bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Protective effects of the ROCK inhibitor fasudil against cognitive dysfunction following status epilepticus in male rats
Authors: Song Xiaojie , He Rong , Han Wei , Li Tianyi , Xie Lingling , Cheng Li , Chen Hengsheng , Xie Mingdan , Jiang Li 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDespite remarkable advances in epilepsy research, prevention and reversal of cognitive deficits following epilepsy remain a challenge. It was reported that the Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor fasudil hydrochloride (FH) could improve cognitive deficits in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine whether FH–mediated inhibition of the effects of ROCK signaling could improve cognitive deficits in male rats (postnatal 21‐day old) following status epilepticus (SE) induced by lithium‐pilocarpin, the therapeutic window of opportunity and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Western blotting analysis showed upregulation of phosphorylated RhoA (p‐RhoA) expression, and indicated activation of Rho/ROCK signaling after SE. The Morris water maze (MWM) test was used to analyze learning‐memory ability. HE staining, immunofluorescence staining with antineuronal nuclei (NeuN) and anti‐neurofilament proteins 200 kD (NF200), transmission electron microscopy, and quantitative analysis of NeuN and synaptophysin by western blotting were performed to observe alterations in neurons, axons, and synapses in the hippocampi. Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring was used to record electrophysiological activities after SE. Our results indicated that treatment with FH at the first day following SE or 5 days later both could ameliorate cognitive dysfunction by reducing neuron, axon, and synapse damage, and mitigating EEG discharges, suggesting various roles for the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway in the pathological processes of brain damages following SE induced by lithium–pilocarpine. The Rho/ROCK signaling pathway is, therefore, a potential therapeutic target for the prevention or reversal of epilepsy induced brain damages.
Extranodal extension in resected oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: more to it than meets the eye
Authors: Agarwal Jai Prakash , Kane Shubhada , Ghosh‐Laskar Sarbani , Pilar Avinash , Manik Vishal , Oza Nikita , Wagle Pranjali , Gupta Tejpal , Budrukkar Ashwini , Murthy Vedang , Swain Monali 
Published: November 2018

Objective/HypothesisExtranodal extension (ENE) is an independent prognosticator in head–neck Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). All patients with ENE, however, do not behave the same, and there is a need for further risk stratification. This study evaluates the prognostic significance of various grades of ENE and the number of nodes with ENE on overall survival (OS) in oral cavity SCC (OCSCC).Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.MethodsNinety‐four patients with node‐positive OCSCC treated with primary surgery and appropriate adjuvant therapy during the year 2011 were evaluated. Surgical histopathology slides of all patients were reviewed, and ENE was graded according to the grading system proposed by Lewis Jr et al.ResultsOn univariate analysis, lymph node density (LND) greater than or equal to 0.12 (P = 0.013), the presence of ENE in more than two nodes (P = 0.006), and ENE grade 3 through 4 (P = 0.035) were associated with worse (OS). Conventional prognostic factors such as tumor (T) stage, nodal (N) stage, stage grouping, depth of invasion, and pattern of invasion did not have a significant impact on OS. On multivariate analysis, the presence of ENE in more than two nodes (P = 0.018) independently predicted a worse OS. Extranodal extension grade 3 through 4 showed a trend toward significance (P = 0.08). A combination of LND greater than or equal to 0.12, ENE grade 3 through 4, and ENE in more than two lymph nodes conferred the poorest prognosis (3‐year OS: 18%; P = 0.000).ConclusionIn patients with ENE and advanced nodal disease, T stage, N stage, stage group, depth, and pattern of invasion lose their impact on OS. In patients with ENE, nodal characteristics such as LND, the number of nodes with ENE, and grade of ENE serve as important prognosticators and aid in further risk stratification.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 129:1130–1136, 2019
Documenting soil redistribution on livestock‐poached pasture using caesium‐134 and cobalt‐60 as tracers
Authors: Greenwood Philip , Meusburger Katrin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPoaching is caused by the excessive trampling of soil and vegetation by herd animals and is prevalent in intensively managed grasslands. It is viewed as detrimental to soil fertility, has the potential to contribute to soil erosion, and thus represents a form of land degradation that is unsustainable. Attempts to document sediment redistribution by poaching have been hampered by a lack of techniques capable of measuring the movement of poached material at requisite spatial and temporal scales. We present a new tracing technique, using caesium‐134 (134Cs) and cobalt‐60 (60Co), which is designed to overcome those problems. Nine areas (plots) of grassland, each measuring 0.04 m2, were directly labelled with a known activity of either 134Cs or 60Co. Three plots were located on level, unpoached ground for use as controls, and six were located in livestock‐poached areas. Initial surface inventories were documented and then remeasured on three occasions after rainfall. Inventory changes were converted to estimates of sediment redistribution, which was documented across all poached plots at each remeasurement. Erosion represented the predominant mechanism, with average soil losses estimated at an equivalent of 0.03 kg m−2 d−1 at the first remeasurement (T1), 0.11 kg m−2 d−1 at T2, and 0.18 kg m−2 d−1 at T3. Despite assuming erosion would diminish, increasing soil loss is attributed to reduced surface roughness. These findings not only confirm the viability of the tracing technique but also demonstrate that livestock‐poached areas act as sediment sources over timescales of at least a few months after poaching has ceased.
