bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Correlation between markers of peripheral nerve function and structure in type 1 diabetes
Authors: Borire Adeniyi A. , Issar Tushar , Kwai Natalie C. , Visser Leo H. , Simon Neil G. , Poynten Ann M. , Kiernan Matthew C. , Krishnan Arun V.
Published: June 2018

Background

Clinical and experimental studies in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes have demonstrated changes in ion channel function and nerve structure. In this study, we investigated the relationship between axonal dysfunction and morphological change in diabetic polyneuropathy by using neuromuscular ultrasound and nerve excitability techniques. We also explored possible differences in this relationship between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Nerve ultrasound and corresponding motor excitability studies were undertaken in 110 diabetes patients (50 type 1; 60 type 2) and 60 age‐matched controls (30 for each group). Neuropathy severity was assessed by using total neuropathy score. Median and tibial nerve cross‐sectional areas were measured at nonentrapment sites by using high‐resolution linear probe.

Results

Median and tibial nerve cross‐sectional areas were significantly higher in diabetes patients compared with controls: type 1 (median = 7.6 ± 0.2 mm2 vs 6.3 ± 0.1 mm2; tibial = 14.5 ± 0.7 mm2 vs 10.8 ± 0.3 mm2, P < .05) and type 2 (median = 9.1 ± 0.3 mm2 vs 7.2 ± 0.1 mm2; tibial = 18.5 ± 1.0 mm2 vs 12.8 ± 0.5 mm2, P < .05). In the type 1 cohort, significant correlations were found between nerve cross‐sectional area and excitability parameters including resting current‐threshold slope (median: r = 0.523, P < .0001; tibial: r = −0.571, P = .004) and depolarizing threshold electrotonus at 90 to 100 ms (median: 0.424, P < .01; tibial: r = 0.435, P = .030). In contrast, there was no relationship between excitability values and nerve cross‐sectional area in the type 2 cohort.

Conclusions

This study has identified correlation between markers of axonal membrane function and structural abnormalities in peripheral nerves of type 1 diabetes patients. The differential relationship in nerve function and structure between type 1 and type 2 diabetes provides clinical evidence that different pathophysiological mechanisms underlie the development of neuropathy in these patient groups.
Phylogeographic mitogenomics of Atlantic codGadus morhua: Variation in and among trans‐Atlantic, trans‐Laurentian, Northern cod, and landlocked fjord populations
Authors: Lait Linda A. , Marshall H. Dawn , Carr Steven M.
Published: June 2018

The historical phylogeography, biogeography, and ecology of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) have been impacted by cyclic Pleistocene glaciations, where drops in sea temperatures led to sequestering of water in ice sheets, emergence of continental shelves, and changes to ocean currents. High‐resolution, whole‐genome mitogenomic phylogeography can help to elucidate this history. We identified eight major haplogroups among 153 fish from 14 populations by Bayesian, parsimony, and distance methods, including one that extends the species coalescent back to ca. 330 kya. Fish from the Barents and Baltic Seas tend to occur in basal haplogroups versus more recent distribution of fish in the Northwest Atlantic. There was significant differentiation in the majority of trans‐Atlantic comparisons (ΦST = .029–.180), but little or none in pairwise comparisons within the Northwest Atlantic of individual populations (ΦST = .000–.060) or defined management stocks (ΦST = .000–.023). Monte Carlo randomization tests of population phylogeography showed significantly nonrandom trans‐Atlantic phylogeography versus absence of such structure within various partitions of trans‐Laurentian, Northern cod (NAFO2J3KL) and other management stocks, and Flemish Cap populations. A landlocked meromictic fjord on Baffin Island comprised multiple identical or near‐identical mitogenomes in two major polyphyletic clades, and was significantly differentiated from all other populations (ΦST = .153–.340). The phylogeography supports a hypothesis of an eastern origin of genetic diversity ca. 200–250 kya, rapid expansion of a western superhaplogroup comprising four haplogroups ca. 150 kya, and recent postglacial founder populations.
Functional traits associated with plant colonizing and competitive ability influence species abundance during secondary succession: Evidence from subalpine meadows of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Zhang Hui , Qi Wei , Liu Kun
Published: June 2018

It is widely recognized that colonists and competitors dominate early and late succession, respectively, with selected species having different colonizing and competitive abilities. However, it remains unknown whether colonizing and competitive ability can determine species abundance directly over succession. The data for five key functional traits were collected (photosynthesis rate, leaf turgor loss point, leaf proline content, seed mass, and seed germination rate), which are direct indicators of plant competitive and colonizing abilities including growth, drought and cold stress resistance, dispersal, and seed dormancy. Here, we tested the effects of colonizing and competitive abilities on species abundance, by employing a linear mixed‐effects model to examine the shifts in the relationship between species abundance and these five colonization and competition‐related traits in species‐rich subalpine secondary successional meadows (at 4, 6, 10, 13 years of age, and undisturbed, respectively) of the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. The abundant species at the early‐successional meadows tend to have high photosynthetic rate, high leaf proline content, low seed mass, and seed germination rate for having high colonizing ability, but low competitive ability. By contrast, late‐successional communities tend to be dominated by species with high competitive ability, but low colonizing ability, indicated by large seeds, high seed germination rate, low photosynthetic rate, and leaf proline content. The observed directional shifts in the relationships between traits (photosynthetic rate, leaf proline content, seed mass, and seed germination rate) and abundance with successional age, bring two new understandings of community assembly during succession of subalpine meadows in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau. First, it discloses that the differences in species abundance over succession can be directly attributed to differences in colonizing and competitive abilities of different species. Second, it expands the effects of multiple life historical differences including growth, resource competitive ability, cold stress resistance, dispersal, and seed germination strategy, represented by functional traits on community assembly along succession, that is, from the species to the community level.
β‐Heptasubstituted Porphyrins: Synthesis, Structural, Spectral, and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Grover Nitika , Kumar Ravi , Chaudhri Nivedita , Butcher Ray , Sankar Muniappan
Published: June 2018

