bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Facile Preparation of S8/C Composite Cathode for Lithium‐Sulfur Cells: Influence of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Cathode Properties on the Electrochemical Performance
Authors: Gröbmeyer Albert , Becking Jens , Bieker Peter Maria , Winter Martin , Stan Marian Cristian
Published: October 2018

Lithium–sulfur batteries are still characterized by the low intrinsic electronic conductivity of sulfur in both its charged state (S8) as well as discharged state (Li2S). Here, using ball milling, a well‐dispersed active material within the carbon network is achieved using carbon black Super C65 and synthetic graphite KS6 as conductive agents. Calendering these electrodes increases the electronic percolation path resulting in enhanced electrochemical performances and reaction kinetics. Using high‐speed and high‐impact preparation methods improves the quality and performances of the S8/C composite electrodes when compared with electrodes prepared using a simple mixing method (magnetic stirring). The scanning electron microscopy images indicate that KS6 is able to incase S8 particles, resulting in a homogeneous distribution of the active material that in turn enhances the accessibility of the active material by the electrolyte and electrons. Compared with the S8/Super C65 composite electrode, a discharge capacity of 703 mAh g−1 is delivered by the S8/KS6 composite electrode during the first cycle. After 30 cycles, the S8/KS6 composite electrode delivers 477 mAh g−1 compared to only 411 mAh g−1 for the S8/Super C65 composite electrode due to a continuous capacity fading.
Negative urgency and the dual pathway model of bulimic symptoms: A longitudinal analysis
Authors: Puccio Francis , Fuller‐Tyszkiewicz Matthew , Buck Kimberly , Krug Isabel
Published: October 2018

Objective

This study extends the dual pathway model (DPM) of bulimic symptoms by considering the bidirectional effects amongst symptoms of depression, dietary restraint, and bulimia. We also assessed the influence of negative urgency, a personality construct associated with bulimic symptoms, on the DPM.

Method

Participants were 244 females (Mage = 23.77 years) from the general community. Variables pertinent to the DPM as well as negative urgency were assessed at baseline, and symptoms of depression, dietary restraint, and bulimia were reassessed at 1‐month follow‐up.

Results

Excellent model fit was obtained once modifications were made to the DPM and the extended model that included negative urgency. Cross‐sectional paths replicated the DPM as hypothesized, with the exception that time 1 (T1) body mass index failed to predict T1 body dissatisfaction. Although no bidirectional effects were observed, T1 depression predicted dietary restraint at time 2 (T2). Negative urgency was shown to provide incremental predictive utility of T1 pressure to be thin, T1 body dissatisfaction, and T1 and T2 depression.

Conclusion

Findings lend support to the DPM and suggest that depression might be a risk factor for later dietary restraint. The results are also consistent with the notion that negative urgency may be an independent risk factor for symptoms of bulimia. However, short‐term longitudinal effects of these putative risk factors require further evaluation.
Mechanisms of submarine canyon formation on the northern continental slope of the South China Sea
Authors: Hui Gege , Li Sanzhong , Guo Lingli , Somerville Ian D. , Wang Pengcheng , Wang Qian
Published: October 2018

Submarine canyons are common features on the northern South China Sea (SCS) continental slope. Three main submarine canyon systems were observed by multi‐beam investigation and evaluated by a pre‐existing sedimentary dataset. They include the Xisha Canyon Zone, Shenhu Canyon Zone, and Taiwan Canyon Zone on the northern SCS continental slope which developed from the middle Miocene to the present‐day. Previous analysis implied that an enriched oil‐gas accumulation formed under this region with distinct gravity anomalies or active tectonic activity. Previous interpretation and geodynamics studies have revealed the detailed sedimentary records and the coupled tectonic‐sedimentary processes. However, the timing and mechanism of formation of the canyons on the northern SCS slope are still poorly constrained and vigorously debated, especially the differences among three submarine canyons from west to east that requires allowances for a variety of conflicting datasets. Here, we adopt the high‐resolution multi‐beam relief map and seismic profiles from these three canyon systems to estimate if the SCS slope controlled geometric segmentation and differentiation of canyon formation mechanisms and times. For this purpose, we ascertained that these canyons were initially controlled by the NE‐ to NW‐trending faults as a better constraint on the sediment flow direction. All the submarine canyons in the northern SCS slope extend in a range from NE‐/N–S‐ to NW‐ and E–W‐trending directions associated with the SCS oceanic spreading and the subsequent subduction‐related deformation along the Manila Trench. Furthermore, the present‐day morphology of these canyons implies a remarkable tectonic jump from west to east in the SCS continental slope and a north‐westward recession of the continental slope. Apart from the neo‐tectonic faults, the sea‐level fluctuation, gas hydrate disassociation, sediment source, and transportation channel also yielded dynamic processes and preservation for the submarine canyons. We finally propose a coupling model of the sedimentary and tectonic processes and confirm the spatial and temporal evolution of mechanisms of these canyons.
Nitroalkenes in the Ni(II) Catalyzed AsymmetricMichaelAddition. Convenient Route to the Key Intermediate of Brivaracetam
Authors: Reznikov Alexander N. , Kapranov Leonid E. , Ivankina Valentina V. , Sibiryakova Anastasiya E. , Rybakov Victor B. , Klimochkin Yuri N.
Published: October 2018

