bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Region‐specific localization of NOS isoforms and NADPH‐diaphorase activity in the intratesticular and excurrent duct systems of adult domestic cats (Felis catus)
Authors: Liman Narin , Alan Emel
Published: January 2016

Nitric oxide (NO) is produced by nitric oxide synthases (NOSs) and plays an important role in all levels of reproduction from the brain to the reproductive organs. Recently, it has been discovered that all germ cells and Leydig cells in the cat testis exhibit stage‐dependent nuclear and cytoplasmic endothelial (eNOS) and inducible (iNOS)‐NOS immunoreactivity and cytoplasmic nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate‐diaphorase (NADPH‐d) reactivity. As a continuation of this finding, in this study, cellular localization of NADPH‐d and immunolocalization and expression of all three NOS isoforms were investigated in the intratesticular (tubuli recti and rete testis), and excurrent ducts (efferent ductules, epididymal duct and vas deferens) of adult cats using histochemistry, immunohistochemistry and western blotting. NADPH‐d activity was found in the midpiece of the spermatozoa tail and epithelial cells of all of ducts, except for nonciliated cells of the efferent ductules. Even though the immunoblotting results revealed similar levels of nNOS, eNOS and iNOS in the caput, corpus and cauda segments of epididymis and the vas deferens, immunostainings showed cell‐specific localization in the efferent ductules and region‐ and cell‐specific localization in the epididymal duct. All of three NOS isoforms were immunolocalized to the nuclear membrane and cytoplasm of the epithelial cells in all ducts, but were found in the tail and the cytoplasmic droplets of spermatozoa. These data suggest that NO/NOS activity might be of importance not only for the functions of the intratesticular and excurrent ducts but also for sperm maturation. Microsc. Res. Tech. 79:192–208, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fully automatic segmentation of left atrium and pulmonary veins in late gadolinium‐enhanced MRI: Towards objective atrial scar assessment
Authors: Tao Qian , Ipek Esra Gucuk , Shahzad Rahil , Berendsen Floris F. , Nazarian Saman , van der Geest Rob J.
Published: January 2016

Purpose

To realize objective atrial scar assessment, this study aimed to develop a fully automatic method to segment the left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PV) from late gadolinium‐enhanced (LGE) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The extent and distribution of atrial scar, visualized by LGE‐MRI, provides important information for clinical treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) patients.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐six AF patients (age 62 ± 8, 14 female) who underwent cardiac MRI prior to RF ablation were included. A contrast‐enhanced MR angiography (MRA) sequence was acquired for anatomy assessment followed by an LGE sequence for LA scar assessment. A fully automatic segmentation method was proposed consisting of two stages: 1) global segmentation by multiatlas registration; and 2) local refinement by 3D level‐set. These automatic segmentation results were compared with manual segmentation.

Results

The LA and PVs were automatically segmented in all subjects. Compared with manual segmentation, the method yielded a surface‐to‐surface distance of 1.49 ± 0.65 mm in the LA region when using both MRA and LGE, and 1.80 ± 0.93 mm when using LGE alone (P < 0.05). In the PV regions, the distance was 2.13 ± 0.67 mm and 2.46 ± 1.81 mm (P < 0.05), respectively. The difference between automatic and manual segmentation was comparable to the interobserver difference (P = 0.8 in LA region and P = 0.7 in PV region).

Conclusion

We developed a fully automatic method for LA and PV segmentation from LGE‐MRI, with comparable performance to a human observer. Inclusion of an MRA sequence further improves the segmentation accuracy. The method leads to automatic generation of a patient‐specific model, and potentially enables objective atrial scar assessment for AF patients. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:346–354.
Perceived organizational support and affective organizational commitment: Moderating influence of perceived organizational competence
Authors: Kim Kyoung Yong , Eisenberger Robert , Baik Kibok
Published: January 2016

Perceived organizational support (POS), involving employees' perception that the organization values their contributions and cares about their well‐being, has been found to be the work experience most strongly linked to their emotional bond to the organization (affective organizational commitment, or AC). We suggest that employees' perception concerning the organization's ability to achieve its goals and objectives (perceived organizational competence, or POC) may enhance this relationship by more effectively fulfilling socio‐emotional needs. We conducted three studies with employees in the United States and South Korea to assess the interactive relationship between POS and POC and their distinctive antecedents. Our hierarchical linear modeling and ordinary least squared regression results showed that POC strengthened the relationship between POS and AC and that this association carried over to extra‐role performance. Further, leader initiating structure contributed more to POC than to POS, whereas leader consideration contributed more to POS than to POC. These findings suggest POC plays an important role in moderating the relationship between POS and AC. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Isolation and identification of Bacillus megaterium YB3 from an effluent contaminated site efficiently degrades pyrene
Authors: Meena Sumer Singh , Sharma Radhey Shyam , Gupta Priti , Karmakar Swagata , Aggarwal Kamal Krishan
Published: January 2016

