bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vertically aligned CNT arrays: structural integrity and surface properties
Authors: Perivoliotis Dimitris K. , Koklioti Malamatenia A. , Koumoulos Elias P. , Raptis Yiannis S. , Charitidis Costas A.
Published: October 2016

Purpose

Carbon nanotube-based architectures have increased the scientific interest owning to their exceptional performance rendering them promising candidates for advanced industrial applications in the nanotechnology field. Despite individual CNTs being considered as one of the most known strong materials, much less is known about other CNT forms, such as CNT arrays, in terms of their mechanical performance. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, thermal CVD method is employed to produce VA-MWCNT carpets. Their structural properties were studied by means of SEM, XRD and Raman spectroscopy, while their hydrophobic behavior was investigated via contact angle measurements. The resistance to indentation deformation of VA-MWCNT carpets was investigated through nanoindentation technique.

Findings

The synthesized VA-MWCNTs carpets consisted of well-aligned MWCNTs. Static contact angle measurements were performed with water and glycerol, revealing a rather super-hydrophobic behavior.

Originality/value

The structural analysis, hydrophobic behavior and indentation response of VA-MWCNTs carpets synthesized via CVD method are clearly demonstrated.
Estimation of local properties in welded joints using samples with simulated microstructure
Authors: Kucharczyk Pawel , Münstermann Sebastian
Published: October 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to determine local properties in a coarse grain zone of 10 mm thick butt welded joints made of structural S355 and high strength S960 steels. Metallographic analyses showed that the width of the investigated zone for both S355 and S960 weldments was too small for direct sampling. Therefore, samples with reproduced microstructure were manufactured by heat treatment taking into account chemical composition and cooling conditions of weldments.

Design/methodology/approach

The basis for the heat treatment was the time-temperature-transition (TTT) curve, whose shape is defined by welding and cooling parameters. In this study the TTT curve was determined experimentally during welding as well as numerically simulated using SYSWELD program. The work pieces were heat-treated according to the TTT curves using thermomechanical treatment simulator and evaluated in terms of microstructure and micro hardness distribution. Finally, the secondary specimens were manufactured and investigated in monotonic tensile tests.

Findings

The presented approach allows for the determination of the local properties of welded joints. In this study mechanical properties (stress-strain curves) of heat affected zone (HAZ) were successfully estimated using samples with reproduced microstructure. Furthermore, it was found out that the chemical composition in the HAZ was not influenced by the welding process. Thus, the HAZ microstructure can be successfully reproduced using base material. Additionally, the paper contains recommendations for simulation of the local microstructure and suggestions for the evaluation of the obtained results.

Originality/value

The advantage of the proposed approach is the enlargement of the material volume with homogeneous microstructure so that different local properties like toughness, fatigue behavior, crack propagation or crashworthiness can be analyzed, what is technically infeasible for the weldments with small HAZ.
Wind dispersal is predicted by tree, not diaspore, traits in comparisons of Neotropical species
Authors: Augspurger Carol K. , Franson Susan E. , Cushman Katherine C.
Published: October 2016

The seed shadow created by wind dispersal around parent trees may be affected by functional traits, as well as wind conditions and surrounding vegetation.

This study of one mature tree each of 12 Neotropical species determined the extent to which species variation in diaspore traits vs. tree height and crop size explains (i) rate of diaspore descent in still air, (ii) distributions of diaspores dispersed from a 40‐m tower in the forest, and (iii) natural seed shadows around the parent tree.

A model of diaspore wing‐loading to a fitted power explained 66·9% of the variation among species in the geometric mean rate of descent in still air. For a subset of four species, expected dispersal distance was not correlated with actual dispersal distance from the forest tower. For a subset of seven species, variation in wing‐loading0·5 of individual diaspores explained ≤4·3% of the dispersal distance from the parent tree.

Measured seed shadows, particularly their distribution edges and area, differed significantly among the 12 species (range in maximum tree height 19–42 m) and were best fit by 12 separate anisotropic dispersal kernels and surveyed fecundities. Measured mean distance was highly correlated with simulated distances from the kernels.

The best models, explaining 57·6% of the variation among species in shadow area, and 59·6, 61·6 and 61·7% of variation in mean, median and maximum distances, included maximum tree height, either alone or in combination with crop size, and not diaspore rate of descent.

Among 10 species, seed shadow area was not related to rank of seedling shade tolerance. In their highly skewed distributions, most seeds were much closer than the distance of greatest seedling recruitment and in very high density, thus enhancing later density‐ and/or distance‐related seedling mortality.

Tree functional traits, rather than the historically emphasized diaspore traits, explain distance distributions of these wind‐dispersed species. Additional exploration of diaspore abscission in relation to wind and the influence of wind patterns after release are needed.

A lay summary is available for this article.
Managing bark beetle impacts on ecosystems and society: priority questions to motivate future research
Authors: Morris Jesse L. , Cottrell Stuart , Fettig Christopher J. , Hansen Winslow D. , Sherriff Rosemary L. , Carter Vachel A. , Clear Jennifer L. , Clement Jessica , DeRose R. Justin , Hicke Jeffrey A. , Higuera Philip E. , Mattor Katherine M. , Seddon Alistair W. R. , Seppä Heikki T. , Stednick John D. , Seybold Steven J.
Published: October 2016

Recent bark beetle outbreaks in North America and Europe have impacted forested landscapes and the provisioning of critical ecosystem services. The scale and intensity of many recent outbreaks are widely believed to be unprecedented.