A series of Ni(II) complexes with novel chiral ligands derived from (1R,2R)‐1,2‐diphenylethane‐1,2‐diamine was synthesized. The catalytic activity of these complexes in the asymmetricMichaelreaction is demonstrated. Asymmetric addition of diethyl malonate toω‐nitrostyrene and 1‐nitropent‐1‐ene in the presence of these complexes leads to the enantiomerically enriched diethyl (S)‐2‐(2‐nitro‐1‐phenylethyl)malonate (up to 96 %ee) and (R)‐diethyl 2‐(1‐nitropenthan‐2‐yl)malonate (up to 91 %ee). (4R)‐4‐Propylpyrrolidin‐2‐one, the key intermediate of antiepileptic drug brivaracetam, was obtained from the corresponding nitroester.
Writing Toward Change Across Youth Participatory Action Research Projects
Authors: Marciano Joanne E. , Warren Chezare A.
Published: October 2018

The authors examine how youth participants in the Central City Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project (a pseudonym) enacted literacy practices toward social justice. Specifically, the authors examine how youths rendered writing in the context of the Central CityYPARproject to design and enact research about issues of educational opportunity and to share findings of their research with community stakeholders. Taken together, youths’ enactments of writing provide insights into how and why secondary educators may consider incorporatingYPARprojects into their own work with students.
Efficacy of therapeutic plasma exchange on angiotensin II type‐1 receptor antibodies on two kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Yamada Chisa , Huang Yihung , Norman Silas , Naik Abhijit , Moussa Omar , Samaniego Milagros , Cooling Laura
Published: October 2018

Background

Angiotensin II type‐1 receptor antibody (AT1RAb) has been reported to cause antibody mediated rejection (AMR) in kidney transplant recipients possibly by contraction of renal arteries. We here report 2 kidney transplant recipients with elevated AT1RAbs and negative HLA donor specific antibodies (DSA) and anti‐major histocompatibility complex class I chain‐related gene A (MICA) Abs who received therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) treatment followed by IVIG.

Case 1

Thirty‐eight‐year‐old patient received second kidney transplant for end stage renal disease (ESRD) with chronic rejection. Three years post‐transplant, she developed AMR with AT1RAb level >40 U/mL. She received 5 TPE and AT1RAb decreased by 20%, and biopsy showed improvement of AMR. She received another 3 TPE and AT1RAb decreased by 60%. Her creatinine (Cr) was stabilized at around 1.4 mg/dL.

Case 2

Twenty‐four‐year‐old patient received kidney transplant for ESRD with unclear etiology. Two weeks post‐transplant, her Cr rose with AT1RAb level at 18 U/mL and biopsy showed possible AMR. She received 6 TPE treatments and AT1RAb decreased by 55% and biopsy showed improvement of AMR. She received weekly TPE for subsequently rising AT1RAb but TPE was discontinued because of unsuccessful decrease of AT1RAb. Her Cr was stabilized at around 1.7 mL/dL.

Conclusion

We reported 2 patients who received TPE treatments to decrease AT1RAbs. A course of TPE treatment successfully decreased AT1RAb. Histological improvement was observed quickly and Cr was also stabilized following the TPE treatment. Further study is necessary to determine the optimal use of TPE in renal transplant recipients with AT1RAbs.
Comparison of echocardiography and 64‐slice spiral computed tomography in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in children
Authors: Mei Mei , Nie Jing , Yang Zhan Shuang , Sun Hua Wei , Wang He , Kang Xiao Ming
Published: October 2018

The diagnosis of congenital heart disease in children has been an issue in the medical community. Timely diagnosis and treatment can provide a greater guarantee for children's healthy growth. In recent years, there have been more and more studies on the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in children. This paper compares the advantages and disadvantages of echocardiography and 64‐slice spiral computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in children. In clinical trials, we also tested 64 patients with spiral computed tomography (SCT) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) detection of patients and then confirmed the accuracy of the diagnosis by the surgical methods. The two methods of detection, the rate of missed diagnosis, and the rate of misdiagnosis were counted. Through the test results and pathological diagnosis results, the diagnostic accuracy of the two methods were all above 90%, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The sensitivity of echocardiographic in detecting intracardiac structure abnormalities was relatively high, but when the diagnosis of extracardiac structural abnormalities less than 64‐slice spiral CT method, misdiagnosis of TTE was mainly due to extracardiac vascular malformations. Therefore, it is recommended to combine the two methods to improve the diagnosis of congenital heart disease in children.
Retracted: Receptor for advanced glycation end products reveals a mechanism regulating thyroid hormone secretion through the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Jun , Gong Xiao‐Hua , Jie Jin‐Ping , Yu Wei‐Hui , Chen Xiong , Du Xuan , Zhou Qi , Wu Wen‐Jun
Published: October 2018

