bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photoelectrochemical Wiring of Paulschulzia pseudovolvox (Algae) to Osmium Polymer Modified Electrodes for Harnessing Solar Energy
Authors: Hasan Kamrul , Çevik Emre , Sperling Eva , Packer Michael A. , Leech Dónal , Gorton Lo
Published: August 2015

Studies on biological photovoltaics based on intact organisms are challenging and in most cases include diffusing mediators to facilitate electrochemical communication with electrodes. However, using such mediators is impractical. Instead, surface confined Os‐polymers have been successfully used in electrochemical studies including oxidoreductases and bacterial cells but not with algae. Photoelectrogenic activity of a green alga, Paulschulzia pseudovolvox, immobilized on graphite or Os‐polymer modified graphite is demonstrated. Direct electron transfer is revealed, when no mediator is added, between algae and electrodes with electrons emerging from photolysis of water via the cells to the electrode exhibiting a photocurrent density of 0.02 μA cm−2. Os‐polymers with different redox potentials and structures are used to optimize the energy gap between the photosynthetic complexes of the cells and the Os‐polymers and those of greater solubility, better accessibility with membranes, and relatively higher potentials yielded a photocurrent density of 0.44 μA cm−2. When benzoquinone is included to the electrolyte, the photocurrent density reaches 6.97 μA cm−2. The photocurrent density is improved to 11.50 μA cm−2, when the cells are protected from reactive oxygen species when either superoxide dismutase or catalase is added. When adding an inhibitor specific for photosystem II, diuron, the photocurrent is decreased by 50%.
Blocking of the PD‐1/PD‐L1 Interaction by a D‐Peptide Antagonist for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Chang Hao‐Nan , Liu Bei‐Yuan , Qi Yun‐Kun , Zhou Yang , Chen Yan‐Ping , Pan Kai‐Mai , Li Wen‐Wen , Zhou Xiu‐Man , Ma Wei‐Wei , Fu Cai‐Yun , Qi Yuan‐Ming , Liu Lei , Gao Yan‐Feng
Published: August 2015

Blockade of the protein–protein interaction between the transmembrane protein programmed cell death protein 1 (PD‐1) and its ligand PD‐L1 has emerged as a promising immunotherapy for treating cancers. Using the technology of mirror‐image phage display, we developed the first hydrolysis‐resistant D‐peptide antagonists to target the PD‐1/PD‐L1 pathway. The optimized compound DPPA‐1 could bind PD‐L1 at an affinity of 0.51 μM in vitro. A blockade assay at the cellular level and tumor‐bearing mice experiments indicated that DPPA‐1 could also effectively disrupt the PD‐1/PD‐L1 interaction in vivo. Thus D‐peptide antagonists may provide novel low‐molecular‐weight drug candidates for cancer immunotherapy.
A case of lymphoproliferative disorder of NK‐cells: aggressive immunophenotype but indolent behavior
Authors: Shi Min , Savage Natasha M. , Salman Huda , Morice William G.
Published: August 2015

Key Clinical Message

Distinguishing chronic lymphoproliferative disorder of NK‐cells from aggressive NK‐cell leukemia is critical because they have distinct clinical course and management. Immunophenotyping plays a key role in distinguishing these two entities, however, it could not be used as sole criteria and clinical/laboratory findings are equally important.
A Heterogeneous Niobium(V) Oxide Catalyst for the Direct Amidation of Esters
Authors: Ali Md. Ayub , Siddiki S. M. A. Hakim , Kon Kenichi , Shimizu Ken‐ichi
Published: August 2015

This study reports the first example of a heterogeneous catalytic system for the direct amidation of various esters with amines. Of 25 types of catalyst, Nb2O5 shows the highest activity in the amidation of methyl benzoate with aniline. Nb2O5 gives high yields in the amidation of various esters and amines under solvent‐free conditions, is reusable, and shows higher turnover numbers than previously reported homogeneous catalysts such as La(OTf)3. IR spectroscopic studies of ethyl acetate adsorbed on the catalysts show a strong acid–base interaction between the Nb5+ Lewis acid site and carbonyl oxygen, which can result in high reactivity of the ester with a nucleophile (amine) and, thus, high activity of Nb2O5. Kinetic results show that the activity of Nb2O5 does not markedly decrease with increasing aniline concentration, in contrast to reference catalysts TiO2 and La(OTf)3. The relatively low negative impact of basic molecules on the Lewis acid catalysis of Nb2O5 also enables its high activity.
Magnetic Relaxation in Single‐Electron Single‐Ion Cerium(III) Magnets: Insights from Ab Initio Calculations
Authors: Singh Saurabh Kumar , Gupta Tulika , Ungur Liviu , Rajaraman Gopalan
Published: August 2015

