bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect ofBDNFVal66Met on disease markers in dominantly inherited Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Lim Yen Ying , Hassenstab Jason , Goate Alison , Fagan Anne M. , Benzinger Tammie L.S. , Cruchaga Carlos , McDade Eric , Chhatwal Jasmeer , Levin Johannes , Farlow Martin R. , Graff‐Radford Neill R. , Laske Christoph , Masters Colin L. , Salloway Stephen , Schofield Peter , Morris John C. , Maruff Paul , Bateman Randall J. ,   on behalf of the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network
Published: July 2018

Objective

Previous studies suggest that the brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) Val66Met (rs6265) polymorphism may influence symptom onset in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our recent cross‐sectional findings suggest that Met66 may influence clinical expression in dominantly inherited AD (DIAD) through its effects on tau. However, it remains unclear whether carriage of Met66 in DIAD results in faster increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tau and ptau181, and whether these increases are associated with accelerated brain volume loss and memory decline.

Methods

A total of 211 subjects (101 mutation noncarriers, 110 mutation carriers), who were cognitively normal, as defined by a Clinical Dementia Rating global score of 0, completed assessments of cognitive function, neuroimaging, and CSF sampling over 3.5 years as part of the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network.

Results

In mutation carriers, Met66 carriers showed faster memory decline (4×), hippocampal volume loss (16×), and CSF tau and ptau181increases (6×) than Val66 homozygotes.BDNFdid not influence rates of cortical β‐amyloid accumulation or change in CSF Aβ42levels in mutation carriers. In mutation noncarriers,BDNFgenotype had no effect on change in cognition, brain volume, cortical β‐amyloid accumulation, or change in any CSF measures of tau, ptau181, and CSF Aβ42.

Interpretation

As in sporadic AD, the deleterious effects of β‐amyloid on cognitive function, brain volume loss, and CSF tau in DIAD mutation carriers are less in Val66 homozygotes. TheBDNFVal66Met polymorphism should be considered as a potential moderator of clinical trial outcomes in current treatment and prevention trials in DIAD and sporadic AD. Ann Neurol 2018;84:424–435
Nanoparticle‐Mediated Immunogenic Cell Death Enables and Potentiates Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Duan Xiaopin , Chan Christina , Lin Wenbin
Published: July 2018

Cancer immunotherapies that train or stimulate the inherent immunological systems to recognize, attack, and eradicate tumor cells with minimal damage to healthy cells have demonstrated promising clinical responses in recent years. However, most of these immunotherapeutic strategies only benefit a small subset of patients and cause systemic autoimmune side effects in some patients. Immunogenic cell death (ICD)‐inducing modalities not only directly kill cancer cells but also induce antitumor immune responses against a broad spectrum of solid tumors. Such strategies for generating vaccine‐like functions could be used to stimulate a “cold” tumor microenvironment to become an immunogenic, “hot” tumor microenvironment, working in synergy with immunotherapies to increase patient response rates and lead to successful treatment outcomes. This Minireview will focus on nanoparticle‐based treatment modalities that can induce and enhance ICD to potentiate cancer immunotherapy.
Site‐Selective C−S Bond Formation at C−Br over C−OTf and C−Cl Enabled by an Air‐Stable, Easily Recoverable, and Recyclable Palladium(I) Catalyst
Authors: Scattolin Thomas , Senol Erdem , Yin Guoyin , Guo Qianqian , Schoenebeck Franziska
Published: July 2018

This report widens the repertoire of emerging PdI catalysis to carbon–heteroatom, that is, C−S bond formation. While Pd0‐catalyzed protocols may suffer from the formation of poisonous sulfide‐bound off‐cycle intermediates and lack of selectivity, the mechanistically diverse PdI catalysis concept circumvents these challenges and allows for C−S bond formation (S–aryl and S–alkyl) of a wide range of aryl halides. Site‐selective thiolations of C−Br sites in the presence of C−Cl and C−OTf were achieved in a general and a priori predictable fashion. Computational, spectroscopic, X‐ray, and reactivity data support dinuclear PdI catalysis to be operative. Contrary to air‐sensitive Pd0, the active PdI species was easily recovered in the open atmosphere and subjected to multiple rounds of recycling.
Collaborative governance for the Sustainable Development Goals
Authors: Florini Ann , Pauli Markus
Published: July 2018

The advent of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals has refocused global attention on the roles of business and other nonstate actors in achieving global goals. Often, business involvement takes the form of collaborations with the more traditional actors—governments and non‐governmental organizations. Although such partnerships for development have been seen before, the scale and expectations are new. This paper explores how and why these cross‐sector collaborations are evolving, and what steps can or should be taken to ensure that partnerships create public and private value. The arguments are illustrated with reference to cases of market‐driven partnerships for agriculture in Southeast Asia that are intended to engage marginalized smallholder farmers in global value chains in agriculture. The aims of these cross‐sector collaborations coincide with several targets of the Sustainable Development Goals such as poverty alleviation, decreasing environmental impact, and achieving food security. This is a hard case for mechanisms intended to protect public interests, given that the target beneficiaries (low‐income smallholder farmers and the environment) are unable to speak effectively for themselves. We find that structures and processes to align interests in ways that protect the public interest are both necessary and feasible, though not easy to achieve.
Two‐Dimensional Materials for Antimicrobial Applications: Graphene Materials and Beyond
Authors: Sun Wei , Wu Fu‐Gen
Published: July 2018

