bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Super Gas Barrier and Fire Resistance of Nanoplatelet/Nanofibril Multilayer Thin Films
Authors: Qin Shuang , Pour Maryam Ghanad , Lazar Simone , Köklükaya Oruç , Gerringer Joseph , Song Yixuan , Wågberg Lars , Grunlan Jaime C.
Published: November 2018

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) are abundant in the fiber cell walls of many plants and are considered a nearly inexhaustible resource. With the goal of improving the flame resistance and gas barrier properties of cellulose‐based films, cationic CNF are assembled with anionic vermiculite (VMT) clay using the layer‐by‐layer deposition process. The highly aligned VMT nanoplatelets, together with cellulose nanofibrils, form a nanobrick wall structure that exhibits high optical transparency, flame resistance, super oxygen barrier, and high modulus. A 20 CNF/VMT bilayer (BL) nanocoating, with a thickness of only 136 nm, exhibits an oxygen transmission rate of 0.013 cc (m2 day atm)–1. With only 2 BL of CNF/VMT, the melting of flexible polyurethane foam exposed to a butane torch is prevented. These nanocoatings also exhibit a high elastic modulus (20 GPa) and hardness (1 GPa). This study demonstrates a unique, renewable, cellulose‐based nanocoating that could be used in a variety of packaging and protection applications.
Soft Thermoplastic Elastomer for Easy and Rapid Spin‐Coating Fabrication of Microfluidic Devices with High Hydrophilization and Bonding Performances
Authors: Lachaux Julie , Salmon Hugo , Loisel Fanny , Arouche Nassim , Ochoa Ignacio , Fernandez Luis L. , Uzan Georges , Mercier Olaf , Veres Teodor , Roy Emmanuel
Published: November 2018

Spin‐coating process of a commercially available soft thermoplastic elastomer (sTPE) is demonstrated for the realization of microfluidic prototypes. It is a reliable, wrinkling‐free, and high‐yield holding and transfer methodology for single and multilayered devices fabrication. Complex microfluidic systems including embedded microlenses array, dilutor‐like chip for stable capillary filling, and pneumatically drive valve confirms the performances and quality of the process. The dissolved sTPE, a soft styrenic‐block polymer‐based material, is flexible in its raw state as poly(dimethylsiloxane) and thermoformable as classical thermoplastics. Depending on the solvent evaporation rate, two stable morphologies of the block nanodomains are revealed: either a nanocylinder or hexagonal nanospheres pattern. Both are evenly distributed over the whole surface and account for a uniform and convenient surface at a “microfluidic scale device.” Plasma hydrophilization allows a stable and hydrophilic surface (≈20° after 7 d). The biocompatibility is assessed through the cell culture proliferation assay of progenitor endothelial cells. This sTPE solution displays fast and reliable fabrication and assembly performances, it can achieve strong and stable hydrophilicity within a low level of initial equipment investment.
Non‐Destructive Surface Energy Measurements on (1 0 0) Galfenol
Authors: Van Order Michael , Sinha Shayandev , Wang Hui , Wu Ruqian , Gaskell Karen , Flatau Alison
Published: November 2018

Developing protocols for making thin sheet FeGa (Galfenol) with abnormally grown Goss or Cube grains, which provide maximum magnetostriction, is challenging because the mechanisms that regulate grain boundary mobility and texture development in these alloys are not yet understood. Grain boundary energy models do not account for forces caused by the control of surface energy from atmospheric annealing conditions. By characterizing the surface energy of specific Galfenol grains, we can develop a more accurate thermodynamic framework for modeling abnormal grain growth and texture development. To non‐destructively measure surface energy of specific crystal orientations and overcome passivation layer difficulties in previous studies, a two‐liquid‐phase contact angle method is utilized. A single‐crystal (1 0 0) Fe82Ga18 is used as a proof of concept for its isotropic surface crystal orientation. The resultant contact angle data shows a high dependence on the use of Ar‐plasma surface preparation to remove native oxides exposing a true interaction between a sessile drop and the Galfenol surface. Experimentally measured surface energy values are in agreement with density functional theory simulations. Surface texture and composition are confirmed using EBSD and XPS measurements. This non‐destructive technique paves the way towards studying surface energies of bare metal surfaces.
Codoping Er‐N to Suppress Self‐Compensation Donors for Stable p‐Type Zinc Oxide
Authors: Ouyang Yifang , Meng Zhisen , Mo Xiaoming , Chen Hongmei , Tao Xiaoma , Peng Qing , Du Yong
Published: November 2018

Stable p‐type doping of zinc oxide (ZnO) is an unsolved but critical issue for ultraviolet optoelectronic applications despite extensive investigations. Here, an Er‐N codoping strategy for defect engineering of ZnO to suppress the self‐compensation of the donor‐type intrinsic point defects (IPDs) over the acceptor‐type ones is proposed. Via first‐principles calculations, the influence of nitrogen and erbium concentration on the stability of ZnO is investigated. The complex (ErZn‐mNO) consisting of multiple substitutional N on O sites and one substitutional Er on Zn site is a crucial stabilizer. With an increase of the concentration of N, the absorption edges redshift to lower energy due to the impurity band broadening in the bandgap. The results suggest that codoping Er‐N into the ZnO matrix is a feasible way to manufacture stable p‐type ZnO.
Primary Cilia as Signaling Hubs in Health and Disease
Authors: Nishimura Yuhei , Kasahara Kousuke , Shiromizu Takashi , Watanabe Masatoshi , Inagaki Masaki
Published: November 2018