A new series of β‐heptasubstituted porphyrins MTPP(NO2)(Me)6 (M = 2H, CoII, NiII, CuII, and ZnII) was synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic techniques. The single‐crystal X‐ray structure analysis of CoTPP(NO2)(Me)6 revealed the significant saddle distortion of the macrocyclic core from the porphyrin mean plane (ΔCβ = 0.928 Å). These porphyrins exhibit significant redshifted electronic spectral features (Δλmax = 40–62 nm) as compared with MTPP due to the combined effect of the nonplanar conformation of the macrocyclic core and mixed β‐substituents. H2TPP(NO2)(Me)6 has shown a high dipole moment (7.12 D) as compared with H2TPP (0.052 D) due to cross‐polarized push–pull substituents. The redox tunability was achieved by appending the electron‐donating methyl and electron‐withdrawing NO2 group at the β‐positions of the porphyrin skeleton.
Crystalline Ammonium Complexes of Trimethyl‐ and Triethylbenzene‐Based Tripodal Compounds Bearing Pyrazole and Indazole Groups
Authors: Schulze Mathias M. , Koch Niklas , Seichter Wilhelm , Mazik Monika
Published: June 2018

Crystalline complexes of NH4+PF6– with trimethyl‐ and triethylbenzene‐based tripodal compounds, bearing either pyrazole or indazole groups, were prepared and characterized by X‐ray diffraction studies. The supramolecular motifs observed in the crystal structures and the conformations of the tripodal molecules have been the subject of a detailed analysis and are described in this paper. The pyrazole‐bearing side arms of the hosts with a trimethylbenzene scaffold are arranged in an aaa fashion and form a cavity including the ammonium ion. In the case of the triethylbenzene derivatives, the fully alternating arrangement of the pyrazole/indazole and ethyl groups is observed and by taking the ethyl groups into account, the conformation can be defined as ab′ab′ab′. The conformations observed in the crystals of the free host molecules can be defined as ab′ab′ba′ with the indazole‐bearing arms arranged in an aab fashion. The crystal packings of the complexes are, among other things, characterized by the presence of NH···F and CH···F hydrogen bonds as well as by CBr···N and CBr···π halogen bonds in the case of the bromo‐substituted derivatives.
Concerted Albeit Not Pericyclic Cycloadditions: Understanding the Mechanism of the (4+3) Cycloaddition between Nitrones and 1,2‐Diaza‐1,3‐dienes
Authors: Pedrón Manuel , Delso Ignacio , Tejero Tomás , Merino Pedro
Published: June 2018

The mechanism of (4+3) cycloaddition reactions of nitrones with 1,2‐diaza‐1,3‐dienes has been studied by using density functional theory (DFT) methods. The cycloaddition reaction takes place through an asynchronous concerted transition state that reflects a two‐stage process in which the formation of the first bond occurs close to the transition state, while the second bond forms well after the transition state. The alternative stepwise mechanism is higher in energy than the concerted process. In this mechanism, the nitrone oxygen acts as a nucleophile by attacking the more electrophilic terminal carbon of the 1,2‐diaza‐1,3‐diene to form an intermediate. The second step of the reaction is the rate‐limiting one, which is higher in energy than that observed for the concerted process. Topological analysis of the gradient field of electron localization function (ELF) provides a complete characterization of the electron density changes during the course of the reaction.
Thin Films and Composites Based on Graphene for Electrochemical Detection of Biologically‐relevant Molecules
Authors: Raymundo‐Pereira Paulo A. , Baccarin Marina , Oliveira Osvaldo N. , Janegitz Bruno C.
Published: June 2018

Graphene is one of the most studied materials ever, owing to its exceptional electronic, mechanical and thermal properties, which allow for many different types of application. In this review, we shall concentrate on the use of graphene and derivatives for electrochemical sensors and biosensors, where emphasis is placed on the importance of surface functionalization as this permits synergistic combinations with other nanomaterials and biomolecules. In addition to describing recent advances in graphene‐based electroanalytical applications, we discuss a few examples of their use in detecting small biomolecules and in immunosensing for a few diseases using films and composites. Also discussed are the possible methods for mass production of graphene, which is key to low‐cost biosensors for implantable devices and portable systems in point‐of‐care diagnosis.
Nonictal EEG biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Engel Jerome , Bragin Anatol , Staba Richard
Published: June 2018

