bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KDM5D inhibit epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer through demethylation in the promoter of Cul4A in male
Authors: Shen Xudong , Hu Kewei , Cheng Guilian , Xu Liming , Chen Zhengrong , Du Peng , Zhuang Zhixiang
Published: March 2019

Gastric cancer is one of the top causes of cancer‐related death around the world, and poor prognosis of gastric cancer is due to the lack of early detection and effective treatment especially in male. Here, we first revealed the role of histone lysine‐specific demethylase 5D (KDM5D) in gastric cancer in male. KDM5D was associated with the metastasis of gastric cancer because of its critical role in the epithelial‐mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cells. Downregulation of KDM5D in gastric cancer cells significantly increase the number of migrated or invaded cells due to the increasing expressions of mesenchymal markers. Downregulation of KDM5D also promotes tumor formation of gastric cancer cell in vivo. For mechanism, downregulation of KDM5D could inhibit the demethylation in the promoter of CUL4A, which lead to the increasing expression of ZEB1 and decreasing expressions of p21 and p53. Collectively, KDM5D performed its role in metastasis of gastric cancer through demethylation in the promoter of CUL4A, and it suggested us a novel target in gastric cancer treatment in male.
Downregulation of circDYNC1H1 exhibits inhibitor effect on cell proliferation and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma through miR‐140‐5p
Authors: Wang Zheng‐Yang , Zhu Zhu , Wang Hua‐Fei , Qin Bo , Liu Jing , Yao Xiao‐Han , Li Wen‐Cai , Chen Kui‐Sheng
Published: March 2019

Circular RNAs have been found to be aberrantly expressed in tumors and their significance in tumorigenesis has been focused on. The role of circDYNC1H1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) pathogenesis and its relationship with miR‐140‐5p were explored. The expression of circDYNC1H1, miR‐140‐5p, and SULT2B1 in HCC tissues and cells was measured, and Pearson's analysis was used to analyze their expression correlation. 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide and Transwell assays were performed to determine cell proliferation and migration. Binding between circDYNC1H1 and miR‐140‐5p was evaluated with RNA pull‐down assay. A luciferase reporter assay was conducted to assess the interaction between circDYNC1H1 and miR‐140‐5p and between miR‐140‐5p and SULT2B1. circDYNC1H1 was highly expressed in HCC tissues (n = 20), and it was negatively associated with the expression of miR‐140‐5p but positively correlated with SULT2B1 messenger RNA expression. circDYNC1H1 was upregulated in cell lines of HCC. Interference of circDYNC1H1 suppressed cell proliferation and migration of HCC. circDYNC1H1 acted as a sponge of miR‐140‐5p. miR‐140‐5p controlled SULT2B1 expression by targeting its 3′‐untranslated region. circDYNC1H1 enhanced SULT2B1 expression via sponging miR‐140‐5p. Downregulation of circDYNC1H1 disturbed cell proliferation and migration of HCC through miR‐140‐5p/SULT2B1 pathway. Silencing of circDYNC1H1 delayed tumor growth in HCC mouse model. Acting like a sponge of miR‐140‐5p, silenced circDYNC1H1 downregulated SULT2B1 to restrain HCC cell proliferation and migration, which is adverse to HCC growth and progression.
Flip‐flops of natural killer cells in autoimmune diseases versus cancers: Immunologic axis
Authors: Shahrabi Saeid , Zayeri Zeinab D. , Ansari Narges , Hadad Elham H. , Rajaei Elham
Published: March 2019

Natural killer (NK) cells play an essential role in the immune response to infections, inflammations, and malignancies. Recent studies suggest that NK cell surface receptors and cytokines are the key points of the disease development and protection. We hypothesized that the interactions between NK cell receptors and targeted cells construct an eventual niche, and this niche has an eventual profile in various autoimmune diseases and cancers. The NK cells preactivated with cytokines, such as interleukin‐2 (IL‐2), IL‐12, IL‐15, and IL‐18 can have higher cytotoxicity; however, the toxic side effect of IL‐2 should be considered. The vicissitudes of NK cell profile and its receptors obey the environmental communications and cell interactions. Our vision around the NK cells as an immune axis remained dual, and we still cannot judge the immune responses based on the NK cell flip‐flop. A design of eventual niche to monitor the NK cell and targeted cell interaction is needed to strengthen our ability in diagnosis and treatment approaches based on the NK cells. Here, we have reviewed the shifts in the NK cells and their surface receptors in autoimmune diseases, solid tumors, and leukemia, and also discussed the effective chemokines that affect NK cell activation and proliferation. The main aim of this review is to present a broader vision of the NK cell changes in autoimmune disease and cancers.
Monoclonal Antibodies and Fc‐Fusion Proteins for Pediatric Use: Dosing, Immunogenicity, and Modeling and Simulation in Data Submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration
Authors: Liu Xiaomei I. , Dallmann André , Wang Yow‐Ming , Green Dionna J. , Burnham Janelle M. , Chiang Beatrice , Wu Perry , Sheng Mark , Lu Kelley , van den Anker John N. , Burckart Gilbert J.
Published: March 2019