Primary cilia detect extracellular cues and transduce these signals into cells to regulate proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Here, the function of primary cilia as signaling hubs of growth factors and morphogens is in focus. First, the molecular mechanisms regulating the assembly and disassembly of primary cilia are described. Then, the role of primary cilia in mediating growth factor and morphogen signaling to maintain human health and the potential mechanisms by which defects in these pathways contribute to human diseases, such as ciliopathy, obesity, and cancer are described. Furthermore, a novel signaling pathway by which certain growth factors stimulate cell proliferation through suppression of ciliogenesis is also described, suggesting novel therapeutic targets in cancer.
Musical auditory processing, cognition, and psychopathology in 22q11.2 deletion syndrome
Authors: Gao Lucy , Tang Sunny X. , Yi James J. , McDonald‐McGinn Donna M. , Zackai Elaine H. , Emanuel Beverly S. , Gur Ruben C. , Calkins Monica E. , Gur Raquel E.
Published: November 2018

Chromosome 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is associated with impairment in multiple domains of cognition and risk for several psychiatric disorders. Musical auditory processing is highly heritable, and is impaired in individuals with schizophrenia and other neurodevelopmental disorders, but has never been studied in 22q11DS, notwithstanding anecdotal evidence of its sparing. We aimed to characterize musical auditory processing in 22q11DS and explore potential relationships with other cognitive domains, musical engagement, and psychiatric disorders. The Distorted Tunes Task and Global Musical Sophistication Index were used to assess pitch discrimination and general musical engagement in 58 individuals with 22q11DS aged 8–29 years. Psychopathology was assessed with sections from the modified Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School‐Age Children and the Structured Interview for Prodromal Syndromes. The Penn computerized neurocognitive battery (CNB) examined four domains of cognition (executive functioning, episodic memory, complex cognition, and social cognition). Significant musical auditory processing impairment and reduced musical engagement were found in individuals with 22q11DS. However, deficits in musical auditory processing were not associated with reduced musical engagement. After covarying for age and sex, episodic memory and overall CNB performance accuracy were significantly related to performance in musical auditory processing. There were no relationships between musical auditory processing and presence of any psychiatric diagnoses. Individuals with 22q11DS experience significant deficits in musical auditory processing and reduced musical engagement. Pitch discrimination is associated with overall cognitive ability, but appears to be largely independent of psychiatric illness.
Engineering Photon Delocalization in a Rabi Dimer with a Dissipative Bath
Authors: Zheng Fulu , Zhang Yuyu , Wang Lu , Wei Yadong , Zhao Yang
Published: November 2018

A Rabi dimer is used to model a recently reported circuit quantum electrodynamics system composed of two coupled transmission‐line resonators with each being coupled to one qubit. In this study, a phonon bath is adopted to mimic the multimode micromechanical resonators and is coupled to the qubits in the Rabi dimer. The dynamical behavior of the composite system is studied by the Dirac–Frenkel time‐dependent variational principle combined with the multiple Davydov D2 ansätze. Initially, all the photons are pumped into the left resonator, and the two qubits are in the down state coupled with the phonon vacuum. In the strong qubit–photon coupling regime, the photon dynamics can be engineered by tuning the qubit–bath coupling strength α and photon delocalization is achieved by increasing α. In the absence of dissipation, photons are localized in the initial resonator. Nevertheless, with moderate qubit–bath coupling, photons are delocalized with quasiequilibration of the photon population in two resonators at long times. In this case, high‐frequency bath modes are activated by interacting with depolarized qubits. For strong dissipation, photon delocalization is achieved via frequent photon‐hopping within two resonators and the qubits are suppressed in their initial down state.
Compatibilization of PLA/PBAT blends by using Epoxy‐POSS
Authors: Kilic Nilay T. , Can Buse N. , Kodal Mehmet , Ozkoc Guralp
Published: November 2018

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) blends were compatibilized using epoxidized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (Epoxy‐POSS). Three different Epoxy‐POSS types were utilized having mono‐, tri‐, and multi‐epoxides per POSS cage. In order to understand the localization of Epoxy‐POSS types, wetting coefficients were calculated from surface energy measurements. According to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it was observed that Epoxy‐POSS types mostly located at the interface of PLA/PBAT phases. The compatibilization of PLA and PBAT was shown through the decrease in dispersed particles size and the shifts in glass transition temperatures of phases. Mechanical properties of PLA/PBAT improved in the presence of Epoxy‐POSS types. The Izod impact strength and elongation in tensile test values were maximized when 0.5% monoepoxy‐POSS was used as compatibilizer. The reactions between Epoxy‐POSS and polymers were monitored by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis and rheology. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47217.
Selective Separation of Isomeric Dicarboxylic Acid by the Preferable Crystallization of Metal‐Organic Frameworks
Authors: Yang Pengfei , Gong Ming , Ye Yunxi , Li Yongsheng , Zhuang Qixin , Gu Jinlou
Published: November 2018