Industrial effluents contaminated sites may serve as repositories of ecologically adapted efficient pyrene degrading bacteria. In the present study, six bacterial isolates from industrial effluents were purified using serial enrichment technique and their pyrene degrading potential on pyrene supplemented mineral salt medium was assessed. 16S rRNA sequence analysis showed that they belong to four bacterial genera, namely Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Microbacterium, and Ochrobactrum. Among these isolates, Bacillus megaterium YB3 showed considerably good growth and was further evaluated for its pyrene‐degrading efficiency. B. megaterium YB3 could degrade 72.44% of 500 mg L−1 pyrene within 7 days. GC–MS analysis of ethyl acetate extracted fractions detected two relatively less toxic metabolic intermediates of the pyrene degradation pathway. B. megaterium YB3 also tested positive for catechol 1, 2‐dioxygenase and aromatic‐ring‐hydroxylating dioxygenase indole‐indigo conversion assays. Considering the ability and efficiency of B. megaterium YB3 to degrade high pyrene content, the strain can be used as a tool to develop bioremediation technologies for the effective biodegradation of pyrene and possibly other PAHs in the environment.
Broadband 10 Gb/s operation of graphene electro‐absorption modulator on silicon
Authors: Hu Yingtao , Pantouvaki Marianna , Van Campenhout Joris , Brems Steven , Asselberghs Inge , Huyghebaert Cedric , Absil Philippe , Van Thourhout Dries
Published: January 2016

High performance integrated optical modulators are highly desired for future optical interconnects. The ultra‐high bandwidth and broadband operation potentially offered by graphene based electro‐absorption modulators has attracted a lot of attention in the photonics community recently. In this work, we theoretically evaluate the true potential of such modulators and illustrate this with experimental results for a silicon integrated graphene optical electro‐absorption modulator capable of broadband 10 Gb/s modulation speed. The measured results agree very well with theoretical predictions. A low insertion loss of 3.8 dB at 1580 nm and a low drive voltage of 2.5 V combined with broadband and athermal operation were obtained for a 50 μm‐length hybrid graphene‐Si device. The peak modulation efficiency of the device is 1.5 dB/V. This robust device is challenging best‐in‐class Si (Ge) modulators for future chip‐level optical interconnects.
Prediction of summer monsoon rainfall over India and its homogeneous regions
Authors: Kakade Santosh , Kulkarni Ashwini
Published: January 2016

The coherent regions for various fields such as sea level pressure, temperature, geopotential height and zonal wind anomalies at the surface, 850, 500 and 200 hPalevels in pre‐monsoon months (January through May) and seasons (winter, spring) have been identified by applying the shared nearest neighbour algorithm. The fields over the corresponding cluster regions could be possible predictors for Indian summer monsoon rainfall as well as the rainfall over various homogeneous regions of India. The time series have been constructed by averaging the parameters over the respective clusters. The relationship between these time series and the summer monsoon rainfall over India and its well‐defined homogeneous regions over India, (northwest India, central northeast India, northeast India, west central India and peninsular India), has been examined during the positive and negative phases of effective strength index tendency using the simple technique of multiple regression. Along with the linear relationship, the non‐linear relationships between the cluster parameters and the seasonal rainfall have also been considered. Independent cluster parameters have been selected by cross‐validation procedure and the performance of each predictive model is tested. The extreme yearly rainfall departures over India are qualitatively well predicted by the model. Also, the unprecedented droughts over India in 2002 and 2009, where all earlier models have failed to forecast, are well predicted by the present model. The performances of models for summer monsoon rainfall prediction over homogeneous regions of India are convincing.
On the regularity of the axially symmetric solutions to the three‐dimensional MHD equations
Authors: Jihui Wu , Lei Lu
Published: January 2016

We present the improved three‐dimensional axially symmetric incompressible magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) equations with nonzero swirl. We consider three kinds of smooth axially symmetric particular solutions to the MHD equations: (1) uθ=0,Br=Bz=0, (2) Br=Bz=0, and (3) Bθ=0. In particular, we derive new regularity criteria for these three kinds of the three‐dimensional axially symmetric smooth solutions to the MHD equations. Our results also reveal some interesting dynamic behavior of the interaction by the angular vorticity field ωθ and the angular current density field jθ. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Solving unsteady Korteweg–de Vries equation and its two alternatives
Authors: Khan Kamruzzaman , Akbar M. Ali
Published: January 2016

This paper aims to present the generalized Kudryashov method to find the exact traveling wave solutions transmutable to the solitary wave solutions of the ubiquitous unsteady Korteweg–de Vries equation and its two famed alternatives, namely, the regularized long‐wave equation and the time regularized long‐wave equation. The exact analytic solutions of the studied equations are constructed explicitly in three forms, namely, hyperbolic, trigonometric, and rational function. The validity of our solutions is verified with MAPLE by putting them back into the original equation and found correct. Moreover, it has shown that the generalized Kudryashov method is an easy and reliable technique over the existing methods. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the Laplace integral representation of multivariate Mittag‐Leffler functions in anomalous relaxation
Authors: Nigmatullin Raoul R. , Khamzin Airat A. , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: January 2016