The effects of bark beetle outbreaks on ecosystems are often measured in terms of area affected, host tree mortality rates, and alterations to forest structure and composition.

Impacts to human systems focus on changes in property valuation, infrastructure damage from falling trees, landscape aesthetics, and the quality and quantity of timber and water resources.

To advance our understanding of bark beetle impacts, we assembled a team of ecologists, land managers and social scientists to participate in a research prioritization workshop.

Synthesis and applications. We identified 25 key questions by using an established methodology to identify priorities for research into the impacts of bark beetles. Our efforts emphasize the need to improve outbreak monitoring and detection, educate the public on the ecological role of bark beetles, and develop integrated metrics that facilitate comparison of ecosystem services across sites.
Predicting word reading ability: a quantile regression study
Authors: McIlraith Autumn L. ,   Language and Reading Research Consortium
Published: October 2016

Predictors of early word reading are well established. However, it is unclear if these predictors hold for readers across a range of word reading abilities. This study used quantile regression to investigate predictive relationships at different points in the distribution of word reading. Quantile regression analyses used preschool and kindergarten measures of letter knowledge, phonological awareness, rapid automatised naming, sentence repetition, vocabulary and mother's education to predict first‐grade word reading. Predictors generally varied in significance across levels of word reading. Notably, rapid automatised naming was a significant unique predictor for average and good readers but not poor readers. Letter knowledge was generally a stronger unique predictor for poor and average readers than good readers. Well‐known word reading predictors varied in significance at different points along the word reading distribution. Results have implications for early identification and statistical analyses of reading‐related outcomes.

What is already known about this topic

Early predictors of word reading are well established, with letter knowledge, phonological awareness and rapid automatised naming identified as key predictors.

These relationships are primarily investigated in average readers, or in groups of good and poor readers separated by an arbitrary cut‐off score.

What this paper adds

In this study, we used quantile regression to determine significant predictors of word reading across a range of word reading abilities.

The quantile regression approach avoids the loss of power that can arise when creating subgroups and has none of the issues associated with the use of a single, arbitrary cut-off score to separate good and poor readers.

Letter knowledge and phonological awareness were significantly predictive of word reading across the distribution of word reading abilities, whereas rapid automatised naming was significant only for good readers, and sentence recall was significant only for poor readers.

Implications for theory, policy and practice

Results reinforce the usefulness of measures such as letter knowledge, phonological awareness and sentence repetition in the early identification of children at risk for reading disabilities.

Results also suggest that measures of rapid naming may add little unique information in differentiating between children who subsequently read in the below‐average range.
A Most Unmanly War: British Military Masculinity in Macedonia, Mesopotamia and Palestine, 1914–18
Authors: Fantauzzo Justin , Nelson Robert L.
Published: October 2016

This article argues that the most severe crisis of masculinity among British and Dominion soldiers in the First World War did not take place on the Western Front. Instead, British and Dominion soldiers serving on the war's sideshows in Macedonia, Mesopotamia and Palestine believed most acutely that their manliness was in question. Unlike soldiers on the Western Front, they were not battling the main German Army, they were not fighting to liberate occupied France and Belgium, and their war was not to preserve the rights of small nations and the inviolability of international law. This article explores how military masculinity played out much differently on the war's peripheral fronts in two ways. First, it suggests that where a soldier fought mattered more to military masculinity than a soldier's method of enlistment or any other variable. British and Dominion soldiers were fully aware that the home front only considered France and Flanders as the real war, and they actively argued against this misconception to loved ones and in their memoirs. Second, this article demonstrates an additional crisis of masculinity on the war's peripheral fronts: the lack, or more often effacement, of non‐white colonial (Eastern Mediterranean and Arab) women. Not only was British and Dominion military masculinity under assault on the war's peripheral fronts, heteronormative sexual relations were also being transformed in a world where few, if any, racially acceptable women were available.
Renewable inequity? Women's employment in clean energy in industrialized, emerging and developing economies
Authors: Baruah Bipasha
Published: October 2016

Women are globally underrepresented in the energy industry. This paper reviews existing academic and practitioner literature on women's employment in renewable energy in industrialized nations, emerging economies and developing countries. It highlights similarities and differences in occupational patterns in women's employment in renewables in different parts of the world, and makes recommendations for optimizing women's participation. Findings reveal the need for broader socially‐progressive policies and shifts in societal attitudes about gender roles, in order for women to benefit optimally from employment in renewables. In some industrialized countries, restructuring paid employment in innovative ways while unlinking social protection from employment status has been suggested as a way to balance gender equity with economic security and environmental protection. However, without more transformative social changes in gender relations, such strategies may simply reinforce rather than subvert existing gender inequities both in paid employment and in unpaid domestic labor. Grounded interventions to promote gender equality in renewable energy employment – especially within the context of increasing access to energy services for underserved communities – are more prevalent and better‐established in some non‐OECD (Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development) countries. OECD countries might be well‐advised to try to implement certain programs and policies that are already in place in some emerging economies.
Beneficial effects of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors for preservation of pancreatic β‐cell function and reduction of insulin resistance
Authors: Kaneto Hideaki , Obata Atsushi , Kimura Tomohiko , Shimoda Masashi , Okauchi Seizo , Shimo Naoki , Matsuoka Taka‐aki , Kaku Kohei
Published: October 2016

