bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Etiologies and predictors of 30‐day readmissions in patients undergoing percutaneous mechanical circulatory support–assisted percutaneous coronary intervention in the United States: Insights from the Nationwide Readmissions Database
Authors: Bavishi Chirag , Lemor Alejandro , Trivedi Vrinda , Chatterjee Saurav , Moreno Pedro , Lasala John , Aronow Herbert D. , Dawn Abbott J.
Published: April 2018

Background

Patients undergoing percutaneous mechanical circulatory support (pMCS)‐assisted percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) represent a high‐risk group vulnerable to complications and readmissions.

Hypothesis

Thirty‐day readmissions after pMCS‐assisted PCI are common among patients with comorbidities and account for a significant amount of healthcare spending.

Methods

Patients undergoing PCI and pMCS (Impella, TandemHeart, or intra‐aortic balloon pump) for any indication between January 1, 2012, and November 30, 2014, were selected from the Nationwide Readmissions Database. Patients were identified using appropriate ICD‐9‐CM codes. Clinical risk factors and complications were analyzed for association with 30‐day readmission.

Results

Our analysis included 29 247 patients, of which 4535 (15.5%) were readmitted within 30 days. On multivariate analysis, age ≥ 65 years, female sex, hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart failure, prior implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator, liver disease, end‐stage renal disease, and length of stay ≥5 days during index hospitalization were independent predictors of 30‐day readmission. Cardiac etiologies accounted for ~60% of readmissions, of which systolic or diastolic heart failure (22%), stable coronary artery disease (11.1%), acute coronary syndromes (8.9%), and nonspecific chest pain (4.0%) were the most common causes. In noncardiac causes, sepsis/septic shock (4.6%), hypotension/syncope (3.2%), gastrointestinal bleed (3.1%), and acute kidney injury (2.6%) were among the most common causes of 30‐day readmissions. Mean length of stay and cost of readmissions was 4 days and $16 191, respectively.

Conclusions

Thirty‐day readmissions after pMCS‐assisted PCI are common and are predominantly associated with increased burden of comorbidities. Reducing readmissions for common cardiac etiologies could save substantial healthcare costs.
Atrial fibrillation patient preferences for oral anticoagulation and stroke knowledge: Results of a conjoint analysis
Authors: Lane Deirdre A. , Meyerhoff Juliane , Rohner Ute , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: April 2018

Background

Guidelines recommend that patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) are involved in oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment decisions. Understanding which OAC attributes AF patients value most could help optimize treatment.

Objective

To assess the relationship between patient's stroke knowledge and their preferences for specific OAC attributes.

Methods

A cross‐sectional online survey was conducted in patients with nonvalvular AF taking an OAC for stroke prevention in the United States, Canada, Germany, France, and Japan. Patients were asked about their stroke knowledge, perception of the seriousness of AF and concern about stroke, and to rank 7 OAC attributes in order of importance. A conjoint analysis was performed to determine the inherent value of 4 attributes.

Results

In total, 937 patients (mean age [standard deviation] 54.3 [16.6] years; 37.1% female) participated. Of these, 19.5%, 27.9%, and 29.8% had good, moderate, and low stroke knowledge, respectively; 22.8% had no stroke knowledge. Overall, 39.4% of patients (47.5% with good stroke knowledge) perceived AF as very/extremely serious. The OAC attribute ranked as most important was stroke prevention followed by major bleeding risk, other side effects, dosing frequency, antidote availability, dietary restrictions, and use with/without food. In the conjoint analysis, stroke risk reduction was the most valued property, followed by reduction in major bleeding risk, less frequent administration, and administration with/without food. Preferences did not differ with level of stroke knowledge, perception of seriousness of AF, concern of stroke, or medication burden.

Conclusions

Most AF patients consider efficacy and safety to be the most important OAC attributes, whereas dosing frequency was deemed as less important.
Oxoisoaporphine Alkaloids: Prospective Anti‐Alzheimer's Disease, Anticancer, and Antidepressant Agents
Authors: Zhang Jiayao , Chen Li , Sun Jianbo
Published: April 2018

Oxoisoaporphine alkaloids are a family of oxoisoquinoline‐derived alkaloids that were first isolated from the rhizome ofMenispermum dauricumDC. (Menispermaceae). It has been demonstrated that oxoisoaporphine alkaloids possess various biological properties, such as cholinesterase and β‐amyloid inhibition, acting as a topoisomerase intercalator, monoamine oxidase A inhibition, and are expected to become anti‐Alzheimer's disease, anticancer, and antidepressant drugs. This review provides an overview of natural sources, synthetic routes, bioactivities, structure–function relationship, and modification investigations into oxoisoaporphine alkaloids, with the aim of providing references to the structure–activity relationships for the design and development of oxoisoaporphine derivatives with higher efficacy and therapeutic potential.
Using Sugar‐based Additives to Prolong the Lifetime of Air‐Stable Radicals in Self‐Assembled Perylene Bisimides
Authors: Lāce Ilze , Sproules Stephen , Draper Emily R.
Published: April 2018