In the given paper, a special method of representation of the Mittag‐Leffler functions and their multivariate generalizations in the form of the Laplace integrals is suggested. The method is based on the usage of the generalized multiplication Efros theorem. The possibilities of a new method are demonstrated on derivation of the integral representations for relaxation functions used in the anomalous dielectric relaxation in time domain. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Data mining algorithms to compute mixed concepts with negative attributes: an application to breast cancer data analysis
Authors: Rodríguez‐Jiménez Jose Manuel , Cordero Pablo , Enciso Manuel , Mora Angel
Published: January 2016

In the design of mathematical methods for a medical problem, one of the kernel issues is the identification of symptoms and measures that could help in the diagnosis. Discovering connections among them constitute a big challenge because it allows to reduce the number of parameters to be considered in the mathematical model. In this work, we focus on formal concept analysis as a very promising technique to address this problem. In previous works, we have studied the use of formal concept analysis to manage attribute implications. In this work, we propose to extend the knowledge that we can extract from every context using positive and negative information, which constitutes an open problem.

Based on the main classical algorithms, we propose new methods to generate the lattice concept with positive and negative information to be used as a kind of map of attribute connections. We also compare them in an experiment built with datasets from the UCI repository for machine learning. We finally apply the mining techniques to extract the knowledge contained in a real data set containing information about patients suffering breast cancer. The result obtained have been contrasted with medical scientists to illustrate the benefits of our proposal. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wavelet bi‐frames with uniform symmetry
Authors: Li Baobin
Published: January 2016

Wavelet bi‐frames with uniform symmetry are discussed in this paper. Every refinable function in the bi‐frame system is symmetric, which is very useful in the image processing and curve and surface multiresolution processing. By the aid of the lifting scheme, bi‐frame multiresolution algorithms can be divided into several iterative steps, and each step can be shown by a symmetric template. The template‐based procedure is established for constructing bi‐frames with uniform symmetry and N > 2 generators. In particular, we take the bi‐frame with three generators as an example to provide a clearer picture of the template‐based procedure for constructing bi‐frames. Three types of bi‐frames with three generators are studied, and some examples with certain smoothness are constructed. These examples include some bi‐frames with interpolating property. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tocopherols in cancer: An update
Authors: Das Gupta Soumyasri , Suh Nanjoo
Published: January 2016

Tocopherols exist in four forms designated as α, β, δ, and γ. Due to their strong antioxidant properties, tocopherols have been suggested to reduce the risk of cancer. Cancer prevention studies with tocopherols have mostly utilized α‐tocopherol. Large‐scale clinical trials with α‐tocopherol provided inconsistent results regarding the cancer‐preventive activities of tocopherols. This review summarizes our current understanding of the anticancer activities of different forms of tocopherols based on follow‐up of the clinical trials, recent epidemiological evidences, and experimental studies using in vitro and in vivo models. The experimental data provide strong evidence in support of the anticancer activities of δ‐tocopherol, γ‐tocopherol, and the natural tocopherol mixture rich in γ‐tocopherol, γ‐TmT, over α‐tocopherol. Such outcomes emphasize the need for detailed investigation into the cancer‐preventive activities of different forms of tocopherols to provide a strong rationale for intervention studies in the future.
A viscoplastic subloading soil model for rate‐dependent cyclic anisotropic structured behaviour
Authors: Maranha J. R. , Pereira C. , Vieira A.
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a new purely viscoplastic soil model based on the subloading surface concept with a mobile centre of homothety, enabling the occurrence of viscoplastic strains inside the yield surface and avoiding the abrupt change in stiffness of the traditional overstress viscoplastic models. This is required for overconsolidated soils. The model is formulated to reproduce the soil rate‐dependent behaviour under cyclic loading (changes in loading direction) and incorporates both initial and induced anisotropy, as well as destructuring. The model shows good qualitative response to some imposed three‐dimensional stress paths under quasi‐inviscid (elastoplastic) behaviour. Some of the main time‐dependent aspects of soil behaviour that the model is capable of reproducing were also illustrated. The capability of the model to adequately reproduce the results from an undrained triaxial test performed on stiff overconsolidated clays from the Lisbon region (Formação de Benfica), with an unloading–reloading deviatoric stress cycle at constant mean stress, that incorporates a series of staggered fast loading and creep stages, was evaluated. The model was able to reproduce well the main observed aspects of the time‐dependent stress–strain response and pore pressure evolution of a stiff overconsolidated clay under complex loading. The revised and generalised viscoplastic subloading surface concept is viable and can be applied to a consistent extension to viscoplasticity, including in the interior of the yield surface, of existing elastoplastic models formulated for soils and other materials. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sources, incidence and effects of non‐physical workplace violence against nurses in Ghana
Authors: Boafo Isaac Mensah , Hancock Peter , Gringart Eyal
Published: January 2016

Aim

To document the incidence, sources and effects of workplace verbal abuse and sexual harassment against Ghanaian nurses.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Ghana from 2013–2014 which surveyed 592 professional nurses and midwives working in public hospitals in Ghana using the health sector violence questionnaire.

