bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The herbicide atrazine induces hyperactivity and compromises tadpole detection of predator chemical cues
Authors: Ehrsam Mackenzie , Knutie Sarah A. , Rohr Jason R.
Published: January 2016

The ability to detect chemical cues is often critical for freshwater organisms to avoid predation and find food and mates. In particular, reduced activity and avoidance of chemical cues signaling predation risk are generally adaptive behaviors that reduce prey encounter rates with predators. The present study examined the effects of the common herbicide atrazine on the ability of Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis) tadpoles to detect and respond to chemical cues from larval dragonfly (Libellulidae sp.) predators. Tadpoles exposed to an estimated environmental concentration of atrazine (calculated using US Environmental Protection Agency software; measured concentration, 178 μg/L) were significantly hyperactive relative to those exposed to solvent control. In addition, control tadpoles significantly avoided predator chemical cues, but tadpoles exposed to atrazine did not. These results are consistent with previous studies that have demonstrated that ecologically relevant concentrations of atrazine can induce hyperactivity and impair the olfactory abilities of other freshwater vertebrates. The authors call for additional studies examining the role of chemical contaminants in disrupting chemical communication and the quantification of subsequent impacts on the fitness and population dynamics of wildlife. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2239–2244. © 2016 SETAC
The enduring puzzle of the human chin
Authors: Pampush James D. , Daegling David J.
Published: January 2016

Although modern humans are considered to be morphologically distinct from other living primates because of our large brains, dexterous hands, and bipedal gait, all of these features are found among extinct hominins. The chin, however, appears to be a uniquely modern human trait. Probably because of the chin's exclusivity, many evolutionary scenarios have been proposed to explain its origins. To date, researchers have developed adaptive hypotheses relating chins to speech, mastication, and sexual selection; still others see it as a structural artifact tangentially related to complex processes involving evolutionary retraction of the midfacial skeleton. Consensus has remained elusive, partly because hypotheses purporting to explain how this feature developed uniquely in modern humans are all fraught with theoretical and/or empirical shortcomings. Here we review a century's worth of chin hypotheses and discuss future research avenues that may provide greater insight into this human peculiarity.
Immunogold electron microscopy and confocal analyses reveal distinctive patterns of histone H3 phosphorylation during mitosis in MCF‐7 cells
Authors: Yan Yitang , Cummings Connie A. , Sutton Deloris , Yu Linda , Castro Lysandra , Moore Alicia B. , Gao Xiaohua , Dixon Darlene
Published: January 2016

Histone phosphorylation has a profound impact on epigenetic regulation of gene expression, chromosome condensation and segregation, and maintenance of genome integrity. Histone H3 Serine 10 is evolutionally conserved and heavily phosphorylated during mitosis. To examine Histone H3 Serine 10 phosphorylation (H3S10ph) dynamics in mitosis, we applied immunogold labeling and confocal microscopy to visualize H3S10ph expression in MCF‐7 cells. Confocal observations showed that MCF‐7 cells had abundant H3S10ph expression in prophase and metaphase. In anaphase, the H3S10ph expression was significantly decreased and displayed only sparsely localized staining that mainly associated with the chromatid tips. We showed that immunogold bead density distribution followed the H3S10ph expression patterns observed in confocal analysis. At a higher magnification in metaphase, the immunogold beads were readily visible and the bead distribution along the condensed chromosomes was distinctive, indicating the specificity and reliability of the immunogold staining procedure. In anaphase, the beads were found to distribute focally in specific regions of chromatids, reinforcing the confocal observations of differential H3 phosphorylation. To our knowledge, this is the first report to show the specific H3S10ph expression with an immunogold technique and transmission electron microscopy. Additionally, with confocal microscopy, we analyzed H3S10ph expression in an immortalized cell line derived from benign uterine smooth muscle tumor cells. H3S10ph epitope was expressed more abundantly during anaphase in the benign tumor cells, and there was no dramatic differential expression within the condensed chromatid clusters as observed in MCF‐7 cells. The differences in H3S10ph expression pattern and dynamics may contribute to the differential proliferative potential between benign tumor cells and MCF‐7 cells. Published 2016. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Coexistence of contractional and extensional tectonics during the northern Apennines orogeny: the late Miocene out‐of‐sequence thrust in the Elba Island nappe stack
Authors: Massa Giovanni , Musumeci Giovanni , Mazzarini Francesco , Pieruccioni Diego
Published: January 2016

In the northern Tyrrhenian Sea, the Elba Island is one of the westernmost portions of the northern Apennine inner belt. One of its noteworthy features is the anomalous tectonic repetition of continental‐derived (Tuscan Unit) and oceanic‐derived (Ligurian units) thrust sheets, lately intruded by late Miocene granitoids. Moreover, in detail, a slice of strongly deformed Ligurian peridotites results tectonically sandwiched between two thrust sheets of Tuscan units. This tectonic setting results from a middle Miocene folding and thrusting of the Apenninic nappe stack with development of large‐scale antiform and out‐of‐sequence thrust. In central‐eastern Elba Island, the folding of an imbricate stack is bracketed between Langhian (middle Miocene) and Messinian (late Miocene). Consequently, the anomalous repetition of Tuscan and Ligurian units thrust sheets gives evidence of middle‐late Miocene shortening deformation post‐dating nappe stack and pre‐dating late Miocene–Pliocene granite emplacement. We suggest that the architecture of the Elba Island nappe stack documents the coexistence of early‐middle Miocene contractional and extensional tectonics in an overall convergent tectonic setting in the westernmost zone of northern Apennines. Extensional tectonics in the upper portion of the wedge, balancing transient gravitational instabilities due to over‐thickened conditions, were followed by a renewal of contractional deformation leading to development of large‐scale out‐of‐sequence thrust responsible for inversion of the stack order. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in older non‐western immigrants in the Netherlands: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Parlevliet J. L. , Uysal‐Bozkir Ö. , Goudsmit M. , van Campen J. P. , Kok R. M. , ter Riet G. , Schmand B. , de Rooij S. E.
Published: January 2016