Effects of standing stubble on the interception of soil erosion particles
Authors: Liu Haiyang , Hou Zhanfeng , Chen Zhi , Wu Pei , Xuan Chuanzhong , Wang Hongbo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCrop residues, particularly standing stubble, can reduce soil erosion by wind in conservation tillage. To determine the optimum architecture of standing stubble for effective reduction of wind speeds near the soil surface, we quantitatively analyzed the interception effect of standing stubbles on soil erosion particles through pure wind experiments and sand‐bearing wind experiments. The relationship between stubble height, row number, and interception rate was also revealed. The study was conducted in a wheat field under conservation tillage. Three representative heights of standing stubble were tested: 10, 20, and 30 cm. All had an average plant density of 400 plants m−2, row spacing of 20 cm, and an average stubble cover of 52%. A wind‐tunnel was placed over the stubble, and the central wind speeds were selected at 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 m s−1. During the experiments, the blowing time was set for 10 min, and 1,404 g of local soil from the experimental area was fed into the wind‐tunnel. A sand collector was placed at the 16th, 19th, 23rd, 27th, and 31st stubble row away from the air inlet of the wind‐tunnel to measure the amount of soil eroded by wind at different stubble heights under conditions of blank and sand‐bearing winds. The concept of ‘interception rate’ and its corresponding formula were proposed. The interception rates of 10‐cm and 20‐cm high stubbles were lower than those of 30‐cm stubble and decreased sharply, particularly at wind speeds >12 m s−1. Even at the wind speed of 18 m s−1, the interception of wind erosion particles with 30‐cm high stubble at 16th, 19th, 23rd, 27th, and 31st rows were 20.85%, 41.55%, 60.46%, 80.59%, and 85.96%, but only 5.75%, 24.76%, 39.32%, 62.39%, and 76.04% with 10‐cm high stubble at the same positions. The interception effect was similar at the 27th and 31st rows. However, more than 31 rows would be required of the 10‐cm stubble and 20‐cm stubble to intercept the same amount of wind erosion particles as with 27 rows of the 30‐cm stubble. The soil particle interception rate increased with an increase in the number of rows of standing stubble and decreased with an increase in wind speed. As expected, with additional rows of stubble, the amount of soil intercepted increased. Therefore, for a farmland that uses 400 plants m−2, leaves of 30‐cm high stubble with 52% cover, and has row spacing of ≤20 cm, the effective amount of standing stubble should be more than 27 rows.