Sugar‐based additives were introduced into self‐assembled worm‐like micelles of amino acid functionalized perylene bisimides. The solutions were then dried to form thin films and used as photoresponsive materials. The effects of the addition of dextran and sucrose on the properties of the perylene bisimide thin film were investigated using cross‐polarized light optical microscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, rheology, UV‐vis absorption spectroscopy and electrochemistry. The radical anion is stabilized by the presence of the additives in solution and in the thin films, resulting in a significantly increased lifetimes and persistent conductivity.
[Au12(SR)6]2−, As Smaller 8‐Electron Gold Nanocluster Retaining an SP3‐Core. Evaluation of Bonding and Optical Properties from Relativistic DFT Calculations
Authors: Muñoz‐Castro Alvaro , Saillard Jean‐Yves
Published: April 2018

Exploring the versatility of atomically precise clusters is a relevant issue in the design of functional nanostructures. Superatomic clusters offer an ideal framework to gain further understanding of the different distinctive size‐dependent physical and chemical properties. Here, we propose [Au12(SR)6]2− as a minimal 8‐electron superatom related to the prototypical [Au25(SR)18]− cluster, depicting half of its core‐mass (2.3 kDa vs 5.0 kDa). The [Au12(SMe)6]2− cluster fulfills a 1S2 1P6 electronic configuration, with a distorted tetrahedral Au8 core further viewed as an SP3‐hybridized superatom. The distinctive optical properties show a blue‐shift for the first relevant 1P→1D transition, in comparison to [Au25(SR)18]−. In addition, chiroptical activity is observed, denoting intrinsic core chirality. We expect that our results can shed light into the variation of the molecular properties according to the size‐dependent properties, and serve as guidelines for further experimental exploration of minimal or ultrasmall nanoclusters.
Pedigree Selection and Information Content
Authors: Vardarajan Badri N. , Beecham Gary W. , Haines Jonathan L.
Published: April 2018

In this article, we discuss strategies for selection of families and family members for genetic studies. We will evaluate strategies to sample large families with multiply affected members, sibships, and nuclear families. In addition, we have added a section to discuss sub‐sampling within pedigrees for large sequencing studies, particularly when genome‐wide SNP chips are available on all members of a pedigree. The type of family sampled for a study will determine the statistical analyses and power of discovery of genetic findings. We will evaluate study designs that maximize power and allow for linkage and association analyses to identify genetic loci predisposing to phenotype. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Computational Prediction of Position Effects of Human Chromosome Rearrangements
Authors: Zepeda‐Mendoza Cinthya J. , Menon Shreya , Morton Cynthia C.
Published: April 2018

Balanced and apparently balanced chromosome abnormalities (BCAs) have long been known to generate disease through position effects, either by altering local networks of gene regulation or by positioning genes in architecturally different chromosome domains. Despite these observations, identification of genes distally affected by BCAs is often neglected, especially when predicted gene disruptions are found elsewhere in the genome. In this article, we provide detailed instructions on how to run a computational pipeline that identifies relevant candidates for non‐coding BCA position effects. This methodology facilitates quick identification of genes potentially involved in disease by non‐coding BCAs and other types of rearrangements, and expands on the importance of considering the long‐range consequences of genomic lesions. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
PLINK: Key Functions for Data Analysis
Authors: Slifer Susan H.
Published: April 2018

Genetic data analysis of large numbers of single nucleotide variants (SNVs), including genome‐wide association studies (GWAS), exome chips, and whole exome (WES) or whole‐genome (WGS) sequencing data, requires well defined processing steps. As a result, several freely available analytic toolkits have been developed to streamline these processes. Among these, PLINK is the most comprehensive in terms of its quality control and analytic modules, although its focus remains on SNVs. PLINK fulfills two analytic needs—aiding the process of performing quality control (QC) on large data sets and providing basic statistical tools to analyze the variants in genetic models. The current version of PLINK (v1.90b) has incorporated several sophisticated statistical modeling features, such as those that were introduced by GCTA (genome‐wide complex trait analysis), including mixed‐model association analysis and cluster‐based algorithms. Although PLINK is diverse in its applicability to data management and analysis, in some instances, other available tools offer more optimal options. Here we provide a practical overview of major PLINK features with respect to QC, data management, and association mapping, along with learned shortcuts and limitations to be considered. In cases where PLINK features are limited, we provide alternative approaches using additional freely available pipelines. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
In Vivo and In Vitro Methods to Identify DNA Sequence Variants that Alter RNA Splicing
Authors: Patel Parth N. , Gorham Joshua M. , Ito Kaoru , Seidman Christine E.
Published: April 2018

Identification of sequence variants that create or eliminate splice sites has proven to be a significant challenge and represents one of many roadblocks in the clinical interpretation of rare genetic variation. Current methods of identifying splice‐altering sequence variants are limited by an imperfect understanding of splice signals and the need for cumbersome functional assays. We have recently developed a computational tool that prioritizes putative splice‐altering sequence variants and a moderate‐throughput minigene assay that confirms the variants that alter splicing. This bioinformatic strategy represents a substantial increase in accuracy and efficiency with respect to historical in vitro splicing assays. In this article, we give detailed instructions on how to organize, run, and interpret various features of this procedure. We expect that splice‐altering variants revealed through this protocol can be reliably carried forward for further clinical and biological analyses. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Resting State fMRI in Rodents
Authors: Pan Wen‐Ju , Billings Jacob , Nezafati Maysam , Abbas Anzar , Keilholz Shella
Published: April 2018