Objective

In the Netherlands, persons of Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese descent form the largest groups of non‐western immigrants. A high prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia has been described in immigrant populations in the United States of America and the United Kingdom. We determined the prevalence of MCI and dementia in older community‐dwelling adults from the largest non‐western immigrant groups in the Netherlands.

Methods

Participants, aged 55 years and older, of Turkish, Moroccan (Arabic or Berber), Surinamese (Creole or Hindustani) or Dutch descent were recruited via their general practitioners. Cognitive deficits were assessed using the Cross‐Cultural Dementia screening instrument, which was validated in poorly educated people from different cultures. Differences in prevalence rates of MCI and dementia between the immigrant groups and a native Dutch group were analysed using chi‐square tests.

Results

We included 2254 participants. Their mean age was 65.0 years (standard deviation, 7.5), and 44.4% were male. The prevalence of MCI was 13.0% in Turkish, 10.1% in Moroccan–Arabic, 9.4% in Moroccan–Berber and 11.9% in Surinamese–Hindustani participants, compared to 5.9% in Surinamese–Creoles and 3.3% in native Dutch. The prevalence of dementia was 14.8% in Turkish, 12.2% in Moroccan Arabic, 11.3% in Moroccan Berber and 12.6% in Surinamese–Hindustani participants, compared to 4.0% in Surinamese–Creoles and 3.5% in native Dutch.

Conclusions

MCI and dementia were three to four times more prevalent in the majority of non‐western immigrant groups when compared to the native Dutch population. These differences are important for planning and improving healthcare facilities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contribution of insula in Parkinson's disease: A quantitative meta‐analysis study
Authors: Criaud Marion , Christopher Leigh , Boulinguez Philippe , Ballanger Benedicte , Lang Anthony E. , Cho Sang S. , Houle Sylvain , Strafella Antonio P.
Published: January 2016

The insula region is known to be an integrating hub interacting with multiple brain networks involved in cognitive, affective, sensory, and autonomic processes. There is growing evidence suggesting that this region may have an important role in Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, to investigate the functional organization of the insular cortex and its potential role in parkinsonian features, we used a coordinate‐based quantitative meta‐analysis approach, the activation likelihood estimation. A total of 132 insular foci were selected from 96 published experiments comprising the five functional categories: cognition, affective/behavioral symptoms, bodily awareness/autonomic function, sensorimotor function, and nonspecific resting functional changes associated with the disease. We found a significant convergence of activation maxima related to PD in different insular regions including anterior and posterior regions bilaterally. This study provides evidence of an important functional distribution of different domains within the insular cortex in PD, particularly in relation to nonmotor aspects, with an influence of medication effect. Hum Brain Mapp 37:1375‐1392, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Simeprevir plus sofosbuvir (12 and 8 weeks) in hepatitis C virus genotype 1‐infected patients without cirrhosis: OPTIMIST‐1, a phase 3, randomized study
Authors: Kwo Paul , Gitlin Norman , Nahass Ronald , Bernstein David , Etzkorn Kyle , Rojter Sergio , Schiff Eugene , Davis Mitchell , Ruane Peter , Younes Ziad , Kalmeijer Ronald , Sinha Rekha , Peeters Monika , Lenz Oliver , Fevery Bart , De La Rosa Guy , Scott Jane , Witek James
Published: January 2016

Effective antiviral therapy is essential for achieving sustained virological response (SVR) in hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐infected patients. The phase 2 COSMOS study reported high SVR rates in treatment‐naive and prior null‐responder HCV genotype (GT) 1‐infected patients receiving simeprevir+sofosbuvir±ribavirin for 12 or 24 weeks. OPTIMIST‐1 (NCT02114177) was a multicenter, randomized, open‐label study assessing the efficacy and safety of 12 and 8 weeks of simeprevir+sofosbuvir in HCV GT1‐infected treatment‐naive and treatment‐experienced patients without cirrhosis. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1; stratified by HCV GT/subtype and presence or absence of NS3 Q80K polymorphism [GT1b, GT1a with Q80K, GT1a without Q80K]), prior HCV treatment history, and IL28B GT [CC, non‐CC]) to simeprevir 150 mg once daily+sofosbuvir 400 mg once daily for 12 or 8 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was SVR rate 12 weeks after end of treatment (SVR12). Superiority in SVR12 was assessed for simeprevir+sofosbuvir at 12 and 8 weeks versus a composite historical control SVR rate. Enrolled were 310 patients, who were randomized and received treatment (n = 155 in each arm). SVR12 with simeprevir+sofosbuvir for 12 weeks (97% [150/155; 95% confidence interval 94%‐100%]) was superior to the historical control (87%). SVR12 with simeprevir+sofosbuvir for 8 weeks (83% [128/155; 95% confidence interval 76‐89%]) was not superior to the historical control (83%). The most frequent adverse events were nausea, headache, and fatigue (12‐week arm: 15% [23/155], 14% [22/155], and 12% [19/155]; 8‐week arm: 9% [14/155], 17% [26/155], and 15% [23/155], respectively). No patients discontinued treatment due to an adverse event. One (1%, 12‐week arm) and three (2%, 8‐week arm) patients experienced a serious adverse event (all unrelated to study treatment). Conclusion: Simeprevir+sofosbuvir for 12 weeks is highly effective in the treatment of HCV GT1‐infected patients without cirrhosis, including those with Q80K. (Hepatology 2016;64:370‐380)
Immunohistochemical distribution of heat shock protein 70 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in mouse placenta at different gestational stages
Authors: Ozaydin Tugba , Sur Emrah , Oznurlu Yasemin , Celik Ilhami , Uluisik Deniz
Published: January 2016

