells are present; (3) during the reproductive period, Sertoli, Leydig, germ, and adipogranular cells (ADGs) are positive to 3β‐HSD and 17β‐HSD, while only germ cells are positive to P450 aromatase; by contrast, during the resting period, only ADGs are positive to 3β‐HSD and 17β‐HSD, and P450‐aromatase is no longer recognizable. The presence of a hermaphrodite sample is also described. Anat Rec, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Anat Rec, 300:1881–1894, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Trolling here, there, and everywhere: Perceptions of trolling behaviors in context
Authors: Sanfilippo Madelyn , Yang Shengnan , Fichman Pnina
Published: June 2017

Online trolling has become increasingly prevalent and visible in online communities. Perceptions of and reactions to trolling behaviors varies significantly from one community to another, as trolling behaviors are contextual and vary across platforms and communities. Through an examination of seven trolling scenarios, this article intends to answer the following questions: how do trolling behaviors differ across contexts; how do perceptions of trolling differ from case to case; and what aspects of context of trolling are perceived to be important by the public? Based on focus groups and interview data, we discuss the ways in which community norms and demographics, technological features of platforms, and community boundaries are perceived to impact trolling behaviors. Two major contributions of the study include a codebook to support future analysis of trolling and formal concept analysis surrounding contextual perceptions of trolling.
Smart computing based student performance evaluation framework for engineering education
Authors: Verma Prabal , Sood Sandeep K. , Kalra Sheetal
Published: June 2017

Internet of Things (IoT) technology has changed the educational landscape by allowing educators and administrators to turn data into actionable insight. Education organization begin to leverage solutions like cloud computing and radio frequency identification (RFID) across an IoT platform. Relative to this context, this paper proposes a five layer framework to facilitate automated student performance evaluation in engineering institutions based on smart computing concept. Student daily activity datasets are formed based on sensing capabilities of IoT nodes. Smart computing integrates hardware, software, and network technologies that provides systems with real‐time situation awareness and automated analysis. The engineering student performance per session is calculated by combining the results from sensory nodes based education data mining algorithms and student academic datasets. Moreover, based on student sessional performance score, decisions are taken by management authority to increase the reputation score of the engineering institution. The experiment comprises two sections. In first section, RFID based experimental setup is defined with objects interaction patterns. In second section, student performance score generated using proposed system is compared with manual system. The results depict that by introducing IoT in engineering education, more effective decisions can be taken to improve student learning experiences and over‐all growth of the institution.
Simvastatin induced actin cytoskeleton disassembly in normal and transformed fibroblasts without affecting lipid raft integrity
Authors: Chubinskiy‐Nadezhdin Vladislav I. , Negulyaev Yuri A. , Morachevskaya Elena A.
Published: June 2017

Statins are the most commonly prescribed agents used to modulate cholesterol levels in course of hypercholesterolemia treatment because of their relative tolerability and LDL‐C lowering effect. Recently, there are emerging interests in the perspectives of statin drugs as anticancer agents based on preclinical evidence of their antiproliferative, proapoptotic, and anti‐invasive properties. Functional impact of statin application on transformed cells still remains obscure that requires systematic study on adequate cellular models to provide correct comparison with their non‐transformed counterparts. Cholesterol is the major lipid component of mammalian cells and it plays a crucial role in organization, lateral heterogeneity, and dynamics of plasma membrane as well as in membrane‐cytoskeleton interrelations. To date, it is uncertain whether cellular effects of statins involve lipid‐dependent alteration of plasma membrane. Here, the effects of simvastatin on lipid rafts, F‐actin network and cellular viability were determined in comparative experiments on transformed fibroblasts and their non‐transformed counterpart. GM1 lipid raft marker staining indicated no change of lipid raft integrity after short‐ or long‐term simvastatin treatments. In the same time, simvastatin induced cytoskeleton rearrangement including partial F‐actin disruption in cholesterol‐ and lipid raft‐independent manner. Simvastatin dose‐dependently affected viability of BALB/3T3 and 3T3B‐SV40 cell lines: transformed fibroblasts were noticeably more sensitive to simvastatin comparing to non‐transformed cells.
MiR‐148a promotes myocardial differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stromal cells via DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)
Authors: Jiang Changke , Gong Fang
Published: June 2017

MicroRNAs have potential to modulate the differentiation of stem cells. In previous study, we found that miR‐148a was up‐regulated in myocardial differentiation of human bone mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) induced by 5′‐azacytidine. However, the role of miR‐148a in regulating this process still remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function and molecular mechanism of miR‐148a in myocardial differentiation of hBMSCs. We found that miR‐148a was significantly increased while DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1) was significantly decreased in myocardial differentiation of hBMSCs. Then, the dual luciferase reporter assays method indicated that DNMT1 was the direct target of miR‐148a. In addition, we showed that up‐regulation of miR‐148a could enhance myocardial differentiation of hBMSCs, while down‐regulation of miR‐148a could inhibit myocardial differentiation process. Moreover, knockdown of DNMT1 could block the role of miR‐148a in promoting myocardial differentiation of hBMSCs. Finally, MiR‐148a acted on methylation level of GATA‐4 and knockdown of DNMT1 could block this function. Therefore, our results indicate that miR‐148a plays a vital role in regulating myocardial differentiation of hBMSCs by targeting DNMT1.
Incidence, procedural management, and clinical outcomes of coronary in‐stent restenosis: Insights from the National VA CART Program
Authors: Waldo Stephen W. , O'Donnell Colin I. , Prouse Andrew , Plomondon Mary E. , Rao Sunil V. , Maddox Thomas M. , Ho P. Michael , Armstrong Ehrin J.
Published: June 2017