Since the “birth” of graphene in 2004, two‐dimensional (2D) materials have attracted unprecedented research interest from scientists and have stimulated numerous applications in various fields, such as electronic/optical devices, energy storage, catalysis, sensors, and biomedicine. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the antimicrobial applications of 2D materials, such as graphene materials (GMs), layered double hydroxides (LDHs), transition‐metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4), MXenes, black phosphorus (BP), and their derivatives. This review also correlates the unique physicochemical properties of 2D materials with their antimicrobial activities. Finally, some current challenges and future perspectives in this field are also presented.
The misjudgment of criminal responsibility
Authors: Beattey Robert A. , Fondacaro Mark R.
Published: July 2018

Generally, a criminal statute must consist of two essential elements: a description of the forbidden act (actus reus) and a designation of a guilty mental state (mens rea). For a crime to be committed, an individual must commit the forbidden act with the culpable mental state. For any criminal act, both criminal liability and the possible punishment turn largely on retrospective judgments by legal decision‐makers about what a defendant was or was not thinking at the time of committing the forbidden act. Given the central and foundational nature of this legal judgment, there is surprisingly little empirical study of how the mens rea construct functions. Shen and colleagues have studied the reliability of mock jurors' ability to distinguish between the various mental state categories defined in the Model Penal Code and have identified some support for jurors' ability to reliably sort “guilty minds” into their “correct” categories (Shen, Hoffman, Jones, Greene, & Marois, ). The present study builds on this work by examining mock jurors' ability to reliably and “accurately” judge a defendant's mens rea at the time of an offense under conditions reflecting how criminal jurors are tasked with judging a defendant's mens rea. It was hypothesized that folk psychology models of human behavior that generally presume a high degree of personal control and responsibility would bias individuals' judgments of others' criminal behavior in the direction of reflecting intentional and purposeful conduct. Overall, results demonstrate that, in a surprisingly high percentage of cases across many conditions, individual decision‐makers are indeed likely to attribute the most culpable mental state (purpose) to defendants, even when the facts on the record are judged by legal experts to depict no more than negligent or reckless conduct.
Electrochemical Applications of Microphase‐Separated Block Copolymer Thin Films
Authors: Ito Takashi , Ghimire Govinda
Published: July 2018

In this review, we discuss electrochemical applications of electrode‐supported thin films derived from microphase‐separated block copolymers (BCPs). In contrast to conventional homopolymers used for electrode modification, BCPs afford periodic nanoscale structures (microdomains) of uniform dimensions (5–100 nm) and predictable morphologies, which can be controlled by adjusting the lengths of individual homopolymer segments. BCPs usable for electrochemical applications consist of two or more segments that form solute‐permeable, redox‐active or etchable microdomains and a chemically inert matrix. The resulting microdomains afford nanoscale molecular/charge transport pathways toward the underlying electrode, whereas the matrix serves as a scaffold to improve film stability in solution. These polymeric thin films provide a unique means for fabricating nanowire arrays via template‐based electrochemical synthesis, designing electrochemical sensors with unique selectivity, and constructing electrochemically‐tunable functional materials.
Randomized controlled trial of an oral appliance (SomnoDent) for sleep‐disordered breathing and cardiac function in patients with heart failure
Authors: Matsumoto Hiroki , Kasai Takatoshi , Suda Shoko , Yatsu Shoichiro , Shitara Jun , Murata Azusa , Kato Takao , Hiki Masaru , Yanagisawa Naotake , Fujibayashi Kazutoshi , Nojiri Shuko , Nishizaki Yuji , Shinohara Mitsuyo , Daida Hiroyuki
Published: July 2018

In patients with heart failure (HF), sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) is a common comorbidity and a risk factor for poor clinical outcomes. SDB can be ameliorated by continuous positive airway pressure; however, inadequate adherence remains a major cause of treatment failure. On the other hand, the efficacy of oral appliance (OA) has been proved in orthodontics and otolaryngology, although the efficacy of OA in patients with HF remains to be elucidated. This trial aims to determine the efficacy of OA for SDB in patients with HF. Patients with HF undergoing optimal medical therapy who were diagnosed as having SDB (apnea‐hypopnea index [AHI] ≥ 10 and percentage of central AHI per total AHI ≤ 70%) by using polysomnography (PSG) will be enrolled in the present study. Either patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] ≤ 50%) or HF with preserved ejection fraction (history of hospitalization because of acute decompensated HF) or plasma B‐type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level ≥ 100 pg/mL will be included. Each patient will be randomly assigned into active OA or sham OA. PSG, laboratory, and echocardiographic data will be obtained after 3 months of intervention. The main outcome measures are AHI, plasma BNP, and E/e’ determined with echocardiography. Furthermore, overnight urinary catecholamine, 6‐min walk distance, Epworth sleepiness scale, and health‐related quality of life will be assessed simultaneously.

