bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Higher yield of cherry tomato grown in culture medium with microbially inoculated feather compost without fertilizer application
Authors: Zeng You-Hong , Kuo Ya-Wen , Chen Hong-Tang
Published: April 2018

Arthrobacter ureafaciensK10, with multiple functions, such as feather degradation, phosphate solubilization, and IAA formation, andStreptomycessp. CP3, with pitaya cladode‐degrading ability, were co‐inoculated in compost composed of pitaya‐pruning waste (PPW), spent mushroom waste (SMW), and duck feathers (DF) in order to produce a compost called Sapf‐M. Another compost, called Sapf, was manufacturedviathe same composting procedure but without inoculation. The two compost products were slightly acidic and had a bulk density less than 0.25 g cm−3, a water‐holding capacity (WHC) greater than 85%, a C : N ratio of nearly 10, and a germination index higher than 85%. Higher IAA concentration, EC, phosphate‐solubilizing bacterial numbers, actinobacterial numbers, and water‐soluble nutrients, such as ammonium, magnesium, copper, manganese, and iron, were found in Sapf‐M compared to Sapf. Five different culture media were prepared: peat mixed with Sapf at a 2 : 1 volume ratio (P‐Sapf), peat mixed with Sapf‐M at a 2 : 1 volume ratio (P‐Sapf‐M), Sapf, Sapf‐M, and peat. Each of these was analyzed for its ability to produce cherry tomatoes without fertilization. Higher WHC and water‐soluble ammonium were found in P‐Sapf‐M than in P‐Sapf. Cherry tomato cultured in P‐Sapf‐M showed the highest fruit number and yielded 1.04 kg per plant. Fruit firmness, splitting rate, BER incidence, TSS/acidity, and nutrition were all analyzed. After eradication, the mineral concentrations of roots and culture media were also determined. The results of this study show that the bio‐inoculated Sapf‐M had longer‐lasting fertility and greater plant growth‐promoting abilities than the Sapf when used as the growing medium for cherry tomato production without further fertilization.
Comparison of transgenicBtrice and its non‐Btcounterpart in adaptability to nitrogen deficiency
Authors: Jiang Yang , Ling Lin , Zhan Ming , Li Chengfang , Cao Cougui
Published: April 2018

Resistances of newly bredBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) crops have been dramatically improved because of the effective and high expression ofBtprotein in the plant. However, poorer adaptabilities to environmental stresses were observed in someBtcrops compared to their non‐Btcounterparts. The biological reasons for the poorer adaptabilities were still unclear. A nitrogen (N) deficiency experiment was conducted to investigate variations in growth and physiology characteristics of a newly bredBtrice [Oryza sativaL. line MH63 (Cry2A*)] compared to its non‐Btcounterpart MH63. MH63 (Cry2A*) showed lower grain yields and lower biomass under low N levels compared to MH63. Earlier leaf senescence associated with disorder in protein metabolism was observed in MH63 (Cry2A*) when the N concentration was lower than 13.50 mg g−1in MH63 (Cry2A*) leaves and the ratio ofBtprotein to soluble protein (BT : SP) was higher than 2203 μg g−1in MH63 (Cry2A*) leaves. The lower grain yield, the lower biomass and the earlier leaf senescence associated with disorder in protein metabolism in MH63 (Cry2A*) were correlated to the high BT : SP in MH63 (Cry2A*) leaves. The results suggest that MH63 (Cry2A*) has a poorer adaptability to N deficiency compared to its non‐Btcounterpart MH63. This poorer adaptability might be related to the highBtprotein expression in MH63 (Cry2A*).
Characterization of vegetable nitrogen uptake and soil nitrogen transformation in response to continuous molybdenum application
Authors: Wen Xin , Hu Chengxiao , Sun Xuecheng , Zhao Xiaohu , Tan Qiling , Liu Peijie , Xin Juan , Qin Shiyu , Wang Pengcheng
Published: April 2018

Molybdenum (Mo), a plant micronutrient, is involved in nitrogen (N) cycling of global ecosystem, but little is known about its effect on soil N transformation especially the key processes nitrification and denitrification. A long‐term field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of continuous sufficient soil available Mo on vegetable N uptake and soil N transformation. The experiment consisted of three treatments: control (CK), Mo deficiency (NPK), and Mo application (NPK+Mo). The results show that (1) after a 7‐year‐experiment, continuous Mo application significantly increased soil available Mo content. (2) Compared to the NPK treatment, NPK+Mo treatment showed an increase of 11, 18, and 8% in the cumulative crop yield, plant N uptake, and N fertilizer use efficiency. (3) With continuous Mo application, the soil
,
, microbial biomass N, and total N contents were reduced by 14, 29, 40, and 12%, the soil nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NiR) activities were reduced by 14 and 8%, as well as the potential denitrification activity (PDA) and gross nitrification rate (GNR) were decreased by 64 and 80%, respectively. Additionally, continuous Mo application decreased the abundance of ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) and increased the abundance of narG‐containing denitrifiers (narG) and nirK‐type nitrite reducers (nirK) significantly. The data suggest that a deficiency in soil available Mo may induce the risk of soil N accumulation and environmental N emission in vegetable soil, whereas continuous Mo application could mitigate this risk by increasing crop yield and N uptake and, by decreasing soil N residues, soil nitrification and denitrification.
Phytolith‐rich biochar increases cotton biomass and silicon‐mineralomass in a highly weathered soil
Authors: Li Zimin , Delvaux Bruno , Yans Johan , Dufour Nicolas , Houben David , Cornelis Jean‐Thomas
Published: April 2018

Non‐essential silicon (Si) is beneficial to plants. It increases the biomass of Si‐accumulator plants by improving photosynthetic activity and alleviating stresses. Desilication, however, takes place because of natural soil weathering and removal of harvested biomass. Pyrolysis transforms Si‐rich biomass into biochar that can be used to supply bioavailable Si.