There are no reliable nonictal biomarkers for epilepsy, electroencephalography (EEG) or otherwise, but efforts to identify biomarkers that would predict the development of epilepsy after a potential epileptogenic insult, diagnose the existence of epilepsy, or assess the effects of antiseizure or antiepileptogenic interventions are relying heavily on electrophysiology. The most promising EEG biomarkers to date are pathologic high‐frequency oscillations (pHFOs), brief EEG events in the range of 100 to 600 Hz, which are believed to reflect summated action potentials from synchronously bursting neurons. Studies of patients with epilepsy, and experimental animal models, have been based primarily on direct brain recording, which makes pHFOs potentially useful for localizing the epileptogenic zone for surgical resection, but application for other diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is limited. Consequently, recent efforts have involved identification of HFOs recorded with scalp electrodes, and with magnetoencephalography, which may reflect the same pathophysiologic mechanisms as pHFOs recorded directly from the brain. The search is also on for other EEG changes that might serve as epilepsy biomarkers, and candidates include arcuate rhythms, which may reflect repetitive pHFOs, reduction in theta rhythm, which correlates with epileptogenesis in several rodent models of epilepsy, and shortened sleep spindles that correlate with ictogenesis.
Common data elements (CDEs) for preclinical epilepsy research: Introduction to CDEs and description of core CDEs. A TASK3 report of the ILAE/AES joint translational task force
Authors: Harte‐Hargrove Lauren C. , Galanopoulou Aristea S. , French Jacqueline A. , Pitkänen Asla , Whittemore Vicky , Scharfman Helen E.
Published: June 2018

Common data elements (CDEs) are becoming more common as more areas of preclinical research have generated CDEs. Herein we provide an overview of the progress to date in generating CDEs for preclinical epilepsy research. Currently there are CDEs that have been developed for Physiology (in vivo), Behavior, Pharmacology, and Electroencephalography (EEG). Together the CDEs and methodologic considerations associated with these CDEs are laid out in consecutive manuscripts published in Epilepsia Open, each describing CDEs for their respective topic area. In addition to the overview of progress for the 4 subjects, core characteristics (Core CDEs) are described and explained. Data collection using a case report form (CRF) is described, and considerations that are involved in using the CDEs and CRFs are discussed.
Characteristics of large patient‐reported outcomes: Where can one million seizures get us?
Authors: Ferastraoaru Victor , Goldenholz Daniel M. , Chiang Sharon , Moss Robert , Theodore William H. , Haut Sheryl R.
Published: June 2018

Objective

To analyze data from Seizure Tracker, a large electronic seizure diary, including comparison of seizure characteristics among different etiologies, temporal patterns in seizure fluctuations, and specific triggers.

Methods

Zero‐inflated negative binomial mixed‐effects models were used to evaluate temporal patterns of seizure events (during the day or week), as well as group differences in monthly seizure frequency between children and adults and between etiologies. The association of long seizures with seizure triggers was evaluated using a mixed‐effects logistic model with subject as the random effect. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and odds ratios were reported for analyses involving zero‐inflated negative binomial and logistic mixed‐effects models, respectively.

Results

A total of 1,037,909 seizures were logged by 10,186 subjects (56.7% children) from December 2007 to January 2016. Children had more frequent seizures than adults did (median monthly seizure frequency 3.5 vs. 2.7, IRR 1.26; p < 0.001). Seizures demonstrated a circadian pattern (higher frequency between 07:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and lower overnight), and seizures were reported differentially across the week (seizure rates higher Monday through Friday than Saturday or Sunday). Longer seizures (>5 or >30 min) had a higher proportion of the following triggers when compared with shorter seizures: “Overtired or irregular sleep,” “Bright or flashing lights,” and “Emotional stress” (p < 0.004).

Significance

This study explored a large cohort of patients with self‐reported seizures; strengths and limitations of large seizure diary databases are discussed. The findings in this study are consistent with those of prior work in smaller validated cohorts, suggesting that patient‐recorded databases are a valuable resource for epilepsy research, capable of both replication of results and generation of novel hypotheses.
From clinical trials of antiepileptic drugs to treatment
Authors: Perucca Emilio
Published: June 2018

Rational prescribing should be based on the assessment of high‐quality evidence about the benefits and risks of available treatment options. Because clinical trials, particularly randomized controlled trials (RCTs), provide the best source of evidence, their design and results need to be carefully scrutinized. The majority of RCTs of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have been designed to address regulatory requirements, and generally they involve restrictive eligibility criteria, rigid dosing schemes, short duration of follow‐up, and comparison with placebo rather than standard treatments. Although these studies have high internal validity, they are conducted in a setting that is distant from routine clinical practice and therefore their usefulness in guiding treatment decisions is limited. Information more directly applicable to clinical practice can be derived from a relatively small number of comparative effectiveness monotherapy RCTs, although the design of some of these studies was probably biased in favor of the sponsor's product. Alarmingly, there is a paucity of well‐designed trials in epilepsy syndromes other than focal epilepsies, and no RCTs at all in most of the less common epileptic syndromes of infancy and childhood. In the light of these shortcomings, there is scope for re‐assessing regulatory requirements to facilitate generation of data more directly applicable to the routine clinical setting. Likewise, research‐funding organizations should be sensitized about the lack of adequate evidence to guide therapeutic practice in epilepsy, and the need to promote high‐quality comparative effectiveness trials. Future prospective pragmatic trials may benefit from the increasingly widespread availability of electronic health records.
Development of temporal and spatial high‐order schemes for two‐fluid seven‐equation two‐pressure model and its applications in two‐phase flow benchmark problems
Authors: Chao Fei , Liu Dong , Shan Jianqiang , Gou Junli , Wu Pan
Published: June 2018