Results

The majority of participants were females (80%). The average age of participants was 31·76 years and the average number of years practising as nurse was 7·38. Twelve per cent of the participants experienced at least one incident of sexual harassment and 52·2% were exposed to verbal abuse. The majority of perpetrators of sexual harassment were medical doctors (50%). Relatives of patients emerged as the most frequent verbal abusers (45·5%). Chi‐square test showed statistically significant associations between gender and workplace violence and between workplace violence and intention to quit the nursing profession. The effects of workplace violence ranged from having disturbing memories about the incident to being ‘super alert’ and vigilant.

Establishing the incidence of workplace violence is a necessary step towards addressing the problem. It is concluded that educational programs must be designed for healthcare workers and the general public to foster awareness of the effects of workplace violence. Clear policies must also be instituted to address the problem.
Effect of Amide Hydrogen Bonding Interaction on Supramolecular Self‐Assembly of Naphthalene Diimide Amphiphiles with Aggregation Induced Emission
Authors: Ghule Namdev V. , La Duong Duc , Bhosale Rajesh S. , Al Kobaisi Mohammad , Raynor Aaron M. , Bhosale Sheshanath V. , Bhosale Sidhanath V.
Published: January 2016

In the present work, two new naphthalene diimide (NDI) amphiphiles, NDI‐N and NDI‐NA, were successfully synthesized and employed to investigate their self‐assembly and optical properties. For NDI‐NA, which contains an amide group, aggregation‐induced emission enhancement (AIEE) was demonstrated in the presence of various ratios of methylcyclohexane (MCH) in chloroform, which led to the visual color changes. This new amide‐containing NDI‐NA amphiphile formed nanobelt structures in chloroform/MCH (10:90, v/v) and microcup‐like morphologies in chloroform/MCH (5:95, v/v). The closure of these microcups led to the formation of vesicles and microcapsules. The structural morphologies gained from the solvophobic control of NDI‐NA were confirmed by various complementary techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In the absence of the amide moiety in NDI‐N, no self‐assembly was observed, indicating the fundamental role of H‐bonding in the self‐association process.
Effects of thermal histories on carbon fiber/polyamide 6 microcomposite load transfer efficiency: Crystallization, modulus, and measurement
Authors: Li Hongfu , Zhang Yanfei , Wang Yang , Zhang Boming
Published: January 2016

In this work, load transfer efficiency (LTE) is quantitatively expressed as a specific formula and characterized through electrical resistance method. Single carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyamide 6 (PA6) microcomposites with eight different thermal histories were prepared. Polarizing optical microscope (POM) was used to observe crystal morphologies. Tensile properties of neat PA6 with different thermal histories were tested. All the above results show that electrical resistance method is an effective way to characterize CF/PA6 microcomposite interface LTE. Water quenched CF/PA6 microcomposites have a highest LTE of 94.2%, while LTE decreased to 34.3% at the bottom for 200°C annealing treated specimens. POM results show that decreasing nonisothermal cooling rate results in larger spherulites and transcrystallites but lower nucleus density, while annealing treated samples nearly have no change and still keep quite transparent. It is also very interesting to find that there is an antisymmetric relationship between LTE and matrix modulus of nonisothermal/isothermal crystallization samples, and LTE drops more for the annealing treated specimens under the similar modulus, which ascribes to radial residual stress releasing during annealing treatment. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:102–109, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
A novel natural rubber‐graft‐cassava starch foam for oil/gasohol absorption
Authors: Riyajan Sa‐Ad , Keawittarit Pramort
Published: January 2016

The objective of this work was to study a novel foam prepared from natural rubber grafted with cassava starch (NR‐graft‐CSt) with the addition of super cell (SC) as a blowing agent. The effects of the blowing agent and grafting versus non‐grafting of the starch and the natural rubber on the properties of the foam were investigated. The results show that the optimum curing time decreases with increasing SC loading as observed using a moving die rheometer. The porosity, the number of cells per unit volume and the cell size of the NR/CSt blend increase as a function of the SC loading in the foam. A more open cell structure is produced by higher loadings of SC. The greatest number of cells per unit volume is found at 2 and 6 phr SC for NR‐graft‐CSt and NR/CSt blend, respectively. The foam produced was used as an absorbent for oil. The NR‐graft‐CSt foam shows a maximum percentage oil absorption of around 7 g g−1. The NR‐graft‐CSt foam is able to be reused as an oil absorbent for a maximum number of over 30 times. The NR‐graft‐CSt foam shows better toluene resistance than the NR/CSt blend. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Recent development of mass spectrometry and proteomics applications in identification and typing of bacteria
Authors: Cheng Keding , Chui Huixia , Domish Larissa , Hernandez Drexler , Wang Gehua
Published: January 2016

Identification and typing of bacteria occupy a large fraction of time and work in clinical microbiology laboratories. With the certification of some MS platforms in recent years, more applications and tests of MS‐based diagnosis methods for bacteria identification and typing have been created, not only on well‐accepted MALDI‐TOF‐MS‐based fingerprint matches, but also on solving the insufficiencies of MALDI‐TOF‐MS‐based platforms and advancing the technology to areas such as targeted MS identification and typing of bacteria, bacterial toxin identification, antibiotics susceptibility/resistance tests, and MS‐based diagnostic method development on unique bacteria such as Clostridium and Mycobacteria. This review summarizes the recent development in MS platforms and applications in bacteria identification and typing of common pathogenic bacteria.
A chemists view: Metal oxides with adaptive structures for thermoelectric applications
Authors: Kieslich Gregor , Cerretti Giacomo , Veremchuk Igor , Hermann Raphaël P. , Panthöfer Martin , Grin Juri , Tremel Wolfgang
Published: January 2016