Simple and effective separation of isomeric organic molecules is an important but challenging task. Herein, we successfully developed a selective crystallization strategy to separate the mixtures of isomeric dicarboxylic acids (DCAs) for the first time. The target DCAs could be preferably combined with crystallization inducer of Zr4+ ions to form a pre‐designed metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) crystal structure whereas the entry of non‐target isomeric DACs into the MOFs lattice could be exclusively inhibited. Several isomeric pairs were exemplified to verify the extensibility and validity of the developed strategy.
Is It Good Enough to Be Responsible and Accurate?
Authors: Kolias Athens
Published: November 2018

As Board Leadership readers increasingly see scandals at the board level making the news, one question that arises is about how clearly expectations are communicated. As board members go about their normal daily work, they often operate under an assumption that everyone on the board has read from the same dictionary, even as they increase efforts to bring more diversity into the boardroom. Here, Athens Kolias, governance consultant and adjunct professor at the San Francisco State University Center for Extended Learning, asks, “Do boards realize they may not be speaking the same language?”
Human neonatal stem cell‐derived skin substitute improves healing of severe burn wounds in a rat model
Authors: Mahmood Ruhma , Mehmood Azra , Choudhery Mahmood S. , Awan Sana Javaid , Khan Shaheen N. , Riazuddin Sheikh
Published: November 2018

Conventional approaches can repair minor skin injuries; however, severe burn injuries require innovative approaches for efficient and better wound repair. Recent studies indicate that stem cell‐based regenerative therapies can restore severe damaged skin both structurally and functionally. The current study aims to evaluate the wound healing potential of skin substitute derived from human neonatal stem cells (hNSCs) using a severe burn injury rat model. Amniotic epithelial cells (AECs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were isolated from placenta (a source of neonatal stem cells) by explant culture method. After characterization, AECs and umbilical cord‐MSCs were differentiated into keratinocyte and fibroblasts, respectively. Morphological changes, and expression of corresponding keratinocyte and fibroblast specific markers were used to verify differentiation into respective lineage. A skin substitute was developed by mixing hNSCs‐derived skin cells (hNSCs‐SCs) in plasma for transplantation in a rat model of severe burn injury. Results indicated that placenta‐derived AECs and MSCs were efficiently differentiated into skin cells, that is, keratinocytes and fibroblasts, respectively, as indicated by morphological changes, immunostaining, and polymerase chain reaction analysis. Further, transplantation of hNSCs‐SCs seeded in plasma significantly improved basic skin architecture, re‐epithelization rate, and wound healing concurrent with reduced apoptosis. In conclusion, neonatal stem cell‐derived skin substitute efficiently improved severe burn wounds in a rat model of burn injury. Unique properties of placenta‐derived stem cells make them superlative candidates for the development of “off‐the‐shelf” artificial skin substitutes for future use.
Effect of xanthan gum on dough properties and bread qualities made from whole wheat flour
Authors: Tebben Lauren , Li Yonghui
Published: November 2018

Background and objectives

This study aimed to determine the effect of xanthan gum on whole wheat dough and bread, especially dough rheological properties, gluten structures, loaf volume, and bread texture and staling.

Findings

Xanthan gum increased the water absorption and mixing time for whole wheat dough as determined by mixograph. Xanthan gum altered dough rheology as evaluated through the Kieffer extensibility test, Chen–Hoseney stickiness test, and compression test employed for extensional viscosity calculation. Gluten secondary structure was analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy. Changes to glutenin and gliadin extractability were measured by RP‐HPLC. Specific loaf volume increased from 3.74 to 4.38 cm3/g. Crumb hardness of fresh bread decreased more than twofold by xanthan inclusion. Hardness after 48 hr of bread storage was also lower than the control, but the rate of hardness increase was not reduced. Moisture loss over 48 hr decreased for 0.6% and 1.0% xanthan gum. DSC revealed that xanthan gum decreased amylose–lipid complexation, but did not affect amylopectin retrogradation.

Conclusions

Xanthan gum altered the rheological properties of whole wheat dough, increased whole wheat bread volume, and decreased the hardness of both fresh and stored bread. Future research could examine the effect of xanthan gum in combination with other crumb softeners and antistaling agents, in order to achieve both an increase in loaf volume and a decrease in staling for whole wheat bread.

Significance and novelty

This study may help improve the sensory appeal of whole wheat bread and ultimately increase whole grain consumption.
Understanding and Optimizing the Performance of Cu‐FER for The Direct CH4 to CH3OH Conversion
Authors: Pappas Dimitrios K. , Borfecchia Elisa , Dyballa Michael , Lomachenko Kirill A. , Martini Andrea , Berlier Gloria , Arstad Bjørnar , Lamberti Carlo , Bordiga Silvia , Olsbye Unni , Svelle Stian , Beato Pablo
Published: November 2018

