bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical activity levels and correlates in nationally representative sample of U.S. adults with healthy weight, obesity, and binge‐eating disorder
Authors: Udo Tomoko , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

This study compared the patterns of moderate and vigorous physical activity (PA) and health conditions in a nationally representative sample of adults categorized with healthy weight (HW) without eating disorder history, obesity without eating disorder history (OB), or current binge‐eating disorder (BED) with obesity (BED+OB).

Method

We used the third National Epidemiological Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions to compare PA intensity, duration, and their relationships with health indicators in the three groups: HW (n = 11,635), OB (n = 11,056), and BED+OB (n = 110).

Results

Prevalence of physical inactivity was significantly greater in OB (38.1%) and BED (51.4%) than HW (30.3%). Prevalence of vigorous PA was significantly lower in OB (45.5%) and BED (31.7%) than HW (54.0%). Duration of moderate and vigorous activity per week was significantly shorter in BED+OB than HW and duration of vigorous activity was shorter in OB than HW. Regardless of PA intensity, BED+OB reported poorer physical and mental health than OB and HW. Greater PA intensity and duration were associated with better physical health, particularly in OB.

Discussion

In this nationally representative study of U.S. adults, obesity was associated with physical inactivity. Comorbid obesity and BED was associated with lower PA levels and poorer health. Particularly among adults with obesity, greater PA intensity was associated with better physical health, and greater duration of PA was associated with better physical and mental health. The findings highlight the importance of screening for BED in addition to obesity status and for promoting PA to improve health in U.S. adults.
Ecotypes or phenotypic plasticity—The aquatic and terrestrial forms of Helosciadium repens (Apiaceae)
Authors: Herden Tobias , Friesen Nikolai
Published: November 2019

Morphological and ecological differences of two forms of Helosciadium repens are known and described in the literature: aquatic and terrestrial. However, their taxonomic status is currently unknown. The question whether they are genotypically adapted to specific environmental conditions or are those differences a result of phenotypic plasticity is addressed in this study.

SSR and ISSR data were used to uncover genotypic differences. Data from drought stress experiments (system water content and relative water content of leaves) were used to evaluate the response to water as an environmental factor. The stomatal index of both forms grown under different water treatments was analyzed.

The principal component analysis of the ISSR data revealed no clustering that would correspond with ecotypes. The diversity parameters of the SSR data showed no significant differences. The aquatic populations showed a tendency toward heterozygosity, while the terrestrial ones showed a bias toward homozygosity. Both forms responded similarly to the changes in water availability, with newly produced leaves after drought stress that were better adapted to repeated drought stress. Stomatal indices were higher in plants from aquatic habitats, but these differences disappeared when the plants were grown in soil.

The observed responses indicate that the differences between forms are due to phenotypic plasticity.
The role of intraspecific trait variability and soil properties in community assembly during forest secondary succession
Authors: Chai Yongfu , Dang Han , Yue Ming , Xu Jinshi , Zhang Lixia , Quan Jiaxin , Guo Yaoxin , Li Ting , Wang Lei , Wang Mao , Liu Xiao
Published: November 2019

Trait‐based approaches applied to community assembly have led to a considerable advance in understanding the drivers that underlie community dynamics. However, species respond to environmental conditions based on traits, and the role of intraspecific trait variability (ITV) in community assembly during succession has not been studied in detail. Here, we explored the effects of environmental conditions on plant trait composition and tested the role of ITV on understanding the assembly processes throughout a long‐term forest succession on the Loess Plateau of China. Thirty plots were established across six successional stages, and 15 functional traits of 210 species were measured. Rao's quadratic entropy of each community with and without accounting for ITV was calculated and then compared with random expectation to evaluate the community functional structure. A structural equation model was used to determine the effects of soil abiotic factors on community functional structure. Community functional structure based on multiple traits transitioned from a stochastic pattern in the early community to a significantly overdispersed pattern in the latest climax community, mainly driven by the increasing niche differentiation of plant height and seed mass. In contrast, community functional structure for most chemical and structure traits showed a neutral but increasing clustering pattern throughout succession. We found that consideration of intraspecific variability did not result in the misreading of the assembly process along a successional gradient; consideration of intraspecific variability only increased the divergence of traits for the latest climax community. Soil NH4‐N was an especially important factor that influenced community functional structure and ITV during succession. Our results suggest a change in the dominant assembly mechanism from stochastic to deterministic processes and a strong environmental modification that drives community assembly during a long‐term forest succession. Ignoring ITV (except for plant height) may be acceptable in understanding community assembly along a local secondary forest succession in a semiarid ecosystem, such as the Loess Plateau.
Assessing and explaining policy coherence: A comparative study of water governance and large carnivore governance in Sweden
Authors: Sandström Annica , Söderberg Charlotta , Lundmark Carina , Nilsson Jens , Fjellborg Daniel
Published: November 2019