The experience with the use of monoclonal antibodies and Fc‐fusion proteins (mAb/Fc) in the pediatric population is limited. The objective of this study is to review those factors impacting the clinical efficacy and product safety of mAb/Fc products in pediatric patients during drug development. We reviewed the list of biologic products in the US Food and Drug Administration's Purple Book as of March 2018 with a focus on mAb/Fc products that are indicated for use in both adults and pediatric patients. Of 68 mAb/Fc products in the Purple Book (excluding biosimilars), 20 products have approved indications in both adults and children. Thirteen products had concurrent approval for both adult and pediatric populations. The sample size of pediatric studies generally ranged from approximately 2% to 70% of the sample size of adult studies with the same indication. In general, pediatric dosing regimens were found to be more based on body weight and weight tiered than the regimens for adults. Modeling and simulation techniques comprised mainly population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic models. A review of the immunogenicity incidence did not reveal any notable difference in the 5 products having data on both pediatric and adult patients. In conclusion, most of the mAb/Fc products have a different weight‐based dosing regimen for pediatric patients versus adults. An understanding of the comparative experience in drug development for mAb/Fc products between adult and pediatric patients coupled with the application of advanced modeling and simulation methods should assist future development of new mAb/Fc products for pediatric patients.
Organelle interplay—peroxisome interactions in health and disease
Authors: Schrader Michael , Kamoshita Maki , Islinger Markus
Published: March 2019

Peroxisomes are multifunctional, dynamic, membrane‐bound organelles with important functions in cellular lipid metabolism, rendering them essential for human health and development. Important roles for peroxisomes in signaling and the fine‐tuning of cellular processes are emerging, which integrate them in a complex network of interacting cellular compartments. Like many other organelles, peroxisomes communicate through membrane contact sites. For example, peroxisomal growth, positioning, and lipid metabolism involves contacts with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here, we discuss the most recent findings on peroxisome‐organelle interactions including peroxisome‐ER interplay at membrane contacts sites, and functional interplay with mitochondria, lysosomes, and lipid droplets in mammalian cells. We address tether proteins, metabolic cooperation, and the impact of peroxisome interactions on human health and disease.
Early response assessment of glioma patients to definitive chemoradiotherapy using chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging at 7 T
Authors: Meissner Jan‐Eric , Korzowski Andreas , Regnery Sebastian , Goerke Steffen , Breitling Johannes , Floca Ralf Omar , Debus Jürgen , Schlemmer Heinz‐Peter , Ladd Mark Edward , Bachert Peter , Adeberg Sebastian , Paech Daniel
Published: March 2019

Background

Patients with newly diagnosed inoperable glioma receive chemoradiotherapy (CRT). Standard Response Assessment in Neuro‐Oncology (RANO) takes a minimum of 4 weeks after the end of treatment.

Purpose/Hypothesis

To investigate whether chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI enables earlier assessment of response to CRT in glioma patients.

Study Type

Longitudinal prospective study.

Population

Twelve brain tumor patients who underwent definitive CRT were included in this study. Three longitudinal CEST MRI measurements were performed for each patient at 7T: first before, second immediately after completion of CRT, and a third measurement as a 6‐week follow‐up.

Field Strength/Sequence

Conventional MRI (contrast‐enhanced, T2w and diffusion‐weighted imaging) at 3T and T2w and CEST MRI at 7T was performed for all patients.

Assessment

The mean relaxation‐compensated relayed nuclear‐Overhauser‐effect CEST signal (rNOE) and the mean downfield‐rNOE‐suppressed amide proton transfer (dns‐APT) CEST signal were investigated. Additionally, choline‐to‐N‐acetyl‐aspartate ratios (Cho/NAA) were evaluated using single‐voxel 1H‐MRS in six of these patients. Performance of obtained contrasts was analyzed in assessing treatment response as classified according to the updated RANO criteria.

Statistical Test

Unpaired Student's t‐test.

Results

The rNOE signal significantly separated stable and progressive disease directly after the end of therapy (post‐treatment normalized to pre‐treatment mean ± SD: rNOEresponder = 1.090 ± 0.110, rNOEnon‐responder = 0.808 ± 0.155, P = 0.015). In contrast, no significant difference was observed between either group when assessing the normalized dns‐APT (dns‐APTresponder = 0.953 ± 0.384, dns‐APTnon‐responder = 0.972 ± 0.477, P = 0.95). In the smaller MRS subcohort, normalized Cho/NAA decreased in therapy responders (Cho/NAAresponder = 0.632 ± 0.007, Cho/NAAnon‐responder = 0.946 ± 0.124, P = 0.070).

Data Conclusion

rNOE mediated CEST imaging at 7T allowed for discrimination of responders and non‐responders immediately after the end of CRT, additionally supported by 1H‐MRS data. This is at least 4 weeks earlier than the standard clinical evaluation according to RANO. Therefore, CEST MRI may enable early response assessment in glioma patients.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy Stage: 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1268–1277.
Genetic diversity of influenza A(H3N2) viruses in Northern Cameroon during the 2014‐2016 influenza seasons
Authors: Njifon Hermann Landry Munshili , Monamele Chavely Gwladys , Vernet Marie‐Astrid , Njankouo Mohamadou Ripa , Deweerdt Louis , Nono Raphael , Kenmoe Sebastien , Mbacham Wilfred , Njouom Richard
Published: March 2019

In Cameroon, genome characterization of influenza virus has been performed only in the Southern regions meanwhile genetic diversity of this virus varies with respect to locality. The Northern region characterized by a Sudan tropical climate might have distinct genetic characterization. This study aimed to better understand the genetic diversity of influenza A(H3N2) viruses circulating in Northern Cameroon. Sequences of three gene segments (hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and matrix (M) genes) were obtained from 16 A(H3N2) virus strains collected during the 2014 to 2016 influenza seasons in Garoua. The HA gene segments were analysed with respect to reference strains while the NA and M gene was analysed for reported genetic markers of resistance to antivirals. Analysis of the HA sequences revealed that majority of the virus strains grouped together with the 2016‐2017 vaccine strain (3C.2a‐A/Hong Kong/4801/2014) while 3/5 (60%) of the 2015 viral strains grouped together with the 2015‐2016 vaccine strain 3C.3a‐A/Switzerland/9715293/2013. Within clade 3C.2a, Northern Cameroon sequences mostly grouped in sub‐clade A3 (10/16). Analysis of the coding regions of the NA and M genes showed that none had genetic markers of resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors but all strains possessed the S31N substitution of resistance to amantadine. Due to some discrepancies observed in this region with respect to the Southern regions of Cameroon, there is necessity of including all regions within a country in the sentinel surveillance of influenza. These data will enable to track changes in influenza viruses in Cameroon.
A 28‐year study of human parainfluenza in Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil
Authors: Gregianini Tatiana Schäffer , Seadi Claudete Farina , Zavarize Neto Luiz Domingos , Martins Letícia Garay , Muller Guilherme Cerutti , Straliotto Selir Maria , Veiga Ana Beatriz Gorini da
Published: March 2019

Problem

Human parainfluenza virus (hPIV) is an important pathogen in respiratory infections, however the health burden of hPIV is underestimated. This study describes the infections by hPIV1‐3 in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, from 1990 to 2017, providing data of the frequency and seasonality of cases and associated clinical symptoms.

Method of study

Nasopharyngeal samples of patients with respiratory infection were collected, clinical data were analyzed, and immunofluorescence was used to detect hPIV.

Results

Respiratory viruses were detected in 33.63% of respiratory infections. In a total of 11 606 cases of viral respiratory infection, 781 were positive for hPIV; hPIV prevalence ranged from 2.14% to 27% of viral respiratory infections. hPIV1 circulates mainly during fall; hPIV3 circulation, in turn, starts in fall and peaks during spring; and cases of hPIV2 are reported along the year, with peaks in fall and early spring. The most affected age group was children, with hPIV prevalence of 74.23% in patients for less than 1 year. A higher proportion of girls were infected than boys, however, no difference by sex was observed considering all age groups. The most frequent type was hPIV3, especially in hospitalized patients. Both hPIV1 and 3 were associated with dyspnea, while hPIV2 caused mild symptoms mainly in nonhospitalized patients. Nineteen fatalities occurred, 89.5% of them associated with risk factors (prematurity; chronic diseases; age, <1 or >60 years).

Conclusion

hPIV causes a high number of respiratory infections, leading to hospitalization especially in children; epidemiological and surveillance studies are important for the control and management of respiratory infections.
Wetland methane emissions dominated by plant‐mediated fluxes: Contrasting emissions pathways and seasons within a shallow freshwater subtropical wetland
Authors: Jeffrey Luke C. , Maher Damien T. , Johnston Scott G. , Kelaher Brendan P. , Steven Andy , Tait Douglas R.
Published: March 2019

Wetlands represent the largest natural source of methane; however, very few studies have simultaneously quantified the three main atmospheric flux pathways (i.e., diffusive, ebullition, and plant‐mediated). Unlike better‐studied northern hemisphere systems, many Australian subtropical wetlands undergo extreme wet/dry oscillations, which may strongly impact methane dynamics. We assessed diurnal methane emissions of multiple pathways during three distinct seasonal events within an Australian freshwater wetland. Six‐fold higher methane emissions occurred during summer compared to autumn floods (which followed an extensive dry‐period) and winter/cool conditions. Over three seasons, diffusion represented the highest average areal fluxes (25.9 ± 73.2 mmol m−2 d−1) but were within range of fluxes through water lily aerenchyma (20.8 ± 41.5 mmol m−2 d−1). Average ebullition rates were 5.5 ± 9.7 mmol m−2 d−1. Water column CH4 displayed high spatiotemporal variability, ranging from 55.0 to 253.5 μmol L−1. Time series δ13C–CH4 isotope measurements revealed an oxidation fraction of ~ 15% at night‐time and ~ 36% during day‐time, and night‐time diffusive fluxes were consistently ~ three‐fold higher than day‐time fluxes. By aggregating seasons and weighting for changes in lily coverage, plant‐mediated fluxes accounted for ~ 59% of the annual methane emissions, whereas ebullition and diffusion each accounted for ~ 20%. The up‐scaled annual area‐weighted wetland methane flux (combined pathways) was 27.3 ± 36.7 mmol m−2 d−1. We contend that water lilies (Nymphaea sp.) are the significant carbon source, mediator, and conduit for methane fluxes in this system, and the extremely large seasonal variability of methane emissions reflect dynamic redox oscillations driven by oscillating wet and dry conditions.
Low rates of dinitrogen fixation in the eastern tropical South Pacific
Authors: Chang Bonnie X. , Jayakumar Amal , Widner Brittany , Bernhardt Peter , Mordy Calvin W. , Mulholland Margaret R. , Ward Bess B.
Published: March 2019

Recent work has suggested that the oxygen deficient zone (ODZ) and overlying surface waters of the eastern tropical South Pacific (ETSP) is a potential niche for dinitrogen (N2) fixation. Rates of dinitrogen fixation were measured in the ETSP above and within the ODZ in July 2013 using a modified 15N2 bubble addition method, wherein a bubble was added, mixed, and then removed, and the isotopic enrichment of the dissolved N2 was measured directly for each incubation. N2 fixation rates in the euphotic zone ranged from below detection to 3.9 nmol L−1 d−1 and were below detection at all depths surveyed within the ODZ. Depth‐integrated rates ranged from below detection to 289.7 μmol m−2 d−1. DNA and RNA of diverse nifH genes were detected at both surface waters and in the ODZ. However, the results of this study suggest that N2 fixation rates were low and contribute little to N cycling in the ETSP.
The Causes and Outcomes of Early Relaparotomy Following Pediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation
Authors: Okada Noriki , Sanada Yukihiro , Onishi Yasuharu , Urahashi Taizen , Ihara Yoshiyuki , Yamada Naoya , Hirata Yuta , Katano Takumi , Imai Toshimi , Ushijima Kentaro , Ogaki Keiko , Otomo Shinya , Mizuta Koichi
Published: March 2019

Early relaparotomy of adult recipients after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is significantly associated with poor prognosis. However, there are few reports focusing on pediatric recipients after LDLT. The aim of this study is to clarify the causes and outcomes of early relaparotomy after pediatric LDLT. A total of 265 pediatric recipients (272 LDLTs) transplanted from May 2001 to October 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. Early relaparotomy was defined as surgical intervention performed within 3 months after LDLT. Early relaparotomy was performed 49 times for 33 recipients (12.5%). The recipient and graft survival rates in the early relaparotomy group were significantly lower than those in the nonearly relaparotomy group, respectively (75.0% and 63.6% versus 96.6% and 95.8%; both P < 0.001). Left lateral segment grafts were used significantly more frequently in the nonrelaparotomy group (P = 0.01). According to the multivariate analysis, the preoperative Pediatric End‐Stage Liver Disease (PELD)/Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score of the early relaparotomy group was significantly higher than that of the nonearly relaparotomy group (13.7 versus 6.3; P = 0.04). According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the preoperative PELD/MELD score cutoff point was 17.2. Early relaparotomy due to infectious causes led to significantly poorer graft survival than that due to noninfectious causes (P = 0.04). In conclusion, the recipient and graft survival rates of the early relaparotomy group were significantly lower than those of the nonearly relaparotomy group. A high preoperative PELD/MELD score was a risk factor for early relaparotomy. In particular, early relaparotomy due to infection showed a poor prognosis.
Global existence and nonexistence of generalized coupled reaction‐diffusion systems
Authors: Niu Yi
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we consider the initial boundary value problem for a class of reaction‐diffusion systems with generalized coupled source terms. The assumption on the coupled source terms refers to the single equations and includes many kinds of polynomial growth cases. Under this assumption, the reaction‐diffusion systems have a variational structure, which is the foundation of constructing the potential wells to classify the initial data. In subcritical energy level and critical energy level, which are divided from potential well theory, the global existence solution, blow‐up in finite time solution, and asymptotic behavior of solution are obtained, respectively. Furthermore, we show the sufficient conditions of global well posedness with supercritical energy level by combining with comparison principle and semigroup theory.
A global existence result for a semilinear scale‐invariant wave equation in even dimension
Authors: Palmieri Alessandro
Published: March 2019

In the present article a, semilinear scale‐invariant wave equation with damping and mass is considered. The global (in time) existence of radial symmetric solutions in even spatial dimension n is proved by using weighted L∞ − L∞ estimates, under the assumption that the multiplicative constants, which appear in the coefficients of damping and of mass terms, fulfill an interplay condition, which yields somehow a “wave‐like” model. In particular, combining this existence result with a recently proved blow‐up result, a suitable shift of Strauss exponent is proved to be the critical exponent for the considered model. Moreover, the still open part of a conjecture done by D'Abbicco‐Lucente‐Reissig is proved to be true in the massless case.
Blowup and decay behavior of solutions to the generalized Boussinesq‐type equation with strong damping
Authors: Mohammadi Hamideh B. , Esfahani Amin
Published: March 2019

In this paper, we study the Cauchy problem for the generalized Boussinesq‐type equation with strong damping. By defining a suitable solution space with time‐weighted norms and under smallness condition on the initial data, we establish the global existence and decay property of the solutions. Under certain conditions on the initial data, we also provide blowup of the solutions.
Measurement of surface conductivity of graphene at W‐band
Authors: Majeed Farhat , Fickenscher Thomas , Shahpari Morteza , Thiel David V.
Published: March 2019

Graphene has excellent mechanical and conducting properties. Scattering parameter measurements were made in W‐band (75‐110 GHz) on 25 mm × 25 mm monolayer graphene film printed on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. From near field measurements using WR10 horn antennas the surface conductivity was de‐embedded after calibrating the s11 data against the reflection of a copper plate of same cross‐sectional dimensions as the DUT and calibrating the s21 data against horn‐to‐horn measurements. A monolayer graphene strip (20 mm × 2 mm) printed on PET substrate (25 mm × 25 mm) showed higher reflection when it was aligned with the E field of the incident radiation (as compared to H field alignment). The surface conductivity of graphene was de‐embedded from s11 measurements using standard transmission line theory and from s21 measurements using cascade matrix theory. The measured real part of the surface conductivity of graphene ranges between 0.7 and 1.8 mS/sq.
Aberrant methylation of the IL‐12B promotor region contributes to the risk of developing ovarian endometriosis
Authors: Zhao Wei , Kang Shan , Zhao Jian , Wang Lixian , Cao Shiru , Li Yan
Published: March 2019

Studies have shown that aberrant expression of IL‐12p40, which is encoded by the interleukin‐12B (IL‐12B) gene, may be involved in the development of endometriosis. In this study, we investigated the role of aberrant methylation of the
IL‐12B promoter region and its associated expression in the development of ovarian endometriosis. By using pyrosequencing, we analyzed the methylation level of the
IL‐12B promoter region in eutopic and ectopic endometrium of patients with ovarian endometriosis and normal endometrium of control women. The expression of
IL‐12B mRNA was detected by quantitative real‐time PCR. The results showed that the methylation level of the
IL‐12B promoter region in ectopic and eutopic endometrium of patients with ovarian endometriosis was significantly lower than that in endometrium of women without endometriosis (
p < 0.001 and
p = 0.041, respectively). In contrast, mRNA levels were significantly increased in ectopic and eutopic endometrium of patients with ovarian endometriosis compared to those in endometrium of women without endometriosis (
p < 0.001 and
p = 0.042, respectively). Correlation analysis showed that the methylation level of the
IL‐12B promoter region was negatively correlated with mRNA levels of
IL‐12B (
p < 0.001). Our data suggested that aberrant methylation of the
IL‐12B promoter region may be responsible for aberrant
IL‐12B mRNA expression in endometrium tissue of women, which may be associated with the development of ovarian endometriosis in northern Chinese women.
A generic approach to modelling flexible confined boundary conditions in SPH and its application
Authors: Zhao Shaohan , Bui Ha H. , Lemiale Vincent , Nguyen Giang D. , Darve Felix
Published: March 2019

In this paper, a new approach to applying confining stress to flexible boundaries in the smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method is developed to facilitate its applications in geomechanics. Unlike the conventional SPH methods that impose confining boundary conditions by creating extra boundary particles, the proposed approach makes use of kernel truncation properties of SPH approximations that occur naturally at free‐surface boundaries. Therefore, it does not require extra boundary particles and, as a consequence, can be utilised to apply confining stresses onto any boundary with arbitrary geometry without the need for tracking the curvature change during the computation. This enables more complicated problems that involve moving confining boundaries, such as confining triaxial tests, to be simulated in SPH without difficulties. To further enhance SPH applications in elasto‐plastic computations of geomaterials, a robust numerical procedure to implement Mohr‐Coulomb plasticity model in SPH is presented for the first time to avoid difficulties associated with corner singularities in Mohr‐Coulomb model. The proposed approach was first validated against two‐dimensional finite element (FE) solutions for confining biaxial compression tests to demonstrate its predictive capability at small deformation range when FE solutions are still valid. It is then further extended to three‐dimensional conditions and utilised to simulate triaxial compression experiments. Simulation results predicted by SPH show good agreement with experiments, FE solutions, and other numerical results available in the literature. This suggests that the proposed approach of imposing confining stress boundaries is promising and can handle complex problems that involve moving confining boundary conditions.
Handgrip Strength in Preoperative Elective Cardiac Surgery Patients and Association With Body Composition and Surgical Risk
Authors: Perry Ingrid Schweigert , Pinto Lourena C. , da Silva Taís Kereski , Vieira Sílvia R. R. , Souza Gabriela Corrêa
Published: March 2019

Background

Handgrip strength (HGS) is a potential method to approximate perioperative risk in cardiothoracic surgery patients and correlates well with European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) values. This study aimed to characterize the functional capacity in preoperative cardiac surgery patients through HGS.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study investigated patients aged 18 years or older. The collected data included surgical risk (EuroSCORE), body mass index (BMI), body composition (electrical bioimpedance), and HGS.

Results

The mean age of the 278 participants was 62.1 ± 11.2 years, of whom 61.5% were male, 43.2% were overweight, and 26.3% were obese. The main types of surgery were myocardial revascularization (50%) and valve replacement (40.6%). HGS values differed between genders in all age groups (P < 0.05) and were approximately 40% lower than reference values for healthy individuals. The values differed with respect to operative risk (P = 0.003) and had a moderate positive correlation with fat‐free mass (rs = 0.435, P < 0.001), a moderate negative correlation with fat mass (rs = −0.447, P < 0.001), and weak negative correlations with age (rs = −0.270, P < 0.01) and EuroSCORE (rs = −0.316, P < 0.01).

Conclusions

The HGS values of preoperative elective cardiac surgery patients were below reference values for healthy individuals, were lower in male patients, were positively correlated with fat‐free mass, and were negatively correlated with fat mass, age, and operative risk. Its preoperative use in these patients is an attractive complementary method of risk assessment in clinical practice.
The value of high‐dose radiotherapy in intracranial ependymoma
Authors: Ager Bryan J. , Christensen Michael T. , Burt Lindsay M. , Poppe Matthew M.
Published: March 2019

Background

We sought to evaluate the impact of adjuvant radiotherapy dose on overall survival (OS) after surgical resection for localized intracranial ependymoma.

