bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Female pups receive more maltreatment from stressed dams
Authors: Keller Samantha M. , Nowak Anna , Roth Tania L.
Published: February 2019

The effects of exposure to developmental stress often diverge for males and females. Using the scarcity‐adversity model of low nesting resources outside the home cage, our lab has discovered sex differences in both behavioral and epigenetic consequences of repeated exposure to caregiver maltreatment. For the measures we have performed to date, we have found more consequences for females. The reasons underlying this sex disparity are unknown. In the current experiment, we aimed to discern the quality of maternal care received by male and female pups in our model. As we have previously found more behavioral and epigenetic consequences in females, we hypothesized that females receive more adverse care compared to their male littermates. Our hypothesis was supported; in our maltreatment condition, we found that female pups received more adverse care than males. This sex difference in adverse care was not present in our two control conditions (cross‐foster and normal maternal care). These data lend support to the notion that one reason females in our model incur more behavioral and epigenetic consequences is a result of greater mistreatment by the dam.
Human exceptionalism, our ordinary cortex and our research futures
Authors: Finlay Barbara L.
Published: February 2019

The widely held belief that the human cortex is exceptionally large for our brain size is wrong, resulting from basic errors in how best to compare evolving brains. This misapprehension arises from the comparison of only a few laboratory species, failure to appreciate differences in brain scaling in rodents versus primates, but most important, the false assumption that linear extrapolation can be used to predict changes from small to large brains. Belief in the exceptionalism of human cortex has propagated itself into genomic analysis of the cortex, where cortex has been studied as if it were an example of innovation rather than predictable scaling. Further, this belief has caused both neuroscientists and psychologists to prematurely assign functions distributed widely in the brain to the cortex, to fail to explore subcortical sources of brain evolution, and to neglect genuinely novel features of human infancy and childhood.
Chronology of reproductive investment determines predation risk aversion in a felid‐ungulate system
Authors: Crawford Daniel A. , Cherry Michael J. , Kelly Brian D. , Garrison Elina P. , Shindle David B. , Conner L. Mike , Chandler Richard B. , Miller Karl V.
Published: February 2019

Fear of predators can behaviorally mediate prey population dynamics, particularly when predation risk influences reproductive investment. However, the costs of reproductive investment may mitigate predation risk aversion relative to periods when the link between reproductive output and prey behavior is weaker.

We posit that intensity of reproductive investment in ungulates may predict their response to predation risk such that the sexes increase risk exposure during biological seasons that are pivotal to reproductive success, such as the fawn‐rearing and breeding seasons for females and males, respectively.

We examined the activity patterns of sympatric white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), a sexually segregated polygynous ungulate, and Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) in the context of the “risky times – risky places hypothesis” and the reproductive strategy hypothesis. We compared detection rates and diel activity overlap of both species using motion‐triggered camera traps positioned on (n = 120) and off (n = 60) anthropogenic trails across five reproductive seasons.

Florida panthers were nocturnal and primarily observed on‐trail providing an experimental framework with risky times and risky places. Contrary to studies in other taxa inversely correlating prey reproductive investment to predation risk, the sexes of deer were more risk prone during sex‐specific seasons associated with intense reproductive investment.

Our results suggest spatiotemporally variable predation risk influences sex‐specific behavioral decision‐making in deer such that reproductive success is maximized.
Seasonal climate effects on the survival of a hibernating mammal
Authors: Falvo Caylee A. , Koons David N. , Aubry Lise M.
Published: February 2019

Global climate change and associated regional climate variability is impacting the phenology of many species, ultimately altering individual fitness and population dynamics. Yet, few studies have considered the effects of pertinent seasonal climate variability on phenology and fitness. Hibernators may be particularly susceptible to changes in seasonal climate since they have a relatively short active season in which to reproduce and gain enough mass to survive the following winter. To understand whether and how seasonal climate variability may be affecting hibernator fitness, we estimated survival from historical (1964–1968) and contemporary (2014–2017) mark–recapture data collected from the same population of Uinta ground squirrels (UGS, Urocitellus armatus), a hibernator endemic to the western United States. Despite a locally warming climate, the phenology of UGS did not change over time, yet season‐specific climate variables were important in regulating survival rates. Specifically, older age classes experienced lower survival when winters or the following springs were warm, while juveniles benefited from warmer winter temperatures. Although metabolic costs decrease with decreasing temperature in the hibernacula, arousal costs increase with decreasing temperature. Our results suggest that this trade‐off is experienced differently by immature and mature individuals. We also observed an increase in population density during that time period, suggesting resources are less limited today than they used to be. Cheatgrass is now dominating the study site and may provide a better food source to UGS than native plants did historically.
Machine learning‐based prediction of heart failure readmission or death: implications of choosing the right model and the right metrics
Authors: Awan Saqib Ejaz , Bennamoun Mohammed , Sohel Ferdous , Sanfilippo Frank Mario , Dwivedi Girish
Published: February 2019

Aims

Machine learning (ML) is widely believed to be able to learn complex hidden interactions from the data and has the potential in predicting events such as heart failure (HF) readmission and death. Recent studies have revealed conflicting results likely due to failure to take into account the class imbalance problem commonly seen with medical data. We developed a new ML approach to predict 30 day HF readmission or death and compared the performance of this model with other commonly used prediction models.