Detailed ab initio calculations were performed on two structurally different cerium(III) single‐molecule magnets (SMMs) to probe the origin of magnetic anisotropy and to understand the mechanism of magnetic relaxations. The complexes [CeIII{ZnII(L)}2(MeOH)]BPh4 (1) and [Li(dme)3][CeIII(cot′′)2] (1; L=N,N,O,O‐tetradentate Schiff base ligand; 2; DME=dimethoxyethane, COT′′=1,4‐bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclooctatetraenyldianion), which are reported to be zero‐field and field‐induced SMMs with effective barrier heights of 21.2 and 30 K respectively, were chosen as examples. CASSCF+RASSI/SINGLE_ANISO calculations unequivocally suggest that mJ|±5/2〉 and |±1/2〉 are the ground states for complexes 1 and 2, respectively. The origin of these differences is rooted back to the nature of the ligand field and the symmetry around the cerium(III) ions. Ab initio magnetisation blockade barriers constructed for complexes 1 and 2 expose a contrasting energy‐level pattern with significant quantum tunnelling of magnetisation between the ground state Kramers doublet in complex 2. Calculations performed on several model complexes stress the need for a suitable ligand environment and high symmetry around the cerium(III) ions to obtain a large effective barrier.
Wire‐coating by withdrawal from a bath of Phan‐Thien‐Tanner fluid
Authors: Javed Muhammad Asif , Ali Nasir , Hayat Tasawar
Published: August 2015

In this paper, the problem of coating wire by withdrawing it from a bath of Phan‐Thien‐Tanner (PTT) fluid is investigated. The problem is analyzed using (a) the complete form of the Phan‐Thien‐Tanner (PTT) constitutive equation with a linearized version of the stress coefficient; and (b) the simplified form of the PTT constitutive equation with an exponential version of the stress coefficient. An exact solution of the governing equation is obtained for both cases. The influences of various emerging parameters on the velocity profile, volumetric flow rate, radius of coated wire, shear stress at the surface of the wire, and force required to pull the wire are discussed through graphical illustrations.
Synthesis and characterization of hydrochars produced by hydrothermal carbonization of oil palm shell
Authors: Nizamuddin Sabzoi , Jaya Kumar Natesan Subramanian , Sahu Jaya Narayan , Ganesan Poobalan , Mubarak Nabisab Mujawar , Mazari Shaukat Ali
Published: August 2015

In this paper, hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) is applied to oil palm shells to produce a solid fuel known as hydrochar. The effect of reaction temperatures 220–290 °C at reaction time 30 min, and a biomass to water ratio of 0.15 g/g (15 wt %) was investigated for synthesis of hydrochar. The hydrochar yield percentage decreased from 62.4 to 43 % with increasing temperature from 220 to 290 °C. In addition, carbon percentage increased with an increase in temperature from 26.93 (oil palm shell) to 63.77 % (hydrochar produced at 290 °C). The higher heating value (HHV) tended to increase from 12.24 MJ/kg (oil palm shell) to 26.80 MJ/kg for hydrochar products. The raw palm shell and hydrochars were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Branuer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET), Field Emission Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Surface porosity of hydrochar product increased, which resulted in a compacted surface and large surface area. BET surface area, total pore volume, and average pore diameter were improved from 0.316 m2/g, 0.001 29 cm3/g, and 45.1153 nm to 12.5996 m2/g, 0.0557 cm3/g, and 113.4120 nm, respectively, at 260 °C.
Structured Frameworks to Increase the Transparency of the Assessment of Benefits and Risks of Medicines: Current Status and Possible Future Directions
Authors: Pignatti F , Ashby D , Brass EP , Eichler H‐G , Frey P , Hillege HL , Hori A , Levitan B , Liberti L , Löfstedt RE , McAuslane N , Micaleff A , Noel RA , Postmus D , Renn O , Sabourin BJ , Salmonson T , Walker S
Published: August 2015

Structured frameworks for benefit‐risk analysis in drug licensing decisions are being implemented across a number of regulatory agencies worldwide. The aim of these frameworks is to aid the analysis and communication of the benefit‐risk assessment throughout the development, evaluation, and supervision of medicines. In this review, authors from regulatory agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and academia share their views on the different frameworks and discuss future directions.
Activation Effect of Fullerene C60 on the Carbon Dioxide Absorption Performance of Amine‐Rich Polypropylenimine Dendrimers
Authors: Andreoli Enrico , Barron Andrew R.
Published: August 2015

Invited for this month′s cover are Dr. Enrico Andreoli and Prof. Andrew R. Barron from the Energy Safety Research Institute (ESRI) of Swansea University. The image shows how fullerene C60 can activate amine‐rich polymers toward CO2 capture for clean energy production. The Full Paper itself is available at 10.1002/cssc.201500605.
Influence of terrain aspect on water partitioning, vegetation structure and vegetation greening in high‐elevation catchments in northern New Mexico
Authors: Zapata‐Rios Xavier , Brooks Paul D. , Troch Peter A. , McIntosh Jennifer , Guo Qinghua
Published: August 2015

We investigated vegetation structure, water partitioning dynamics and vegetation greening from 2000 through 2012 in three catchments draining north and east aspects of Redondo Peak in northern New Mexico. Vegetation structure was quantified from 1‐m lidar data, while vegetation greening was quantified using remotely sensed normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Hydrological partitioning at the catchment scale was estimated with a metric of catchment‐scale water fluxes and vegetation water use [Horton index (HI)]. The predominantly north‐facing catchment, when compared with the other two eastern catchments, receives less solar radiation, exhibits less forest cover and smaller biomass and has more surface run‐off (~15% of P) as a consequence of a smaller vaporization (85% of P) and smaller vegetation water consumption (HI = 0·85). Moreover, the north‐facing catchment showed smaller peak NDVI values (5·98) and shorter growing season length (121 days) as a consequence of energy limitation. In contrast, the two eastern catchments receive larger solar radiation and have more biomass and forest cover (>76%), smaller surface run‐off (<10% P) and higher vaporization (>90% P) and vegetation water consumption (HI = 0·95). The eastern catchments had larger vegetation greening (6·28–6·58) and a longer growing season (148–160 days). Snowpack conditions, such as maximum snow water equivalent and duration of the snow on the ground, explain over 95% of water partitioning (HI) that in turn influenced annual vegetation greening (R2 = 0·48–0·67; p < 0·05). This catchment‐scale study in perennial streams indicates that terrain aspect at a similar altitude (2700–3435 m) strongly controls energy, water distribution and vegetation productivity in high‐elevation ecosystems. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heterogeneous responses of systolic and diastolic left ventricular function to exercise in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Kasner Mario , Sinning David , Lober Jil , Post Heiner , Fraser Alan G. , Pieske Burkert , Burkhoff Daniel , Tschöpe Carsten
Published: August 2015