Current existing main nuclear thermal‐hydraulics (T‐H) system analysis codes, such as RALAP5, TRACE, and CATHARE, play a crucial role in the nuclear engineering field for the design and safety analysis of nuclear reactor systems. However, two‐fluid model used in these T‐H system analysis codes is ill posed, easily leading to numerical oscillations, and the classical first‐order methods for temporal and special discretization are widely employed for numerical simulations, yielding excessive numerical diffusion. Two‐fluid seven‐equation two‐pressure model is of particular interest due to the inherent well‐posed advantage. Moreover, high‐order accuracy schemes have also attracted great attention to overcome the challenge of serious numerical diffusion induced by low‐order time and space schemes for accurately simulating nuclear T‐H problems. In this paper, the semi‐implicit solution algorithm with high‐order accuracy in space and time is developed for this well‐posed two‐fluid model and the robustness and accuracy are verified and assessed against several important two‐phase flow benchmark tests in the nuclear engineering T‐H field, which include two linear advection problems, the oscillation problem of the liquid column, the Ransom water faucet problem, the reversed water faucet problem, and the two‐phase shock tube problem. The following conclusions are achieved. (1) The proposed semi‐implicit solution algorithm is robust in solving two‐phase flows, even for fast transients and discontinuous solutions. (2) High‐order schemes in both time and space could prevent excessive numerical diffusion effectively and the numerical simulation results are more accurate than those of first‐order time and space schemes, which demonstrates the advantage of using high‐order schemes.
Effect of combination of three texture‐improving ingredients on textural properties of emulsified sausage‐containing salted egg white
Authors: Wang Zhong Feng , Xu Tao , Wang Chu Yan , Deng Nan
Published: June 2018

Response surface methodology based on Box–Behnken was used to assess the effects of three kinds of texture‐improving ingredients, namely, mixed starch (MS) (6%–8%) of sweet potato starch and glutinous rice flour, k‐carrageenan (CG) (0.4%–0.6%), and konjac flour (KF) (0.8%–1.2%), on the firmness, elasticity, and water holding capacity (WHC) of emulsified sausage (ES) made from pork and salted egg white (SEW). The three kinds of texture‐improving ingredients individually presented different effects on firmness, elasticity, and WHC. Their synergistic effects were significant. The three response models obtained by ANOVA were suitable to predict firmness, elasticity, and WHC. These models can also be used to design formulations for different types of sausage with different firmness and elasticity. The combination of MS (7.36%), CG (0.60%), and KF (1.20%) can produce SEW‐containing ES with remarkable firmness (224.04 g), elasticity (8.62), and WHC (8.41).
Fuzzy logic system interference in ship accidents
Authors: Psarros George Ad
Published: June 2018

Poor lookout, lack of situation awareness, and delayed response have been continuously recognized as contributory causes of navigation accidents (i.e., collisions and groundings). It is claimed that such negative behavioral characteristics can be corrected when the navigation system is equipped with the automation capability to intervene upon their detection. Building on the results of my previous work, this study sets the starting line in exploring this technological innovation under a conceptual framework, where it is attempted to employ simple, quantifiable, and measurable ways to assess the deck officer's (navigator's) complex aspect of mental task reliability. To deal with this challenge, the navigator's behavior when performing navigation tasks is described by the Markov method and the uncertainty, ambiguity, and weakness in perceiving accurately the environment and traffic conditions is determined by fuzzy logic. The proposed concept is demonstrated through its practical application in collision and grounding accidents, where it is argued that further research is required for its validation.
Integration of Penman approach with complementary principle for evaporation research
Authors: Han Songjun , Tian Fuqiang
Published: June 2018

Natural evaporation occurs with water transportation from an unsaturated land surface into an unsaturated atmosphere. The subprocesses at the land surface and in the atmosphere are one‐sidedly emphasized in the Penman approach and the complementary principle, in which the ratio of actual evaporation to the Penman potential evaporation is expressed as a function of the wetness state of the land surface and the atmosphere, respectively. The Penman approach and complementary principle can be integrated for completely conceptualizing the evaporation process, by expressing the evaporation ratio as a function of both the land surface and atmospheric wetness. The integrated approach has the potential to increase the accuracy of evaporation estimation while reducing the burdens of parameterization.
Spatial and temporal variability of 0‐ to 5‐m soil–water storage at the watershed scale
Authors: Fu Zihuan , Wang Yunqiang , An Zhisheng , Hu Wei , Mostofa Khan M.G. , Li Xuezhang , Liu Bingxia
Published: June 2018

Dynamic relationships among rainfall patterns, soil water distribution, and plant growth are crucial for sustainable conservation of soil and water resources in water‐limited ecosystems. Spatial and temporal variation in deep soil water content at a watershed scale have not yet been characterized adequately due to the lack of deep soil water data. Deep soil–water storage (SWS) up to a depth of 5 m (n = 73) was measured at 19 sampling occasions at the LaoYeManQu watershed on the Chinese Loess Plateau (CLP). At a depth of 0–1.5 m, the annual mean SWS was highly correlated with rain intensity, and the correlation decreased with depth, but within the layers at 1.5–5.0 m, the changes in SWS indicated a lag between precipitation and the replenishment of soil water. Geostatistical parameters of SWS were also highly dependent on depth, and the mean SWS presented similar spatial structures in two adjacent layers. Temporal stability of SWS as indicated by mean relative difference, standard deviation of the relative difference (SDRD), and mean absolute bias error (MABE) was significantly weaker at the shallow than at deeper layers. Soil separates and organic carbon content controlled the spatial pattern of SWS at the watershed scale. One representative location (Site 57) was identified to estimate the mean SWS in the 1‐ to 5‐m layer of the watershed. Semivariograms of the SDRD and MABE were best fitted by an isotropic spherical model, and their spatial distributions were depth‐dependent. Both temporal stability and spatial variability of SWS increased over depth. This study is helpful for deep SWS estimation and sustainable management of soil and water on the CLP, and for other similar regions around the world.
Self‐Assembled Alkynyl Azoles and Benzoazoles as Colored Optical Waveguides
Authors: Torres‐Moya Iván , Martín Raúl , Díaz‐Ortiz Ángel , Prieto Pilar , Carrillo José Ramón
Published: June 2018