This trial started on April 1, 2017, and the projected end date is March 31, 2019. This study was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN000025731).
A patient rallies, and a field awakens
Authors: Nelson Bryn
Published: July 2018

This news section is written by a medical journalist and offers Cancer Cytopathology readers timely information on events, issues, and personalities of interest to the subspecialty. This edition profiles the work of Marnie Kaufman, who was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, to promote and fund research on this rare cancer.
Modified Massive Arratia Flow and Wasserstein Diffusion
Authors: Konarovskyi Vitalii , von Renesse Max‐K.
Published: July 2018

Extending previous work by the first author we present a variant of the Arratia flow, which consists of a collection of coalescing Brownian motions starting from every point of the unit interval. The important new feature of the model is that individual particles carry mass that aggregates upon coalescence and that scales the diffusivity of each particle in an inverse proportional way. In this work we relate the induced measure‐valued process to the Wasserstein diffusion of von Renesse and Sturm. First, we present the process as a martingale solution to an SPDE similar to that of von Renesse and Sturm. Second, as our main result we show a Varadhan formula 42 for short times that is governed by the quadratic Wasserstein distance. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Solvability of the Stokes Immersed Boundary Problem in Two Dimensions
Authors: Lin Fang‐Hua , Tong Jiajun
Published: July 2018

We study coupled motion of a 1‐D closed elastic string immersed in a 2‐D Stokes flow, known as the Stokes immersed boundary problem in two dimensions. Using the fundamental solution of the Stokes equation and the Lagrangian coordinate of the string, we write the problem into a contour dynamic formulation, which is a nonlinear nonlocal equation solely keeping track of evolution of the string configuration. We prove existence and uniqueness of local‐in‐time solution starting from an arbitrary initial configuration that is an H5/2‐function in the Lagrangian coordinate satisfying the so‐called well‐stretched assumption. We also prove that when the initial string configuration is sufficiently close to an equilibrium, which is an evenly parametrized circular configuration, then a global‐in‐time solution uniquely exists and it will converge to an equilibrium configuration exponentially as t →  + ∞. The technique in this paper may also apply to the Stokes immersed boundary problem in three dimensions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Enhanced Crystallinity of Low‐Temperature Solution‐Processed SnO2 for Highly Reproducible Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Li Jing , Bu Tongle , Liu Yifan , Zhou Jing , Shi Jielin , Ku Zhiliang , Peng Yong , Zhong Jie , Cheng Yi‐Bing , Huang Fuzhi
Published: July 2018

Low‐temperature solution‐processed SnO2 as a promising electron‐transport material for planar perovskite solar cells (PSCs) has attracted particular attention because of its outstanding properties such as high optical transparency or high electron mobility. However, low‐temperature sol–gel processes used in the synthesis are inevitably affected by the humidity of the atmosphere, which results in a wide distribution in the performance of the prepared PSCs owing to the inability to control crystallinity and defects. Herein, a highly crystalline SnO2 film is synthesized using a simple water bath post‐treatment, which can remove the surface residuals of SnCl4 on the SnO2 films, which is beneficial for the interface charge transport from the perovskite to the SnO2 electron‐transport layer. An improved performance of the PSCs can be easily obtained applying this treatment, giving rise to a high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 19.17 %, much higher than that of the pristine SnO2‐based device (17.59 %). Most importantly, the reproducibility of the devices has been greatly improved, independent of the environmental humidity. Therefore, the enhanced crystallinity of SnO2 has shown promise for future commercial PSC applications: 5 cm×5 cm PSC modules have achieved a PCE of 16.16 %.
Addressing space‐constraint driven selfishness in smart opportunistic environment
Authors: Sobin C.C. , Raychoudhury Vaskar , Saha Snehanshu
Published: July 2018

A smart opportunistic environment is a physical space, which allows the smart physical objects to communicate in the presence of disruption in connectivity. Because, the objects in such an environment are buffer constrained, some of the objects will not participate in data forwarding, when there is scarcity of storage (buffer) space. In this paper, we focus on such selfish behavior of objects triggered by space constraints in a smart opportunistic environment. We propose a novel data forwarding algorithm, selfishness and buffer‐aware routing (SBR), in which a node is chosen as a relay, based on its capability, which is a function of its available buffer space and past encounter history (delivery predictability) with the destination. SBR can efficiently utilize the limited buffer space in a node with a buffer management scheme, WSD. It can also detect space constraint driven selfish behavior of nodes and resolve it using a reputation‐based technique, MSD. We have conducted simulation using both synthetic and real‐world traces for evaluating our proposed SBR algorithm. For analyzing the performance of the algorithm in real‐time, a smart vehicular test‐bed is developed. Simulation results and test‐bed implementation show that our algorithm performs better in terms of higher delivery ratio, lower overhead ratio, and lower delivery delay, compared with existing opportunistic data forwarding algorithms.
Concepts toward directing human astroplasticity to promote neuroregeneration
Authors: Patel Rajan , Muir Matthew , Cvetkovic Caroline , Krencik Robert
Published: July 2018