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) play a causative role in the complications involved with diabetes mellitus (DM). Nowadays, DM with hypothyroidism (DM‐hypothyroidism) is indicative of an ascended tendency in the combined morbidity. In this study, we examine the role of the receptor (RAGE) played for AGEs in thyroid hormone (TH) secretion via the silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid‐derived factor 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. Blood samples were collected from patients with type 2 DM (T2DM)‐hypothyroidism and from patients with T2DM, followed by detection of serum AGEs level. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of RAGE were analyzed in association with the treatment of high glucose, siRNA against RAGE, AGE, SIRT1, or Nrf2 vector in normal immortalized thyroid Nthy‐ori 3‐1 cells. Serum of patients with T2DM‐hypothyroidism indicated promoted levels of AGEs vs those with just T2DM. Both AGEs and high glucose triggered cellular damage, increased oxidative stress, as well as displayed a decreased survival rate along with TH secretion in the Nthy‐ori 3‐1 cells. Moreover, AGEs and high glucose also led to RAGE upregulation, both SIRT1 and NRF2 downregulation, and the decreased expression of TH secretion–related proteins in Nthy‐ori 3‐1 cells. Notably, these alternations induced by the AGEs can be reserved by silencing RAGE or upregulating either SIRT1 or Nrf2, indicating a mechanism of regulating TH secretion through the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway. Collectively, our data proposed that AGEs and high glucose exerted a potent effect on cellular damage and TH deficiency in Nthy‐ori 3‐1 cells through the RAGE upregulation as well as SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway inactivation. This mechanism may underlie the occurrence of DM‐hypothyroidism.
Delphinidin induces antiproliferation and apoptosis of endometrial cells by regulating cytosolic calcium levels and mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization
Authors: Park Sunwoo , Lim Whasun , Song Gwonhwa
Published: October 2018

Endometriosis is a benign gynecological disease of women of reproductive ages, wherein endometrial cells grow ectopically, decreasing their quality of life due to chronic pelvic pain and severe dysmenorrhea. Although surgery and hormone therapies are gold standards for treating endometriosis, side effects are common and the recurrence rate is nearly 50%. Recent studies are exploring phytochemicals as pharmacological adjuvants for treating endometriosis. Delphinidin is an anthocyanin with anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancerous properties. In this study, delphinidin showed antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on human endometrial cells. Additionally, treatment with delphinidin decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential and increased cytosolic calcium levels in VK2/E6E7 and End1/E6E7 cells. Delphinidin decreased the phosphorylation of proliferative signaling molecules, including ERK1/2, AKT, P70S6K, and S6, while increasing the phosphorylation of P38 MAPK and P90RSK. These results imply that delphinidin is a novel therapeutic agent for treating and managing endometriosis, and has fewer side effects.
Retracted: Downregulation of microRNA‐1469 promotes the development of breast cancer via targeting HOXA1 and activating PTEN/PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β‐catenin pathways
Authors: Zhang Yonghui , Fang Jing , Zhao Hongmeng , Yu Yue , Cao Xuchen , Zhang Bin
Published: October 2018

Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignancy which is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women all over the worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the roles of miR‐1469 in the development of BC, as well as its regulatory mechanism. The expression levels of miR‐1469 in BC tissues, serum, and cell lines were determined. Effects of overexpression of miR‐1469 on MCF7 cell viability, colony‐forming ability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were then investigated. Furthermore, the potential target of miR‐1469 in MCF7 cells was explored. Besides, the association between miR‐1469, PTEN/PI3K/AKT, and Wnt/β‐catenin pathways was elucidated. Notably, confirmatory experiments by downregulation of miR‐1469 in SK‐BR‐3 cells were further performed. The miR‐1469 expression was significantly downregulated in BC tissues, serum, and cell lines. The overexpression of miR‐1469 significantly inhibited the proliferation, arrested cell‐cycle at G2/M phase, increased apoptosis, suppressed migration, and invasion of MCF‐7 cells. In addition, HOXA1 was verified as a direct target of miR‐1469, and the effects of overexpression of miR‐1469 on the malignant behaviors of MCF7 cells were significantly counteracted by overexpression of HOXA1 concurrently. Furthermore, the overexpression of miR‐1469 suppressed the activation of PTEN/PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β‐catenin pathways, which was reversed overexpression of HOXA1 concurrently. Besides, confirmatory experiments showed that the inhibition of miR‐1469 promoted the malignant behaviors of SK‐BR‐3 cells, which was inversed after miR‐1469 inhibition and HOXA1 knockdown at the same time. Our findings reveal that downregulation of miR‐1469 may promote the development of BC by targeting HOXA1 and activating PTEN/PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β‐catenin pathways. MiR‐1469 may serve as a promising target for BC therapy.
LncRNA and mRNA signatures associated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy downstaging effects in rectal cancer
Authors: Li Ning , Yu Jing , Luo Aiping , Tang Yuan , Liu Wenyang , Wang Shulian , Liu Yueping , Song Yongwen , Fang Hui , Chen Bo , Qi Shunan , Lu Ningning , Yu Zihao , Li Yexiong , Liu Zhihua , Jin Jing
Published: October 2018