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate ventricular diastolic properties using three‐dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging at rest and during exercise in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) patients with borderline evidence of diastolic dysfunction at rest.

Methods and results

Results obtained from 52 HFpEF patients (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥ 50%) identified on the basis of heart failure symptoms and E/E′ values between 8 and 15 were compared with those obtained in 26 control patients with no evidence of cardiovascular disease. Mitral flow patterns, tissue Doppler imaging, and volume analysis obtained by three‐dimensional echocardiography were performed at rest and during bicycle exercise. Diastolic compliance was indexed by the E/E′ ratio and left ventricular end‐diastolic volume [(E/E′)/EDV]. There were no significant differences in end‐diastolic volume (EDV), stroke volume (SV), or ejection fraction at rest between groups. In 27 of the 52 patients, E/E′ increased during exercise (11.2 ± 3.7 to 16.8 ± 10.5), driven by a failure to augment early diastole (E′). This correlated with a fall in SV and was associated with an increase in the diastolic index (E/E′)/EDV as a measure for LV stiffness (0.122 ± 0.038 to 0.217 ± 0.14/mL), indicating that impaired diastolic reserve (designated PEF‐IDR) contributed to exercise intolerance. Of the 52 patients, 25 showed no changes in E/E′ during exercise associated with a significant rise in SV and cardiac output, still inappropriate compared with controls. Despite disturbed early diastole (E′), a blunted increase in estimated systolic LV elastance indicated that impaired systolic reserve and chronotropic incompetence rather than primarily diastolic disturbances contributed to exercise intolerance in this group (designated PEF).

Conclusion

Three‐dimensional stress echocardiography may allow non‐invasive analysis of changes in cardiac output that can differentiate HFpEF patients with an inappropriate increase or a fall in SV during exercise. Impaired systolic or diastolic reserve can contribute to these haemodynamic abnormalities, which may arise from different underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.
Atrophy patterns in early clinical stages across distinct phenotypes of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Ossenkoppele Rik , Cohn‐Sheehy Brendan I. , La Joie Renaud , Vogel Jacob W. , Möller Christiane , Lehmann Manja , van Berckel Bart N.M. , Seeley William W. , Pijnenburg Yolande A. , Gorno‐Tempini Maria L. , Kramer Joel H. , Barkhof Frederik , Rosen Howard J. , van der Flier Wiesje M. , Jagust William J. , Miller Bruce L. , Scheltens Philip , Rabinovici Gil D.
Published: August 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD) can present with distinct clinical variants. Identifying the earliest neurodegenerative changes associated with each variant has implications for early diagnosis, and for understanding the mechanisms that underlie regional vulnerability and disease progression in AD. We performed voxel‐based morphometry to detect atrophy patterns in early clinical stages of four AD phenotypes: Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA, “visual variant,” n = 93), logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA, “language variant,” n = 74), and memory‐predominant AD categorized as early age‐of‐onset (EOAD, <65 years, n = 114) and late age‐of‐onset (LOAD, >65 years, n = 114). Patients with each syndrome were stratified based on: (1) degree of functional impairment, as measured by the clinical dementia rating (CDR) scale, and (2) overall extent of brain atrophy, as measured by a neuroimaging approach that sums the number of brain voxels showing significantly lower gray matter volume than cognitively normal controls (n = 80). Even at the earliest clinical stage (CDR = 0.5 or bottom quartile of overall atrophy), patients with each syndrome showed both common and variant‐specific atrophy. Common atrophy across variants was found in temporoparietal regions that comprise the posterior default mode network (DMN). Early syndrome‐specific atrophy mirrored functional brain networks underlying functions that are uniquely affected in each variant: Language network in lvPPA, posterior cingulate cortex‐hippocampal circuit in amnestic EOAD and LOAD, and visual networks in PCA. At more advanced stages, atrophy patterns largely converged across AD variants. These findings support a model in which neurodegeneration selectively targets both the DMN and syndrome‐specific vulnerable networks at the earliest clinical stages of AD. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4421–4437, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cost‐effective GRNN‐based modeling of microwave transistors with a reduced number of measurements
Authors: Güneş Filiz , Mahouti Peyman , Demirel Salih , Belen Mehmet Ali , Uluslu Ahmet
Published: August 2015