Astrocytes exhibit dynamic and complex reactions to various insults. Recently, investigations into the transitions that occur during cellular specification, differentiation, maturation, and disease responses have provided insights into understanding the mechanisms that underlie these altered states of reactivity and function. Here we summarize current concepts in how astrocyte state transitions, termed astroplasticity, are regulated, as well as how this affects neural circuit function through extracellular signaling. We postulate that a promising future approach toward enhancing functional repair after injury and disease would be to steer astrocytes away from an inhibitory response and toward one that is beneficial to neuroplasticity and neuroregeneration. Toward this goal, we discuss emerging biotechnological advancements, with a focus on human pluripotent stem cell bioengineering, which has high potential for effective manipulation and control of astroplasticity. Highlights include innovations in cellular transdifferentiation techniques, nanomedicine, organoid and three‐dimensional (3D) spheroid microcircuit development, and the use of biomaterials to influence the extracellular environment. Current barriers and future applications are also summarized in order to augment the design of future preclinical trials aimed toward astrocyte‐targeted neuroregeneration with a concept termed astrocellular therapeutics. Developmental Dynamics 248:21–33, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nck2 is essential for limb trajectory selection by spinal motor axons
Authors: Chang Chih‐Ju , Chang Ming‐Yuan , Lee Yi‐Chao , Chen Kai‐Yun , Hsu Tsung‐I , Wu Yi‐Hsin , Chuang Jian‐Ying , Kao Tzu‐Jen
Published: July 2018

Background: The development of a functioning nervous system requires precise assembly of neuronal connections, which can be achieved by the guidance of axonal growth cones to their proper targets. How axons are guided by signals transmitted to the cytoskeleton through cell surface‐expressed guidance receptors remains unclear. We investigated the function of Nck2 adaptor protein as an essential guidance intermediary in the context of spinal lateral motor column (LMC) motor axon trajectory into the limb. Results: Nck2 mRNA and protein are preferentially expressed in the medial subgroups of chick LMC neurons during axon trajectory into the limb. Nck2 loss‐ and gain‐of‐function in LMC neurons using in ovo electroporation perturb LMC axon trajectory selection demonstrating an essential role of Nck2 in motor axon guidance. We also showed that Nck2 knockdown and overexpression perturb the growth preference of LMC neurites against ephrins in vitro and Eph‐mediated redirection of LMC axons in vivo. Finally, the significant changes of LMC neurite growth preference against ephrins in the context of Nck2 and α2‐chimaerin loss‐ and gain‐of‐function implicated Nck2 function to modulate α2‐chimaerin activity. Conclusions: Here, we showed that Nck2 is required for Eph‐mediated axon trajectory selection from spinal motor neurons through possible interaction with α2‐chimaerin. Developmental Dynamics 247:1043‐1056, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Left atrial volume and cardiovascular outcomes in systolic heart failure: effect of antithrombotic treatment
Authors: Di Tullio Marco R. , Qian Min , Thompson John L.P. , Labovitz Arthur J. , Mann Douglas L. , Sacco Ralph L. , Pullicino Patrick M. , Freudenberger Ronald S. , Teerlink John R. , Graham Susan , Lip Gregory Y.H. , Levin Bruce , Mohr Jay P. , Buchsbaum Richard , Estol Conrado J. , Lok Dirk J. , Ponikowski Piotr , Anker Stefan D. , Homma Shunichi ,   for the WARCEF Investigators
Published: July 2018

Aims

Left atrium (LA) dilation is associated with adverse cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Blood stasis, thrombus formation and atrial fibrillation may occur, especially in heart failure (HF) patients. It is not known whether preventive antithrombotic treatment may decrease the incidence of CV events in HF patients with LA enlargement.

We investigated the relationship between LA enlargement and CV outcomes in HF patients and the effect of different antithrombotic treatments.

Methods and results

Two‐dimensional echocardiography with LA volume index (LAVi) measurement was performed in 1148 patients with systolic HF from the Warfarin versus Aspirin in Reduced Ejection Fraction (WARCEF) trial. Patients were randomized to warfarin or aspirin and followed for 3.4 ± 1.7 years. While the primary aim of the trial was a composite of ischaemic stroke, death, and intracerebral haemorrhage, the present report focuses on the individual CV events, whose incidence was compared across different LAVi and treatment subgroups.

After adjustment for demographics and clinical covariates, moderate or severe LA enlargement was significantly associated with total death (hazard ratio 1.6 and 2.7, respectively), CV death (HR 1.7 and 3.3), and HF hospitalization (HR 2.3 and 2.6) but not myocardial infarction (HR 1.0 and 1.4) or ischaemic stroke (1.1 and 1.5). The increased risk was observed in both patients treated with warfarin or aspirin. In warfarin‐treated patients, a time in therapeutic range >60% was associated with lower event rates, and an interaction between LAVi and time in therapeutic range was observed for death (P = 0.034).

