bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward a new generation of pelvic floor implants with electrospun nanofibrous matrices: A feasibility study
Authors: Vashaghian Mahshid , Ruiz‐Zapata Alejandra M. , Kerkhof Manon H. , Zandieh‐Doulabi Behrouz , Werner Arie , Roovers Jan Paul , Smit Theo H.
Published: February 2016

Objective

The use of knitted, polypropylene meshes for the surgical treatment of pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is frequently accompanied by severe complications. Looking for alternatives, we studied the potential of three different electrospun matrices in supporting the adhesion, proliferation, and matrix deposition of POP and non‐POP fibroblasts, the most important cells to produce extracellular matrix (ECM), in vitro.

Study design

We electrospun three commonly used medical materials: nylon; poly (lactide‐co‐glycolide) blended with poly‐caprolactone (PLGA/PCL); and poly‐caprolactone blended with gelatin (PCL/Gelatin). The matrices were characterized for their microstructure, hydrophilicity, and mechanical properties. We seeded POP and non‐POP fibroblasts from patients with POP and we determined cellular responses and ECM deposition.

Results

All matrices had >65% porosity, homogenous microstructures, and close to sufficient tensile strength for pelvic floor repair: 15.4 ± 3.3 MPa for Nylon; 12.4 ± 1.6 MPa for PLGA/PCL; and 3.5 ± 0.9 MPa for PCL/Gelatin. Both the POP and non‐POP cells adhered to the electrospun matrices; they proliferated well and produced ample ECM. Overall, the best in vitro performance appeared to be on nylon, presumably because this was the most hydrophilic material with the thinnest fibers.

Conclusion

Electrospun nanofibrous matrices show feasible mechanical strength and great biocompatibility for POP and non‐POP fibroblasts to produce their ECM in vitro and, thus, may be candidates for a new generation of implants for pelvic floor repair. Further studies on electrospun nanofibrous matrices should focus on mechanical and immunological conditions that would be presented in vivo. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:565–573, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Glucose‐6‐Phosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency in Brazilian Children With Sickle Cell Anemia is not Associated With Clinical Ischemic Stroke or High‐Risk Transcranial Doppler
Authors: Belisário André Rolim , Rodrigues Sales Rahyssa , Evelin Toledo Nayara , Velloso‐Rodrigues Cibele , Maria Silva Célia , Borato Viana Marcos
Published: February 2016

Background

Stroke is a severe complication of sickle cell anemia (SCA). The role of glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in the development of stroke in children with SCA is controversial.

Procedure

The aim of this study was to investigate the association of clinical ischemic stroke, high‐risk transcranial Doppler measurements (TCD), and hematological features with molecular variants usually linked to G6PD deficiency or with the biochemical activity of G6PD in a cohort of 395 Brazilian children with SCA. G6PD activity was quantitatively determined using an enzymatic‐colorimetric assay. G6PD mutations were determined by PCR‐RFLP and sequencing. Clinical and hematological data were retrieved from the children's records.

Results

The prevalence of molecularly defined deficiency (hereafter, molecular deficiency) was 4.3% (95% confidence interval: 2.3–6.3%). The mean G6PD activity was 16.88 U/g hemoglobin (Hb) (standard error of the mean [SEM] 0.28) in the group without G6PD molecular deficiency and 8.43 (SEM 1.01) U/g Hb in the group with G6PD A− molecular deficiency. G6PD molecular deficiency was not associated with any hematological features. No effects of G6PD molecular deficiency on clinical ischemic stroke or high‐risk TCD were detected. The mean G6PD activity was similar in children who had clinical ischemic stroke and in those without stroke. Similar results were obtained in analyses comparing children who had high‐risk TCD and those without high‐risk TCD.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrated that G6PD molecular deficiency was not associated either with clinical ischemic stroke or high‐risk TCD. Similarly, we found no associations between G6PD enzyme activity and stroke or high‐risk TCD. Small sample size precludes definitive conclusions.
Gelation of ionic liquids by the use of fluoroalkyl end‐capped oligomers/polyaniline composites
Authors: Sutoh Yoshitaka , Tsuzuki‐Ishi Taiki , Sugiya Masashi , Sawada Hideo
Published: February 2016

Hydrophilic RF‐(MES)n‐RF/and RF‐(AMPS)n‐RF/polyaniline (PAn) nanocomposites were prepared by the polymerization of aniline monomer in the presence of the corresponding oligomers. These fluorinated PAn nanocomposites were able to cause the gelation toward a variety of hydrophilic ionic liquids, although the parent RF‐(MES)n‐RF and RF‐(AMPS)n‐RF oligomers were not effective for the gelation of such ionic liquids. Oleophilic RF‐(DOBAA)n‐RF oligomer has no gelling ability toward the ionic liquids; however, this oligomer was able to disperse well the original PAn powders into methanol to afford the corresponding oligomer/PAn composites. Interestingly, the isolated composite powders after the removal of the solvent were found to cause the gelation toward some oleophilic ionic liquids. In these composites, RF‐(MES)n‐RF/PAn nanocomposite/ionic liquid gel (ionogel) was found to provide a higher ionic conductivity than that of the parent ionic liquid under the similar conditions. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:221–228, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Living in A Non–Communist versus in A Post–Communist European Country Moderates the Relation between Conservative Values and Political Orientation: A Multilevel Study
Authors: Barni Daniela , Vieno Alessio , Roccato Michele
Published: February 2016

