bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colonial Mentality and Mental Health Help‐Seeking of Filipino Americans
Authors: Tuazon Victor E. , Gonzalez Edith , Gutierrez Daniel , Nelson Lotes
Published: September 2019

Filipino Americans present with very low rates of mental health help‐seeking. Because of the colonial history between the Philippines and the United States, the authors examined how colonial mentality and internalized oppression, along with ethnic identity, acculturation, and social support, were related to mental health help‐seeking attitudes of Filipino Americans (N = 410). Furthermore, the authors investigated how colonial mentality affects the ethnic identity of Filipino Americans. Major findings included that colonial mentality was negatively related to ethnic identity development and social support, and higher levels of colonial mentality significantly predicted negative mental health help‐seeking attitudes above and beyond ethnic identity, acculturation, social support, and demographic variables. Implications for the counseling profession are considered.
Potential of circulating pro‐angiogenic microRNA expressions as biomarkers for rapid angiographic stenotic progression and restenosis risks in coronary artery disease patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Dai Rui , Liu Yijue , Zhou Yi , Xiong Xiaoju , Zhou Wei , Li Weijuan , Zhou Wenping , Chen Manhua
Published: September 2019

Background

This study aimed to investigate the correlation of pro‐angiogenic microRNA (miRNA) expressions with rapid angiographic stenotic progression (RASP) and restenosis risks in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with drug‐eluting stents (DES).

Methods

A total of 286 CAD patients underwent PCI with DES were consecutively recruited in this study. Plasma samples were collected before PCI operation, and 14 pro‐angiogenic miRNAs were measured by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Rapid angiographic stenotic progression at nontarget lesions and restenosis at stented lesions were evaluated by quantitative coronary angiography at 12 months after PCI operation.

Results

The occurrence rates of RASP and restenosis were 39.5% and 22.4%, respectively. Let‐7f, miR‐19a, miR‐19b‐1, miR‐92a, miR‐126, miR‐210, and miR‐296 were decreased in RASP patients than non‐RASP patients, among which let‐7f, miR‐19a, miR‐126, miR‐210, and miR‐296 independently correlated with lower RASP occurrence by multivariate analysis, followed by receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curve exhibited that these five miRNAs showed great value in predicting RASP risk with area under curve (AUC) 0.879 (95% CI: 0.841‐0.917). Besides, let‐7f, miR‐19a, miR‐92a, miR‐126, miR‐130a, and miR‐210 were reduced in restenosis patients than non‐restenosis patients, among them miR‐19a, miR‐126, miR‐210, and miR‐378 independently correlated with lower restenosis occurrence by multivariate analysis, followed by ROC curve disclosed that these four miRNAs had good value in predicting restenosis risk with AUC 0.776 (95% CI: 0.722‐0.831).

Conclusions

Circulating let‐7f, miR‐19a, miR‐126, miR‐210, and miR‐296 independently correlate with reduced RASP risk, while miR‐19a, miR‐126, miR‐210, and miR‐378 independently correlate with decreased restenosis risk in CAD patients underwent PCI with DES.
How Candida antarctica lipase B can be activated in natural deep eutectic solvents: experimental and molecular dynamics studies
Authors: Nian Binbin , Cao Chen , Liu Yuanfa
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs), a class of green solvents which completely accords to 12 principles of green chemistry, have proven to have great potential applications in enzymatic reactions. Despite strong interest, the role of NADESs in these processes, and the molecular interaction between enzymes and NADESs, still remain ambiguous. In the present study, the stability and activity of Candida Antarctica lipase B (CALB) were studied, and the mechanism by which CALB was activated in NADESs was explored systematically from both molecular‐ and macroscopic‐scale perspectives.

RESULTS

The results suggested that the activity of CALB in all NADESs was significantly higher than that of the control (ethanol). Moreover, the stability of CALB increased to 115.48 ± 1.36% and 108.54 ± 1.26% in betaine‐glycerin (B‐Gly) and choline chloride‐glycerol (C‐Gly), but decreased to 91.69 ± 3.26% and 92.31 ± 3.36% in betaine‐xylitol (B‐X) and choline chloride‐xylitol (C‐X), respectively. The results of circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence spectroscopy and molecular dynamics studies (MD) indicated that there was no significant change in the secondary structure of CALB. Furthermore, the results of MD provide some information supporting that CALB was stabilized by the hydrogen(H)‐bonding interaction between surface amino residues of CALB and NADESs and was activated via the H‐bonding interaction between substrate and NADESs in the acyl‐binding pocket.