Conclusions

In patients with systolic HF, moderate or severe LA enlargement is associated with death and HF hospitalization despite treatment with antithrombotic medications. The possibility that achieving a more consistent therapeutic level of anticoagulation may decrease the risk of death requires further investigation.
Preliminary Results About the Use of Argon and Carbon Dioxide in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) Storage to Extend Oil Shelf Life: Chemical and Sensorial Point of View
Authors: Sanmartin Chiara , Venturi Francesca , Macaluso Monica , Nari Anita , Quartacci Mike F. , Sgherri Cristina , Flamini Guido , Taglieri Isabella , Ascrizzi Roberta , Andrich Gianpaolo , Zinnai Angela
Published: July 2018

The aim of this work is to evaluate the effectiveness of different inert gases, other than nitrogen, to develop a preservation method that can maintain the high quality of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) increasing its shelf life. The EVOO is stored in the dark at 12 °C in glass containers for about 9 months, and Ar and CO2 are selected as alternative head‐space gases in comparison with air. While the acidity remains constant during the whole observation period, the oxidation‐sensitive parameters show significant differences over time as a function of the gas composition. After only 2 months of storage, the oil stored under air shows a marked decrease of quality, while the use of inert gases slows oxidative degradation and Ar‐treatment best preserves overall oil quality. Compared to samples stored under Ar, at the end of storage the air treatment reduces the phenolic content as well as the antioxidant capacity by 12.0% and 31.3%, respectively, and results in an increase in the peroxide value and K232 of 51.7% and 35.4%, respectively. As CO2 determines a significant negative aftertaste development in oil, it is possible to conclude that this gas cannot be profitably used to optimize EVOO storage conditions.

Practical Applications: The identification of an inert gas other than nitrogen able to slow down the oxidative degradation of EVOO both from sensory and chemical points of view, can contribute to identify some possible new strategy to be applied for EVOO long‐term storage at industrial and market level. According to the preliminary results described in this short communication, it should be interesting to better explore the suitability of the total or partial replacement of nitrogen with argon in EVOO storage and packaging. In this context, as the extra‐cost related to food‐grade Ar utilization in comparison with N2 appears close to 17%, the next step of our research will be further investigating also the economic feasibility of the possible combination packaging/storage head‐space atmosphere adopted as a function of specific industrial goal.

Experimental conditions adopted to evaluate the effectiveness of different inert gases, other than nitrogen, to develop a preservation method that can maintain the high quality of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) increasing its shelf life. The EVOO is stored in the dark at 12 °C in glass containers for about 9 months, and Ar and CO2 are selected as alternative head‐space gases in comparison with air.
A nonlinear visco‐elastoplastic model for structural pounding
Authors: Bamer Franz , Markert Bernd
Published: July 2018

State‐of‐the‐art pounding formulations do not consider eventual damage‐induced changes regarding the collision description during an excitation time history. In particular, in case of multiple collisions, the pounding models remain unaltered. Thus, in this paper, a new pounding formulation is presented, whereby the state‐of‐the‐art nonlinear viscoelastic model is enhanced by a dry friction element. This extension enables the description of degradation of collision surfaces by introducing an additional offset penetration parameter to the standard gap function. The phenomenological model of the new pounding formulation and the new corresponding pounding condition is presented and demonstrated on an illustrative numerical example. It is shown that the new formulation is capable of describing permanent damage effects caused by pounding collisions while preserving the desired physical properties of the nonlinear viscoelastic model.
Changing Trends in Etiology‐Based and Ethnicity‐Based Annual Mortality Rates of Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the United States
Authors: Kim Donghee , Li Andrew A. , Perumpail Brandon J. , Gadiparthi Chiranjeevi , Kim Won , Cholankeril George , Glenn Jeffrey S. , Harrison Stephen A. , Younossi Zobair M. , Ahmed Aijaz
Published: July 2018

With recent improvements in the treatment of end‐stage liver disease (ESLD), a better understanding of the burden of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is needed in the United States. A population‐based study using the US Census and national mortality database was performed. We identified the age‐standardized etiology‐specific mortality rates for cirrhosis and HCC among US adults ages 20 years or older from 2007 to 2016. We determined temporal mortality rate patterns by joinpoint analysis with estimates of annual percentage change (APC). Age‐standardized cirrhosis‐related mortality rates increased from 19.77/100,000 persons in 2007 to 23.67 in 2016 with an annual increase of 2.3% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.0‐2.7). The APC in mortality rates for hepatitis C virus (HCV)‐cirrhosis shifted from a 2.9% increase per year during 2007 to 2014 to a 6.5% decline per year during 2014 to 2016. Meanwhile, mortality for cirrhosis from alcoholic liver disease (ALD, APC 4.5%) and NAFLD (APC 15.4%) increased over the same period, whereas mortality for hepatitis B virus (HBV)‐cirrhosis decreased with an average APC of −1.1%. HCC‐related mortality increased from 3.48/100,000 persons in 2007 to 4.41 in 2016 at an annual rate of 2.0% (95% CI 1.3‐2.6). Etiology‐specific mortality rates of HCC were largely consistent with cirrhosis‐related mortality. Minority populations had a higher burden of HCC‐related mortality. Conclusion: Cirrhosis‐related and HCC‐related mortality rates increased between 2007 and 2016 in the United States. However, mortality rates in HCV‐cirrhosis demonstrated a significant decline from 2014 to 2016, during the direct‐acting antiviral era. Mortality rates for ALD/NAFLD‐cirrhosis and HCC have continued to increase, whereas HBV‐cirrhosis‐related mortality declined during the 10‐year period. Importantly, minorities had a disproportionately higher burden of ESLD‐related mortality.
Lie symmetry analysis and numerical solutions for thermosolutal chemically reacting radiative micropolar flow from an inclined porous surface
Authors: Shamshuddin MD. , Mishra S.R. , Bég O. Anwar , Kadir Ali
Published: July 2018