Cu‐exchanged zeolites with the Ferrierite topology were investigated in the direct CH4 to CH3OH conversion. Samples with a systematic compositional variation in terms of Na/Al and Cu/Al ratios where synthesized by liquid ion exchange. The presence of Na is observed to be beneficial for the Cu exchange and thereby higher Cu loadings were achieved. The overall performance of Cu‐FER samples depends on Cu loading as well as the conditions of the reaction. Elevated O2 activation temperature as well as long CH4 loading times are proven to enhance the CH3OH yield of the Cu‐FER sample with Cu/Al=0.2. In addition, the productivity depends on the Cu/Al ratio, at low values the sample is almost inactive indicating a Cu threshold that needs to be surpassed. We employed X‐ray absorption and IR of adsorbed CO spectroscopies in order to rationalize the performance as well as the effect of Cu/Al ratio. From the in situ spectroscopies we ultimately establish structure‐activity relationships between the reducibility of Cu species and the CH3OH yield.
Trends in low‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol blood values between 2012 and 2017 suggest sluggish adoption of the recent 2013 treatment guidelines
Authors: Superko H. Robert , Williams Paul T. , Dansinger Michael , Schaefer Ernst
Published: November 2018

Background

Over a 14‐year period, age‐adjusted high total cholesterol (≥240 mg/dL) in the United States declined from 18.3% in 1999 to 2000 to 11.0% in 2013 to 2014, coinciding with the 2001 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP)‐III guidelines that endorsed low‐density lipoprotein (LDL)‐cholesterol blood value goals. Statin treatment recommendations were revised by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) in November 2013 to a “risk‐based prescription” approach that did not utilize blood cholesterol values. This increased dosage and expanded the statin‐eligible population by an estimated 12.8 million US adults. These changes should further lower total and LDL cholesterol concentrations nationally.

Methods

We examined data from 507 752 patients nationally aged ≥16 years whose fasting bloods were sent to Boston Heart Diagnostics for direct LDL‐cholesterol measurements. Between 2012 and 2017, age‐adjusted concentrations were examined by analysis of covariance and LDL‐cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL by logistic regression.

Results

Contrary to expectations, age‐adjusted mean LDL‐cholesterol concentrations (±SE, mg/dL) increased significantly (P < 10−16) in men (2012:113.8 ± 0.3; 2013:115.3 ± 0.2; 2014:114.7 ± 0.2; 2015:116.0 ± 0.2; 2016:117.6 ± 0.2; and 2017:117.1 ± 0.2 mg/dL) and women (2012:119.5 ± 0.3; 2013:120.7 ± 0.2; 2014:119.8 ± 0.02; 2015:120.8 ± 0.2; 2016:122.7 ± 0.1; and 2017:123.8 ± 0.2 mg/dL). The percentage with LDL‐cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL also increased significantly (P < 10−9) in men and women. Similar results were obtained for ages 40 to 75 years olds (corresponding to ACC/AHA guidelines).

Conclusion

These results provide additional evidence that declining blood LDL‐cholesterol levels observed following the ATP‐III recommendations, did not further decline (actually increased) following the 2013 ACC/AHA recommendations.
A Fluorescent Silver(I) Carbene Complex with Anticancer Properties: Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Studies
Authors: Fabbrini Maria Giulia , Cirri Damiano , Pratesi Alessandro , Ciofi Lorenzo , Marzo Tiziano , Guerri Annalisa , Nistri Silvia , Dell'Accio Alfonso , Gamberi Tania , Severi Mirko , Bencini Andrea , Messori Luigi
Published: November 2018

The silver(I)N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) complex bis(1‐(anthracen‐9‐ylmethyl)‐3‐ethylimidazol‐2‐ylidene) silver chloride ([Ag(EIA)2]Cl), bearing two anthracenyl fluorescent probes, has been synthesized and characterized. [Ag(EIA)2]Cl is stable in organic solvents and under physiological conditions, and shows potent cytotoxic effects in vitro toward human SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. The interactions of [Ag(EIA)2]Cl with a few model biological targets have been studied as well as its ability to be internalized in cells. The in vitro anticancer activity is apparently related to the level of drug internalization. Notably, [Ag(EIA)2]Cl does not react with a few model proteins, but is capable of binding the C‐terminal dodecapeptide of thioredoxin reductase hTrxR(488–499) and to strongly inhibit the activity of this enzyme. Binding occurs through an unconventional process leading to covalent binding of one or two carbene ligands to the C‐terminal dodecapeptide with concomitant release of the silver cation. To the best of our knowledge, this mode of interaction is reported here for the first time for Ag(NHC)2complexes.
Differential use of medical versus surgical androgen deprivation therapy for patients with metastatic prostate cancer
Authors: Borno Hala T. , Lichtensztajn Daphne Y. , Gomez Scarlett L. , Palmer Nynikka R. , Ryan Charles J.
Published: November 2018

Background

Surgical and medical androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) strategies are comparable in their ability to suppress serum testosterone levels as treatment in patients with metastatic prostate cancer but differ with regard to cost and impact on quality of life. Medical ADT is associated with better long‐term quality of life due to the flexibility of possible therapy interruption but comes with a higher cumulative cost. In the current study, the authors examined whether surgical ADT (ie, bilateral orchiectomy) was used differentially by race/ethnicity and other social factors.

Methods

The authors identified patients with metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis through the California Cancer Registry. The association between race/ethnicity and receipt of surgical ADT was modeled using multivariable Firth logistic regression adjusting for age, Gleason score, prostate‐specific antigen level, clinical tumor and lymph node classification, neighborhood socioeconomic status (SES), insurance, marital status, comorbidities, initial treatment (radiotherapy, chemotherapy), location of care, rural/urban area of residence, and year of diagnosis.