Methods and results

We identified all Western Australian patients aged above 65 years admitted for HF between 2003 and 2008 in the linked Hospital Morbidity Data Collection. Taking into consideration the class imbalance problem, we developed a multi‐layer perceptron (MLP)‐based approach to predict 30 day HF readmission or death and compared the predictive performances using the performance metrics, that is, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), area under the precision–recall curve (AUPRC), sensitivity and specificity with other ML and regression models. Out of the 10 757 patients with HF, 23.6% were readmitted or died within 30 days of hospital discharge. We observed an AUC of 0.55, 0.53, 0.58, and 0.54 while an AUPRC of 0.39, 0.38, 0.46, and 0.38 for weighted random forest, weighted decision trees, logistic regression, and weighted support vector machines models, respectively. The MLP‐based approach produced the highest AUC (0.62) and AUPRC (0.46) with 48% sensitivity and 70% specificity.

Conclusions

We show that for the medical data with class imbalance, the proposed MLP‐based approach is superior to other ML and regression techniques for the prediction of 30 day HF readmission or death.
Conductive Directly Fused Poly(Porphyrin) Coatings by Oxidative Chemical Vapour Deposition – From Single‐ to Triple‐Fused
Authors: Baba Kamal , Bengasi Giuseppe , El Assad Dana , Grysan Patrick , Lentzen Esther , Heinze Katja , Frache Gilles , Boscher Nicolas D.
Published: February 2019

While the solution‐phase synthesis of directly fused porphyrin tapes has been successfully developed in recent years, the deposition of these promising compounds in thin film form has remained a challenge. In this study, we report the simultaneous synthesis and deposition of conductive directly fused poly(porphyrin) coatings based on a substrate independent and up‐scalable oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD) approach. A particular emphasis is given to the selection and sublimation conditions of the oxidant. The direct fusion of nickel(II) 5,15‐(diphenyl)porphyrin (NiDPP) is successfully achieved using three different oxidants, namely iron(III) chloride (FeCl3), copper(II) chloride (CuCl2) and copper(II) perchlorate hexahydrate (Cu(ClO4)2·6H2O). FeCl3 is demonstrated as the most suitable oxidant, allowing the formation of mainly singly‐fused poly(NiDPP) or conductive mainly doubly or triply‐fused poly(NiDPP) that strongly absorb in the NIR. High‐resolution mass spectrometry evidences the chlorination of the formed compounds as a side reaction. This chlorination can either be considered as a drawback by preventing the formation of large directly fused NiDPP oligomers or as an asset when targeting the formation of fully insoluble directly fused poly(NiDPP) coatings. Overall, the described oCVD approach opened up the possibility to tune the band gap, conductivity, and solubility of directly fused P(NiDPP) coatings.
Robust Polyimide Nanofibrous Membrane with Bonding Microstructures Fabricated via Dipping Process for Lithium‐Ion Battery Separators
Authors: Dong Guoqing , Sun Guohua , Tian Guofeng , Qi Shengli , Wu Dezhen
Published: February 2019

Herein, an innovative polyimide (PI) nanofibrous membrane with unique bonding microstructures is fabricated for lithium‐ion battery (LIB) separator application via an elaborately designed dipping method using polyamic acid (PAA) glue as the joint binder. Furthermore, the bonding degree can be easily adjusted by simply varying the concentration of PAA glue. The introduction of bonding microstructures into the PI nanofibrous nonwoven membrane leads to the formation of tough 3D networks between PI nanofibers and turns the loose–weak nonwoven membrane to a compact–robust fabric membrane. The tensile strength of the PI nanofibrous membrane is consequently promoted from 5 to 36 MPa, which greatly improves the feasibility of the membrane for the LIB winding process and the safety of the LIB during long‐term running. The cells using the bonded PI nanofibrous separators exhibit an excellent cycling stability and rate capability, manifesting 80.3% capacity retention at 5 C (i.e., 128.5 mAh g−1) and can run stably at a high temperature of 120 °C. Herein, the prepared PI nanofibrous membranes with such bonding microstructures are demonstrated, which have the potential to be advanced separators for secure and high‐power LIBs.
How do US options traders “smirk” on China? Evidence from FXI options
Authors: Li Jianhui , Gehricke Sebastian A. , Zhang Jin E.
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we study the implied volatility smirk (IVS) of options written on the FXI, the Financial Times Stock Exchange/Xinhua China 50 Index exchange‐traded fund (ETF). Using the methodology of Zhang and Xiang (2008,
Quant Financ, 8, pp. 263–284), we document the empirical characteristics of the level, slope, and curvature of IVS of the FXI options. We find that, on average, IVS becomes steeper and more convex as time to maturity increases. The level and curvature are usually positive, and the slope is negative. We provide evidence that the information in the quantified IV factors has some predictive power for the future monthly FXI ETF returns.
Spatial source phase: A new feature for identifying spatial differences based on complex‐valued resting‐state fMRI data
Authors: Qiu Yue , Lin Qiu‐Hua , Kuang Li‐Dan , Gong Xiao‐Feng , Cong Fengyu , Wang Yu‐Ping , Calhoun Vince D.
Published: February 2019