Here, we applied two biochar materials differing in Si content on soils differing in weathering stage: a young Cambisol and a highly weathered Nitisol. We studied the impact of biochar supply on the bioavailability of Si, cotton biomass, and Si mineralomass. The biochar materials derived from, respectively: Miscanthus × giganteus (Mi; 34.6 g Si kg−1 in biochar) and soft woody material (SW; 0.9 g Si kg−1 in biochar). They were compared to conventional Si fertilizer wollastonite (Wo; CaSiO3). Amendments were incorporated in soils at the rate of 3% (w/w). The content of bioavailable Si in soil was determined through 0.01 M CaCl2 extraction.

In the Cambisol, the proportion (CaCl2 extractable Si: total Si content) was significantly smaller for Mi (0.9%) than for Wo (5.2%). In the Nitisol, this proportion was much larger for Mi (1.4%) than for Wo (0.7%). Mi‐biochar significantly increased Si‐mineralomass relatively to SW‐biochar in both soils. This increase was, however, much larger in the Nitisol (5.9‐fold) than in the Cambisol (2.2‐fold).

Mi biochar is thus an alternative Si fertilizer to Wo to supply bioavailable Si, increase plant biomass, and promote the biological cycle of Si in the soil‐plant system in the Nitisol. Besides, it increased soil fertility and soil organic carbon content.
Design strategies for materials showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence and beyond: Towards the fourth‐generation OLED mechanism
Authors: Yersin Hartmut , Mataranga‐Popa Larisa , Li Shu‐Wei , Czerwieniec Rafal
Published: April 2018

Design strategies for molecules showing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) are discussed, and a new emitter concept based on an almost “zero‐energy‐gap” is developed. Thermal activation is not substantial. Applied in an organic light emitting diode, all singlet and triplet excitons are harvested directly in the lowest singlet state without time‐delaying TADF. This landmarking mechanism, being beyond TADF, leads to emission decay times in the sub‐μs range.
4032 ppi High‐resolution OLED microdisplay
Authors: Fujii Takuma , Kon Chiaki , Motoyama Yosuke , Shimizu Kan , Shimayama Tsutomu , Yamazaki Takashi , Kato Takayoshi , Sakai Seigou , Hashikaki Koichi , Tanaka Koji , Nakano Yasuhiro
Published: April 2018

A 0.5‐inch Ultra Extended Graphics Array (UXGA) organic light‐emitting diodes microdisplay has been developed with 6.3 μm pixel pitch. Not only 4032 ppi high resolution but high frame rate, low power consumption, wide viewing angle, and high luminance have been achieved. This newly developed organic light‐emitting diodes microdisplay is suitable for Near‐to‐Eye display applications, especially electronic viewfinders.
Brilliant cosmetic film for ambient displays, with cholesteric liquid crystal
Authors: Ishiguro Makoto , Ichihara Nobuhiko , Yanai Yujiro , Nagai Michio , Takada Katsuyuki , Suga Yoichi , Ito Yoji
Published: April 2018

We have successfully developed a cosmetic film with polymerized cholesteric material. The film features a variety of colors by helical pitch gradients, diffusive texture, and arbitrary color patterns. It hides the display when turned off, and transmits display images when turned on. We believe it could change the display in the OFF‐state from the conventional black wall to specially designed decorations. In addition, they can be applied to hidden sensors.
Accuracy of Ultrasound for Preoperative Assessment of Tumor Size in Patients With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer: Is It Affected by the Background Parenchymal Echotexture?
Authors: Ko Kyung Hee , Son Eun Ju , Kim In Wha
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To assess the impact of the background parenchymal echotexture on the accuracy of tumor size estimation using breast ultrasound (US).

Methods

A total of 140 women with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer from January 2014 to December 2015 were enrolled in this study. Two radiologists retrospectively reviewed US images in consensus for background parenchymal echotexture interpretation. The maximum tumor diameter from static images was recorded. Tumor size measurements were considered as having agreement with histologic results if they were within ±5 mm compared to the pathologic size. The relationship between the accuracy of tumor size measurement by the background parenchymal echotexture and clinicopathologic characteristics was evaluated.

Results

Of these 140 patients, 77 (55.0%) showed a homogeneous background parenchymal echotexture, whereas 63 (45.0%) showed a heterogeneous echotexture. The mean tumor size was 1.9 cm (range, 0.5–4.9 cm). The overall accuracy of tumor size measurement was 76.4% (104 of 140). Tumors of women with a homogeneous background parenchymal echotexture were more accurately measured than those of women with a heterogeneous echotexture (87.0% versus 63.5%; P = .001). Tumors with a small size (<2 cm; P = .018) and ductal carcinoma in situ–negative (P = .031), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐negative (P = .053), and triple‐negative (P = .016) types were also more accurately measured. The independent factors associated with inaccurate tumor size measurement were a heterogeneous background parenchymal echotexture, a large tumor size, and the HER2‐enriched type (P < .05).