CONCLUSION

The mechanism by which CALB was activated and stabilized via the H‐bonding interactions in NADESs was revealed in the present study. This provides a scientific basis from which to further explore the potential application of NADESs in enzymatic reactions in food engineering and health‐related fields. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
An Efficient Synthesis of Benzo[g]thiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐4‐ium and Benzo[g]benzo[4,5]thiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐14‐ium Hydroxides by a One‐pot, Three‐component Reaction under Green Conditions
Authors: Nouri Amrah , Poursattar Marjani Ahmad , Khalafy Jabbar
Published: September 2019

A new series of benzo[g]thiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐4‐ium and benzo[g]benzo[4,5]thiazolo[2,3‐b]quinazolin‐14‐ium hydroxide derivatives have been synthesized by the one‐pot, three‐component reaction of aryl glyoxal monohydrates, 2‐hydroxy‐1,4‐naphthoquinone, and 2‐aminothiazole or 2‐aminobenzothiazole in the presence of triethylamine and p‐toluenesulfonic acid as organocatalysts in H2O/acetone (2:1) at room temperature. This method offers mild reaction conditions, excellent yields, easy workup, and readily accessible starting materials and catalysts.
Study of tetraphenylporphyrins as modifiers of insulin amyloid aggregation
Authors: Chernii Svitlana , Losytskyy Mykhaylo , Kelm Anna , Gorski Alexandr , Tretyakova Iryna , Yarmoluk Sergiy , Chernii Victor , Kovalska Vladyslava
Published: September 2019

Amyloid fibrils are rigid β‐pleated protein aggregates that are connected with series of harmful diseases and at the same time are promising as base for novel nanomaterials. Thus, design of compounds able to inhibit or redirect those aggregates formation is important both for the biomedical aims and for nanotechnology applications. Here, we studied the effect of tetraphenylporphyrins (metal free, their Cu and Pd complexes, and those functionalized by carboxy and amino groups on periphery) on insulin amyloid self‐assembling. The strongest impact on insulin aggregation was demonstrated by a metal‐free porphyrin bearing four carboxy groups. This compound strongly suppresses insulin aggregation (about 88% reduction in amyloid‐sensitive probe emission) inducing formation of fibrils with the length close to this of free insulin (1.7 ± 0.6 μm as compared with 1.4 ± 0.4 μm, respectively) with an essentially reduced tendency to lateral aggregation. Contrarily, the presence of tetraphenylporphyrin containing four amino groups only slightly affects fibrils' morphology and makes weaker impact on insulin aggregation yield (about 44% reduction). This is explained by the ability of aromatic carboxy groups of 5,10,15,20‐(tetra‐4‐carboxyphenyl)porphyrin to interact with complementary protein‐binding groups and thus stabilize the supramolecular complex. For 5,10,15,20‐(tetra‐4‐aminophenyl)porphyrin, full protonation takes place in acidic medium of protein aggregation reaction; this results in the high positive charge of TPPN4 (equal or close to +6) and hence higher contribution of coulombic repulsion to interaction of TPPN4 with insulin. One more possible mechanism of the lower inhibition effect of TPPN4 as compared with TPPC4 could be the more restricted possibility of the former as compared with the latter to form H bonds with insulin groups. It was also shown that metal‐free, Pd‐containing, and Cu‐containing tetraphenylporphyrins without peripheral substituents make almost the same impact on the protein self‐assembling. We suppose this to be due to coordination saturation of these metal atoms.
Clinical Utility of Advanced Imaging of the Knee
Authors: Lansdown Drew A. , Ma C. Benjamin
Published: September 2019

Advanced imaging modalities, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and dynamic fluoroscopic imaging, allow for a comprehensive evaluation of the knee joint. Compositional sequences for MRI can allow for an evaluation of the biochemical properties of cartilage, meniscus, and ligament that offer further insight into pathology that may not be apparent on conventional clinical imaging. Advances in image processing, shape modeling, and dynamic studies also offer a novel way to evaluate common conditions and to monitor patients after treatment. The purpose of this article is to review advanced imaging modalities of the knee and their current and anticipated future applications to clinical practice. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:473–482, 2020
Survival and Prognosis of Chondrosarcoma Subtypes: SEER Database Analysis
Authors: Amer Kamil M. , Munn Murty , Congiusta Dominick , Abraham John A. , Basu Mallick Atrayee
Published: September 2019

Chondrosarcomas are rare tumors and, historically, investigation of these tumors has been limited to small series and single‐institution studies. There have been no studies that evaluated the identification or comparison of differences in prognostic factors between the five known non‐conventional chondrosarcoma subtypes (myxoid, juxtacortical, clear‐cell, mesenchymal, and dedifferentiated). The purpose of this paper was to determine the demographic, clinical, incidence, and tumor characteristics of all five known non‐conventional chondrosarcoma subtypes, determine the 1‐, 5‐year, and median survival differences between these subtypes, and to determine the demographic and clinical variables that are significant prognostic indicators for each chondrosarcoma subtypes. We retrospectively reviewed the SEER database for all patients with non‐conventional chondrosarcoma. χ2 testing was used for correlations between clinical variables. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to compare survival of the subtypes, and to assess the prognostic value of age group, race, sex, grade, anatomic location, and metastatic involvement. Several demographic characteristics including gender, race, age, and grade varied between chondrosarcoma subtypes. The tumor characteristics showed marked differences in presence of metastasis on presentation between the subtypes with increasing order of rate of metastasis with juxtacortical (2.1%), clear cell (5.7%), myxoid (7.6%), mesenchymal (10.6%), and the highest in dedifferentiated (19.8%). One‐, 5‐year, and median survival differed significantly between chondrosarcomas subtypes. The highest median survival was found in the juxtacortical subtype (97 months), followed by clear cell (79 months), myxoid (60 months), mesenchymal (33.5 months), and lowest in dedifferentiated (11 months). The only prognostic variable that was shown to significantly impact the survival of each non‐conventional chondrosarcoma subtype was a metastatic disease at diagnosis (p = 0.03 to p < 0.001). Subtyping classification of chondrosarcoma should be made whenever possible, given differences in survival and prognostic factors between chondrosarcoma subtypes. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:311‐319, 2020
New insights on Raman spectrum of K‐bearing tourmaline
Authors: Musiyachenko K.A. , Korsakov A.V. , Shimizu R. , Zelenovskiy P.S. , Shur V. Ya
Published: September 2019