Backround

In‐stent restenosis (ISR) remains a common clinical problem associated with significant morbidity. We sought to evaluate the temporal trends in incidence and procedural management of coronary restenosis as well as evaluate the association between different treatment modalities and clinical outcomes.

Methods

We identified all patients treated for coronary ISR within the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2014. The temporal trends in incidence as well as intraprocedural management were assessed. Among patients treated for single vessel restenosis, a propensity matched cohort was created for those treated with drug‐eluting stents (DES) or other treatment modalities. Target vessel revascularization (TVR) and mortality were compared between the two subpopulations.

Results

From 2006 to 2014, 65,443 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and 6,872 patients (10.5%) with 8,921 lesions were treated for ISR. The proportion of patients undergoing revascularization for restenosis increased 0.28% per year (P = 0.055). Among a propensity‐matched cohort of 6,231, the rates of TVR (subdistribution HR: 0.623, 95% CI: 0.511–0.760) and mortality (HR: 0.730, 95% CI: 0.641–0.830) were significantly lower among patients treated with a DES compared with other treatments. After adjustment for known risk factors, treatment with DES continued to be associated with a reduction in mortality rate (Adjusted HR: 0.802, 95% CI: 0.704–0.913).

Conclusions

There is a trend toward an increasing proportion of coronary interventions for ISR in a national cohort of Veterans and treatment with a DES is associated with the lowest rate of TVR and overall mortality.
A novel frameshift mutation of malonyl‐CoA decarboxylase deficiency: clinical signs and therapy response of a late‐diagnosed case
Authors: Ersoy Melike , Akyol Mehmet Bedir , Ceylaner Serdar , Çakır Biçer Nihan
Published: June 2017

Key Clinical Message

We evaluate the clinical findings and the treatment response of a late‐diagnosed case with a novel homozygous insertion c.13_14insG (p.P6Afs*202) result in a frameshift mutation in MLYCD gene. Both cardiac and neurologic involvements were mild when compared to previously reported cases, and see low‐fat/high‐carbohydrate diet treatment is highly effective.
Raman under Water: Nonlinear and Nearfield Approaches for Electrochemical Surface Science
Authors: Sabanés Natalia Martín , Domke Katrin F.
Published: June 2017

The front cover artwork is provided by the Domke group from the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. The image shows a cartoon association with Raman under water, depicting an underwater scene where molecule‐plants attached to nearfield‐generating particles are illuminated by a spotlight of a submarine and studied through a periscope. Read the full text of the Minireview at 10.1002/celc.201700293.
A DNA‐Based Encryption Method Based on Two Biological Axioms of DNA Chip and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Amplification Techniques
Authors: Zhang Yunpeng , Wang Zhiwen , Wang Zhenzhen , Liu Xin , Yuan Xiaojing
Published: June 2017

Researchers have gained a deeper understanding of DNA‐based encryption and its effectiveness in enhancing information security in recent years. However, there are many theoretical and technical issues about DNA‐based encryption that need to be addressed before it can be effectively used in the field of security. Currently, the most popular DNA‐based encryption schemes are based on traditional cryptography and the integration of existing DNA technology. These schemes are not completely based on DNA computing and biotechnology. Herein, as inspired by nature, encryption based on DNA has been developed, which is, in turn, based on two fundamental biological axioms about DNA sequencing: 1) DNA sequencing is difficult under the conditions of not knowing the correct sequencing primers and probes, and 2) without knowing the correct probe, it is difficult to decipher precisely and sequence the information of unknown and mixed DNA/peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probes, which only differ in nucleotide sequence, arranged on DNA chips (microarrays). In essence, when creating DNA‐based encryption by means of biological technologies, such as DNA chips and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, the encryption method discussed herein cannot be decrypted, unless the DNA/PNA probe or PCR amplification is known. The biological analysis, mathematical analysis, and simulation results demonstrate the feasibility of the method, which provides much stronger security and reliability than that of traditional encryption methods.
Scaling Wet Fine Grinding Processes of Organic Particles Using Stirred Media Mills
Authors: Flach Frederik , Breitung‐Faes Sandra , Kwade Arno
Published: June 2017