The aim of the present study was to investigate immunohistochemical distribution of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the mouse placenta at different gestational stages. For this purpose a total of 18 Swiss albino female mice at 12–14 weeks of age were used. Females were sacrificed on days 3 (early), 10 (mid‐), and 17 (late) of pregnancy and the implantation sites of the pregnant uterus were sampled. The sections were made transversely through the central region of the implantation site and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. PCNA and Hsp70 was stained immunohistochemically. Since the definitive placenta was not still formed on day 3 of pregnancy, Hsp70 and PCNA positivity were evaluated in only luminal epithelium and decidual‐stromal cells. On days 10 and 17 of pregnancy, Hsp70 and PCNA positivity were evaluated in labyrinth zone, junctional zone and decidual layer of placenta. Hsp70 expression was observed trophoblast cells and decidual cells and was relatively constant throughout the pregnancy. This protein was strongly labeled in the trophoblast cells; while decidual cells were displayed moderate staining. In early pregnant mouse uteri, PCNA was mainly localized in decidual‐stromal cells. The trophoblast cells and decidual cells displayed highly proliferative activity at the midgestational period. However there was a significant decrease in the percentage of PCNA positive cells in late gestation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:251–257, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Jacobsthal Numbers in Generalized Petersen Graphs
Authors: Bruhn Henning , Gellert Laura , Günther Jacob
Published: January 2016

We prove that the number of 1‐factorizations of a generalized Petersen graph of the type is equal to the kth Jacobsthal number when k is odd, and equal to when k is even. Moreover, we verify the list coloring conjecture for .
Synthesis of Novel Tacrine Analogs as Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors
Authors: Mahdavi Mohammad , Saeedi Mina , Gholamnia Laleh , Jeddi Seyed Amir Behzad , Sabourian Reyhaneh , Shafiee Abbas , Foroumadi Alireza , Akbarzadeh Tahmineh
Published: January 2016

In this work, a wide range of novel pyrazolo[4′,3′:5,6]pyrano[2,3‐b]quinolin‐5‐amines were synthesized as tacrine analogs. At first, reaction of 3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐5(4H)‐one, aromatic aldehydes, and malononitrile gave 6‐amino‐4‐aryl‐3‐methyl‐1‐phenyl‐1,4‐dihydropyrano[2,3‐c]pyrazole‐5‐carbonitriles. Then, reaction of the latter compounds with cyclohexanone led to the formation of the title compounds. Also, they were evaluated for their in vitro acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. Interestingly, most of them showed good inhibitory activity comparing with rivastigmine as the reference drug.
Longitudinal change in magnetic susceptibility of new enhanced multiple sclerosis (MS) lesions measured on serial quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM)
Authors: Zhang Yan , Gauthier Susan A. , Gupta Ajay , Comunale Joseph , Chia‐Yi Chiang Gloria , Zhou Dong , Chen Weiwei , Giambrone Ashley E. , Zhu Wenzhen , Wang Yi
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To measure the longitudinal change in multiple sclerosis (MS) lesion susceptibility using quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

Materials and Methods

The study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Longitudinal changes in quantitative susceptibility values of new enhanced‐with‐Gd MS lesions were measured at baseline magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and on a follow‐up MRI in 29 patients within 2 years using a 3D multiple echo gradient echo sequence on a 3T scanner. Paired t‐test and the generalized estimating equations (GEE) model was used to analyze the longitudinal change.