Conclusions

The background parenchymal echotexture affected the accuracy of tumor size estimation using breast US. Invasive breast cancers with large (≥2 cm) tumors and the HER2‐enriched type showed significantly lower breast US accuracy compared to others.
Three‐Dimensional Endoanal Ultrasound Features of the Anal Sphincter in Asian Primigravidae
Authors: Wickramasinghe Dakshitha Praneeth , Senaratne Supun , Senanayake Hemantha , Samarasekera Dharmabandu Nandadeva
Published: April 2018

Objectives

The normal parameters of 3‐dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3DEAUS) of the anal sphincter have not been reported for primigravidae or pregnant women at present. 3DEAUS parameters in Asian primigravidae were assessed in this study.

Methods

We analyzed 3DEAUS data of 101 consecutives Asian primigravidae, assessed in the early third trimester. The assessment was performed with a rigid ultrasonic probe (Olympus® RU 12M‐R1 probe and EU‐ME1 ultrasound system (Olympus Corp., Shinjuku, Japan). The Wilcoxon signed‐rank test was used to detect the differences in pressure in different quadrants.

Results

The participants had a mean age of 24.7 (standard deviation [SD], 5.1) years. The Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score was normal in all participants. The anal sphincter complex had 3 characteristic segments that were identifiable: upper, middle and lower. The puborectalis muscle was identified as a striated “V”‐shaped sling, and its mean thickness was 7.44 (SD, 1.41) mm. The mean thickness of internal (IAS) and external (EAS) sphincters at the mid‐sphincter level were 1.78 (SD, 0.59) and 5.49 (SD, 1.21) mm, respectively. The EAS measured 6.02 (SD, 1.07) mm at the lower sphincter level. The statistically significant differences seen in the in quadrants were: the IAS was thicker anteriorly (Z = −2.642; P = .008), the EAS at both midsphincter level (Z = −3.70; P < .001) and lower sphincter level (Z = −7.712; P < .001) was thicker posteriorly, and the IAS was thicker at the 9 o'clock position (Z = −2.081; P = .037). Good symmetry at all 3 levels was seen in the EAS (including the puborectalis muscle).

Conclusions

Normal values of 3DEAUS for primigravidae have been identified and may serve as reference values for other laboratories.
Quantitative Ultrasound Analysis of Proximal and Distal Cervical Tissue Echogenicity in Premature Cervical Remodeling
Authors: Blitz Matthew J. , Ghorayeb Sleiman R. , Pachtman Sarah L. , Murphy Megan , Rahman Zara , Prasannan Lakha , Sison Cristina P. , Vohra Nidhi , Rochelson Burton
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To determine whether a novel, noninvasive quantitative ultrasound (US) technique can detect differences in proximal and distal cervical tissue echogenicity in women with and without a shortened cervical length (CL).

Methods

We conducted a retrospective case‐control study of singleton pregnancies at 16 to 26 weeks' gestation in which a transvaginal US examination was performed to measure CL from 2013 to 2015. Initial CLs in cases and controls were less than 2.5 cm and 2.5 cm or greater, respectively. For each US image, a region of interest was selected in the proximal and distal cervical stroma, in both the anterior and posterior cervical lips. The Floyd‐Steinberg dithering algorithm transformed grayscale pixels in each region of interest into a binary map. A histogram tabulated the number of black and white pixels, allowing determination of the percent echogenicity. The difference in the percent echogenicity was calculated by subtracting the distal cervical echogenicity (average of anterior and posterior lips) from the proximal cervical echogenicity (average of anterior and posterior lips).

Results

Ultrasound images from 177 women were analyzed. There was a difference in the percent echogenicity (P < .0001) when comparing women with a short cervix (mean ± SD, 9.8 ± 10.1; n = 102) to women with a normal CL (17.2 ± 9.5; n = 75). Differences were attributable to changes in proximal (P < .008) rather than distal cervical echogenicity. Regardless of CL, the proximal cervix was more echogenic than the distal cervix.

Conclusions

A quantitative US analysis of cervical tissue can detect differences in echogenicity between the proximal and distal cervix in the second trimester. Proximal cervical echogenicity is lower with CL of less than 2.5 cm compared to a normal CL.
Is Testicular Macrocalcification a Risk for Malignancy?: Tumor Development on Ultrasonographic Follow‐up of Preexisting Intratesticular Macrocalcification
Authors: Pedersen Malene R. , Bartlett Emily C. , Brown Christian , Rafaelsen Søren R. , Sellars Maria E. , Sidhu Paul S.
Published: April 2018

Testicular macrocalcification is an uncommon finding when imaging the scrotum with ultrasonography (US). It is not normally a recognized risk factor for development of testicular malignancy, and patients are not usually offered follow‐up US examinations or counseled for self‐examination. This aspect is in distinction to patients with testicular microlithiasis (usually with an additional risk factor), who are offered follow‐up on the assumption that microlithiasis is associated with malignancy. We report a series of 6 patients with predetermined testicular macrocalcification, with development of a malignancy on follow‐up US. We encourage US follow‐up examinations for patients with macrocalcification, potentially in a similar manner as for those with testicular microlithiasis.
Identification of local factors causing clustering of animal‐vehicle collisions
Authors: Bartonička Tomáš , Andrášik Richard , Duľa Martin , Sedoník Jiří , Bíl Michal
Published: April 2018