Resting state functional MRI (fMRI) and functional connectivity are widely applied in humans to examine the role of brain networks in normal function and dysfunction. A similar approach can be taken in rodents, either to obtain translational measures in models of brain disorders or to more carefully examine the neurophysiological underpinnings of the networks. A protocol for resting state functional connectivity in the anesthetized rat, from animal setup to data acquisition to possible pipelines for data analysis, is described. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Clopidogrel Increases Dasabuvir Exposure With or Without Ritonavir, and Ritonavir Inhibits the Bioactivation of Clopidogrel
Authors: Itkonen Matti K. , Tornio Aleksi , Lapatto‐Reiniluoto Outi , Neuvonen Mikko , Neuvonen Pertti J. , Niemi Mikko , Backman Janne T.
Published: April 2018

Dasabuvir is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C8 and is predominantly used in a regimen containing ritonavir. Ritonavir and clopidogrel are inhibitors of CYP3A4 and CYP2C8, respectively. In a randomized, crossover study in 12 healthy subjects, we examined the impact of clinical doses of ritonavir (for 5 days), clopidogrel (for 3 days), and their combination on dasabuvir pharmacokinetics, and the effect of ritonavir on clopidogrel. Clopidogrel, but not ritonavir, increased the geometric mean AUC0‐∞ of dasabuvir 4.7‐fold; range 2.0–10.1‐fold (P = 8·10−7), compared with placebo. Clopidogrel and ritonavir combination increased dasabuvir AUC0‐∞ 3.9‐fold; range 2.1–7.9‐fold (P = 2·10−6), compared with ritonavir alone. Ritonavir decreased the AUC0‐4h of clopidogrel active metabolite by 51% (P = 0.0001), and average platelet inhibition from 51% without ritonavir to 31% with ritonavir (P = 0.0007). In conclusion, clopidogrel markedly elevates dasabuvir concentrations, and patients receiving ritonavir are at risk for diminished clopidogrel response.
Cadmium‐Alloyed Zinc Oxide Nanocrystals in the Quantum Confinement Region with Intense Visible Luminescence
Authors: Yang Yuetao , Liu Xiaojun
Published: April 2018

Via an ultrasonic assisted sol‐gel method, cadmium‐alloyed zinc oxide nanocrystals in the quantum confinement region are firstly prepared. The nanocrystals show a wurtzite structure over all compositions. The homogenous structures of the samples are confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, infrared and Raman analyses. With the increase of Cd/Zn mole ratio from 0 to 2.0, the band gap values of the samples first shift red then shift blue, and shift red again. The variation of band gap values for the samples is explained based on the compositions and crystallite sizes. The samples exhibit intense visible luminescence. The maximum of the visible luminescence systematically shifts to the lower wavelength with the decrease of the crystallite size. It is found that both the ultrasonic treatment and the coordination ability of triethylene glycol play important roles in the current sol‐gel preparation.
Cryptanalysis and improvement of 2 mutual authentication schemes for Session Initiation Protocol
Authors: Qiu Shuming , Xu Guoai , Guo Yanhui , Zhang Miao
Published: April 2018

Recently, Chaudhry et al and Kumari et al proposed an advanced mutual authentication protocol for Session Initiation Protocol on the basis of the protocol of Lu et al. The authors claimed that their schemes can be resistant to various attacks. Unfortunately, we observe some important flaws in their respective schemes. We point out that their schemes are prone to off‐line password guessing and privileged insider attacks. To remedy their protocols's drawbacks, in this paper, we present a new improved authentication scheme keeping apart the threats encountered in the design of the schemes of Chaudhry et al and Kumari et al. Furthermore, the security analysis illustrates that our proposed scheme not only removes these drawbacks in their schemes but also can resist all known attacks and provide session key security. We give a heuristic security analysis and also provide the security analysis of the proposed scheme with the help of widespread Burrows‐Abadi‐Needham Logic. Finally, our scheme is compared with the previously proposed schemes on security and performance.
Pathophysiology‐based phenotyping in type 2 diabetes: A clinical classification tool
Authors: Stidsen Jacob V. , Henriksen Jan E. , Olsen Michael H. , Thomsen Reimar W. , Nielsen Jens S. , Rungby Jørgen , Ulrichsen Sinna P. , Berencsi Klara , Kahlert Johnny A. , Friborg Søren G. , Brandslund Ivan , Nielsen Aneta A. , Christiansen Jens S. , Sørensen Henrik T. , Olesen Thomas B. , Beck‐Nielsen Henning
Published: April 2018

Background

Type 2 diabetes may be a more heterogeneous disease than previously thought. Better understanding of pathophysiological subphenotypes could lead to more individualized diabetes treatment. We examined the characteristics of different phenotypes among 5813 Danish patients with new clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Methods

We first identified all patients with rare subtypes of diabetes, latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA), secondary diabetes, or glucocorticoid‐associated diabetes. We then used the homeostatic assessment model to subphenotype all remaining patients into insulinopenic (high insulin sensitivity and low beta cell function), classical (low insulin sensitivity and low beta cell function), or hyperinsulinemic (low insulin sensitivity and high beta cell function) type 2 diabetes.