Results

Lesion susceptibility values relative to normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM) changed from 3.61 ± 6.11 ppb when enhanced‐with‐Gd at the baseline MRI to 20.42 ± 10.23 ppb when not‐enhanced‐with‐Gd at the follow‐up MRI (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

MS lesion susceptibility value increases significantly as the lesion evolves from enhanced‐with‐Gd to not‐enhanced‐with‐Gd, serving as a disease biomarker. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:426–432.
Raman spectroscopy in forensic analysis: identification of cocaine and other illegal drugs of abuse
Authors: de Oliveira Penido Ciro Augusto Fernandes , Pacheco Marcos Tadeu Tavares , Lednev Igor K. , Silveira Landulfo
Published: January 2016

Current forensic methods for detecting and identifying cocaine and other drugs of abuse are destructive, so evidence cannot be re‐analyzed. Raman spectroscopy, based on inelastic light scattering, allows for rapid, inexpensive and nondestructive analysis in forensic science. This review presents the state‐of‐the‐art use of Raman spectroscopy as a confirmatory method for the identification of cocaine and other drugs of abuse in seized samples, including hidden compounds in legal materials such as beverages and clothes, among others, used for trafficking. Quantitative Raman spectroscopy is used to determine the actual drug concentrations in street cocaine and crack rocks and to identify possible adulterants in these samples for forensic toxicology and criminalistics. Finally, recent developments in Raman spectrometers (portable instruments and new excitation wavelengths) and advancements in data analysis offer exciting opportunities for new applications of Raman spectroscopy in the identification and quantification of drugs of abuse, including investigations conducted immediately at the scene of a crime. Copyright © 2016 JohnWiley & Sons, Ltd.
Why and how do the shapes of surface‐enhanced Raman scattering spectra change? Recent progress from mechanistic studies
Authors: Yamamoto Yuko S. , Itoh Tamitake
Published: January 2016

The present review is focused on understanding the enhancement mechanisms in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) from the point of view of the various spectral changes, which have brought considerable confusion in this research field and have obstructed practical SERS applications. The electromagnetic mechanism provides us with the quantitative explanation of unexpected SERS spectral changes, such as larger Raman intensities for anti‐Stokes peaks than for Stokes peaks and overtone peak intensities comparable with fundamental ones. Other mechanisms classified as chemical effects, i.e. the resonance Raman and the charge transfer mechanisms, are also introduced to explain the spectral changes in SERS. These mechanisms may explain the emergence of non‐totally symmetric vibrational modes in SERS spectra, which is usually forbidden in Raman spectra. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Non‐intrusive, in situ detection of ammonia in hot gas flows with mid‐infrared degenerate four‐wave mixing at 2.3 µm
Authors: Sahlberg A.‐L. , Hot D. , Aldén M. , Li Z. S.
Published: January 2016

We demonstrate non‐intrusive, in situ detection of ammonia (NH3) in reactive hot gas flows at atmospheric pressure using mid‐infrared degenerate four‐wave mixing (IR‐DFWM). IR‐DFWM excitation scans were performed in the v2 + v3 and v1 + v2 vibrational bands of NH3 around 2.3 µm for gas flow temperatures of 296, 550 and 820 K. Simulations based on spectroscopic parameters from the HITRAN database have been compared with the measurements in order to identify the spectral lines, and an absorption spectrum at 296 K has also been measured to compare with the IR‐DFWM spectra. The signal‐to‐noise ratio of the IR‐DFWM measurement was found to be higher than that of the absorption measurement. Some spectral lines in the measured IR‐DFWM and absorption spectra had no matching lines in the HITRAN simulation. The detection limit of NH3 diluted in N2 with IR‐DFWM in this spectral range was estimated at 296, 550 and 820 K to be 1.36, 4.87 and 7.06 × 1016 molecules/cm3. The dependence of the NH3 IR‐DFWM signal on the quenching properties of the buffer gas flow was investigated by comparing the signals for gas flows of N2, Ar and CO2 with small admixtures of NH3. It was found that the signal dependence on buffer gas was large at room temperature but decreased at elevated temperatures. These results show the potential of IR‐DFWM for detection of NH3 in combustion environments. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Social learning theory and public perception of GMOs: What Blancke et al. (2015) and other plant biotechnologists are missing
Authors: Fluegge Keith
Published: January 2016

There exists a wide chasm between public opinion and scientific evidence on the safety of genetically engineered food, herein referred to as GMOs. Plant biotechnologists give credit to a small community of activists negatively influencing individual minds on this issue, but this approach neglects other social contexts in which such cognition operates. The author argues here that current public opinion on GMOs is a manifestation of the constant interaction between environmental, behavioral, and cognitive influences on this issue. In order to sway public opinion and be consistent with social learning theory, biotechnology advocates and plant scientists will need to move beyond their recognized expertise in order to rework the argument for GMOs in the modern‐day food supply, one that wholly embraces an individual‐level framing of the debate, tantamount to other successful professional trends like patient‐centered medicine. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Ion chromatography for the separation of heparin and structurally related glycoaminoglycans: A review
Authors: Fasciano Jennifer M. , Danielson Neil D.
Published: January 2016

The global crisis resulting from adulterated heparin in late 2007 and early 2008 revived the importance of analytical techniques for the purity analysis of heparin products. The utilization of ion chromatography techniques for the separation, detection, and structural determination of heparin and structurally related glycoaminoglycans, including their corresponding oligosaccharides, has become increasingly important. This review summarizes the primary HPLC approaches, particularly strong anion exchange, weak ion exchange, and reversed‐phase ion‐pair, used for heparin purity analysis as well as structural characterization. Strong anion exchange HPLC has been studied most extensively and currently offers the best separation of crude heparin and heparin‐like compounds. Weak anion exchange HPLC has been shown to provide shorter analysis times with lower salt concentrations in the mobile phase but is not as widely developed for the separation of all glycoaminoglycans of interest. Reversed‐phase ion‐pair HPLC offers fast and effective separations of oligosaccharides derived from glycoaminoglycans that can be coupled to mass spectrometry for structural analysis. However, this method generally does not provide sufficient retention of intact glycoaminoglycans.
Influence of the amount of ferric/ferrous ions on the corrosion resistance of a NiCrMo alloy in high‐temperature sulfuric acid solutions
Authors: Lindgren M.
Published: January 2016