Results

The authors examined a total of 10,675 patients with metastatic prostate cancer, 11.4% of whom were non‐Hispanic black, 8.4% of whom were Asian/Pacific Islander, 18.5% of whom were Hispanic/Latino, and 60.5% of whom were non‐Hispanic white. In the multivariable model, patients found to be more likely to receive surgical ADT were Hispanic/Latino (odds ratio [OR], 1.32; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.01‐1.72), were from a low neighborhood SES (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 1.34‐2.89) or rural area (OR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.15‐1.92), and had Medicaid/public insurance (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.58‐3.10). Patients with military/Veterans Affairs insurance were significantly less likely to receive surgical ADT compared with patients with private insurance (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.13‐0.88).

Conclusions

Race/ethnicity, neighborhood SES, and insurance status appear to be significantly associated with receipt of surgical ADT. Future research will need to characterize other differences in initial treatments among men with advanced prostate cancer based on race/ethnicity and aim to better understand what factors drive the association between surgical ADT among men of Hispanic origin or those from areas with low neighborhood SES.
Review of instrumental inter‐agreement study of spectral and colorimetric data of commercial multiangle spectrophotometers
Authors: Perales Esther , Micó‐Vicent Bàrbara , Huraibat Khalil , Martínez‐Verdú Francisco M. , Dietz Christian , Yamanoi Yuta
Published: November 2018

Several different instruments have been introduced into the market to obtain good color characterization for different measurement configurations. These commercial instruments have different optical and working configurations, however, the measurement data provided by each instrument should be similar to have good consistency when comparing them to each other measuring the same sample material. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to apply an inter‐model agreement study of spectral and colorimetric data of three instruments (CM‐M6, BYK‐mac‐I, and MA98). Two different statistical tests were applied following ASTM recommendations. In general, the measurement geometries close to the specular direction and the flop direction showed greater deviations. In addition, the partial color differences calculated for the comparison of MA98 versus CM‐M6 were larger than the BYK‐mac‐i versus CM‐M6 comparison. Finally, it can be concluded that most of the measurement geometries were statistically significantly different from each other which means that these differences were due to systematic or bias errors and not exclusively to random errors.
Thermodynamic, transport, and optical properties of dense silver plasma calculated using the GreeKuP code
Authors: Knyazev D.V. , Levashov P.R.
Published: November 2018

The transport and optical properties of a dense silver plasma are calculated using our parallel GreeKuP code. The code uses the results of Vienna ab initio simulation package (VASP) as input information and is based upon the Kubo–Greenwood formula. The calculation is performed at the normal density 10.5 g/cm3 and 3 kK ≤ T ≤ 20 kK. Under these conditions, the results are strongly influenced by the presence of the d‐electrons in silver: the real part of dynamic electrical conductivity has a non‐Drude shape, the temperature dependence of thermal conductivity is non‐monotonic, and the Wiedemann–Franz law is violated.
pouC Regulates Expression of bmp4 During Atrioventricular Canal Formation in Zebrafish
Authors: Bhakta Minoti , Padanad Mahesh S. , Harris John P. , Lubczyk Christina , Amatruda James F. , Munshi Nikhil V.
Published: November 2018

Background

Many human gene mutations have been linked to congenital heart disease (CHD), yet CHD remains a major health issue worldwide due in part to an incomplete understanding of the molecular basis for cardiac malformation.

Results

Here we identify the orthologous mouse Pou6f1 and zebrafish pouC as POU homeodomain transcription factors enriched in the developing heart. We find that pouC is a multi‐functional transcriptional regulator containing separable activation, repression, protein–protein interaction, and DNA binding domains. Using zebrafish heart development as a model system, we demonstrate that pouC knockdown impairs cardiac morphogenesis and affects cardiovascular function. We also find that levels of pouC expression must be fine‐tuned to enable proper heart formation. At the cellular level, we demonstrate that pouC knockdown disrupts atrioventricular canal (AVC) cardiomyocyte maintenance, although chamber myocyte specification remains intact. Mechanistically, we show that pouC binds a bmp4 intronic regulatory element to mediate transcriptional activation.

Conclusions

Taken together, our study establishes pouC as a novel transcriptional input into the regulatory hierarchy that drives AVC morphogenesis in zebrafish. We anticipate that these findings will inform future efforts to explore functional conservation in mammals and potential association with atrioventricular septal defects in humans. Developmental Dynamics 248:173‐188, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Environmental filtering of avian communities along a rural‐to‐urban gradient in Greater Washington, D.C., USA
Authors: Evans Brian S. , Reitsma Robert , Hurlbert Allen H. , Marra Peter P.
Published: November 2018