Radiotherapy plays a crucial role in combined treatment modality in local advanced rectal cancer (LARC). While neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy responses were variable in LARC patients, so, it is important to identify genes that closely associated with short‐term and long‐term responses to radiotherapy. In this study, we profiled long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) expression values of LARC patients with different neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy downstaging depth score based on Agilent Arraystar Human LncRNA V3.0 Array(Agilent, CA). LncRNAs and mRNAs with aberrant expression values between the two groups of LARC patients were identified and lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA regulation network was also obtained through the combination of miRcode and miRTarBase database. Gene interaction network and module analysis of differential expression mRNAs contained in the lncRNA‐miRNA‐mRNA network identified five hub genes, including KRAS, PDPK1, PPP2R5C, PPP2R1B, and YES1, that should be closely associated with LARC’s response to chemoradiotherapy. Besides, Kaplan‐Meier analysis based on the Cyber Research Center (CRC) data set from The Cancer Genome Atlas indicated that aberrant expression of the five hub genes is significantly associated with CRC overall survival. In conclusion, we obtained several biomarkers that should be associated with neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy response in LARC, which should be helpful for individual treatment and prognosis improvement.
Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 inhibition enhances vemurafenib sensitivity in colon cancers harboring the BRAFV600E mutation
Authors: Wang Kai , Li Yanrong , Song Na , Che Xiaofang , Hou Kezuo , Xu Ling , Bai Ming , Wang Qiwei , Wang Yuanhe , Zhou Yang , Cao Meihui , Liu Yunpeng , Zhang Jingdong
Published: October 2018

The BRAFV600E inhibitor vemurafenib is widely used to treat melanomas harboring the activated BRAFV600E mutation; however, vemurafenib showed poor efficacy in colon cancer, which impeded its clinical application for colon cancer patients with this mutation. The specific mechanism of vemurafenib resistance is not clear in colon cancer. In this study, we demonstrated that signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) activation influenced vemurafenib sensitivity in BRAFV600E mutant colon cancer cells. When vemurafenib was applied to two colon cancer cell lines with the BRAFV600E mutation, STAT3 was continuously activated after 6 hours. Furthermore, BCL‐2 was upregulated in RKO colon cancer cells, while STAT3 remained unchanged in HT‐29 colon cancer cells. This suggested that STAT3 signaling might be involved in vemurafenib sensitivity. Combining the STAT3 inhibitor STATTIC with vemurafenib further inhibited cell proliferation and promoted apoptosis by downregulating STAT3 and BCL‐2 expression in RKO cells. Further studies showed that interleukin 6 (IL‐6) secretion increased after RKO cells were treated with vemurafenib. STAT3 activation was induced by adding IL‐6 to the supernatant, and IL‐6 increased STAT3 and BCL‐2 expression and antagonized vemurafenib sensitivity in HT‐29 cells. Together, these results suggest that STAT3 activation maybe related to vemurafenib sensitivity in colon cancer cells, and that combining STAT3 inhibitors with vemurafenib may be a promising treatment for BRAFV600E mutant colon cancers.
Immune‐endocrine responses and physical performance of master athletes during the sports season
Authors: Minuzzi Luciele Guerra , Rama Luis , Chupel Matheus Uba , Rosado Fátima , Kuga Gabriel Keine , Gaspar Rafael Calais , Muñoz Vitor Rosetto , Pauli José Rodrigo , Paiva Artur , Teixeira Ana Maria
Published: October 2018

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of a training season (approximately 7 months) on physiological and salivary immune‐endocrine markers in master athletes. Nine male master athletes were evaluated at the beginning of the season (M1) and a week after the main official competition at the end of the sports season (M2). The controlled variables included Maximal oxygen consumption, anthropometric, physiological, and salivary immune‐endocrine markers. Master athletes presented a reduced percentage of fat mass and increased lean body mass at the end of the season. VO2max values were similar at M1 and M2, while the maximal heart rate and lactate were lower at M2. No differences were observed in Immunoglobulin A and cortisol levels between moments, whereas testosterone levels and the testosterone/cortisol ratio were significantly lower at the end of the season. The results suggest that maintaining regular training throughout life has positive effects on body composition and improves physiological fitness. However, care should be taken to avoid fatigue as indicated by lower testosterone levels at the end of the season.
The oncolytic virus H101 combined with GNAQ siRNA‐mediated knockdown reduces uveal melanoma cell viability
Authors: Li Yongyun , He Jie , Qiu Chun , Shang Qingfeng , Qian Guanxiang , Fan Xianqun , Ge Shengfang , Jia Renbing
Published: October 2018

Background

Uveal melanoma (UM) is a severe human malignancy with a high mortality rate, as well as high metastasis and recurrence potential. The active mutation of G protein subunit alpha q (GNAQ) or G protein subunit alpha 11 (GNA11) is a major trigger for UM. Oncolytic adenovirus H101 (H101) is the first oncolytic virus approved for clinical applications in cancer therapy by the China Food and Drug Administration. We investigated whether combining H101 with the downregulation of GNAQ expression would act synergistically in UM therapy.

Methods

Three UM cell lines OMM2.3 and 92.1, harboring GNAQ mutation, and OCM1, harboring B‐Raf proto‐oncogene mutation, were chosen for our research. The cellular toxicity of adenoviral infection and the cell growth rate were measured with a Cell Counting Kit‐8. Western blot analysis was used to detect GNAQ, p‐MEK1/2, YAP, and p‐YAP expression. The apoptosis and cell‐cycle distribution of cells were evaluated with annexin‐V and propidium iodide staining.

Results

Our results revealed that OMM2.3 and 92.1 cells were more sensitive to H101 infection than OCM1 cells. GNAQ expression was markedly reduced by small interfering RNA, siGNAQ. Combined treatment of siGNAQ and H101 inhibited the proliferation and activated the apoptosis of OMM2.3 and 92.1 cells by blocking the phosphorylation of MEK1/2 and increasing the phosphorylation of YAP.

Conclusions

In summary, a therapy combining H101 and siGNAQ is feasible, with potential utility as a novel targeted molecular therapy for UM, especially those carrying a GNAQ mutation.
Promoting osteogenic differentiation of human‐induced pluripotent stem cells by releasing Wnt/β‐catenin signaling activator from the nanofibers
Authors: Hosseini Fatemeh Sadat , Soleimanifar Fatemeh , Khojasteh Arash , Ardeshirylajimi Abdolreza
Published: October 2018

Implants that can enhance the stem cells differentiation in the absence of the chemical osteogenic growth factors will attract the great interest of orthopedic scientists. Inorganic polyphosphate (poly‐P), as a ubiquitous biological polymer, is one of the factors that can be an alternative for osteogenic growth factors via activating Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. In this study, poly‐P was incorporated at the blend of polycaprolactone (PCL)/poly (l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) electrospun nanofibers and then osteogenic differentiation potential of human‐induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) was investigated by the important bone markers. 3‐[4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2, 5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and scanning electron microscopy results confirmed the biocompatibility of the fabricated nanofibers, while higher proliferation rate of iPSCs was detected in PCL‐PLLA(poly‐P) group compared with the PCL‐PLLA and tissue culture plate groups. Alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium content, and gene expression results demonstrated that osteogenic differentiation of iPSCs was increased when cultured on PCL‐PLLA(poly‐P) in comparison with other groups. According to the results, PCL‐PLLA(poly‐P) could be considered as a promising candidate for use as bone implants.
Analysis of differentially expressed circular RNAs for the identification of a coexpression RNA network and signature in colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Zheying , Song Na , Wang Yongxia , Zhong Jiateng , Gu Tengteng , Yang Liping , Shen Xianfeng , Li Yuelin , Yang Xin , Liu Xiangyu , Yang Rui , Wang Haijun
Published: October 2018

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play an important regulatory role in tumorigenesis. The aim of the present study was to analyze the circRNA expression network and elucidate its potential implications in colorectal cancer (CRC). The circRNA expression profile was analyzed in CRC tissues by RNA sequencing, and the functions of differentially expressed genes were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. The circRNA network was predicted with bioinformatics. On the basis of the results, we identified 23 differentially expressed circRNAs in CRC; GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated that the changes in circRNAs were mainly associated with regulation of biological and metabolic processes through binding to other molecules. In addition, based on the predicted coexpression network, we identified a hub circRNA, hsa_circ_0009022. Subsequently, the results of sequencing were confirmed by reverse transcription‐quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and hsa_circ_0000826 was found to be downregulated in CRC. Taken together, these findings indicate a set of differentially expressed circRNAs that may serve as a candidate diagnostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target in CRC.
FALDI‐based criterion for and the origin of an electron density bridge with an associated (3,–1) critical point on Bader's molecular graph
Authors: de Lange Jurgens H. , van Niekerk Daniël M. E. , Cukrowski Ignacy
Published: October 2018

The total electron density (ED) along theλ2‐eigenvector is decomposed into contributions which eitherfacilitateorhinderthe presence of an electron density bridge (DB, often called an atomic interaction line or a bond path). Our FALDI‐based approach explains a DB presence as a result of a dominating rate of change of facilitating factors relative to the rate of change of hindering factors; a novel and universal criterion for a DB presence is, thus, proposed. Importantly, facilitating factors show, in absolute terms, a concentration of ED in the internuclear region as commonly observed for most chemical bonds, whereas hindering factors show a depletion of ED in the internuclear region. We test our approach on four intramolecular interactions, namely (i) an attractive classical H‐bond, (ii) a repulsive O⋅⋅⋅O interaction, (iii) an attractive Cl⋅⋅⋅Cl interaction, and (iv) an attractive CH⋅⋅⋅HC interaction. (Dis)appearance of a DB is (i) shown to be due to a “small” change in molecular environment and (ii) qualitatively and quantitatively linked with specific atoms and atom‐pairs. The protocol described is equally applicable (a) to any internuclear region, (b) regardless of what kind of interaction (attractive/repulsive) atoms are involved in, (c) at any level of theory used to compute the molecular structure and corresponding wavefunction, and (d) equilibrium or nonequilibrium structures. Finally, we argue for a paradigm shift in the description of chemical interactions, from the ED perspective, in favor of a multicenter rather than diatomic approach in interpreting ED distributions in internuclear regions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rational designing of 8‐hydroxyquinolin‐imidazolinone‐based fluorescent protein mutants with dramatically red shifted emission: A computational study
Authors: Chen Xian , Song Jian , Chen Zhe‐Ning , Jin Tan , Long Fengqin , Xie Hua , Zheng Yisong , Zhuang Wei , Zhang Lu
Published: October 2018