Nickel‐based alloys have an excellent corrosion resistance in high‐temperature sulfuric acid solutions. Some data on the effects of ferric and ferrous iron on the uniform corrosion rate are to be found in the literature. Based on the results of a series of immersion tests, a quantitative model is proposed for the uniform corrosion rate of a NiCrMo alloy at 98 °C as a function of sulfuric acid concentration, total iron content, and the ferrous to ferric ratio. The beneficial effect of iron, especially that of ferric iron, was demonstrated. The sulfuric acid concentration had only a weak influence on the uniform corrosion rate in the iron‐containing solutions. Scanning electron microscopy was applied to characterize selected samples after immersion testing. Depending on the sulfuric acid concentration, a completely uniform attack or partly localized attack was seen to lead to a similar mass loss. It is suggested that the oxide inclusions present in the microstructure were the most susceptible features to corrosion, leading to partly localized attack.
Patch esophagoplasty with a free proximal lateral leg flap for focal stricture of the cervical esophagus: A case report
Authors: Lin You‐Cheng , Hsiao Jenn‐Ren , Lee Yao‐Chou
Published: January 2016

Esophageal stricture after surgery or trauma is a major reason for poor oral nutrition, body‐weight loss, and general damage to health. Patch esophagoplasty, after repeated failed dilation attempts, is recommended for focal esophageal strictures. In this report, we present a case in which a free proximal lateral leg flap was used for reconstruction of focal stricture of the cervical esophagus. A 62‐year‐old man developed progressive dysphagia after hypopharyngeal cancer ablation and adjuvant radiotherapy. He was referred for surgical interventions after repeated failed dilation attempts. Preoperative evaluation revealed a 3‐cm segment stricture of the cervical esophagus without evidence of an additional distal stricture. Patch esophagoplasty with free tissue transfer was planned. After the stricture site had been explored, the fibrotic tissue was resected. A pathology report confirmed no evidence of malignancy. The resultant defect in an otherwise healthy posterior esophageal wall was reconstructed using a proximal lateral leg flap. Recovery was uneventful and the functional outcome was satisfactory at the 6‐month follow‐up. For the radiated patients with cervical esophageal focal strictures, we introduced a novel use of the proximal lateral leg flap in patch esophagoplasty because of its unnoticeable donor site morbidity and its thin and pliable nature. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:426–430, 2017.
Gender‐related similarities and differences in the body distribution of grape seed flavanols in rats
Authors: Margalef Maria , Pons Zara , Iglesias‐Carres Lisard , Arola Lluís , Muguerza Begoña , Arola‐Arnal Anna
Published: January 2016

Scope

Dietary flavanols produce beneficial health effects, and once absorbed, they are recognized as xenobiotics and undergo phase‐II enzymatic detoxification. Flavanols health‐promoting properties are mainly attributed to their metabolic products. This work aimed to elucidate whether rats of the opposite sex exhibited differences in the metabolism and distribution of ingested flavanols.

Methods and results

Acute doses of grape seed polyphenols were administered to male and female rats. After 1, 2 and 4 h, plasma, liver, mesenteric white adipose tissue (MWAT), brain and hypothalamus flavanol metabolites were quantified by HPLC‐MS/MS. Results indicated important sex‐related quantitative differences in plasma and brain. Moreover, remarkable sex‐related differences in the distributions and types of flavanol metabolites were also observed between liver and brain.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that sex differentially influences the metabolism and distribution of flavanols throughout the bodies of rats, which may affect the physiological bioactivities of flavanols between males and females.
Sex differences and gender‐invariance of mother‐reported childhood problem behavior
Authors: van der Sluis Sophie , Polderman Tinca J.C. , Neale Michael C. , Verhulst Frank C. , Posthuma Danielle , Dieleman Gwen C.
Published: January 2016

Prevalence and severity of childhood behavioral problems differ between boys and girls, and in psychiatry, testing for gender differences is common practice. Population‐based studies show that many psychopathology scales are (partially) Measurement Invariance (MI) with respect to gender, i.e. are unbiased. It is, however, unclear whether these studies generalize towards clinical samples. In a psychiatric outpatient sample, we tested whether the Child Behavior Checklist 6–18 (CBCL) is unbiased with respect to gender. We compared mean scores across gender of all syndrome scales of the CBCL in 3271 patients (63.3% boys) aged 6–18. Second, we tested for MI on both the syndrome scale and the item‐level using a stepwise modeling procedure. Six of the eight CBCL syndrome scales included one or more gender‐biased items (12.6% of all items), resulting in slight over‐ or under‐estimation of the absolute gender difference in mean scores. Two scales, Somatic Complaints and Rule‐breaking Behavior, contained no biased items. The CBCL is a valid instrument to measure gender differences in problem behavior in children and adolescents from a clinical sample; while various gender‐biased items were identified, the resulting bias was generally clinically irrelevant, and sufficient items per subscale remained after exclusion of biased items. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of a two‐phase process to identify possible cases of mental ill health in the UK military
Authors: Burdett Howard , Fear Nicola T. , Jones Norman , Greenberg Neil , Wessely Simon , Rona Roberto J.
Published: January 2016