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is characterized by insulin resistance in various insulin target tissues, such as the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle, and insufficient insulin secretion from pancreatic β‐cells. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, which are newly developed antidiabetic agents, decrease blood glucose levels by enhancing urinary glucose excretion and thereby function in an insulin‐independent manner. Sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors exert beneficial effects to reduce insulin resistance and preserve pancreatic β‐cell function. In addition, SGLT2 inhibitors exhibit a variety of beneficial effects in various insulin target tissues, such as amelioration of fatty liver, reduction of visceral fat mass, and increasing glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Furthermore, SGLT2 inhibitors protect pancreatic β‐cells against glucose toxicity and preserve insulin secretory capacity. Together, these observations indicate that SGLT2 inhibitors are promising newly developed antidiabetic agents that are gaining attention in both clinical medicine and basic research.
Draft genome of the American Eel (Anguilla rostrata)
Authors: Pavey Scott A. , Laporte Martin , Normandeau Eric , Gaudin Jérémy , Letourneau Louis , Boisvert Sébastien , Corbeil Jacques , Audet Céline , Bernatchez Louis
Published: October 2016

Freshwater eels (Anguilla sp.) have large economic, cultural, ecological and aesthetic importance worldwide, but they suffered more than 90% decline in global stocks over the past few decades. Proper genetic resources, such as sequenced, assembled and annotated genomes, are essential to help plan sustainable recoveries by identifying physiological, biochemical and genetic mechanisms that caused the declines or that may lead to recoveries. Here, we present the first sequenced genome of the American eel. This genome contained 305 043 contigs (N50 = 7397) and 79 209 scaffolds (N50 = 86 641) for a total size of 1.41 Gb, which is in the middle of the range of previous estimations for this species. In addition, protein‐coding regions, including introns and flanking regions, are very well represented in the genome, as 95.2% of the 458 core eukaryotic genes and 98.8% of the 248 ultra‐conserved subset were represented in the assembly and a total of 26 564 genes were annotated for future functional genomics studies. We performed a candidate gene analysis to compare three genes among all three freshwater eel species and, congruent with the phylogenetic relationships, Japanese eel (A. japanica) exhibited the most divergence. Overall, the sequenced genome presented in this study is a crucial addition to the presently available genetic tools to help guide future conservation efforts of freshwater eels.
Variable depth distribution of Trichodesmium clades in the North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Rouco Mónica , Haley Sheean T. , Alexander Harriet , Wilson Samuel T. , Karl David M. , Dyhrman Sonya T.
Published: October 2016

Populations of nitrogen‐fixing cyanobacteria in the genus Trichodesmium are critical to ocean ecosystems, yet predicting patterns of Trichodesmium distribution and their role in ocean biogeochemistry is an ongoing challenge. This may, in part, be due to differences in the physiological ecology of Trichodesmium species, which are not typically considered independently in field studies. In this study, the abundance of the two dominant Trichodesmium clades (Clade I and Clade III) was investigated during a survey at Station ALOHA in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) using a clade‐specific qPCR approach. While Clade I dominated the Trichodesmium community, Clade III abundance was >50% in some NPSG samples, in contrast to the western North Atlantic where Clade III abundance was always <10%. Clade I populations were distributed down to depths >80 m, while Clade III populations were only observed in the mixed layer and found to be significantly correlated with depth and temperature. These data suggest active niche partitioning of Trichodesmium species from different clades, as has been observed in other cyanobacteria. Tracking the distribution and physiology of Trichodesmium spp. would contribute to better predictions of the physiological ecology of this biogeochemically important genus in the present and future ocean.
Cross‐sectional study on allergic sensitization of Austrian adolescents using molecule‐based IgE profiling
Authors: Stemeseder T. , Klinglmayr E. , Moser S. , Lueftenegger L. , Lang R. , Himly M. , Oostingh G. J. , Zumbach J. , Bathke A. C. , Hawranek T. , Gadermaier G.
Published: October 2016

Background

Allergen‐specific IgE antibodies are a hallmark of type I allergy. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to analyze the sensitization profiles of an Austrian adolescent population utilizing molecule‐based IgE diagnosis.

Methods

Serum samples of 501 nonselected pupils from Salzburg, Austria, were tested in ImmunoCAP ISAC® for IgE reactivity to 112 single allergens. Sensitization profiles were assessed and statistically coordinated with reported allergies.

Results

In the population aged 12–21 years, 53.5% showed IgE reactivity to at least one allergen tested. The highest prevalence was found for Phl p 1 from grass pollen (26.5%), group 2 mite allergens (18.2%), Bet v 1 from birch pollen (16.3%) and Fel d 1 from cat (14.4%). The majority of participants showed a complex sensitization profile and reacted on average to 9 allergens. Pollen sensitization was highly prevalent (41.7%) and mainly driven by group I grass and PR‐10 allergens of the Betulaceae family, while Pla l 1 represented the most relevant weed. Diagnosed and self‐reported allergies were noted in 21.9% and 45.5% of participants, respectively, and correlated well with in vitro results. Among atopic individuals, 71.4% reported to suffer from at least one allergy; concordance was found for grass and cat sensitization, while venom‐ and weed pollen‐positive individuals were frequently asymptomatic.