Raman spectroscopy allows for semiquantitative analyses of major elements of tourmaline supergroup minerals. However, the new K‐bearing tourmaline (maruyamaite) species has not been calibrated yet and the effects of K in the X site of tourmaline on the Raman spectrum are still unclear. We investigated maruyamaite and K‐bearing dravite to test their Raman spectrum parameters, as a proxy for chemical composition of the X site. This study uses Raman imaging to obtain spectral data from the studied area of the zoned natural tourmaline crystals from Kumdy‐Kol (Kokchetav massif, Northern Kazakhstan). These data are correlated with chemical composition determined by electron probe microanalysis. Raman peak intensity best correlates with the K apfu at the X site. Peaks in the interval 100–250 cm−1 are aligned to the X‐site cation vibrations, and thus, their intensity positively correlates with K content. However, also, the more intensive peaks in the 650 to 850 cm−1 interval, which are controlled by the Si6O18 ring and AlO6 vibrations, show a positive correlation with the amount of K. The latter peak region is thus chosen here for the calibration due to its much higher intensity respect to the 100 to 250 cm−1 region. Furthermore, we discuss the influence of large K cations on the structure of Si6O18 rings in tourmaline. Our study demonstrates that Raman spectroscopy can be used as a reconnaissance tool for a semiquantitative discrimination of dravitic tourmalines with different X‐site occupation.
Assessment of Tonsil Volume With Transcervical Ultrasonography in Both Children and Adults
Authors: Mengi Erdem , Sağtaş Ergin , Kara Cüneyt Orhan
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To investigate the success of ultrasonography (USG) in the objective measurement of palatin tonsil volume in both children and adults and to compare those results with clinical findings.

Methods

Eighty‐five patients, who were scheduled to undergo tonsillectomy with the indications of recurrent tonsillitis and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, were included in the study. The tonsil grades of the patients were recorded according to the Friedman tonsil grading. The tonsil size and volume were measured with transcervical USG. After tonsillectomy, the volumes of the tonsils were calculated by the displacement method. The correlation between the obtained data was evaluated. In all analyses, P < .05 was accepted as a statistical level of significance.

Results

Fifty children and 35 adults were included in the study. In children, the mean actual volume ± SD of 100 tonsils was measured as 3.5 ± 1.45 mL, and the USG volume was 3.67 ± 1.59 mL; a high correlation was found between both methods (r = 0.842; P < .05). In adults, the mean actual volume of 70 tonsils was measured as 5.15 ± 2.25 mL, and the USG volume was 5.71 ± 2.98 mL; a moderate correlation was found between the methods (r = 0.589; P < .05). In children, a moderate correlation was found between the Friedman grading and the USG (r = 0.532; P < .05), and actual (r = 0.549; P < .05) tonsil volumes. In adults, a low correlation was found between the Friedman grading and the USG (r = 0.363; P < .05) and actual (r = 0.384; P < .05) tonsil volumes.

Conclusions

Ultrasonography is a useful, accessible, and noninvasive imaging method for objective measurement of tonsil volume in adults and children.
Cricotracheal resection for adult subglottic stenosis: Factors predicting treatment failure
Authors: Jethwa Ashok R. , Hasan Wael , Palme Carsten E. , Mäkitie Antti A. , Espin‐Garcia Osvaldo , Goldstein David P. , Gilbert Ralph W. , Keshavjee Shaf , Pierre Andrew , Gullane Patrick J.
Published: September 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Identify predictors of decannulation failure after cricotracheal resection (CTR) and thyrotracheal anastomosis (TTA) in patients with subglottic stenosis (SGS).

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

Charts of patients undergoing CTR and TTA for SGS at the University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada between 1988 and 2017 were reviewed. Patient, pathology, treatment, and outcome data were collected. The end points for statistical analysis were development of restenosis and permanent tracheostomy.

Results

One hundred fourteen patients (n = 114) were eligible for inclusion in this review. The mean age at primary resection was 46.9 years, 95 (83%) were females, and 19 (17%) were males. The rate of restenosis and permanent tracheostomy was 13% and 5%, respectively. Sixty‐two patients (54%) underwent a CTR and TTA, and 52 patients (46%) underwent a CTR, laryngofissure, and TTA. Traumatic stenosis (odds ratio [OR] = 10.3, P = .017), longer T‐tube duration (OR = 1.2, P = .011), combined glottic/subglottic stenosis (OR = 10.47, P = .010), start of the stenosis at the vocal cords (OR = 6.6, P = .029), postoperative minor complications (OR = 13.6, P = .028), and need for repeat surgery (OR = 44.1, P < .001) were associated with an increased risk of requiring permanent tracheostomy.