Spatial source phase, the phase information of spatial maps extracted from functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data by data‐driven methods such as independent component analysis (ICA), has rarely been studied. While the observed phase has been shown to convey unique brain information, the role of spatial source phase in representing the intrinsic activity of the brain is yet not clear. This study explores the spatial source phase for identifying spatial differences between patients with schizophrenia (SZs) and healthy controls (HCs) using complex‐valued resting‐state fMRI data from 82 individuals. ICA is first applied to preprocess fMRI data, and post‐ICA phase de‐ambiguity and denoising are then performed. The ability of spatial source phase to characterize spatial differences is examined by the homogeneity of variance test (voxel‐wiseF‐test) with false discovery rate correction. Resampling techniques are performed to ensure that the observations are significant and reliable. We focus on two components of interest widely used in analyzing SZs, including the default mode network (DMN) and auditory cortex. Results show that the spatial source phase exhibits more significant variance changes and higher sensitivity to the spatial differences between SZs and HCs in the anterior areas of DMN and the left auditory cortex, compared to the magnitude of spatial activations. Our findings show that the spatial source phase can potentially serve as a new brain imaging biomarker and provide a novel perspective on differences in SZs compared to HCs, consistent with but extending previous work showing increased variability in patient data.
Modified fibula free flap harvesting technique for prevention of heterotopic pedicle ossification
Authors: Kim Beomjune B. , Kaleem Arshad , Alzahrani Shadi , Yeoh Melvyn , Zaid Waleed
Published: February 2019

Background

Pedicle ossification is thought to arise from the residual perieosteum left along the pedicle during the fibula free flap (FFF) harvesting. Pedicle ossification in head and neck reconstruction can cause trismus, pain on mastication/turning the neck, or neck swelling.

Methods

Two patients reported in this article developed severe trismus within 6 months after mandibular reconstruction with FFF. CT scans revealed ossification along the vascular pedicle interfering with mouth opening. Both patients underwent surgical debridement of the heterotopic bone.

Results

Surgical debridement of the heterotopic bone led to the resolution of trismus in both patients with pedicle ossification.

Conclusions

Pedicle ossification is a complication of FFF that can be effectively managed by removal of heterotopic bone. However, it is best prevented at the time of initial surgery. In this article, a new modified FFF harvesting technique is introduced to prevent pedicle ossification and reduce the ischemia time.
Neutrophil Gelatinase‐Associated Lipocalin for Assessment of Acute Kidney Injury in Cirrhosis: A Prospective Study
Authors: Huelin Patricia , Solà Elsa , Elia Chiara , Solé Cristina , Risso Alessandro , Moreira Rebeca , Carol Marta , Fabrellas Núria , Bassegoda Octavi , Juanola Adrià , de Prada Gloria , Albertos Sonia , Piano Salvatore , Graupera Isabel , Ariza Xavier , Napoleone Laura , Pose Elisa , Filella Xavier , Morales‐Ruiz Manuel , Rios José , Fernández Javier , Jiménez Wladimiro , Poch Esteban , Torres Ferran , Ginès Pere
Published: February 2019

Kidney biomarkers appear to be useful in differential diagnosis between acute tubular necrosis (ATN) and other types of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis, particularly hepatorenal syndrome (HRS‐AKI). Distinction is important because treatment is different. However, kidney biomarkers are still not used in clinical practice. The aim of the current study was to investigate the accuracy of several biomarkers in differential diagnosis of AKI and in predicting kidney outcome and patient survival. This was a prospective study of 320 consecutive cases of AKI in patients hospitalized for decompensated cirrhosis. Evaluation of AKI was made with a diagnostic algorithm that included identification and removal/treatment of precipitating factors and albumin administration (1 g/kg for 2 days) to patients with AKI stage 1B or greater. Urinary neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin (NGAL), monomeric NGAL (mNGAL), interleukin‐18, and standard biomarkers were measured at diagnosis and on days 3, 7, and 14. Of the 320 cases, 153 were hypovolemia‐induced AKI (48%), 93 were HRS‐AKI (29%), 39 were ATN (12%), and 35 were due to miscellaneous causes (11%). Among all biomarkers, urinary NGAL measured at day 3 had the greatest accuracy for differential diagnosis between ATN and other types of AKI (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.78‐0.95). The cutoff with the best predictive accuracy for ATN diagnosis was 220 µg/g creatinine. Progression of AKI during hospitalization was associated with persistently high NGAL levels, and NGAL was an independent predictive factor of AKI progression. Likewise, NGAL was also an independent predictive factor of 28‐day mortality together with Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease score. Conclusion: These results support the use of NGAL in clinical practice within the context of a diagnostic algorithm for differential diagnosis of AKI and outcome prediction in cirrhosis.
A system dynamics approach in modeling organizational tradeoffs in safety management
Authors: Boukas Dimitris , Kontogiannis Tom
Published: February 2019

The mining industry is still ranked highly amongst the economic sectors with the highest fatality rates. Earlier approaches to safety have attributed this to the lack of a comprehensive safety management system that employs effective safety barriers. A system theoretic approach to safety provides a better basis for looking deeper into the interaction of technical, workplace and organizational factors, their magnitude of effects, and their time characteristics. This study presents a system dynamics model of safety and production that looks deeper into their organizational tradeoffs. A safety model integrates aspects of safety culture, worker motivation, and human reliability in an effort to examine how risk evolves over time. Additional models of task management and human resources are developed to trace the interactions between safety and production as well as to examine alternative job designs that can reduce risk. The simulation model has been tested for a number of step to increase production demands and the impact on safety over the course of 5 years.