Conclusions

More than half of the tested adolescent population had already established an atopic status presenting a complex IgE reactivity profile dominated by pollen sensitization. Detailed molecule‐based analysis allows determining relevant biomarkers and monitoring of the atopic status in populations.
Prospective randomized controlled study on the validity and safety of an absorbable adhesion barrier (Interceed®) made of oxidized regenerated cellulose for laparoscopic colorectal surgery
Authors: Naito Masanori , Ogura Naoto , Yamanashi Takahiro , Sato Takeo , Nakamura Takatoshi , Miura Hirohisa , Tsutsui Atsuko , Sakamoto Yasutoshi , Tanaka Rieko , Kumagai Yuji , Watanabe Masahiko
Published: October 2016

Introduction

Clinical use of an adhesion barrier made of oxidized, regenerated cellulose, Interceed®, has been reported in the field of obstetrics and gynecology to help prevent adhesions between the peritoneum and the bowel in various types of operations. In gastrointestinal surgery, sodium hyaluronate/carboxymethylcellulose has been reported as an absorbable membrane to reduce postoperative adhesions. The present study was a prospective randomized controlled study to investigate the safety and usefulness of Interceed in laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Methods

We analyzed 99 patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal surgery from 2013 to 2014. The patients were randomly allocated to the group that used Interceed (Interceed group) or the group that did not (Non‐Interceed group).

Results

Fifty cases used Interceed, and 49 cases did not. The incidence of adverse events was 12.0% in the Interceed group and 16.3% in the Non‐Interceed group (P = 0.58). There were no significant differences, and no adhesive bowel obstructions were observed in the Interceed group.

Conclusion

We have shown that using Interceed in laparoscopic colorectal surgery is valid and technically safe.
The pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of mycophenolate mofetil in younger and elderly renal transplant recipients
Authors: Tang Jiang‐Tao , de Winter Brenda C. , Hesselink Dennis A. , Sombogaard Ferdi , Wang Lan‐Lan , van Gelder Teun
Published: October 2016

Aims

Elderly transplant recipients have a lower incidence of acute rejection, and a higher risk to die from infectious complications. A potential cause may be differences in the pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics (PD) of the immunosuppressive drugs they are taking. This study was designed to comprehensively evaluate the influence of age on the PK and PD of mycophenolic acid (MPA).

Methods

In this study the PK and PD of MPA was studied in 26 elderly and 54 younger renal transplant recipients treated with mycophenolate mofetil and tacrolimus. Patients were sampled repetitively, both before and during the first 6 months after kidney transplantation. Age‐related variability in MPA PK, baseline IMPDH activity, as well as MPA‐induced IMPDH inhibition were studied.

Results

The IMPDH activity pre‐transplantation did not differ between elderly and younger patients. Neither IMPDH activity pre‐transplantation nor maximum IMPDH inhibition was significantly correlated with the patients' age. The area under the MPA plasma concentration–time curve (AUC0–12h) and the area under the effect (IMPDH activity)–time curve (AEC0–12h) from 0 to 12 h were also not significantly different between the two groups. We found no significant differences in EC50 and Emax between elderly and younger patients.

Conclusions

Age did not significantly affect the PK or PD of MPA. It is unlikely that the lower incidence of acute rejection in elderly patients, or the higher risk to die from a severe infection in elderly patients is due to different handling of MPA in the elderly.
Understanding the psychology of mobile gambling: A behavioural synthesis
Authors: James Richard J. E. , O'Malley Claire , Tunney Richard J.
Published: October 2016

This manuscript reviews the extant literature on key issues related to mobile gambling and considers whether the potential risks of harm emerging from this platform are driven by pre‐existing comorbidities or by psychological processes unique to mobile gambling. We propose an account based on associative learning that suggests this form of gambling is likely to show distinctive features compared with other gambling technologies. Smartphones are a rapidly growing platform on which individuals can gamble using specifically designed applications, adapted websites or text messaging. This review considers how mobile phone use interacts with psychological processes relevant to gambling, the games users are likely to play on smartphones, and the interactions afforded by smartphones. Our interpretation of the evidence is that the schedules of reinforcement found in gambling interact with the ways in which people tend to use smartphones that may expedite the acquisition of maladaptive learned behaviours such as problem gambling. This account is consistent with existing theories and frameworks of problem gambling and has relevance to other forms of mobile phone use.
Efficacy of knowledge and competence‐based training of non‐physicians in the provision of early infant male circumcision using the Mogen clamp in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Kankaka Edward Nelson , Kigozi Godfrey , Kayiwa Daniel , Kighoma Nehemiah , Makumbi Frederick , Murungi Teddy , Nabukalu Dorean , Nampijja Resty , Watya Stephen , Namuguzi Daniel , Nalugoda Fred , Nakigozi Gertrude , Serwadda David , Wawer Maria , Gray Ronald H.
Published: October 2016

Objective

To assess acquisition of knowledge and competence in performing Early Infant Male Circumcision (EIMC) by non‐physicians trained using a structured curriculum.