A comparison of mechanism‐inspired models for particle relative biological effectiveness (RBE)
Authors: Stewart Robert D. , Carlson David J. , Butkus Michael P. , Hawkins Roland , Friedrich Thomas , Scholz Michael 
Published: November 2018

Background and SignificanceThe application of heavy ion beams in cancer therapy must account for the increasing relative biological effectiveness (RBE) with increasing penetration depth when determining dose prescriptions and organ at risk (OAR) constraints in treatment planning. Because RBE depends in a complex manner on factors such as the ion type, energy, cell and tissue radiosensitivity, physical dose, biological endpoint, and position within and outside treatment fields, biophysical models reflecting these dependencies are required for the personalization and optimization of treatment plans.AimTo review and compare three mechanism‐inspired models which predict the complexities of particle RBE for various ion types, energies, linear energy transfer (LET) values and tissue radiation sensitivities.MethodsThe review of models and mechanisms focuses on the Local Effect Model (LEM), the Microdosimetric‐Kinetic (MK) model, and the Repair‐Misrepair‐Fixation (RMF) model in combination with the Monte Carlo Damage Simulation (MCDS). These models relate the induction of potentially lethal double strand breaks (DSBs) to the subsequent interactions and biological processing of DSB into more lethal forms of damage. A key element to explain the increased biological effectiveness of high LET ions compared to MV x rays is the characterization of the number and local complexity (clustering) of the initial DSB produced within a cell. For high LET ions, the spatial density of DSB induction along an ion's trajectory is much greater than along the path of a low LET electron, such as the secondary electrons produced by the megavoltage (MV) x rays used in conventional radiation therapy. The main aspects of the three models are introduced and the conceptual similarities and differences are critiqued and highlighted. Model predictions are compared in terms of the RBE for DSB induction and for reproductive cell survival.Results and ConclusionsComparisons of the RBE for DSB induction and for cell survival are presented for proton (1H), helium (4He), and carbon (12C) ions for the therapeutically most relevant range of ion beam energies. The reviewed models embody mechanisms of action acting over the spatial scales underlying the biological processing of potentially lethal DSB into more lethal forms of damage. Differences among the number and types of input parameters, relevant biological targets, and the computational approaches among the LEM, MK and RMF models are summarized and critiqued. Potential experiments to test some of the seemingly contradictory aspects of the models are discussed.
Experimental implementation of a joint statistical image reconstruction method for proton stopping power mapping from dual‐energy CT data
Authors: Zhang Shuangyue , Han Dong , Williamson Jeffrey F. , Zhao Tianyu , Politte David G. , Whiting Bruce R. , O’Sullivan Joseph A. 
Published: November 2018

PurposeTo experimentally commission a dual‐energy CT (DECT) joint statistical image reconstruction (JSIR) method, which is built on a linear basis vector model (BVM) of material characterization, for proton stopping power ratio (SPR) estimation.MethodsThe JSIR‐BVM method builds on the relationship between the energy‐dependent photon attenuation coefficients and the proton stopping power via a pair of BVM component weights. The two BVM component images are simultaneously reconstructed from the acquired DECT sinograms and then used to predict the electron density and mean excitation energy (I‐value), which are required by the Bethe equation for SPR computation. A post‐reconstruction image‐based DECT method, which utilizes the two separate CT images reconstructed via the scanner’s software, was implemented for comparison. The DECT measurement data were acquired on a Philips Brilliance scanner at 90 and 140 kVp for two phantoms of different sizes. Each phantom contains 12 different soft and bony tissue surrogates with known compositions. The SPR estimation results were compared to the reference values computed from the known compositions. The difference of the computed water equivalent path lengths (WEPL) across the phantoms between the two methods was also compared.ResultsThe overall root‐mean‐square (RMS) of SPR estimation error of the JSIR‐BVM method are 0.33% and 0.37% for the head‐ and body‐sized phantoms, respectively, and all SPR estimates of the test samples are within 0.7% of the reference ground truth. The image‐based method achieves overall RMS errors of 2.35% and 2.50% for the head‐ and body‐sized phantoms, respectively. The JSIR‐BVM method also reduces the pixel‐wise random variation by 4‐fold to 6‐fold within homogeneous regions compared to the image‐based method. The average differences between the JSIR‐BVM method and the image‐based method are 0.54% and 1.02% for the head‐ and body‐sized phantoms, respectively.ConclusionBy taking advantage of an accurate polychromatic CT data model and a model‐based DECT statistical reconstruction algorithm, the JSIR‐BVM method accounts for both systematic bias and random noise in the acquired DECT measurement data. Therefore, the JSIR‐BVM method achieves good accuracy and precision on proton SPR estimation for various tissue surrogates and object sizes. In contrast, the experimentally achievable accuracy of the image‐based method may be limited by the uncertainties in the image formation process. The result suggests that the JSIR‐BVM method has the potential for more accurate SPR prediction compared to post‐reconstruction image‐based methods in clinical settings.