Effective measures reducing risk of animal‐vehicle collisions (AVC) require defining high‐risk locations on roads where AVCs occur. Previous studies examined factors explaining locations of individual AVCs; however, some AVCs can form hotspots (i.e., clusters of AVCs) that can be explained by local factors. We therefore applied a novel kernel density estimation (KDE) method to AVCs for the Czech Republic from October 2006 to December 2011 to identify AVCs hotspots along roads. Our main goal was to identify local factors and their effect on the non‐random (clustered) occurrence of AVCs. The remaining solitary AVCs occurred randomly and are likely induced by other human factors on the global scale. The hotspot identification method followed by the selected data mining methods (KDE+ methods) identified factors causing local clustering of AVCs. Distance from forest (<350 m) or linear vegetation were important factors for estimating presence of clusters of AVCs; in open areas, AVC clusters were absent. Further research on effectiveness of measures reducing risk of AVC should focus on clusters of AVCs, not on the individual AVC. We recommend that state transportation agencies focus mitigation actions in forested areas. © 2018 The Authors.Journal of Wildlife ManagementPublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Variants in the PPARGC1A Gene may Influence the Effect of Fat Intake on Resting Metabolic Rate in Obese Women
Authors: Moradi Sajjad , Mirzaei Khadijeh , Maghbooli Zhila , Abdurahman Ahmed A. , Keshavarz Seyed Ali
Published: April 2018

Recent studies have shown that dietary intake and genetic variants play a decisive role in the risk of obesity. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the interaction between dietary fat and PPARGC1A polymorphisms on the level of resting metabolic rate (RMR). We enrolled 288 Iranian overweight and obese women in this cross‐sectional study. We sequenced the 648 b.p. DNA in Exon 8 of PPARGC1A gene. We analyzed the two single‐nucleotide polymorphisms, namely rs11290186 and rs2970847, in this region. All participants were assessed for RMR, dietary intake, and body composition. This study demonstrated that total cholesterol and insulin levels were positively associated with T allele carriers of rs2970847. Moreover, the A‐deletion allele carrier of the rs11290186 genotype had higher triacylglycerol and insulin concentrations. The current study revealed that, after adjustment for energy intake, the AA genotype of PPARGC1A (rs11290186) had a direct association with polyunsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid intakes. Another important finding in our study was that there was an interaction seen between fat and saturated fatty acids intake with the PPARGC1A genotypes. Women with fat intakes of more than 30% of calorie intake per day and the A‐deletion genotype had a lower RMR and RMR/fat free mass (FFM). It seems that the PPARGC1A polymorphisms lead to the downregulation of insulin signaling and subsequently insulin resistance. In addition, the interactions between the PPARGC1A polymorphisms (rs11290186) and the level of dietary fat intake probably can have an effect on RMR and RMR/FFM in obese women.
Shelah's eventual categoricity conjecture in tame abstract elementary classes with primes
Authors: Vasey Sebastien
Published: April 2018

A new case of Shelah's eventual categoricity conjecture is established:

Let be an abstract elementary class with amalgamation. Write and . Assume that is H2‐tame and has primes over sets of the form . If is categorical in some , then is categorical in all .

The result had previously been established when the stronger locality assumptions of full tameness and shortness are also required. An application of the method of proof of the mentioned result is that Shelah's categoricity conjecture holds in the context of homogeneous model theory (this was known, but our proof gives new cases): If D be a homogeneous diagram in a first‐order theory T and D is categorical in a , then D is categorical in all .
Polymorphisms of DNA repair genes are associated with colorectal cancer in patients with Lynch syndrome
Authors: Kamiza Abram B. , Hsieh Ling‐Ling , Tang Reiping , Chien Huei‐Tzu , Lai Chih‐Hsiung , Chiu Li‐Ling , Lo Tsai‐Ping , Hung Kuan‐Yi , You Jeng‐Fu , Wang Wen‐Chang , Hsiung Chao A. , Yeh Chih‐Ching
Published: April 2018

Background

DNA repair genes are crucial for maintaining genomic stability by preventing mutagenesis and carcinogenesis. The present retrospective cohort study aimed at investigating whether MLH1, APEX1, MUTYH, OGG1, NUDT1, XRCC5, XPA, and ERCC2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) in Chinese population with Lynch syndrome.

Methods

From Amsterdam criteria family registry, we identified 270 patients with Lynch syndrome. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between DNA repair SNPs and CRC were calculated using a weighted Cox proportional hazard regression model.

Results

Heterozygous variants of rs1799832 in NUDT1 (HR = 2.97, 95% CI = 1.51–5.83) and rs13181 in ERCC2 (HR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.10–6.55) were significantly associated with an increased risk of CRC compared with wild‐type homozygous CC and TT genotypes, respectively. However, the variant CG+GG genotype of MUTYH rs3219489 was associated with a decreased risk of CRC (HR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.26–0.91) compared with the homozygous CC wild‐type counterparts.

Conclusion

Our findings revealed that polymorphisms of DNA repair genes that include NUDT1, ERCC2, and MUTYH are associated with CRC in patients with Lynch syndrome in Chinese population. Further studies with large sample size are needed to confirm our findings.
Supercritical Neimark‐Sacker bifurcation of a discrete‐time Nicholson‐Bailey model
Authors: Khan A. Q.
Published: April 2018

We study the local dynamics and supercritical Neimark‐Sacker bifurcation of a discrete‐time Nicholson‐Bailey host‐parasitoid model in the interior of
. It is proved that if α>1, then the model has a unique positive equilibrium point
, which is locally asymptotically focus, unstable focus and nonhyperbolic under certain parametric condition. Furthermore, it is proved that the model undergoes a supercritical Neimark‐Sacker bifurcation in a small neighborhood of the unique positive equilibrium point
, and meanwhile, the stable closed curve appears. From the viewpoint of biology, the stable closed curve corresponds to the period or quasiperiodic oscillations between host and parasitoid populations. Some numerical simulations are presented to verify theoretical results.
Oral Administration of Edible Seaweed Undaria Pinnatifida (Wakame) Modifies Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Rats: A DNA Microarray Analysis
Authors: Yoshinaga Keiko , Nakai Yuji , Izumi Hikari , Nagaosa Kaz , Ishijima Tomoko , Nakano Takahisa , Abe Keiko
Published: April 2018

Scope

Wakame is an edible seaweed that is a common constituent in the Japanese diet. Previous studies showed that wakame consumption is associated with the prevention of metabolic syndrome, but the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects are poorly understood.