Conclusions

CTR and TTA are excellent surgical approaches for adult patients with subglottic stenosis. In this study, 5% of patients required permanent tracheostomy. Factors predicting treatment failure include traumatic stenosis, longer T‐tube duration, combined glottic/subglottic stenosis, start of stenosis at the level of vocal cords, postoperative minor complications, and need for repeat surgery.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:1634–1639, 2020
Safety‐relevant environmental sound identification in cochlear implant candidates and users
Authors: Hamel Benjamin L. , Vasil Kara , Shafiro Valeriy , Moberly Aaron C. , Harris Michael S.
Published: September 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

To compare the identification of safety‐relevant environmental sounds between experienced cochlear implant (CI) users and CI candidates.

Study Design

Cross‐sectional.

Methods

A sample of 19 adult, postlingually deaf CI candidates (CI‐Cs), 47 experienced CI users (CI‐Es), and a control group of 37 age‐matched normal‐hearing adults were assessed using the Familiar Environmental Sounds Test–Identification (FEST‐I). A subset of 11 sounds relevant for safety were selected for analysis in the current study.

Results

Analysis of safety‐relevant sound identification accuracy revealed no significant difference in safety‐relevant environmental sound identification skills between CI‐E and CI‐C participants, with average scores of 68.1% and 67.9%, respectively. Both performed substantially lower than age‐matched normal hearing adults (95.1%). A significant moderate negative correlation (–0.4) was found between safety‐relevant sound accuracy and chronological age only in one group, the CI‐E group (r = –0.4, P < .005).

Conclusions

These findings fail to demonstrate superior performance in safety‐relevant environmental sound identification among CI‐Es compared with CI‐Cs. Although preliminary, these findings suggest that identification of safety‐relevant sounds is a significant area of weakness for both CI‐Es and CI‐Cs, both of whom may benefit from rehabilitation.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:1547–1551, 2020
Quantitative evaluation of pore characteristics of sodic soils reclaimed by flue gas desulphurization gypsum using X‐ray computed tomography
Authors: Liao Renkuan , Yu Haoliang , Yang Peiling , Lin Henry
Published: September 2019

Flue gas desulphurization (FGD) gypsum can effectively remediate sodic soils through improving two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional (3D) soil pore characteristics, especially vertical macroporosity. Understanding the response pattern of pore characteristics of sodic soils with different textures to FGD gypsum reclamation measures is critical to formulating appropriate improvement strategies for addressing growing challenges of land degradation. The objectives of this study were (a) to quantify the effect of FGD gypsum on two‐dimensional/three‐dimensional pore characteristics of amended sodic soils using X‐ray computed tomography (CT); and (b) to investigate the response pattern of different sodic soils to reclamation measures. Three types of intact sodic soils (sandy loam, silty loam, and silt soil) were collected from different sodic fields in north China for X‐ray CT image scan, and soil pore characteristic parameters (including porosity, pore network density, pore length density, and tortuosity) were measured. The results indicate that the high proportion of horizontal pores and lower pore length density are typical features in the sodic soils investigated. The responses of three sodic soils to reclamation measures demonstrate obvious variations that the 3D macroporosity of silt sodic soils was significantly increased (p < .05) by 53.7%, showing more sensitive and better effect than that of sandy loam (52.9%) and silty loam (20%) sodic soils, in which the reclamation improved the vertical macroporosity of silt sodic soil by 164.6%. It is speculated that the higher clay and silt contents in the silt sodic soils and their interaction with gypsum contribute to the expansion of pore size, and the formed macropore promotes the vertical migration of clay and silt particles to further increase the vertical macroporosity. In addition, FGD gypsum is beneficial for the formation of new pores in silt loam soils. The findings of this study confirm the feasibility of quantifying pore characteristics of sodic soils with the help of X‐ray CT images and suggest that it is necessary to adopt specific reclamation strategies for different degraded sodic soils.
Influence of the accuracy of reference crop evapotranspiration on drought monitoring using standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index in mainland China
Authors: Yao Ning , Li Yi , Dong Qin'ge , Li Linchao , Peng Lingling , Feng Hao
Published: September 2019

Reference crop evapotranspiration (ET0) estimation accuracy strongly affects the accuracy of drought monitoring using the standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index (SPEI). The FAO56 Penman–Monteith (the reference method here), Irmak, Berti, Priestley–Taylor, and Valiantzas methods were used to compute ET0 and subsequently SPEI at 1‐, 3‐, and 12‐month timescales during 1961–2016 at 763 weather stations in China. The spatiotemporal variations in the climatic variables and ET0, D (=P − ET0) and SPEI with five ET0 estimators (hereafter SPEIPM, SPEIIRA, SPEIPT, SPEIMHS, and SPEIVal) were investigated. The cumulative frequency and periods (using the Morlet wavelet analysis) of the annual SPEIs were analyzed. The results showed that, corresponding to the P, ET0, and D, drought severity was characterized by large seasonal and regional differences using SPEIPM, SPEIIRA, SPEIPT, SPEIMHS, or SPEIVal, especially in northwestern China, the Inner Mongolia region, and the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (P < 500 mm/yr). Additionally, the effects of the different ET0 equations on the minimum SPEI and frequency values were large in these drier subregions but generally small in other regions. Meanwhile, an increased ET0 prediction accuracy did not automatically lead to an improved SPEI accuracy in regions P > 500 mm/yr. With respect to the averaged values for Subregion 1 (P < 134 mm/yr), although the vibration intensities and spectra were visually similar for different SPEIs, the periodical signals differed. Regional climatic conditions have a significant impact on the SPEI estimates in regions characterized by P (<500 mm/yr); we therefore suggest that the ET0 equations for drought analysis with SPEI should be carefully selected.
Sediment microbiomes associated with the rhizosphere of emergent macrophytes in a shallow, subtropical lake
Authors: Huang Rui , Zeng Jin , Zhao Dayong , Cook Katherine V. , Hambright K. David , Yu Zhongbo
Published: September 2019