The composition of avian communities in human‐dominated habitats is thought to be determined by the interaction between species‐specific traits and environmental characteristics. Traits such as dietary habits and habitat specialization influence the vulnerability of species to land use change. As species are excluded from anthropogenic environments, local species pools are differentially sorted from the regional species pool. This sorting process, environmental filtering, is characterized by a decline in the functional diversity of local biotic communities and may result in a loss of regional biodiversity as landscapes are urbanized. Environmental filtering due to urbanization is hypothesized due to an ecosystem stress gradient, which describes a decrease in species richness or abundance with increasing urban intensity. Conflicting patterns of species richness and species abundances have limited our ability to determine whether urban environments filter avian communities. To evaluate the hypothesis that environmental filtering is occurring, we analyzed avian point count data collected along a rural‐to‐urban gradient in metropolitan Washington, D.C. We examined predictions that species richness, functional diversity, and the total and relative abundances of some life history guilds exhibit the pattern expected under the ecosystem stress‐gradient hypothesis. Species richness and functional diversity declined monotonically with increasing impervious surface. Life history guilds, representing species’ diet, foraging, nest, and migration habits, exhibited differential rates of decline across the rural‐to‐urban gradient, resulting in marked shifts in the composition of communities. Our results support the hypothesis that urbanization filters bird communities as a function of avian traits and provide further evidence of trait‐level responses to urban environments.
Urine protein quantification in stacking gel by SDS‐PAGE
Authors: Jia Jia , Pan Jie , Xu Hongpan , Wang Sen , Bai Bing
Published: November 2018

Urine total protein concentration is usually measured by the pyrogallol red‐molybdate (PRM) assay in clinical laboratories, but it is often subject to sample interference. Here, we introduce a stacking gel‐based method for accurate protein quantitation. In this method, the urine protein samples are run into the stacking gel by SDS‐PAGE where it is concentrated into a single band, and then quickly stained by 0.001% Coomassie at high temperature. High correlations were found between the BSA and urine protein standards (R2 = 0.997 and 0.990, respectively). Addition of 80 ng urine protein standard into each of the ten clinical urine specimens with questionable PRM results yielded the expected increase in the results by this method. Comparison of the PRM method and with the gel quantitation approach on about 60 clinical urine samples demonstrated a general consistency between the results (R2 = 0.825), but in PRM samples with lower protein concentration showed more variations. Overall, the stacking gel method might be a good alternative for clinical urine samples with suspicious protein concentration results.
Drosophila glia: Few cell types and many conserved functions
Authors: Yildirim Kerem , Petri Johanna , Kottmeier Rita , Klämbt Christian
Published: November 2018

Glial cells constitute without any dispute an essential element in providing an efficiently operating nervous system. Work in many labs over the last decades has demonstrated that neuronal function, from action potential generation to its propagation, from eliciting synaptic responses to the subsequent postsynaptic integration, is evolutionarily highly conserved. Likewise, the biology of glial cells appears conserved in its core elements and therefore, a deeper understanding of glial cells is expected to benefit from analyzing model organisms such as Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila is particularly well suited for studying glial biology since in the fly nervous system only a limited number of glial cells exists, which can be individually identified based on position and a set of molecular markers. In combination with the well‐known genetic tool box an unprecedented level of analysis is feasible, that not only can help to identify novel molecules and principles governing glial cell function but also will help to better understand glial functions first identified in the mammalian nervous system. Here we review the current knowledge on Drosophila glia to spark interest in using this system to analyze complex glial traits in the future.
Helper CD4 T cells expressing granzyme B cause glial fibrillary acidic protein fragmentation in astrocytes in an MHCII‐independent manner
Authors: Stopnicki Brandon , Blain Manon , Cui Qiao‐Ling , Kennedy Timothy E. , Antel Jack P. , Healy Luke M. , Darlington Peter J.
Published: November 2018

During inflammatory processes of the central nervous system, helper T cells have the capacity to cross the blood–brain barrier and injure or kill neural cells through cytotoxic mechanisms. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is an intermediate filament protein that is part of the astrocyte cytoskeleton that can become fragmented in neuroinflammatory conditions. The mechanism of action by which helper T cells with cytotoxic properties injure astrocytes is not completely understood. Primary human astrocytes were obtained from fetal brain tissue. Human helper (CD4+) T cells were isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and activated with the superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin E (SEE). Granzyme B was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and intracellular flow cytometry. GFAP fragmentation was monitored by western blotting. Cell death was monitored by lactic acid dehydrogenase release and terminal biotin‐dUTP nick labeling (TUNEL). Astrocyte migration was monitored by scratch assay. Adult human oligodendrocytes were cultured with sublethally injured astrocytes to determine support function. Helper T cells activated with SEE expressed granzyme B but not perforin. Helper T cells released granzyme B upon contact with astrocytes and caused GFAP fragmentation in a caspase‐dependent, MHCII‐independent manner. Sublethally injured astrocytes were not apoptotic; however, their processes were thin and elongated, their migration was attenuated, and their ability to support oligodendrocytes was reduced in vitro. Helper T cells can release granzyme B causing sublethal injury to astrocytes, which compromises the supportive functions of astrocytes. Blocking these pathways may lead to improved resolution of neuroinflammatory lesions.
Association of age and gender with anxiety disorders in older adults: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Grenier Sébastien , Payette Marie‐Christine , Gunther Bruno , Askari Sorayya , Desjardins Frédérique F. , Raymond Béatrice , Berbiche Djamal
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To provide an estimate of 12‐month and lifetime prevalence of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM‐IV) anxiety disorders in older adults based on published studies on this topic and to identify the impact of gender and age.

Methods/Design

A systematic review and meta‐analysis was performed. Six databases were searched, and manual searches through reference lists of selected articles and reviews were performed. When the information was available, summary effects were calculated for the prevalence of each anxiety disorder and for every age and gender subgroups. Summary odd ratios (OR) were calculated to compare the prevalence of an anxiety disorder according to age and gender.