Different alkynyl azoles and benzoazoles have been synthesized in good yields by carbon‐carbon coupling reactions. The self‐assembly of some of these compounds by the slow diffusion technique led to well‐defined ribbons and needle‐like aggregates. The X‐ray study of some materials showed that the CH‐π interactions involving the C≡C triple bond and the heteroatoms induce aggregation along with H‐bonds due to the methoxy groups. A fluorescence and confocal optical microscopy study of most of the aggregates indicated optical waveguide behavior with different colors.
Potential impact of introducing a nonavalent HPV vaccination
Authors: Bogani Giorgio , Taverna Francesca , Lombardo Claudia , Signorelli Mauro , Chiappa Valentina , Casarin Jvan , Scaffa Cono , Leone Roberti Maggiore Umberto , Recalcati Dario , Ditto Antonino , Martinelli Fabio , Borghi Chiara , Perotto Stefania , Ferrero Simone , Lorusso Domenica , Raspagliesi Francesco
Published: June 2018

Objective

To test the theoretical utility of incorporating nonavalent vaccination against HPV into a clinical setting.

Methods

The present retrospective study included data from consecutive patients who underwent HPV‐DNA testing between January 1, 1998, and December 31, 2015. Changes in the prevalence of different HPV types were assessed during three periods (T1, 1998–2003; T2, 2004–2009; and T3, 2010–2015) using XY analysis.

Results

The study included a total of 13 665 patients. Overall, 1361, 5130, and 7174 patients were included in the T1, T2, and T3 periods, respectively. The quadrivalent vaccine would have potentially protected against HPV in 71.5% (973/1361), 46.5% (2385/5130), and 26.5% (1901/7174) of patients in T1, T2, and T3, respectively (P<0.001 for trend). The nonavalent vaccine could have protected against HPV in 92.5% (1259/1361), 72.3% (3709/5130), and 58.1% (4168/7174) of patients in T1, T2, and T3, respectively (P<0.001 for trend). The proportion of patients with genital dysplasia grade 2+ who did not have infections with HPV genotypes covered by the quadrivalent or nonavalent vaccines increased across the three periods (P<0.001 for trend). For all study periods, the protection provided by the nonavalent vaccine would have been superior to the quadrivalent vaccine (χ2 test P<0.001).

Conclusion

The introduction of a nonavalent vaccine could improve protection against HPV infections and HPV‐related genital dysplasia.
Ancestry and development: New evidence
Authors: Spolaore Enrico , Wacziarg Romain
Published: June 2018

We revisit the relationship between ancestral distance and barriers to the diffusion of development by replicating previous results with a new genomic dataset on human microsatellite variation. We find a statistically and economically significant effect of ancestral distance from the technological frontier on income per capita. The historical pattern of the effect is hump shaped, peaking between 1870 and 1913, and declining steeply afterwards. This suggests that ancestral distance acts as a temporary barrier to the diffusion of development. We also find that ancestral distance from the frontier is a barrier to the spread of specific technologies and institutions in modern times.
Distribution characteristics of different human papillomavirus genotypes in women in Wuhan, China
Authors: Xiang Feiyan , Guan Qing , Liu Xinwen , Xiao Han , Xia Qian , Liu Xiuzhen , Sun Hong , Song Xiaojie , Zhong Yuanyuan , Yuan Chun‐Hui , Xiang Yun
Published: June 2018

Background

Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are strongly associated with the development of cervical carcinoma, and the distribution of HPV genotypes varies regionally.

Methods

To investigate the distribution characteristics of different genotypes of HPV infection in women in Wuhan, China, a total of 13 775 patients were enrolled over 2 years.

Results

Of these, 2436 patients were infected with HPVs, and the total infection rate was 17.68%. The infection rate of high‐risk HPV (HR‐HPV) was significantly higher (13.96%) than that of single low‐risk HPV (LR‐HPV; 3.72%). Among the HR‐HPV infections, the most common genotype was HPV 52 with an infection rate of 4.23%, followed by HPVs 16, 58, 39, and 51. The most common LR‐HPV genotype was HPV 81, followed by HPVs 6, 11, and 44. Patients under the age of 25 years were found to have the highest HPV infection rate (P < .05). After the age range of 51‐55 years, a downward trend in total HPVs and HR‐HPVs was observed. The HPV infection rate for a single genotype was higher than that for multiple HPVs (P < .01), and the detection rates in summer and winter were significantly higher than those in spring and autumn.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that the distribution characteristics of various HPV genotype infections are associated with region and age and may be related to season. These data could be the basis for further epidemiological analysis into the control and prevention of HPV infection in this region.
Evaluation of hematological indices of childhood illnesses in Tamale Metropolis of Ghana
Authors: Anabire Nsoh Godwin , Aryee Paul Armah , Addo Francis , Anaba Frank , Kanwugu Osman Nabayire , Ankrah Jacob , Awandare Gordon Akanzuwine , Helegbe Gideon Kofi
Published: June 2018

Background

Although hematological indices cannot in entirety be used to diagnose diseases or defects, the appropriate interpretation of these indices could complement diagnostics such as microscopy and serology for numerous illnesses in children. This study sought to evaluate distinct hematological indices characterizing different childhood illnesses.