Subjects and Methods

Training in provision of EIMC using the Mogen clamp was conducted for 10 Clinical Officers (COs) and 10 Registered Nurse Midwives (RNMWs), in Rakai, Uganda. Healthy infants whose mothers consented to study participation were assigned to the trainees, each of whom performed at least 10 EIMCs. Ongoing assessment and feedback for competency were done, and safety assessed by adverse events.

Results

Despite similar baseline knowledge, COs acquired more didactic knowledge than RNMWs (P = 0.043). In all, 100 EIMCs were assessed for gain in competency. The greatest improvement in competency was between the first and third procedures, and all trainees achieved 80% competency and retention of skills by the seventh procedure. The median (interquartile range) time to complete a procedure was 14.5 (10–47) min for the COs, and 15 (10–50) min for the RNMWs (P = 0.180). The procedure times declined by 2.2 min for each subsequent EIMC (P = 0.005), and rates of improvement were similar for COs and RNMWs. Adverse events were comparable between providers (3.5%), of which 1% were of moderate severity.

Conclusion

Competence‐based training of non‐physicians improved knowledge and competency in EIMC performed by COs and RNMWs in Uganda.
Clinical risk stratification in patients with surgically resectable micropapillary bladder cancer
Authors: Fernández Mario I. , Williams Stephen B. , Willis Daniel L. , Slack Rebecca S. , Dickstein Rian J. , Parikh Sahil , Chiong Edmund , Siefker‐Radtke Arlene O. , Guo Charles C. , Czerniak Bogdan A. , McConkey David J. , Shah Jay B. , Pisters Louis L. , Grossman H. Barton , Dinney Colin P. N. , Kamat Ashish M.
Published: October 2016

Objective

To analyse survival in patients with clinically localised, surgically resectable micropapillary bladder cancer (MPBC) undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) with and without neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) and develop risk strata based on outcome data.

Patients and Methods

A review of our database identified 103 patients with surgically resectable (≤cT4acN0 cM0)MPBCwho underwentRC. Survival estimates were calculated using Kaplan–Meier method and compared using log‐rank tests. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was performed to identify risk groups for survival.

Results

For the entire cohort, estimated 5‐year overall survival and disease‐specific survival (DSS) rates were 52% and 58%, respectively.CARTanalysis identified three risk subgroups: low‐risk:cT1, no hydronephrosis; high‐risk: ≥cT2, no hydronephrosis; and highest‐risk:cTany with tumour‐associated hydronephrosis. The 5‐yearDSSfor the low‐, high‐, and highest‐risk groups were 92%, 51%, and 17%, respectively (P< 0.001). Patients down‐staged atRC<pT1 regardless of the use ofNAChad the best survival (5‐yearDSSof 96% vs 45% for those not down‐staged;P< 0.001), while those who were not down‐staged despiteNAChad 5‐yearDSSof only 17%.

Conclusion

In patients with surgically resectableMPBC,NACappears to confer benefit to patients with muscle‐invasive disease without hydronephrosis, while patients with cT1 disease can proceed to upfront RC. Patients with hydronephrosis do not appear to respond well to NAC and have poor prognosis regardless of treatment paradigm. However, further external validation studies are needed to support the proposed risk stratification before treatment recommendations can be made.
WHOLESALE PRICES AND COURNOT‐BERTRAND COMPETITION
Authors: Rozanova Olga
Published: October 2016

This note considers the competing vertical structures framework with Cournot‐Bertrand competition downstream. It shows that the equilibrium wholesale price paid by a Cournot (Bertrand)‐type retailer is above (below) marginal costs of a corresponding manufacturer. This result contrasts with the one under pure competition downstream (i.e., Cournot or Bertrand), where the wholesale price is set below (above) marginal costs in case of a Cournot (Bertrand) game at the retail level.
A novel prognostic factor TRIM44 promotes cell proliferation and migration, and inhibits apoptosis in testicular germ cell tumor
Authors: Yamada Yuta , Takayama Ken‐ichi , Fujimura Tetsuya , Ashikari Daisaku , Obinata Daisuke , Takahashi Satoru , Ikeda Kazuhiro , Kakutani Shigenori , Urano Tomohiko , Fukuhara Hiroshi , Homma Yukio , Inoue Satoshi
Published: October 2016