Engineering fluorescent proteins to be the customized in vivo labels for monitoring cellular dynamic events is critical in biochemical and biomedical studies. The design and development of novel red fluorescent proteins is one of the most important fronts in this field due to their potential of imaging the entire organism. A recent fluorescent protein mutant eqFP650‐67‐HqAla with the 8‐hydroxyquinolin‐imidazolinone (HQI) chromophore has the plausible bathochromic shift of ~30 nm in its emission spectrum wavelength comparing to the parent fluorescent protein eqFP650. However, molecular mechanism of this significant shift remains somewhat obscure. In this study, we carefully benchmarked our computational methods and performed extensive calculations to investigate various structural components’ effect on the chromophore's emission energy and decipher the molecular origin of the spectral shift. The influences of conjugation size, substituent group, substituent site as well as the number of substituents have been examined by elaborately designed chromophore derivatives. Accordingly, we proposed several chromophore mutants with dramatic bathochromic shift of up to ~60 nm in their emission spectra. We further evaluated their structural stability in the protein using molecular dynamics simulations. Present theoretical study connects the structural feature of chromophore derivatives in red fluorescent proteins with their splendid performances in shifting the emission frequency and offer the molecular insight. The computational protocol and successive examination procedure to extract the structural effect utilized herein can also be widely applied to other fluorescent proteins in general. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MB‐Isoster: A software for bioisosterism simulation
Authors: Elias Thiago Castilho , de Oliveira Humberto César Brandão , da Silveira Nelson José Freitas
Published: October 2018

Bioisosterism is a technique used in medicinal chemistry to optimize lead compounds in drug research. One can replace a substituent group in original molecule by another with similar physical chemistry properties and then test how this replacement affects biological activity. To help researchers in their bioisosteric replacement choose, computational efforts such as programs and databases was developed. In this article, it is presented MB‐Isoster, a software that draws bioisosteric molecules. Starting from an input molecule, user selects a molecular subregion formed by connected atoms to be replaced and MB‐Isoster queries an internal library to find bioisosteric substituents for selected subregion, and makes the bioisosteres. Another functionality is receptor–ligand pdb complex reading, in which nonbonded interactions are computed between receptor and ligand in a pdb file, helping in atom/subregion selection to bioisosteric replacement. Physical‐chemical properties computing, and virtual screening evaluation is also available. MB‐Isoster is freely available at http://molmod-cs.unifal-mg.edu.br/tools.html. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Plasmapheresis for hypertriglyceridemia: The association between blood viscosity and triglyceride clearance rate
Authors: Wu Hung‐Chieh , Lee Lin‐Chien , Wang Wei‐Jie
Published: October 2018

Objectives

Several factors in double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP) were associated with triglyceride (TG) clearance rate. This study examines whether baseline whole blood viscosity was a predictor for efficient TG removal.

Methods

Adult subjects who receiving DFPP for hyperlipidemia in Taoyuan General Hospital from January 2015 to March 2018 were classified into efficient and inefficient TG removal according to TG removal rate ≥50% vs <50%. TG removal rate was defined as following formula: (pre‐apheresis

TG‐ post‐apheresis TG)/pre‐apheresis TG. Whole blood viscosity (WBV) was estimated by following equation: WBV = 0.12 × hematocrit +0.17 × (total protein −2.07). Univariate linear regression was used to assess the association between TG removal rate and WBV. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for associations between variables and efficient TG removal were evaluated by logistic regression model to including univariate and multivariate adjustment.

Results

From a total of 66 subjects receiving DFPP, 37 subjects reached efficient TG removal. The difference in pre‐apheresis TG levels, hematocrit, and WBV between efficient vs. inefficient TG removal groups was 4.1 vs 6.7 mmol/L; 43.1% vs 39.5%; and 6.0cP vs 5.cP (Ps <0.05). After multivariate adjustment, WBC was a significant predictor for efficient TG removal (ORs and 95% CI were 3.192 (1.300‐7.838), P < 0.05). The correlation between WBV and extraction of TG was significant (r = −0.255, P = 0.039).

Conclusion

Hyperviscosity reduced the efficiency of TG removal in those receiving DFPP.
Global expression profiling of metabolic pathway‐related lncRNAs in human gastric cancer and the identification of RP11‐555H23.1 as a new diagnostic biomarker
Authors: Mo Xiaoyan , Wu Yuanyuan , Chen Li , Zhai Ming , Gao Zhengdong , Hu Kainan , Guo Junming
Published: October 2018

Background

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have roles in regulating metabolism; however, the global expression profile of metabolic pathway‐associated lncRNAs in gastric cancer is unknown. The purpose of our study was to examine metabolic pathway‐related lncRNAs in gastric cancer and their possible diagnostic values.

Methods

Differential expression patterns of metabolic pathway‐related lncRNAs between gastric cancer and paired nontumor tissues were detected using metabolic pathway‐associated lncRNA microarrays. The expression of RP11‐555H23.1, one representative metabolic pathway‐associated lncRNA, was validated using quantitative real‐time reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The associations between RP11‐55H23.1 expression and the clinicopathological features of gastric cancer patients were analyzed. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was further established.

Results

A total of 114 differentially expressed metabolic pathway‐associated lncRNAs (fold change >2, P < 0.05) between cancer and nontumor tissues were found (GEO No. GSE96856). Among them, TUG1, RP11‐555H23.1, RP1‐257I20.13, UGP2, GCSHP3, and XLOC_000889 lncRNAs were downregulated more than sixfold in gastric cancer tissues. In contrast, RP11‐605F14.2, TBC1D3P5, BC130595, LINC00475, RP11‐19P22.6, BC080653, XLOC_004923, AFAP1‐AS1, EPB49, and RP11‐296I10.3 lncRNAs were upregulated more than sixfold in gastric cancer tissues. We further demonstrated that RP11‐555H23.1 expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage (P = 0.038). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.65, and the specificity and sensitivity were 62% and 81%, respectively.