Steady, laminar, incompressible thermosolutal natural convection flow of micropolar fluid from an inclined perforated surface with convective boundary conditions is studied. Thermal radiative flux and chemical reaction effects are included to represent phenomena encountered in high‐temperature materials synthesis operations. Rosseland's diffusion approximation is used to describe the radiative heat flux in the energy equation. A Lie scaling group transformation is implemented to derive a self‐similar form of the partial differential conservation equations. The resulting coupled nonlinear boundary value problem is solved with Runge‐Kutta fourth order numerical quadrature (shooting technique). Validation of solutions with an optimized Adomian decomposition method algorithm is included. Verification of the accuracy of shooting is also conducted as a particular case of nonreactive micropolar flow from a vertical permeable surface. The evolution of velocity, angular velocity (microrotation component), temperature, and concentration are examined for a variety of parameters including coupling number, plate inclination angle, suction/injection parameter, radiation‐conduction parameter, Biot number, and reaction parameter. Numerical results for steady‐state skin friction coefficient, couple stress coefficient, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number are tabulated and discussed. Interesting features of the hydrodynamic, heat and mass transfer characteristics are examined.
Should we use linearized models to calculate fiscal multipliers?
Authors: Lindé Jesper , Trabandt Mathias
Published: July 2018

We calculate the magnitude of the government consumption multiplier in linearized and nonlinear solutions of a New Keynesian model at the zero lower bound. Importantly, the model is amended with real rigidities to simultaneously account for the macroeconomic evidence of a low Phillips curve slope and the microeconomic evidence of frequent price changes. We show that the nonlinear solution is associated with a much smaller multiplier than the linearized solution in long‐lived liquidity traps, and pin down the key features in the model which account for the difference. Our results caution against the common practice of using linearized models to calculate fiscal multipliers in long‐lived liquidity traps.
Biohybrid fluorescent nanodiamonds as dual‐contrast markers for light and electron microscopies
Authors: Sotoma Shingo , Hsieh Feng‐Jen , Chang Huan‐Cheng
Published: July 2018

Cathodoluminescence (CL) and correlative light‐electron microscopy (CLEM) are two useful analytical tools in diverse research areas. Recently, fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) have emerged as promising imaging agents for both CL and CLEM owing to their exceptional photophysical and chemical properties. However, to realize their practical applications in the life sciences, surface modification and functionalization of the nanomaterials with bioactive molecules are critical and essential. Here we provide a comprehensive review on the methods of synthesizing biohybrid FNDs as well as recent advances of CL and CLEM imaging of cells with these carbon nanoparticles as dual‐contrast markers.
Estimation of the diagnostic accuracy of clinical parameters for monitoring peri‐implantitis progression: An experimental canine study
Authors: Monje Alberto , Insua Angel , Rakic Mia , Nart Jose , Moyano‐Cuevas Jose Luis , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: July 2018

Background

Lack of consensus on the clinical parameters of peri‐implantitis may complicate accurate diagnosis of the disorder. Furthermore, the lack of reliable estimates of the diagnostic capacity of the clinical endpoints precludes the definition of an effective treatment protocol for peri‐implantitis. The present canine study assesses the diagnostic accuracy of the clinical parameters for monitoring the peri‐implant tissues in a controlled ligature‐induced peri‐implantitis model followed by a spontaneous progression phase.

Methods

Six beagle dogs were followed‐up on during three episodes of ligature‐induced peri‐implantitis and a further episode of spontaneous progression. Probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP), mucosal recession (MR), and suppuration (SUP) were recorded at four sites per implant and at four study timepoints. Moreover, the implant mucosal index (IMI) was calculated at implant level. Marginal bone loss (MBL) was determined using computed tomography at four sites per implant. A linear regression model was used to estimate clinical and radiological parameters during peri‐implantitis progression.

Results

Progressive peri‐implant bone loss is characterized by an increase in PD, more profuse BOP, MR, and SUP in advanced cases (p < 0.001). However, even in the presence of severe bone loss, SUP was not a common finding, with an incidence of approximately 10% at the last timepoint. These clinical parameters were significantly correlated to MBL at most of the timepoints. The IMI, in turn, showed a positive correlation to MBL and the peri‐implant inflammatory signs (r = 0.39; p < 0.001), with a tendency to exhibit higher scores during ligature‐induced peri‐implantitis, followed by a slight decrease during the spontaneous progression period.