Methods

Full blood counts from 150 children (age range from 1 to 15 year) presenting different disease conditions at the Tamale Central Hospital were assessed. The hematological indices were compared between disease categories, and relationships between disease indicators were determined.

Results

The prevalence of the diagnosed childhood illness were: 50.7% malaria, 20.0% diarrhea, 13.3% typhoid fever, 10.0% Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), and 6.0% malaria‐typhoid co‐infection. Fever was diagnosed in a majority (66.0%) of the children, but was independent of each disease group, (χ2 = 9.18, P = .057). Of the 24 hematological indices analyzed, eight; red blood cell (RBC) (P < .001), hemoglobin (Hb) (P < .001), mean cell volume (MCV) (P = .002), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH) (P < .001; lowest and below normal range for SCD), red cell distribution width (RDW_CV) (P < .001), eosinophil percentage [EOS (%)] (P = .001), eosinophil number [EOS#] (P = .002), and platelets (PLT) (P = .001; lowest for malaria) differed significantly across the different disease groups. Levels of Hb and/or MCV were below the normal reference ranges for most of the diagnosed diseases. In addition, low PLT and MCH were respectively distinct for children with malaria and SCD.

Conclusion

Hematological indices including Hb, MCV and PLT, or MCH may be useful indices that could incite further diagnostic tests for malaria or SCD among children in Ghana.
Improved ssDNA recombineering for rapid and efficient pathway engineering in Corynebacterium glutamicum
Authors: Su Tianyuan , Jin Haiying , Zheng Yi , Zhao Qian , Chang Yizhao , Wang Qian , Qi Qingsheng
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Corynebacterium glutamicum is an important microorganism for the industrial production of high value‐added compounds. Therefore, powerful genetic engineering tools are required for metabolic engineering of C. glutamicum.

RESULTS

In this study, the application of ssDNA recombineering was extended to realize efficient and rapid genetic engineering of C. glutamicum. The efficiency of one‐step ssDNA recombineering reached 60% without the need for an additional selective marker. Multi‐nucleotide modifications and strain iterative engineering were also achieved. As evidence of its potential in metabolic engineering, a base substitution mutation of aspartokinase T311I was introduced to relieve the feedback inhibition involved in L‐lysine biosynthesis while simultaneously investigating the combinatory effect of adjacent residues in one step. Iterative engineering enabled rapid mutation of 11 nucleotides in the RBS/initiation codon region to improve lysine production 100‐fold compared with the wild‐type organism.

CONCLUSIONS

CRISPR‐Cas9‐assisted ssDNA recombineering was developed for genome editing of C. glutamicum with high efficiency. This strategy contributes to the toolbox available for genetic engineering of C. glutamicum and boosts the strain engineering for more industrial applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Separation and purification of L‐proline and L‐hydroxyproline from the hydrolysate of sea cucumber Acaudina leucoprota
Authors: Zhou Haiyan , Zhang Yali , Xue Yaping , Lin Saijun , Zheng Yuguo
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Sea cucumber Acaudina leucoprocta is a low‐value marine product with high contents of heavy metals in the body wall. However, it could be used as a substitute source of land‐based animals for value‐added products L‐proline (L‐Pro) and L‐hydroxyproline (L‐Hyp). For high recoveries and purities of L‐Pro and L‐Hyp from A. leucoprocta hydrolysate, the preparative separation of these imino acids with cation exchange resins was investigated.

RESULTS

Among 11 cation exchange resins tested, Dowex 50WX8 resin offered the best separation capacity for L‐Pro and L‐Hyp from each other and impurities. The static equilibrium adsorption data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm, and the adsorption kinetic followed the pseudo‐second‐order model. For the most effective ion exchange process, the adsorption and desorption parameters of L‐Pro and L‐Hyp were optimized with the column packed with Dowex 50WX8 resin. Under optimal conditions, the preparative separation of L‐Pro and L‐Hyp was easily and effectively achieved. The L‐Pro purity increased from 55.7% in the extract of A. leucoprocta hydrolysate to 94.3% in the eluent, and the L‐Hyp purity increased from 27.8% to 95.7%; their final recovery yields from the extract of A. leucoprocta hydrolysate were 93.3% and 89.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Our study provided an effective approach for large‐scale production of imino acids extracted from low‐value sea products, and offered a scientific reference for the separation of other valuable components. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Recent developments in carbonylation chemistry using [13C]CO, [11C]CO, and [14C]CO
Authors: Nielsen Dennis U. , Neumann Karoline T. , Lindhardt Anders T. , Skrydstrup Troels
Published: June 2018