In this article, a simple, accurate, fast, and reliable black‐box modeling is proposed for the scattering (S)‐parameters and noise (N)‐parameters of microwave transistors using the general regression neural network (GRNN) with the substantially reduced measurements and computational cost. In this modeling method, GRNN is employed as a nonlinear extrapolator to generalize the S‐data and N‐data belonging to only a single bias voltage in the middle region into the entire device operation domain of the bias condition (VDS/VCE, IDS/IC, f) within the shortened human effort. The proposed method is implemented to the modeling of the two transistors BFP640 and ATF‐551 M4 as study cases. Thus, comparisons are made with the multilayer perceptrons, trained by the two standard backward propagation algorithms, which are the Levenberg–Marquardt, Bayesian regularization and the 10 data mining methods recently published in the literature using the chosen training data sets in both ınterpolation and extrapolation types of generalization. All the comparisons are achieved using four criteria commonly used in the literature. It can be concluded that GRNN is found to be a fast and accurate modeling method that extrapolates the reduced amount of training data consisting of measured S‐parameters and N‐parameters at the typical currents of the middle bias voltage to the wide operating range. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Religious harassment in the workplace: An examination of observer intervention
Authors: Ghumman Sonia , Ryan Ann Marie , Park Jin Suk
Published: August 2015

Religious harassment claims in the United States have risen sharply over the past decade. However, victims of religious harassment may not always report harassment, and true rates may be higher. Hence, actions taken by third parties present (observers) are important in combating harassment in the workplace. The purpose of this paper is to extend a previous model of observer intervention and related research by testing it empirically in the context of religious harassment and identify factors that influence observers' decision to intervene (intervention), when they intervene (level of immediacy), and how much they intervene (level of involvement). Across two studies, we find evidence that verbal harassment, ambiguity of intent, relationship to target/harasser, recurrence belief, religious commitment, pro‐social orientation, and the interactive effect of shared religion and religious commitment predict intervention. Furthermore, individuals show higher levels of involvement and immediacy in intervention when costs are low and emotional reactions are high. Implications of these findings for engaging observers in combatting harassment are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Independent controls of orthogonally polarized transmitted waves using a Huygens metasurface
Authors: Jia Sheng Li , Wan Xiang , Bao Di , Zhao Yong Jiu , Cui Tie Jun
Published: August 2015

An ultrathin Huygens metasurface is proposed to manipulate orthogonally polarized transmitted waves independently. The Huygens metasurface consists of two layers of dielectric substrates and three layers of artificial metallic structures with ultrathin electric thickness. In physics, two orthogonal electric dipoles and two orthogonal magnetic dipoles are supported by each unit cell of the metasurface, which enable the complete control of phase distributions in both vertical and horizontal directions. Based on this feature, a polarization beam splitter with large splitting angle is designed and fabricated to demonstrate the capability and flexibility of the proposed Huygens metasurface. The numerical simulations and measurement results have a good match, indicating the good performance on independent controls of orthogonally polarized transmitted waves.

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Preliminary Evidence for the Neurophysiologic Effects of Online Coupons: Changes in Oxytocin, Stress, and Mood
Authors: Alexander Veronika , Tripp Sophie , Zak Paul J.
Published: August 2015

Coupon use saved consumers $2.9 billion on packaged goods in 2012 with over 90 million Americans using online coupons. Besides saving money, why is coupon use so widespread? An experiment was run where participants (N = 90) shopped online and one‐half received a coupon worth $10. It was found that those who received a coupon had a 14% increase in oxytocin (OT), an 8% decrease in the stress hormone adrenocorticotropin, a 4% decrease in heart rate (HR), a 27% decrease in respiration, a 4% decrease in skin conductance levels, and a 90% increase in high‐frequency HR variability. These factors showed almost no change for those who did not receive a coupon. The findings indicate that coupons elicit physiological reactions similar to having a positive social interaction. In addition, self‐reported happiness correlated with the change in OT (r = 0.43). These findings provide new insights into why online coupon use is so pervasive.
Twenty‐year follow‐up of newborn screening for patients with muscular dystrophy
Authors: Chung Jeffrey , Smith Andrea L. , Hughes Sarah C. , Niizawa Gabriela , Abdel‐Hamid Hoda Z. , Naylor Edwin W. , Hughes Timothy , Clemens Paula R.
Published: August 2015

Introduction

An opt‐out newborn screening (NBS) program for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) was implemented at 2 hospitals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, between 1987 and 1995.

Methods

For patients and their parents in families who received a diagnosis of DMD or BMD, either by NBS or by traditional diagnostics after symptom onset, attitudes toward NBS for DMD and BMD were assessed.

Results

All patients and most parents supported NBS for DMD and BMD. In contrast to the NBS parent cohort, the non‐NBS cohort felt that diagnosis by NBS would cause anxiety.

Conclusions

There was strong support of NBS for DMD and BMD in both patients and their parents in families who received a diagnosis through NBS or through traditional diagnostics. No negative psychosocial impacts of NBS were identified among those families who received a diagnosis through NBS. Muscle Nerve 53: 570–578, 2016
Isotope‐labeled differential profiling of metabolites using N‐benzoyloxysuccinimide derivatization coupled to liquid chromatography/high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Wagner Michel , Ohlund Leanne B. , Shiao Tze Chieh , Vézina Amélie , Annabi Borhane , Roy René , Sleno Lekha
Published: August 2015

Rationale

An isotopic labeling strategy based on derivatizing amine‐containing metabolites has been developed using light (12C6) and heavy (13C6) N‐benzoyloxysuccinimide reagents for semi‐targeted metabolomic applications.