Results

Among 5813 patients diagnosed with incident type 2 diabetes in the community clinical setting, 0.4% had rare subtypes of diabetes, 2.8% had LADA, 0.7% had secondary diabetes, 2.4% had glucocorticoid‐associated diabetes, and 93.7% had WHO‐defined type 2 diabetes. In the latter group, 9.7% had insulinopenic, 63.1% had classical, and 27.2% had hyperinsulinemic type 2 diabetes. Classical patients were obese (median waist 105 cm), and 20.5% had cardiovascular disease (CVD) at diagnosis, while insulinopenic patients were fairly lean (waist 92 cm) and 17.5% had CVD (P = 0.14 vs classical diabetes). Hyperinsulinemic patients were severely obese (waist 112 cm), and 25.5% had CVD (P < 0.0001 vs classical diabetes).

Conclusions

Patients clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are a heterogeneous group. In the future, targeted treatment based on pathophysiological characteristics rather than the current “one size fits all” approach may improve patient prognosis.
Ecological niche modeling for a cultivated plant species: a case study on taro (Colocasia esculenta) in Hawaii
Authors: Kodis Mali'o , Galante Peter , Sterling Eleanor J. , Blair Mary E.
Published: April 2018

Under the threat of ongoing and projected climate change, communities in the Pacific Islands face challenges of adapting culture and lifestyle to accommodate a changing landscape. Few models can effectively predict how biocultural livelihoods might be impacted. Here, we examine how environmental and anthropogenic factors influence an ecological niche model (ENM) for the realized niche of cultivated taro (Colocasia esculenta) in Hawaii. We created and tuned two sets of ENMs: one using only environmental variables, and one using both environmental and cultural characteristics of Hawaii. These models were projected under two different Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs) for 2070. Models were selected and evaluated using average omission rate and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). We compared optimal model predictions by comparing the percentage of taro plots predicted present and measured ENM overlap using Schoener's D statistic. The model including only environmental variables consisted of 19 Worldclim bioclimatic variables, in addition to slope, altitude, distance to perennial streams, soil evaporation, and soil moisture. The optimal model with environmental variables plus anthropogenic features also included a road density variable (which we assumed as a proxy for urbanization) and a variable indicating agricultural lands of importance to the state of Hawaii. The model including anthropogenic features performed better than the environment‐only model based on omission rate, AUC, and review of spatial projections. The two models also differed in spatial projections for taro under anticipated future climate change. Our results demonstrate how ENMs including anthropogenic features can predict which areas might be best suited to plant cultivated species in the future, and how these areas could change under various climate projections. These predictions might inform biocultural conservation priorities and initiatives. In addition, we discuss the incongruences that arise when traditional ENM theory is applied to species whose distribution has been significantly impacted by human intervention, particularly at a fine scale relevant to biocultural conservation initiatives.
Selective and context‐dependent effects of chemical stress across trophic levels at the basis of marine food webs
Authors: Mensens Christoph , De Laender Frederik , Janssen Colin R. , Rivera Frances Camille , Sabbe Koen , De Troch Marleen
Published: April 2018

Human activities increasingly impact the functioning of marine food webs, but anthropogenic stressors are seldom included in ecological study designs. Diet quality, as distinct from just diet quantity, has moreover rarely been highlighted in food web studies in a stress context. We measured the effects of metal and pesticide stress (copper and atrazine) on the contribution of a benthic intertidal diatom community to two processes that are key to the functioning of intertidal systems: biomass (diet quantity) and lipid (diet quality) production. We then examined if stressors affected diatom functioning by selectively targeting the species contributing most to functioning (selective stress effects) or by changing the species’ functional contribution (context‐dependent effects). Finally, we tested if stress‐induced changes in diet quality altered the energy flow to the diatoms’ main grazers (harpacticoid copepods). Diatom diet quantity was reduced by metal stress but not by low pesticide levels due to the presence of an atrazine‐tolerant, mixotrophic species. Selective effects of the pesticide reduced diatom diet quality by 60% and 75% at low and high pesticide levels respectively, by shifting diatom community structure from dominance by lipid‐rich species toward dominance by an atrazine‐tolerant, but lipid‐poor, species. Context‐dependent effects did not affect individual diatom lipid content at low levels of both stressors, but caused diatoms to lose 40% of their lipids at high copper stress. Stress‐induced changes in diet quality predicted the energy flow from the diatoms to their copepod consumers, which lost half of their lipids when feeding on diatoms grown under low and high pesticide and high metal stress. Selective pesticide effects were a more important threat for trophic energy transfer than context‐dependent effects of both stressors, with shifts in diatom community structure affecting the energy flow to their copepod grazers at stress levels where no changes in diatom lipid content were detected.
Phenological responses to nitrogen and water addition are linked to plant growth patterns in a desert herbaceous community
Authors: Huang Gang , Li Chen‐hua , Li Yan
Published: April 2018