Conclusions

Metabolic pathway‐associated lncRNAs play an important role in the occurrence of gastric cancer, and metabolic pathway‐associated lncRNAs, such as RP11‐555H23.1, may represent novel biomarkers of gastric cancer.
The association between albumin‐dNLR score and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Chen Shuaishuai , Ying Haijian , Du Juping , Zhu Xiaoli , Shi Jianfeng , Zhang Ying , Chen Shiyong , Shen Bo , Li Jun
Published: October 2018

Background

Recently, clinical studies have described an association between albumin and the derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) with several diseases. This study was aimed to investigate the albumin‐dNLR (ALB‐dNLR) score in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and assess its relationship with clinical and laboratory parameters of RA.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 127 RA patients, 155 osteoarthritis (OA) patients, and 155 healthy controls. The ALB‐dNLR score was based on serum albumin level, neutrophil count, and white cell count. The Spearman's rank test was used to measure the correlations between ALB‐dNLR score and disease activity as well as laboratory indexes.

Results

The ALB‐dNLR score was significantly higher in RA patients than in OA patients (P < 0.001) and in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The proportion of higher ALB‐dNLR score has been raised along with increased disease activity (P < 0.001). The Spearman's rank test showed that ALB‐dNLR score was positively associated with DAS28 score, CRP, ESR, IgA, and platelet count. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of ALB‐dNLR was 0.693 (95% CI: 0.631‐0.755), which was higher than that of albumin (AUC: 0.625, 95% CI: 0.559‐0.692) and dNLR (AUC: 0.680, 95% CI: 0.617‐0.743) alone.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate that the ALB‐dNLR score increased in RA patients. The ALB‐dNLR score may be a useful marker to estimate the disease activity of RA patients.
How Readability Shapes Social Media Engagement
Authors: Pancer Ethan , Chandler Vincent , Poole Maxwell , Noseworthy Theodore J.
Published: October 2018

We suggest that text readability plays an important role in driving consumer engagement on social media. Consistent with a processing fluency account, we find that easy‐to‐read posts are more liked, commented on, and shared on social media. We analyze over 4,000 Facebook posts from Humans of New York, a popular photography blog on social media, over a 3‐year period to see how readability shapes social media engagement. The results hold when controlling for photo features, story valence, and other content‐related characteristics. Experimental findings further demonstrate the causal impact of readability and the processing fluency mechanism in the context of a fictitious brand community. This research articulates the impact of processing fluency on brief word‐of‐mouth transmissions in the real world while empirically demonstrating that readability as a message feature matters. It also extends the impact of processing fluency to a novel behavioral outcome: commenting and sharing actions.
Prenatal diagnosis of congenital absence of aortic valve associated with restrictive foramen ovale: Hemodynamic features and clinical outcome
Authors: Murakami Takashi , Lin Lisheng , Ishiodori Takumi , Takeuchi Syusuke , Shiono Junko , Horigome Hitoshi
Published: October 2018

We present the case of a fetus with absent aortic valve (AAV), mitral regurgitation (MR), and restrictive foramen ovale (FO) who survived in utero but died of severe hypoxia after birth. We reported previously two cases of “inverse circulatory shunt” in AAV with MR, that is, blood from the ascending aorta flowing into the left ventricle through aortic regurgitation, to the left atrium due to MR, to the right atrium through FO, to the right ventricle, then to the pulmonary arteries, and to the ascending aorta through the ductus. In the present case, restrictive FO prevented inverse circulatory shunt, but resulted in postnatal death.
Extending edge‐colorings of complete hypergraphs into regular colorings
Authors: Bahmanian Amin
Published: October 2018

Let be the collection of all ‐subsets of an ‐set . Given a coloring (partition) of a set , we are interested in finding conditions under which this coloring is extendible to a coloring of so that the number of times each element of appears in each color class (all sets of the same color) is the same number . The case was studied by Sylvester in the 18th century and remained open until the 1970s. The case is extensively studied in the literature and is closely related to completing partial symmetric Latin squares. For , we settle the cases , and completely. Moreover, we make partial progress toward solving the case where . These results can be seen as extensions of the famous Baranyai’s theorem, and make progress toward settling a 40‐year‐old problem posed by Cameron.
Generating near‐bipartite bricks
Authors: Kothari Nishad
Published: October 2018

Carvalho, Lucchesi and Murty (2006, How to build a brick, Discrete Math., 306, 2383‐2410) gave a generation procedure for bricks. In particular, they showed that every brick may be constructed from , the triangular prism , and the Petersen graph. The object of this paper is to establish a generation procedure that is specific to the class of near‐bipartite bricks. In particular, we show that every near‐bipartite brick may be constructed from and so that each intermediate brick is also near‐bipartite. Norine and Thomas (2007, Generating bricks, J. Combin. Theory Ser. B, 97, 769‐817) proved a generation theorem for simple bricks. In a subsequent work with Marcelo H. de Carvalho (2017, Generating simple near‐bipartite bricks, https://arxiv.org/abs/1704.08796), we use the results of this paper to prove a generation theorem for simple near‐bipartite bricks.
MRI in donor candidates for living donor liver transplant: Technical and practical considerations
Authors: Kim Bohyun , Kim So Yeon , Kim Kyoung Won , Jang Hye Young , Jang Jong Keon , Song Gi Won , Lee Sung Gyu
Published: October 2018