Results

A total of 6464 studies were identified, and 16 studies were included in the meta‐analyses. Prevalence was significantly higher in women than men for generalized anxiety disorder (12 month OR = 6.10, P = 0.001; lifetime OR = 1.96, P = 0.001), 12‐month social anxiety disorder (OR = 2.07, P = 0.01), and lifetime post‐traumatic stress disorder (OR = 1.93, P = 0.002). The prevalence of specific phobia was significantly lower in both the 75 to 84 and 85 years and above age groups when compared with the 65 to 74 years age group (OR = 0.70, P = 0.004 and OR = 0.63, P = 0.01, respectively).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the tendency for women to experience a greater prevalence of anxiety disorders remains present in older adults. Specific phobia was the only disorder to be less frequent with advancing age. This is likely to change with the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐5) criteria because this new DSM version now indicates that fear of falling is a possible type of specific phobia and fear of falling is generally more frequent in the oldest age groups.
Chemical weathering and CO2 consumption rate in a multilayered‐aquifer dominated watershed under intensive farming: The Orgeval Critical Zone Observatory, France
Authors: Floury Paul , Gaillardet Jérôme , Tallec Gaëlle , Ansart Patrick , Bouchez Julien , Louvat Pascale , Gorge Caroline
Published: November 2018

The impact of intensive farming on chemical weathering in the Critical Zone is still an open question. Extensively instrumented and monitored over the last 50 years, the Orgeval Critical Zone Observatory (CZO) in France is an observation site impacted by intensive farming since the 1960s. The Orgeval observatory represents an ideal place to study the response and resilience capability of the Critical Zone under agricultural stress. This paper investigates the chemical composition of different water bodies in two nested catchments of the Orgeval CZO, including rainfall, springs, rivers, and rocks, over one and half hydrological year. We show that elemental and strontium isotopic ratios are powerful to constrain the origin of the elements. The results show that the river chemistry at the outlet of the two nested catchments is dominated by rain inputs (particularly atmospheric dust dissolution) and the chemical weathering of limestone and gypsum. Fertilizer input is clearly visible, although the distinction between gypsum dissolution and fertilizer inputs needs more investigation. The mixtures of water masses inferred from our data are in good agreement with the hydrological context of the watershed, that is, a multilayered aquifer structure. At the main outlet of the CZO, we estimate that the input of ocean‐derived solutes through rainfall represents 7 t km−2 year−1, on the same order of magnitude as the net fertilizer input (10 t km−2 year−1), and that rock weathering releases 50 t km−2 year−1. Including previously published physical erosion rates, we estimate that the total denudation rate (physical and chemical) of the Orgeval CZO is 20 mm (1,000 year)−1, which, along with the entire Seine watershed, is among the lowest chemical denudation rates for carbonate terrains under temperate climate. Chemical denudation is about 10 times higher than physical erosion in the Orgeval CZO. The consumption of CO2 by rock weathering is estimated to be between 265.103 and 360.103 molC km2 year−1, similar for the two nested catchments. Compared with the rivers, the springs show a higher CO2 consumption rate that suggests, as pointed out earlier, a enhancement of carbonate dissolution linked to nitrification and thus fertilizer application. The hyporheic zone appears to be a hot spot in the carbon cycle at the Orgeval CZO. This study sheds light on the complex, anthropocenic, interplay between geology, climate, and human activities that characterize and that take place in intensive agriculture regions.
Identification of Genes Differentially Expressed in Simvastatin‐Induced Alveolar Bone Formation
Authors: Liu J , Chanumolu SK , Krei Z , Albahrani M , Akhtam A , Jia Z , Wang X , Wang D , Otu HH , Reinhardt RA , Nawshad A
Published: November 2018

Local delivery of simvastatin (SIM) has exhibited potential in preventing inflammation and limiting bone loss associated with experimental periodontitis. The primary aim of this study was to analyze transcriptome changes that may contribute to SIM's reduction of periodontal inflammation and bone loss. We evaluate the global genetic profile and signaling mechanisms induced by SIM on experimental periodontitis bone loss and inflammation. Twenty mature female Sprague Dawley rats were subjected to ligature‐induced experimental periodontitis around maxillary second molars (M2) either unilaterally (one side untreated, n = 10) or bilaterally (n = 10). After the ligature removal at day 7, sites were injected with either carrier, pyrophosphate (PPi ×3), 1.5‐mg SIM‐dose equivalent SIM‐pyrophosphate prodrug, or no injection. Three days after ligature removal, animals were euthanized; the M1‐M2 interproximal was evaluated with μCT, histology, and protein expression. M2 palatal gingiva was harvested for RNA sequencing. Although ligature alone caused upregulation of proinflammatory and bone catabolic genes and proteins, seen in human periodontitis, SIM‐PPi upregulated anti‐inflammatory (IL‐10, IL‐1 receptor‐like 1) and bone anabolic (insulin‐like growth factor, osteocrin, fibroblast growth factor, and Wnt/ β‐catenin) genes. The PPi carrier alone did not have these effects. Genetic profile and signaling mechanism data may help identify enhanced pharmacotherapeutic approaches to limit or regenerate periodontitis bone loss. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Ovarian germinal epithelium, oocyte development and the secretory epithelium in monkfish (Lophius americanus Valenciennes)
Authors: Johnson Andrea K. , Grier Harry J.
Published: November 2018