Increases in nitrogen (N) deposition and variation in precipitation have been occurring in temperate deserts; however, little information is available regarding plant phenological responses to environmental cues and their relationships with plant growth pattern in desert ecosystems. In this study, plant phenology and growth of six annuals in response to N and water addition were monitored throughout two consecutive growing seasons in 2011 and 2012 in a temperate desert in northwestern China. The effects of N and water addition on reproductive phenology differed among plant species. N and water addition consistently advanced the flowering onset time and fruiting time of four spring ephemerals; however, their effects on two spring‐summer annuals were inconsistent, with advances being noted in one species and delays in another. N and water addition alone increased plant height, relative growth rate, leaf number, flower number, and individual biomass, while their combinative effects on plant growth and reproductive phenology were dependent on species. Multiple regression analysis showed that flowering onset time was negatively correlated with relative growth rate of two species, and negatively correlated with maximum plant height of the other four species. Our study demonstrates that phenological responses to increasing precipitation and N deposition varied in annuals with different life histories, whereby the effects of climate change on plant growth rate were related to reproductive phenology. Desert annuals that were able to accelerate growth rate under increasing soil resource availability tended to advance their flowering onset time to escape drought later in the growing season. This study promotes our understanding of the responses of temperate desert annuals to increasing precipitation and N deposition in this desert.
Genetic rescue in a plant polyploid complex: Case study on the importance of genetic and trait data for conservation management
Authors: Schmidt‐Lebuhn Alexander N. , Marshall David J. , Dreis Brad , Young Andrew G.
Published: April 2018

Knowledge of the biology of rare plant species is indispensable to aid their survival and to inform efficient conservation actions, but in many cases relevant data are lacking. In addition, while studies of conservation genetics have provided a wealth of information on the considerations arising from inbreeding, mate limitation, or local adaptation, the impact of intraspecific polyploidy remains understudied. In this study, we examined the breeding system of the rare Australian daisy Rutidosis lanata (Asteraceae) and screened ten of its populations for their ploidy level to develop recommendations for management actions, in particular, with regard to seed sourcing and genetic rescue. We found R. lanata to represent a polyploid complex, with tetraploid, pentaploid and hexaploid individuals coexisting in the same species. Crossing experiments confirmed R. lanata to be self‐incompatible. Mate availability varied from c. 49% to c. 76% across populations. Most populations showed mate availability of c. 50%–70%, suggesting that mate limitation resulting from a lack of local genetic diversity may cause or at least contribute to reduced seed set. Crossing between populations resulted in significantly higher reproductive success for all populations except one, suggesting the possibility of genetic rescue through population mixing. However, the crossing experiments also showed that pentaploids suffer from a severely reduced paternal reproductive fitness. Any additional hybrids between tetraploids and pentaploids, as would be created by mixing populations with different genome copy numbers during conservation work, would consequently exacerbate mate limitation and thus reduce population viability. We conclude that seed set and thus population viability can be maximized by mixing populations with the same number of genome copies, but that populations with different numbers should be kept spatially separated. The case of Rutidosis lanata provides an example and a potential template for examining the conservation genetics of other species that may constitute polyploid complexes.
Climate variability and forest fires in central and south‐central Chile
Authors: Urrutia‐Jalabert Rocío , González Mauro E. , González‐Reyes Álvaro , Lara Antonio , Garreaud René
Published: April 2018

This paper evaluates the relationship between fire occurrence (number and burned area) and climate variability (precipitation and maximum temperatures) across central and south‐central Chile (32°–43° S) during recent decades (1976–2013). This region sustains the largest proportion of the Chilean population, contains ecologically important remnants of endemic ecosystems, the largest extension of forest exotic plantations, and concentrates most of the fire activity in the country. Fire activity in central Chile was mainly associated with above‐average precipitation during winter of the previous year and with dry conditions during spring to summer. The later association was particularly strong in the southern, wetter part of the study region. Maximum temperature had a positive significant relationship with burned area across the study region, with stronger correlations toward the south. Fires in central Chile were significantly related to El Niño–Southern Oscillation, through rainfall anomalies during the year previous to the fire season. The Antarctic Oscillation during winter through summer was positively related to fires across the study area due to drier/warmer conditions associated with the positive polarity of this oscillation. Climate change projections for the region reveal an all‐season decrease in precipitation and increases in temperature, that may likely result in an increment of the occurrence and the area affected by fires, as it has been observed during a multi‐year drought afflicting central Chile since 2010.
Induced CNS expression of CXCL1 augments neurologic disease in a murine model of multiple sclerosis via enhanced neutrophil recruitment
Authors: Grist Jonathan J. , Marro Brett S. , Skinner Dominic D. , Syage Amber R. , Worne Colleen , Doty Daniel J. , Fujinami Robert S. , Lane Thomas E.
Published: April 2018