We performed a multilevel, multinational analysis using the 2012 European Social Survey dataset (N = 41 080, nested in 20 countries) to study how living in a non–communist versus in a post–communist country moderates the link between individual conservative values (drawn on Schwartz's theory of basic human values) and political orientation (assessed as self–placement on the left–right axis and attitude towards economic redistribution). The results supported the moderating role of living in a non–communist versus in a post–communist country in the case both of political self–placement and of attitude towards economic redistribution, even controlling for the countries’ degree of individualism, power distance and democracy. Specifically, conservative values were positively related to a rightist political self–placement among participants living in countries without a communist past, and to a favourable attitude towards economic redistribution in countries with a communist past. The limitations, implications and future directions of this study are discussed. Copyright © 2016 European Association of Personality Psychology
Polybutadiene/polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanohybrid: investigation of various reactants in polyesterification reaction
Authors: Mirmohammadi Seyed Amin , Nekoomanesh‐Haghighi Mehdi , Mohammadian Gezaz Somayyeh , Bahri‐Laleh Naeimeh
Published: February 2016

Nano‐sized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) diol or ethylene glycol (EG) as diol monomer was incorporated into hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPBD) chain in the presence of fumaryl or thionyl chloride as extenders. Using these polyesterification reactions, two fumarate‐based polyesters and two polyester sulfites were synthesized. Each couple of polyesters and polyester sulfites includes a linear (diol:EG) and a nanohybrid macromer (diol:POSS). Full structural characterization was performed using Fourier transform infrared, 1H NMR and 13C NMR spectroscopies. Gel permeation chromatography was undertaken to study polyesterification mechanisms by deconvolution of the obtained traces. Finally, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis and cell culture were performed to evaluate the structure–property relationship for the synthesized macromers in comparison with unreacted HTPBD. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Proteome targets of ubiquitin‐like samp1ylation are associated with sulfur metabolism and oxidative stress in Haloferax volcanii
Authors: Dantuluri Swathi , Wu Yifei , Hepowit Nathaniel L. , Chen Hui , Chen Sixue , Maupin‐Furlow Julie A.
Published: February 2016

Small archeal modifier proteins (SAMPs) are related to ubiquitin in tertiary structure and in their isopeptide linkage to substrate proteins. SAMPs also function in sulfur mobilization to form biomolecules such as molybdopterin and thiolated tRNA. While SAMP1 is essential for anaerobic growth and covalently attached to lysine residues of its molybdopterin synthase partner MoaE (K240 and K247), the full diversity of proteins modified by samp1ylation is not known. Here, we expand the knowledge of proteins isopeptide linked to SAMP1. LC‐MS/MS analysis of ‐Gly‐Gly signatures derived from SAMP1 S85R conjugates cleaved with trypsin was used to detect sites of sampylation (23 lysine residues) that mapped to 11 target proteins. Many of the identified target proteins were associated with sulfur metabolism and oxidative stress including MoaE, SAMP‐activating E1 enzyme (UbaA), methionine sulfoxide reductase homologs (MsrA and MsrB), and the Fe‐S assembly protein SufB. Several proteins were found to have multiple sites of samp1ylation, and the isopeptide linkage at SAMP3 lysines (K18, K55, and K62) revealed hetero‐SAMP chain topologies. Follow‐up affinity purification of selected protein targets (UbaA and MoaE) confirmed the LC‐MS/MS results. 3D homology modeling suggested sampy1ylation is autoregulatory in inhibiting the activity of its protein partners (UbaA and MoaE), while occurring on the surface of some protein targets, such as SufB and MsrA/B. Overall, we provide evidence that SAMP1 is a ubiquitin‐like protein modifier that is relatively specific in tagging its protein partners as well as proteins associated with oxidative stress response.
Label‐free analysis of human cerebrospinal fluid addressing various normalization strategies and revealing protein groups affected by multiple sclerosis
Authors: Opsahl Jill A. , Vaudel Marc , Guldbrandsen Astrid , Aasebø Elise , Van Pesch Vincent , Franciotta Diego , Myhr Kjell‐Morten , Barsnes Harald , Berle Magnus , Torkildsen Øivind , Kroksveen Ann C. , Berven Frode S.
Published: February 2016

The aims of the study were to: (i) identify differentially regulated proteins in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) between multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and non‐MS controls; (ii) examine the effect of matching the CSF samples on either total protein amount or volume, and compare four protein normalization strategies for CSF protein quantification. CSF from MS patients (n = 37) and controls (n = 64), consisting of other noninflammatory neurological diseases (n = 50) and non neurological spinal anesthetic subjects (n = 14), were analyzed using label‐free proteomics, quantifying almost 800 proteins. In total, 122 proteins were significantly regulated (p < 0.05), where 77 proteins had p‐value <0.01 or AUC value >0.75. Hierarchical clustering indicated that there were two main groups of MS patients, those with increased levels of inflammatory response proteins and decreased levels of proteins involved in neuronal tissue development (n = 30), and those with normal protein levels for both of these protein groups (n = 7). The main subgroup of controls clustering with the MS patients showing increased inflammation and decreased neuronal tissue development were patients suffering from chronic fatigue. Our data indicate that the preferable way to quantify proteins in CSF is to first match the samples on total protein amount and then normalize the data based on the median intensities, preferably from the CNS‐enriched proteins.
Role of lectin microarrays in cancer diagnosis
Authors: Syed Parvez , Gidwani Kamlesh , Kekki Henna , Leivo Janne , Pettersson Kim , Lamminmäki Urpo
Published: February 2016

The majority of cell differentiation associated tumor markers reported to date are either glycoproteins or glycolipids. Despite there being a large number of glycoproteins reported as candidate markers for various cancers, only a handful are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Lectins, which bind to the glycan part of the glycoproteins, can be exploited to identify aberrant glycosylation patterns, which in turn would help in enhancing the specificity of cancer diagnosis. Although conventional techniques such as HPLC and MS have been instrumental in performing the glycomic analyses, these techniques lack multiplexity. Lectin microarrays have proved to be useful in studying multiple lectin–glycan interactions in a single experiment and, with the advances made in the field, hold a promise of enabling glycomic profiling of cancers in a fast and efficient manner.
Heat flow, transport and fluctuations in etched semiconductor quantum wire structures
Authors: Riha Christian , Chiatti Olivio , Buchholz Sven S. , Reuter Dirk , Wieck Andreas D. , Fischer Saskia F.
Published: February 2016

Low‐dimensional transport in semiconductor meso‐ and nanostructures is a topical field of fundamental research with potential applications in future quantum devices. However, thermal non‐equilibrium may destroy phase‐coherence and remains to be explored experimentally. Here, we present effects of thermal non‐equilibrium in various implementations of low‐dimensional (non‐interacting) electron systems, fabricated by etching AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures. These include narrow quasi‐two‐dimensional (2D) channels, quasi‐one‐dimensional (1D) waveguide networks, quantum rings (QRs), and single 1D constrictions, such as quantum point contacts (QPCs). Thermal non‐equilibrium is realized by current heating. The charge carrier temperature is determined by noise thermometry. The electrical conductance and the voltage–noise are measured with respect to bath temperatures, heating currents, thermal gradients, and electric fields. We determine and discuss heat transport processes, electron‐energy loss rates, and electron–phonon interaction, and our results are consistent with the Wiedemann–Franz relation. Additionally, we show how non‐thermal current fluctuations can be used to identify electric conductance anomalies due to charge states.
Microanalysis of the Ti/Al and Ti/Al/Mo/Au ohmic contacts metallization to AlGaN/GaN heterostructures
Authors: Macherzyński Wojciech , Stafiniak Andrzej , Paszkiewicz Bogdan , Gryglewicz Jacek , Paszkiewicz Regina
Published: February 2016

The article presents the comparative study of two metallization schemes, Ti/Al bilayer and Ti/Al/Mo/Au multilayer to AlGaN/GaN heterostructures. The influence of thermal annealing on the topography and sheet resistance Rsh of the metallization was investigated. At the temperature of annealing up to 805 °C Ti/Al metallization morphology changed but the metallization continuity was sufficient to obtain the sheet resistance below 2 Ω/□. Annealing at 820 °C caused the strong increase of sheet resistance up to 254 Ω/□. These results clearly indicated on very large heterogeneity of Ti/Al layers, material phase segregation, and the separation into individual islands. The annealing of Ti/Al/Mo/Au metallization also resulted in rise of sheet resistance. But the continuity of Ti/Al/Mo/Au layers did not deteriorate the sheet resistance value and homogeneity so significantly as for Ti/Al layers. In this case the changes were much lower, Rsh increased only to 1.15 Ω/□.
Annealing of frozen‐in defects in ZnO
Authors: Nirk T. , Lott K. , Seeman V. , Türn L. , Viljus M. , Öpik A.
Published: February 2016

High temperature electrical conductivity (HTEC) as a function of time after step‐like change of Zn vapor pressure (PZn) at fixed ZnO crystal temperature (TZnO) and after step‐like change of TZnO at fixed PZn was measured in undoped ZnO single crystal and in undoped ZnO ceramic sample. It was found a difference on HTEC relaxation curves in these measurements. Samples were cooled from temperature 1273 K to room temperature. Appearance of asymmetric spectrum with g≈1.96 and disappearance of Mn2+ spectrum were detected in EPR investigations. Then vacuum annealing was applied for these samples and intensity of g≈1.96 EPR spectrum was registered after every vacuum annealing cycles. The change in sample color, the change in g≈1.96 spectrum intensity as well as appearance again of Mn2+ EPR spectrum in the course of vacuum annealing was explained by the model of defect clusters formed during cooling of the crystal. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Resonant photoluminescence of a positively charged Mn‐doped quantum dot
Authors: Lafuente‐Sampietro A. , Boukari H. , Besombes L.
Published: February 2016

We probe the spin dynamics of an individual magnetic atom (Mn) coupled to carriers in a positively charged quantum dot using resonant photoluminescence. We demonstrate that a p‐doped CdTe/ZnTe quantum dot containing a single Mn atom forms an ensemble of optical Λ systems which can be addressed independently. Performing resonant optical pumping experiment and auto‐correlation of the resonant photoluminescence, we show that these Λ systems are connected through inefficient forbidden spin‐flips. We demonstrate that the spin dynamics of X+‐Mn under resonant excitation is mainly controlled by the electron‐Mn interaction. This coherent dynamics is directly observed in the time domain and is shown to be highly sensitive to the local strain at the Mn location. (© 2016 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Hot‐Water Extract of Smilacis Chinae Rhizome Suppresses 2,4‐Dinitrochlorobenzene and House Dust Mite‐Induced Atopic Dermatitis‐Like Skin Lesions in Mice
Authors: Ki Nam Yong , Park Eun‐Ji , Sung In sung , Ju Seul A , Kim Kyoung Un , Kim Mi Rae , Song Do Yeon , Lee Min‐Ju , Kim Hak‐Soo , Kang Boo‐Hyon , Chung Hun‐Jong , Choi Eun‐Ju , Yoon Ki‐Hun , Lee Min Won , Yun Seongho , Min Bokkee , Kwon Suk Hyung , Shin Hwa‐Sup
Published: February 2016

Smilacis Chinae Rhizome (SCR) has been used as an oriental folk medicine for various biological activities. However, its effect on atopic dermatitis (AD) remains undetermined to date. We assessed the effect of orally administered hot‐water extract of SCR on AD‐like skin lesions in mice and its underlying mechanisms. AD‐like murine model was prepared by repeated alternate application of house dust mite (Dermatophagoides farinae) extract (DFE) and 2,4‐dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) for 4 weeks, topically to the ears. Daily oral administration of SCR for 3 and 4 weeks significantly reduced inflammatory ear thickening, with the effect being enhanced at the earlier start and longer period of administration. This effect was accompanied by a significant decrease in both Th2 and Th1 serum antibodies (total IgE, DFE‐specific IgE, and IgG2a). Histological analysis showed that SCR markedly decreased the epidermal/dermal ear thickening and the dermal infiltration of inflammatory cells. Furthermore, SCR suppressed DFE/DNCB‐induced expression of IL‐4, IL‐13, IL‐17, IL‐18, TSLP, and IFN‐γ genes in the ear tissue. Taken together, our observations demonstrate that chronic oral administration of SCR exerts beneficial effect in mouse AD model, suggesting that SCR has the therapeutic potential as an orally active treatment of AD by modulating both Th1 and Th2 responses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An Improved Supplier Driven Packaging Design and Development Method for Supply Chain Efficiency
Authors: Sohrabpour Vahid , Oghazi Pejvak , Olsson Annika
Published: February 2016

Packaging and the role it plays in supply chain efficiency are overlooked in most design and development research. An opportunity exists to meet the needs of supply chains to increase efficiency. This research presents three propositions on how to reduce the gap between supply chain needs and satisfaction in interaction with the product and packaging system. It also proposes a supply chain focused packaging design and development method to better satisfy supply chain needs placed on packaging. An extensive literature review was conducted, and a Tetra Pak derived case study was developed. The propositions were formulated and became the basis for improving Tetra Pak's existing packaging design and development method by better integrating supply chain needs. This was accomplished by using an expanded operational life cycle perspective that includes the entire supply chain. The resulting supply chain focused packaging design, and development method enables improved supply chain efficiency while considering the product, the processes and cost. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Testing particle filters on simple convective‐scale models. Part 2: A modified shallow‐water model
Authors: Haslehner Mylène , Janjić Tijana , Craig George C.
Published: February 2016

The nonlinearities and stochastic features of atmospheric dynamics pose severe challenges for data assimilation. The particle filter is a method that can potentially address these challenges and has attracted significant interest for convective‐scale applications. Unlike data assimilation techniques used in current numerical weather prediction (NWP), the particle filter does not presuppose Gaussian error statistics but estimates the full probability density function (PDF) with a small number of state vectors (particles). The nudging proposal particle filter operates as a hybrid combination of nudging and sequential importance resampling (SIR). In this article, we investigate a refined nudging proposal particle filter algorithm, the equivalent‐weight particle filter, that combines the nudging proposal particle filter with weight equalization and thus permits an improved representation of the PDF.

An idealized, nonlinear, one‐dimensional shallow‐water model is used as a testbed to show that the equivalent‐weight particle filter outperforms both nudging and SIR filters under certain conditions. The selection mechanism of particles during resampling and the effect of nudging on the weights are analyzed. With the help of analytical and experimental results, we identify a numerical quantity that determines whether the equivalent‐weight particle filter can outperform nudging alone and we derive a theoretical criterion for the equivalent‐weight particle filter to outperform nudging. Further, we investigate the effect of equalizing weights on the resampling and the statistical behaviour of the ensemble.
Possible impacts of mega‐El Niño/Southern Oscillation and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation on Eurasian heatwave frequency variability
Authors: Zhou Yefan , Wu Zhiwei
Published: February 2016

Identifying predictability sources of heatwave variations is a scientific challenge and of practical importance. This study investigates the summertime heatwave frequency (HWF) over Eurasia for 1950–2014. The Eurasian HWF is dominated by two distinct modes: the interdecadal (ID) mode, featured by an increasing pattern overall, centred around eastern Europe–central Asia and Mongolia–southwestern China; and the interannual (IA) mode, resembling a tripole anomaly pattern with three centres over western–northern Europe, northeastern Asia and East Asia. The ID mode is found to be influenced by mega‐El Niño/Southern Oscillation (mega‐ENSO) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO), and the latter has far more effect, whereas the IA mode is connected with mega‐ENSO.

Further analysis suggests that mega‐ENSO variations can incite a Gill‐type response spreading to Eurasia, while the AMO changes cause eastward‐propagating Rossby wave trains toward Eurasia. These two teleconnection patterns together contribute to the large‐scale circulation anomalies of the ID mode, and those related to the IA mode arise from the teleconnection pattern excited by mega‐ENSO. A strong mega‐ENSO triggers subsidence with high pressure anomalies, warms the surface and increases the HWF significantly over northeastern Asia particularly. Likewise, the warm AMO‐induced circulation anomalies engender surface radiative heating and HWF growth in most of the Eurasian continent except some localized Siberian and Asian regions. The situation is opposite for a weak mega‐ENSO and AMO. Those models from phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) which realistically capture the features of the ID mode can reproduce the AMO‐like sea‐surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs), while signals resembling mega‐ENSO are found in those with favourable capability of simulating the IA mode. On the contrary, these relevant SSTAs linked to the respective modes vanish in the models with little skills. Thus, mega‐ENSO and the AMO might provide two critical predictability sources for heat waves over Eurasia.
A wave‐activity view of the relation between the Mediterranean storm track and the North Atlantic Oscillation in winter
Authors: Rezaeian M. , Mohebalhojeh A. R. , Ahmadi‐Givi F. , Nasr‐Esfahany M.
Published: February 2016

The North Atlantic storm track with its dominant mode of variability, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), is believed to impact the Mediterranean storm track and thereby vastly extend its influence downstream. To study such impact, a particular formulation of wave activity suitable for travelling Rossby waves is exploited to compare the upper‐tropospheric branch of Rossby‐wave propagation in the positive and negative phases of the NAO. The analysis is carried out for composites of the critical months and the NAO events defined based on the monthly and daily indices of the NAO, respectively. Quantitative measures including the outward wave activity flux through the boundaries of the Mediterranean domain are used to assess the impact. Overall, the impact of the North Atlantic storm track on the Mediterranean storm track is shown to be noticeably greater in the negative NAO. Further, the existence of a wave source region in the central Mediterranean region, which is stronger in the positive NAO, is established.
A Novel Selectable Islet 1 Positive Progenitor Cell Reprogrammed to Expandable and Functional Smooth Muscle Cells
Authors: Turner Elizabeth C. , Huang Chien-Ling , Sawhney Neha , Govindarajan Kalaimathi , Clover Anthony J.P. , Martin Kenneth , Browne Tara C. , Whelan Derek , Kumar Arun H.S. , Mackrill John J. , Wang Shaohua , Schmeckpeper Jeffrey , Stocca Alessia , Pierce William G. , Leblond Anne-Laure , Cai Liquan , O'Sullivan Donnchadh M. , Buneker Chirlei K. , Choi Janet , MacSharry John , Ikeda Yasuhiro , Russell Stephen J. , Caplice Noel M.
Published: February 2016

Disorders affecting smooth muscle structure/function may require technologies that can generate large scale, differentiated and contractile smooth muscle cells (SMC) suitable for cell therapy. To date no clonal precursor population that provides large numbers of differentiated SMC in culture has been identified in a rodent. Identification of such cells may also enhance insight into progenitor cell fate decisions and the relationship between smooth muscle precursors and disease states that implicate differentiated SMC.

 In this study, we used classic clonal expansion techniques to identify novel self-renewing Islet 1 (Isl-1) positive primitive progenitor cells (PPC) within rat bone marrow that exhibited canonical stem cell markers and preferential differentiation towards a smooth muscle-like fate. We subsequently used molecular tagging to select Isl-1 positive clonal populations from expanded and de novo marrow cell populations. We refer to these previously undescribed cells as the PPC given its stem cell marker profile, and robust self-renewal capacity. PPC could be directly converted into induced smooth muscle cells (iSMC) using single transcription factor (Kruppel-like factor 4) knockdown or transactivator (myocardin) overexpression in contrast to three control cells (HEK 293, endothelial cells and mesenchymal stem cells) where such induction was not possible. iSMC exhibited immuno- and cytoskeletal-phenotype, calcium signaling profile and contractile responses similar to bona fide SMC. Passaged iSMC could be expanded to a scale sufficient for large scale tissue replacement.

 PPC and reprogramed iSMC so derived may offer future opportunities to investigate molecular, structure/function and cell-based replacement therapy approaches to diverse cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary diseases that have as their basis smooth muscle cell functional aberrancy or numerical loss.
IGF/STAT3/NANOG/Slug Signaling Axis Simultaneously Controls Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Stemness Maintenance in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Yao Chao , Su Li , Shan Juanjuan , Zhu Chuanlin , Liu Limei , Liu Chungang , Xu Yanmin , Yang Zhi , Bian Xiuwu , Shao Jimin , Li Jianming , Lai Maode , Shen Junjie , Qian Cheng
Published: February 2016

Discovery of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells (CSCs) are two milestones in people exploring the nature of malignant tumor in recent decades. Although some studies have presented the potential connections between them, the link details, underneath their superficial correlation, are largely unknown. In this study, we identified a small subpopulation of NANOG-positive colorectal cancer (CRC) cells, and demonstrated that they exhibited characteristics of CSCs and EMT traits simultaneously. Furthermore, we found that NANOG was a core factor in regulating both of EMT and stemness in CRC cells, NANOG modulate EMT and metastasis by binding to Slug promoter and transcriptionally regulate Slug expression. For the first time, we demonstrated that NANOG was regulated by extracellular IGF signaling pathway via STAT3 phosphorylation in CRC. This coincides with that IGF receptor IGF-1R is often increasing expressed in malignant metastasis colon cancer. Taken together, our data define the crucial functions of IGF/STAT3/NANOG/Slug signaling axis in the progression of CRC by operating EMT and CSCs properties, which make them served as potential therapeutic targets for treatment of CRC.
RRx-001, A novel dinitroazetidine radiosensitizer
Authors: Oronsky Bryan , Scicinski Jan , Ning Shoucheng , Peehl Donna , Oronsky Arnold , Cabrales Pedro , Bednarski Mark , Knox Susan
Published: February 2016

The ‘holy grail’ in radiation oncology is to improve the outcome of radiation therapy (RT) with a radiosensitizer—a systemic chemical/biochemical agent that additively or synergistically sensitizes tumor cells to radiation in the absence of significant toxicity. Similar to the oxygen effect, in which DNA bases modified by reactive oxygen species prevent repair of the cellular radiation damage, these compounds in general magnify free radical formation, leading to the permanent “fixation” of the resultant chemical change in the DNA structure. The purpose of this review is to present the origin story of the radiosensitizer, RRx-001, which emerged from the aerospace industry. The activity of RRx-001 as a chemosensitizer in multiple tumor types and disease states including malaria, hemorrhagic shock and sickle cell anemia, are the subject of future reviews.
Optimal Time to Surgery for Patients Requiring Laparoscopic Appendectomy: An Integrative Review
Authors: Gardiner Therese M. , Gillespie Brigid M.
Published: February 2016

Acute appendicitis is the most common condition requiring emergency surgery worldwide. Although current guidelines recommend prompt appendectomy as the preferred treatment, no time interval for surgery has been indicated. We used an integrative review methodology to critically evaluate evidence on the relationship between time to surgery and hospital length of stay and to identify the ideal time to surgery for patients undergoing appendectomy. We included 14 studies in our synthesis, most of which (n = 9/14, 64%) indicated that longer time delays to surgical intervention increased hospital length of stay for patients presenting with appendicitis. Researchers report that the optimal time for surgery is 24 to 36 hours after symptom onset, or 10 to 24 hours from admission. The results of our review indicate that patient symptoms on presentation may signify advancing pathology and may be more important than the time delay interval in defining surgical priority.
Student Immersion in Perioperative Nursing
Authors: Penprase Barbara , Monahan Janean , Poly‐Droulard Lynda , Prechowski Stephanie
Published: February 2016

The aging workforce and the lack of perioperative clinical practice and theoretical content in nursing education programs are factors contributing to the perioperative nursing shortage. This article discusses the implementation of a creatively designed perioperative program, which includes a didactic course and a 210‐hour clinical course, developed by the faculty members of a Michigan school of nursing in collaboration with administrators at area hospitals. The didactic content covers materials presented during the first three months of orientation for newly employed perioperative nurses. Interested baccalaureate nursing students in their senior year are selected to participate in the program after being interviewed by hospital personnel and university faculty members. To date, the program has 18 student graduates in two semesters; all have been offered positions in the perioperative setting, and 14 have accepted positions. The active learning strategies used in the course are described with examples.
OR Specimen Labeling
Authors: Zervakis Brent Mary Ann
Published: February 2016

Mislabeled surgical specimens jeopardize patient safety and quality care. The purpose of this project was to determine whether labeling surgical specimens with two patient identifiers would result in an 80% reduction in specimen labeling errors within six months and a 100% reduction in errors within 12 months. Our failure mode effects analysis found that the lack of two patient identifiers per label was the most unsafe step in our specimen handling process. We piloted and implemented a new process in the OR using the Plan‐Do‐Check‐Act conceptual framework. The audit process included collecting data and making direct observations to determine the sustainability of the process change; however, the leadership team halted the direct observation audit after four months. The total number of surgical specimen labeling errors was reduced by only 60% within six months and 62% within 12 months; therefore, the goal of the project was not met. However, OR specimen labeling errors were reduced.
Maintaining Perioperative Normothermia: Sustaining an Evidence‐Based Practice Improvement Project
Authors: Levin Rona F. , Wright Fay , Pecoraro Kathleen , Kopec Wendy
Published: February 2016

Unintentional perioperative hypothermia has been shown to cause serious patient complications and, thus, to increase health care costs. In 2009, an evidence‐based practice improvement project produced a significant decrease in unintentional perioperative hypothermia in colorectal surgical patients through monitoring of OR ambient room temperature. Project leaders engaged all interdisciplinary stakeholders in the original project, which facilitated the sustainability of the intervention method. An important aspect of sustainability is ongoing monitoring and evaluation of a new intervention method. Therefore, continued evaluation of outcomes of the protocol developed in 2009 was scheduled at specific time points after the initial small test of change with colorectal patients. This article focuses on how attention to sustainability factors during implementation of an improvement project led to the sustainability of a protocol for monitoring OR ambient room temperature with all types of surgical patients five years after the initial project.
Learning to classify neural activity from a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease amyloidosis versus controls
Authors: Beker Shlomit , Kellner Vered , Chechik Gal , Stern Edward A.
Published: February 2016

The mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset and progression are not yet elucidated. The extent to which alterations in the activity of individual neurons of an AD model are significant, and the phase at which they can be captured, point to the intensity of the pathology and imply the stage at which it can be detected. Using a machine‐learning algorithm, we present a successful cell‐by‐cell classification of intracellularly recorded neurons from the B6C3 APPswe/PS1dE9 AD model, versus wildtypes controls, at both a late stage and at an early stage, when the plaque pathology and behavioral deficits are absent or rare. These results suggest that the deficits present in neuronal networks of both old and young transgenic animals are large enough to be apparent at the level of individual neurons, and that the pathology could be detected in nearly any given sample, even before pathologic signs.
A meta‐analysis of the worldwide prevalence of pica during pregnancy and the postpartum period
Authors: Fawcett Emily J. , Fawcett Jonathan M. , Mazmanian Dwight
Published: February 2016

Background

Although pica has long been associated with pregnancy, the exact prevalence in this population remains unknown.

Objectives

To estimate the prevalence of pica during pregnancy and the postpartum period, and to explain variations in prevalence estimates by examining potential moderating variables.

Search strategy

PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, PubMed, and Google Scholar were searched from inception to February 2014 using the keywords pica, prevalence, and epidemiology.

Selection criteria

Articles estimating pica prevalence during pregnancy and/or the postpartum period using a self‐report questionnaire or interview were included.

Data collection and analysis

Study characteristics, pica prevalence, and eight potential moderating variables were recorded (parity, anemia, duration of pregnancy, mean maternal age, education, sampling method employed, region, and publication date). Random‐effects models were employed.

Main results

In total, 70 studies were included, producing an aggregate prevalence estimate of 27.8% (95% confidence interval 22.8–33.3). In light of substantial heterogeneity within the study model, the primary focus was identifying moderator variables. Pica prevalence was higher in Africa compared with elsewhere in the world, increased as the prevalence of anemia increased, and decreased as educational attainment increased.

Conclusions

Geographical region, anemia, and education were found to moderate pica prevalence, partially explaining the heterogeneity in prevalence estimates across the literature.
Why Nonprofits Are Easier to Endorse on Social Media: The Roles of Warmth and Brand Symbolism
Authors: Bernritter Stefan F. , Verlegh Peeter W.J. , Smit Edith G.
Published: February 2016

Brands often seek endorsements by consumers on social media (e.g., likes on Facebook). But is this marketing strategy feasible for all brands? To answer this question, this research investigates in seven studies the processes that underlie consumers’ intention to endorse brands on social media. We suggest that consumers aim to signal their identity by endorsing brands online. Based on the Brands as Intentional Agents Framework and related research in (social) cognition and consumer behavior, we argue that consumers on social media primarily want to emphasize their warmth rather than their competence. Experimental studies 1, 2, and 3 distinguish between nonprofit and for-profit brands and show that brand warmth (and not competence) mediates the effect of brand type (nonprofit vs. for-profit) on consumers’ intentions to endorse brands and branded content on social media. Experiment 4 demonstrates that this process is moderated by brand symbolism (moderated mediation). A high level of brand symbolism increases the positive effect of warmth on consumers’ intention to endorse brands online, but only for for-profit brands. The fifth experiment shows that these effects are conditional upon the public vs. private distinction in consumer behavior: consumers prefer to publicly affiliate with nonprofit (vs. for-profit) brands but with regard to private affiliations, there is no difference between both types of brands. In experiment 6, the causal role of warmth (vs. competence) is further examined. Finally, we demonstrate that perceptions of brands’ warmth and not competence reduce the efforts that brands need to make to achieve consumers’ endorsements on their real brand pages on Facebook.
Anxiety and depression among adolescents with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder: The roles of behavioral temperamental traits, comorbid autism spectrum disorder, and bullying involvement
Authors: Hu Huei‐Fan , Chou Wen‐Jiun , Yen Cheng‐Fang
Published: February 2016

The aim of this study was to examine the associations of behavioral temperamental traits, comorbid autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and bullying involvement with anxiety and depression among adolescents with attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Taiwan. A total of 287 adolescents aged 11–18 years diagnosed with ADHD participated in this study. Their severities of anxiety and depression were assessed. Multiple regression analysis was used to examine the correlates of anxiety and depression. The results show that adolescents with ADHD who reported a higher behavioral inhibition system (BIS) score, had comorbid ASD, and were bullying victims, reported more severe anxiety and depressive symptoms. Adolescents with ADHD who bullied others reported more severe depressive symptoms than those who did not bully. The results of this study indicated that behavioral temperamental traits on the BIS, comorbid ASD, and bullying involvement were significantly associated with anxiety and depression among the adolescents with ADHD.
Gravitational extension of a fluid cylinder with internal structure
Authors: Tronnolone Hayden , Stokes Yvonne M. , Foo Herbert Tze Cheung , Ebendorff-Heidepriem Heike
Published: February 2016

Motivated by the fabrication of microstructured optical fibres, a model is presented for the extension under gravity of a slender fluid cylinder with internal structure. It is shown that the general problem decouples into a two-dimensional surface-tension-driven Stokes flow that governs the transverse shape and an axial problem that depends upon the transverse flow. The problem and its solution differ from those obtained for fibre drawing, because the problem is unsteady and the fibre tension depends on axial position. Solutions both with and without surface tension are developed and compared, which show that the relative importance of surface tension depends upon both the parameter values and the geometry under consideration. The model is compared with experimental data and is shown to be in good agreement. These results also show that surface-tension effects are essential to accurately describing the cross-sectional shape.
A theoretical decomposition of mean skin friction generation into physical phenomena across the boundary layer
Authors: Renard Nicolas , Deck Sébastien
Published: February 2016

A theoretical decomposition of mean skin friction generation into physical phenomena across the whole profile of the incompressible zero-pressure-gradient smooth-flat-plate boundary layer is derived from a mean streamwise kinetic-energy budget in an absolute reference frame (in which the undisturbed fluid is not moving). The Reynolds-number dependences in the laminar and turbulent cases are investigated from direct numerical simulation datasets and Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulations, and the asymptotic trends are consistently predicted by theory. The generation of the difference between the mean friction in the turbulent and laminar cases is identified with the total production of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) in the boundary layer, represented by the second term of the proposed decomposition of the mean skin friction coefficient. In contrast, the analysis introduced by Fukagataet al.(Phys. Fluids, vol. 14 (11), 2002, pp. 73–76), based on a streamwise momentum budget in the wall reference frame, relates the turbulence-induced excess friction to the Reynolds shear stress weighted by a linear function of the wall distance. The wall-normal distribution of the linearly-weighted Reynolds shear stress differs from the distribution of TKE production involved in the present discussion, which consequently draws different conclusions on the contribution of each layer to the mean skin friction coefficient. At low Reynolds numbers, the importance of the buffer-layer dynamics is confirmed. At high Reynolds numbers, the present decomposition quantitatively shows for the first time that the generation of the turbulence-induced excess friction is dominated by the logarithmic layer. This is caused by the well-known decay of the relative contributions of the buffer layer and wake region to TKE production with increasing Reynolds numbers. This result on mean skin friction, with a physical interpretation relying on an energy budget, is consistent with the well-established general importance of the logarithmic layer at high Reynolds numbers, contrary to the friction breakdown obtained from the approach of Fukagataet al.(Phys. Fluids, vol. 14 (11), 2002, pp. 73–76), essentially based on a momentum budget. The new decomposition suggests that it may be worth investigating new drag reduction strategies focusing on TKE production and on the nature of the logarithmic layer dynamics. The decomposition is finally extended to the pressure-gradient case and to channel and pipe flows.
Associations between plasma branched-chain amino acids, β-aminoisobutyric acid and body composition
Authors: Rietman Annemarie , Stanley Takara L. , Clish Clary , Mootha Vamsi , Mensink Marco , Grinspoon Steven K. , Makimura Hideo
Published: February 2016

Plasma branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) are elevated in obesity and associated with increased cardiometabolic risk. β-Aminoisobutyric acid (B-AIBA), a recently identified small molecule metabolite, is associated with decreased cardiometabolic risk. Therefore, we investigated the association of BCAA and B-AIBA with each other and with detailed body composition parameters, including abdominal visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT). A cross-sectional study was carried out with lean (n 15) and obese (n 33) men and women. Detailed metabolic evaluations, including measures of body composition, insulin sensitivity and plasma metabolomics were completed. Plasma BCAA were higher (1·6 (se 0·08) (×107) v. 1·3 (se 0·06) (×107) arbitrary units; P = 0·005) in obese v. lean subjects. BCAA were positively associated with VAT (R 0·49; P = 0·0006) and trended to an association with SAT (R 0·29; P = 0·052). The association between BCAA and VAT, but not SAT, remained significant after controlling for age, sex and race on multivariate modelling (P < 0·05). BCAA were also associated with parameters of insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index: R −0·50, P = 0·0004; glucose AUC: R 0·53, P < 0·001). BCAA were not associated with B-AIBA (R −0·04; P = 0·79). B-AIBA was negatively associated with SAT (R −0·37; P = 0·01) but only trended to an association with VAT (R 0·27; P = 0·07). However, neither relationship remained significant after multivariate modelling (P > 0·05). Plasma B-AIBA was associated with parameters of insulin sensitivity (Matsuda index R 0·36, P = 0·01; glucose AUC: R −0·30, P = 0·04). Plasma BCAA levels were positively correlated with VAT and markers of insulin resistance. The results suggest a possible complex role of adipose tissue in BCAA homeostasis and insulin resistance.