Procedure

The National Cancer Database (NCDB) was queried from 2004 to 2015 for patients of all ages with intracranial WHO grade II to III ependymoma treated with surgery and 4500 to 7000 cGy of adjuvant radiotherapy. Pearson χ2 test and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess clinicodemographic factors and patterns of care. After propensity‐score matching, OS was assessed with Kaplan–Meier analyses and doubly robust estimation with multivariate Cox proportional hazards modeling.

Results

Of the 1153 patients meeting criteria, 529 (46%) received ≤ 5400 cGy and 624 (54%) received > 5400 cGy. At a median follow‐up of 54.5 months, an OS benefit was observed for > 5400 cGy in pediatric patients aged 2–18 years (hazard ratio [HR] 0.53; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28–0.99, P = 0.047). No OS difference was found between ≤ 5400 cGy and > 5400 cGy in pediatric patients aged < 2 years (P = 0.819) or in adults (P = 0.180). Increasing age, WHO grade III, subtotal resection, and receipt of chemotherapy portended worse OS. Age 2 to 18 years, WHO III grade, supratentorial location, and receipt of chemotherapy were associated with receiving > 5400 cGy.

Conclusion

Adjuvant radiotherapy dose > 5400 cGy was associated with improved OS for children aged 2–18 years with WHO grade II‐III intracranial ependymoma. No OS benefit was found with > 5400 cGy in adults or children less than two years of age.
Zika virus during pregnancy: From maternal exposure to congenital Zika virus syndrome
Authors: Pomar Léo , Musso Didier , Malinger Gustavo , Vouga Manon , Panchaud Alice , Baud David
Published: March 2019

What is already known about the topic?

The Zika virus (ZIKV) emergence and its consequences during pregnancy led to an increasing number of data about the maternal and fetal consequences of ZIKV infections.

What does this study add?

This review evaluates risks of maternal ZIKV infection, maternal‐fetal transmission, congenital Zika syndrome (CZS), other adverse perinatal outcomes, and long‐term sequelae among pregnancies exposed to ZIKV. This review also provides contemporary criteria and guidelines for the follow‐up of exposed fetuses, based on prenatal and postnatal features of CZS.
The Nucleotide‐Dependent Interactome of Rice Heterotrimeric G‐Protein α ‐Subunit
Authors: Biswal Akshaya Kumar , McConnell Evan Wesley , Werth Emily Grace , Lo Shuen‐Fang , Yu Su‐May , Hicks Leslie M. , Jones Alan M.
Published: March 2019

The rice heterotrimeric G‐protein complex, a guanine‐nucleotide‐dependent on‐off switch, mediates vital cellular processes and responses to biotic and abiotic stress. Exchange of bound GDP (resting state) for GTP (active state) is spontaneous in plants including rice and thus there is no need for promoting guanine nucleotide exchange in vivo as a mechanism for regulating the active state of signaling as it is well known for animal G signaling. As such, a master regulator controlling the G‐protein activation state is unknown in plants. Therefore, an ab initio approach is taken to discover candidate regulators. The rice Gα subunit (RGA1) is used as bait to screen for nucleotide‐dependent protein partners. A total of 264 proteins are identified by tandem mass spectrometry of which 32 were specific to the GDP‐bound inactive state and 22 specific to the transition state. Approximately, 10% are validated as previously identified G‐protein interactors.
DFT studies on new family of high‐energy density energetic bis(trinitromethyl) azo tetrazoles and triazoles
Authors: He Piao , Zhang Jianguo , Wu Jinting
Published: March 2019

Density functional theory (DFT) methods were employed to design a new family of high‐energy density energetic bis(trinitromethyl) azo tetrazoles and triazoles. The optimized geometry, electronic properties, IR spectrum, and thermodynamics were calculated for inspecting the molecular stability and chemical reactivity. Their energetic parameters, including density, heats of formation, detonation properties, and impact sensitivity, were extensively evaluated as well. These newly designed bis(trinitromethyl)‐azo‐azoles exhibit moderate impact sensitivities, high density (above 1.9 g cm−3), excellent heats of formation (up to 1076.08 kJ mol−1), and good detonation performance, which in some cases (D = 9.53 km s−1, P = 41.37 GPa) overmatches the high‐energy explosive HMX, making them promising candidates of new environmentally friendly high‐energy‐density compounds (HEDCs).
Theoretical investigation about the excited‐state proton transfer mechanism for a novel dihydorgen bond system
Authors: Wang Lifei , Wang Yan , Zhao Juan , Zhao Jinfeng
Published: March 2019

It is well known that excited‐state dynamical behavior is of paramount importance in photochemical processes. In this present work, we theoretically explore a novel dihydrogen bond system (3‐enol) based on density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) methods. Firstly, we calculate the electrostatic potential surface (EPS) for 3‐enol in the S0 state, which reveals the formation of dual intramolecular hydrogen bonds in 3‐enol form. Furthermore, comparing the hydrogen bonding bond lengths and bong angles, we verify that dual intramolecular hydrogen bonds should be strengthened in the S1 state. And the infrared (IR) stretching vibrational spectra involved in hydrogen bonding hydroxyl moieties further reveal the enhanced dual hydrogen bonds in the S1 state. In view of photo‐induced behavior, based on frontier molecular orbitals (MOs) analyses, we find that the charge redistribution around hydrogen bonding moieties could facilitate the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction for 3‐enol system. In the end, we construct the potential energy surfaces along with dual hydrogen bonding wires in both S0 and S1 states, which clarifies that only the single proton transfer happens in the S1 state even though 3‐enol owns dual intramolecular hydrogen bonds.
Thieno[3,2‐b]Thiophene End‐Capped all‐Sulfur Analog of 3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene and its Eletrosynthesized Polymer: Is Distorted Conformation Not Suitable for Electrochromism?
Authors: Xue Yu , Xue Zexu , Zhang Wenwen , Zhang Wenna , Chen Shuai , Lin Kaiwen , Xu Jingkun
Published: March 2019