Increasing evidence points to an important role for neutrophils in participating in the pathogenesis of the human demyelinating disease MS and the animal model EAE. Therefore, a better understanding of the signals controlling migration of neutrophils as well as evaluating the role of these cells in demyelination is important to define cellular components that contribute to disease in MS patients. In this study, we examined the functional role of the chemokine CXCL1 in contributing to neuroinflammation and demyelination in EAE. Using transgenic mice in which expression of CXCL1 is under the control of a tetracycline‐inducible promoter active within glial fibrillary acidic protein‐positive cells, we have shown that sustained CXCL1 expression within the CNS increased the severity of clinical and histologic disease that was independent of an increase in the frequency of encephalitogenic Th1 and Th17 cells. Rather, disease was associated with enhanced recruitment of CD11b+Ly6G+ neutrophils into the spinal cord. Targeting neutrophils resulted in a reduction in demyelination arguing for a role for these cells in myelin damage. Collectively, these findings emphasize that CXCL1‐mediated attraction of neutrophils into the CNS augments demyelination suggesting that this signaling pathway may offer new targets for therapeutic intervention.
Microglial MHC class II is dispensable for experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and cuprizone‐induced demyelination
Authors: Wolf Yochai , Shemer Anat , Levy‐Efrati Liron , Gross Mor , Kim Jung‐Seok , Engel Adrien , David Eyal , Chappell‐Maor Louise , Grozovski Jonathan , Rotkopf Ron , Biton Inbal , Eilam‐Altstadter Raya , Jung Steffen
Published: April 2018

Microglia are resident immune cells in the CNS, strategically positioned to clear dead cells and debris, and orchestrate CNS inflammation and immune defense. In steady state, these macrophages lack MHC class II (MHCII) expression, but microglia activation can be associated with MHCII induction. Whether microglial MHCII serves antigen presentation for critical local T‐cell restimulation in CNS auto‐immune disorders or modulates microglial signaling output remains under debate. To probe for such scenarios, we generated mice harboring an MHCII deficiency in microglia, but not peripheral myeloid cells. Using the CX3CR1CreER‐based approach we report that microglial antigen presentation is obsolete for the establishment of EAE, with disease onset, progression, and severity unaltered in mutant mice. Antigen presentation‐independent roles of microglial MHCII were explored using a demyelination model induced by the copper chelator cuprizone. Absence of microglial I‐Ab did not affect the extent of these chemically induced white matter alterations, nor did it affect microglial proliferation or gene expression associated with locally restricted de‐ and remyelination.
Interrelationship between the Ancillary Ligand Structure, Acid–Base Properties, and TiO2 Surface Coverage of RuII Dyes
Authors: Teixeira Veiga Elaine , Vidal Müller Andressa , Duarte Ramos Luiz , Passalacqua Morelli Frin Karina , Sarto Polo André
Published: April 2018

The effect of donor/acceptor substituents of phenanthroline on the ground and excited state pKa of RuII tris‐heteroleptic compounds, such as cis‐[Ru(R‐phen)(dcbH2)(NCS)2], where R = H, Me2, Me4, Ph2, and Cbz2, was investigated, as well as their effect on dye adsorption on a TiO2 surface. It was determined that, aside from the long distance between the substituent and acid site on the molecule, the pKa followed the same trend found for uncoordinated ligands; slightly higher pKa values were determined for compounds with donor substituents. A linear correlation suggested that the acid–base properties of the dyes have a direct relationship to the amount of dye adsorbed onto the TiO2 surface as well as their molecular volumes. Solar cells prepared using such dyes exhibited IPCE values up to 77 % at 520 nm. These results are important for understanding the effect of ancillary ligands on the acid–base properties of ruthenium compounds and the TiO2 surface coverage, which can lead to the development of new and efficient dyes for energy conversion devices.
A Co2B Mediated NaBH4 Reduction Protocol Applicable to a Selection of Functional Groups in Organic Synthesis
Authors: Lundevall Frida Johanne , Elumalai Vijayaragavan , Drageset Audun , Totland Christian , Bjørsvik Hans‐René
Published: April 2018

A high‐yielding and high‐rate reduction method that operates with alkenes, alkynes, azides, nitriles, and nitroarenes was developed and optimized. The method makes use of sodium borohydride reduction of CoSO4 under release of hydrogen along with the formation of Co2B as a nanoparticle material. The produced Co2B activates the various functional groups for hydride reduction. The protocol was proven to operate with an assortment of functional groups to provide good to excellent yields. Furthermore, the reduction method was successfully adapted, implemented, and developed for a continuous flow approach using the multi‐jet oscillating disk (MJOD) flow reactor platform at atmospheric pressure.
Probing the Scope of the Amidine–1,2,3‐triazine Cycloaddition as a Prospective Click Ligation Method
Authors: Siegl Sebastian J. , Vrabel Milan
Published: April 2018

Despite recent achievements in the development of chemical reactions enabling selective modification of complex biomolecules, the demand for fast and efficient methodologies that allow the attachment of various functional groups to these systems is the subject of intense research. Here, we report on the study of the amidine–1,2,3‐triazine cycloaddition reaction, which has the potential to address many of the challenges associated with the development of such chemistry. We describe an optimized protocol leading to the in situ formation of free amidine bases, which directly react in the cycloaddition reaction with 1,2,3‐triazines. Our kinetic studies reveal the structural features determining the reaction rates. Finally, we show that the amidine–1,2,3‐triazine cycloaddition is extraordinarily selective and orthogonal to other popular ligation reactions. The pros and cons of the methodology are presented.
Comparison of Commercial and Lab‐made MWCNT Buckypaper: Physicochemical Properties and Bioelectrocatalytic O2 Reduction
Authors: Chen Xiaohong , Gross Andrew J. , Giroud Fabien , Holzinger Michael , Cosnier Serge
Published: April 2018