Thermoelectric devices can help to tackle future challenges in the energy sector through the conversion of waste heat directly into usable electric energy. For a wide applicability low‐cost materials with reasonable thermoelectric performances and cost‐efficient preparation techniques are required. In this context metal oxides are an interesting class of materials because of their inherent high‐temperature stability and relative high sustainability. Their thermoelectric performance, however, needs to be improved for wide application. Compounds with adaptive structures are a very interesting class of materials. A slight reduction of early transition metal oxides generates electrons as charge carriers and crystallographic shear planes as structure motif. The crystallographic shear planes lead to a reduction of intrinsic thermal conductivity. At the same time, the electronic transport properties can be tuned by the degree of reduction. So far only a few transition metal oxides with adaptive structures have been investigated with respect to their thermoelectric properties, leaving much room for improvement. This review gives an overview of thermoelectric oxides, highlights the structural aspects of the crystallographic shear planes and the resulting thermoelectric properties.
Family of Cu@metal nanowires network for transparent electrodes on n‐AlGaN
Authors: Wang Huachun , Xu Hongmei , Wu Chenping , Soomro Abdul Majid , Guo Huizhang , Wei Tongbo , Li Shuping , Kang Junyong , Cai Duanjun
Published: January 2016

We propose a novel technique for fabricating a series of Cu@metal core–shell nanowires as transparent electrodes for III‐nitride based devices. The superfine copper nanowires (16 nm) was synthesized by solution method and used as the platform to coat various metals such as nickle, zinc, vanadium, or titanium, with which desired work function could be obtained. This nanowires network could be fabricated on wafer or even flexible substrates. High transparency was achieved in a very wide wavelength range from 200 to 2500 nm. The transparent electrodes showed low resistance as well as excellent stability in air.
Luminescence and photo‐thermally stimulated defect‐creation processes in Bi3+‐doped single crystals of lead tungstate
Authors: Buryi M. , Bohacek P. , Chernenko K. , Krasnikov A. , Laguta V. V. , Mihokova E. , Nikl M. , Zazubovich S.
Published: January 2016

For the first time, photoluminescence of PbWO4:Bi crystals with different bismuth contents is studied by the time‐resolved spectroscopy methods at 4.2–300 K. Photo‐thermally stimulated processes of electron and hole centers creation under selective UV irradiation of the crystal in the 3–5 eV energy range and the 4.2–200 K temperature range are clarified, and the optically created electron and hole centers are identified by the thermally stimulated luminescence and electron spin resonance methods. The 2.2 eV emission of PbWO4:Bi crystals, excited in the Bi3+‐related absorption band overlapped with the exciton absorption band, is shown to be of an excitonic origin and is suggested to arise from the excitons of two types localized around two different Bi3+‐related centers. No emission, arising from the electron transitions between the energy levels of Bi3+ ions, is observed. Photoexcitation of PbWO4:Bi crystals in the Bi3+‐related absorption region results also in the creation of electron and hole centers. Three new paramagnetic centers are identified: (i) two holes trapped at two regular oxygen ions located close to a Bi3+ ion and a lead vacancy VPb (the {2O– − Bi3+ − VPb}‐type hole centers); (ii) Bi4+ centers; and (iii) the O−‐type hole centers. The concentration of single (non‐compensated) oxygen and lead vacancies as traps for electrons and holes, respectively, is found to be small. The processes resulting in the appearance of the Bi3+‐related localized exciton emission and in the creation of Bi‐related electron and hole centers are discussed.
Estrogenic Activity Including Bone Enhancement and Effect on Lipid Profile of Luteolin‐7‐O‐glucoside Isolated from Trifolium alexandrinum L. in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Ammar N. M. , El‐Hawary S. S. , Mohamed D. A. , El‐Halawany A. M. , El‐Anssary A. A. , El‐Kassem L. T. Abou , Hussein R. A. , Jaleel G. A. Abdel , El‐Dosoky A. H.
Published: January 2016

Luteolin‐7‐O‐glycoside (LG), an abundant component in many edible plants, was found to be one of the major constituents of the aqueous methanol extract of Trifolium alexandrinum L. family Fabaceae, a fodder plant widely cultivated in Egypt. The estrogenic activity of LG concerning the effect on uterotrophy, lipid profile, weight gain and bone enhancement activity was determined in ovariectomized rat model at a dose of 5 mg/kg. Luteolin‐7‐O‐glycoside showed significant estrogenic effect through the preservation of normal uterine weight and plasma estradiol level. It also significantly inhibited the bone turnover markers plasma bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase, plasma osteocalsin, type I procollagen N‐terminal, and C‐telopeptide of type II collagen levels. It induced a significant improvement in plasma lipid profile. The effect of LG was comparable with estradiol with lower effect on uterine weight. Liver and kidney functions revealed a wide safety of LG at this dose level. The present study revealed that LG may be a promising hormone replacement therapy after being examined thoroughly on human. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Seven root canals in a deciduous maxillary molar detected by the dental operating microscope and micro‐computed tomography
Authors: Ahmed Hany Mohamed Aly , Khamis Mohd Fadhli , Gutmann James Leo
Published: January 2016