Rhizosphere microbiota has received much attention due to their associations with plant growth and their fundamental importance in terrestrial ecosystems. However, relatively few studies have focused on rhizosphere microbial communities associated with aquatic macrophytes in freshwater lakes. We hypothesized that the rhizosphere microbiome would reflect the presence of macrophyte roots and the concomitant microhabitat conditions the roots create. Here, high‐throughput sequencing and network analysis were employed to compare the composition and structure of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of two common emergent macrophytes, Zizania latifolia and Phragmites australis, with the surrounding sediments in Lake Taihu (China). Results indicated that bacterial diversity, community composition, and co‐occurrence networks differed between the communities of bulk sediments and the communities of rhizosphere and surface sediments. Richness and phylogenetic diversity were higher and more taxa were enriched in the rhizosphere and surface sediment communities compared with bulk sediment communities. No differences were detected between bacterial communities in rhizosphere and surface sediments, nor between rhizospheres sediment communities of the two macrophyte species. Anaerobic taxa were more abundant in bulk sediment communities. Among the co‐occurrence networks, more nodes (operational taxonomic units) and edges (connections) with higher average degree as well as more topologically important nodes were found in rhizosphere and surface sediment communities relative to bulk communities. These findings suggest that rhizosphere microbiome communities are influenced by the presence of macrophyte roots, with oxygenated rhizosphere and surface sediment communities being more diverse, and organized into more interconnected co‐occurrence networks.
Identification and characterization of OmpT‐like proteases in uropathogenic Escherichia coli clinical isolates
Authors: Desloges Isabelle , Taylor James A. , Leclerc Jean‐Mathieu , Brannon John R. , Portt Andrea , Spencer John D. , Dewar Ken , Marczynski Gregory T. , Manges Amee , Gruenheid Samantha , Le Moual Hervé , Thomassin Jenny‐Lee
Published: September 2019

Bacterial colonization of the urogenital tract is limited by innate defenses, including the production of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) resist AMP‐killing to cause a range of urinary tract infections (UTIs) including asymptomatic bacteriuria, cystitis, pyelonephritis, and sepsis. UPEC strains have high genomic diversity and encode numerous virulence factors that differentiate them from non‐UTI‐causing strains, including ompT. As OmpT homologs cleave and inactivate AMPs, we hypothesized that UPEC strains from patients with symptomatic UTIs have high OmpT protease activity. Therefore, we measured OmpT activity in 58 clinical E. coli isolates. While heterogeneous OmpT activities were observed, OmpT activity was significantly greater in UPEC strains isolated from patients with symptomatic infections. Unexpectedly, UPEC strains exhibiting the greatest protease activities harbored an additional ompT‐like gene called arlC (ompTp). The presence of two OmpT‐like proteases in some UPEC isolates led us to compare the substrate specificities of OmpT‐like proteases found in E. coli. While all three cleaved AMPs, cleavage efficiency varied on the basis of AMP size and secondary structure. Our findings suggest the presence of ArlC and OmpT in the same UPEC isolate may confer a fitness advantage by expanding the range of target substrates.
Effects of CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms on the susceptibility to coronary heart disease
Authors: Huang Kang , Zhong Jianghua , Li Qiang , Zhang Wei , Chen Zibin , Zhou Yilei , Wu Miao , Zhong Zanrui , Lu Shijuan , Zhang Shufang
Published: September 2019

Background

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of the most severe cardiovascular diseases. Cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2B antisense RNA 1 (CDKN2B‐AS1) is a significant susceptibility locus for cardiovascular disease by regulating inflammation response and cell cycle. The aim of this study was to assess whether CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms are associated with CHD risk in the Chinese Han population.

Methods

A total of 501 CHD patients and 496 healthy controls were recruited from Central South University Xiangya School of Medicine Affiliated Haikou Hospital, five CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms (rs10115049, rs75227345, rs2383205, rs10738606, and rs1333049) were analyzed by the Agena MassARRAY platform. The association of CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms and CHD risk was determined by odd ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using logistic regression.

Results

CDKN2B‐AS1 rs10738606 was significantly associated with CHD under codominant (p = .03), dominant (p = .019), recessive (p = .010), additive (p = .003), and allele (p = .003) models. Gender‐based subgroup tests showed that four polymorphisms (rs75227345, rs2383205, rs10738606 and rs1333049) were associated with CHD in males (p < .05). And age‐based subgroup tests indicated that rs2383205 and rs10738606 were associated with CHD among individuals, respectively (p < .05). For CHD patients, rs1333049 decreased the risk of diabetes under heterozygote (p = .014) and dominant (p = .024) models.