Conclusion

The clinical features of peri‐implantitis and spontaneous progression of the disorder may facilitate an accurate monitoring of peri‐implant pathologic bone loss.
Preliminary evaluation of quince (Cydonia oblonga Mill.) fruit as extraction source of antioxidant phytoconstituents for nutraceutical and functional food applications
Authors: Sut Stefania , Dall'Acqua Stefano , Poloniato Gabriele , Maggi Filippo , Malagoli Mario
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Quince (Cydonia oblonga) fruits can be considered as starting material for the extraction of health‐promoting phytochemicals, to be exploited in food and nutraceuticals. In the present work, liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection and tandem mass spectrometry analysis allowed the study of the phytochemical composition of quince fruits and to compare it with those of six commercial apple varieties.

RESULTS

The distribution and quantification of secondary metabolites in peel and pulp were studied and compared with six commercial apple varieties. Furthermore the in vitro antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. Quince fruit presented significant amounts of shikimic and quinic acid derivatives, as well as flavonoids and procyanidins. Compared with apple, quince fruit composition was characterized by the presence of 4‐caffeoylshikimic acid, 4‐caffeoyl quinic acid, quercetin‐3,7‐diglucoside, kaempferol‐3‐O‐rhamnoside and kaempferol‐7‐O‐glucoside, and the dihydrochalcones were not detectable. The peel showed the highest contents of phenolics, whereas 3‐O‐caffeoylquinic acid was the most abundant compound in the quince pulp. The Pearson correlation index was calculated considering the quantitative amount of the phenolic constituents and the radical scavenging activity toward DPPH· both for peel and pulp extracts.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlighted the presence of significant amounts of valuable secondary metabolites in quince fruit, in particular the procyanidins and caffeoyl esters with shikimic and quinic acid. Notably, owing to the higher content in phenolic compounds and the stronger antioxidant capacity compared with the other fruits considered, the use of C. oblonga as a source of antioxidant can be valuable in nutraceuticals, revealing new possible applications of quince fruit. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Ash and fire, char, and biochar in the environment
Authors: Kuzyakov Yakov , Merino Agustin , Pereira Paulo
Published: July 2018

Fire is an extreme event leading to rapid and dramatic losses of carbon (C), nutrients, and ballast elements from ecosystems and leaving ash and char on the soil surface. This affects soil processes, properties, and functions. Similar effects can be induced by applying biochar—the product of artificial pyrolysis of plant materials and organic wastes. The nutrients in ashes remaining after a fire or in biochar after pyrolysis will be leached within a few years, and only the highly condensed material will remain in the soil over centuries and millennia.

This Special Issue (SI) is devoted to ash, fire, char, and biochar in the environment, with a special focus on soil processes and properties. We begin by comprehensively summarizing the positive and negative effects of fire, ash, char, and biochar on the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. We then review the 15 papers contributing to this SI. The first group of studies focuses on reconstructing fires during the Holocene and then linking them to human activities and land use. These studies clearly concluded that the fire frequency strongly increased with human invasion and occupation, and that charcoal properties are useful in reconstructing anthropogenic activities. The second group of studies is mainly devoted to changes in physical, chemical, and biological soil properties as well as to interactions between soil functions depending on fire, ash, and char properties. The final group describes the effects of biochar on soil properties and functions such as nutrient availability, C sequestration, microbial diversity and community structure, and heavy metal fixation. The overall conclusion is that fire and the remaining ash and char as well as the application of biochar have short‐ and long‐term consequences for soil. Despite the dramatic effects of fire on vegetation, these factors have many positive effects on soil properties and functions, whereby the influences extend from local, landscape, and regional scales to the global scale.
Salt stress tolerance mechanisms and potential applications of legumes for sustainable reclamation of salt‐degraded soils
Authors: Abiala Moses Akindele , Abdelrahman Mostafa , Burritt David J. , Tran Lam‐Son Phan
Published: July 2018

Soil salinity is considered one of the most detrimental environmental problems affecting the productivity of many agricultural crops, with negative effects on seed germination, plant vigour, and crop yields. To mitigate these negative effects, it is necessary to restrategize and identify viable options that are environmentally and economically applicable for sustainable agriculture. This review summarizes and evaluates soil reclamation strategies that have been employed and those that could potentially be used, concentrating on the use of legume crops. Apart from the fact that legumes have many nutritional benefits as foods, they are also an attractive option to refertilize degraded and nitrogen‐deficient soils. Thus, the potential use of grain, grass, shrubby, and tree legumes to restore degraded soils requires evaluation. In this paper, we discuss and evaluate why legumes should be considered and used for the reclamation of degraded soils, with a particular focus on salt‐degraded soils. Globally relevant case‐studies that demonstrate how legumes could be used to reclaim salt‐degraded soils are highlighted.
Rice Bran Oil Improves Insulin Resistance by Affecting the Expression of Antioxidants and Lipid‐Regulatory Genes
Authors: Ahmed Mervat A. , Mohamed Mona A. , Rashed Laila A. , Abd Elbast Sohaier A. , Ahmed Elham A.
Published: July 2018