This paper explores the relationship between different types of multilevel governance systems and policy coherence (i.e., uniformity of goals and rules) through a study of the governance systems for water and large carnivores in Sweden. The study objects represent multilevel governance systems for contested natural resources in the same national context, although in different policy areas and with substantial differences in institutional arrangements. We define the characteristics of each governance system through an institutional analysis of official records and compare their perceived ability to promote coherence through a statistical analysis of survey data. Our empirical results both support and problematize common ideas about how different institutional features relate to policy coherence in multilevel governance. The results clearly indicate that multilevel governance systems are challenged by conflicting goals and rules, both within and across governance systems, and that the capacity to address these difficulties is generally perceived as wanting in both types of systems. The results tentatively suggest that clashes with other governance systems are more prominent in polycentric and ecologically based systems, whereas internal goal and rule conflicts are more prevalent in centralized and more traditionally organized systems. The findings contribute to our understanding of the quandaries associated with the design of new governance systems. The study also contributes important insights into what features to focus on in attempts to mitigate the downsides of different institutional arrangements in multilevel governance systems.
Local impacts of federal forest policy changes on Canadian model forests: An institutional capacity perspective
Authors: Bullock Ryan , Reed Maureen G.
Published: November 2019

Although research in multiparty environmental governance has examined how local actors work together, few have focused how changes in higher order government policy directives affect the capacity of local organizations to implement associated management activities over time. We examine changes in three Canadian Model Forests as federal policy objectives shifted from “sustainable forest management” to “sustaining communities.” Specially, we adopt the concept of institutional capacity from planning theory to assess changes in knowledge resources, relational resources, and mobilization potential of Model Forest sites during the shift from the Model Forest Programme to the Forest Communities Programme. Analysis of key documents shows that despite being developed as a top‐down programme, individual sites exhibited an array of responses by drawing on local actors with new skills, political acumen, and relational resources to generate local opportunities. Although overall federal support decreased, Model Forest sites fostered collaborations with new sectors, enabling them to link ideas, resources, and influence in new ways and respond to changes they observed in the local context. Local networks created under a federal programme were able to move forward, shift their organizational identity, change visions, and initiate alternative projects after the programme stopped.
Platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α/glial fibrillary acidic protein expressing peritumoral astrocytes associate with shorter median overall survival in glioblastoma patients
Authors: Leiss Lina , Mega Alessandro , Olsson Bontell Thomas , Nistér Monica , Smits Anja , Corvigno Sara , Rahman Mohummad Aminur , Enger Per Øyvind , Miletic Hrvoje , Östman Arne
Published: November 2019

The microenvironment and architecture of peritumoral tissue have been suggested to affect permissiveness for infiltration of malignant cells. Astrocytes constitute a heterogeneous population of cells and have been linked to proliferation, migration, and drug sensitivity of glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Through double‐immunohistochemical staining for platelet‐derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), this study explored the intercase variability among 45 human GBM samples regarding density of GFAP+ peritumoral astrocytes and a subset of GFAP+ peritumoral astrocyte‐like cells also expressing PDGFRα. Large intercase variability regarding the total peritumoral astrocyte density and the density of PDGFRα+/GFAP+ peritumoral astrocyte‐like cells was detected. DNA fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses for commonly altered genetic tumor markers supported the interpretation that these cells represented a genetically unaffected host cell subset referred to as PDGFRα+/GFAP+ peritumoral astrocytes. The presence of PDGFRα+/GFAP+ peritumoral astrocytes was significantly positively correlated to older patient age and peritumoral astrocyte density, but not to other established prognostic factors. Notably, presence of PDGFRα+/GFAP+ peritumoral astrocytes, but not peritumoral astrocyte density, was associated with significantly shorter patient overall survival. The prognostic association of PDGFRα+/GFAP+ peritumoral astrocytes was confirmed in multivariable analyses. This exploratory study thus demonstrates previously unrecognized intercase variability and prognostic significance of peritumoral abundance of a novel PDGFRα+ subset of GFAP+ astrocytes. Findings suggest clinically relevant roles of the microenvironment of peritumoral GBM tissue and encourage further characterization of the novel astrocyte subset with regard to origin, function, and potential as biomarker and drug target.
A compact inorganic layer for robust anode protection in lithium‐sulfur batteries
Authors: Yao Yu‐Xing , Zhang Xue‐Qiang , Li Bo‐Quan , Yan Chong , Chen Peng‐Yu , Huang Jia‐Qi , Zhang Qiang
Published: November 2019

Lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries are one of the most promising candidates for high energy density rechargeable batteries beyond current Li‐ion batteries. However, severe corrosion of Li metal anode and low Coulombic efficiency (CE) induced by the unremitting shuttle of Li polysulfides immensely hinder the practical applications of Li‐S batteries. Herein, a compact inorganic layer (CIL) formed by ex situ reactions between Li anode and ionic liquid emerged as an effective strategy to block Li polysulfides and suppress shuttle effect. A CE of 96.7% was achieved in Li‐S batteries with CIL protected Li anode in contrast to 82.4% for bare Li anode while no lithium nitrate was employed. Furthermore, the corrosion of Li during cycling was effectively inhibited. While applied to working batteries, 80.6% of the initial capacity after 100 cycles was retained in Li‐S batteries with CIL‐protected ultrathin (33 μm) Li anode compared with 58.5% for bare Li anode, further demonstrating the potential of this strategy for practical applications. This study presents a feasible interfacial regulation strategy to protect Li anode with the presence of Li polysulfides and opens avenues for Li anode protection in Li‐S batteries under practical conditions.