Methods

Differentially labeled samples were combined and analyzed simultaneously by liquid chromatography/high‐resolution tandem mass spectrometry (LC/HR‐MS/MS) to compare relative amounts of amine‐containing metabolites. The selectivity of the reaction was determined with model metabolites and was shown to also be applicable to thiol and phenol moieties. The potential for relative quantitation was evaluated in cell extracts and the method was then applied to quantify metabolic perturbations occurring in human cultured cells under normal vs. oxidative stress conditions.

Results

A total of 279 derivatized features were detected in HL60 cell extracts, 77 of which yielded significant concentration changes upon oxidative stress treatment. Based on accurate mass measurements and MS/MS spectral matching with reference standard solutions, 10 metabolites were clearly identified. Derivatized compounds were found to have diagnostic fragment ions from the reagent itself, as well as structurally informative ions useful for metabolite identification.

Conclusions

This simple derivatization reaction can be applied to the relative quantitation of amine‐, thiol‐ and phenol‐containing compounds, with improved sensitivity and chromatographic peak shapes due to the increased hydrophobicity of polar metabolites not readily amenable to reversed‐phase LC/MS analysis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Higher net change of index of hemoglobin values between colon polyp and nonpolyp mucosa correlates with the presence of an advanced colon adenoma
Authors: Cheng Wei‐Chun , Cheng Hsiu‐Chi , Chen Po‐Jun , Kang Jui‐Wen , Yang Er‐Hsiang , Sheu Bor‐Shyang , Chen Wei‐Ying
Published: August 2015

Background

The index of hemoglobin (IHb) has not been applied in colonoscopy to correlate the histological features of colon polyps. This study tested whether the net change of IHb values between polyp and normal mucosa correlates with the pathological features of colon polyps.

Patients and methods

This study consecutively enrolled patients who underwent colonoscopy during September 2011–August 2012 in a single tertiary referral colorectal unit. Endoscopic pictures and IHb values of each part of the colon were taken at the levels of cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, sigmoid colon, and rectum. The net change of IHb values was calculated as follows: IHb value of colon polyp minus that of the surrounding mucosa.

Results

A total of 117 patients (32 with hyperplastic polyp, 5 with sessile serrated adenoma, 53 with tubular adenoma, 10 with villotubular adenoma, and 3 with adenocarcinoma) were recruited. The net change of IHb values increased in following order: hyperplastic polyp, tubular adenoma, sessile serrated adenoma, villotubular adenoma, and adenocarcinoma (−3.8 ± 6.3, −1.2 ± 1.7, −1.2 ± 5.7, 2.9 ± 8.1, and 12.7 ± 9.3, respectively; p < 0.001). Alcohol drinking and serum hemoglobin level were two independent factors related to the IHb values of non‐polyp colon mucosa. Using a cutoff value of 2.4 for the net change of IHb values, selected based on the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal sensitivity (52.9%) and specificity (75.6%) could be achieved for defining the polyp histology as an advanced colon lesion.

Conclusion

The net change of IHb values between colon polyp and nonpolyp mucosa can correlate with the pathological features of colon polyps. A positive net change of IHb values may indicate a more adverse histological pattern with a higher malignant potential.
Betaine alleviates hepatic lipid accumulation via enhancing hepatic lipid export and fatty acid oxidation in rats fed with a high-fat diet - CORRIGENDUM
Authors: Xu Li , Huang Danping , Hu Qiaoling , Wu Jing , Wang Yizhen , Feng Jie
Published: August 2015

In the abstract, these sentences (page 1, line 5) should be: ‘Additionally, hepatic betaine–homocysteine methyltransferase concentration as well as its mRNA abundance and lecithin level were found increased (P<0·05) by betaine supplementation in both basal diet-fed rats and high-fat diet-fed rats. Betaine administration in high-fat diet-fed rats exhibited a higher (P<0·05) concentration of hepatic carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) comparedwith high-fat diet-fed rats.’
INDUCED ABORTIONS IN PAKISTAN: EXPOSITIONS, DESTINATIONS AND REPERCUSSIONS. A QUALITATIVE DESCRIPTIVE STUDY IN RAWALPINDI DISTRICT
Authors: Naveed Zaeema , Shaikh Babar Tasneem , Nawaz Muhammad Asif
Published: August 2015

Over 2 million abortions occur annually in Pakistan, mostly in a clandestine and unsafe environment. This is an area of grave concern for the reproductive health of women. A dearth of credible data and incomplete information make the problem more difficult to address. This qualitative study was conducted in semi-urban settings in Pakistan to record perceptions and practices concerning care seeking, experiences and outcomes regarding induced abortions and post-abortion care services. Women who had had induced abortions and abortion service providers were interviewed. Unwanted pregnancies and poverty were found to be the main reasons for seeking an abortion. Moreover, the unwanted pregnancies occurred due to low use of contraceptives, mainly due to a fear or past experience of their side-effects, unfamiliarity with correct usage and perceived inefficacy of the methods, especially condoms. There is an obvious need for practical and innovative interventions to address unmet need for birth spacing through improved access to contraceptives. Contraceptive providers should be provided with up-to-date and detailed training in family planning counselling, and perhaps allowed unrestricted provision of contraceptives. As a long-term measure, improvement in access to education and formal schooling could increase young girls’ and women’s knowledge of the benefits of family planning and the risks of unsafe abortion practices. Males must be involved in all the initiatives so that both partners are in agreement on correct and consistent contraceptive use.
Changes and stability of a Mediterranean hard bottom benthic community over 25 years
Authors: Bertolino Marco , Betti Federico , Bo Marzia , Cattaneo-Vietti Riccardo , Pansini Maurizio , Romero Jeniffer , Bavestrello Giorgio
Published: August 2015

During the last decades, the Mediterranean shallow-water benthic communities have experienced significant changes in taxa composition and distribution. These variations were related to a complex set of anthropogenic stressors as well as to mass mortality events starting from 1999 and related to the current climatic changes. To evaluate the effect of these changes on long-living species with a limited larval dispersal capacity, a quantitative and qualitative monitoring of the shallow-water hard bottom community structure was performed over a pluri-decennial interval of time. The aim of this work was the comparison of the quali-quantitative occurrence and seasonal cycles of several benthic taxa living on a rocky cliff of the Portofino Promontory (eastern Liguria, Mediterranean Sea), from 15 to 20 m depth. The studied community, within a Lithophyllo–Halimedetum tunae association, was analysed by sets of photographs repeated, exactly in the same site, at 25 years of distance (1987/88 and 2012/13). The results suggest that the macroalgal coverage of the surveyed cliff suffered, during the monitored span of time, a significant depletion in quali-quantitative terms, while the overall sponge coverage remained almost unvaried. Nevertheless, a discrete analysis of the most common sponge species present in the study area showed significant variations, with some taxa now more abundant (Axinella spp. and Agelas oroides), some virtually stable (Cliona viridis and the complex of red encrusting sponges), and others drastically depleted (Chondrosia reniformis, Phorbas tenacior, Acanthella acuta, Ircinia spp., Dysidea avara and Petrosia ficiformis). Finally, some sponge species showed clear seasonal cycles indicating recruitment periods and post-recruit mortalities.
Applying the food multimix concept for sustainable and nutritious diets
Authors: Zotor F. B. , Ellahi B. , Amuna P.
Published: August 2015

Despite a rich and diverse ecosystem, and biodiversity, worldwide, more than 2 billion people suffer from micronutrient malnutrition or hidden hunger. Of major concern are a degradation of our ecosystems and agricultural systems which are thought to be unsustainable thereby posing a challenge for the future food and nutrition security. Despite these challenges, nutrition security and ensuring well balanced diets depend on sound knowledge and appropriate food choices in a complex world of plenty and want. We have previously reported on how the food multimix (FMM) concept, a food-based and dietary diversification approach can be applied to meet energy and micronutrient needs of vulnerable groups through an empirical process. Our objective in this paper is to examine how the concept can be applied to improve nutrition in a sustainable way in otherwise poor and hard-to-reach communities. We have reviewed over 100 FMM food recipes formulated from combinations of commonly consumed traditional candidate food ingredients; on average five per recipe, and packaged as per 100 g powders from different countries including Ghana, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabawe and Southern Africa, India, Mexico, Malaysia and the UK; and for different age groups and conditions such as older infants and young children, pregnant women, HIV patients, diabetes and for nutrition rehabilitation. Candidate foods were examined for their nutrient strengths and nutrient content and nutrient density of recipes per 100 g were compared with reference nutrient intakes for the different population groups. We report on the nutrient profiles from our analysis of the pooled and age-matched data as well as sensory analysis and conclude that locally produced FMM foods can complement local diets and contribute significantly to meet nutrient needs among vulnerable groups in food-insecure environments.
Nebulized racemic epinephrine used in the treatment of severe asthmatic exacerbation: a case report and literature review
Authors: Wiebe Kristopher , Rowe Brian H.
Published: August 2015

Acute asthma is a common emergency department (ED) problem that is typically treated with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories. Nebulized selective, short-acting β-agonists, such as salbutamol, are the bronchodilators of choice in most Canadian EDs. Other important treatments in moderate-to-severe cases include systemic corticosteroids and in severe cases may include the addition of ipratropium bromide and magnesium sulfate. Despite aggressive management, some patients do not respond adequately to nebulized salbutamol. Treatment options in these patients are limited to interventions such as parenteral epinephrine, and non-invasive and mechanical ventilation (or both). Both parenteral epinephrine and mechanical ventilation have associated risks, so alternative treatments with a lower risk profile would be useful for the treatment of life-threatening asthma. The following case report describes a patient in whom nebulized racemic epinephrine was used successfully to treat severe acute asthma following failure of standard first-line therapies.
A Series on the Edge: Social Tension inStar Trek's Title Cue
Authors: GETMAN JESSICA L.
Published: August 2015

The original series ofStar Trek(1966–69) documents the social tensions of the late 1960s, responding positively, on the one hand, to the progressive political and social movements of the Civil Rights era by supporting racial and gender equality, but resisting its own efforts on the other, remaining faithful to conservative power structures. As the representative musical statement of the series,Star Trek'stitle cue embodies and expresses this paradox. Using audio-visual analysis, as well as sketch scores, interviews, and correspondence from the archives of the series’ composers and producers, this article analyzes the cue's compositional history, its musical codes, its narrative structure, and its use as framing, referential, and leitmotivic material within the series’ underscore in order to demonstrate the ways in which it communicatesStar Trek'sconflicting ideologies.
Deciphering the bat virome catalog to better understand the ecological diversity of bat viruses and the bat origin of emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Wu Zhiqiang , Yang Li , Ren Xianwen , He Guimei , Zhang Junpeng , Yang Jian , Qian Zhaohui , Dong Jie , Sun Lilian , Zhu Yafang , Du Jiang , Yang Fan , Zhang Shuyi , Jin Qi
Published: August 2015