Methods and results

To determine if the expression of hepatic genes is affected by ingestion of the brown seaweed Undaria pinnatifida (wakame), rats were fed a diet containing 0, 0.1, or 1.0 g per 100 g dried wakame powder for 28 days. Administration of 1% wakame significantly decreased serum total cholesterol levels. Hepatic gene expression was investigated using DNA microarray analysis, and the results showed that wakame suppresses the lipogenic pathway by downregulating SREBF‐1. Moreover, bile acid biosynthesis and gluconeogenesis were promoted by upregulation of the PPAR signaling pathway, which leads to a reduction in the accumulation of cholesterol and promotion of β‐oxidation.

Conclusions

These results suggest that wakame ingestion affects glucose and lipid metabolism by altering the expression of SREBF‐1 and PPAR signal‐related genes.
The Endotoxemia Marker Lipopolysaccharide‐Binding Protein is Reduced in Overweight‐Obese Subjects Consuming Pomegranate Extract by Modulating the Gut Microbiota: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: González‐Sarrías Antonio , Romo‐Vaquero María , García‐Villalba Rocío , Cortés‐Martín Adrián , Selma María Victoria , Espín Juan Carlos
Published: April 2018

Scope

Gut microbiota dysbiosis, intestinal barrier failure, obesity, metabolic endotoxemia, and pro‐inflammatory status promote cardiovascular risk. However, the modulation of the gut microbiome to prevent endotoxemia in obesity has been scarcely studied. We investigated the association between gut microbiota modulation and plasma lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP), a surrogate marker of endotoxemia, in overweight‐obese individuals.

Methods and results

In a randomized trial, 49 overweight‐obese subjects (body mass index> 27 kg m−2) with mild hypelipidemia daily consumed, in a cross‐over fashion, two doses (D1 and D2, lasting 3 weeks each) of pomegranate extract (PE) or placebo alternating with 3 weeks of wash‐out periods. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) of plasma LBP and a marginal decrease (p = 0.054) of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein were observed, but only after PE‐D2 administration (656 mg phenolics). 16S rDNA sequencing analyses revealed the increase of microorganisms important for maintaining normal balance of gut microbiota and gut barrier function, particularly Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Butyricicoccus, Odoribacter, and Butyricimonas. PE‐D2 also decreased pro‐inflammatory microorganisms including Parvimonas, Methanobrevibacter, and Methanosphaera. Remarkably, plasma LBP reduction was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with both Faecalibacterium and Odoribacter increase and Parvimonas decrease.

Conclusions

Consumption of PE decreased endotoxemia in overweight‐obese individuals by reshaping the gut microbiota, mainly through the modulation of Faecalibacterium, Odoribacter, and Parvimonas.
An efficient model to guide prospective T2‐weighted 4D magnetic resonance imaging acquisition
Authors: Du Dongsu , Mutic Sasa , Li H. Harold , Hu Yanle
Published: April 2018

Purpose

To establish a mathematical model to guide prospective T2‐weighted four‐dimensional magnetic resonance imaging (4DMRI) acquisition and to propose an efficient solution to expedite prospective T2‐weighted 4DMRI acquisition.

Methods

Prospective T2‐weighted 4DMRI acquisition was characterized by a mathematical model with 4DMRI acquisition time as the objective function and completeness of the image set, acquisition timing, image contrast, and image artifacts as constraints. Given the irregular nature of human respiration, an efficient solution based on the greedy strategy (ESGS) was proposed. The efficiency of the ESGS method was validated using healthy human subjects. Comparisons were made with the previous 4DMRI method incorporating the prefixed‐order respiratory state splitting (PO‐RSS) technique.

Results

4DMRI image sets acquired using the ESGS and PO‐RSS methods had similar image quality. The average time to acquire a 4DMRI image set covering 60 slices at 10 respiratory states was reduced by 30%, from 13.1 min using the PO‐RSS method to 9.0 min using the ESGS method. It was demonstrated that high‐quality T2‐weighted 4DMRI could be obtained within a reasonable amount of time and all slices within each of the three‐dimensional volumes were indeed acquired at the same respiratory state.

Conclusions

The ESGS method substantially reduces the acquisition time for T2‐weighted 4DMRI, making it ready for clinical evaluation to obtain abdominal tumor motion for radiotherapy treatment planning.
Accelerated 3D bSSFP imaging for treatment planning on an MRI‐guided radiotherapy system
Authors: Gao Yu , Zhou Ziwu , Han Fei , Cao Minsong , Shaverdian Narek , Hegde John V. , Bista Biraj B. , Steinberg Michael , Lee Percy , Raldow Ann , Low Daniel A. , Yang Yingli , Hu Peng
Published: April 2018

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to introduce a compressed sensing and parallel imaging‐combined technique to reduce the acquisition time of planning MRI for MR‐guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) systems.