This study presents an approach to scale up wet fine grinding processes of organic particles using stirred media mills. The process transfer is based on the calculation of grinding‐relevant energy, which is transferred to the product by a model theory derived from mill‐related values, especially geometric aspects. Its application was demonstrated by experimental work with two organic products, which were ground with different sizes and geometries of mills reaching from 20 to 900 mL grinding chamber volume under variation of process parameters.
Molecular Mechanism of Swing Effect in Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework ZIF‐8: Continuous Deformation upon Adsorption
Authors: Coudert François‐Xavier
Published: June 2017

Zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF‐8 displays flexibility of its structure by rotation of its imidazolate linker. This “swing effect” has been widely described in the literature, both experimentally and theoretically, as a bistable system where the linker oscillates between two structures: “open window” and “closed window”. By using quantum chemistry calculations and first‐principles molecular dynamics simulations, it is shown that the deformation upon adsorption is in fact continuous upon pore loading, with thermodynamics of packing effects being the reason behind stepped adsorption isotherms experimentally observed. Finally, we study a variant of ZIF‐8 with a different linker, highlighting the influence of the linker and the balance of microscopic interactions on the framework's flexibility.
Convection‐Diffusion Layer in an “Open Space” for Local Surface Treatment and Microfabrication using a Four‐Aperture Microchemical Pen
Authors: Mao Sifeng , Zhang Yong , Zhang Weifei , Zeng Hulie , Nakajima Hizuru , Lin Jin‐Ming , Uchiyama Katsumi
Published: June 2017

A four‐aperture microchemical pen was used to produce a stable convection‐diffusion layer in an “open space” for microreactions and microfabrication. The process represents a new method for microreactions and microfabrication in a convection‐diffusion layer. To prove the concept of a convection‐diffusion layer in an “open space”, bovine serum albumin was labeled with 4‐fluoro‐7‐nitro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole to confirm that the small convection‐diffusion layer was effective for local surface treatment. To demonstrate the potential for microfabrication, silver patterns were fabricated on a glass surface with a convection‐diffusion layer by using the silver‐mirror reaction. The widths of each silver pattern could be easily controlled from 10 to 60 μm. Patterned silver lines with uniform widths or gradient widths were prepared. This is the first proof of concept study of a convection‐diffusion layer in an “open space” used in local surface treatment and microfabrication on a surface. The microchemical pen represents a potential method for the region‐selective microtreatment of tissues, cells, and other biological interfaces.
Measurements and characterization of power transformer and low voltage access network for NB‐PLC
Authors: Masood Bilal , Usman Muhammad , Gul Muhammad Usman , Khan Waheed Aftab
Published: June 2017

Several techniques for a state‐of‐the‐art advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) within the smart grid are being extensively studied and evaluated around the world. Advanced metering infrastructure provides an enhanced and efficient energy management infrastructure that can facilitate the latest demands of electric utilities, consumers, and smart grid. In the past few years, standardization process for the implementation of AMI using narrowband power line communications (NB‐PLC) transceivers has been completed by ITU‐T and IEEE. This paper is focused on the utilization of CENELEC band of NB‐PLC for deployment aspects. The power transformer model of 200 and 75 kVA transformers for 9 to 90 kHz frequency range that lies in CENELEC‐A band of NB‐PLC is also proposed. The proposed model is more simple than previously presented models in the literature and has the capability to evaluate the transformers working not only under normal condition but also under resonance condition for frequency of interest. Moreover, the efficient procedure for field measurements that provides a generalized NB‐PLC channel model for low voltage access network to deploy AMI within Lahore, Pakistan, is presented. A Simulink model is developed to validate the results. The analysis of measured and simulated results illustrates a close agreement of channel transfer functions. This research work proposes an improved and more accurate NB‐PLC channel model especially for South Asian countries.
Determination of testosterone esters in the hair of male greyhound dogs using liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Devi Jayasree Leela , Zahra Paul , Vine John H. , Whittem Ted
Published: June 2017

The doping of greyhound dogs with testosterone is done in an attempt to improve their athletic performance, but such doping cannot easily be confirmed, especially in male dogs owing to the natural presence of endogenous testosterone. As testosterone is usually administered as its esters, their direct detection in hair would provide confirmatory evidence of the administration of a pharmaceutical product. This article demonstrates that the use of a liquid chromatography–high resolution mass spectrometry method with heated electrospray ionisation (HESI) combined with the use of amino solid‐phase extraction (SPE) cartridges for sample clean‐up, is suitable for the sensitive determination of propionate, phenyl propionate, isocaproate, decanoate, and enanthate esters of testosterone in greyhound hair. The method is linear over the range, 0.1 μg/kg–10 μg/kg, for all the testosterone esters analysed. The limits of detection (LOD) are 0.05 μg/kg for testosterone phenyl propionate, isocaproate, and decanoate, 0.025 μg/kg for testosterone propionate, and 0.25 μg/kg for testosterone enanthate. This method was applied to hair samples collected from male greyhounds before and after a single administration of a product containing several testosterone esters, each of which could be detected up to 100 days post‐administration. The study also demonstrates that tail hair is the specimen of choice for the analysis of testosterone in dog hair and that washing of dogs does not impact the analysis of testosterone esters in hair. This method may be useful in racing regulation for the detection of illegitimate use of testosterone in all species.
Exploring the key drivers of riparian woodland successional pathways across three European river reaches
Authors: Muñoz‐Mas R. , Garófano‐Gómez V. , Andrés‐Doménech I. , Corenblit D. , Egger G. , Francés F. , Ferreira M.T. , García‐Arias A. , Politti E. , Rivaes R. , Rodríguez‐González P.M. , Steiger J. , Vallés‐Morán F.J. , Martínez‐Capel F.
Published: June 2017