Studies have demonstrated that ~60%–80% of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) in humans originated from wild life. Bats are natural reservoirs of a large variety of viruses, including many important zoonotic viruses that cause severe diseases in humans and domestic animals. However, the understanding of the viral population and the ecological diversity residing in bat populations is unclear, which complicates the determination of the origins of certain EIDs. Here, using bats as a typical wildlife reservoir model, virome analysis was conducted based on pharyngeal and anal swab samples of 4440 bat individuals of 40 major bat species throughout China. The purpose of this study was to survey the ecological and biological diversities of viruses residing in these bat species, to investigate the presence of potential bat-borne zoonotic viruses and to evaluate the impacts of these viruses on public health. The data obtained in this study revealed an overview of the viral community present in these bat samples. Many novel bat viruses were reported for the first time and some bat viruses closely related to known human or animal pathogens were identified. This genetic evidence provides new clues in the search for the origin or evolution pattern of certain viruses, such as coronaviruses and noroviruses. These data offer meaningful ecological information for predicting and tracing wildlife-originated EIDs.
Lattice Distortion in In3SbTe2 Phase Change Material with Substitutional Bi
Authors: Choi Minho , Choi Heechae , Kim Seungchul , Ahn Jinho , Tae Kim Yong
Published: August 2015

Sb atoms in In3SbTe2 (IST) are partially substituted by 3.2–5.5 at.% of Bi atoms. As a result, the NaCl crystal structure of IST is slightly distorted. The distorted inter-planar angles observed with fast Fourier transformation of the lattice images are within the maximum range of interplanar angles calculated by density functional theory. When the Bi content is increased, the crystallization temperature becomes relatively lower than that of IST, the activation energy decreases from 5.29 to 2.61 eV and the specific heat and melting point are obviously reduced. Consequently, phase change random access memory (PRAM) fabricated with Bi-doped IST (Bi-IST) can operate with lower power consumption than pure IST PRAM. The set and reset speeds of PRAM cells fabricated with Bi-IST are both 100 ns with 5.5 at.% Bi, which are obviously faster than the switching speeds of PRAM cells fabricated with IST and Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST). These experimental results reveal that the switching speed is closely related with the thermal properties of the distorted lattice structure.
Subcellular and Dynamic Coordination between Src Activity and Cell Protrusion in Microenvironment
Authors: Zhuo Yue , Qian Tongcheng , Wu Yiqian , Seong Jihye , Gong Ya , Ma Hongwei , Wang Yingxiao , Lu Shaoying
Published: August 2015

Migration of endothelial cells is essential for wound healing and angiogenesis. Src kinase activity plays important roles at the protrusions of migrating endothelial cells. However, the spatiotemporal coordination between Src kinase activity and the protrusion of cell edge remains unclear. Therefore, we investigate these coordinated molecular events at the initiation of cell migration, by integrating microfabrication, fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors and automated computational image analysis. We demonstrate that the physical release of restrictive micropattern triggered a significant decrease of Src activity at the protrusive edge of endothelial cells. Computational cross-correlation analysis reveals that the decrease of Src activity occurred earlier in time and was well-coordinated with the protrusion of cell edge in polarized cells, but not in non-polarized cells. These results suggest that the spatiotemporal control of Src kinase activity is well-coordinated with cell polarization and protrusion in endothelial cells upon the release of physical constraint, as that experienced by endothelial cells sprouting from stiff tumor micro-environment during angiogenesis. Therefore, our integrative approach enabled the discovery of a new model where Src is de-activated in coordination with membrane protrusion, providing important insights into the regulation of endothelial migration and angiogenesis.
miR-744 enhances type I interferon signaling pathway by targeting PTP1B in primary human renal mesangial cells
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Han Xiao , Tang Yuanjia , Wu Yanfang , Qu Bo , Shen Nan
Published: August 2015

Renal mesangial cells (RMCs) constitute a population of cells in glomerular mesangium. Inflammatory cytokines produced by RMCs play a vital role in renal inflammation. miRNAs are key regulators of inflammatory cytokine expression. The abnormal expression of renal miRNAs and the consequent changes in inflammatory signal transduction are closely associated with renal inflammation. However, our knowledge of the functions of renal miRNAs is still limited. In this study, we investigated the role of miR-744 in type I interferon (IFN) signaling pathway in primary human RMCs. We show that overexpression of miR-744 enhances IFN-induced CCL2, CCL5, CXCL10 and IL6 expression specifically in RMCs. We found that the activation of TYK2, STAT1 and STAT3 was significantly enhanced by miR-744. miR-744 also enhanced the activation of non-classical signal components, such as ERK and p38. We then identified PTP1B, a ubiquitously expressed phosphatase, as the target of miR-744 that is responsible for enhancing type I IFN response. Finally, miR-744 expression was induced by type I IFN in RMCs. Collectively, our data indicate that by targeting PTP1B, miR-744 plays a feed-forward role in regulating type I IFN signaling pathway. These findings give us new insights into the functions of renal miRNAs in regulating important signaling pathways.
The Association between Pre-existing Diabetes Mellitus and Pressure Ulcers in Patients Following Surgery: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Kang Zhou-Qing , Zhai Xiao-Jie
Published: August 2015