Buckypapers have emerged as an important material for the construction of enzyme‐based electrodes and biofuel cells for energy harvesting. In this work, commercial and lab‐made buckypapers have been compared to establish their properties for future use as advanced bioelectrodes. The physical properties of the paper‐like carbon nanotube films were characterised by electron microscopy, four‐point probe conductivity, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical properties were investigated by voltammetry in the absence and presence of redox probes. Bioelectrocatalytic oxygen reduction was evaluated with iron‐protoporphyrin modified buckypapers after immobilisation of bilirubin oxidase. Lab‐made buckypaper exhibited a wider potential window, lower background capacitance, and cleaner voltammetry compared to commercial buckypaper. The catalytic current of lab‐made buckypaper was 10‐fold larger due to factors which include the 10‐fold larger BET surface area, higher enzyme loading, more defective structure, and the smaller nanotube diameters. The presence of porphyrin groups enhanced the catalytic current in O2‐saturated solution up to 0.5 mA cm−2 and 1.3 mA cm−2 for commercial and lab‐made buckypaper, respectively. This work sheds new light on the effects of various physicochemical properties on the electrochemical and DET‐type bioelectrocatalytic activity of buckypapers, and promises to be important for the development of bioelectronics devices.
Why Keep Hatcheries? Weighing the Economic Cost and Value of Fish Production for Public Use and Public Trust Purposes
Authors: Trushenski Jesse T , Whelan Gary E , Bowker James D
Published: April 2018

Resource allocation for fisheries management and conservation in the United States has not grown substantially in recent years, and there is ongoing debate over how limited resources should be used to create, maintain, or restore fisheries. Hatcheries have been in existence in North America since 1848, but their organization and role in fisheries management are not widely understood or appreciated. The continuing debate about hatcheries has painted them in broad strokes, with critics suggesting that hatcheries are altogether ineffective, unnecessary, too costly to operate, or do more harm than good to wild populations. Such characterizations fail to capture the diversity of hatchery operations and do not acknowledge the hatchery reform initiatives of the past 20 years or public expectations and legal requirements that influence the production and use of hatchery-origin fish. In this paper, we describe the current number and distribution of fish hatcheries operated for public purposes in North America, provide insights on the costs and benefits of hatcheries operated for public use and other public trust purposes, provide initial cost comparisons to habitat rehabilitation or restoration, and consider the role of hatcheries into the future as a fisheries management tool.
MCL1 gene co‐expression module stratifies multiple myeloma and predicts response to proteasome inhibitor‐based therapy
Authors: Samo Ayaz Ali , Li Jiuyi , Zhou Min , Sun Yingyu , Yang Yuan , Zhang Yunqiu , Li Jing , van Duin Mark , Lu Xuzhang , Fan Xiaolong
Published: April 2018

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic cancer, characterized by abnormal accumulation of plasma cells in the bone marrow. The extensive biological and clinical heterogeneity of MM hinders effective treatment and etiology research. Several molecular classification systems of prognostic impact have been proposed, but they do not predict the response to treatment nor do they correlate to plasma cell development pathways. Here we describe the classification of MM into two distinct subtypes based on the expression levels of a gene module coexpressed with MCL1 (MCL1‐M), a regulator of plasma cell survival. The classification system enabled prediction of the prognosis and the response to bortezomib‐based therapy. Moreover, the two MM subtypes were associated with two different plasma cell differentiation pathways (enrichment of a preplasmablast signature versus aberrant expression of B cell genes). 1q gain, harboring 63 of the 87 MCL1‐M members including MCL1, was found in about 80% of the MM with upregulated MCL1‐M expression. Clonal analysis showed that 1q gain tended to occur as an early clonal event. Members of MCL1‐M captured both MM cell‐intrinsically acting signals and the signals regulating the interaction between MM cells with bone marrow microenvironment. MCL1‐M members were co‐expressed in mouse germinal center B cells. Together, these findings indicate that MCL1‐M may play previously inadequately recognized, initiating role in the pathogenesis of MM. Our findings suggest that MCL1‐M signature‐based molecular clustering of MM constitutes a solid framework toward understanding the etiology of this disease and establishing personalized care.