Climate change and river regulation are negatively impacting riparian vegetation. To evaluate these impacts, process‐based models are preferred over data‐driven approaches. However, they require extensive knowledge about ecohydrological processes. To facilitate the implementation of such process‐based models, the key drivers of riparian woodland successional pathways across three river reaches, in Austria, Portugal, and Spain, were explored, employing two complementary approaches. The principal component analyses highlighted the importance of the physical gradients determining the placement of the succession phases within the riparian and floodplain zones. The generalized additive models revealed that the initial and pioneer succession phases, characteristic of the colonization stage, appeared in areas highly morphodynamic, close in height and distance to the water table, and with coarse substrate, whereas elder phases within the transitional and mature stages showed incremental differences, occupying less dynamic areas with finer substrate. The Austrian site fitted well the current successional theory (elder phases appearing sequentially further up and distant), but at the Portuguese site, the tolerance of the riparian species to drought and flash flood events governed their placement. Finally, at the Spanish site, the patchy distribution of the elder phases was the remnants of formative events that reshaped the river channel. These results highlight the complex relationships between flow regime, channel morphology, and riparian vegetation. The use of succession phases, which rely on the sequential evolution of riparian vegetation as a response to different drivers, may be potentially better reproducible, within numerical process‐based models, and transferable to other geographical regions.
Optimized Design Principles for Silicon‐Coated Nanostructured Electrode Materials and their Application in High‐Capacity Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Auer Andrea , Jonasson Niko Sebastian Willem , Apaydin Dogukan Hazar , Mardare Andrei Ionut , Neri Giulia , Lichtinger Josef , Gernhäuser Roman , Kunze‐Liebhäuser Julia , Portenkirchner Engelbert
Published: June 2017

Silicon is considered as one of the most promising electrode materials for next‐generation, high‐energy‐density Li‐ion batteries as it demonstrates an exceptionally high specific capacity an order of magnitude beyond that of conventional graphite. The poor capacity retention, caused by the mechanical fracturing of Si because of the extreme volumetric and structural changes upon Li insertion/extraction, has triggered significant attention in the development of Si‐coated nanostructures that can accommodate the lithiation‐induced strain. In parallel, various spectroscopic studies and simulations have been conducted to understand the details of volumetric expansion, fracture, mechanical stress evolution, and structural changes in Si‐coated nanostructures. This publication reports a systematic lithiation/delithiation study of Si‐coated, anodically grown, self‐organized TiO2 nanotubes with different Si‐layer thicknesses. It is demonstrated for the first time that a “sweet spot” for the Si‐coating thickness is formed at which the specific lithiation capacity of the composite material reaches its maximum, which declines quickly for higher coating thicknesses. Furthermore, our results suggest that such a Si‐thickness‐dependent optimum in the specific lithiation capacity is immanent to any Si‐coated nanostructured electrode.
Accommodating missingness in environmental measurements in gene‐environment interaction analysis
Authors: Wu Mengyun , Zang Yangguang , Zhang Sanguo , Huang Jian , Ma Shuangge
Published: June 2017

For the prognosis of complex diseases, beyond the main effects of genetic (G) and environmental (E) factors, gene‐environment (G‐E) interactions also play an important role. Many approaches have been developed for detecting important G‐E interactions, most of which assume that measurements are complete. In practical data analysis, missingness in E measurements is not uncommon, and failing to properly accommodate such missingness leads to biased estimation and false marker identification. In this study, we conduct G‐E interaction analysis with prognosis data under an accelerated failure time (AFT) model. To accommodate missingness in E measurements, we adopt a nonparametric kernel‐based data augmentation approach. With a well‐designed weighting scheme, a nice “byproduct” is that the proposed approach enjoys a certain robustness property. A penalization approach, which respects the “main effects, interactions” hierarchy, is adopted for selection (of important interactions and main effects) and regularized estimation. The proposed approach has sound interpretations and a solid statistical basis. It outperforms multiple alternatives in simulation. The analysis of TCGA data on lung cancer and melanoma leads to interesting findings and models with superior prediction.
Neural correlates of atomoxetine improving inhibitory control and visual processing in Drug‐naïve adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Fan Li‐Ying , Chou Tai‐Li , Gau Susan Shur‐Fen
Published: June 2017