Two‐phase mental health screening methods, in which an abridged mental health measure is used to establish who should receive a more comprehensive assessment, may be more efficient and acceptable to respondents than a stand‐alone complete questionnaire. Such two‐phase methods are in use in US armed forces post‐deployment mental health screening. This study assesses the sensitivity and specificity of abridged instruments (used in the first phase) compared to the full instruments (the second phase), and whether false negative cases resulting from the use of abridged tests were detected by another test, among a UK military screening sample. Data from a group of UK Armed Forces personnel (n = 1464) who had completed full questionnaires assessing symptoms of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (PTSD Checklist – Civilian Version, PCL‐C) and alcohol misuse (Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test, AUDIT) were used. An abridged version of the PCL‐C performed well in discriminating potential PTSD cases (as measured by the full instrument); AUDIT showed less discriminatory power, particularly due to poor specificity. Many cases missed by one abridged test would have been detected by an alternative test. Thus two‐phase screening designs reduce the resource burden of a project without substantial loss of sensitivity for PTSD, but are less effective in discriminating potential cases of alcohol misuse. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimal control design of turbo spin‐echo sequences with applications to parallel‐transmit systems
Authors: Sbrizzi Alessandro , Hoogduin Hans , Hajnal Joseph V. , van den Berg Cornelis A. T. , Luijten Peter R. , Malik Shaihan J.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

The design of turbo spin‐echo sequences is modeled as a dynamic optimization problem which includes the case of inhomogeneous transmit radiofrequency fields. This problem is efficiently solved by optimal control techniques making it possible to design patient‐specific sequences online.

Theory and Methods

The extended phase graph formalism is employed to model the signal evolution. The design problem is cast as an optimal control problem and an efficient numerical procedure for its solution is given. The numerical and experimental tests address standard multiecho sequences and pTx configurations.

Results

Standard, analytically derived flip angle trains are recovered by the numerical optimal control approach. New sequences are designed where constraints on radiofrequency total and peak power are included. In the case of parallel transmit application, the method is able to calculate the optimal echo train for two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional turbo spin echo sequences in the order of 10 s with a single central processing unit (CPU) implementation. The image contrast is maintained through the whole field of view despite inhomogeneities of the radiofrequency fields.

Conclusion

The optimal control design sheds new light on the sequence design process and makes it possible to design sequences in an online, patient‐specific fashion. Magn Reson Med 77:361–373, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine
Neonatal vascularization and oxygen tension regulate appropriate perinatal renal medulla/papilla maturation
Authors: Phua Yu Leng , Gilbert Thierry , Combes Alexander , Wilkinson Lorine , Little Melissa H
Published: January 2016

Congenital medullary dysplasia with obstructive nephropathy is a common congenital disorder observed in paediatric patients and represents the foremost cause of renal failure. However, the molecular processes regulating normal papillary outgrowth during the postnatal period are unclear. In this study, transcriptional profiling of the renal medulla across postnatal development revealed enrichment of non‐canonical Wnt signalling, vascular development, and planar cell polarity genes, all of which may contribute to perinatal medulla/papilla maturation. These pathways were investigated in a model of papillary hypoplasia with functional obstruction, the Crim1KST264/KST264 transgenic mouse. Postnatal elongation of the renal papilla via convergent extension was unaffected in the Crim1KST264/KST264 hypoplastic renal papilla. In contrast, these mice displayed a disorganized papillary vascular network, tissue hypoxia, and elevated Vegfa expression. In addition, we demonstrate the involvement of accompanying systemic hypoxia arising from placental insufficiency, in appropriate papillary maturation. In conclusion, this study highlights the requirement for normal vascular development in collecting duct patterning, development of appropriate nephron architecture, and perinatal papillary maturation, such that disturbances contribute to obstructive nephropathy. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of Intraoperative Continuous‐Infusion Versus Intermittent Dosing of Cefazolin Therapy on the Incidence of Surgical Site Infections After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
Authors: Shoulders Bethany R. , Crow Jessica R. , Davis Stephanie L. , Whitman Glenn J. , Gavin Melanie , Lester Laeban , Barodka Viachaslau , Dzintars Kathryn
Published: January 2016

Study Objectives

To determine whether intraoperative continuous‐infusion (CI) cefazolin reduces the incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) compared with intermittent (INT) cefazolin dosing in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB); safety end points and protocol adherence comparing the two dosing strategies were also explored.

Design

Retrospective quasi‐experimental (pre–post intervention) cohort study.

Setting

Large academic medical center.

Patients

A total of 516 adults who underwent CABG on CPB and received cefazolin intraoperatively between June 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014, were included. The INT cohort included 284 patients who underwent CABG from June 2013 to February 2014. The CI cohort included 232 patients who underwent CABG from April to December 2014, after an intraoperative CI cefazolin protocol for cardiac surgery patients undergoing CPB was adopted in March 2014.