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The History and Evolution of IPEDS
Authors: Miller Elise S. , Shedd Jessica M.
Published: November 2019

The federal government has collected data from colleges and universities for more than a century. However, how and what data are collected has evolved over time, as has the purposes for collecting those data. The most systematic collection of data happens through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which is required to be reported by any institution that awards federal student aid. While initially collected to describe the state of postsecondary education in the United States to policymakers, a shift in recent decades has focused on making data available to students and parents to compare institutions. Now, the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of 1965 is overdue and one proposed change—moving from an institution‐level to a student‐level data collection—would transform IPEDS. We trace the beginnings of federal data collection from institutions to its current state and discuss how the data collection has evolved over time.
Merging Data to Facilitate Analyses
Authors: Kelchen Robert
Published: November 2019

In order to demonstrate the value of higher education and evaluate the effectiveness of various policies and practices, researchers are increasingly expected to merge data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) with a range of other federal and private‐sector data sources. In this article, I detail a number of the most important higher education data sources and explain how to properly merge them in order to conduct analyses. I conclude by providing some examples of how researchers merged multiple datasets in order to conduct policy analyses.
Regulation of GATA1 levels in erythropoiesis
Authors: Gutiérrez Laura , Caballero Noemí , Fernández‐Calleja Luis , Karkoulia Elena , Strouboulis John
Published: November 2019

GATA1 is considered as the “master” transcription factor in erythropoiesis. It regulates at the transcriptional level all aspects of erythroid maturation and function, as revealed by gene knockout studies in mice and by genome‐wide occupancies in erythroid cells. The GATA1 protein contains two zinc finger domains and an N‐terminal transactivation domain. GATA1 translation results in the production of the full‐length protein and of a shorter variant (GATA1s) lacking the N‐terminal transactivation domain, which is functionally deficient in supporting erythropoiesis. GATA1 protein abundance is highly regulated in erythroid cells at different levels, including transcription, mRNA translation, posttranslational modifications, and protein degradation, in a differentiation‐stage‐specific manner. Maintaining high GATA1 protein levels is essential in the early stages of erythroid maturation, whereas downregulating GATA1 protein levels is a necessary step in terminal erythroid differentiation. The importance of maintaining proper GATA1 protein homeostasis in erythropoiesis is demonstrated by the fact that both GATA1 loss and its overexpression result in lethal anemia. Importantly, alterations in any of those GATA1 regulatory checkpoints have been recognized as an important cause of hematological disorders such as dyserythropoiesis (with or without thrombocytopenia), β‐thalassemia, Diamond–Blackfan anemia, myelodysplasia, or leukemia. In this review, we provide an overview of the multilevel regulation of GATA1 protein homeostasis in erythropoiesis and of its deregulation in hematological disease.
In vivo corrosion and damages in modular shoulder prostheses
Authors: Crackau Maria , Märtens Nicole , Harnisch Karsten , Berth Alexander , Döring Joachim , Lohmann Christoph H. , Halle Thorsten , Bertrand Jessica
Published: November 2019

Wear and corrosion at taper junctions of orthopaedic endoprostheses remain of great concern and are associated with adverse clinical reactions. Whereas tribocorrosion of hip tapers was extensively investigated, there is only little knowledge regarding the clinical performance of modular total shoulder prostheses. This retrieval study evaluated 35 modular taper junctions of anatomical shoulder explants using stereomicroscopy, confocal microscopy, as well as optical and scanning electron microscopy to determine the damage modes as well as the effects of taper topography and alloy microstructure. Among all humeral head tapers, 89% exhibited material degradation. Different overlapping wear mechanisms were identified such as plastic deformation, adhesive material transfer, microploughing, and fretting damage. Only CoCrMo cast alloy heads showed a susceptibility to electrochemically dominated fretting in comparison to CoCrMo wrought alloy. Moreover, corundum blasted stem tapers show a significantly increased incidence rate for microploughing. To date, this is the most comprehensive study on the damage types of modular taper junctions of anatomical shoulder arthroplasty proving the existence of fretting even on less weight‐bearing implants. This study revealed critical fretting factors, such as the surface finish and the alloy type that are essential for the development of countermeasures that avoid any taper corrosion.
Microscopic Characterization of GRP1 PH Domain Interaction with Anionic Membranes
Authors: Pant Shashank , Tajkhorshid Emad
Published: November 2019

The pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of general receptor for phosphoionositides 1 (GRP1‐PHD) binds specifically to phosphatidylinositol (3,4,5)‐triphosphate (PIP3), and acts as a second messenger. Using an extensive array of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations employing highly mobile membrane mimetic (HMMM) model as well as complementary full membrane simulations, we capture differentiable binding and dynamics of GRP1‐PHD in the presence of membranes containing PC, PS, and PIP3 lipids in varying compositions. While GRP1‐PHD forms only transient interactions with pure PC membranes, incorporation of anionic lipids resulted in stable membrane‐bound configurations. We report the first observation of two distinct PIP3 binding modes on GRP1‐PHD, involving PIP3 interactions at a “canonical” and at an “alternate” site, suggesting the possibility of simultaneous binding of multiple anionic lipids. The full membrane simulations confirmed the stability of the membrane bound pose of GRP1‐PHD as captured from our HMMM membrane binding simulations. By performing additional steered membrane unbinding simulations and calculating nonequilibrium work associated with the process, as well as metadynamics simulations, on the protein bound to full membranes, allowing for more quantitative examination of the binding strength of the GRP1‐PHD to the membrane, we demonstrate that along with the bound PIP3, surrounding anionic PS lipids increase the energetic cost of unbinding of GRP1‐PHD from the canonical mode, causing them to dissociate more slowly than the alternate mode. Our results demonstrate that concurrent binding of multiple anionic lipids by GRP1‐PHD contributes to its membrane affinity, which in turn control its signaling activity. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of high temperature diffusion bonding process parameters on mechanical and metallurgical characteristics of nickel superalloy to martensitic stainless steel
Authors: Arun Negemiya Arulsamy , Rajakumar Selvarajan , Balasubramanian Visvalingam
Published: November 2019

Welding of dissimilar metals is challenging because of the formation of microfissuring, strain age cracking and brittle intermetallic compounds. The above‐said problems can be avoided by controlled heating and cooling rates and the formation of beneficial intermetallic layers in the joint interface using solid‐state welding techniques such as diffusion bonding. This study investigates, the effect of diffusion bonding process parameters of dissimilar metals (AISI 410 martensitic stainless steel and nickel [Su 718] based superalloy). Fifteen joints were fabricated using different levels of bonding temperature (920–1,000°C), bonding pressure (10–18 MPa) and holding time (30–90 min). From this investigation, it is identified that joints fabricated at bonding temperature 980°C, bonding pressure 16 MPa and holding time 75 min yielded an extreme tensile strength (263 MPa) and hardness (450 HV) compared to the other joints. The tensile properties of the welded joints were assessed and associated with the microstructures. Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X‐Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to estimate the metallurgical characteristics of the weldment. The EDS examination was supported out to analyses the interface composition and to decide the composition at the interface. Furthermore, a lot of δ phase precipitates were likewise found in the bonded region.
New fully automated gas chromatographic analysis of urinary S‐phenylmercapturic acid in isotopic dilution using negative chemical ionization with isobutane as reagent gas
Authors: Dugheri Stefano , Mucci Nicola , Cappelli Giovanni , Bonari Alessandro , Campagna Marcello , Arcangeli Giulio , Bartolucci Gianluca
Published: November 2019

The determination of urinary S‐phenylmercapturic acid (S‐PMA) represents the most reliable biomarker to monitor the intake risk of airborne benzene. Recently, the European Chemical Agency deliberated new occupational exposure limits for benzene and recommended an S‐PMA biological limit value of 2‐μg/g creatinine. This limit is an order of magnitude lower than the previous one, and its determination constitutes a challenge in the analytical field. We developed and validated a method that allows the fully automated and sensitive determination of S‐PMA by the use of gas‐chromatography negative chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry in isotopic dilution. For negative chemical ionization, we selected a mixture of 1% isobutane in argon as reactive gas, by studying its chemical ionization mechanism and optimal parameters compared with pure isobutane or pure methane. This gas mixture produces a more abundant signal of the target analyte than isobutane or methane, and it extended the operative lifetime of the ion source, enabling us to start a high‐throughput approach of the S‐PMA analysis. Moreover, energy‐resolved mass spectrometry experiments were carried out to refine the MS/MS analysis conditions, testing nitrogen and argon as collision gases. The method optimization was pursued by a chemometric model by using the experimental design. The quantification limit for S‐PMA was 0.10 μg/L. Accuracy (between 98.3% and 99.6%) and precision (ranging from 1.6% to 6.4%) were also evaluated. In conclusion, the newly developed assay represents a powerful tool for the robust, reliable, and sensitive quantification of urinary S‐PMA, and because of its automation, it is well suited for application in large environmental and biological monitoring.
Crosstalk between miR‐215 and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition specific markers (E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin) in different stages of chronic HCV Infection
Authors: Omran Nermeen M. , El‐Sherbini Sherif M. , Hegazy Osama , Elshaarawy Ahmed A. , Talaat Roba M.
Published: November 2019

The main causes of death among patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are a recurrence, metastasis, and deterioration of primary tumors by the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) which is controlled by several molecules including E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin. Microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) have been identified to play a regulatory role in EMT. miR‐215 is important in repressing migration/invasion of cancer cells. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the crosstalk between miR‐215 and EMT specific markers (E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin) with a spotlight on its role in the EMT process in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients. One hundred forty‐five patients were studied, 75 had HCV‐induced cirrhosis classified into child A, B, and C and 25 had HCC. In parallel, 45 healthy volunteers considered as controls. Serum levels of E‐ and N‐cadherin were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and miR‐215 expression measured by a quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Insignificant change in serum levels of E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin in HCV‐infected patients compared with normal controls was observed with a slight increase in E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin in the child B group. HCC patients had the lowest amount of E‐cadherin and N‐cadherin compared with cirrhotic and normal subjects. A maximum reduction in miR‐215 was observed in HCC patients compared with cirrhotic and control ones. A positive correlation (r = .202; P < .05) was observed between miR‐215 and E‐cadherin. Our data stressed on the potential role of miR‐215 as an important mediator in HCC progression. miRNAs participating in EMT needs further studies to provide insight into the metastasis of HCC.
Long time series spatialized data for urban climatological studies: A case study of Paris, France
Authors: Le Roy Benjamin , Lemonsu Aude , Kounkou‐Arnaud Raphaëlle , Brion Denis , Masson Valéry
Published: November 2019

Historically, the urban climate and its interaction with regional environment and larger‐scale meteorological phenomena have been studied by comparing weather stations in urban and surrounding rural areas. Nevertheless, spatialized meteorological data are now available with different spatial resolutions, temporal frequencies, and time depths. Here with the Paris area as a case study, three products were selected for their comparable spatial resolution of 1 km, their daily frequency, and a minimum 15‐year time period with substantial common overlap: the MODIS products for land surface temperature (2000–2016), daily maps of minimum and maximum 2‐m air temperatures (2000–2017) based on a statistical method of spatialization, and the COMEPHORE analysis for precipitation (1997–2012). Several spatialized indicators were used to monitor the urban climate and its impact on local climate. The intensity and spatial extent of both the surface urban heat island (SUHI) and the urban heat island of urban canopy layer (UHI), as well as the effect of the city on precipitation, were characterized. Based on these indicators, a climatological study was made for the Paris urban area and its surroundings. The comparison of (S)UHI climatologies showed that both phenomena (qualified by their intensity and spatial extent) have comparable seasonalities and orders of magnitude at night. The maximum intensity is reached in July, with more than 60% of the city affected by high temperatures. However, the phenomena differ during the day: the SUHI is mostly driven by the differences in surface properties between urban and rural environments, whereas the UHI is more influenced by general wind circulation and local atmospheric turbulence. Finally, the COMEPHORE analysis highlighted the influence of the Paris urban area on rainfall. It is observed throughout the year with an excess in daily precipitation of 29% downwind of the city, with some seasonal variability showing a more pronounced effect in summer.
Deletion of Runx1 in osteoclasts impairs murine fracture healing through progressive woven bone loss and delayed cartilage remodeling
Authors: Paglia David N. , Diaz‐Hernandez Martha E. , Roberts Joseph L. , Kalinowski Judy , Lorenzo Joseph , Drissi Hicham
Published: November 2019

Conditional deletion of the transcription factor Runt‐related transcription factor 1 (Runx1) in myeloid osteoclast precursors promotes osteoclastogenesis and subsequent bone loss. This study posits whether Runx1 regulates clastic cell‐mediated bone and cartilage resorption in the fracture callus. We first generated mice, in which Runx1 was conditionally abrogated in osteoclast precursors (LysM‐Cre;Runx1F/F; Runx1 cKO). Runx1 cKO and control mice were then subjected to experimental mid‐diaphyseal femoral fractures. Our study found differential resorption of bony and calcified cartilage callus matrix by osteoclasts and chondroclasts within Runx1 cKO calluses, with increased early bony callus resorption and delayed calcified cartilage resorption. There was an increased number of osteoclasts and chondroclasts in the chondro‐osseous junction of Runx1 cKO calluses starting at day 11 post‐fracture, with minimal woven bone occupying the callus at day 18 post‐fracture. LysM‐Cre;Runx1F/F mutant mice had increased bone compliance at day 28, but their strength and work to failure were comparable with controls. Taken together, these results indicate that Runx1 is a critical transcription factor in controlling osteoclastogenesis that negatively regulates bone and cartilage resorption in the fracture callus. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:1007‐1015, 2020
Towards eco‐friendly secondary plant metabolite quantitation: Ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography applied to common vervain (Verbena officinalis L.)
Authors: Gibitz‐Eisath Nora , Eichberger Miriam , Gruber Regina , Seger Christoph , Sturm Sonja , Stuppner Hermann
Published: November 2019