Conclusions

In conclusion, CDKN2B‐AS1 polymorphisms were associated with CHD risk in the combined or subgroup tests, suggesting an important role of CDKN2B‐AS1 in CHD susceptibility.
Investor, local providers join forces to fill service gaps for veterans
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2019

Partnerships between local mental health providers and an organization financed by billionaire investor and hedge fund manager Steven Cohen are giving rise to low‐cost clinics to meet the needs of post‐9/11 military veterans and their families. Rather than being seen as an alternative to veterans services provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), the care delivered at these facilities fills gaps in communities with a heavy military/veteran presence, with the VA often serving as the primary referral source for these sites.
Some candidates go on record to address MH, addiction crises
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: September 2019

Moving forward with its mission to elevate mental health and substance use disorders in national policy discussions, Mental Health for US, a nonpartisan, educational coalition, on Aug. 27 released survey responses from a few of the presidential candidates concerning the steps they would take to improve mental health and addiction in this country.
Review adds to case for decoupling MH reform, gun safety
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2019

The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law last month updated a review of studies examining risk factors for violence, stating that the latest evidence makes an even stronger case than before that a mental health diagnosis is not a predictor of violent behavior.
Conic and cyclidic sections in double conformal geometric algebra G8,2 with computing and visualization using Gaalop
Authors: Easter Robert Benjamin , Hitzer Eckhard
Published: September 2019

The
geometric algebra, also called the double conformal/Darboux cyclide geometric algebra (DCGA), has entities that represent conic sections. DCGA also has entities that represent planar sections of Darboux cyclides, which are called cyclidic sections in this paper. This paper presents these entities and many operations on them, in terms of algebraic expressions, computer code, and many examples of computer‐generated graphics. Operations include reflection, projection, rejection, and intersection with respect to spheres and planes. Other operations include rotation, translation, and dilation. Possible applications are introduced, which include orthographic and perspective projections of conic sections onto view planes, which may be of interest in computer graphics or other computational geometry subjects
Asymptotic tracking with funnel control
Authors: Trenn Stephan
Published: September 2019

Funnel control is a strikingly simple control technique to ensure model free practical tracking for quite general nonlinear systems. It has its origin in the adaptive control theory, in particular, it is based on the principle of high gain feedback control. The key idea of funnel control is to chose the feedback gain large when the tracking error approaches the prespecified error tolerance (the funnel boundary). It was long believed that it is a theoretical limitation of funnel control not being able to achieve asymptotic tracking, however, in this contribution it will be shown that this is not the case.
The added value of screening fetal echocardiography after normal cardiac views on a detailed ultrasound
Authors: Cawyer Chase R. , Kuper Spencer G. , Ausbeck Elizabeth , Sinkey Rachel G. , Owen John
Published: September 2019

Objective

Evaluate fetal echocardiography's ability to detect critical (lesions requiring immediate neonatal intensive care) congenital heart disease (CHD) after normal anatomic cardiac views on detailed ultrasound.

Methods

Singletons with both a detailed ultrasound at 18 + 0 to 22 + 6 weeks and echocardiogram performed at least 14 days later and at 20 + 0 to 24 + 6 weeks. Cases with cardiac pathology on detailed ultrasound were excluded. Different combinations of cardiac views were described: Basic (four‐chamber, outflow tracts), Expanded (plus three‐vessel view), and Complete (plus ductal/aortic arches). “Normal” was defined on either 2D gray scale or color Doppler. Primary outcome was rates of critical CHD missed on ultrasound but seen on fetal echocardiogram.

Results

One thousand two hundred twenty‐three women had normal Basic cardiac views. One thousand one hundred ninety (97.3%) were confirmed normal on echocardiogram. Twenty‐one (1.71%) total CHDs were missed, and three were critical (0.25%; 95% CI, 0.03%‐0.53%). Of the 1,223 women, 763 had Complete views. Ten (1.31%) total CHDs were missed and one (0.13%; 95% CI, 0.13%‐0.36%) was confirmed critical.

Conclusion

Fetal echocardiography can increase CHD detection despite normal cardiac anatomy on detailed ultrasound; however, CHDs missed are rarely critical. Approximately 750 fetal echocardiograms need to be performed to detect one critical CHD with Complete normal cardiac views on detailed ultrasound.
The chloroplast and mitochondrial C‐to‐U RNA editing in Arabidopsis thaliana shows signals of adaptation
Authors: Chu Duan , Wei Lai
Published: September 2019