Atomoxetine improves inhibitory control and visual processing in healthy volunteers and adults with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the neural correlates of these two functions after chronic treatment with atomoxetine. This study aimed to use the counting Stroop task with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) to investigate the changes related to inhibitory control and visual processing in adults with ADHD. This study is an 8‐week, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind, randomized clinical trial of atomoxetine in 24 drug‐naïve adults with ADHD. We investigated the changes of treatment with atomoxetine compared to placebo‐treated counterparts using the counting Stroop fMRI and two CANTAB tests: rapid visual information processing (RVP) for inhibitory control and delayed matching to sample (DMS) for visual processing. Atomoxetine decreased activations in the right inferior frontal gyrus and anterior cingulate cortex, which were correlated with the improvement in inhibitory control assessed by the RVP. Also, atomoxetine increased activation in the left precuneus, which was correlated with the improvement in the mean latency of correct responses assessed by the DMS. Moreover, anterior cingulate activation in the pre‐treatment was able to predict the improvements of clinical symptoms. Treatment with atomoxetine may improve inhibitory control to suppress interference and may enhance the visual processing to process numbers. In addition, the anterior cingulate cortex might play an important role as a biological marker for the treatment effectiveness of atomoxetine. Hum Brain Mapp 38:4850–4864, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An insight into the deep web; why it matters for addiction psychiatry?
Authors: Orsolini Laura , Papanti Duccio , Corkery John , Schifano Fabrizio
Published: June 2017

Objective

Nowadays, the web is rapidly spreading, playing a significant role in the marketing or sale or distribution of “quasi” legal drugs, hence facilitating continuous changes in drug scenarios. The easily renewable and anarchic online drug‐market is gradually transforming indeed the drug market itself, from a “street” to a “virtual” one, with customers being able to shop with a relative anonymity in a 24‐hr marketplace. The hidden “deep web” is facilitating this phenomenon. The paper aims at providing an overview to mental health's and addiction's professionals on current knowledge about prodrug activities on the deep web.

Methods

A nonparticipant netnographic qualitative study of a list of prodrug websites (blogs, fora, and drug marketplaces) located into the surface web was here carried out. A systematic Internet search was conducted on Duckduckgo® and Google® whilst including the following keywords: “drugs” or “legal highs” or “Novel Psychoactive Substances” or “NPS” combined with the word deep web.

Results

Four themes (e.g., “How to access into the deepweb”; “Darknet and the online drug trading sites”; “Grams‐search engine for the deep web”; and “Cryptocurrencies”) and 14 categories were here generated and properly discussed.

Conclusions

This paper represents a complete or systematical guideline about the deep web, specifically focusing on practical information on online drug marketplaces, useful for addiction's professionals.
Effects of biological crust coverage on soil hydraulic properties for the Loess Plateau of China
Authors: Wang Hao , Zhang Guanghui , Liu Fa , Geng Ren , Wang Lunjiang
Published: June 2017

Biological soil crusts (BSCs) are ubiquitous living covers that have been allowed to grow on abandoned farmlands over the Loess Plateau because the “Grain for Green” project was implemented in 1999 to control serious soil erosion. However, few studies have been conducted to quantify the effects of BSC coverage on soil hydraulic properties. This study was performed to assess the effects of BSC coverage on soil hydraulic properties, which are reflected by the soil sorptivity under an applied pressure of 0 (S0) and −3 (S3) cm, saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), wetting front depth (WFD), and mean pore radius (λm), for the Loess Plateau of China. Five classes of BSC coverage (i.e., 1–20%, 20–40%, 40–60%, 60–80%, and 80–100%) and a bare control were selected at both cyanobacteria‐ and moss‐covered sites to measure soil hydraulic properties using a disc infiltrometer under 2 consecutive pressure heads of 0 and −3 cm, allowing the direct calculation of S0, S3, Ks, and λm. The WFD was measured onsite using a ruler immediately after the experiments of infiltration. The results indicated that both cyanobacteria and moss crusts were effective in changing the soil properties and impeding soil infiltration. The effects of moss were greater than those of cyanobacteria. Compared to those of the control, the S0, S3, Ks, WFD, and λm values of cyanobacteria‐covered soils were reduced by 13.7%, 11.0%, 13.3%, 10.6%, and 12.6% on average, and those of moss‐covered soils were reduced by 27.6%, 22.1%, 29.5%, 22.2%, and 25.9%, respectively. The relative soil sorptivity under pressures of 0 (RS0) and −3 (RS3) cm, the relative saturated hydraulic conductivity (RKs), the relative wetting front depth (RWFD), and the relative mean pore radius (Rλm) decreased exponentially with coverage for both cyanobacteria‐ and moss‐covered soils. The rates of decrease in RS0, RS3, RKs, RWFD, and Rλm of cyanobacteria were significantly slower than those of moss, especially for the coverage of 0–40%, with smaller ranges. The variations of soil hydraulic properties with BSC coverage were closely related to the change in soil clay content driven by the BSC coverage on the Loess Plateau. The results are useful for simulating the hydraulic parameters of BSC‐covered soils in arid and semiarid areas.
Climate moderates potential shifts in streamflow from changes in pinyon‐juniper woodland cover across the westernU.S.
Authors: Niemeyer Ryan J. , Link Timothy E. , Heinse Robert , Seyfried Mark S.
Published: June 2017

Pinyon‐juniper (PJ) cover has increased up to 10‐fold in many parts of the western U.S. in the last 140+ years. The impacts of these changes on streamflows are unclear and may vary depending on the intra‐annual distribution and amount of precipitation. Given the importance of streamflow in the western U.S., it is important to understand how shifts in PJ woodland cover may produce changes in streamflow across the region's diverse hydroclimates. To this end, we simulated the land surface water balance with contrasting woodland and grassland cover with the Hydrologiska Byråns Vattenbalansavdelning (HBV) model at a 4‐km resolution across the distribution of PJ woodlands in the western U.S. We used shifts in evapotranspiration (ET) between woodland and grassland cover as a proxy for potential changes in streamflows. Comparison of HBV model results with paired catchment studies indicated the model reasonably simulated annual decreases in ET with changes from woodland to grassland cover. For the northern and western ecoregions of the PJ distribution in the western U.S. where precipitation predominantly occurs in the winter, HBV simulated a 25 mm (37%) annual decrease in ET with conversion to grassland from woodland. Conversely, in southern ecoregions of PJ distribution with prominent summer monsoons, annual differences in ET were only 6 mm (19%). Our results suggest that only 29% of the PJ distribution, compared to an estimated 45% based on precipitation amount alone, has the potential for meaningful increases in streamflow with land cover change from woodland to grassland.
P53‐induced miR‐30e‐5p inhibits colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis by targeting ITGA6 and ITGB1
Authors: Laudato Sara , Patil Nitin , Abba Mohammed L. , Leupold Joerg H. , Benner Axel , Gaiser Timo , Marx Alexander , Allgayer Heike
Published: June 2017

The tumor suppressor P53 is a critical regulator of normal cellular homeostasis whose function is either distorted or lost in several cancer types including colorectal cancer (CRC). A small group of microRNAs have come to be recognized as essential mediators of P53 function. In a genome‐wide systematic approach, we explored miRNAs that are substantially altered by P53 loss and found miR‐30e to be the most significantly deregulated miRNA in P53‐knockout human CRC cells. We identified miR‐30e‐5p to be a novel direct transcriptional target of P53 with gain and loss of function experiments revealing miR‐30e‐5p to be a significant regulator of tumor cell migration, invasion and in vivo metastasis mediated in part by integrins alpha‐6 and beta‐1 as novel targets. MiR‐30e‐5p also significantly reduced tumor cell proliferation by causing G1/S cell cycle arrest, which was achieved by inducing P21 and P27 expression. Finally, we found miR‐30e‐5p to be lost in resected CRC tumors as compared to normal colon tissues. Taken together, miR‐30e‐5p is a novel effector of P53‐induced suppression of migration, invasion and metastasis.
Influences of PON1 on airway inflammation and remodeling in bronchial asthma
Authors: Chen Wei‐Qiang , Xie Zuo‐Zhou , Wang Xiang , Zhao Jin‐Hong , Hu Qin , Chen Ying‐Hua , Gao Wen‐Yong , Liu Yi
Published: June 2017

This study aims to explore the influences of Paraoxonase‐1 (PON1) involved in airway inflammation and remodeling in asthma. Mice were divided into control, asthma, asthma + PON1 and asthma + NC groups, and asthma models were established via aerosol inhalation of ovalbumin (OVA). HE, Masson, and PAS stains were used to observe airway inflammation and remodeling, Giemsa staining to assess inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), qRT‐PCR and Western blot to detect PON1 expression, lipid peroxidation and glutathione assays to quantify malondialdehyde (MDA) activity and glutathione peroxidase (GSH) levels, ELISA to determine inflammatory cytokines and immunoglobulin, and colorimetry to detect PON1 activities. Additionally, mice lung macrophages and fibroblasts were transfected with PON1 plasmid in vitro; ELISA and qRT‐PCR were performed to understand the effects of PON1 on inflammatory cytokines secreted by lung macrophages, MTT assay for lung fibroblasts proliferation and qRT‐PCR and Western blot for the expressions of PON1, COL1A1, and fibronectin. After overexpression of PON1, the asthma mice had decreased inflammatory cell infiltration, fibrosis degree, and airway wall thickness; inflammatory cells and inflammatory cytokines in BALF were also reduced, expressions of OVA‐IgE and IgG1, and MDA activity were decreased, but the expressions of OVA‐IgG2a and INF‐γ and GSH levels were increased. Besides, PON1 significantly inhibited microphage expression of LPS‐induced inflammatory cytokines, lung fibroblast proliferation, and COL1A1 and fibronectin expression. Thus, PON1 could relieve airway inflammation and airway remodeling in asthmatic mice and inhibit the secretion of LPS‐induced macrophage inflammatory cytokines and the proliferation of lung fibroblasts.
Reprogramming mouse embryo fibroblasts to functional islets without genetic manipulation
Authors: Chandravanshi Bhawna , Bhonde Ramesh
Published: June 2017