Methods and materials

A variable‐density Poisson‐Disk (VDPD) undersampling acquisition along with compressed sensing reconstruction technique was developed and compared with the current planning MR protocol, which uses an optimized balanced steady‐state free precession sequence with 7.5‐fold (7.5×) acceleration achieved by GRAPPA and partial Fourier. The image quality of GRAPPA and VDPD with 7.5× and 15× acceleration was compared with fully sampled images on a phantom. Two volunteers were recruited to compare the in vivo imaging performance. Ten patients with abdominal tumors were scanned using the conventional GRAPPA 7.5× (25 s) and the proposed VDPD 15× (12.5 s) sequences. Three readers scored the two approaches in terms of the quality for organ and tumor delineation. The gross tumor volume (GTV) and two kidneys were contoured. Differences in centroid location and contour volumes, Dice coefficients, and mean distance‐to‐agreement (MDA) between contours draw on the two techniques were calculated. All studies were performed on a 0.35 T MRgRT system.

Results

In the phantom study, VDPD with 15× acceleration rate had lower noise level than GRAPPA with 7.5× acceleration. In both the phantom and volunteer study, noise amplification was apparent when the acceleration rate was increased from 7.5× to 15× in the GRAPPA acquisition, whereas it was minimally increased using the VDPD approach. In the patient study, no significant difference was found for the scoring and contouring statistics between the two techniques, whereas VDPD only took half the scan time as GRAPPA. Volume difference for the GTV and two kidneys between GRAPPA 7.5× and VDPD 15× was around 7.6%, 1.3%, and 2.8%, respectively; while the Dice index was approximately 0.85, 0.92, and 0.90, respectively.

Conclusion

The proposed technique reduced the acquisition time by half and provided comparable or improved image quality than the standard planning MRI protocol.
Label‐free identification of myopathological features with coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering
Authors: Niedieker Daniel , GrosserÜschkamp Frederik , Schreiner Anja , Barkovits Katalin , Kötting Carsten , Marcus Katrin , Gerwert Klaus , Vorgerd Matthias
Published: April 2018

Introduction: The aim of this study was the label‐free identification of distinct myopathological features with coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) imaging, which leaves the sample intact for further analysis. Methods: The protein distribution was determined without labels by CARS at 2,930 cm−1 and was compared with the results of standard histological staining. Results: CARS imaging allowed the visualization of glycogen accumulation in glycogen storage disease type 5 (McArdle disease) and of internal nuclei in centronuclear myopathy. CARS identified an inhomogeneous protein distribution within muscle fibers in sporadic inclusion body myositis that was not shown with standard staining. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy, evidence for a higher protein content at the border of hypercontracted fibers was detected. Discussion: CARS enables the label‐free identification of distinct myopathological features, possibly paving the way for subsequent proteomic, metabolic, and genomic analyses. Muscle Nerve 58: 457–460, 2018
Hypothyroidism impairs somatovisceral reflexes involved in micturition of female rabbits
Authors: Sánchez‐García Octavio , López‐Juárez Rhode , Rodríguez‐Castelán Julia , Corona‐Quintanilla Dora L. , Martínez‐Gómez Margarita , Cuevas‐Romero Estela , Castelán Francisco
Published: April 2018

Aims

To determine the impact of hypothyroidism on the bladder and urethral functions as well as in the activation of the pubococcygeous (Pcm) and bulbospongiosus (Bsm) during micturition.

Methods

Age‐matched control and methimazole‐induced hypothyroid female rabbits were used to simultaneously record cystometrograms, urethral pressure, and the reflex activation of Pcm and Bsm during the induced micturition. Urodynamic and urethral variables were measured. Activation or no activation of the Pcm and Bsm during the storage and voiding phases of micturition were categorized as 1 or 0. Significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between control and hypothyroid groups were determined with unpaired Student‐t or Mann‐Whitney tests.

Results

One‐month induced hypothyroidism increased the residual volume and threshold pressure while the opposite was true for the voided volume, maximal pressure, and voiding efficiency. Urethral pressure was also affected as supported by a notorious augmentation of the urethral resistance, among other changes in the rest of measured variables. Hypothyroidism also affected the reflex activation of the Pcm in the voiding phase of micturition.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate hypothyroidism impairs the bladder and, urethral functions, and reflex activation of Pcm and Bsm affecting the micturition in female rabbits.
Autophagy and Its Implications Against Early Full Nutrition Support in Critical Illness
Authors: Van Dyck Lisa , Casaer Michaël P. , Gunst Jan
Published: April 2018

The timing, dose, and route of early nutrition support in critically ill patients have been highly controversial for years. Despite the association of a caloric deficit with adverse outcome, several recent large, randomized, controlled trials have demonstrated a prolongation of organ failure and increased muscle weakness with increasing doses of nutrition in the acute phase of critical illness. A potential explanation for the negative impact of early, full feeding on outcome is feeding‐induced suppression of autophagy, a cellular repair process that is necessary to clear intracellular damage. Whether nutrition management in critically ill patients should be guided by its effects on autophagy is a topic of debate. Currently, however, autophagy cannot be monitored in clinical practice. Moreover, clinical management should be guided by high‐quality randomized controlled trials, which currently do not support the use of early full nutrition support.
Serum Levels of Albumin and Prealbumin Do Not Correlate With Nutrient Delivery in Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients
Authors: Yeh D. Dante , Johnson Emily , Harrison Tara , Kaafarani Haytham M.A. , Lee Jarone , Fagenholz Peter , Saillant Noelle , Chang Yuchiao , Velmahos George
Published: April 2018

Background

Serum albumin and prealbumin levels, may be more strongly associated with inflammation than with nutrient delivery. Their predictive value has not been extensively described in surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods

We analyzed a registry of adult surgical ICU patients receiving enteral nutrition. Subjects with at least 1 serum albumin, prealbumin, or C‐reactive protein (CRP) level were included. Demographic, nutrition, and clinical outcome data were collected.

Results

A total 252 subjects were included. A subset had serial measurements: albumin (n = 194), prealbumin (n = 13), CRP (n = 9), white blood cell (WBC) (n = 131), and neutrophil–lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (n = 86). Serum albumin level was inversely correlated with all 3 inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, ρ = −0.24, P <0.02; WBC, ρ = −0.15, P <0.001; and NLR, ρ = −0.26, P < 0.001). Change in serum albumin level was inversely correlated with change in NLR (ρ = −0.22, P = 0.044) but not with CRP or WBC. Admission serum albumin level was significantly higher in nourished vs. moderately and/or severely malnourished patients (3.2 [2.7–3.7] vs. 2.7 [2.3–3.0], P = 0.004). Admission serum prealbumin level was significantly higher in nourished vs. moderately and/or severely malnourished patients (9 [7–12] vs. 4 [3–5], P = 0.001). Serum albumin level was inversely correlated with Charlson Comorbidity Index (ρ = 0.20, P = 0.001). Calorie and/or protein delivery in the ICU was not correlated with changes in serum albumin or prealbumin levels.

Conclusions

In the ICU, initial serum albumin levels and serial trends are inversely correlated with inflammation. Although initial serum albumin levels are reflective of baseline nutrition status, neither serum albumin level nor serum prealbumin level trends correlate with calorie or protein deficits and should not be used to assess adequacy of nutrition delivery.
Integrating new knowledge into practice: An evaluation study on a continuing education for Swedish child health nurses on non‐synostotic plagiocephaly
Authors: Lennartsson Freda , Nordin Per , Ahlberg Beth Maina
Published: April 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess what knowledge on non‐synostotic plagiocephaly prevention and reversal intervention and control group nurses imparted to parents and parents integrated in infant care.

Design

A group of nurses participated in a continuing education on non‐synostotic plagiocephaly in one‐to‐one or small group sessions at their workplace and received guidelines to follow. An evaluation was conducted with 35 intervention group and 15 control group nurses by asking them two open‐ended questions 1 year later; 181 intervention group and 90 control group parents were also asked two open‐ended questions and to rate their infant's head shape.

Methods

Data were collected during the year 2013. Qualitative content analysis and case‐by‐case analysis were conducted using a process‐oriented approach.

Results

Intervention group nurses imparted both regular and newly introduced knowledge on positioning strategies to parents. Intervention group parents who perceived severe cranial asymmetry when infants were 3–4 months old reported implementing regular and new infant positioning recommendations.
Nursing program offers critical thinking, leadership, career potential
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: April 2018

Students Speak

Nursing program offers critical thinking, leadership, career potential

Resources

Adults perceive degree as desirable, expensive

For‐profit certificates do not show ROI
Trend‐Analysis of Solid‐State Structures: Low‐Energy Conformational ‘Reactions’ Involving Directed and Coupled Movements in Half‐Sandwich Compounds [CpFe(CO){C(=O)R}PPh3]
Authors: Brunner Henri , Tsuno Takashi
Published: April 2018

Invited for this month's cover picture are Prof. Dr. Henri Brunner from the University of Regensburg (Germany) and Prof. Dr. Takashi Tsuno from Nihon University (Japan). The cover picture shows the conformational reaction of JIDLUD→FIHTUL. The order of sample points of solid‐state structures reveals information concerning low‐energy, directed, and coupled movements in molecules. Read the full text of their Communication at 10.1002/open.201800007.
Inequality in physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep duration and risk of obesity in children: a 12‐country study
Authors: Chaput J.‐P. , Barnes J. D. , Tremblay M. S. , Fogelholm M. , Hu G. , Lambert E. V. , Maher C. , Maia J. , Olds T. , Onywera V. , Sarmiento O. L. , Standage M. , Tudor‐Locke C. , Katzmarzyk P. T.
Published: April 2018

Objective

Studies examining associations between movement behaviours (i.e. physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep duration) and obesity focus on average values of these movement behaviours, despite important within‐country and between‐country variability. A better understanding of movement behaviour inequalities is important for developing public health policies and behaviour‐change interventions. The objective of this ecologic analysis at the country level was to determine if inequality in movement behaviours is a better correlate of obesity than average movement behaviour volume in children from all inhabited continents of the world.

Methods

This multinational, cross‐sectional study included 6,128 children 9–11 years of age. Moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA), total sedentary time (SED) and sleep period time were monitored over 7 consecutive days using waist‐worn accelerometry. Screen time was self‐reported. Inequality in movement behaviours was determined using Gini coefficients (ranging from 0 [complete equality] to 1 [complete inequality]).

Results

The largest inequality in movement behaviours was observed for screen time (Gini of 0.32; medium inequality), followed by MVPA (Gini of 0.21; low inequality), SED (Gini of 0.07; low inequality) and sleep period time (Gini of 0.05; low inequality). Average MVPA (h d−1) was a better correlate of obesity than MVPA inequality (r = −0.77 vs. r = 0.00, p = 0.03). Average SED (h d−1) was also a better correlate of obesity than SED inequality (r = 0.52 vs. r = −0.32, p = 0.05). Differences in associations for screen time and sleep period time were not statistically significant. MVPA in girls was found to be disproportionally lower in countries with more MVPA inequality.

Conclusions

Findings from this study show that average MVPA and SED should continue to be used in population health studies of children as they are better correlates of obesity than inequality in these behaviours. Moreover, the findings suggest that MVPA inequality could be greatly reduced through increases in girls' MVPA alone.
Improving the thermal conductivity and mechanical property of epoxy composites by introducing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐grafted graphene oxide
Authors: Zhang Chengxiang , Li Tingxi , Song Hui , Han Yongqin , Dong Yaoyao , Wang Yanmin , Wang Qing
Published: April 2018

In this work, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane‐graphene oxide (POSS‐GO) was prepared by 1,6‐Hexanediamine (HDM) as a bridge and characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscope. High thermal conductivity toughening composites were prepared by introducing POSS‐GO into epoxy resin (EP) with solution blending. The introduction of HDM‐POSS molecular chain can not only improve the dispersion of GO in epoxy, but also as “stent” prevent the accumulation of GO. Results show that when the weight loading of GO and POSS‐GO was 1.0 phr, the thermal conductivity of composites improved by 26.32 and 63.16% as compared with neat epoxy. Impact strength of POSS‐GO/EP is 29.29% higher than that of GO/EP at 0.8phr and bending strength tests also showed similar results. When compared with pristine GO, POSS‐GO possessed better thermal conductivity and toughening effect for epoxy, moreover, the mechanism is discussed in this paper. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:E1890–E1899, 2018. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Hidden partners: Using cross‐docking calculations to predict binding sites for proteins with multiple interactions
Authors: Lagarde Nathalie , Carbone Alessandra , Sacquin‐Mora Sophie
Published: April 2018

Protein‐protein interactions control a large range of biological processes and their identification is essential to understand the underlying biological mechanisms. To complement experimental approaches, in silico methods are available to investigate protein‐protein interactions. Cross‐docking methods, in particular, can be used to predict protein binding sites. However, proteins can interact with numerous partners and can present multiple binding sites on their surface, which may alter the binding site prediction quality. We evaluate the binding site predictions obtained using complete cross‐docking simulations of 358 proteins with 2 different scoring schemes accounting for multiple binding sites. Despite overall good binding site prediction performances, 68 cases were still associated with very low prediction quality, presenting individual area under the specificity‐sensitivity ROC curve (AUC) values below the random AUC threshold of 0.5, since cross‐docking calculations can lead to the identification of alternate protein binding sites (that are different from the reference experimental sites). For the large majority of these proteins, we show that the predicted alternate binding sites correspond to interaction sites with hidden partners, that is, partners not included in the original cross‐docking dataset. Among those new partners, we find proteins, but also nucleic acid molecules. Finally, for proteins with multiple binding sites on their surface, we investigated the structural determinants associated with the binding sites the most targeted by the docking partners.
Immobile populations as anchors of rural ethnic identity: Contemporary Kazakh narratives of place and migration in Mongolia
Authors: Barcus Holly R. , Shugatai Amangul
Published: April 2018

Migration to rapidly expanding global urban landscapes and the questions surrounding population growth in these places continue to fuel interest amongst academics, policy makers, and news outlets. Less attention is paid to those individuals who do not head for the big city, immobile populations in rural places. In this paper, we argue that rather than being “those left behind,” immobile populations play a key role in maintaining and perpetuating cultural narratives for ethnic minority populations by anchoring cultural narratives to place. These narratives become reinterpreted and reimagined by outmigrants but remain firmly connected to place through immobile populations. The concept of place elasticity allows us to imagine how these local narratives of place remain intact. It describes the ways in which individuals maintain a continuous, meaningful engagement with a place, even if they reside a long distance from that place. We utilise the case study of Mongolian Kazakhs, an ethnic minority population with strong place attachments as well as significant outmigration from their rural home region in western Mongolia, to explore the idea of place elasticity and evolving place identities for rural populations in developing and transitioning countries. Through analysis of our questionnaires and life history interview data, we find that nonmigrants (immobile) facilitate rural place attachments and identities for this population. This finding suggests that rather than being “left behind,” nonmigrants or immobile populations play an important role in perpetuating place identities and attachments for outmigrants.
Determination of the Amount of Carbohydrates Adsorbed on Solid Substrates
Authors: Arenja Pariyanka , Rösch Christina , Huttenlochner Katharina , Müller‐Renno Christine , Hannig Matthias , Ziegler Christiane
Published: April 2018

Carbohydrates, for example in form of polysaccharides such as dextran are essential components of all living organisms and are involved in cell and bacterial adhesion. The latter can lead to biofilms which may either cause diseases or are beneficial in biofilm reactors. To utilize effects of bound carbohydrates it is required to know under which conditions they bind to solid surfaces such as dental materials or biofilm reactor walls. For this purpose one interesting question is to which amount the polysaccharides bind to the surface under a predefined condition. However, the quantification of bound carbohydrates is very difficult. A well‐known method to quantify carbohydrates in solution is the phenol‐sulfuric acid (PSA) assay. Here, this method is adapted for bound carbohydrates. This modified PSA assay delivers reproducible results and does only need a small amount of reagents and carbohydrates. In the case of dextran bound on titanium as biomaterial it delivers the expected results, that is that higher concentrations lead to a higher adsorbed amount.