This report presents the first ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography diode array detector based assay for simultaneous determination of iridoid glucosides, flavonoid glucuronides, and phenylpropanoid glycosides in Verbena officinalis (Verbenaceae) extracts. Separation of the key metabolites was achieved in less than 7 min on an Acquity UPC2 Torus Diol column using a mobile phase gradient comprising subcritical carbon dioxide and methanol with 0.15% phosphoric acid. Method validation for seven selected marker compounds (hastatoside, verbenalin, apigenin‐7‐O‐glucuronide, luteolin‐7‐O‐glucuronide, apigenin‐7‐O‐diglucuronide, verbascoside, and luteolin‐7‐O‐diglucuronide) confirmed the assay to be sensitive, linear, precise, and accurate. Head‐to‐head comparison to an ultra high performance liquid chromatography comparator assay did prove the high orthogonality of the methods. Quantitative result equivalence was evaluated by Passing‐Bablok‐correlation and Bland‐Altman‐plot analysis. This cross‐validation revealed, that one of the investigated marker compound peaks was contaminated in the ultra high performance liquid chromatography assay by a structurally related congener. Taken together, it was proven that the ultra high performance supercritical fluid chromatography instrument setup with its orthogonal selectivity is a true alternative to conventional reversed phase liquid chromatography in quantitative secondary metabolite analysis. For regulatory purposes, assay cross‐validation with highly orthogonal methods seems a viable approach to avoid analyte overestimation due to coeluting, analytically indistinguishable contaminants.
Biosurfactant trehalose lipid‐enhanced ultrasound‐assisted micellar extraction and determination of the main antioxidant compounds from functional plant tea
Authors: Du Kun‐ze , Li Jin , Wang Lanhui , Hao Jia , Yang Xue‐jing , Gao Xiu‐mei , Chang Yan‐xu
Published: November 2019

Hydrosoluble trehalose lipid (a biosurfactant) was employed for the first time as a green extraction solution to extract the main antioxidant compounds (geniposidic acid, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, and rutin) from functional plant tea (Eucommia ulmoides leaves). Single‐factor tests and response surface methodology were employed to optimize the extraction conditions for ultrasound‐assisted micellar extraction combined with ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography in succession. A Box‐Behnken design (three‐level, three‐factorial) was used to determine the effects of extraction solvent concentration (1–5 mg/mL), extraction solvent volume (5–15 mL), and extraction time (20–40 min) at a uniform ultrasonic power and temperature. In consequence, the best analyte extraction yields could be attained when the trehalose lipid solution concentration was prepared at 3 mg/mL, the trehalose lipid solution volume was 10 mL and the extraction time was set to 35 min. In addition, the recoveries of the antioxidants from Eucommia ulmoides leaves analyzed by this analytical method ranged from 98.2 to 102%. These results indicated that biosurfactant‐enhanced ultrasound‐assisted micellar extraction coupled with a simple ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography method could be effectively applied in the extraction and analysis of antioxidants from Eucommia ulmoides leaf samples.
Does Salivary Function Decrease in Proportion to Radioiodine Dose?
Authors: Kim Ji Won , Kim Jeong Mi , Choi Mi Eun , Kim Seok‐Ki , Kim Young‐Mo , Choi Jeong‐Seok
Published: November 2019

Objectives

This study was conducted to investigate the dose‐response characteristics of radioiodine on salivary glands and to investigate the mechanism responsible for radioiodine‐induced salivary glands toxicity.

Methods

Twenty‐four mice were divided into six groups: 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, 0.40, and 0.80 mCi/20 g mouse, administered orally. Mortalities were noted 12 months after radioiodine administration. Body weights, gland weights, salivary lag times, flow rates, and changes in 99mTc pertechnetate were recorded. Histopathological changes and mRNA expressions were also evaluated, and immunohistochemical analysis and apoptotic assays were performed.

Results

Survival rates, body weights, gland weights, and flow rates decreased, and lag times increased on increasing radioiodine dose. Animals administered radioiodine showed acinar atrophy, striated duct dilations, and lymphocytic infiltration in glands and irregular destruction of epithelial surfaces of tongue. The uptake and excretion of 99mTc pertechnetate were impaired by radioiodine. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that numbers of salivary epithelial, myoepithelial, and endothelial cells decreased and that numbers of ductal cells increased with radioiodine dose. Oxidative stress biomarker levels increased; reactive oxygen species scavenger levels decreased; and numbers of apoptotic cells increased in animals exposed to higher radioiodine doses.

Conclusion

These dose‐related, long‐term effects on salivary gland should be taken into account when determining radioiodine doses.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 130:2173–2178, 2020
Computer Mouse Use Captures Ataxia and Parkinsonism, Enabling Accurate Measurement and Detection
Authors: Gajos Krzysztof Z. , Reinecke Katharina , Donovan Mary , Stephen Christopher D. , Hung Albert Y. , Schmahmann Jeremy D. , Gupta Anoopum S.
Published: November 2019

Background

Objective assessments of movement impairment are needed to support clinical trials and facilitate diagnosis. The objective of the current study was to determine if a rapid web‐based computer mouse test (Hevelius) could detect and accurately measure ataxia and parkinsonism.