C‐to‐U RNA editing is the conversion from cytidine to uridine at RNA level. In plants, the genes undergo C‐to‐U RNA modification are mainly chloroplast and mitochondrial genes. Case studies have identified the roles of C‐to‐U editing in various biological processes, but the functional consequence of the majority of C‐to‐U editing events is still undiscovered. We retrieved the deep sequenced transcriptome data in roots and shoots of Arabidopsis thaliana and profiled their C‐to‐U RNA editomes and gene expression patterns. We investigated the editing level and conservation pattern of these C‐to‐U editing sites. The levels of nonsynonymous C‐to‐U editing events are higher than levels of synonymous events. The fraction of nonsynonymous editing sites is higher than neutral expectation. Highly edited cytidines are more conserved at DNA level, and the gene expression levels are correlated with C‐to‐U editing levels. Our results demonstrate that the global C‐to‐U editome is shaped by natural selection and that many nonsynonymous C‐to‐U editing events are adaptive. The editing mechanism might be positively selected and maintained and could have profound effects on the modified RNAs.
Synthesis and characterizations of bis(phenoxy)‐amine tin(II) complexes for ring‐opening polymerization of lactide
Authors: Praban Siriwan , Yimthachote Supajittra , Kiriratnikom Jiraya , Chotchatchawankul Sucheewin , Tantirungrotechai Jonggol , Phomphrai Khamphee
Published: September 2019

A series of tin(II) complexes supported by N2O2 bis(phenol)‐amine ligands were prepared from the reactions of the corresponding ligands with Sn[N(SiMe3)2]2 in benzene at room temperature. The ligands were designed to have different substituted group at the ortho‐position on the aryl rings (R =
tBu, CH3) and N‐containing side arm (E = CH2NEt2 and pyridine) giving a variation of tin(II) complexes (R =
tBu, E = CH2NEt2, 2a; R =
tBu, E = py, 2b; R = CH3, E = CH2NEt2, 2c; R = CH3, E = py, 2d). All complexes were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and single‐crystal X‐ray analysis. The single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography revealed that all complexes have a monomeric four‐coordinate tin center with a distorted seesaw structure. All complexes are active for solvent‐free polymerization of l‐lactide at 120 °C giving poly(l‐lactide) with narrow to moderate dispersity (Ð = 1.12–1.56). In the presence of benzyl alcohol during the polymerization, the resulting polymer was found to be linear having benzyl alcohol as the end group while, in the absence of benzyl alcohol, the polymer was cyclic. The large
tBu group at the ortho‐position was found to decrease polymerization activity while the more basic CH2NEt2 group was found to increase the polymerization activity. The polymerization of rac‐lactide under a similar condition gave PLA having a slight heterotactic bias for all catalysts. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2104–2112
Extended evaluation of Bt protein cross‐pollination in seed blend plantings on survival, growth, and development of Helicoverpa zea feeding on refuge ears
Authors: Yang Fei , Kerns David L , Head Graham P , Price Paula A , Levy Ronnie , Niu Ying , Huang Fangneng
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

A seed blend, also called refuge in a bag (RIB), is used as a strategy to provide refuge for planting pyramided Bt corn in the U.S. Corn Belt. A major concern for the RIB strategy is cross‐pollination between Bt and refuge plants, which may reduce susceptible populations of ear‐feeding insects like Helicoverpa zea and affect the evolution of resistance. Previous studies showed a 5:95% (Non‐Bt: Bt) RIB would be unlikely to provide sufficient refuge populations of H. zea for resistance management. In this study, we extended our research and conducted multiple trials to determine if three RIB plantings with greater refuge sizes (10, 20, and 30% refuge) could provide sufficient H. zea susceptible populations to delay resistance development.

RESULTS

Experimental results showed that cross‐pollination in 10:90%, 20:80%, and 30:70% RIB plantings still significantly reduced larval survival, delayed larval development and decreased the pupal size of H. zea on refuge plants. Regression analysis showed that the percent reduction of neonate‐to‐adult survivorship, relative to the survivorship on pure non‐Bt ears, was significantly negatively correlated with the refuge percentage.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that, approximately a 15% non‐Bt refuge plants in RIB plantings could produce a similar number of susceptible adult moths as a 5% structured refuge planting, while an approximately 30% non‐Bt refuge plant in RIB plantings could provide a similar number of susceptible moths as a 20% structured refuge planting. Information generated from this study should be useful in refining resistance management strategies for Bt crop technologies. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Bayesian sample‐size determination methods considering both worthwhileness and unpromisingness for exploratory two‐arm randomized clinical trials with binary endpoints
Authors: Kakizume Tomoyuki , Zhang Fanghong , Kawasaki Yohei , Daimon Takashi
Published: September 2019

A randomized exploratory clinical trial comparing an experimental treatment with a control treatment on a binary endpoint is often conducted to make a go or no‐go decision. Such an exploratory trial needs to have an adequate sample size such that it will provide convincing evidence that the experimental treatment is either worthwhile or unpromising relative to the control treatment. In this paper, we propose three new sample‐size determination methods for an exploratory trial, which utilize the posterior probabilities calculated from predefined efficacy and inefficacy criteria leading to a declaration of the worthwhileness or unpromisingness of the experimental treatment. Simulation studies, including numerical investigation, showed that all three methods could declare the experimental treatment as worthwhile or unpromising with a high probability when the true response probability of the experimental treatment group is higher or lower, respectively, than that of the control treatment group.
Parthenolide ameliorates intracerebral hemorrhage‐induced brain injury in rats
Authors: Wang Jun‐an , Tong Ming‐liang , Zhao Bin , Zhu Gang , Xi Dong‐hua , Yang Jian‐ping
Published: September 2019

Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress are key contributors to intracranial hemorrhage (ICH)‐induced brain injury. Parthenolide (PN) is a sesquiterpene lactone that has been observed to have antioxidative, anti‐inflammatory, and neuroprotective potentials. However, the role of PN in ICH remains unclear. Therefore, we investigated the neuroprotective effects and underlying mechanisms of PN on an experimental model of ICH in rats. Our results showed that PN treatment improved neurological deficit and brain edema in ICH rats. The ipsilateral hemispheres of the brain were separated and homogenized. The concentrations of TNF‐α, interleukin (IL)‐6, and IL‐17 in the homogenates were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We found that PN inhibited the production of proinflammatory cytokines in an ICH rat model. The ROS and glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the homogenates were measured. ICH caused an increase in ROS level, and the decreases in GSH level and SOD activity were mitigated by PN treatment. Furthermore, PN significantly suppressed the expressions of active caspase‐3 and Bax in ipsilateral hemispheres of the brain at Day 3 after ICH, as well as increased the surviving neurons. Finally, the ICH‐induced activation of TLR4/NF‐κB pathway was suppressed by PN treatment. These findings suggested that PN could be beneficial in the therapeutic strategy for ICH treatment.
In vitro metabolism of olaparib in liver microsomes by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Wang Li , Wang Meixia
Published: September 2019

Rationales

Olaparib is a Poly (ADP‐ribose) Polymerase (PARP) inhibitor which has been developed as an anti‐cancer agent. The purpose of this study was to characterize the metabolites of olaparib from liver microsomes and to reveal the interspecies differences between animals and humans.

Methods

Olaparib (20 μM) was incubated with different species of liver microsomes at 37°C for 1 h in the presence of NADPH. The incubation samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization high‐resolution mass spectrometry (LC/ESI‐HRMS) operated in positive ion mode. The metabolites were characterized by accurate masses, MS2 spectra and retention times.

Results

A total of 12 metabolites were detected and the structures of the metabolites were characterized based on their accurate masses, fragment ions and retention times. Four metabolites, i.e., M1, M10, M11 and M12, were unambiguously identified by using reference standards. The metabolic pathways of olaparib included hydroxylation, bis‐hydroxylation, hydrolysis, dealkylation, dehydrogenation, and alcohol oxidation.

Conclusions

Compared with animal species, no human‐specific metabolite was found in HLM. Dog also had a closer metabolic profile to humans. This study will be helpful for a better understanding of the species difference in pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics.
A systematic review of the evidence base for professional learning in early years education (The PLEYE Review)
Authors: Rogers Sue , Brown Chris , Poblete Ximena
Published: September 2019

In response to the ongoing policy drive in the UK to improve the skills level of the early years (EY) workforce, raise the quality of early years education (EYE), and reduce the disadvantage gap for young children, a systematic review was conducted on approaches to professional learning and development (PDL) that report impact on outcomes for children in EYE. The aim of the review, funded by the Nuffield Foundation, was to consider the impact of PDL approaches in the ongoing UK context. However, of the 24 studies considered, none were conducted in the UK, suggesting that much more work is needed in this area. The review showed that approaches to PDL which combine coaching, with new knowledge and opportunities for reflection on practice, may be most effective in improving outcomes in EY settings. However, the evidence on duration, frequency and intensity of PDL, though likely to be important factors in the degree of effectiveness, is inconclusive and requires further research.
Forecasting basketball players' performance using sparse functional data*
Authors: Vinué Guillermo , Epifanio Irene
Published: September 2019

Statistics and analytic methods are becoming increasingly important in basketball. In particular, predicting players' performance using past observations is a considerable challenge. The purpose of this study is to forecast the future behavior of basketball players. The available data are sparse functional data, which are very common in sports. So far, however, no forecasting method designed for sparse functional data has been used in sports. A methodology based on two methods to handle sparse and irregular data, together with the analogous method and functional archetypoid analysis is proposed. Results in comparison with traditional methods show that our approach is competitive and additionally provides prediction intervals. The methodology can also be used in other sports when sparse longitudinal data are available.
Application of Transmural Flow Across In Vitro Microvasculature Enables Direct Sampling of Interstitial Therapeutic Molecule Distribution
Authors: Offeddu Giovanni S. , Possenti Luca , Loessberg‐Zahl Joshua T. , Zunino Paolo , Roberts John , Han Xiaogang , Hickman Dean , Knutson Charles G. , Kamm Roger D.
Published: September 2019

In vitro prediction of physiologically relevant transport of therapeutic molecules across the microcirculation represents an intriguing opportunity to predict efficacy in human populations. On‐chip microvascular networks (MVNs) show physiologically relevant values of molecular permeability, yet like most systems, they lack an important contribution to transport: the ever‐present fluid convection through the endothelium. Quantification of transport through the MVNs by current methods also requires confocal imaging and advanced analytical techniques, which can be a bottleneck in industry and academic laboratories. Here, it is shown that by recapitulating physiological transmural flow across the MVNs, the concentration of small and large molecule therapeutics can be directly sampled in the interstitial fluid and analyzed using standard analytical techniques. The magnitudes of transport measured in MVNs reveal trends with molecular size and type (protein versus nonprotein) that are expected in vivo, supporting the use of the MVNs platform as an in vitro tool to predict distribution of therapeutics in vivo.