Tripartite motif 44 (TRIM44) is one of the TRIM family proteins that are involved in ubiquitination and degradation of target proteins by modulating E3 ubiquitin ligases. TRIM44 overexpression has been observed in various cancers. However, its association with testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is unknown. We aimed to investigate the clinical significance of TRIM44 and its function in TGCT. High expression of TRIM44 was significantly associated with α feto‐protein levels, clinical stage, nonseminomatous germ cell tumor (NSGCT), and cancer‐specific survival (P = 0.0009, P = 0.0035, P = 0.0004, and P = 0.0140, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that positive TRIM44 IR was an independent predictor of cancer‐specific mortality (P = 0.046). Gain‐of‐function study revealed that overexpression of TRIM44 promoted cell proliferation and migration of NTERA2 and NEC8 cells. Knockdown of TRIM44 using siRNA promoted apoptosis and repressed cell proliferation and migration in these cells. Microarray analysis of NTERA2 cells revealed that tumor suppressor genes such as CADM1, CDK19, and PRKACB were upregulated in TRIM44‐knockdown cells compared to control cells. In contrast, oncogenic genes including C3AR1, ST3GAL5, and NT5E were downregulated in those cells. These results suggest that high expression of TRIM44 is associated with poor prognosis and that TRIM44 plays significant role in cell proliferation, migration, and anti‐apoptosis in TGCT.
Validation of flavonoids as potential dipeptidyl peptidase III inhibitors: Experimental and computational approach
Authors: Agić Dejan , Brkić Hrvoje , Tomić Sanja , Karačić Zrinka , Špoljarević Marija , Lisjak Miroslav , Bešlo Drago , Abramić Marija
Published: October 2016

Fifteen flavonoids were studied for their inhibitory activity against human dipeptidyl peptidase III (hDPP III) combining an in vitro assay with an in silico molecular modeling study. All analyzed flavonoids showed inhibitory effects against hDPP III with the IC50 values ranging from 22.0 to 437.2 μm. Our 3D QSAR studies indicate that the presence of hydrophilic regions at a flavonoid molecule increases its inhibitory activity, while the higher percentage of hydrophobic surfaces has negative impact on enzyme inhibition. Furthermore, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of the complex of hDPP III with one of the most potent inhibitors, luteolin, were performed, and binding mode analysis revealed that the 3′ and 4′ hydroxyl group on B‐ring as well as 5 and 7 hydroxyl group on A‐ring helps luteolin to interact with the Asn391, Asn406, Tyr417, His450, Glu451, Val447, Glu512, Asn545, Gln566, and Arg572 residues. The MD results clearly provide valuable information explaining the importance of flavonoid hydroxyl groups in the mechanism for the binding pattern at the active site of hDPP III.
Chronic norovirus infection and common variable immunodeficiency
Authors: Woodward J , Gkrania-Klotsas E , Kumararatne D
Published: October 2016

Chronic infection with norovirus is emerging as a significant risk for patients with immunodeficiency – either primary or secondary to therapeutic immunosuppression. Patients with primary immunodeficiency present a range of pathological responses to norovirus infection. Asymptomatic infections occur and differentiating viral carriage or prolonged viral shedding after self-limiting infection from infection causing protracted diarrhoea can be challenging, due to relatively mild pathological changes that may mimic other causes of diarrhoea in such patients (for instance pathogenic bacteria or parasites or graft-versus-host disease). However, a subset of patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) experience a severe norovirus-associated enteropathy leading to intestinal villous atrophy and malabsorption. Symptomatic infection of up to 8 years has been demonstrated with clinical and histological recovery on viral clearance. Although oral immunoglobulins and nitazoxanide have been used to treat noroviral infections associated with immunosuppression, ribavirin is the only agent to date that has been linked to viral clearance in the Noroviral enteropathy associated with CVID.
Recent insights on the genetics and epigenetics of endometriosis
Authors: Borghese B. , Zondervan K.T. , Abrao M.S. , Chapron C. , Vaiman D.
Published: October 2016

Endometriosis is a gynecologic disease affecting up to 10% of the women and a major cause of pain and infertility. It is characterized by the implantation of functional endometrial tissue at ectopic positions generally within the peritoneum. This complex disease has an important genetic component with a heritability estimated at around 50%. This review aims at providing recent insights into the genetic bases of endometriosis, and presents a detailed overview of evidence of epigenetic alterations specific to this disease. In the future, these alterations may constitute therapeutic targets for pharmacological compounds able to modify the epigenetic code.
Tonsillectomy is not a procedure of limited value – the unseen costs of tonsillitis and quinsy on hospital bed consumption
Authors: Mcleod R. , Brahmabhatt P. , Owens D.
Published: October 2016

Objectives

To assess the impact of the introduction of the SIGN Clinical guidelines in 1999 and subsequent revision in 2005 on tonsillectomy, hospital admission with tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess rates in four countries.

Methods

Retrospective analysis using English, Welsh, Australian and New Zealand National healthcare hospital admission databases between 2000 and 2013. Primary outcomes measures included tonsillectomy rates and hospital admission rates for tonsillitis and peritonsillar abscess. Secondary outcome measures included bed‐day usage in England and Wales. Linear forecasting was used to identify the potential impact of any trends.