Histological examination of ovarian morphology was conducted on the monkfish, Lophius americanus. The ovary is of the cystovarian type, that is, with a lumen. However, ovarian morphology is quite unique, compared to other fishes, in that ovarian lamellae only originate along the ventral ovarian wall rather than around the periphery. They may branch at their base, but are otherwise unbranching. Furthermore, the germinal epithelium that is, the site of germ cell production, is described for the first time in L. americanus. The germinal epithelium is uniquely restricted around the base of each lamellae rather than being distributed along lamellar epithelia. Folliculogenesis, the process whereby ovarian follicles are formed, is completed in the Perinucleolar Step of the Primary Growth Stage. As oocytes grow and mature, they are increasingly observed towards the apex of the unbranched lamellae where ovulation occurs. The appearance of small vesicles within yolk at the vegetal pole was observed in oocytes during maturation. Prior to ovulation, cells of the ovarian epithelium produce a mucogelatinous matrix that forms the veil in which eggs, after fertilization, become suspended in the water column until hatching.
Rapid determination of nosiheptide in feed based on dispersive SPE coupled with HPLC
Authors: Xie Jingmeng , Song Xuqin , Zhang Yingxia , Zhang Meiyu , Li Xuezhi , He Limin
Published: November 2018

A novel, simple, and reliable method based on high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection has been developed for the determination of nosiheptide in feed. The feed samples were extracted with acetonitrile 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution and then purified via a dispersive solid‐phase extraction procedure using silica gel powder as the sorbent. Using a mixture of acetonitrile and 5 mM ammonium acetate solution (containing 0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phase, good separation and peak shape were obtained for nosiheptide on a Poroshell C8 column (250 × 4.6 mm id, 4 μm) via the isocratic elution program. The resulting calibration curve shows high levels of linearity (r2 > 0.999) for nosiheptide concentrations of 50–1000 μg/L. At three spiked levels, i.e., 0.500, 2.50 and 5.00 mg/kg, the intra‐ and interday recoveries of nosiheptide in five types of feed ranged from 78.5–96.8 and 84.9–94.2%, respectively. The intra‐ and interday relative standard deviations were less than 10.8%. The limits of quantification for nosiheptide in complete feed and premixes were measured as 50 and 100 μg/kg, respectively. Compared with other common adsorbents, silica gel presents stronger recovery and purification results for feed samples during the dispersive solid‐phase extraction process.
Trauma Memory Processing in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Psychotherapy: A Unifying Framework
Authors: Ford Julian D.
Published: November 2018

Trauma memory processing (TMP) is an empirically supported approach to psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, TMP is not a single, uniform intervention but instead a paradigm that can be operationalized through a variety of component procedures that have not been systematically elucidated and formally tested. Based on findings from phenomenological/structural and neuroimaging research, a central feature of PTSD is theorized to be the involuntary immersion in trauma memories with diminished awareness or negative appraisals of self and current context. Such intrusive reexperiencing—which is epitomized by, but not limited to, flashbacks—is postulated to underlie PTSD's avoidance, altered emotions and cognitions, dissociative, and hyperarousal/hypervigilance symptoms; it is thus a logical target for TMP. The varied approaches to TMP for PTSD are conceptualized as having the common goal of activation of the neural networks in the brain that underlie two key capacities disrupted by intrusive reexperiencing in PTSD: intentional self‐referential retrieval of memories and suppression of memory retrieval. Therefore, TMP is postulated to involve two core functions (purposeful reflective remembering and memory awareness in situ) and three essential types (in vivo, imaginal, and cognitive reappraisal). Several implications of this framework for clinical practice and research on TMP for PTSD are discussed.
Assessment of Peripheral Nerves With Shear Wave Elastography in Type 1 Diabetic Adolescents Without Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy
Authors: Aslan Mine , Aslan Ahmet , Emeksiz Hamdi Cihan , Candan Fatma , Erdemli Servet , Tombul Temel , Gunaydın Gülçin Durukan , Kabaalioğlu Adnan
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To investigate the utility of shear wave elastography (SWE) in detecting morphologic abnormalities of the median nerve and posterior tibial nerve in transverse and longitudinal axes in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Methods

The median nerves and posterior tibial nerves of 25 adolescents with diagnosis and follow‐up of type 1 DM without DPN and 32 healthy volunteers were evaluated with SWE by 2 observers on the transverse and longitudinal axes. The cross‐sectional area and thickness of the nerves and disease duration were noted, and probable associations of these parameters with SWE features were analyzed. Interobserver and intraobserver correlations were also examined. The statistical significance level was set at P < .05.

Results

Both the median nerve and posterior tibial nerve were smaller, thinner, and stiffer in the patient group for both observers on both axes. The disease duration weakly correlated with median nerve SWE features (r = 0.245–0391). The thickness and cross‐sectional area had no correlations with SWE features.

Conclusions

The median nerve and posterior tibial nerve in adolescents with type 1 DM without DPN have morphologic abnormalities that can be displayed by SWE regardless of the imaging axis. Shear wave elastography may have a potential role in subclinical DPN, but the reliability of the findings is not as high as desirable.