By employing planar thieno[3,2‐b]thiophene (TT) as end‐capped units and famous 3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) or its all‐sulfur analog 3,4‐ethylenedithiathiophene (EDTT) as cores, two conjugated oligomer, TT‐EDOT‐TT and TT‐EDTT‐TT, have been synthesized and electropolymerized into electrochromic polymer films, P(TT‐EDOT‐TT) and P(TT‐EDTT‐TT), respectively. Due to strongly noncovalent inter/intramolecular interactions from SS attraction of TT‐EDTT‐TT, it has twisted molecular configuration in contrast to planar TT‐EDOT‐TT. Spectroscopic, electrochemical, morphological as well as theoretical calculation studies of these oligomers or polymers were carried out to reveal the significant influence of such molecular geometry on their physicochemical and optoelectronic properties. According to electrochromic kinetics, P(TT‐EDTT‐TT) presented preferable electrochromic behavior such as the higher optical contrast (70.8%), favorable coloration efficiency (331.3 cm2 C−1) and fast response time (0.72 s). This research will help us deeply understand the effect of spatial organization of precursor molecules on the properties of electrochromic polymers and provides a promising strategy to develop high‐performance electrochromic materials. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 1041–1048
Effect of a post‐annealing process on microstructure and mechanical properties of high‐density polyethylene/silica nanocomposites
Authors: Guichard Bryan , Cassagnau Philippe , Sudre Guillaume , Fulchiron René , Ledieu Bastien , Espuche Eliane
Published: March 2019

High‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and nanosilica nanocomposites were prepared for SiO2 content up to 15 wt%. Microstructural characterization evidenced a homogenous distribution of silica aggregates with a mean size increasing with the filler content finally resulting in a rheological percolation between 7.5 and 10 wt%. Nanoparticles did not induce any significant impact on the matrix crystallinity but led to a real improvement on elastic properties accompanied with a large embrittlement above the percolation threshold. The effect of annealing near HDPE melting temperature was studied. Differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction, and small‐angle X‐ray scattering analyses showed a significant change in the HDPE microstructure after annealing at 125°C. A large increase in the crystallinity (from 68 to 76%) and a clear improvement of Young's modulus (by 55%) were observed prior to polymer degradation. A valuable impact of silica particles on thermal stability was also obvious regarding the evolution of elastic properties for extended exposure times (850–1,200 h). © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 535–546
US pediatric pulmonology workforce
Authors: Harris Christopher , Katkin Julie , Cataletto Mary , Dorkin Henry , Laskosz Laura , Ruch‐Ross Holly
Published: March 2019

Aim

Children with respiratory conditions benefit from care provided by pediatric pulmonologists. As these physicians are a small portion of the overall pediatric workforce, it is necessary to understand the practices and career plans of these specialists.

Methods

An internet survey was developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics Division of Workforce and Medical Education Policy and sent to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Chest Physicians who identified as pediatric pulmonary physicians.

Results

Responses were received from 485 physicians and were compared to the results of a similar survey done in 1997. Of those completing the survey, 63% were male and 37% female, with increased number of females since the earlier poll. The average calculated age was 56 years. They worked 54 h per week, down from 59 h in the prior survey. Pediatric pulmonologists are overwhelmingly clinicians (92%) with major responsibilities for administration (79%), teaching (78%), and research. Basic science research was rarely reported (7%). Pediatric pulmonologists felt that referrals had become more complicated in the recent past. Nearly all planned to maintain Pediatric Pulmonology Sub‐board certification, though one third planned to cut back on clinical workload in the next decade. Many were concerned that the number needed in the profession in a decade would be inadequate with significant concerns about funding for those positions.

Conclusion

Overall, these results reflect the current state of the workforce and the need to monitor the supply of practitioners in the future.
Plant polyprenols reduce demyelination and recover impaired oligodendrogenesis and neurogenesis in the cuprizone murine model of multiple sclerosis
Authors: Khodanovich Marina Y. , Pishchelko Anna O. , Glazacheva Valentina Y. , Pan Edgar S. , Krutenkova Elena P. , Trusov Vladimir B. , Yarnykh Vasily L.
Published: March 2019

Recent studies showed hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties of polyprenols isolated from the green verdure of Picea abies (L.) Karst. This study aimed to investigate effects of polyprenols on oligodendrogenesis, neurogenesis, and myelin content in the cuprizone demyelination model. Demyelination was induced by 0.5% cuprizone in CD‐1 mice during 10 weeks. Nine cuprizone‐treated animals received daily injections of polyprenols intraperitoneally at a dose of 12‐mg/kg body weight during Weeks 6–10. Nine control animals and other nine cuprizone‐treated received sham oil injections. At Week 10, brain sections were stained for myelin basic protein, neuro‐glial antigen‐2, and doublecortin to evaluate demyelination, oligodendrogenesis, and neurogenesis. Cuprizone administration caused a decrease in myelin basic protein in the corpus callosum, cortex, hippocampus, and the caudate putamen compared with the controls. Oligodendrogenesis was increased, and neurogenesis in the subventricular zone and the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus was decreased in the cuprizone‐treated group compared with the controls. Mice treated with cuprizone and polyprenols did not show significant demyelination and differences in oligodendrogenesis and neurogenesis as compared with the controls. Our results suggest that polyprenols can halt demyelination, restore impaired neurogenesis, and mitigate reactive overproduction of oligodendrocytes caused by cuprizone neurotoxicity.
The effects of curcumin supplementation on high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, serum adiponectin, and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Adibian Mahsa , Hodaei Homa , Nikpayam Omid , Sohrab Golbon , Hekmatdoost Azita , Hedayati Mehdi
Published: March 2019