HIGHLIGHTS

A methodology has been developed for modeling safety management based on system dynamics.

The system dynamics model integrates safety with other organizational processes, such as production and human resources management.

System dynamics allow explicit modeling of decision tradeoffs between organizational processes.

Emphasis has been given on the evolution of risk over a large period of time where hidden problems may materialize later in the future.
A top–down soil moisture and sap flux sampling design of a rain–snow transition mountain watershed
Authors: Kyongho Son , Tague Christina
Published: February 2019

This paper presents a top–down approach for soil moisture and sap flux sampling design with the goal of understanding ecohydrologic response to interannual climate variation in the rain–snow transition watersheds. The design is based on a priori estimates of soil moisture and transpiration patterns using a physical distributed model, Regional Hydro‐Ecologic Simulation System (RHESSys). RHESSys was initially calibrated with existing snow depth and streamflow data. Calibrated model estimates of seasonal trajectories of snowmelt, root‐zone soil moisture storage, and transpiration were used to develop five hydrologic similarity indicators and map these at (30 m) patch scale across the study watershed. The partitioning around medoids‐clustering algorithm was then used to define six distinctive spatially explicit clusters based on the five hydrologic similarity indictors. A representative site within each cluster was identified for sampling. For each site, soil moisture sensors were installed at the 30‐ and 90‐cm depths and at the five soil pits and a sap flux sensor at the averaged‐size white fir tree for each site. The model‐based cluster analysis suggests that the elevation gradient and topographically driven flow drainage patterns are the dominant drivers of spatial patterns of soil moisture and transpiration. The comparison of model‐based calculated hydrological similarity indicators with measured‐data‐based values shows that spatial patterns of field‐sampled soil moisture data typically fell within uncertainty bounds of model‐based estimates for each cluster. There were however several notable exceptions. The model failed to capture the soil moisture and sap flux dynamics in a riparian zone site and in a site where lateral subsurface flow may not follow surface topography. Results highlight the utility of using a hypothesis driven sampling strategy, based on a physically based model, for efficiently providing new information that can drive both future measurements and strategic refinements to model inputs, parameters, or structure that might reduce these errors. Future research will focus on strategies for using of finer scale representations of microclimate, topography, vegetation, and soil properties to improve models.
To profit or not to profit? Assessing financial sustainability outcomes of microfinance institutions
Authors: Leite Rodrigo de Oliveira , Mendes Layla dos Santos , Sacramento Luiz Claudio
Published: February 2019

We used a multilevel approach on comparing for‐profit and not‐for‐profit microfinance institutions (MFIs). The database was composed of 202 MFIs (in 52 countries) from the most widely used microfinance dataset (the Microfnance Information eXchange, Inc. Market), with 669 observations from 2010 to 2014. Four financial sustainability outcomes were considered: yield on gross portfolio; return on assets; portfolio at risk, 30 days; and operational self‐sufficiency (OSS). Although for‐profit MFIs had a higher Yield, there was no significant effect of profit orientation on ROA, PAR30, and OSS. Further analysis shows that although profit orientation has a significant effect on the yield of small MFIs, it does not have any effect on larger MFIs, which is consistent with the theory that larger MFIs can distribute its fixed costs better, requiring lower interest rates and allowing smaller yield on the gross portfolio. In addition, we show that the intrinsic characteristics of the MFIs account for the majority of the variance from the four outcomes.
LncRNA MEG3 suppresses migration and promotes apoptosis by sponging miR‐548d‐3p to modulate JAK–STAT pathway in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tan Jiawei , Xiang Lixin , Xu Guochao
Published: February 2019

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a lethal malignancy and its prognosis remains dismal. Thus, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms is needed to provide a new insight for new therapies. It has been reported that long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) was downregulated in OSCC tissues, however, its functional mechanism remains uncertain. Here, we found that the overexpression of MEG3 suppressed migration and promoted apoptosis in OSCC cell lines, while inhibition of MEG3 exhibited opposite effect. We also found that MEG3 could effectively sponge miR‐548d‐3p and decrease its expression level. Moreover, miR‐548d‐3p repressed the expression of SOCS5 and SOCS6 through binding their 3’UTR, thereby modulating the JAK–STAT signaling pathway and functioning as an oncogene in OSCC cells. Importantly, overexpression of MEG3 enhanced the expression of SOCS5 and SOCS6 to regulate JAK–STAT pathway, whereas miR‐548d‐3p overexpression decreased the effects of MEG3 on levels of SOCS5/SOCS6. Furthermore, upregulated expression of miR‐548d‐3p could abrogate the effect of MEG3 overexpression on migration and apoptosis in OSCC cell lines. In addition, the overexpression of MEG3 inhibited tumor migration and facilitated apoptosis in vivo. Together, our results revealed that MEG3 could modulate JAK–STAT pathway via miR‐548d‐3p/SOCS5/SOCS6 to suppresses migration and promote apoptosis in OSCC. Our research indexed a new functional mechanism of MEG3 in OSCC, and this mechanism may be a potential prognostic factor and therapeutic target. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019
Investigation of the effects of some sulfonamides on acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase enzymes
Authors: Köksal Zeynep , Alım Zuhal , Bayrak Songül , Gülçin İlhami , Özdemir Hasan
Published: February 2019