Uncertainty exists about the role of diabetes in the development of surgery-related pressure ulcers. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to explore the association between pre-existing diabetes mellitus and pressure ulcers among patients after surgery. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random effects models. Thirteen eligible studies of 2367 patients in total and 12053 controls were included in the final analysis. Compared with patients without diabetes, the pooled odds ratio (OR) of the incidence of pressure ulcers in diabetic patients was 1.74 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.40–2.15, I2 = 51.1%]. Estimates by type of surgery suggested similar results in cardiac surgery [OR = 2.00, 95% CI = 1.42–2.82, I2 = 0%], in general surgery [OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.42–2.15, I2 = 0%] and in major lower limb amputations [OR = 1.65, 95% CI = 1.01–2.68, I2 = 0%] for diabetic patients versus non-diabetic controls. We did not find an increased incidence of pressure ulcers in diabetic patients undergoing hip surgery compared with non-diabetic controls [OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 0.62–3.47, I2 = 93.1%]. The excess risk of pressure ulcers associated with pre-existing diabetes was significantly higher in patients undergoing surgery, specifically in patients receiving cardiac surgery. Further studies should be conducted to examine these associations in other types of surgery.
S1 nerve is the most efficient nerve rootlet innervating the anal canal and rectum in rats
Authors: Fu Kai , Luo Pengbo , Zheng Xianyou , Zhu Xiaozhong , Wang Lei , Chai Yimin
Published: August 2015

Autonomic and somatic components participate in the defecation process in mammals, combining signals from the brainstem and forebrain. The innervation pattern involved in micturition in rats has been well studied, while defecation has been less studied. The aim of the present study was to identify the most important sensory and motor nerves of the anal canal and rectum involved in defecation. The amplitudes of evoked potential of the anal canal and rectum were higher when L6 and S1 ventral rootlets were stimulated, compared with the other segments (ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test, all P < 0.05). The S1 segment was more strongly cholera toxin subunit B conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (CB-HRP) positive compared with the other segments (ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test, P < 0.05). Ventral spinal rootlets of L6 and S1 mainly contributed to the pressure change in the anal canal and rectum when the ventral spinal rootlets from L5 to S3 were stimulated electrically. In conclusion, many afferent and efferent nerves innervate the anal canal and rectum and are involved in defecation, but the S1 nerve rootlet could be the most efficient one. These results could provide a basis for defecation reconstruction, especially for patients with spinal cord injuries.
Metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli for the production of 1,3-diaminopropane, a three carbon diamine
Authors: Chae Tong Un , Kim Won Jun , Choi Sol , Park Si Jae , Lee Sang Yup
Published: August 2015

Bio-based production of chemicals from renewable resources is becoming increasingly important for sustainable chemical industry. In this study,Escherichia coliwas metabolically engineered to produce 1,3-diaminopropane (1,3-DAP), a monomer for engineering plastics. Comparing heterologous C4and C5pathways for 1,3-DAP production by genome-scalein silicoflux analysis revealed that the C4pathway employingAcinetobacter baumannii datandddcgenes, encoding 2-ketoglutarate 4-aminotransferase and L-2,4-diaminobutanoate decarboxylase, respectively, was the more efficient pathway. In a strain that has feedback resistant aspartokinases, theppcandaspCgenes were overexpressed to increase flux towards 1,3-DAP synthesis. Also, studies on 128 synthetic small RNAs applied in gene knock-down revealed that knocking outpfkAincreases 1,3-DAP production. Overexpression ofppcandaspCgenes in thepfkAdeleted strain resulted in production titers of 1.39 and 1.35 g l−1of 1,3-DAP, respectively. Fed-batch fermentation of the final engineeredE. colistrain allowed production of 13 g l−1of 1,3-DAP in a glucose minimal medium.
Lack of association between type 2 diabetes and major depression: epidemiologic and genetic evidence in a multiethnic population
Authors: Samaan Z , Garasia S , Gerstein H C , Engert J C , Mohan V , Diaz R , Anand S S , Meyre D
Published: August 2015

The positive association between depression and type 2 diabetes (T2D) has been controversial, and little is known about the molecular determinants linking these disorders. Here we investigated the association between T2D and depression at the clinical and genetic level in a multiethnic cohort. We studied 17 404 individuals from EpiDREAM (3209 depression cases and 14 195 controls) who were at risk for T2D and had both phenotypic and genotypic information available at baseline. The glycemic status was determined using the 2003 American Diabetes Association criteria and an oral glucose tolerance test. Major depressive episode during the previous 12 months was diagnosed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition diagnostic criteria. Twenty single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with T2D were genotyped using the cardiovascular gene-centric 50-K SNP array and were analyzed separately and in combination using an unweighted genotype score (GS). Multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity and body mass index were performed. Newly diagnosed impaired fasting glucose (IFG)/impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), T2D and dysglycemia status were not associated with major depression (0.30⩽P⩽0.65). Twelve out of twenty SNPs and the GS were associated with IFG/IGT, T2D and/or dysglycemia status (6.0 × 10−35⩽P⩽0.048). In contrast, the 20 SNPs and GS were not associated with depression (P⩾0.09). Our cross-sectional data do not support an association between T2D and depression at the clinical and genetic level in a multiethnic population at risk for T2D.
Visual detection of Listeria monocytogenes using unmodified gold nanoparticles based on a novel marker
Authors: Liu Zhanmin , Zhu Jiachao , Yang Cuiyun , Li Xiaohong
Published: August 2015

Listeria monocytogenes(L. monocytogenes) causes listeriosis in people and animals.