The root and root canal morphology of deciduous molars shows considerable variations. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the normal and unusual root and root canal configuration types in deciduous teeth is of prime importance. The purpose of this report is to describe a rare anatomical variation in a double‐rooted maxillary deciduous molar examined by the dental operating microscope and micro‐computed tomography. SCANNING 38:554–557, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Confidence bands for smoothness in nonparametric regression
Authors: Faraway Julian
Published: January 2016

The choice of the smoothing parameter in nonparametric regression is critical to the form of the estimated curve and any inference that follows. Many methods are available that will generate a single choice for this parameter. Here, we argue that the considerable uncertainty in this choice should be explicitly represented. The construction of standard simultaneous confidence bands in nonparametric regression often requires difficult mathematical arguments. We question their practical utility, presenting several deficiencies. We propose a new kind of confidence band that reflects the uncertainty regarding the smoothness of the estimate. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Metabolic Reprogramming and Dependencies Associated with Epithelial Cancer Stem Cells Independent of the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Program
Authors: Aguilar Esther , Marin de Mas Igor , Zodda Erika , Marin Silvia , Morrish Fionnuala , Selivanov Vitaly , Meca-Cortés Óscar , Delowar Hossain , Pons Mònica , Izquierdo Inés , Celià-Terrassa Toni , de Atauri Pedro , Centelles Josep J. , Hockenbery David , Thomson Timothy M. , Cascante Marta
Published: January 2016

In solid tumors, cancer stem cells (CSCs) can arise independently of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In spite of recent efforts, the metabolic reprogramming associated with CSC phenotypes uncoupled from EMT is poorly understood. Here, by using metabolomic and fluxomic approaches, we identify major metabolic profiles that differentiate metastatic prostate epithelial CSCs (e-CSCs) from non-CSCs expressing a stable EMT. We have found that the e-CSC program in our cellular model is characterized by a high plasticity in energy substrate metabolism, including an enhanced Warburg effect, a greater carbon and energy source flexibility driven by fatty acids and amino acid metabolism and an essential reliance on the proton buffering capacity conferred by glutamine metabolism. An analysis of transcriptomic data yielded a metabolic gene signature for our e-CSCs consistent with the metabolomics and fluxomics analyses that correlated with tumor progression and metastasis in prostate cancer and in 11 additional cancer types. Interestingly, an integrated metabolomics, fluxomics, and transcriptomics analysis allowed us to identify key metabolic players regulated at the post-transcriptional level, suggesting potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets to effectively forestall metastasis.
Histone Chaperone SSRP1 is Essential for Wnt Signaling Pathway Activity During Osteoblast Differentiation
Authors: Hossan Tareq , Nagarajan Sankari , Baumgart Simon J. , Xie Wanhua , Magallanes Roberto Tirado , Hernandez Céline , Chiaroni Pierre-Marie , Indenbirken Daniela , Spitzner Melanie , Thomas-Chollier Morgane , Grade Marian , Thieffry Denis , Grundhoff Adam , Wegwitz Florian , Johnsen Steven A.
Published: January 2016

Cellular differentiation is accompanied by dramatic changes in chromatin structure which direct the activation of lineage-specific transcriptional programs. Structure-specific recognition protein-1 (SSRP1) is a histone chaperone which is important for chromatin-associated processes such as transcription, DNA replication and repair. Since the function of SSRP1 during cell differentiation remains unclear, we investigated its potential role in controlling lineage determination. Depletion of SSRP1 in human mesenchymal stem cells elicited lineage-specific effects by increasing expression of adipocyte-specific genes and decreasing the expression of osteoblast-specific genes. Consistent with a role in controlling lineage specification, transcriptome-wide RNA-sequencing following SSRP1 depletion and the induction of osteoblast differentiation revealed a specific decrease in the expression of genes involved in biological processes related to osteoblast differentiation. Importantly, we observed a specific downregulation of target genes of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, which was accompanied by decreased nuclear localization of active β-catenin. Together our data uncover a previously unknown role for SSRP1 in promoting the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway activity during cellular differentiation.
Seroprevalence of Schmallenberg virus infection in sheep and goats flocks in Germany, 2012–2013
Authors: Helmer Carina , Eibach Regina , Humann‐Ziehank Esther , Tegtmeyer Philip C. , Bürstel Daniela , Mayer Kathrin , Moog Udo , Stauch Sieglinde , Strobel Heinz , Voigt Katja , Sieber Philipp , Greiner Matthias , Ganter Martin
Published: January 2016