Methods

Ninety‐five ataxia, 46 parkinsonism, and 29 control participants and 229,017 online participants completed Hevelius. We trained machine‐learning models on age‐normalized Hevelius features to (1) measure severity and disease progression and (2) distinguish phenotypes from controls and from each other.

Results

Regression model estimates correlated strongly with clinical scores (from r = 0.66 for UPDRS dominant arm total to r = 0.83 for the Brief Ataxia Rating Scale). A disease change model identified ataxia progression with high sensitivity. Classification models distinguished ataxia or parkinsonism from healthy controls with high sensitivity (≥0.91) and specificity (≥0.90).

Conclusions

Hevelius produces a granular and accurate motor assessment in a few minutes of mouse use and may be useful as an outcome measure and screening tool. © 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Alcohol Intake and Parkinson's Disease Risk in the Million Women Study
Authors: Kim Iris Y. , Yang TienYu Owen , Heath Alicia K. , Simpson Rachel F. , Reeves Gillian K. , Green Jane , Floud Sarah , Brown Anna , Hunter David J. , Beral Valerie , Sweetland Siân ,   on behalf of the Million Women Study Collaborators
Published: November 2019

BACKGROUND

Alcohol intake may be associated with a lower risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), but findings from previous studies have been inconclusive.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between alcohol intake and PD risk in the Million Women Study, a large, prospective study of women in the UK.

METHODS

Between 1996 and 2001, approximately 1.3 million women in the UK, mean age 56 (standard deviation, 5) years, were recruited into the Million Women Study. Information on alcohol intake, lifestyle factors, and medical history was collected at recruitment by questionnaire. Information on incident cases of PD was ascertained by record linkage to national hospital admission records and death registrations. We estimated multivariable‐adjusted relative risks and corresponding 95% confidence intervals using Cox proportional hazards models according to categories of alcohol intake.

RESULTS

During an average of 17.9 years of follow‐up, 11,009 women had a new record of PD among 1,309,267 women. In drinkers, the multivariable‐adjusted relative risk comparing women who drank more than 14 drinks of alcohol per week with women who drank 1 to 2 drinks of alcohol per week was 0.99 (95% confidence interval: 0.90, 1.10). Results did not materially change after excluding the first 10 years of follow‐up (relative riskadjusted = 1.01; 95% confidence interval: 0.90, 1.13). There were no significant trends in alcohol‐related PD risk among never smokers. Additionally, examining this association by type of alcohol intake also yielded null findings.

CONCLUSION

These results do not support an association between alcohol intake and PD risk in women. © 2019 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Psychiatric boarding of SMI population in ERs a growing crisis
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2019

Although emergency department visits for people in psychiatric crisis have been steadily increasing in the United States, the lack of affordable, comprehensive psychiatric treatment is largely to blame for psychiatric boarding in emergency departments, according to an Evidence Brief released last week by the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC). People with serious mental illness are disproportionately affected by psychiatric boarding, the brief stated.
Wireless control of induced radiofrequency currents in active implantable medical devices during MRI
Authors: Acikel Volkan , Silemek Berk , Atalar Ergin
Published: November 2019

Purpose

To introduce a prototype active implantable medical device (AIMD) for which the induced radiofrequency currents can be controlled wirelessly.

Methods

The modified transmission line method is used to formulate how the lead‐case impedance of an AIMD affects the temperature rise around the electrode. A prototype AIMD is designed with the aim of controlling the unwanted temperature rise around its electrode during an MRI examination by altering the impedance between the lead and the case of the implant. MRI experiments were conducted with this prototype implant, which also has a built‐in temperature sensor at its electrode. During the experiment, the implant’s lead‐case impedance was controlled using Bluetooth communication with a remote computer, and the lead tip temperature was recorded.

Results

Ten different lead‐case impedance values and their corresponding tip temperature rises were examined during MRI experiments. The experimental results confirmed that the tip temperature rise can be controlled by varying the lead‐case impedance wirelessly.

Conclusion

The feedback from the temperature at the AIMD tip, together with variable lead‐case impedance, enables control of the safety profile of the AIMD during an MRI examination.
Three‐dimensional simultaneous brain T1, T2, and ADC mapping with MR Multitasking
Authors: Ma Sen , Nguyen Christopher T. , Han Fei , Wang Nan , Deng Zixin , Binesh Nader , Moser Franklin G. , Christodoulou Anthony G. , Li Debiao
Published: November 2019

Purpose

To develop a simultaneous T1, T2, and ADC mapping method that provides co‐registered, distortion‐free images and enables multiparametric quantification of 3D brain coverage in a clinically feasible scan time with the MR Multitasking framework.