Results

Following guideline introduction for tonsillectomy, a significant decline in tonsillectomy rates in England (P < 0.01) and Wales (P < 0.05) was seen. Hospital admissions for acute tonsil infections increased in England (P < 0.01) and Wales (P < 0.01). In Australia and New Zealand, tonsillectomy and admission for tonsillitis rates both increased (P < 0.01). During this time, the increased rate of admission for tonsillitis in England and Wales was significantly greater than Australasia (P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Following the introduction of these Clinical guidelines, there was a decrease in the rate of tonsillectomy in England and Wales and a presumed associated increase in admissions with tonsillitis. This did not occur in Australasia where tonsillectomy rates rose over time. If these trends continue, it is likely that they will have a significant deleterious impact on healthcare spending in the future.
Longitudinal links between childhood peer acceptance and the neural correlates of sharing
Authors: Will Geert‐Jan , Crone Eveline A. , van Lier Pol A.C. , Güroğlu Berna
Published: October 2016

Childhood peer acceptance is associated with high levels of prosocial behavior and advanced perspective taking skills. Yet, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying these associations have not been studied. This functional magnetic resonance imaging study examined the neural correlates of sharing decisions in a group of adolescents who had a stable accepted status (n = 27) and a group who had a chronic rejected status (n = 19) across six elementary school grades. Both groups of adolescents played three allocation games in which they could share money with strangers with varying costs and profits to them and the other person. Stably accepted adolescents were more likely to share their money with unknown others than chronically rejected adolescents when sharing was not costly. Neuroimaging analyses showed that stably accepted adolescents, compared to chronically rejected adolescents, exhibited higher levels of activation in the temporo‐parietal junction, posterior superior temporal sulcus, temporal pole, pre‐supplementary motor area, and anterior insula during costly sharing decisions. These findings demonstrate that stable peer acceptance across childhood is associated with heightened activity in brain regions previously linked to perspective taking and the detection of social norm violations during adolescence, and thereby provide insight into processes underlying the widely established links between peer acceptance and prosocial behavior.
Costs and cost‐driving factors for acute treatment of adults with status epilepticus: A multicenter cohort study from Germany
Authors: Kortland Lena‐Marie , Alfter Anne , Bähr Oliver , Carl Barbara , Dodel Richard , Freiman Thomas M. , Hubert Kristina , Jahnke Kolja , Knake Susanne , von Podewils Felix , Reese Jens‐Peter , Runge Uwe , Senft Christian , Steinmetz Helmuth , Rosenow Felix , Strzelczyk Adam
Published: October 2016

Objective

To provide first data on inpatient costs and cost‐driving factors due to nonrefractory status epilepticus (NSE), refractory status epilepticus (RSE), and super‐refractory status epilepticus (SRSE).

Methods

In 2013 and 2014, all adult patients treated due to status epilepticus (SE) at the university hospitals in Frankfurt, Greifswald, and Marburg were analyzed for healthcare utilization.

Results

We evaluated 341 admissions in 316 patients (65.7 ± [standard deviation]18.2 years; 135 male) treated for SE. Mean costs of hospital treatment were €14,946 (median €5,278, range €776–€152,911, €787 per treatment day) per patient per admission, with a mean length of stay (LOS) of 19.0 days (median 14.0, range 1–118). Course of SE had a significant impact on mean costs, with €8,314 in NSE (n = 137, median €4,597, €687 per treatment day, 22.3% of total inpatient costs due to SE), €13,399 in RSE (n = 171, median €7,203, €638/day, 45.0% of total costs, p < 0.001), and €50,488 in SRSE (n = 33, median €46,223, €1,365/day, 32.7% of total costs, p < 0.001). Independent cost‐driving factors were SRSE, ventilation, and LOS of >14 days. Overall mortality at discharge was 14.4% and significantly higher in RSE/SRSE (20.1%) than in NSE (5.8%).

Significance

Acute treatment of SE, and particularly SRSE and ventilation, are associated with high hospital costs and prolonged LOS. Extrapolation to the whole of Germany indicates that SE causes hospital costs of >€200 million per year. Along with the demographic change, incidence of SE will increase and costs for hospital treatment and sequelae of SE will rise.
Estimating fisheries reference points from catch and resilience
Authors: Froese Rainer , Demirel Nazli , Coro Gianpaolo , Kleisner Kristin M , Winker Henning
Published: October 2016

This study presents a Monte Carlo method (CMSY) for estimating fisheries reference points from catch, resilience and qualitative stock status information on data‐limited stocks. It also presents a Bayesian state‐space implementation of the Schaefer production model (BSM), fitted to catch and biomass or catch‐per‐unit‐of‐effort (CPUE) data. Special emphasis was given to derive informative priors for productivity, unexploited stock size, catchability and biomass from population dynamics theory. Both models gave good predictions of the maximum intrinsic rate of population increase r, unexploited stock size k and maximum sustainable yield MSY when validated against simulated data with known parameter values. CMSY provided, in addition, reasonable predictions of relative biomass and exploitation rate. Both models were evaluated against 128 real stocks, where estimates of biomass were available from full stock assessments. BSM estimates of r, k and MSY were used as benchmarks for the respective CMSY estimates and were not significantly different in 76% of the stocks. A similar test against 28 data‐limited stocks, where CPUE instead of biomass was available, showed that BSM and CMSY estimates of r, k and MSY were not significantly different in 89% of the stocks. Both CMSY and BSM combine the production model with a simple stock–recruitment model, accounting for reduced recruitment at severely depleted stock sizes.
Hydrogeological Studies to Identify the Trend of Concealed Section of the North Tabriz Fault (Iran)
Authors: Rajabpour Hossein , Vaezihir Abdorreza
Published: October 2016