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common and important metabolic diseases in human. Curcumin, which is a natural polyphenol found in turmeric, can be used in treatment of diabetes complications for its antidiabetic, anti‐inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. In this double‐blind randomized clinical trial, 44 patients with Type 2 diabetes randomly assigned to curcumin or placebo group. Patients consumed either 1,500‐mg curcumin or placebo daily for 10 weeks. Anthropometric measurements were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. Serum concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, and adiponectin were determined after 12‐hr fasting at the beginning and end of study. The mean serum level of TG decreased in curcumin group compared with baseline (109 ± 36 vs. 124 ± 36; p < 0.05). At the end of study, the mean concentration of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein decreased in the curcumin group compared to the control (2.9 ± 2.9 vs. 3.4 ± 4.2; p < 0.05). The mean serum concentration of adiponectin increased (64 ± 3 vs. 63 ± 4; p < 0.05) in the treatment group compared with the placebo at the end of the study. The results of the current study indicate that curcumin consumption may reduce diabetes complications through decreasing TG level as well as indicators of inflammation.
Language and cognitive interference: How using complex scientific language limits cognitive performance
Authors: Brown Bryan A. , Donovan Brian , Wild Andrew
Published: March 2019

Language is seen as a gatekeeper to science learning for many students. This randomized experimental study explores how learning science through complex language reduces working memory capacity. A sample of 64 students aged 14–17 years was randomly assigned to two conditions. The control group watched an instructional video about the water cycle taught using complex scientific language. The experimental group watched the same video with simple scientific language replacing the more complex alternatives. After instruction, students were asked to complete a Stroop test and a Flanker test measuring cognitive capacity. There were no significant differences across the treatment groups in students’ ability to answer questions correctly. However, the results revealed statistically significant differences in the rate of students’ responses to complicated items. When students needed to answer questions with increased cognitive difficulty, the experimental group (everyday language condition) answered significantly faster than the control group. These results suggest that complex scientific language is a potential inhibitor of cognitive capacity for students.
Experimental behaviour of bolted connections with stiffeners
Authors: Maali Mahyar , Kılıç Mahmut , Aydın Abdulkadir Cüneyt
Published: March 2019

This paper focuses on the behaviour of connections with stiffened top and seat angles. There is a discussion of nine statically loaded full‐scale tests carried out in three groups for different thicknesses of top and seat angle stiffeners. The purpose was to provide the necessary data to develop Eurocode 3. The maximum bending moment increased with the increase in stiffener thickness from 6 to 10 mm. Moreover, the plastic flexural resistance and bending moment capacity increased as the length of top and seat angles decreased. Furthermore, the plastic region of the seat angle section parallel to beam was greater than the vertical section of the angle, and the dissipated energy depended on the lengths of the angles.
The selection of box girders for cable‐supported railroad bridges
Authors: Wang Yingliang
Published: March 2019

Dedicated to Dipl.‐Ing. Dr.‐Ing. E.h. Reiner Saul on the occasion of his 80th birthday

This paper describes the selection of box girders for cable‐supported railroad bridges from the point view of structural behaviour, fabrication, transportation and erection. There is a review of the use of wide single box girders and vented box girders with dual and triple separate boxes. The number of cable planes and the different transverse locations of pylon legs and main girders are also studied. A cable‐stayed bridge with a main span of 520 m and a triple separate box girder accommodating four high‐speed railway tracks and a six‐lane carriageway is researched as a case study. The result reveals that the triple separate box girder is very suitable for long‐span cable‐supported railroad bridges with multiple railway tracks and traffic lanes.
Ruptures, Resilient Empires, and Small Divergences
Authors: Yun-Casalilla Bartolomé
Published: March 2019

This chapter analyses how war effort, in part because of empires’ needs, challenged the conflictive pact in the different centres of the composite monarchy. It does so by selecting four areas: Castile, Catalonia, Portugal, and America. The comparison between Catalonia and Portugal stresses the importance of being a global empire for the latter’s independence. The resolution of the Castilian crisis, based on a reshaping of the agreement between the Crown and the elites—consisting in part in a new model of absolutism based on direct negotiation between Madrid and the different local agents—led to the reproduction of unfavourable economic conditions for the kingdom’s interior. In America, conflicts also paved the way for a renewal of the pact with home-grown elites, which was based on new forms of colonial extraction of resources and a high autonomy for local agents, for whom corruption and rent-seeking behaviour were crucial.

The outcome was the rupture of the composite empire as well as a new balance between the different local powers, a change in the peninsular economic model with the centre’s recession, and the slow recovery of the coastal zones, which with some variants reproduces a European model. In America the abundance of resources and the implantation of a new ecological equilibrium allowed for economic expansion within the framework of, in theory, very inefficient institutions.