Human carbonic anhydrase I and II isoenzymes (hCA I and II) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are important metabolic enzymes that are closely associated with various physiological and pathological processes. In this study, we investigated the inhibition effects of some sulfonamides on hCA I, hCA II, and AChE enzymes. Both hCA isoenzymes were purified by Sepharose‐4B‐L‐Tyrosine‐5‐amino‐2‐methylbenzenesulfonamide affinity column chromatography with 1393.44 and 1223.09‐folds, respectively. Also, some inhibition parameters including IC50 and Ki values were determined. Sulfonamide compounds showed IC
50 values of in the range of 55.14 to 562.62 nM against hCA I, 55.99 to 261.96 nM against hCA II, and 98.65 to 283.31 nM against AChE. Ki values were in the range of 23.40 ± 9.10 to 365.35 ± 24.42 nM against hCA I, 45.87 ± 5.04 to 230.08 ± 92.23 nM against hCA II, and 16.00 ± 45.53 to 157.00 ± 4.02 nM against AChE. As a result, sulfonamides had potent inhibition effects on these enzymes. Therefore, we believe that these results may contribute to the development of new drugs particularly in the treatment of some disorders.
Synthesis of carbazole bearing pyridopyrimidine‐substituted sulfonamide derivatives and studies their carbonic anhydrase enzyme activity
Authors: Rifati‐Nixha Arleta , Arslan Mustafa , Gençer Nahit , Çıkrıkıçı Kübra , Gökçe Başak , Arslan Oktay
Published: February 2019

The synthesis of carbazole containing pyridopyrimidine‐substituted sulfonamide derivatives (3a‐i) and their inhibitory effects on human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) I and II were studied. Spectral data and elemental analysis confirmed the structures of the compounds synthesized. The results show that all the synthesized compounds inhibited the CA I and II activities. Among them, 3a was found to be the most active (
K
i: 14 µM) for hCA I and 3f (
K
i: 126 µM) for hCA II.
Effect of benzo[a]pyrene on the expression of miR‐126, miR‐190a and their target genes EGFL7, TP53INP1 and PHLPP1 in primary endometrial cells
Authors: Chanyshev M. D. , Koval O. A. , Nushtaeva A. A. , Gulyaeva L. F.
Published: February 2019

The main topic of this study was to investigate the effect of benzo[a]pyrene (BP) on microRNAs and their target genes expression levels in primary cell cultures from normal and malignant endometrial tissue. MicroRNA‐126 (miR‐126) and miR‐190a were most sensitive to BP treatment. The treatment of both cultures with BP was accompanied by a decrease of miR‐126 level and an increase of EGFL7 gene expression level. BP‐induced upregulation of miR‐190a was detected only in normal cells and it was accompanied with decrease of mRNA levels of TP53INP1 and PHLPP1 genes. Taking into account that BP promoted the proliferation of normal cells and amplified apoptosis of cancer cells, it is possible that miR‐190a is involved in general cellular response to BP. The findings of this study indicate that miR‐190a and its target genes may be involved in the regulation of cell fate under BP treatment.
The prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase‐7 and matrix metalloproteinase‐15 in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Wu Yingjie , Pan Shan , Leng Jun , Xie Tian , Jamal Muhammad , Yin Qian , Li Jingyuan , He Chunjiang , Dong Xin , Shao Liang , Zhang Qiuping
Published: February 2019

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), a family of zinc‐dependent endopeptidases, are involved in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. We analyzed 11 data sets from Gene Expression Omnibus Database and found that MMP7 and MMP15 were highly expressed in multiple carcinomas. GSE13204 showed that MMP7 and MMP15 were overexpressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. The Cancer Genome Atlas data set exhibited that high expression of MMP7 or MMP15 in bone marrow (BM) of AML patients predicted poor overall survival. The χ
2 test results indicated that high expression level of MMP7 and MMP15 were correlated with high‐risk stratification and high BM blast cell percentage in AML patients. To confirm these findings, we performed reverse‐transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and found that MMP7 and MMP15 were highly expressed in three AML cell lines. Further study showed that MMP7 and MMP15 were highly expressed both in BM and peripheral blood in collected AML samples compared with healthy individuals. Additionally, long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) microarray of BM samples of AML patients revealed that multiple lncRNAs were correlated with MMP7 and MMP15, suggesting that lncRNAs might be involved in the pathogenesis of AML via modulating MMPs. In conclusion, our study uncovers the potential roles of MMP7 and MMP15 in the prognosis of AML.
Preclinical study of the long‐range safety and anti‐inflammatory effects of high‐dose oral meglumine
Authors: Manley Kaylend , Bravo‐Nuevo Arturo , Minton Allyson R. , Sedano Summer , Marcy Alice , Reichman Melvin , Tobia Annette , Artlett Carol M. , Gilmour Susan K. , Laury‐Kleintop Lisa D. , Prendergast George C.
Published: February 2019

