bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of microRNA‐150‐5p alleviates cardiac inflammation and fibrosis via targeting Smad7 in high glucose‐treated cardiac fibroblasts
Authors: Che Hui , Wang Yueqiu , Li Yang , Lv Jie , Li Hui , Liu Yining , Dong Ruixue , Sun Yongle , Xu Xiaodan , Zhao Jie , Wang Lihong
Published: November 2019

Hyperglycemia‐induced cardiac fibrosis is a prominent characteristic of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Changes in proinflammatory cytokines have been shown to lead to cardiac fibrosis in patients with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to investigate the role of miR‐150‐5p in mediating cardiac inflammation and fibrosis in cardiac fibroblasts (CFs). Herein, we found that high‐glucose (HG) treatment significantly induced cardiac inflammation, as manifested by increased proinflammatory cytokine production (IL‐1β) and NF‐κB activity in CFs. Moreover, HG markedly aggravated cardiac fibrosis and increased levels of fibrotic markers (CTGF, FN, α‐SMA) and extracellular matrix proteins (Col‐I, Col‐III) in CFs. At the same time, HG disturbed the TGF‐β1/Smad signaling pathway, as evidenced by increases in TGF‐β1 and p‐Smad2/3 levels and decreases in Smad7 levels in CFs. Furthermore, we found that miR‐150‐5p was upregulated by HG, which negatively regulated Smad7 expression at the posttranscription level. Further study demonstrated that cardiac inflammation and fibrosis in CFs were corrected following miR‐150‐5p knockdown, but exacerbated by miR‐150‐5p overexpression. These data indicated that miR‐150‐5p inhibition could ameliorate NF‐κB‐related inflammation and TGF‐β1/Smad‐induced cardiac fibrosis through targeting Smad7. Thus, miR‐150‐5p may be a novel promising target for treating diabetic cardiomyopathy.
Metabolic machinery encrypted in the Raman spectrum of influenza A virus‐inoculated mammalian cells
Authors: Pezzotti Giuseppe , Zhu Wenliang , Adachi Tetsuya , Horiguchi Satoshi , Marin Elia , Boschetto Francesco , Ogitani Eriko , Mazda Osam
Published: November 2019

Raman spectroscopy was applied with a high spectral resolution to a structural study of Influenza (type A) virus before and after its inoculation into Madin–Darby canine kidney cells. This study exploits the fact that the major virus and cell constituents, namely DNA/RNA, lipid, and protein molecules, exhibit peculiar fingerprints in the Raman spectrum, which clearly differed between cells and viruses, as well as before and after virus inoculation into cells. These vibrational features, which allowed us to discuss viral assembly, membrane lipid evolution, and nucleoprotein interactions of the virus with the host cells, reflected the ability of the virus to alter host cells’ pathways to enhance its replication efficiency. Upon comparing Raman signals from the host cells before and after virus inoculation, we were also able to discuss in detail cell metabolic reactions against the presence of the virus in terms of compositional variations of lipid species, the formation of fatty acids, dephosphorylation of high‐energy adenosine triphosphate molecules, and enzymatic hydrolysis of the hemagglutinin glycoprotein.
Leukemia stem cell immunophenotyping tool for diagnostic, prognosis, and therapeutics
Authors: Mastelaro de Rezende Marina , Ferreira Alice T. , Paredes‐Gamero Edgar J.
Published: November 2019

The existence of cancer stem cells is debatable in numerous solid tumors, yet in leukemia, there is compelling evidence of this cell population. Leukemic stem cells (LSCs) are altered cells in which accumulating genetic and/or epigenetic alterations occur, resulting in the transition between the normal, preleukemic, and leukemic status. These cells do not follow the normal differentiation program; they are arrested in a primitive state but with high proliferation potential, generating undifferentiated blast accumulation and a lack of a mature cell population. The identification of LSCs might guide stem cell biology research and provide key points of distinction between these cells and their normal counterparts. The identification and characterization of the main features of LSCs can be useful as tools for diagnosis and treatment. In this context, the aim of the present review was to connect immunophenotype data in the main types of leukemia to further guide technical improvements.
Role of Oxidative Stress in Hypersensitivity Reactions to Sulfonamides
Authors: Elzagallaai Abdelbaset A. , Sultan Elham A. , Bend John R. , Abuzgaia Awatif M. , Loubani Eman , Rieder Michael J.
Published: November 2019

Antimicrobial sulfonamides are important medications. However, their use is associated with major immune‐mediated drug hypersensitivity reactions with a rate that ranges from 3% to 4% in the general population. The pathophysiology of sulfa‐induced drug hypersensitivity reactions is not well understood, but accumulation of reactive metabolites (sulfamethoxazole [SMX] hydroxylamine [SMX‐HA] and SMX N‐nitrosamine [SMX‐NO]) is thought to be a major factor. These reactive metabolites contribute to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) known to cause cellular damage and induce cell death through apoptosis and necroptosis. ROS can also serve as “danger signals,” priming immune cells to mount an immunological reaction. We recruited 26 sulfa‐hypersensitive (HS) patients, 19 healthy control subjects, and 6 sulfa‐tolerant patients to this study. Peripheral blood monocytes and platelets were isolated from blood samples and analyzed for in vitro cytotoxicity, ROS and carbonyl protein formation, lipid peroxidation, and GSH (glutathione) content after challenge with SMX‐HA. When challenged with SMX‐HA, cells isolated from sulfa‐HS patients exhibited significantly (P ≤ .05) higher cell death, ROS and carbonyl protein formation, and lipid peroxidation. In addition, there was a high correlation between cell death in PBMCs and ROS levels. There was also depletion of GSH and lower GSH/GSSG ratios in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from sulfa‐HS patients. The amount of ROS formed was negatively correlated with intracellular GSH content. The data demonstrate a major role for oxidative stress in in vitro cytotoxicity of SMX reactive metabolites and indicate increased vulnerability of cells from sulfa‐HS patients to the in vitro challenge.
Laboratory analogue investigation of defusion and reappraisal strategies in the context of symbolically generalized avoidance
Authors: Donati Matthew R. , Masuda Akihiko , Schaefer L. Ward , Cohen Lindsey L. , Tone Erin B. , Parrott Dominic J.
Published: November 2019

The present study examined and compared the effects of 2 analogues of cognitive treatments—cognitive defusion and cognitive reappraisal—on symbolically generalized avoidance established using a basic behavioral laboratory paradigm. This back‐translation design contributes to the development and validation of principle‐based definitions of the applied constructs of defusion and reappraisal. Eighty‐eight participants first underwent basic laboratory procedures designed to establish symbolically generalized avoidance in response to an arbitrary stimulus (a nonsense word). Participants were then randomized to defusion, reappraisal, or control conditions. The response variables were (a) equivalence responding—indicative of the trained relational network and analogous to the cognitive content responsible for symbolic generalization—and (b) avoidance—the behavioral impact of symbolic generalization. A between‐groups analysis revealed that defusion and reappraisal significantly increased the odds of nonavoidance responding. Discrete‐time survival mediation analyses provided preliminary support for the classification of defusion as a functional context intervention and reappraisal as a relational context intervention.
Effects of negative incentive shifts in food reward on rats' consumption of concurrent ethanol solutions
Authors: Sawyer Leslie E. , Galuska Chad M. , Cutright Ellie J. , Hopper Kayce M.
Published: November 2019

Frustration stress, typically operationalized as the unexpected loss of reinforcement, has been shown to engender substance use. Abrupt reductions in reinforcer magnitude likely also function as frustration stressors. These negative incentive shifts were previously shown to produce tap‐ and sweetened‐water drinking in rats. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether these shifts in food reward would occasion oral ethanol self‐administration. Nine male Long‐Evans rats operated on a two‐component multiple fixed‐ratio schedule with signaled components producing either a large (4 pellets) or small (1pellet) reinforcer. Components were pseudorandomly arranged to present 4 transitions between past and upcoming reinforcer magnitudes: small‐to‐large, small‐to‐small, large‐to‐large, and large‐to‐small (negative incentive shift). Experiment 1 investigated the effects of negative incentive shifts on consumption of concurrent, freely available 10% sucrose, 10% sucrose plus 10% ethanol, and following sucrose fading, 10% ethanol. Experiment 2 entailed continuation of schedule contingencies with a dose manipulation of 4 ethanol concentrations (0, 5, 10, and 20%) to assess dose‐dependent differences in transition‐type control and consumption. A lever‐press extinction condition was then conducted with 10% ethanol availability. In this novel model of frustration stress, negative incentive shifts prompted ethanol self‐administration at each dose investigated, whereas the other transitions did not.
The concept of the hologenome, an epigenetic phenomenon, challenges aspects of the modern evolutionary synthesis
Authors: Collens Adena , Kelley Emma , Katz Laura A.
Published: November 2019

John Tyler Bonner's call to re‐evaluate evolutionary theory in light of major transitions in life on Earth (e.g., from the first origins of microbial life to the evolution of sex, and the origins of multicellularity) resonate with recent discoveries on epigenetics and the concept of the hologenome. Current studies of genome evolution often mistakenly focus only on the inheritance of DNA between parent and offspring. These are in line with the widely accepted Neo‐Darwinian framework that pairs Mendelian genetics with an emphasis on natural selection as explanations for the evolution of biodiversity on Earth. Increasing evidence for widespread symbioses complicates this narrative, as is seen in Scott Gilbert's discussion of the concept of the holobiont in this series: Organisms across the tree of life coexist with substantial influence on one another through endosymbiosis, symbioses, and host‐associated microbiomes. The holobiont theory, coupled with observations from molecular studies, also requires us to understand genomes in a new way—by considering the interactions underlain by the genome of a host plus its associated microbes, a conglomerate entity referred to as the hologenome. We argue that the complex patterns of inheritance of these genomes coupled with the influence of symbionts on host gene expression make the concept of the hologenome an epigenetic phenomenon. We further argue that the aspects of the hologenome challenge of the modern evolutionary synthesis, which requires updating to remain consistent with Darwin's intent of providing natural laws that underlie the evolution of life on Earth.
Mechanistic convergence and shared therapeutic targets in Niemann‐Pick disease
Authors: Colaco Alexandria , Kaya Ecem , Adriaenssens Elias , Davis Lianne C. , Zampieri Stefania , Fernández‐Suárez María E. , Tan Chong Y. , Deegan Patrick B. , Porter Forbes D. , Galione Antony , Bembi Bruno , Dardis Andrea , Platt Frances M.
Published: November 2019

Niemann‐Pick disease type C (NPC) and Tangier disease are genetically and clinically distinct rare inborn errors of metabolism. NPC is caused by defects in eitherNPC1orNPC2; whereas Tangier disease is caused by a defect inABCA1. Tangier disease is currently without therapy, whereas NPC can be treated with miglustat, a small molecule inhibitor of glycosphingolipid biosynthesis that slows the neurological course of the disease. When a Tangier disease patient was misdiagnosed with NPC and treated with miglustat, her symptoms improved. This prompted us to consider whether there is mechanistic convergence between these two apparently unrelated rare inherited metabolic diseases. In this study, we found that whenABCA1is defective (Tangier disease) there is secondary inhibition of the NPC disease pathway, linking these two diseases at the level of cellular pathophysiology. In addition, this study further supports the hypothesis that miglustat, as well as other substrate reduction therapies, may be potential therapeutic agents for treating Tangier disease as fibroblasts from multiple Tangier patients were corrected by miglustat treatment.
Interindividual Covariations of Brain Functional and Structural Connectivities Are Decomposed Blindly to Subnetworks: A Fusion‐Based Approach
Authors: Keyvanfard Farzaneh , Nasiraei‐Moghaddam Abbas , Hagmann Patric
Published: November 2019

Background

Studying brain interindividual variations has recently gained interest to understand different human behaviors. It is particularly important to investigate how a variety of functional differences can be associated with a few differences in brain structure. It would be more meaningful if such an investigation is performed jointly at the network level to connect structural building blocks to functional variations modules.

Purpose

To decompose the interindividual variations of brain in the form of mutual functional and structural subnetworks based on a data‐driven approach.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Population

In all, 92 healthy subjects.

Field Strength/Sequence

3T Siemens/MPRAGE, diffusion spectrum imaging (DSI) acquisition protocol, gradient echo sequence.

Assessment

The proposed approach was quantitatively assessed by examining the consistency of the networks against the number of subjects. Distribution of the obtained components across brain regions was studied and their relevance was qualitatively evaluated by comparison to variations that had been independently reported previously.

Statistical Tests

Permutation test, two‐sample t‐test, Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

Ten pairs of components including functional and structural subnetworks were obtained. Assessing the reproducibility of the proposed method with respect to the sample size indicated reliable detection of connections (above 70%) for all components by reducing the number of subjects to 70. Specifically, one of the functional subnetworks can be used to distinguish left‐handed from right‐handed people (P = 2.6 × 10‐8) as the basic interindividual variation. This functional subnetwork has a main overlap (40.18%) with the somatomotor system and the Broca part was captured in its corresponding structural subnetwork.

Data Conclusion

These results show that the proposed method can reveal intersubject variations systematically through a mathematical algorithm of joint independent component analysis. They confirm that intersubject variations can be expressed in the form of building blocks. In contrast to the functional subnetworks that were discoverable independently, their structural counterparts were found and interpreted only in conjunction with the functional subnetworks.

Level of Evidence: 3

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1779–1788.
Artificial Intelligence in medical imaging practice: looking to the future
Authors: Lewis Sarah J , Gandomkar Ziba , Brennan Patrick C
Published: November 2019

Artificial intelligence (AI) is heralded as the most disruptive technology to health services in the 21st century. Many commentary articles published in the general public and health domains recognise that medical imaging is at the forefront of these changes due to our large digital data footprint. Radiomics is transforming medical images into mineable high‐dimensional data to optimise clinical decision‐making; however, some would argue that AI could infiltrate workplaces with very few ethical checks and balances. In this commentary article, we describe how AI is beginning to change medical imaging services and the innovations that are on the horizon. We explore how AI and its various forms, including machine learning, will challenge the way medical imaging is delivered from workflow, image acquisition, image registration to interpretation. Diagnostic radiographers will need to learn to work alongside our ‘virtual colleagues’, and we argue that there are vital changes to entry and advanced curricula together with national professional capabilities to ensure machine‐learning tools are used in the safest and most effective manner for our patients.
Low‐Trauma Fracture Increases 12‐Month Incidence of Cardiovascular Disease for Adults With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Whitney Daniel G. , Whitney Rachael T. , Prisby Rhonda D. , Jepsen Karl J.
Published: November 2019

Individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) have poor skeletal and cardiovascular health. However, no studies have examined if skeletal fragility enhances cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk for this population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether adults with CP have higher 12‐month CVD incidence following a low‐trauma fracture compared with adults without CP. Data, from the Optum Clinformatics® Data Mart, were extracted from adults (18+ years) that sustained a low‐trauma fracture between 01/01/2012 and 12/31/2016. The primary outcome measure was incident CVD within 12 months following a low‐trauma fracture. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to compare 12‐month incident CVD with adjustment for sociodemographics and chronic disease comorbidities. Mean age (SD) at baseline was 54.7 (18.9) for adults with CP (n = 1,025, 43.3% men) and 60.4 (19.7) for adults without CP (n = 460,504, 33.7% men). During the follow‐up, 121 adults with CP (11.8%, mean age [SD] = 63.9 [16.3]) and 45,330 adults without CP (9.8%, mean age [SD] = 74.5 [11.9]) developed CVD. In the fully adjusted model, adults with CP had higher 12‐month post‐fracture CVD incidence (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37–1.95). When the outcome was stratified by CVD subtype, adults with CP had higher 12‐month post‐fracture incidence of ischemic heart disease (HR = 1.45; 95% CI = 1.09–1.92), heart failure (HR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.22–2.31), and cerebrovascular disease (HR = 1.96; 95% CI = 1.54–2.50). Study findings suggest that among adults with CP, low‐trauma fracture may enhance 12‐month CVD incidence compared with adults without CP. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:803‐810, 2020
Vegetation history after the late period of the Last Glacial Age based on phytolith records in Nangodani Valley basin, southern part of the Aso caldera, Japan
Authors: Miyabuchi Yasuo , Sugiyama Shinji
Published: November 2019

Vegetation history after the late period of the Last Glacial Age has been reconstructed using phytolith records obtained from three tephra sections in the Nangodani Valley basin, southern part of the Aso caldera, south‐west Japan. The topography of the Nangodani Valley basin is divided into three types: somma (caldera rim and wall), caldera floor (central valley) and post‐caldera central cone slope. The vegetation transitions after the late period of the Last Glacial Age in the basin vary between these topographic types. The differences can be explained based on human activities in the valley basin. Grassland dominated by Sasa and Pleioblastus dwarf bamboos (before 8 ka) and Miscanthus and other Andropogoneae pampas grasses (after 8 ka) occurred in the central valley and on the post‐caldera central cone slope, which were strongly affected by human activities including a long period of burning. In contrast, forest with an understory of Bambusoideae plants was preserved on the caldera rim and wall, which was inaccessible because of its steep topography, during the Holocene.
The radiation dose‐response of non‐retroperitoneal soft tissue sarcoma with positive margins: An NCDB analysis
Authors: Wells Stacey , Ager Bryan , Hitchcock Ying J. , Poppe Matthew M.
Published: November 2019

Objectives

Positive margins can increase the risk of local recurrence of soft tissue sarcomas (STS). Utilizing a national registry, we investigated patterns of care and overall survival (OS) of patients with margin‐positive non‐retroperitoneal STS who received preoperative radiation therapy, adjuvant radiation therapy, or both.

Methods

Adult patients with non‐retroperitoneal STS who underwent resection and RT from 2004 to 2015 were included. Kaplan–Meier, log‐rank analysis, and Cox regression analysis were performed.

Results

We identified 5726 patients. Most had a tumor size >5 cm (60%), grade 3 disease (67%), and microscopically positive margins (57%). Compared to ≤50.4 Gy, a dose of 66 to 69.99 Gy was associated with decreased risk of death on multivariate analysis (HR 0.69, 95%; CI, 0.50‐0.94). Receipt of a boost was associated with decreased risk of death on univariate analysis (HR 0.54, 95%; CI, 0.29‐0.99). In patients with grade 2 to 3 tumors without the gross disease, there was an OS benefit associated with a boost on multivariate analysis (HR 0.39, 95%; CI, 0.16‐0.97).

Conclusion

This analysis appears to show an OS benefit of dose escalation to 66 to 69 Gy for margin‐positive non‐retroperitoneal STS. A Postoperative boost is associated with higher OS in grade 2 to 3 STS without the gross disease.
Visitors' spiritual values and relevant influencing factors in religious tourism destinations
Authors: Huang Keji , Pearce Philip , Guo Qiang , Shen Shiwei
Published: November 2019

This study has conducted two rounds of interviews at the Four Great Buddhist Mountains (FGBMs) in China mainland to explore spiritual values and relevant influencing factors of religious visitors. The results analysis has categorized seven themes of spiritual values. It reflected that visitors were trying to seek a balanced life status through maintaining good relationships with their inner selves, other people, and all forms of life. The identified spiritual values were simultaneously influenced by visitors' religious belief, cultural values, and environmental elements. The findings contribute to the existing knowledge about values and provide implications for developing religious tourism sustainably.
Management of a Laryngeal Venous Malformation With Nd:YAG Laser and Bleomycin Sclerotherapy
Authors: Manna Sayan , Meyer Annika , Shigematsu Tomoyoshi , Berenstein Alejandro , Courey Mark
Published: November 2019

Literature describing neodymium:yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Nd:YAG) photocoagulation and sclerotherapy for laryngeal venous malformations (VMs) is sparse. Here we present a case in which an extensive laryngeal VM in a 28‐year‐old female was managed through a combination of four serial Nd:YAG laser photocoagulation sessions and four bleomycin injections over the course of 2 years. The treatment plan resulted in resulted in noticeable lesion ablation, mucosalization, and significant improvement in symptoms. To our knowledge, this case is the first instance of bleomycin injection specifically into a laryngeal VM reported in the English medical literature. Laryngoscope, 130:2199–2201, 2020
Changes in topsoil organic carbon from 1986 to 2010 in a mountainous plateau region in Southwest China
Authors: Chen Dianyu , Xue Mengyu , Duan Xingwu , Feng Detai , Huang Yong , Rong Li
Published: November 2019

The carbon cycle and underlying environmental drivers are not yet fully understood, and whether climate warming is inducing soil carbon loss remains controversial, largely due to limited evidence from large‐scale observations. With relatively less human disturbance, Yunnan Province, a typical mountainous plateau region in Southwest China, is a favorable place to evaluate environmental effects on soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. In this study, soil sampling of the upper 20‐cm soil layer was conducted at sites across Yunnan Province in 1986 and 2010 to estimate topsoil SOC density (SOCD). The changes in SOCD and environmental factors, including initial SOCD value, temperature, precipitation, longitude, latitude, elevation, and slope gradient, were analyzed. The results indicated that the topsoil of Yunnan Province mainly acted as a carbon source during the study period. The topsoil SOCD in 1986 averaged 5.82 kg C m−2 and was higher than that of 2010 (5.45 kg C m−2), corresponding to a 0.14 Pg loss in SOC stock over the 25 years. The northwestern subregion experienced the most drastic SOCD changes, and the SOCD decreased most notably in areas with higher initial SOCD values. Compared with cropland and grassland, more significant SOCD reductions were observed in forest. Among the studied environmental factors, initial SOCD was the main factor associated with SOCD variations. The next most important factor was temperature, followed by precipitation. With high elevation and initial SOCD, the northwestern subregion of Yunnan Province had the most sensitive SOCD changes, underscoring the need for further protection and appropriate management.
Evaluation of the Safety and Efficacy of a Picosecond Alexandrite Laser With DLA for Acne Scars in Chinese Patients
Authors: Zhang Mengli , Fang Jing , Wu Qiuju , Lin Tong
Published: November 2019

Background and Objectives

Recently, picosecond laser treatment has been used as an effective treatment for acne scars. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array in the treatment of acne scars in Chinese patients.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

Patients with facial acne scars were treated with a picosecond alexandrite laser in three sessions at 4‐ to 6‐week intervals and followed up for 2 months. Primary outcomes were measured by physicians’ blinded evaluation of the acne scar using the ECCA (échelle d’éva physicians'luation clinique des cicatrices d'acné) grading scale. The secondary outcomes included the investigator global assessment (IGA) on the improvement of post‐inflammatory erythema (PIE), patients’ assessment of improvement on a 4‐point scale and of satisfaction on a 5‐point scale. Pain scores and adverse effects were also evaluated.

Result

Twenty patients with Fitzpatrick skin types III and IV were enrolled in the study and completed all treatment and follow‐up visits. The mean ECCA scores fell from 197.75 ± 35.26 to 142.00 ± 35.92 (a 28% improvement), and the change was significant (P = 0.000). The mean IGA score of PIE improvement was 3.03 ± 0.75 (0 = no improvement and 4 = 76–100% improvement). On the basis of the patients’ self‐assessment, the average improvement scores were 2.30 ± 0.98 (0 indicating 0–25% improvement and 3 indicating >75% improvement). In total, 50% and 30% of the patients were “satisfied” and “very satisfied,” respectively, with the treatment. The mean pain score was 3.20 ± 0.50 (0 = no pain, 10 = maximum pain) with topical anesthesia. The adverse effects included transient and mild erythema, edema, and scabbing.

Conclusions

Treatment with a picosecond alexandrite laser with a diffractive lens array is effective and safe for acne scars in Chinese patients. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
pH‐Driven Morphological Diversity in Poly[n‐Butyl Acrylate‐block‐(2‐(Dimethylamino)Ethyl Acrylate)] Amphiphilic Copolymer Solutions
Authors: Chroni Angeliki , Pispas Stergios , Forys Aleksander , Trzebicka Barbara
Published: November 2019

Amphiphilic poly[n‐butyl acrylate‐block‐(2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate)] (PnBA‐b‐PDMAEA) block copolymers are synthesized by the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer polymerization process. The pH‐responsive self‐assembly behavior in aqueous media is studied by dynamic, static, and electrophoretic light scattering and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo‐TEM) at different pHs. In particular, the PnBA40‐b‐PDMAEA60 copolymer (where subscripts denote %wt composition of the components) shows remarkable morphological transitions in aqueous solutions of varying pH values forming, among others, an unusual and novel hierarchical vesicular morphology, as indicated by Cryo‐TEM results. The observed transitions are attributed to synergistic effects involving alterations of the protonation degree of the PDMAEA block, in conjunction with the specific composition of the copolymer and the softness of PnBA blocks, with cumulative drive changes in the packing parameter of the copolymer system and result in the formation of various unexpected morphologies by simple pH changes.
Heat shock protein beta 3 (HSPB3) is an unfavorable molecular biomarker in colorectal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Kalioraki Maria‐Anna , Artemaki Pinelopi I. , Sklirou Aimilia D. , Kontos Christos K. , Adamopoulos Panagiotis G. , Papadopoulos Iordanis N. , Trougakos Ioannis P. , Scorilas Andreas
Published: November 2019

Small heat shock proteins (sHSPs) participate in numerous cellular functions including cell signaling, differentiation, and apoptosis. Deregulation of the physiological expression level of sHSPs has been associated with several malignancies. Heat shock protein beta 3 (HSPB3) is the third member of the sHSP family in human and is mainly expressed in skeletal and smooth muscles. In this study, we investigated the potential prognostic significance of HSPB3 expression in colorectal adenocarcinoma, the most frequent type of colorectal cancer. For this purpose, we isolated total RNA from 188 colorectal adenocarcinoma specimens and 68 paired noncancerous ones. After reverse transcription of 2 μg total RNA, we quantified HSPB3 levels by using an in‐house–developed real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction method, based on the SYBR Green chemistry. Comparison of HSPB3 levels among 68 pairs of colorectal tumors and their adjacent noncancerous mucosae uncovered the downregulation of HSPB3 expression in the majority of malignant colorectal tumors. More importantly, high HSPB3 expression is associated with poor relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that HSPB3 overexpression could serve as an adverse prognostic biomarker in colorectal adenocarcinoma, independent of tumor location, histological grade, and TNM stage. Patients’ stratification according to tumor location, histological grade, and TNM stage revealed that high HSPB3 messenger RNA expression retains its unfavorable prognostic potential regarding OS, in particular groups of patients with substantially different prognosis. In conclusion, high HSPB3 expression is associated with poor RFS and OS of patients with colorectal adenocarcioma, independently of clinicopathological prognosticators.
Related‐party transactions and corporate performance following the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards in Taiwan
Authors: Wang Wei‐Kang , Lu Wen‐Min , Kweh Qian Long , Siao Wun‐Ya
Published: November 2019

We explore the association between related‐party transactions and the efficiency of Taiwanese electronics companies following the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for the period 2010–2018. Tests of differences in mean showed that the efficiency and related‐party transactions of the sample companies were significantly lower in the post‐IFRS era. Regression results indicated that related‐party transactions have significantly positive effects on efficiency; however, this positive association turned out to be smaller following the adoption of IFRS in Taiwan. Overall, this study suggests that changing accounting policy and rules can significantly affect related‐party transactions in companies, and ultimately corporate performance.
Groundbreaking Medicaid demo project to expand D.C.'s BH treatment access
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: November 2019

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has designated the District of Columbia to be the first recipient of a “first‐of‐its‐kind” Medicaid demonstration project to expand treatment services to individuals diagnosed with serious mental illness (SMI) and/or serious emotional disturbance (SED). Additionally, the district can now receive Medicaid reimbursement for care provided in settings that qualify as institutions for mental disease (IMD).
Generic and specific facets of vulnerability for analysing trade‐offs and synergies in natural resource management
Authors: Thiault Lauric , Gelcich Stefan , Cinner Joshua E. , Tapia‐Lewin Sebastian , Chlous Frédérique , Claudet Joachim
Published: November 2019

The concept of vulnerability as the combination of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity to a stressor is gaining traction outside of the climate realm, opening new avenues to address contemporary sustainability issues more holistically. Yet, critical notions that underpin vulnerability have yet to be integrated into its application to natural resource management and non‐climatic stressors. In particular, the way generic and stressor‐specific facets of vulnerability interact and can inform decision‐makers about how interventions combine and/or trade‐off remains unexplored.

Here, we investigate the salience of the generic/specific framing in the context of Chilean artisanal fishing communities engaged in rights‐based co‐management and experiencing pressures from two stressors: poaching and market volatility. Specifically, we draw on market data combined with socio‐economic surveys conducted with 446 members and leaders from 42 fisher unions to quantitatively investigate potential trade‐offs and synergies between facets of vulnerability to poaching and markets.

Generic adaptive capacity (i.e. flexibility, assets, learning, organization and agency) likely facilitated stressor‐specific adaptive capacities to both stressors. High levels of specific adaptive capacity to one stressor neither increased exposure nor undermined specific adaptive capacity to the other stressor. However, adaptive capacity did not translate into exposure reduction as expected, suggesting that adaptation barriers may prevent fishers from mobilizing adaptive capacity into effective adaptive action.

This study illustrates how breaking down vulnerability into generic and specific facets can help us better anticipate important trade‐offs and synergies in management interventions. More generally, it highlights the potential of the climate adaptation and vulnerability literatures in informing place‐based management of natural resources.

A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.
Simultaneously improving the thermal conductive and flame retardant performance for epoxy resins thermosets by constructing core‐shell‐brush structure and distributing of MWCNTs in brush intervals
Authors: Leng Yang , Xu Miaojun , Sun Yue , Li Bin
Published: November 2019

Fire safety and thermal dissipation performance of epoxy resins thermosets were critical for its application in key fields such as electronic devices. The simultaneous improvement of flame retardant and thermal conductivity properties were still a challenge. Herein, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was firstly encapsulated with 5‐wt% epoxy resins based on APP and then surface grafted with polyurethane polymer chain, and the resulting APP with core‐shell‐brush structure was constructed. Finally, the multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was assembled in the intervals of polymer brush on APP surface, and the prepared filler was defined as MF‐APP. Its chemical structure and morphologies were characterized and confirmed. The wettability of MF‐APP was evaluated by water contact angles tests (WCA) and MF‐APP exhibited hydrophobic property with the WCA of 138°. When 9‐wt% MF‐APP was incorporated into EP thermosets, the thermal conductive value of EP/MF‐APP achieved 1.02 Wm−1 K−1, and the MWCNTs concentration was only 1.8 wt% in thermosets. Compared with the previous work, the prepared EP/MF‐APP thermosets exhibited outstanding thermal conductive efficiency because of the homogeneously distribution of MWCNTs. Moreover, the samples fulfilled UL‐94 V‐0 grade during vertical burning tests with the limiting oxygen index of 30.8%. As a result, the thermal conductivity and flame retardancy of EP thermosets were simultaneously enhanced with a relatively low addition amount of MF‐APP, which would bring more chance for wider application of EP thermosets in key fields.
Microfluidic Cell Trap Arrays for Single Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cell Behavior Analysis
Authors: Han Xin , Ma Yuan , Zhang Kai , Zhang Pengchao , Shao Ning , Qin Lidong
Published: November 2019

Hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization from the bone marrow to the bloodstream is a required step for blood cell renewal, and HSPC motility is a clinically relevant standard for peripheral blood stem cell transplantation. Individual HSPCs exhibit considerable heterogeneity in motility behaviors, which are subject to complex intrinsic and extrinsic regulatory mechanisms. Motility‐based cell sorting is then demanded to fulfill the study of such mechanism complexity. However, due to the HSPC heterogeneity and difficulty in monitoring cell motility, such a platform is still not available. With the recent development of microfluidics technology, motility‐based monitoring, sorting, collecting, and analysis of HSPC behaviors are highly possible and achievable if fluid channels and structures are correctly engineered. Here, a new design of microfluidic arrays for single‐cell trapping is presented, enabling high‐throughput analysis of individual HSPC motility and behavior. Using these arrays, it is observed that HSPC motility is positively correlated with CD34 asymmetric inheritance and cell differentiation. Transcriptomic analysis of HSPCs sorted according to motility reveals changes in expression of genes associated with the regulation of stem‐cell maintenance. Ultimately, this novel, physical cell‐sorting system can facilitate the screening of HSPC mobilization compounds and the analysis of signals driving HSPC fate decisions.
A density functional theory perspective on 2,2,9,9‐tetrahalostannacyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidenes
Authors: Koohi Maryam , Bastami Hajieh
Published: November 2019

Compared with cyclonona‐3,5,7‐trienylidene (1H), which turns out as a boat‐shaped singlet transition state for having a negative force constant, its heavier stanylenic analogues (2X), where X = H, F, Cl, Br, and I, emerge as boat‐shaped minima. This unsubstituted carbene has triplet ground state while exclusive of 2I, which initially take on a triplet multiplicity and eventually transforms to a less stable intramolecular ring opening product; other stanylenes (2H, 2F, 2Cl, and 2Br) have singlet ground state. Hence, stability anticipated by the singlet‐triplet splitting (ΔES‐T) decreases by going down in group 17 column: 2Br > 2Cl > 2F > 2H > 2I > 1H. Also, the HOMO‐LUMO energy separation (ΔEHOMO‐LUMO) increases as a result of substituting. The main stabilizing effect appears to be π– and σ–bond hyperconjugation among the iodine hetero atom and divalent center of triplet 2I. From a thermodynamic perspective, our scrutinized 2Br, 2Cl, and 2F are found 1.5 to 2 times more stable than that of the reported cyclopenta‐2,4‐dienstanylene and 2,5‐bis (halobora)‐cyclopentenstanylene analogues. From a kinetic perspective, these nine‐membered stanylenes are found 10 to 18 kcal/mol more stable than that of their corresponding five‐membered congeners. The NBO analysis on stable singlet 2Br‐S shows that there is a three‐type interaction including the first interaction between its bromine's lone pairs and tin's 5pπ orbital (mesomeric effect), second interaction between its bonding orbital (σCα‐Br) and tin's 5pπ orbital (positive hyperconjugation), and third interaction between its σ2Sn occupied orbital and antibonding orbitals of σ*Cα‐Br (negative hyperconjugation).
Enhancing palliative care patient access to psychological counseling through outreach telehealth services
Authors: Guzman Diana , Ann‐Yi Sujin , Bruera Eduardo , Wu Jimin , Williams Janet L. , Najera John , Raznahan Monica , Carmack Cindy L.
Published: November 2019

Context: Palliative care encompasses an interdisciplinary team, including mental health care professionals, to address psychological distress of cancer patients.

Objectives: To present the implementation of an outreach counseling program via videoconferencing or telephone to patients receiving care in an outpatient palliative care clinic and to compare patients using this service to those who only received psychological counseling in our outpatient clinic.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of cancer patients seen for psychology counseling services in an outpatient supportive care center between June 2015 and March 2017.

Results: We reviewed 2072 unique patients (52% of the total patients seen at the outpatient Supportive Care Center), who had 4567 total counseling encounters across outreach and outpatient settings. A total of 452 (22%) patients participated in a combination of outpatient and outreach counseling services. Patients who participated in outreach services had significantly more encounters (311 [69%] had two to five sessions) compared with those who had outpatient services only (1137 [70%] had one session only) (P < .001). Outreach patients also had shorter times between the initial and follow‐up encounters (median 14 days) compared with those who had outpatient services only (median 30 days) (P < .0001).

Conclusions: Outreach telehealth counseling services was found to enhance palliative care patient access to psychological counseling. These services represent an additional modality for providing continuous psychological care.
Characterization of plasma in aqueous solution using bipolar pulsed power: Tailoring plasma and optical emission with implication for detecting lead
Authors: Wang Ching‐Yu , Hsu Cheng‐Che
Published: November 2019

This study presents the characterization of plasmas in solution using bipolar pulsed power sources. We aim to understand how the modulation of voltage pulses influences the plasma characteristics and the optical emission of plasmas. We use several repetitive pulse modes with different voltage waveforms, pulse widths, and frequencies to tailor the plasma. Electrical and optical diagnostics are performed. Optical emission spectroscopy is used to detect metallic ions. Applying a low‐voltage prepulse before the high‐voltage pulse, Pb emission intensity increases by 10 times. Changing the prepulse greatly alters the gas generated on the surface of discharge electrode and the plasma behavior. This finding provides a novel route for efficiently controlling the plasma behavior for environmental monitoring applications using bipolar pulses.
Psychiatric comorbidity in children with psychogenic and functional breathing disorders
Authors: Orengul Abdurrahman C. , Ertaş Erdem , Ustabas Kahraman Feyza , Yazan Hakan , Çakır Erkan , Nursoy Mustafa A.
Published: November 2019

Background

The present study aims to assess psychiatric diagnoses in children with psychogenic and functional breathing disorders (PFBD), which consist of children with psychogenic cough, throat‐clearing tics, and sighing dyspnea, and compare them to a control group without any diagnosis of chronic medical problems.

Methods

The participants consist of 52 children with PFBD and 42 children without any chronic medical problems. Psychiatric diagnoses were assessed via semistructured psychiatric interviews in both groups.

Results

The two groups did not differ on age (PFBD group 11.25 ± 2.61, control group 11.17 ± 2.58; t = 0.14, P = .88) or sex (48.1% of the PFBD group were female, 61.9% of the control group were female; χ2 = 1.79, P = .18). 55.8% of the PFBD group and 28.6% of the control group had at least one psychiatric diagnosis according to the semistructured interviews (χ2 = 6.99, P = .008). The most common psychiatric diagnoses in the PFBD group were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD; 17.3%), tic disorders, (15.4%), and specific phobia (15.4%). 11.5% of the cases in the PFBD group were diagnosed with somatic symptom disorder and more than half of the patients (n = 27 (51.9%)) showed clinical characteristics of tic disorders.

Conclusion

Psychiatric diagnoses are common in children with PFBD, and teamwork involving child psychiatrists may be essential for the management of children with PFBD.
Neonatal lung ultrasonography score after surfactant in preterm infants: A prospective observational study
Authors: Perri Alessandro , Tana Milena , Riccardi Riccardo , Iannotta Rossella , Giordano Lucia , Rubortone Serena Antonia , Priolo Francesca , Di Molfetta Domenico V. , Zecca Enrico , Vento Giovanni
Published: November 2019

Objective

To assess changes in neonatal lung ultrasonography score (nLUS) after surfactant administration in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS).

Working Hypothesis

The reduction of nLUS score before (nLUSpre), 2 hours (nLUS2h), and 12 hours (nLUS12h) after surfactant administration to identify patients who will not need a second treatment.

Study Design and Setting

Prospective observational study in the tertiary neonatal intensive care unit.

Patients Selection

Forty‐six preterm neonates with RDS of 32 weeks median gestational age (IQR 30‐33) and mean birth weight of 1650 ± 715 g.

Methodology

Lung ultrasonography was performed before, 2 hours, and 12 hours after surfactant administration in preterm infants with RDS needing surfactant treatment. Resulting nLUS was analyzed.

Results

The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test demonstrated an nLUS lowering after 2 hours (P < .001) and 12 hours (P < .001) from surfactant administration. Sixteen newborns required surfactant retreatment with median gestational age of 32 weeks (IQR 29‐33) and mean birth weight of 1519 ± 506 g.The receiver operating characteristic analysis for the nLUS2h yielded an area under the curve of 0.80 (95% confidence interval, 0.76‐0.85; P < .001). A nLUS2h ≥7 showed a sensitivity of 94% and a specificity of 60% for needing a second treatment with surfactant.

Conclusions

In preterm infants with RDS requiring surfactant treatment, nLUS evaluated 2 hours after surfactant administration can be used to identify patients who will not need a second treatment.
Shortcuts for faster image creation in PyMOL
Authors: Mooers Blaine H. M.
Published: November 2019

PyMOL is often used to generate images of biomolecular structures. Hundreds of parameters in PyMOL provide precise control over the appearance of structures. We developed 241 Python functions—called “shortcuts”—that extend and ease the use of PyMOL. A user runs a shortcut by entering its name at the PyMOL prompt. We clustered the shortcuts by functionality into 25 groups for faster look‐up. One set of shortcuts generates new styles of molecular representation. Another group saves files with time stamps in the file names; the unique filenames avoid overwriting files that have already been developed. A third group submits search terms in the user's web browser. The help function prints the function's documentation to the command history window. This documentation includes the PyMOL commands that the user can reuse by copying and pasting onto the command line or into a script file. The shortcuts should save the average PyMOL user many hours per year searching for code fragments in their computer or on‐line.

Statement for Lay Public

Computer‐generated images of protein structures are vital to the interpretation of and communication about the molecular structure of proteins. PyMOL is a popular computer program for generating such images. We made a large collection of macros or shortcuts that save time by executing complex operations with a few keystrokes.