Methods

The T1/T2/diffusion weighting was generated by a series of T2 preparations and diffusion preparations. The underlying multidimensional image containing 3 spatial dimensions, 1 T1 weighting dimension, 1 T2‐preparation duration dimension, 1 b‐value dimension, and 1 diffusion direction dimension was modeled as a 5‐way low‐rank tensor. A separate real‐time low‐rank model incorporating time‐resolved phase correction was also used to compensate for both inter‐shot and intra‐shot phase inconsistency induced by physiological motion. The proposed method was validated on both phantom and 16 healthy subjects. The quantification of T1/T2/ADC was evaluated for each case. Three post‐surgery brain tumor patients were scanned for demonstration of clinical feasibility.

Results

Multitasking T1/T2/ADC maps were perfectly co‐registered and free from image distortion. Phantom studies showed substantial quantitative agreement () with reference protocols for T1/T2/ADC. In vivo studies showed nonsignificant T1 (P = .248), T2 (P = .97), ADC (P = .328) differences among the frontal, parietal, and occipital regions. Although Multitasking showed significant differences of T1 (P = .03), T2 (P < .001), and ADC (P = .001) biases against the references, the mean bias estimates were small (ΔT1% < 5%, ΔT2% < 7%, ΔADC% < 5%), with all intraclass correlation coefficients greater than 0.82 indicating “excellent” agreement. Patient studies showed that Multitasking T1/T2/ADC maps were consistent with the clinical qualitative images.

Conclusion

The Multitasking approach simultaneously quantifies T1/T2/ADC with substantial agreement with the references and is promising for clinical applications.
Continuous vs stepwise anal acoustic reflectometry: An improved technique for physiological measurement of anal sphincter function?
Authors: Heywood Nick A. , Nicholson James E. , Sharma Abhiram , Kiff Ed S. , Klarskov Niels , Telford Karen J.
Published: November 2019

Background

Anal acoustic reflectometry (AAR) is a technique for measuring the physiological profile of the anal canal, primarily the internal anal sphincter. Evaluation of a new continuous method, recently developed for the urethra, would enable its future application for investigation of rectal reflexes.

Methods

Patients aged 18 and over with fecal incontinence (FI) were included. Stepwise AAR parameters were compared with continuous opening pressure (Op, cmH2O), opening elastance (Oe, cmH2O/mm2), closing pressure (Cp, cmH2O), closing elastance (Ce, cmH2O/mm2), hysteresis (Hys, [%]), squeeze opening pressure (SqOp, cmH2O), and squeeze opening elastance (SqOe, cmH2O/mm2). Vaizey incontinence and Manchester Health Questionnaire scores were also collected.

Results

Thirty‐two patients, 26 females were analyzed. Median age: 60 (range, 32‐75). Median AAR parameters of Op (37.50 vs 35.15, P = .031), Oe (1.31 vs 0.84, P < .0001), Ce (1.11 vs 0.88, P < .0001), Hys (37.75 vs 19.04, P < .0001), and SqOe (1.27 vs 1.06, P = .005) were significantly higher with the continuous method. Cp (22.70 vs 27.22, P = .003) is lower and SqOp (96.87 vs 59.47, P = .71) not significantly different. The continuous technique had superior repeatability between cycles for all AAR parameters except Oe, which was equivalent and continuous SqOp had a stronger negative correlation with Vaizey score than stepwise (−0.46, P = .009 vs −0.37, P = .038).

Conclusions

The differences seen between the two techniques are likely to be related to the rate of stretch. The continuous technique appears to represent a more physiological measurement of anal sphincter function than the stepwise technique particularly in the assessment of voluntary squeeze function.
A fast algorithm for a total variation based phase demodulation model
Authors: Brito‐Loeza Carlos , Legarda‐Saenz Ricardo , Martin‐Gonzalez Anabel
Published: November 2019

In this paper we introduce fast numerical algorithms for the solution of the model. For each variable, background illumination, amplitude modulation and phase map, we develop a fixed point method. Then, we write all three algorithms in the same framework and analyze their convergence rates, local smoothing factors by means of local Fourier analysis and present experimental evidence of their performance on synthetic and real world problems.
Laser polishing of Cu/PLA composite parts fabricated by fused deposition modeling: Analysis of surface finish and mechanical properties
Authors: Chen Lan , Zhang Xinzhou , Wang Yuan , Osswald Tim A.
Published: November 2019

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) technology decreases production time and cost in engineering industry, but with typical low surface quality. In this study, laser polishing was employed to improve surface quality of copper fiber/polylactide acid (Cu/PLA) composite parts fabricated by FDM. Surface roughness, surface morphology, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and tensile properties were studied. The results showed that after laser polishing, the surface roughness was reduced by more than 91% (from 10.52 to 0.87 μm Sa) at the optimized parameters (the laser power of 5 W and the laser beam diameter of 200 μm). Laser polishing can effectively remove surface defects formed during FDM. DMA showed that the storage modulus, loss modulus, and glass transition temperature of Cu/PLA composites were significantly improved, because the Cu fibers and PLA matrix formed a strong interfacial adhesion after treatment. Moreover, the tensile strength and Young's modulus of the Cu/PLA composites sample also improved by laser polishing. The fracture morphologies were observed, and the possible strengthening mechanism was also discussed.