Meglumine is a methylamino derivative of sorbitol that is an approved drug excipient. Recent preclinical studies suggest that administration of high‐dose oral meglumine can exert beneficial medicinal effects to treat diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease (NAFLD/nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]). Here we address gaps in knowledge about the pharmacology and toxicology of this substance administered at high concentrations to explore its medicinal potential. We observed that high‐dose meglumine limited secretion of proinflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules from activated human THP‐1 or murine RAW264.7 monocytes. Preclinical pharmacokinetic analysis in Swiss mice confirmed that meglumine was orally available. Informed by this data, oral doses of 18 to 75 mM meglumine were administered ad libitum in the drinking water of Sprague‐Dawley rats and two cohorts of C57BL/6 mice housed in different vivariums. In a 32‐week study, urinary isoprostane levels trended lower in subjects consistent with the possibility of anti‐inflammatory effects. In full lifespan studies, there was no detrimental effect on longevity. Heart function evaluated in C57BL/6 mice using an established noninvasive cardiac imaging system showed no detrimental effects on ejection fraction, fractional shortening, left ventricle function or volume, and cardiac output in mice up to 15‐month old, with a potential positive trend in heart function noted in elderly mice consistent with earlier reported benefits on muscle stamina. Finally, in a transgenic model of inflammation‐associated skin carcinogenesis, the incidence, number, and growth of skin tumors trended lower in subjects receiving meglumine. Overall, the evidence obtained illustrating the long‐range safety of high‐dose oral meglumine support the rationale for its evaluation as a low‐cost modality to limit diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, and NAFLD/NASH.
iTRAQ‐based proteomic analysis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with platelet endothelial aggregation receptor‐1 knockdown
Authors: Yue Yongjian , Liu Shengguo , Han Xuemei , Wang Minlian , Li Yazhen , Huang Qijun , Li Bo , Yang Mo , Dai Yong , Fu Yingyun
Published: February 2019

The disorders of hemostasis and coagulation were believed to be the main contributors to the pathogenesis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), and platelets are the basic factors regulating hemostasis and coagulation and play important roles in the process of thrombosis. This study investigated the proteome of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with platelet endothelial aggregation receptor‐1 (PEAR1) knockdown using the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) method and analyzed the role of differential abundance proteins (DAPs) in the regulation of platelets aggregation. Our results showed that the conditioned media‐culturing HUVECs with PEAR1 knockdown partially suppressed the adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐induced platelet aggregation. The proteomics analysis was performed by using the iTRAQ technique, and a total of 215 DAPs (124 protein was upregulated and 91 protein were downregulated) were identified. The Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis showed that proteins related to platelet α granule, adenosine triphosphate metabolic process, and endocytosis were significantly enriched. Further, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis also identified the significant enrichment of endocytosis‐related pathways. The real‐time polymerase chain reaction assay confirmed that the expression of P2Y12, mitochondrial carrier 2, NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) iron‐sulfur protein 3, and ubiquinol‐cytochrome c reductase hinge protein are significantly downregulated in the HUVECs with PEAR1 knockdown. In conclusion, our in vitro results implicated that DAPs induced by PEAR1 knockdown might contribute to the platelet aggregation. Proteomic studies by employing GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis suggested that the potential effects of DAPs on platelet aggregation may be linked to the balance of ADP synthesis or degradation in mitochondria.
Church support networks of African Americans: The impact of gender and religious involvement
Authors: Nguyen Ann W. , Taylor Robert Joseph , Chatters Linda M. , Hope Meredith O.
Published: February 2019

We examined the sociodemographic and religious involvement correlates of church support networks in a nationally representative sample of African Americans across the adult life span. Data from the National Survey of American Life was used for analysis. Ordinary least squares regression was conducted to identify correlates of frequency of contact, subjective closeness, provision and receipt of overall support, receipt of emotional support, and negative interactions with church members. We also investigated differences in church support networks separately for men and women. Religious involvement was positively associated with church support network indicators (i.e., frequency of contact). Church support network indicators also varied by age, gender, education, family income, marital status, and region. The findings indicate that for many African Americans, church members are an integral component of their support networks and underscore the importance of social integration in church networks for social support exchanges. Moreover, these church support network characteristics are patterned by sociodemographic characteristics.
The influences of neighborhood disorder on early childhood externalizing problems: The roles of parental stress and child physical maltreatment
Authors: Pei Fei , Wang Xiafei , Yoon Susan , Tebben Erin
Published: February 2019

Aims

The current study examined both the direct and indirect influences of neighborhood disorder on early childhood externalizing problems among 3,036 three‐year‐old children.

Methods and Results

Data used in this study were drawn from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,036). The results of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) indicated that living in disordered neighborhoods is directly associated with higher levels of early childhood externalizing problems. Moreover, parental stress and physical maltreatment significantly mediated the relationship between neighborhood disorder and externalizing problems at children's age 3.