The constant quest for generation of large number of islets aimed us to explore the differentiation potential of mouse embryo fibroblast cells. Mouse embryo fibroblast cells isolated from 12‐ to 14‐day‐old pregnant mice were characterized for their surface markers and tri‐lineage differentiation potential. They were subjected to serum‐free media containing a cocktail of islet differentiating reagents and analyzed for the expression of pancreatic lineage transcripts. The islet‐like cell aggregates (ICAs) was confirmed for their pancreatic properties via immunofluorecence for C‐peptide, glucagon, and somatostain. They were positive for CD markers—Sca1, CD44, CD73, and CD90 and negative for hematopoietic markers—CD34 and CD45 at both transcription and translational levels. The transcriptional analysis of the ICAs at different day points exhibited up‐regulation of islet markers (Insulin, PDX1, HNF3, Glucagon, and Somatostatin) and down‐regulation of MSC‐markers (Vimentin and Nestin). They positively stained for dithizone, C‐peptide, insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin indicating intact insulin producing machinery. In vitro glucose stimulation assay revealed three‐fold increase in insulin secretion as compared to basal glucose with insulin content being the same in both the conditions. The preliminary in vivo data on ICA transplantation showed reversal of diabetes in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice. Our results demonstrate for the first time that mouse embryo fibroblast cells contain a population of MSC‐like cells which could differentiate into insulin producing cell aggregates. Hence, our study could be extrapolated for isolation of MSC‐like cells from human, medically terminated pregnancies to generate ICAs for treating type 1 diabetic patients.
MicroRNAs in retinoblastoma: Potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers
Authors: Golabchi Khodayar , Soleimani‐Jelodar Rahim , Aghadoost Nazila , Momeni Fatemeh , Moridikia Abdullah , Nahand Javid Sadri , Masoudifar Aria , Razmjoo Hasan , Mirzaei Hamed
Published: June 2017

Retinoblastoma (Rb) is known as one of important childhood malignancies which due to inactivation of the RB gene (tumor suppressor gene in various patients). The early detection of Rb could provide better treatment for Rb patients. Imaging techniques (e.g., MRI and CT) are known as one of effective diagnosis approaches for detection of patients with Rb. It has been shown that utilization of imaging techniques is associated with some limitations. Hence, identification of new diagnosis approaches might provide a better treatment for Rb patients. Identification of new biomarkers could contribute to better understanding of pathogenesis events involved in Rb and provide new insights into design better treatment approaches for these patients. Among the various biomarkers, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as attractive tools for Rb detection. miRNAs are one classes of small non‐coding RNAs which could anticipate in a variety of biological process via targeting sequence of cellular and molecular pathways. Deregulations of these molecules are associated with cancerous condition. Multiple lines of evidence indicated that deregulation of various miRNAs involved in various stages of Rb. Here, we summarized a variety of tissue‐specific and circulating miRNAs involved in Rb pathogenesis which could be used as diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers in Rb patients.
Intraoperative sonographic guidance for intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer
Authors: Akbas Tugana , Ugurluer Gamze , Acil Meltem , Arpaci Taner , Serin Meltem
Published: June 2017

Background

To describe the role and benefits of intraoperative sonographic (US) guidance in intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer.

Methods

The data of 142 patients who received tandem‐based intracavitary brachytherapy for cervical cancer between January 2010 and June 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. US guidance was carried out for tandem selection and appropriate application. The complications and applicator conformity were assessed with planning CT.

Results

Intracavitary brachytherapy was performed under US guidance for 412 insertions in 113 consecutive patients with cervical cancer. Before we started to use US guidance, applications were done in 29 patients: uterine perforation occurred in two patients (6.9%), the tandem length was short in two patients (6.9%), the tandem length was long in four patients (13.8%), and tandem was in myometrium in three patients (10.3%). We then decided to use US guidance routinely. With US guidance, only 1 of 113 patients had uterine perforation (0.9%), tandem length was short in only one patient (0.9%), and tandem was in myometrium in one patient (0.9%).

Conclusions

Real‐time US provided safe and effective guidance for intracavitary brachytherapy of cervical cancer resulting in decreased rates of perforations and misplacement of applicators. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 46:8–13, 2018;
Sonographic localization of a retained urethral foreign body in an elderly patient
Authors: Shokoohi Hamid , Kendrick Zachary , Sikka Neal , Boniface Keith S.
Published: June 2017

A retained urethral foreign body is an uncommon presentation in the Emergency Department. The diagnosis and treatment of retained urethral foreign bodies are determined by their size, location, shape, and mobility and often require specialty consultation and operative intervention. In this case of a 74‐year‐old man with a self‐inserted, retained urethral foreign body, we present the utility of a bedside ultrasound to detect the depth, size, and distance from the meatus of the object to guide the approach to extraction of the object at the bedside in the Emergency Department. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 46:296–298, 2018
PL10 DEAD‐Box Protein is Expressed during Germ Cell Differentiation in the Reptile Podarcis sicula (Family Lacertidae)
Authors: Milani Liliana , Pecci Andrea , Cifaldi Carmine , Maurizii Maria Gabriella
Published: June 2017

Among genes involved in the regulation of germ cell differentiation, those of DDX4/Vasa and the Ded1/DDX3 subfamilies encode for DEAD‐box ATP‐dependent RNA helicases, proteins involved in many mechanisms related to RNA processing. For the first time in reptiles, using specific antibodies at confocal microscopy, we analysed the localization pattern of a Ded1/DDX3 subfamily member in testis and ovary of Podarcis sicula (Ps‐PL10) during the reproductive cycle. In testis, Ps‐PL10 is expressed in the cytoplasm of spermatocytes and it is not detected in spermatogonia. Differently from Ps‐VASA, in round spermatids, Ps‐PL10 is not segregated in the chromatoid body but it accumulates in the cytoplasm of residual bodies, and mature spermatozoa are unstained. These observations suggest that in males, Ps‐PL10 (1) is involved in spermatogenesis and (2) is then eliminated with residual bodies. In the ovary, Ps‐PL10 is present with granules in the cytoplasm of early meiotic cells of the germinal bed (GB), while it is not present in oogonia and somatic cells of the GB stroma. In follicular cells of ovarian follicles, Ps‐PL10 expression starts after their fusion with the oocyte. Numerous Ps‐PL10 spots are visible in pyriform (nurse‐like) cells concomitantly with the protein accumulation in the cytoplasm of differentiating oocyte. In pyriform cells, Ps‐PL10 spots are present in the cytoplasm and nuclei, as observed for Ps‐VASA, and in the nucleoli, suggesting for Ps‐PL10 a role in rRNA processing and in the transport of molecules from the nucleus to cytoplasm and from nurse cells to the oocyte.
Application of pretreatment methods on agricultural products prior to frying: a review
Authors: Oladejo Ayobami Olayemi , Ma Haile , Qu Wenjuan , Zhou Cunshan , Wu Bengang , Uzoejinwa Benjamin Bernard , Onwude Daniel I , Yang Xue
Published: June 2017

Frying is one of the methods of processing foods, which imparts flavour, taste, colour and crispness in the fried foods. In spite of an increase in the demand for fried foods by consumers all over the world, the danger posed by consuming too much fat is still a challenge. Many researchers have put forward many ideas on how to reduce the oil uptake and improve the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of foods during frying. Several pretreatment techniques applied to food materials prior to frying have been investigated by researchers in a bid to reduce the oil uptake and improve the quality parameters of fried foods. Therefore, this review focuses on the various pretreatment methods and the recent novel methods like ultrasound, infrared, superheated steam drying, microwave technique and pulsed electric field applied to foods prior to frying and its effects on the qualities of fried foods. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Does the use of arteriovenous loops increase complications rates in posttraumatic microsurgical lower extremity reconstruction?—A matched‐pair analysis
Authors: Momeni Arash , Lanni Michael A. , Levin Lawrence S. , Kovach Stephen J.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The use of arteriovenous (AV) loops in microsurgical lower extremity reconstruction is a controversial topic. The objective of the present study was to assess the impact of AV loops on complication rates following microsurgical reconstruction of posttraumatic lower extremity defects.

Patients and Methods

Patients who underwent free flap coverage of posttraumatic defects in combination with an AV loop (Group 1) were identified and matched for age, body mass index (BMI), tobacco use, defect location, and flap type with patients who underwent reconstruction without vein grafts (Group 2). Outcomes of interest included complication rate and flap loss rate.

Results

Groups 1 and 2 consisted of 10 patients each with a mean age of 51 years (range, 21–79 years) and 47.3 years (range, 22–69 years), respectively (P = 0.596). No differences were noted regarding flap loss (P = 1.0), intraoperative (P = 0.474) or postoperative complication rate [surgical site infection (P = 1.0), bleeding (P = 1.0), delayed wound healing (P = 0.23), dehiscence (P = 0.58), and osseous non‐union (P = 1.0)]. Only one flap loss was noted in Group 1. The only differences were increased operative time (P = 0.03) and increased length of stay (P = 0.009) in Group 1.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that utilization of vein grafts with creation of AV loops followed by single‐stage division and free flap transfer for reconstruction of posttraumatic lower extremity defects achieve reconstructive outcomes similar to those obtained in patients in whom no vein grafts are necessary.
Boundary output feedback stabilization for a class of coupled parabolic systems
Authors: He Chao , Li Junmin
Published: June 2017

In this paper, the boundary output feedback stabilization problem is addressed for a class of coupled nonlinear parabolic systems. An output feedback controller is presented by introducing a Luenberger‐type observer based on the measured outputs. To determine observer gains, a backstepping transform is introduced by choosing a suitable target system with nonlinearity. Furthermore, based on the state observer, a backstepping boundary control scheme is presented. With rigorous analysis, it is proved that the states of nonlinear closed‐loop system including state estimation and estimation error of plant system are locally exponentially stable in the L2norm. Finally, a numerical example is proposed to illustrate the effectiveness of the presented scheme.