Carbon monoxide represents the most important C1‐building block for the chemical industry, both for the production of bulk and fine chemicals, but also for synthetic fuels. Yet its toxicity and subsequently its cautious handling have limited its applications in medicinal chemistry research and in particular for the synthesis of pharmaceutically relevant molecules. Recent years have nevertheless witnessed a considerable headway on the development of carbon monoxide surrogates and reactor systems, which provide an ideal setting for performing carbonylation chemistry with stoichiometric and substoichiometric carbon monoxide. Such setups are particularly ideal for the introduction of isotope labels such as carbon‐11, carbon‐13, and carbon‐14 into bioactive compounds. This review summarizes this growing field and examines the large number of carbonylation reactions that can be exploited for the introduction of a carbon isotope.
LC‐QTOF characterization of non‐anthocyanic flavonoids in four Tunisian fig varieties
Authors: Soltana Hala , De Rosso Mirko , Lazreg Houda , Vedova Antonio Dalla , Hammami Mohamed , Flamini Riccardo
Published: June 2018

Flavonoids are compounds characterized by antioxidant activity, and their intake in the human diet is considered useful for health and nutrition. Non‐anthocyanic flavonoids in 4 different types of Tunisian figs belonging to the smyrna‐type Ficus carica varieties known as Kholi, Tchich Asal, Himri, and Bidhi were studied by liquid chromatography/high‐resolution mass spectrometry UHPLC‐QqTOF. Twenty‐two compounds belonging to the classes of flavanones (naringenin and eriodictyol), flavones (3 apigenin and 5 luteolin derivatives), and flavonols (2 kaempferol and 7 quercetin derivatives) were identified. Three O‐methoxy flavonols (tamarixetin, syringetin, and isorhamnetin‐3‐O‐glucoside) were found in figs for the first time. Total content of non‐anthocyanic flavonoids found in dark varieties (between 410 and 830 mg/kg) show that these F. carica are fruits qualitatively and quantitatively rich of dietary polyphenols.
Effects of ultrasonication, agitation and stirring extraction techniques on the physicochemical properties, health‐promoting phytochemicals and structure of cold‐brewed coffee
Authors: Ahmed Maruf , Jiang Gui‐Hun , Park Ji Su , Lee Ki‐Chang , Seok Yoon Yeong , Eun Jong Bang
Published: June 2018

BACKGROUND

Ultrasonication, agitation and stirring or a combination of ultrasonication, agitation and stirring extraction techniques were applied to observe their effects on the physicochemical properties, health‐promoting phytochemicals, and structure of cold brewed coffee.

RESULTS

All the extraction techniques led to significant (P < 0.05) increases in the color values, total soluble solids, antioxidant activities and most organic acids, while a combination of extraction techniques increased the chlorogenic acid and caffeine content significantly (P < 0.05) compared with that by conventional methods. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy allowed us to identify the different compounds in the cold‐brewed coffee extract rapidly. The partial least square regression model presented good predictability because experimental and predicted values were close to each other. Principal component analysis revealed that levels of all phytochemicals correlated with the use of non‐conventional methods.

CONCLUSION

The combination of ultrasonication and agitation might be the best option to enhance the various phytochemicals in cold‐brewed coffee. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Syringe cleanup with UHPLC–MS/MS for nitroimidazoles and steroids detection in manure‐based fertilizers
Authors: Wu Huizhen , Tong Jianying , Wang Jianmei , Ji Xiaofeng , Li Zuguang , Qian Mingrong
Published: June 2018

A syringe‐dispersive solid‐phase extraction method was developed for the determination of seven nitroimidazoles and nine steroids in manure‐based fertilizers by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Methanol and acetonitrile were used to extract the sample, and mixed dispersive sorbents dispersed in the syringe were used for purification. The extract was separated with an HSS‐T3 column and detected in positive or negative multiple reaction monitoring mode. Under the optimal conditions, the recoveries of the 16 compounds ranged from 70.3 to 112.3% at the four spiked levels (3, 10, 20, and 50 μg/kg) and the relative standard deviations ranged from 1.0 to 12.4%. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.22–0.86 and 0.73–2.87 μg/kg, respectively. This method is simple, fast, and reliable, and can be used to simultaneously screen and determine nitroimidazoles and steroids in manure‐based fertilizers.
Ramial wood amendments (Piliostigma reticulatum) mitigate degradation of tropical soils but do not replenish nutrient exports
Authors: Félix Georges F. , Clermont‐Dauphin Cathy , Hien Edmond , Groot Jeroen C.J. , Penche Aurélien , Barthès Bernard G. , Manlay Raphaël J. , Tittonell Pablo , Cournac Laurent
Published: June 2018

Restoring degraded soils to support food production is a major challenge for West African smallholders who have developed local innovations to counter further degradation. The objective of this study was to evaluate a local farmer's technique that uses ramial wood (RW) as soil amendment (Piliostigma reticulatum shrub). Three treatments were applied in an experimental plot in Burkina Faso: control (no amendment), low RW (3 Mg fresh mass·ha−1·yr−1), and high RW (12 Mg fresh mass·ha−1·yr−1). RW was chipped to <5‐cm pieces and either buried or mulched. Topsoil carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in control and low‐RW treatments declined after 7 years of continuous sorghum cultivation. Use of high‐RW amendment stabilized soil C content while N and P declined, thus not replenishing nutrient exports. Net contribution to soil C in the layer measuring 0–15 cm was 15% of the applied C in the high‐RW amendments. Although biomass and grain yields were higher in high‐RW treatments, crop productivity declined throughout the experiment for all treatments. Termite casts on RW treatments evidenced the potential role of wood‐foraging termites in diluting the impact of RW on soil fertility build‐up and soil water content. We conclude that mitigating soil degradation under semiarid conditions in Burkina Faso would require large amounts of woody amendments, particularly if the level of termite activity is high. Additional nutrient sources would be needed to compensate for removal in exported products so that biomass and grain production can be stabilized or increased.
Accuracy of SPECT/CT‐based lung dose calculation for Holmium‐166 hepatic radioembolization before OSEM convergence
Authors: van Nierop Bastiaan J. , Prince Jip F. , van Rooij Rob , van den Bosch Maurice A.A.J. , Lam Marnix G.E.H. , de Jong Hugo W.A.M.
Published: June 2018