Conclusion

Parents living in chaotic neighborhoods may accumulate higher levels of parental stress and physically maltreat their children, which in turn increased their children's externalizing problems. Our findings support the importance of interventions of early childhood externalizing problems at both the micro and macro levels. Intervention programs that address neighborhood disorders, as well as challenges in parenting, are recommended.
RETRACTED: microRNA‐211 promotes invasion and migration of colorectal cancer cells by targeting FABP4 via PPARγ
Authors: Zhao Dongmei , Ma Yanying , Li Xu , Lu Xiaoyu
Published: February 2019

Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) is a novel tumor regulator that is abnormally expressed in many human cancers. In our study, upregulated microRNA‐211 (miR‐211) and reduced FABP4 expression were detected in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and CRC cells. Mimic miR‐211 or anti‐miR‐211 were transfected to investigate the effects of miR‐211 on SW480 cells. The results showed that miR‐211 promoted but anti‐miR‐211 inhibited cell migration, invasion, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of SW480 cells. Luciferase activity was decreased after cotransfection with miR‐211 and WT‐FABP4‐UTR in SW480 cells. And reduced FABP4 protein expression by miR‐211 indicated that FABP4 was the targeted gene of miR‐211. miR‐211 inhibited the activation of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) γ, whereas overexpression of FABP4 reversed that effect. Finally, FABP4 inhibited the migration, invasion, and EMT of SW480 cells, whereas PPARγ agonist reversed the effects of FABP4. Thus, the miR‐211/FABP4/PPARγ axis may be a novel target for CRC therapy.
RAS/MAPK signaling functions in oxidative stress, DNA damage response and cancer progression
Authors: Rezatabar Setareh , Karimian Ansar , Rameshknia Vahid , Parsian Hadi , Majidinia Maryam , Kopi Tayebeh Azramezani , Bishayee Anupam , Sadeghinia Ali , Yousefi Mehdi , Monirialamdari Mohsen , Yousefi Bahman
Published: February 2019

Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways organize a great constitution network that regulates several physiological processes, like cell growth, differentiation, and apoptotic cell death. Due to the crucial importance of this signaling pathway, dysregulation of the MAPK signaling cascades is involved in the pathogenesis of various human cancer types. Oxidative stress and DNA damage are two important factors which in common lead to carcinogenesis through dysregulation of this signaling pathway. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a common subproduct of oxidative energy metabolism and are considered to be a significant physiological modulator of several intracellular signaling pathways including the MAPK pathway. Studies demonstrated that the MAP kinases extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and p38 were activated in response to oxidative stress. In addition, DNA damage is a partly common circumstance in cell life and may result in mutation, cancer, and even cell death. Recently, accumulating evidence illustrated that the MEK/ERK pathway is associated with the suitable performance of cellular DNA damage response (DDR), the main pathway of tumor suppression. During DDR, the MEK/ERK pathway is regularly activated, which contributes to the appropriate activation of DDR checkpoints to inhibit cell division. Therefore, the aim of this review is to comprehensively discuss the critical function of MAPK signaling in oxidative stress, DNA damage, and cancer progression.
Effects of AURKA‐mediated degradation of SOD2 on mitochondrial dysfunction and cartilage homeostasis in osteoarthritis
Authors: Yang Cheng , You Di , Huang Jun , Yang Bo , Huang Xianzhe , Ni Jiangdong
Published: February 2019

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of the ubiquitinase Aurora kinase A (AURKA) in the occurrence of osteoarthritis (OA) by mediating mitochondrial stress. Bioinformatic predictions revealed 2247 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the normal and OA tissues. According to the UbiNet database, 39 DEGs that code for ubiquitination enzymes was screened. AURKA was highly expressed in OA tissues and cells. AURKA interference inhibited the elevation of matrix metalloproteinase‐13 (MMP‐13). (MMP13), sex determining region Y‐box 9 (Sox9), and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs‐5 (ADAMTS5) expression and the reduction of collagen type IIα (Col2a1) and Aggrecan expression in interleukin‐1 β (IL‐1β) induced chondrocytes. The animal experiments proved that depleting AURKA could repress the occurrence of OA. Superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) was determined to be AURKA ubiquitination substrate via AURKA expression and bioinformatic prediction experiments. SOD2 expression was lower in OA tissues, but higher in normal joint tissues. AURKA interference activates SOD2. Meanwhile, the IP results confirmed that AURKA could bind to SOD2 and degrade it through K48 ubiquitination. Modification and overexpression of AURKA reduce SOD2 levels. AURKA interference can reverse the reactive oxygen species elevation caused by SOD2 overexpression or lysine‐48 (K48) mutation, respectively, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction. Furthermore, AURKA silencing suppressed the occurrence of OA induced by mitochondrial activation. These findings suggest that ubiquitination of AURKA lowers SOD2 expression and affects mitochondrial dysfunction to repress the occurrence of OA. The results of the current study reveal that AURKA ubiquitination influences mitochondrial dysfunction and suppresses the occurrence of OA via degradation of SOD2. These data reveal novel potential targets for OA treatment
Separation of a ternary mixture with multiple azeotropes via pressure‐swing distillation
Authors: Wang Chao , Guang Chao , Cui Yue , Zhang Zhishan , Zhang Xiaokang
Published: February 2019

BACKGROUND

The ternary mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF), ethanol and water contains multiple azeotropes with the sensitivity to pressure variation. The pressure‐swing distillation (PSD) is a promising method to achieve the system's separation objective since it avoids many potential problems caused by adding a third component.