Schmallenberg virus (SBV) is a member of the family Bunyaviridae and mainly affects ruminants. It is transmitted by biting midges, first and foremost Culicoides spp., and causes congenital malformations reflected in arthrogryposis–hydranencephaly (AH) syndrome. The aim of this study was to collect data on the emergence of SBV as a new arthropod‐borne disease introduced into Europe in 2011. Germany was located in the core region of the 2011/2012 epidemic. Following two seroprevalence studies in the north‐west of Germany in 2012, this study focused on the epidemiology and distribution of SBV throughout 130 small ruminant flocks in the whole country. Blood samples were obtained of 30 animals per flock and a SBV‐specific questionnaire was used to collect operating data of the farms. The median within‐herd seroprevalence for all 130 flocks tested was 53.3% with a total range from 0% to 100%. The median within‐herd seroprevalence for goats was 30% [interquartile range (IQR): 40.3%] and 57% for sheep (IQR: 43.3%). Small ruminant flocks kept permanently indoors or housed overnight had a significantly lower seroprevalence than flocks kept permanently outdoors. In addition, this study revealed a significantly lower seroprevalence in the north‐east of Germany. These results show that small ruminants in Germany are still at risk of contracting new SBV infections following incomplete seroconversion of flocks especially in the north‐east of Germany. This might contribute to SBV becoming enzootic in central and northern Europe. Furthermore, the survey revealed that housing animals at least during mating and early pregnancy may reduce the risk of new SBV infections and may thus be an option to reduce losses as long as there is no licensed vaccine available on the German market.
Understanding the canine intestinal microbiota and its modification by pro‐, pre‐ and synbiotics – what is the evidence?
Authors: Schmitz Silke , Suchodolski Jan
Published: January 2016

Interest in the composition of the intestinal microbiota and possibilities of its therapeutic modifications has soared over the last decade and more detailed knowledge specific to the canine microbiota at different mucosal sites including the gut is available. Probiotics, prebiotics or their combination (synbiotics) are a way of modifying the intestinal microbiota and exert effects on the host immune response. Probiotics are proposed to exert their beneficial effects through various pathways, for example production of antimicrobial peptides, enhancing growth of favourable endogenous microorganisms, competition for epithelial colonisation sites and immune‐modulatory functions. Despite widespread use of pro‐, pre‐ and synbiotics, scientific evidence of their beneficial effects in different conditions of the dog is scarce. Specific effects of different strains, their combination or their potential side‐effects have not been evaluated sufficiently. In some instances, in vitro results have been promising, but could not be transferred consistently into in vivo situations. Specific canine gastrointestinal (GI) diseases or conditions where probiotics would be beneficial, their most appropriate dosage and application have not been assessed extensively. This review summarises the current knowledge of the intestinal microbiome composition in the dog and evaluates the evidence for probiotic use in canine GI diseases to date. It wishes to provide veterinarians with evidence‐based information on when and why these products could be useful in preventing or treating canine GI conditions. It also outlines knowledge about safety and approval of commercial probiotic products, and the potential use of faecal microbial transplantation, as they are related to the topic of probiotic usage.
Influences of initiator addition methods in suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride on poly(vinyl chloride) particles properties
Authors: Bijhanmanesh Mohammad Javad , Etesami Nasrin , Esfahany Mohsen Nasr
Published: January 2016

Vinyl chloride suspension polymerization was carried out in a pilot‐scale reactor to study the effects of different methods of initiator addition on poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) resin properties. The experiments used different arrangements for adding the initiator to the reactor, whereas other reaction conditions were the same: (i) initiator was added to the continuous aqueous phase and then monomer was dispersed in it (conventional method); (ii) initiator was predissolved in monomer before dispersing in the continuous aqueous phase; and (iii) suspending agents along with initiator were added to the monomer before polymerization. The PVC resin prepared by method of (i) had a higher monomer conversion and a higher Sauter mean diameter of grains with a narrow particle size distribution comparable to that of PVC resins by other methods. Scanning electron microscopy showed more uniform particles and fused primary particles in the grains, which confirms lower porosity and lower cold plasticizer absorption (CPA) for PVC grains produced by procedure of (ii). The results showed that when the suspending agents were also predispersed in monomer along with initiator (iii), CPA increases dramatically due to internal porosity of the grains. Simultaneously, a marked decrease in Sauter mean diameter was apparent. Scanning electron microscopy micrographs show that primary particles in the interior of PVC grains prepared by the latter method are looser, and there is more free volume between primary particles resulting the high internal porosity and consequently higher CPA. Mercury porosimetry analysis also confirms these results. K value as a molecular weight characteristic for all methods was the same. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 24:116–123, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Objective review of de novo stand‐alone error correction methods for NGS data
Authors: Alic Andy S. , Ruzafa David , Dopazo Joaquin , Blanquer Ignacio
Published: January 2016

The sequencing market has increased steadily over the last few years, with different approaches to read DNA information prone to different types of errors. Multiple studies demonstrated the impact of sequencing errors on different applications of next‐generation sequencing (NGS), making error correction a fundamental initial step. Different methods in the literature use different approaches and fit different types of problems. We analyzed 50 methods divided into five main approaches (k‐spectrum, suffix arrays, multiple‐sequence alignment, read clustering, and probabilistic models). They are not published as a part of a suite (stand‐alone), and target raw, unprocessed data without an existing reference genome (de novo). These correctors handle one or more sequencing technologies using the same or different approaches. They face general challenges (sometimes with specific traits for specific technologies) such as repetitive regions, uncalled bases, and ploidy. Even assessing their performance is a challenge in itself because of the approach taken by various authors, the unknown factor (de novo), and the behavior of the third‐party tools employed in the benchmarks. This study aims to help the researcher in the field to advance the field of error correction, the educator to have a brief but comprehensive companion, and the bioinformatician to choose the right tool for the right job. WIREs Comput Mol Sci 2016, 6:111–146. doi: 10.1002/wcms.1239