The North Tabriz Fault (NTF) is the predominant regional‐scale tectonic structure in the northwest of Iran. In the east side of the city of Tabriz, a portion of the fault trend has been completely concealed by recent sediments and urbanization. In this paper, some hydrogeological methods are used to locate the concealed sector. As is clear from the pumping tests results, despite the fact that the northern observation wells were closer to the pumping wells than the southern ones, they have not been affected by pumping. Conversely, all southern wells were affected by pumping and displayed decline of the water table. In addition, obvious differences in groundwater levels combined with clear differences in groundwater quality within a short distance across the probable fault trend are sufficient reasons for the presence of the fault that behaves as a barrier to groundwater lateral flows. Significant change in the elevation of the bedrock base of the aquifer over less than 200 m suggests that the fault has near vertical dip. These results indicate that the inferred trend of the NTF closely conforms to its actual trend. Therefore, the hydrogeological studies can be complementary tools to determine the position and trend of concealed faults.
Two Cases of Hemicrania Continua–Trigeminal Neuralgia Syndrome: Expanding the Spectrum of Trigeminal Autonomic Cephalalgia‐Tic (TAC‐TIC) Syndrome
Authors: Prakash Sanjay , Rathore Chaturbhuj
Published: October 2016

Background

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) has been described in association with various primary headache disorders. So far, no case of TN has been reported in association with hemicrania continua (HC).

Case Report

Here, we report two patients of hemicrania continua associated with TN (HC‐tic syndrome). These patients had both headaches concurrently. Both patients responded to a combination of carbamazepine and indomethacin. The skipping or tapering of carbamazepine led to the recurrence of the neuralgic pain of TN. In the same way, the skipping of indomethacin resulted in the relapse of the pain, typical of HC.

Conclusion

With these two cases of HC‐tic syndrome, we suggest that TN has a special predilection for all types of TACs. Various speculations suggest that such associations are more than a simple coincidence, and both diseases may be causally interrelated. The identification of this association is important as both disorders may need separate drugs.
Effect of in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on the antioxidant activity of protein hydrolysates prepared from Cape hake by‐products
Authors: Teixeira Bárbara , Pires Carla , Nunes Maria L. , Batista Irineu
Published: October 2016

The antioxidant activity of fish protein hydrolysates may change in the digestive tract during the human gastrointestinal digestion depending on their preparation conditions. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the antioxidant properties of Cape hake hydrolysates prepared by three different methods (HPH‐A, HPH‐B and HPH‐C) and the effect of their in vitro gastrointestinal digestion on their antioxidant properties. HPH‐A showed the highest reducing power, while HPH‐B and HPH‐C exhibited the highest OH antiradical activity. Fe2+‐chelating activity was similar for all hydrolysates, but HPH‐C had a higher Cu2+‐chelating activity comparable to that of EDTA. The in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of hydrolysates caused a decrease in the DPPH inhibition, but an increase in scavenging ABTS in all hydrolysates. Copper‐ and iron‐chelating activities increased after digestion of hydrolysates. The results showed that the gastrointestinal digestion of HPHs generally increased their antioxidant properties.
Comparing the efficiency of different food‐grade emulsifiers to form and stabilise orange oil‐in‐water beverage emulsions: influence of emulsifier concentration and storage time
Authors: Raikos Vassilios , Duthie Garry , Ranawana Viren
Published: October 2016

The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of three different food‐grade emulsifiers to form and stabilise an orange oil‐in‐water emulsion. The emulsifier type and concentration had a profound effect on the initial particle size of the oil droplets with Tween 80 being the most effective in reducing the particle size (1% w/w, 1.88 ± 0.01 μm) followed by sodium caseinate (10% w/w, 2.14 ± 0.03 μm) and gum arabic (10% w/w, 4.10 ± 0.24 μm). The long‐term stability of the concentrated beverages was monitored using Turbiscan analysis. The Turbiscan stability indices after 4 weeks of storage followed the order: Tween 80 (1.70 ± 0.08) < gum arabic (4.83 ± 0.53) < sodium caseinate (6.20 ± 1.56). The protein emulsifier was more capable to control the oxidation process, and this was attributed to the excess amount of emulsifier present in the aqueous phase. This study provides useful insights into the formulation of flavour emulsions by the beverage industry.
Coeliacs cannot live by gluten‐free bread alone – every once in awhile they need antioxidants
Authors: Torres María D. , Arufe Santiago , Chenlo Francisco , Moreira Ramon
Published: October 2016

This comprehensive review, covering scientific papers published from 2013 until now, deals with the bioactivity of available gluten‐free matrices. For this purpose, cereals (rice, maize, sorghum, teff and millets), pseudocereals (buckwheat, quinoa and amaranth) and noncereals (pulses as lentils, fruits as bananas, vegetables as potatoes and nuts as chestnuts, among others) sources are studied. The current trends in enhancing the antioxidant activity of gluten‐free baked products by incorporating natural bioactive compounds are presented. This review covers a wide range of natural bioactive sources such as starchy materials or its by‐products; spices, herbs or green plant materials and vegetable and seeds or fruits. Special emphasis was put on describing the changes in antioxidant activity that can occur, between raw matrices and enriched final products, during baking process. Possible future trends in the improvement of antioxidant properties of gluten‐free baked products, based on bioactive sources which have already been applied in the gluten bread industry, were also discussed.