Purpose

In intra‐arterial hepatic radioembolization using Holmium‐166 (166Ho) microspheres, a predicted lung‐absorbed dose of more than 30 Gy is a contraindication for therapy. Therefore, scout imaging by means of quantitative SPECT of the lungs after a low‐dose pretreatment session is essential. Earlier we showed the superiority of Monte Carlo‐based iterative SPECT reconstructions over conventional reconstructions due to its quantitative nature, required for dosimetry, at the cost of substantial computation times. In clinical routine, however, the limited available time between scout imaging and therapy constrains its application. To reduce computation times, we investigated the minimum number of iterations required to guarantee a clinical acceptable accuracy in lung dose estimation using patient and phantom data.

Methods

166Ho scout SPECT data (range: 222‐283 MBq) were used from 10 patients. SPECT images were Monte Carlo‐based OSEM reconstructed (effective iterations: 240). Additionally, the 4D XCAT anthropomorphic phantom was used to mimic studies with an injected scout activity of 250 MBq and with varying lung‐absorbed doses ranging from 0.9 to 225 Gy for a therapeutic dosage of 15 GBq. These studies were reconstructed in the same way as the patient data, and were also reconstructed using a clinically available, standard OSEM algorithm for comparison. Lung‐absorbed dose was determined using VOI analysis as a function of iterations.

Results

The estimated lung‐absorbed dose in nine patients ranged upon MC‐based OSEM convergence from 0 to 0.26 Gy for a therapeutic dosage. One patient had an estimated lung absorbed‐dose for a therapeutic dosage of 20.3 Gy upon MC‐based OSEM convergence, or 18.4 Gy after 40 iterations (−9%). The phantom data showed that the lung‐absorbed dose upon OSEM convergence was underestimated by 15% as compared to the actual simulated lung dose, and the dose after 40 iterations was underestimated by 9% as compared to the dose upon convergence. Both underestimations were irrespective of the magnitude of the lung‐absorbed dose (0.9 to 225 Gy) and thus can be easily corrected for. The quantitative accuracy of the MC‐based OSEM reconstructions (40 iterations, before convergence) outperformed the clinical OSEM reconstruction while estimating the lung dose.

Conclusions

The number of effective iterations necessary for quantitative estimation of the lung dose using MC‐based OSEM can be reduced from 240 to 40. The resulting sixfold reduction in calculation time enables processing of the scout images before therapy administration.
Cluster versus ROI analysis to assess combined antiangiogenic therapy and radiotherapy in the F98 rat‐glioma model
Authors: Coquery Nicolas , Serduc Raphael , Rémy Chantal , Barbier Emmanuel Luc , Lemasson Benjamin
Published: June 2018

For glioblastoma (GBM), current therapeutic approaches focus on the combination of several therapies, each of them individually approved for GBM or other tumor types. Many efforts are made to decipher the best sequence of treatments that would ultimately promote the most efficient tumor response. There is therefore a strong interest in developing new clinical in vivo imaging procedures that can rapidly detect treatment efficacy and allow individual modulation of the treatment. In this preclinical study, we propose to evaluate tumor tissue changes under combined therapies, tumor vascular normalization under antiangiogenic treatment followed by radiotherapy, using a voxel‐based clustering approach. This approach was applied to a rat model of glioma (F98). Six MRI parameters were mapped: apparent diffusion coefficient, vessel wall permeability, cerebral blood volume fraction, cerebral blood flow, tissue oxygen saturation and vessel size index. We compared the classical region of interest (ROI)‐based analysis with a cluster‐based analysis. Five clusters, defined by their MRI features, were sufficient to characterize tumor progression and tumor changes during treatments. These results suggest that the cluster‐based analysis was as efficient as the ROI‐based analysis to assess tumor physiological changes during treatment, but also gave additional information regarding the voxels impacted by treatments and their localization within the tumor. Overall, cluster‐based analysis appears to be a powerful tool for subtle monitoring of tumor changes during combined therapies.
Taking the responsibility in dementia care: A concept analysis about facticity
Authors: Caldas Célia Pereira , Berterö Carina
Published: June 2018

Aim

The aim of this study is to develop a comprehensive definition of facticity, applicable to dementia nursing.

Methods

Walker and Avant's Concept Analysis was used to analyse facticity. Published literature found in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Scopus using the search term facticity and nursing, as well as books and dictionaries and empirical data was used to clarify the concept.

Results

Facticity in nursing dementia care is being in reality taking on responsibility to truth. Antecedents of facticity include persons occupied with caring a demented older person including full‐time duties, often accompanied by resistive behaviours. They are overloaded both physically and psychologically. Being present and feeling compassion and nurturing the relationship with the demented older persons and in that way strengthen the caregiving process.

Conclusion

Nurses need to be aware that all human beings are living with facticity.