Measurements and Main Results

The primary end point was incidence of SSIs, and safety end points of renal dysfunction and seizures were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine the impact on SSIs when controlling for other risk factors. A subgroup analysis for this study included 2 months within each time period to evaluate protocol adherence. The overall incidence of SSIs was decreased in patients receiving CI cefazolin, although this did not reach statistical significance (4.6% in the INT cohort vs 1.7% in the CI cohort, p=0.116). Superficial SSIs were significantly reduced in the CI cohort (2.8% in the INT cohort vs 0.4% in the CI cohort, p=0.039). In the regression analysis, CI cefazolin decreased the odds of SSI by 66%, although it did not reach statistical significance (p=0.077). Safety end points were not significantly different between groups. Overall protocol adherence did not differ significantly between the cohorts: 77% in the INT cohort and 67% in the CI cohort (p=0.212).

Conclusion

CI cefazolin significantly decreased the incidence of superficial SSIs compared with INT cefazolin in patients undergoing CABG on CPB, without increasing the risk for adverse effects. As this study was underpowered to detect a significant difference in overall SSIs, larger, randomized studies are required to validate the superiority of CI cefazolin.
Large area tunnel oxide passivated rear contact n‐type Si solar cells with 21.2% efficiency
Authors: Tao Yuguo , Upadhyaya Vijaykumar , Chen Chia‐Wei , Payne Adam , Chang Elizabeth Lori , Upadhyaya Ajay , Rohatgi Ajeet
Published: January 2016

This paper reports on the implementation of carrier‐selective tunnel oxide passivated rear contact for high‐efficiency screen‐printed large area n‐type front junction crystalline Si solar cells. It is shown that the tunnel oxide grown in nitric acid at room temperature (25°C) and capped with n+ polysilicon layer provides excellent rear contact passivation with implied open‐circuit voltage iVoc of 714 mV and saturation current density J0b′ of 10.3 fA/cm2 for the back surface field region. The durability of this passivation scheme is also investigated for a back‐end high temperature process. In combination with an ion‐implanted Al2O3‐passivated boron emitter and screen‐printed front metal grids, this passivated rear contact enabled 21.2% efficient front junction Si solar cells on 239 cm2 commercial grade n‐type Czochralski wafers. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metal versus dielectric back reflector for thin‐film Si solar cells with impact of front electrode surface texture
Authors: Mercaldo Lucia V. , Usatii Iurie , Esposito Emilia M. , Delli Veneri Paola , Schüttauf Jan‐Willem , Moulin Etienne , Haug Franz‐Josef , Zhang Chao , Meier Matthias
Published: January 2016

Thin‐film Si solar cells employ a back reflector (BR) for a more efficient use of the long wavelength light. Here, we have carried out a cross evaluation of metal (Ag‐based) and dielectric (white paint‐based) BR designs. Conclusive results have been reached regarding the most suitable BR type depending on the front electrode morphology, both with crater‐like and pyramidal texture. The ZnO/Ag BR is found to be optically more efficient because of improved light trapping, although the gain tends to vanish for rougher front electrodes. Thanks to non‐conventional Raman intensity measurements, this dependence on the front texture has been linked to the different weight of front and back interfaces in the light trapping process for the different morphologies. With rougher substrates, because the minor optical gain is accompanied by sputter‐induced electronic deterioration of the solar cell during the ZnO buffer layer deposition, the white paint‐based BR design is preferred. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two‐Photon Imaging of a Cellular Line Using Organic Fluorescent Nanoparticles Synthesized by Laser Ablation
Authors: Aparicio‐Ixta Laura , Alba‐Rosales J. E. , Ramos‐Ortiz Gabriel , Rodriguez Mario , Pichardo‐Molina Juan L. , Gutierrez‐Juarez Gerardo , Sabanero‐Lopez Myrna , Villavicencio Liss Flores , Santillan Rosa , Tellez‐Lopez Víctor M. , Martinez‐Fong Daniel
Published: January 2016

A comparative study of the optical properties of organic fluorescent nanoparticles fabricated by laser ablation (NPs‐LA), reprecipitation (NPs‐RP), and microemulsion (NPs‐ME) methods is presented. These nanoparticles contain a fluorene‐based p‐conjugated molecule (BT2). Distinctive electronic transitions are observed in samples due to the specific way in which the molecule BT2 is assembled in each type of nanoparticles; for instance, transitions involved in absorption and emission spectra of NPs‐LA result in blueshifting with respect to the molecular solution of BT2, whereas redshifting is observed in NPs‐RP and NPs‐ME. Further, the results show that under infrared excitation, the aqueous suspensions of NPs‐LA exhibit the highest fluorescence induced by two‐photon absorption (≈790 GM at 740 nm), as well as the best photostability, compared with aqueous suspensions of NPs‐RP and NPs‐ME. The nanoparticles synthetized by the three aforementioned methods are employed as exogenous agents for the visualization of human cervical cancer cell line (HeLa) using confocal and two‐photon microscopy. Under similar experimental conditions, it is found that microscopy images of the best quality are obtained with NPs‐LA. These results show that laser ablation is a suitable technique for the fabrication of organic fluorescent nanoparticles used as contrast agents for in vitro fluorescence microscopy.
Graphene‐Modified TiO2 Microspheres Synthesized by a Facile Spray‐Drying Route for Enhanced Sodium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Zhu Xiaoming , Li Qian , Fang Yongjin , Liu Xiaoling , Xiao Lifen , Ai Xinping , Yang Hanxi , Cao Yuliang
Published: January 2016