The present study investigated the molecular effects of rice bran oil (RBO) on lipid‐regulatory genes (sterol regulatory element binding protein‐1 [Srebf1] and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptors‐α [Ppara]) and the expression of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD1) genes in insulin‐resistant rats. Rats were divided into five groups: animals that received standard diet (control); rats fed standard diet containing RBO as the sole source of fat (RBO); a high‐fructose diet (HFD) group, which was further divided into two subgroups: rats fed HFD either for only 1 month (HFD1) or for 2 months (HFD2) and rats fed HFD containing RBO for 1 month; while rats in the last group fed HFD for 30 days then treated with RBO for another 30 days. The HFD induced a state of insulin resistance (IR) as indicated by the hyperinsulinemia and elevated homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance index. Hepatic lipid levels and radical scavenging enzymes were altered by the HFD. Lipid‐regulatory genes, Srebf1 and Ppara, were upregulated while Sod1 and Cat were downregulated in insulin‐resistant rats. Addition of RBO to the two diet regimens alleviated the disorders of IR to some extent. RBO reduced the hepatic levels of triacylglycerol, malondialdehyde, SREBP, and PPAR‐α mRNA. Hepatic SOD and CAT were elevated at gene and protein levels. The HFD induces de novo lipogenesis by upregulating the lipid‐regulatory genes resulting in increased serum and hepatic triacylglycerol. Moreover, IR induced by the HFD caused a state of oxidative stress. Supplementation of RBO to fructose‐fed rats not only improves insulin resistance but also downregulates lipogenic genes and improves the unbalanced oxidative status.
Criteria for nilpotency of groups via partitions
Authors: Jafari Taghvasani Leyli , Zarrin Mohammad
Published: July 2018

Let G be a group and let . A set of proper subgroups of G is said to be a ‐ of G, if and for every . If Π is a strict T‐partition of G and the orders of all components of Π are equal, then we say that G has an ‐partition. Here we show that: A finite group G is nilpotent if and only if every subgroup H of G has an ES‐partition, for some .
The effects of variations in tissue microstructure from postmortem rat brain on the asymmetry of the water proton resonance
Authors: Foxley Sean , Karczmar Gregory S , Takahashi Kazutaka
Published: July 2018

Purpose

This work was performed to investigate the effects of tissue microstructure from postmortem rat brain on the shape of the water proton spectrum.

Methods

Perfusion‐fixed, resected rat brains (N = 4) were imaged at 9.4T. 3D DTI and 3D echo‐planar spectroscopic imaging (EPSI) data were acquired with 150 μm isotropic resolution. DTI data were acquired over 60 directions with b = 3000 s/mm2. Water spectra were produced from EPSI data acquired over 128 echoes, with 2.9 Hz spectral resolution. A voxel‐wise metric reflecting spectral asymmetry about the peak of the resonance was computed and compared with orientation estimates from DTI data by fitting data with the susceptibility anisotropy model.

Results

Asymmetric broadening of the water resonance was computed for mixed populations of grey and/or white matter as determined by thresholding the fractional anisotropy. Asymmetry was shown to be differentially affected by tract orientation relative to B0 in high FA voxels, whereas low FA voxels exhibited little sensitivity. Anatomic structures in the hippocampus were also found to produce distinct changes in the water resonance.

Conclusion

Present results demonstrate that structural variations in tissue architecture cause characteristic, reproducible changes in the water resonance shape. This suggests that water spectra are sensitive to cytoarchitectural variations in brain tissue.
A survey of mobile technology usage and desires by caregivers of children with cancer
Authors: Mueller Emily L. , Cochrane Anneli R. , Bennett William E. , Carroll Aaron E.
Published: July 2018

Background

The use of mobile health (mHealth) has grown exponentially, even by caregivers of vulnerable populations. The study objective was to understand mobile technology usage, barriers, and desires by caregivers of children with cancer.

Procedure

Paper surveys were mailed to caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer at Riley Hospital for Children between June 2015 and June 2017. The survey contained 13 questions, both fixed and open‐ended, and was sent in both English and Spanish up to three times.

Results

Respondents (n = 121) were primarily parents (93.2%), median age was 40.7 years (range 23–63), and most were white, non‐Hispanic (74.4%). The majority made under $100,000 annual household income (72.9%) and had an education of at least some college or greater (74.5%). Nearly all owned a smart phone (99.2%) and most (61.2%) owned a tablet. Among operating systems, the majority used iOS (62.8%), while 49.6% used Android. About a third (37.1%) reported no barriers to mobile technology use, but 22.4% experienced “data limitations.” Overall, 86.2% wanted at least one medical management website/app: medical knowledge (61.2%), symptom tracking/management (49.1%), and medication reminders (44.8%). Further, 62.1% wanted access to child's medical record and 58.6% wanted communication with medical providers. Lower education was significantly associated with experiencing phone/plan barriers (P = 0.008).

Conclusion

The majority of caregivers of children with cancer use mobile technology with minimal barriers; future research should focus on designing an mHealth tool to address the medical management needs by caregivers of children with cancer.