RESULT

A variety of separation sequences were synthesized on the ternary diagram, including the sequences of WLEMTH, WLTH EM, THEMWL, THWLEM, EMTHWL and EMWLTH. The optimal design parameters of these sequences were obtained based on the minimum total annual cost (TAC) by using the sequential iterative global optimization algorithm. Furthermore, six kinds of heat integration that improve energy efficiency were implemented for the optimal alternative of EMTHWL.

CONCLUSION

The results show that the EMTHWL configuration has the lowest TAC, saving 37.84% of the economic cost compared to the THEMWL which has the highest TAC. The partial heat integration among three columns can achieve almost the same reductions in energy requirements and carbon dioxide emissions (44.9%) as the full heat integration among three columns (45.4%). In addition, it is predictable that the partially heat‐integrated alternative compared to other fully heat‐integrated schemes has less undesirable side effects in the aspect of dynamic control. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Validation of International Club of Ascites subclassification of stage 1 acute kidney injury in chronic liver disease
Authors: Khatua Chitta R , Sahu Saroj K , Barik Rakesh K , Pradhan Subhasis , Panigrahi Subhendu , Mishra Debakanta , Singh Shivaram P
Published: February 2019

Background and Aim

Acute kidney injury (AKI) commonly occurs in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD). As per the International Club of Ascites, AKI is classified into three stages; stage 1 has recently been divided into subgroups 1A and 1B. We performed a prospective study to validate the association between subgrouping and outcome.

Methods

This study was conducted using decompensated cirrhosis (DC) patients hospitalized in the Gastroenterology ward between August 2016 and May 2018. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters were compared between AKI 1A and AKI 1B patients. The duration of hospitalization and outcome were compared.

Results

A total of 528 subjects were enrolled; 296 (56.1%) had AKI, and of them, 61.48% (n = 182) had stage 1, 20.95% (n = 62) had stage 2, and 17.57% (n = 52) had stage 3 AKI. Of the enrolled patients, 100 (54.94%) had early (AKI 1A) and 82 (45.06%) had late stage 1 AKI (AKI 1B). Patients with AKI 1B had higher total leucocyte count, total bilirubin, serum urea, serum creatinine (SCr), model for end‐stage liver disease (MELD), MELD‐Na+, and child‐turcotte‐pugh (CTP) score and decreased serum albumin than AKI 1A. The prevalence of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS), acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) were higher in AKI 1B patients, and they had a prolonged hospital stay compared to AKI 1A patients. Furthermore, AKI 1B patients had significantly lower survival both at 28 days and 90 days.

Conclusion

Our study validates the subclassification of stage 1 AKI. Patients with AKI 1B more often progress to higher AKI stages with significantly lower 28‐day and 90‐day survival rates. Results justify subclassification and suggest the need for early intervention. The small increase in SCr should be viewed with caution in AKI stage 1A.
Long non‐coding RNA TTN‐AS1 facilitates tumorigenesis of papillary thyroid cancer through modulating the miR‐153‐3p/ZNRF2 axis
Authors: Cui Zhenghui , Luo Zhiyan , Lin Zimei , Shi Liuhong , Hong Yurong , Yan Caoxin
Published: February 2019

Background

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial modulators in the tumorigenesis of numerous cancers, including papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). However, it is unclear whether lncRNA TTN antisense RNA 1 (TTN‐AS1) can regulate PTC progression. The present study aimed to reveal the mechanism and function of TTN‐AS1 in PTC.

Methods

TTN‐AS1 expression in 92 pairs PTC tissues and four PTC cells was measured via a quantitative reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction assay. The relationship of TTN‐AS1 expression and clinical pathological features of PTC patients was analyzed using a chi‐squared test. The biofunction of TTN‐AS1 in PTC was identified by loss or gain‐of‐function assays. Based on bioinformatics analysis and mechanism experiments, the molecular mechanism of TTN‐AS1 was analyzed and identified.

Results

A high level of TTN‐AS1 was observed in PTC tissues and cells. The expression level of TTN‐AS1 is possibly associated with lymphatic metastasis, TNM stage and the overall survival of PTC patients. Functionally, TTN‐AS1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, migration, invasion and epithelial–mesenchymal transition in PTC, whereas overexpression of TTN‐AS1 led to the opposite results. Mechanistically, TTN‐AS1 acted as a competing endogenous RNA by sponging microRNA‐153‐3p (miR‐153‐3p) to elevate zinc and ring finger 2 (ZNRF2) expression. Additionally, a high level of TTN‐AS1 in PTC was closely correlated with the activity of the phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.

Conclusions

The findings obtained in the present study indicate that TTN‐AS1 facilitated PTC progression by regulating the miR‐153‐3p/ZNRF2 axis and activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
Synthesis of Three‐Membered and Four‐Membered Heterocycles with the Assistance of Photochemical Reactions
Authors: Kaur Navjeet
Published: February 2019

Some transformations are not possible with ground‐state reactions even in the presence of a catalyst; hence, they are performed under photochemical conditions. Electron transfer occurred even with the photochemical excitement of one molecule where redox reaction is not possible at the ground state. The side products were obtained from ground‐state reactions. For C─C bond formation during photochemical reactions, there was no requirement of any chemical activation of the substrates. Therefore, these reactions are presented here for the synthesis of three‐membered and four‐membered heterocycles in the context of sustainable processes.