A TiO2@reduced graphene oxide (TiO2@rGO) composite is synthesized successfully by a simple spray‐drying method. The structural and morphological characterizations reveal that the TiO2@rGO composite has a sphere‐like morphology with diameters of 5–15 µm, and each microsphere is actually a random aggregation of primary TiO2 nanoparticles, which are tightly covered by soft graphene sheets. The TiO2@rGO electrode exhibits enhanced electrochemical performance of high charge capacity (170 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C), long cycling life (87% of capacity retention after 300 cycles at 0.2 C), and high rate capability (55 mA h g−1 at 10 C). Compared with bare TiO2 microspheres, the improved electrochemical performance of the TiO2@rGO composite benefits from the introduction of graphene as a highly conductive, flexible, and large‐surface‐area scaffold to provide good electronic contact between active materials, suppress the aggregation of intermediate products, and alleviate the volume change during sodiation and desodiation. The encouraging experimental results suggest that the TiO2@rGO composite has great potential as a high‐capacity and high‐stability anode for the sodium‐ion batteries.
Molecular dynamics simulations of apo, holo, and inactivator bound GABA‐at reveal the role of active site residues in PLP dependent enzymes
Authors: Gökcan Hatice , Monard Gerald , Sungur Konuklar F. Aylin
Published: January 2016

The pyridoxal 5‐phosphate (PLP) cofactor is a significant organic molecule in medicinal chemistry. It is often found covalently bound to lysine residues in proteins to form PLP dependent enzymes. An example of this family of PLP dependent enzymes is γ‐aminobutyric acid aminotransferase (GABA‐AT) which is responsible for the degradation of the neurotransmitter GABA. Its inhibition or inactivation can be used to prevent the reduction of GABA concentration in brain which is the source of several neurological disorders. As a test case for PLP dependent enzymes, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations of GABA‐AT to reveal the roles of the protein residues and its cofactor. Three different states have been considered: the apoenzyme, the holoenzyme, and the inactive state obtained after the suicide inhibition by vigabatrin. Different protonation states have also been considered for PLP and two key active site residues: Asp298 and His190. Together, 24 independent molecular dynamics trajectories have been simulated for a cumulative total of 2.88 µs. Our results indicate that, unlike in aqueous solution, the PLP pyridine moiety is protonated in GABA‐AT. This is a consequence of a pKa shift triggered by a strong charge–charge interaction with an ionic “diad” formed by Asp298 and His190 that would help the activation of the first half‐reaction of the catalytic mechanism in GABA‐AT: the conversion of PLP to free pyridoxamine phosphate (PMP). In addition, our MD simulations exhibit additional strong hydrogen bond networks between the protein and PLP: the phosphate group is held in place by the donation of at least three hydrogen bonds while the carbonyl oxygen of the pyridine ring interacts with Gln301; Phe181 forms a π–π stacking interaction with the pyridine ring and works as a gate keeper with the assistance of Val300. All these interactions are hypothesized to help maintain free PMP in place inside the protein active site to facilitate the second half‐reaction in GABA‐AT: the regeneration of PLP‐bound GABA‐AT (i.e., the holoenzyme). Proteins 2016; 84:875–891. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Leaf‐morphology‐assisted selection for resistance to two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in carnations (Dianthus caryophyllus L)
Authors: Seki Kousuke
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

The development of a cultivar resistant to the two‐spotted spider mite has provided both ecological and economic benefits to the production of cut flowers. This study aimed to clarify the mechanism of resistance to mites using an inbred population of carnations.

RESULTS

In the resistant and susceptible plants selected from an inbred population, a difference was recognised in the thickness of the abaxial palisade tissue by microscopic examination of the damaged leaf. Therefore, it was assumed that mites displayed feeding preferences within the internal leaf structure of the carnation leaf. The suitability of the host plant for mites was investigated using several cultivars selected using an index of the thickness from the abaxial leaf surface to the spongy tissue. The results suggested that the cultivar associated with a thicker abaxial tissue lowered the intrinsic rate of natural increase of the mites. The cultivars with a thicker abaxial tissue of over 120 µm showed slight damage in the field test.

CONCLUSION

The ability of mites to feed on the spongy tissue during an early life stage from hatching to adult emergence was critical. It was possible to select a cultivar that is resistant to mites under a real cultivation environment by observing the internal structure of the leaf. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
The use of substituted alkynyl phenoxy derivatives of piperonyl butoxide to control insecticide‐resistant pests
Authors: Philippou Despina , Borzatta Valerio , Capparella Elisa , Moroni Leni , Field Linda , Moores Graham
Published: January 2016

BACKGROUND

Derivatives of piperonyl butoxide with alkynyl side chains were tested in vitro and in vivo against pyrethroid‐resistant Meligethes aeneus and imidacloprid‐resistant Myzus persicae.

RESULTS

Synergists with the alkynyl side chain were more effective inhibitors of P450 activity in vitro than piperonyl butoxide, and demonstrated high levels of synergism in vivo, with up to 290‐fold synergism of imidacloprid against imidacloprid‐resistant M. persicae.

CONCLUSIONS

These ‘second‐generation’ synergists could overcome metabolic resistance in many pest species and possibly enable reduced rates of insecticide application in some cases. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry