bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blockade of microglial adenosine A2A receptor suppresses elevated pressure‐induced inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell death in retinal cells
Authors: Aires Inês Dinis , Boia Raquel , Rodrigues‐Neves Ana Catarina , Madeira Maria Helena , Marques Carla , Ambrósio António Francisco , Santiago Ana Raquel
Published: January 2019

Glaucoma is a retinal degenerative disease characterized by the loss of retinal ganglion cells and damage of the optic nerve. Recently, we demonstrated that antagonists of adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) control retinal inflammation and afford protection to rat retinal cells in glaucoma models. However, the precise contribution of microglia to retinal injury was not addressed, as well as the effect of A2AR blockade directly in microglia. Here we show that blocking microglial A2AR prevents microglial cell response to elevated pressure and it is sufficient to protect retinal cells from elevated pressure‐induced death. The A2AR antagonist SCH 58261 or the knockdown of A2AR expression with siRNA in microglial cells prevented the increase in microglia response to elevated hydrostatic pressure. Furthermore, in retinal neural cell cultures, the A2AR antagonist decreased microglia proliferation, as well as the expression and release of pro‐inflammatory mediators. Microglia ablation prevented neural cell death triggered by elevated pressure. The A2AR blockade recapitulated the effects of microglia depletion, suggesting that blocking A2AR in microglia is able to control neurodegeneration in glaucoma‐like conditions. Importantly, in human organotypic retinal cultures, A2AR blockade prevented the increase in reactive oxygen species and the morphological alterations in microglia triggered by elevated pressure. These findings place microglia as the main contributors for retinal cell death during elevated pressure and identify microglial A2AR as a therapeutic target to control retinal neuroinflammation and prevent neural apoptosis elicited by elevated pressure.
Temporal trends in treatment‐related incidence of diseases of the circulatory system among Hodgkin lymphoma patients
Authors: Weibull Caroline E. , Björkholm Magnus , Glimelius Ingrid , Lambert Paul C. , Andersson Therese M. L. , Smedby Karin E. , Dickman Paul W. , Eloranta Sandra
Published: January 2019

While Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survival has improved, treatment‐related complications remain a concern. As a measure of treatment‐related diseases of the circulatory system (DCS) we report excess incidence of DCS and absolute risks among HL patients diagnosed in the modern treatment era. From the Swedish Cancer Register, we identified all HL patients diagnosed 1985 through 2013, at ages 18–80 years. Excess incidence rate ratios (EIRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) comparing excess DCS incidence between calendar periods were estimated overall, and at 5 and 10 years after diagnosis using flexible parametric models. Model‐based predictions were used to obtain probabilities of being diagnosed with DCS, in the presence of competing risks. During follow‐up, 726 (16%) of the 4,479 HL patients experienced DCS. Overall, the excess DCS incidence was lower during all calendar periods compared to the first (2009–2013 vs. 1985–1988: EIRR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42–0.95). The 5‐ and 10‐year excess incidence of DCS decreased between 1985 and 1994 for 25‐year‐olds (5‐year‐EIRR1994 = 0.32, 95% CI: 0.12–0.92) and 60‐year‐olds (5‐year‐EIRR1994 = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24–0.88), but remained stable thereafter. No improvements were observed among 75‐year‐olds. The probability of excess DCS remained the same throughout the study period. In 2009, the percentage of patients aged 25, 60 and 75 experiencing excess DCS within 5 years was 3.4, 15.0 and 17.0% (males) and 2.3, 10.8 and 12.6% (females). Treatment‐related incidence of DCS has declined since the mid‐1980s, but more recent improvements are absent and an excess risk remains. Continued efforts towards less toxic treatments are warranted, alongside primary prevention strategies.
Antitumor efficacy of PARP inhibitors in homologous recombination deficient carcinomas
Authors: Yi Tianjin , Feng Yi , Sundaram Ravi , Tie Yan , Zheng Heng , Qian Yanping , You Di , Yi Tao , Wang Ping , Zhao Xia
Published: January 2019

PARP inhibitors (PARPis) have remarkable antitumor activity in BRCA mutant ovarian carcinoma. Emerging evidence has shown that responses to PARPis are not limited to BRCA mutant tumors, but could expand to other homologous recombination deficiency (HRD) carcinomas. However, relatively little is known about the efficacy of PARPis in patients with HRD when compared to non‐HRD carriers. In this systematic review, 13 clinical trials were included and analyzed for the treatment effect of PARPis on progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for HRD (BRCA mutant HRD, n = 697; BRCA wild‐type HRD, n = 478) vs. non‐HRD (n = 1,417) patients. Pooled analyses of the effect of PARPis in both ovarian and nonovarian carcinoma groups showed significantly higher PFS rates at 6 months and 12 months (PFS6 and PFS12) in the HRD subgroup, as compared to the non‐HRD subgroup. Within the HRD subgroup, the BRCA‐mutant population achieved significantly higher PFS6 (OR: 2.29, 95% CI: 1.03–5.08) and PFS12 (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.26–3.01) when compared to BRCA wild‐type patients. Furthermore, within BRCA wild‐type carcinomas, mutations in other HRD‐related genes also led to increased PFS6 (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.27–2.43) and PFS12 (OR: 1.85, 95% CI: 1.31–2.62), as compared to non‐HRD counterparts. Therefore, patients with HRD carcinomas exhibited pronounced PFS advantages upon treatment with PARPis, as compared to non‐HRD carcinomas. In addition to BRCA mutations, other non‐BRCA HRD‐related aberrations may serve as novel biomarkers for the prediction of PARPi efficacy.
Inhibitor of growth 4 affects hypoxia‐induced migration and angiogenesis regulation in retinal pigment epithelial cells
Authors: Du Yang , Yang Xinyue , Gong Qiaoyun , Xu Zhixiang , Cheng Yan , Su Guanfang
Published: January 2019

Inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4), a potential tumor suppressor, is implicated in cell migration and angiogenesis. However, its effects on diabetic retinopathy (DR) have not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate ING4 expression in normal and diabetic rats and clarify its effects on hypoxia‐induced dysfunction in human retinal pigment epithelial (ARPE‐19) cells. A Type 1 diabetic model was generated by injecting rats intraperitoneally with streptozotocin and then killed them 4, 8, or 12 weeks later. ING4 expression in retinal tissue was detected using western blot analysis, reverse transcription quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR), and immunohistochemistry assays. After transfection with an ING4 overexpression lentiviral vector or small interfering RNA (siRNA), ARPE‐19 migration under hypoxia was tested using wound healing and transwell assays. The angiogenic effect of conditioned medium (CM) from ARPE‐19 cells was examined by assessing human retinal endothelial cell (HREC) capillary tube formation. Additionally, western blot analysis and RT‐qPCR were performed to investigate the signaling pathways in which ING4, specificity protein 1 (Sp1), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP‐2), MMP‐9, and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF‐A) were involved. Here, we found that ING4 expression was significantly reduced in the diabetic rats’ retinal tissue. Silencing ING4 aggravated hypoxia‐induced ARPE‐19 cell migration. CM collected from ING4 siRNA‐transfected ARPE‐19 cells under hypoxia promoted HREC angiogenesis. These effects were reversed by ING4 overexpression. Furthermore, ING4 suppressed MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and VEGF‐A expression in an Sp1‐dependent manner in hypoxia‐conditioned ARPE‐19 cells. Overall, our results provide valuable mechanistic insights into the protective effects of ING4 on hypoxia‐induced migration and angiogenesis regulation in ARPE‐19 cells. Restoring ING4 may be a novel strategy for treating DR.
Comparative analysis of avian hearts provides little evidence for variation among species with acquired endothermy
Authors: Kroneman Jelle G. H. , Faber Jaeike W. , Schouten Jacobine C.M. , Wolschrijn Claudia F. , Christoffels Vincent M. , Jensen Bjarke
Published: January 2019

Mammals and birds acquired high performance hearts and endothermy during their independent evolution from amniotes with many sauropsid features. A literature review shows that the variation in atrial morphology is greater in mammals than in ectothermic sauropsids. We therefore hypothesized that the transition from ectothermy to endothermy was associated with greater variation in cardiac structure. We tested the hypothesis in 14 orders of birds by assessing the variation in 15 cardiac structures by macroscopic inspection and histology, with an emphasis on the atria as they have multiple features that lend themselves to quantification. We found bird hearts to have multiple features in common with ectothermic sauropsids (synapomorphies), such as the presence of three sinus horns. Convergent features were shared with crocodylians and mammals, such as the cranial offset of the left atrioventricular junction. Other convergent features, like the compact organization of the atrial walls, were shared with mammals only. Pacemaker myocardium, identified by Isl1 expression, was anatomically node‐like (Mallard), thickened (Chicken), or indistinct (Lesser redpoll, Jackdaw). Some features were distinctly avian, (autapomorphies) including the presence of a left atrial antechamber and the ventral merger of the left and right atrial auricles, which was found in some species of parrots and passerines. Most features, however, exhibited little variation. For instance, there were always three systemic veins and two pulmonary veins, whereas among mammals there are 2–3 and 1–7, respectively. Our findings suggest that the transition to high cardiac performance does not necessarily lead to a greater variation in cardiac structure.
Genetic variants involved in extracellular matrix homeostasis play a role in the susceptibility to frozen shoulder: A case‐control study
Authors: Cohen Carina , Leal Mariana F. , Loyola Leonor C. , Santos Sidney E. B. , Ribeiro‐dos‐Santos Ândrea K. C. , Belangero Paulo S. , Figueiredo Eduardo A. , Wajnsztejn Andre , de Oliveira Adrielle M. , Smith Marília C. , Andreoli Carlos V. , de Castro Pochini Alberto , Cohen Moises , Ejnisman Benno , Faloppa Flávio
Published: January 2019

Frozen shoulder is a condition of loss of active and passive motion as result of inflammatory contracture and fibrosis of the joint capsule. We hypothesize that genetic variants in genes involved in these processes such as genes that play a role in extracellular matrix homeostasis (collagens, glycoproteins, genes involved in TGFβ signaling, and metalloproteinases and its inhibitors) may contribute to the susceptibility to frozen shoulder. We evaluated eighteen SNPs of genes involved in extracellular matrix homeostasis in 186 cases (Nfemales = 114; Nmales = 72) of frozen shoulder and 600 age‐matched controls (Nfemales = 308; Nmales = 292). Multivariate logistic regressions were carried out with age, gender, genetic ancestry, and common comorbidities as covariates. Carriers of the C allele of MMP13 rs2252070 and G/G MMP9 (rs17576 A>G/rs17577 G>A) haplotype may have an increased risk of frozen shoulder (p = 0.002, OR = 1.64, 95%CI = 1.20–2.26, and p = 0.046, OR = 1.40, 95%CI = 1.01–1.95, respectively), especially in females (p = 0.005, OR = 1.91, 95%CI = 1.22–2.99, and p = 0.046, OR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.01–2.51, respectively). In females, the G allele of MMP9 rs17576 tended to contribute to the susceptibility to the studied disease (p = 0.05, OR = 1.51, 95%CI = 0.97–2.33). In contrast, the presence of the C allele of TGFB1 rs1800470 seems to be associated with a reduced risk (p = 0.04, OR = 0.47, 95%CI = 0.23–0.96) while the GG‐genotype of TGFBR1 rs1590 was associated with increased risk (p = 0.027, OR = 4.11, 95%CI = 1.17–14.38) to frozen shoulder development in males. Thus, we identified genetic variants that were independent risk factors that can aid in the risk assessment of frozen shoulder reinforcing the involvement of MMP and TGFβ signaling in disease development. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Prevalence of Malnutrition Risk and the Impact of Nutrition Risk on Hospital Outcomes: Results From nutritionDay in the U.S.
Authors: Sauer Abby C. , Goates Scott , Malone Ainsley , Mogensen Kris M. , Gewirtz Gail , Sulz Isabella , Moick Sigrid , Laviano Alessandro , Hiesmayr Michael
Published: January 2019

Background

Malnutrition risk estimates vary greatly, and no robust data on the association between food intake and outcomes exist for hospitals in the United States (U.S.). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of malnutrition risk and to evaluate the impact of food intake on mortality using the nutritionDay in the U.S. dataset.

Methods

This study analyzed data from 2009 to 2015 for all adult patients from participating hospitals. Prevalence of malnutrition risk was determined by mapping self‐reported nutritionDay survey questions to the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST). Fine and Gray competing‐risk analysis with clustering was used to evaluate the impact of nutrition risk and food intake on patients’ 30‐day in‐hospital mortality, while controlling for age, mobility, and other disease‐related factors.

Results

Analysis included data from 9959 adult patients from 601 wards. The overall prevalence of malnutrition risk (MST score ≥2) was 32.7%. On nutritionDay, 32.1% of patients ate a quarter of their meal or less. Hospital mortality hazard ratio was 3.24 (95% CI: [1.73, 6.07]; P‐value < 0.001) for patients eating a quarter compared with those who ate all their meal and increased to 5.99 (95% CI: [3.03, 11.84]; P‐value < 0.0001) for patients eating nothing despite being allowed to eat.

Conclusion

This study provides the most robust estimate of malnutrition risk in U.S. hospitalized patients to date, finding that approximately 1 in 3 are at risk. Additionally, patients who have diminished meal intake experience increased mortality risk. These results highlight the ongoing issue of malnutrition in the hospital setting.
High‐Performance Production of Biosurfactant Rhamnolipid with Nitrogen Feeding
Authors: Wu Tingyu , Jiang Jingjing , He Ni , Jin Mingjie , Ma Kefeng , Long Xuwei
Published: January 2019

Nitrate is one of the most important factors for fermentative production of rhamnolipid, while it has not yet been conclusively demonstrated that nitrogen limitation or abundance is beneficial for improvement of rhamnolipid production. This study clarified that high concentration of NaNO3 is conducive for high‐performance production of rhamnolipid. An optimum rhamnolipid yield was achieved by 43.3 g L−1 with an initial concentration of NaNO3 equal to 10 g L−1 during the regular fed‐batch fermentation process by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. Additionally, this rhamnolipid production was further improved to 61.2 g L−1, which was two folds higher than that value obtained during batch fermentation, when the NaNO3 concentration was maintained about 5 g L−1. Furthermore, specific volume productivity of rhamnolipid was improved by over 30% in the presence of NaNO3 at concentration ranging from 5 to 6 g L−1 during sequential fed‐batch fermentation, resulting a high value of 0.4 and 0.59 g L−1 h−1 within one batch of sequential fed‐batch fermentation for a period of 17 days by P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and PAO1, respectively. It seems that sustaining high‐concentration NaNO3 during fed‐batch fermentation is advantageous for high‐performance production of rhamnolipid.
Selective enrichment and quantification of okadaic acid in shellfish using an immunomagnetic‐bead‐based liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry assay
Authors: Chen Jiaqi , Tan Zhijun , Wu Haiyan , Peng Jixing , Zhai Yuxiu , Guo Mengmeng
Published: January 2019

Okadaic acid is a marine biotoxin that primarily occurs in shellfish and can cause diarrheic shellfish poisoning in humans. When analyzing biological samples using liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry, the presence of complex matrices is a major issue. Thus, it is crucial to selectively and simply extract the target analyte from samples and minimize matrix effects simultaneously. To meet this need, an immunomagnetic‐bead‐based liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method was developed to detect okadaic acid in shellfish. Magnetic beads bound to monoclonal antibody against okadaic acid were used as affinity probes to specifically enrich okadaic acid in samples, which effectively eliminated matrix effects. A magnetic separator was used to aggregate and separate magnetic particles from sample matrices, and methanol was used to elute okadaic acid from the magnetic beads. Standard solution prepared with methanol was employed directly for quantitative analysis. Several experimental conditions were optimized to improve performance. The method is of interest as a rapid (10 min) sample clean‐up and selective enrichment tool, and it showed good linearity and sensitivity, with reported limits of detection and quantitation of 3 and 10 μg/kg, respectively. Fifty‐three shellfish samples from an aquatic products market were tested using this method, and four samples positive for okadaic acid were found.
Marinobufagenin extraction from Rhinella marina toad glands: Alternative approaches for a systematized strategy
Authors: Lenaerts Charline , Wells Mathilde , Hambÿe Stéphanie , Blankert Bertrand
Published: January 2019

Marinobufagenin is a bufadienolide compound detected mainly in skin and parotoid gland secretions of Rhinella marina (L.) toad. Bufadienolides regulate the Na+/K+‐ATPase pump by inhibiting the cardiotonic steroid dependent‐site and act as cardiac inotropes with vasoconstrictive properties. Marinobufagenin and other bufadienolides, such as telocinobufagin and bufalin, are thought to be found endogenously in mammals in salt‐sensitive hypertensive states such as essential hypertension, congestive heart‐failure, and preeclampsia. The role of marinobufagenin as antimicrobial agent and its cytotoxic potential have also been recognized. The particular interest around marinobufagenin prompts us to consider the Rhinella marina toad venom as a possible source for molecules with pharmacological and/or diagnostic potential. In this article, two different approaches of extraction and purification of marinobufagenin from Rhinella marina (L.) venom are studied: (i) Preparative thin‐layer chromatography combined to mass spectrometry and/or ultraviolet detection and (ii) solid‐phase extraction coupled with fractionation on high‐performance liquid chromatography. Different chromatographic conditions are tested for each approach. The solid‐phase extraction combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography fractionation approach was preferred as it offered a greater yield, was less time‐consuming and allowed us to selectively isolate marinobufagenin. Both protocols aim to provide efficient and convenient methods for toad venom extraction, based on an easily automatable and systematized strategy.
Fast fabrication of a hybrid monolithic column containing cyclic and aliphatic hydrophobic ligands via photo‐initiated thiol‐ene polymerization
Authors: Wang Yan , Ma Shujuan , Zhang Luwei , Zhang Na , Li Yanan , Ou Junjie , Shen Yehua , Ye Mingliang
Published: January 2019

Three monomers, octakis (3‐mercaptopropyl) octasilsesquioxane, 1,2,4‐trivinylcyclohexane and isophytol were employed to synthesize a novel monolithic stationary phase via photo‐initiated thiol‐ene click polymerization for reversed‐phase liquid chromatography. Several factors such as porogenic system, reaction time and the molar ratio of functional groups were investigated in detail. The resulting poly(POSS‐co‐TVCH‐co‐isophytol) monolithic column exhibited suitable permeability for fast separation and outstanding thermal stability. Five alkylbenzenes were employed to evaluate the ability of chromatographic separation of the resulting monolithic columns at different flow rates, and showed the highest column efficiencies of 90,200–93,100 N/m (corresponding to 10.4–10.6 μm of plate height) at a velocity of 0.41 mm/s. The baseline separations of five anilines and eight phenols further proved the applicability of poly(POSS‐co‐TVCH‐co‐isophytol) monolithic column in the separation of small molecules.
Association between single nucleotide polymorphism (rs4252424) in TRPV5 calcium channel gene and lead poisoning in Chinese workers
Authors: Liu Jiting , Zhang Li , Feng Lixia , Xu Ming , Gao Yue , Zhou Peng , Yu Zhengmin , Zhu Baoli , An Yan , Zhang Hengdong
Published: January 2019

Background

Lead (Pb) is broadly used in various industries and causes irreversible damage to human tissues, organs, and systems. Studies have revealed that lead exerts toxic effects via interfering with calcium channel.

Methods

In the present study, we investigated whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in TRPV5, a calcium channel‐related gene, were associated with lead exposure susceptibility. By using TaqMan SNP genotyping, we performed genotyping of eight TRPV5 tag‐SNPs in 1,130 lead‐exposed Chinese workers with similar lead exposure level.

Results

Single nucleotide polymorphism rs4252424 was significantly associated with lead susceptibility, measured by blood lead level (BLL) (β = −0.069, plinear = 0.029). However, there was no significant association between any other seven SNPs and BLL. The further expression Quantitative Trait Loci displayed that CC genotype of rs4252424 is significant associated with higher BLL than CT (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

We conclude that SNP rs4252424 has the potential to evaluate lead susceptibility in the Chinese occupational population, and further enhance lead exposure prevention and intervention.
Muscle‐splitting approach to thoracoacromial vein for superdrainage in deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap breast reconstruction
Authors: Kim Eun‐Ji , Lee Ho‐June , Mun Goo‐Hyun
Published: January 2019

Background

Thoracoacromial vein (TAv) is seldomly considered as a secondary outflow recipient option when venous congestion of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is encountered. The purpose of this study was to present a computed tomography (CT)‐based anatomy and a method of approaching TAv in performing superdrainage using superficial inferior epigastric vein (SIEV) in DIEP flap breast reconstruction.

Methods

For CT‐based anatomical study, 42 thoracoacromial vessels (TAV) of 21 patients who underwent DIEP flap breast reconstruction were analyzed. From November 2016 to May 2018, pectoralis major (PM) muscle splitting approach to TAv in the first intercostal space was applied to 7 patients who required superdrainage via SIEV.

Results

TAVs at mid‐first intercostal space (ICS) were located 83.5 ± 9.8 mm lateral to the sternal border (H), 41.5 ± 12.9 mm below the clavicle (V), and 11.7 ± 3.2 mm deep to the outer surface of PM muscle (D). Mean oblique distances from TAV to internal mammary vessels in the 2nd and 3rd ICS were 75.7 ± 9.7 mm and 98.2 ± 10.9 mm, respectively. Seven DIEP flaps presenting intraoperative venous congestion were successfully salvaged intraoperatively with superdrainge procedure. TAvs were harvested without cutting the PM muscle in any patient. Their mean size at anastomosis was 1.61 ± 3.2 mm (range, 0.9–2.5 mm). All flaps survived without perfusion‐related complications including fat necrosis.

Conclusions

Harvest of TAv by muscle‐splitting approach is an alternative option when additional venous anastomosis using SIEV is mandated for managing venous congestion of DIEP flap.
Protein‐Bound β‐glucan from Coriolus Versicolor has Potential for Use Against Obesity
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Chen Peng , Zhang Peng , Chang Yifan , Cui Mingxu , Duan Jinyou
Published: January 2019

Scope

The prevalence of obesity and related disorders has vastly increased throughout the world and prevention of such circumstances thus represents a major challenge. Here, it has been shown that one protein‐bound β‐glucan (PBG) from the edible mushroom Coriolus versicolor can be a potent anti‐obesity component.

Methods and results

PBG can reduce obesity and metabolic inflammation in mice fed with a high‐fat diet (HFD). Gut microbiota analysis reveals that PBG markedly increases the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, although it does not rescue HFD‐induced change in the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio. It appears that PBG alters host physiology and creates an intestinal microenvironment favorable for A. muciniphila colonization. Fecal transplants from PBG‐treated animals in part reduce obesity in recipient HFD‐fed mice. Further, PBG is shown to upregulate expression of a set of genes related to host metabolism in microbiota‐depleted mice.

Conclusion

The data highlight that PBG may exert its anti‐obesity effects through a mirobiota‐dependent (richness of specific microbiota) and ‐independent (modulation of host metabolism) manner. The fact that C. versicolor PBGs are approved oral immune boosters in cancers and chronic hepatitis with well‐established safety profiles may accelerate PBG as a novel use for obesity treatment.
Parallel imaging in time‐of‐flight magnetic resonance angiography using deep multistream convolutional neural networks
Authors: Jun Yohan , Eo Taejoon , Shin Hyungseob , Kim Taeseong , Lee Ho‐Joon , Hwang Dosik
Published: January 2019

Purpose

To develop and evaluate a method of parallel imaging time‐of‐flight (TOF) MRA using deep multistream convolutional neural networks (CNNs).

Methods

A deep parallel imaging network (“DPI‐net”) was developed to reconstruct 3D multichannel MRA from undersampled data. It comprises 2 deep‐learning networks: a network of multistream CNNs for extracting feature maps of multichannel images and a network of reconstruction CNNs for reconstructing images from the multistream network output feature maps. The images were evaluated using normalized root mean square error (NRMSE), peak signal‐to‐noise ratio (PSNR), and structural similarity (SSIM) values, and the visibility of blood vessels was assessed by measuring the vessel sharpness of middle and posterior cerebral arteries on axial maximum intensity projection (MIP) images. Vessel sharpness was compared using paired t tests, between DPI‐net, 2 conventional parallel imaging methods (SAKE and ESPIRiT), and a deep‐learning method (U‐net).

Results

DPI‐net showed superior performance in reconstructing vessel signals in both axial slices and MIP images for all reduction factors. This was supported by the quantitative metrics, with DPI‐net showing the lowest NRMSE, the highest PSNR and SSIM (except R = 3.8 on sagittal MIP images, and R = 5.7 on axial slices and sagittal MIP images), and significantly higher vessel sharpness values than the other methods.

Conclusion

DPI‐net was effective in reconstructing 3D TOF MRA from highly undersampled multichannel MR data, achieving superior performance, both quantitatively and qualitatively, over conventional parallel imaging and other deep‐learning methods.
Regulation of S1PR2 by the EBV oncogene LMP1 in aggressive ABC‐subtype diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Vockerodt Martina , Vrzalikova Katerina , Ibrahim Maha , Nagy Eszter , Margielewska Sandra , Hollows Robert , Lupino Lauren , Tooze Reuben , Care Matthew , Simmons William , Schrader Alexandra , Perry Tracey , Abdullah Maizaton , Foster Stephen , Reynolds Gary , Dowell Alexander , Rudzki Zbigniew , Krappmann Daniel , Kube Dieter , Woodman Ciaran , Wei Wenbin , Taylor Graham , Murray Paul G
Published: January 2019

The Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is found almost exclusively in the activated B‐cell (ABC) subtype of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), yet its contribution to this tumour remains poorly understood. We have focused on the EBV‐encoded latent membrane protein‐1 (LMP1), a constitutively activated CD40 homologue expressed in almost all EBV‐positive DLBCLs and which can disrupt germinal centre (GC) formation and drive lymphomagenesis in mice. Comparison of the transcriptional changes that follow LMP1 expression with those that follow transient CD40 signalling in human GC B cells enabled us to define pathogenic targets of LMP1 aberrantly expressed in ABC‐DLBCL. These included the down‐regulation of S1PR2, a sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) receptor that is transcriptionally down‐regulated in ABC‐DLBCL, and when genetically ablated leads to DLBCL in mice. Consistent with this, we found that LMP1‐expressing primary ABC‐DLBCLs were significantly more likely to lack S1PR2 expression than were LMP1‐negative tumours. Furthermore, we showed that the down‐regulation of S1PR2 by LMP1 drives a signalling loop leading to constitutive activation of the phosphatidylinositol‐3‐kinase (PI3‐K) pathway. Finally, core LMP1‐PI3‐K targets were enriched for lymphoma‐related transcription factors and genes associated with shorter overall survival in patients with ABC‐DLBCL. Our data identify a novel function for LMP1 in aggressive DLBCL. Copyright © 2019 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The validity of dementia diagnoses in routinely collected electronic health records in the United Kingdom: A systematic review
Authors: McGuinness Luke A. , Warren‐Gash Charlotte , Moorhouse Louisa R. , Thomas Sara L.
Published: January 2019

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to assess the validity of codes or algorithms used to identify dementia in UK electronic health record (EHR) primary care and hospitalisation databases.

Methods

Relevant studies were identified by searching the MEDLINE/EMBASE databases from inception to June 2018, hand‐searching reference lists, and consulting experts. The search strategy included synonyms for “Dementia”, “Europe”, and “EHR”. Studies were included if they validated dementia diagnoses in UK primary care or hospitalisation databases, irrespective of validation method used. The Quality Assessment for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2 (QUADAS‐2) tool was used to assess risk of bias.

Results

From 1469 unique records, 14 relevant studies were included. Thirteen validated individual diagnoses against a reference standard, reporting high estimates of validity. Most reported only the positive predictive value (PPV), with estimates ranging between 0.09 and 1.0 and 0.62 and 0.85 in primary care and hospitalisation databases, respectively. One study performed a rate comparison, indicating good generalisability of dementia diagnoses in The Health Improvement Network (THIN) database to the UK population. Studies were of low methodological quality. As studies were not comparable, no summary validity estimates were produced.

Conclusion

While heterogenous across studies, reported validity estimates were generally high. However, the credibility of these estimates is limited by the methodological quality of studies, primarily resulting from insufficient blinding of researchers interpreting the reference test. Inadequate reporting, particularly of the specific codes validated, hindered comparison of estimates across studies. Future validation studies should make use of more robust reference tests, follow established reporting guidelines, and calculate all measures of validity.
‘Grandpa, Do you like Roller Coasters?’: Identifying Age–Appropriate Personality Indicators
Authors: Olaru Gabriel , Schroeders Ulrich , Wilhelm Oliver , Ostendorf Fritz
Published: January 2019

Personality development research heavily relies on the comparison of scale means across age. This approach implicitly assumes that the scales are strictly measurement invariant across age. We questioned this assumption by examining whether appropriate personality indicators change over the lifespan. Moreover, we identified which types of items (e.g. dispositions, behaviours, and interests) are particularly prone to age effects. We reanalyzed the German Revised NEO Personality Inventory normative sample ( N = 11,724) and applied a genetic algorithm to select short scales that yield acceptable model fit and reliability across locally weighted samples ranging from 16 to 66 years of age. We then examined how the item selection changes across age points and item types. Emotion–type items seemed to be interchangeable and generally applicable to people of all ages. Specific interests, attitudes, and social effect items—most prevalent within the domains of Extraversion, Agreeableness, and Openness—seemed to be more prone to measurement variations over age. A large proportion of items were systematically discarded by the item–selection procedure, indicating that, independent of age, many items are problematic measures of the underlying traits. The implications for personality assessment and personality development research are discussed. © 2019 European Association of Personality Psychology
Using stable isotopes to illuminate thermokarst lake hydrology in permafrost regions on the Qinghai‐Tibet plateau, China
Authors: Yang Yuzhong , Wu Qingbai , Hou Yandong , Zhang Peng , Yun Hanbo , Jin Huijun , Xu Xiaoming , Jiang Guanli
Published: January 2019

Thermokarst lakes are widespread and developing on the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau (QTP), and they have modified hydrological processes and water balance in the region. Despite increasing attention, our understanding of the hydrological behaviors of thermokarst lakes under permafrost degradation remains limited on the QTP. In this study, water stable isotope tracers were used to characterize the spatial and seasonal hydrological changes of thermokarst lakes on the central QTP. Significant seasonal variations and factors influencing the isotopic hydrology of lakes were revealed through the ice‐free season. Substantial differences in lake‐specific input water isotope compositions (δI) among the lakes indicate two lake‐recharge regimes: rain‐dominated, and snowmelt/permafrost thaw‐dominated. We suggest that precipitation and active‐layer hydrology controlled these hydrological changes in the ice‐free season. However, under ice cover, melting of the surrounding permafrost (including ground ice) dominated the hydrology of thermokarst lakes. Importantly, a conceptual model delineates the hydrological evolution of thermokarst lakes under permafrost degradation. This study serves as a baseline for future investigations of hydrological processes and water balance relating to thawing permafrost on the QTP.
Digital image correlation analysis of vertical strain for corrugated fiberboard box panel in compression
Authors: Kueh Celia S. L. , Dahm Karl , Emms Grant , Wade Kelly , Bronlund John E.
Published: January 2019

This work was aimed at examining the overall contributions to displacement of panels of compressed boxes, such as panel compression strain and flap and crease displacements. 3D digital image correlation (DIC) was used to analyse motion of side panels of corrugated fiberboard regular slotted containers. The vertical displacement and the vertical component of strain of the panel face during box compression test were examined. Measuring displacements of the whole compressed box with DIC enables measurement of the in‐plane compression of a panel in isolation from the horizontal fold or crease zone displacement, without having to test tube sections of the box to infer or extract the in‐plane panel compression behaviour. Detailed study of two box designs in three representative test cases was presented, which in future could be extended to other box designs. At peak load, the in‐plane compression of the panels, calculated from the average vertical component of the strain along the right edge of the long panel of the box, was 3% to 6% of total crosshead displacement for the test cases. At peak load, the portion of the box compression associated with bottom box flaps or crease zone crushing was 48% to 59% of total crosshead displacement for the different cases. The analysis showed that the majority of the vertical displacement of the box occurred in the top and bottom creased folds and that these folds are responsible for the low apparent in‐plane stiffness of a box.
Surface characterization and London dispersive surface free energy of functionalized single‐walled carbon nanotubes with a blend of polytetrafluoroethylene by inverse gas chromatography
Authors: Basivi Praveen Kumar , Sreekanth T.V.M. , Sivalingam Ramesh , Thota Chandrakalavathi , Pasupuleti Visweswara Rao
Published: January 2019

The SWCNTs and SWCNT‐polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) blend were prepared by using simple reaction mixture in the presence of chromosorb (SiO2). Surface morphology of SWCNTs and (SWCNT‐PTFE) blend was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and surface BET analysis. In addition, the surface thermodynamic properties of n‐alkanes and polar probe net retention volumes are measured by inverse gas chromatography (IGC). The London dispersive surface free energy
values were found to be decreased linearly with increase of temperature. The specific component of the surface free energy of adsorption
for the polar probes was obtained using the Donnet‐Park method. The surface character “S” value (Kb/Ka) at SWCNTs was found to be 0.74, and SWCNT‐PTFE blend surface character value was found to be 0.86. This result demonstrates that the (SWCNT‐PTFE) blend surface contains relatively more acidic sites then that of SWCNT surface. Therefore, the IGC results provide useful complementary information on the (SWCNT‐PTFE) blend surface.
A spectromicroscopy study of the corrosion of fusion‐bonded epoxy–coated rebar
Authors: Situm Arthur , Guo Xiaoxuan , Guo Bao , Barlow Burke C. , Burgess Ian J. , Grosvenor Andrew P.
Published: January 2019

Reported herein is an analysis of accelerated corrosion of a commercially coated fusion‐bonded epoxy rebar sample using an X‐ray spectromicroscopy methodology that involves the combination of X‐ray fluorescence mapping (XRF) and micro X‐ray absorption near‐edge spectroscopy (μ‐XANES). XRF maps collected using an excitation energy of 7115 eV reveal a sharp contrast between corroded and noncorroded sample areas after correction for topography effects that can be confirmed by Fe K‐edge μ‐XANES. This X‐ray spectromicroscopy methodology allows for the study of corrosion through commercially prepared polymer‐coated rebar coatings without any modification to the polymer film prior to analysis and is suitable for long‐term testing of the corrosion of these materials under real‐world conditions.
Arsenite removal from groundwater by iron–manganese oxides filter media: Behavior and mechanism
Authors: Cheng Ya , Zhang Shasha , Huang Tinglin , Li Ye
Published: January 2019

Arsenic, a common contaminant in groundwater environments, usually coexists with other contaminants, for example, ammonium, iron, and manganese. In our previous studies, an iron–manganese (Fe–Mn) oxides filter media was developed for catalytic oxidation removal of ammonium, iron, and manganese. In this study, batch oxidation/adsorption kinetic experiments revealed that the filter media could easily oxidize arsenite (As(III)) to arsenate (As(V)). And the sorption kinetics was found to follow the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. X‐ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) along with X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to analyze the surface change in the Fe–Mn oxides. Based on sorption and spectroscopic measurements, the mechanism of As(III) removal by the Fe–Mn oxides filter media was found to be an oxidation coupled with sorption approach. As(III) in the aqueous solution was firstly oxidized to As(V) on the surfaces of the Fe–Mn oxides filter media. Then the converted As(V) was attracted to the Fe–Mn oxides filter media surfaces and bounded with the active sites (−OH groups), through weak intermolecular H‐bondings. Our results indicated that the novel Fe–Mn oxides filter media could be applied for the simultaneous removal of ammonium, iron, manganese, and As(III) in drinking water treatment and environmental remediation.

Practitioner points

A novel iron–manganese oxides filter for efficient As(III) removal was established.

The exhausted filter media could be easily regenerated by NaHCO3 solution.

Mn(III) related to surface lattice oxygen species was responsible for As(III) oxidation.

The oxidation and adsorption processes were involved in As(III) removal.

The filter media could be successfully applied to simultaneous removal of ammonium, manganese, iron, and arsenic.
Immobilization of Cr(VI) from solution by a graphene oxide‐nZVI/biochar composite
Authors: Shang Jingge , Gao Jie , Xi Junting , Wang Yingjie , Ji Fangyu , Li Ruijun
Published: January 2019

A graphene oxide (GO)—nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI)—biochar composite (GO‐nZVI/BC) was synthesized prior to characterization by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy analyses. Batch experiments were performed at different initial Cr(VI) concentrations, contact times, and solution pH values. The effects of coexisting anions and chelating agents were also examined. The results indicated that the removal of Cr(VI) was highly pH‐dependent and reached a maximum capacity at pH of 2. The equilibrium data were fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model, and the kinetic data fitted better with the pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. The increasing concentrations of EDTA in aqueous solutions were favorable to the removal of Cr(VI), while significantly inhibited adsorption. Furthermore, the GO‐nZVI/BC maintained ~84.5% of its original capacity after aging in the air for 25 weeks. Based on the removal efficiency, GO‐nZVI/BC can be considered to be an effective material for water treatment applications.

Practitioner points

Biochar‐supported graphene oxide‐coated nanoscale zerovalent iron (GO‐nZVI/BC) was synthesized and used to treat Cr(VI) from solution.

Cr(VI) removal was pH‐dependent and obeyed the Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo‐second‐order model.

GO‐nZVI/BC maintained ~84.5% of its original capacity after aging for 25 w in the air.
Correction to: Human Influence at the Coast: Upland and Shoreline Stressors Affect Coastal Macrofauna and Are Mediated by Salinity
Authors: Seitz Rochelle D. , Knick Kathleen E. , Davenport Theresa M. , Saluta Gabrielle G.
Published: January 2019

The article Human Influence at the Coast: Upland and Shoreline Stressors Affect Coastal Macrofauna and Are Mediated by Salinity, written by Rochelle D. Seitz, Kathleen E. Knick, Theresa M. Davenport, and Gabrielle G. Saluta was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal (currently SpringerLink) on 20 November 2017 without open access.
Further insight into adolescent personal identity statuses: Differences based on self‐esteem, family climate, and family communication
Authors: Albert Sznitman Gillian , Zimmermann Grégoire , Van Petegem Stijn
Published: January 2019

Introduction

During adolescence, youngsters are faced with the challenging task of forming an identity. This process can be either supported or hindered by adolescents' family context. The present study used a six‐process model of personal identity including the five identity processes described by the dual‐cycle model of identity (exploration in breadth, commitment making, exploration in depth, identification with commitment, and ruminative exploration) as well as a sixth identity process of reconsideration of commitment, commonly described in the three‐factor model of identity. In the current investigation, we sought to evaluate how adolescents in identity statuses derived from this six‐process model differed based on psychological adjustment, perceived family climate, and family communication.

Method

A total of 1105 Swiss adolescents (Mage = 15.08; 51% female) completed self‐report questionnaires at one time point. Using a person‐centered approach, identity statuses were empirically derived and unique profiles for each identity status were identified.

Results

We identified six identity statuses: Achievement, Foreclosure, Ruminative Moratorium, Reconsidering Achievement, Troubled Diffusion, and Carefree Diffusion. Statuses with the highest degree of commitment showed the most optimal profiles of psychological adjustment and perceived family climate, whereas those with the lowest levels of commitment demonstrated the least optimal profiles. Adolescents in the Reconsidering Achievement status, however, reported high levels of both parental support and psychological control.

Conclusion

The use of the six‐process model of identity allowed for the derivation of six identity statuses and provided further insight into how adolescents in different identity statuses confront identity‐related issues in the context of their family.
Existence of bistable waves for a nonlocal and nonmonotone reaction-diffusion equation
Authors: Trofimchuk Sergei , Volpert Vitaly
Published: January 2019

Reaction-diffusion equation with a bistable nonlocal nonlinearity is considered in the case where the reaction term is not quasi-monotone. For this equation, the existence of travelling waves is proved by the Leray-Schauder method based on the topological degree for elliptic operators in unbounded domains and a priori estimates of solutions in properly chosen weighted spaces.
Weighted norm inequalities for positive operators restricted on the cone ofλ-quasiconcave functions
Authors: Gogatishvili Amiran , Neves Júlio S.
Published: January 2019

Letρbe a monotone quasinorm defined on${\rm {\frak M}}^ + $, the set of all non-negative measurable functions on [0, ∞). LetTbe a monotone quasilinear operator on${\rm {\frak M}}^ + $. We show that the following inequality restricted on the cone ofλ-quasiconcave functions$$\rho (Tf) \les C_1\left( {\int_0^\infty {f^p} v} \right)^{1/p},$$where$1\les p\les \infty $andvis a weighted function, is equivalent to slightly different inequalities considered for all non-negative measurable functions. The case 0 <p< 1 is also studied for quasinorms and operators with additional properties. These results in turn enable us to establish necessary and sufficient conditions on the weights (u,v,w) for which the three weighted Hardy-type inequality$$\left( {\int_0^\infty {{\left( {\int_0^x f u} \right)}^q} w(x){\rm d}x} \right)^{1/q} \les C_1\left( {\int_0^\infty {f^p} v} \right)^{1/p},$$holds for allλ-quasiconcave functions and all 0 <p,q⩽ ∞.
Patterns of disagreement in indicators of state repression
Authors: Cope Kevin L. , Crabtree Charles , Fariss Christopher J.
Published: January 2019

Until recently, researchers who wanted to examine the determinants of state respect for most specific negative rights (i.e., physical integrity and empowerment rights) needed to rely on data from the CIRI or the Political Terror Scale (PTS). The new Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) dataset offers scholars a potential alternative to the individual human rights variables from CIRI. We analyze a set of key Cingranelli–Richards (CIRI) Human Rights Data Project and V-Dem negative rights indicators, finding unusual and unexpectedly large patterns of disagreement between the two sets. First, we discuss the new V-Dem dataset by comparing it to the disaggregated CIRI indicators, discussing the history of each project, and describing its empirical domain. Second, we identify a set of disaggregated human rights measures that are similar across the two datasets and discuss each project’s measurement approach. Third, we examine how these measures compare to each other empirically, showing that they diverge considerably across both time and space. These findings point to several important directions for future work, such as how conceptual approaches and measurement strategies affect rights scores. For the time being, our findings suggest that researchers should think carefully about using the measures as substitutes.