This article is categorized under:

Computer and Information Science > Computer Algorithms and Programming
Regulation and functions of bacterial PNPase
Authors: Briani Federica , Carzaniga Thomas , Dehò Gianni
Published: January 2016

Polynucleotide phosphorylase (PNPase) is an exoribonuclease that catalyzes the processive phosphorolytic degradation of RNA from the 3′‐end. The enzyme catalyzes also the reverse reaction of polymerization of nucleoside diphosphates that has been implicated in the generation of heteropolymeric tails at the RNA 3′‐end. The enzyme is widely conserved and plays a major role in RNA decay in both Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria. Moreover, it participates in maturation and quality control of stable RNA. PNPase autoregulates its own expression at post‐transcriptional level through a complex mechanism that involves the endoribonuclease RNase III and translation control. The activity of PNPase is modulated in an intricate and still unclear manner by interactions with small molecules and recruitment in different multiprotein complexes. Not surprisingly, given the wide spectrum of PNPase substrates, PNPase‐defective mutations in different bacterial species have pleiotropic effects and perturb the execution of genetic programs involving drastic changes in global gene expression such as biofilm formation, growth at suboptimal temperatures, and virulence. WIREs RNA 2016, 7:241–258. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1328

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein–RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA Turnover and Surveillance > Regulation of RNA Stability
Non-monotonic Travelling Wave Fronts in a System of Fractional Flow Equations from Porous Media
Authors: Hönig O. , Zegeling P. A. , Doster F. , Hilfer R.
Published: January 2016

Motivated by observations of saturation overshoot, this article investigates generic classes of smooth travelling wave solutions of a system of two coupled nonlinear parabolic partial differential equations resulting from a flux function of high symmetry. All boundary resp. limit value problems of the travelling wave ansatz, which lead to smooth travelling wave solutions, are systematically explored. A complete, visually and computationally useful representation of the five-dimensional manifold connecting wave velocities and boundary resp. limit data is found by using methods from dynamical systems theory. The travelling waves exhibit monotonic, non-monotonic or plateau-shaped behaviour. Special attention is given to the non-monotonic profiles. The stability of the travelling waves is studied by numerically solving the full system of the partial differential equations with an efficient and accurate adaptive moving grid solver.
Coupling Inward Diffusion and Precipitation Kinetics; the Case of Nitriding Iron-Based Alloys
Authors: Jung Minsu , Meka Sai Ramudu , Rheingans Bastian , Mittemeijer Eric Jan
Published: January 2016

A model that describes the inward diffusion of an element I into a solid substrate and the simultaneous precipitation of a compound MyIz, with M as the alloying element initially dissolved in the substrate matrix, is presented for the case of nitriding iron-based alloys. The model was developed by coupling the diffusion kinetics and the precipitation (nucleation and growth) kinetics. Additionally, the role of excess nitrogen and the kinetics of ammonia dissociation at the iron surface were incorporated into this coupled model. The model was successfully applied to the case of nitriding an Fe-2.23 at. pct V alloy; the simulation results are in good agreement with the measured data and allow for detailed understanding of the evolution of the nitride precipitates (volume fraction, number density, and size distribution) as a function of both nitriding time and depth in the specimen. The present model exposed the pronounced effects of the precipitation kinetics, of excess nitrogen, and of the surface-reaction kinetics on the overall nitriding kinetics and demonstrated a striking, nonmonotonous change with time of precipitate particle size at a distinct depth in the specimen.
Blessé médullaire: prise en charge en andrologie
Authors: Soler J. -M. , Mieusset R.
Published: January 2016

Les réactions sexuelles sont sous contrôle neurologique. Le traumatisme vertébromédullaire altère l’organisation neurologique et génère un dysfonctionnement sexuel. Les substances pharmacologiques actuelles permettent de rétablir la fonction érectile du blessé médullaire, première étape essentielle à la réorganisation d’une vie sexuelle. Le déclenchement de l’éjaculation est souvent difficile. Les techniques de stimulation périnéale isolées ou associées au traitement pharmacologique favorisent la réalisation d’éjaculation et permettent un recueil et une conservation du sperme. La possibilité d’obtenir une éjaculation au cours des rapports sexuels, chez le blessé médullaire, reste rare et sans véritable solution thérapeutique. Malgré l’altération de la qualité du sperme, les blessés médullaires conservent une possibilité de procréation pour 40 à 60 % des couples. Le recours à des techniques d’assistance médicale à la procréation est souvent nécessaire. La prise en charge des dysfonctionnements sexuels des blessés médullaires doit être intégrée dans un programme de rééducation et de réinsertion.