In living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), a thorough preoperative evaluation of the donor is imperative to minimize the risk of the donors and improve the outcome of the recipients. In order to select the best candidate, knowledge of the liver volume, degree of steatosis, and anatomic variations in the vascular and biliary system in potential donors is crucial. With recent technical advances, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly replacing the need for computed tomography (CT) examination in essential steps of donor evaluation. Along with the introduction of higher gradient strength, novel pulse sequences, and innovative contrast media, MRI has a potential to serve as an “all‐in‐one” imaging package. In this review, we provide an overview of clinical and radiologic considerations related to LDLT and highlight the basics and up‐to‐date knowledge of MRI techniques for a comprehensive donor evaluation.

Level of Evidence: 5

Technical Efficacy: Stage 5

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;48:1453–1467
Detecting perfusion deficit in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment patients by resting‐state fMRI
Authors: Yan Shaozhen , Qi Zhigang , An Yanhong , Zhang Mo , Qian Tianyi , Lu Jie
Published: October 2018

Background

Vascular factors contributing to cerebral hypoperfusion are implicated in the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Purpose

To investigate the time‐shift mapping created time‐shift value of the brain by resting‐state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs‐fMRI), and to determine the differences in time‐shift value among AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and normal control (NC) groups to better understand the disease.

Study Type

Prospective.

Subjects

Twenty‐four AD, 24 MCI, and 24 age‐matched NC participants.

Field Strength/Sequence

T2*‐weighted single‐shot echo‐planar imaging sequence was performed at 3T. In addition, a T1‐weighted fast spoiled gradient‐echo sequence was acquired for coregistration.

Assessment

The brain time‐shift value was determined from rs‐fMRI‐based blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) signal in the three groups by time‐shift mapping. The perfusion patterns were also investigated in the NC group.

Statistical Tests

One‐way analysis of variance and chi‐squared tests were used to compare demographic information. The normalized time‐shift maps were analyzed in a second‐level test using SPM8. All analyses were evaluated with a significance level of P < 0.05 after false discovery rate (FDR) correction.

Results

The time‐shift maps obtained from rs‐fMRI are consistent with the cerebral blood supply atlas. Compared with NC, both MCI and AD groups had less early perfusion arrival areas among the whole brain. In the delayed time‐shift value for the AD group, the areas were located in the bilateral precuneus, the sensory‐motor cortex in the left hemisphere, and the bilateral calcarine sulcus, which were different from the MCI group (both P < 0.05, FDR corrected).

Data Conclusion

The time‐shift mapping method could detect perfusion deficits in AD and MCI noninvasively. The perfusion deficits detected by rs‐fMRI may provide new insight for understanding the mechanism of neurodegeneration.

Level of Evidence 2

Technical Efficacy Stage 3

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1099–1104.
Hepatic R2* is more strongly associated with proton density fat fraction than histologic liver iron scores in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Bashir Mustafa R. , Wolfson Tanya , Gamst Anthony C. , Fowler Kathryn J. , Ohliger Michael , Shah Shetal N. , Alazraki Adina , Trout Andrew T. , Behling Cynthia , Allende Daniela S. , Loomba Rohit , Sanyal Arun , Schwimmer Jeffrey , Lavine Joel E. , Shen Wei , Tonascia James , Van Natta Mark L. , Mamidipalli Adrija , Hooker Jonathan , Kowdley Kris V. , Middleton Michael S. , Sirlin Claude B. ,   on behalf of the NASH Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN)
Published: October 2018

Background

The liver R2* value is widely used as a measure of liver iron but may be confounded by the presence of hepatic steatosis and other covariates.

Purpose

To identify the most influential covariates for liver R2* values in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Study Type

Retrospective analysis of prospectively acquired data.

Population

Baseline data from 204 subjects enrolled in NAFLD/NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis) treatment trials.

Field Strength

1.5T and 3T; chemical‐shift encoded multiecho gradient echo.

Assessment

Correlation between liver proton density fat fraction and R2*; assessment for demographic, metabolic, laboratory, MRI‐derived, and histological covariates of liver R2*.

Statistical Tests

Pearson's and Spearman's correlations; univariate analysis; gradient boosting machines (GBM) multivariable machine‐learning method.

Results

Hepatic proton density fat fraction (PDFF) was the most strongly correlated covariate for R2* at both 1.5T (r = 0.652, P < 0.0001) and at 3T (r = 0.586, P < 0.0001). In the GBM analysis, hepatic PDFF was the most influential covariate for hepatic R2*, with relative influences (RIs) of 61.3% at 1.5T and 47.5% at 3T; less influential covariates had RIs of up to 11.5% at 1.5T and 16.7% at 3T. Nonhepatocellular iron was weakly associated with R2* at 3T only (RI 6.7%), and hepatocellular iron was not associated with R2* at either field strength.

Data Conclusion

Hepatic PDFF is the most influential covariate for R2* at both 1.5T and 3T; nonhepatocellular iron deposition is weakly associated with liver R2* at 3T only.

Level of Evidence: 4

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;49:1456–1466.