Article Summary: A pathogenic mechanism‐guided molecular classification would facilitate treatment decision and etiology research of multiple myeloma. On the basis of the expression levels of a gene module coexpressed with MCL1, we have established a classification scheme assigning multiple myeloma into two subtypes with distinct prognosis, treatment responses and pathogenic backgrounds.
Effect of biochemical fraction of exogenous organic matter on CO2 emission from arid soil
Authors: Chaker Rayda , Gargouri Kamel , Ben Mbarek Hadda , Baraket Fatma , Maktouf Sameh , Soua Nabil , Khlifi Mouna , Bouzid Jalel
Published: April 2018

The application of organic amendments is an important technique used to enhance carbon storage in soils, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and mitigating climate change. The role of the composition of organic amendment in CO2 emissions is not well understood, however. The aim of this study was to understand the effect of the biochemical composition of organic amendments on CO2 emission and carbon stabilization. To do this, the application to the soil of five organic amendments with different biochemical compositions was considered. The effects of two types of compost (CH and CP), green manure (GM), olive mill waste water (OMW) and manure (M) on the rate of mineralization and humification of organic carbon were studied under controlled conditions. A single dose of 350 mg of organic carbon/100 g of soil was tested. These treatments, and the control soil, were incubated for 56 days. Soil respiration, organic carbon evolution, and the polymerization index were measured during the incubation period. The results showed that CO2 emission was strongly associated with the soluble fraction and the lignin content. Olive mill water, with the highest soluble fraction, induced the highest rate of mineralization. Composts CH and CP, with the greatest lignin content, were the most resistant to short‐term decomposition, and permitted the highest amount of carbon to be stored in the soil. Overall, this study showed that composts were the best form of organic C application. Indeed, with the composts, low direct mineralization was detected, improving the humidification processes and resulting in enhanced C storage in the soil. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sedimentary characteristics and controls of a retreating, coarse‐grained fan‐delta system in the Lower Triassic, Mahu Depression, northwestern China
Authors: Liu Beibei , Tan Chengpeng , Yu Xinghe , Qu Jianhua , Zhao Xiaoming , Zhang Lei
Published: April 2018

In recent years, enriched hydrocarbon reservoirs have been largely founded in the Lower Triassic Baikouquan Formation, in the Mahu Depression of Junggar basin, northwestern China. Accordingly, the sedimentologic complexity of associated deposits has been extensively studied, though most of them focused on local oil‐producing fields separately. In this research, a detailed sedimentary study of the entire Mahu Depression has been conducted, which include several aspects of sedimentary characteristics, sediment provenance, evolution, and controls of the coarse‐grained fan‐delta system. According to facies features recognized from cores, thin sections, well logs, and seismic data, three sedimentary facies associations were identified: upper fan‐delta plain, lower fan‐delta plain, and fan‐delta front. Furthermore, four depositional systems (Xiazijie, Haungyangquan, Karamay, and Xiayan fan‐delta) around the Mahu Depression were recognized by the distribution of heavy mineral assemblages and change of ZTR index (percentage of Zircon, Tourmaline, and Rutile in the total transparent heavy mineral assemblage). Based on the analysis of facies and sediment provenance, the temporal and spatial distribution of the fan‐delta system were reconstructed associated with the variation of net/gross ratio. As characterized by decreasing‐upward of net/gross ratios and fining‐upward trend of grain size, the evolution of the fan‐delta succession showed an overall retreating pattern which was mainly controlled by lake level rising and rapid tectonic subsidence. Within the retreating pattern, hydrocarbons were trapped in the middle deposits with reservoir space produced by fan‐delta front and lower fan‐delta plain, which were encased between the top transgressive lacustrine mudstones and the bottom debris‐flow deposits produced by upper fan‐delta plain. These findings of the research throw light on the phenomena that the stratigraphy trap for hydrocarbon accumulation could be constructed by retreating, coarse‐grained fan‐delta systems.
Crustal contamination and magmatic evolution of the Bijiashan basic–ultrabasic intrusion belt in the Beishan Terrane, northeastern Tarim Craton (NW China)
Authors: Xia Zhaode , Du Wei , Xia Mingzhe , Jiang Changyi
Published: April 2018

The Bijiashan intrusion belt, one of the basic–ultrabasic intrusion belts in the Beishan Terrane, northeastern Tarim Craton, is composed of the Hongshishan, Hongshishanxi, Xuanwoling, Bijiashandong, and Bijiashan intrusions. These intrusions are mainly composed of dunite, troctolite, olivine gabbro, and gabbro. Magma evolution of the intrusions was strongly controlled by fractional crystallization, and the crystallization sequence was mainly olivine → plagioclase → pyroxene. This is evidenced by whole‐rock MgO contents that are positively correlated with TFe2O3 and negatively correlated with Al2O3, CaO, and Na2O and an increase in total rare‐earth element and trace elements contents from ultrabasic to basic rocks. Most of the basic–ultrabasic rocks are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (Cs, Rb, Sr, and U) and depleted of high field strength elements (Zr, Hf, Nb, Ta, and Ti). The variable and relatively low Ce/Pb (0.17–7.3) and Nb/U (0.13–10.1) ratios, variable Th/Yb (0.02–4.1) ratio, initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios (0.7033 to 0.7094) and εNd (t) (7.54 to −4.25), suggest less than 6% crustal contamination. Based on the maximum Fo value of olivine (Fo90), whole‐rock average composition and olivine–liquid compositional relationships, the parental magma is of high‐Mg basaltic magma containing 13.4 wt.% MgO. According to rare‐earth element contents and Sr–Nd isotopic compositions, the parental magma was originated from partial melting of depleted sub‐continental lithospheric mantle.