Youth Subjective Social Status (SSS) is Associated with Parent SSS, Income, and Food Insecurity but not Weight Loss Among Low‐Income Hispanic Youth
Authors: Cardel Michelle I. , Tong Suhong , Pavela Greg , Dhurandhar Emily , Miller Darci , Boles Richard , Haemer Matthew 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveSubjective social status (SSS), perceived rank in the social ladder, is associated with weight, but determinants of SSS in youth remain unknown. Relationships between youth SSS and income, food insecurity, parent SSS, and BMI change were investigated during an obesity intervention.MethodsData came from a family‐centered, community‐based obesity intervention for low‐income families. Parent and youth SSS were assessed using a validated, age‐appropriate SSS scale. Food insecurity and socioeconomic factors were assessed in parents; child and parent weight‐related data were measured at baseline and post intervention.ResultsParticipants included 110 primarily Hispanic (97%) low‐income youth and their parents. Food insecurity was reported in 66.4% of families. Youth SSS was positively associated with parent SSS (P = 0.0014). In both parents and children, the association between income and SSS was moderated by food insecurity such that lower income was more strongly associated with lower SSS among food‐insecure households (P = 0.0286 and P = 0.0327, respectively). Youth SSS was not associated with youth BMI reduction.ConclusionsYouth SSS was not predictive of weight loss in this intervention. Intriguingly, the association between income and SSS was modified by food insecurity, suggesting that food insecurity shapes the contribution of socioeconomic factors to one’s perceived social status.
A Randomized, Double‐Blind, Placebo‐Controlled Study of Gelesis100: A Novel Nonsystemic Oral Hydrogel for Weight Loss
Authors: Greenway Frank L. , Aronne Louis J. , Raben Anne , Astrup Arne , Apovian Caroline M. , Hill James O. , Kaplan Lee M. , Fujioka Ken , Matejkova Erika , Svacina Stepan , Luzi Livio , Gnessi Lucio , Navas‐Carretero Santiago , Alfredo Martinez J. , Still Christopher D. , Sannino Alessandro , Saponaro Cosimo , Demitri Christian , Urban Lorien E. , Leider Harry , Chiquette Elaine , Ron Eyal S. , Zohar Yishai , Heshmati Hassan M. 
Published: November 2018

ObjectiveThis study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Gelesis100, a novel, nonsystemic, superabsorbent hydrogel to treat overweight or obesity.MethodsThe Gelesis Loss Of Weight (GLOW) study was a 24‐week, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in patients with BMI ≥  27 and ≤ 40 kg/m2 and fasting plasma glucose ≥ 90 and ≤ 145 mg/dL. The co‐primary end points were placebo‐adjusted weight loss (superiority and 3% margin super‐superiority) and at least 35% of patients in the Gelesis100 group achieving ≥ 5% weight loss.ResultsGelesis100 treatment caused greater weight loss over placebo (6.4% vs. 4.4%, P = 0.0007), achieving 2.1% superiority but not 3% super‐superiority. Importantly, 59% of Gelesis100‐treated patients achieved weight loss of ≥ 5%, and 27% achieved ≥ 10% versus 42% and 15% in the placebo group, respectively. Gelesis100‐treated patients had twice the odds of achieving ≥ 5% and ≥ 10% weight loss versus placebo (adjusted OR: 2.0, P = 0.0008; OR: 2.1, P = 0.0107, respectively), with 5% responders having a mean weight loss of 10.2%. Patients with prediabetes or drug‐naive type 2 diabetes had six times the odds of achieving ≥ 10% weight loss. Gelesis100 treatment had no apparent increased safety risks.ConclusionsGelesis100 is a promising new nonsystemic therapy for overweight and obesity with a highly desirable safety and tolerability profile.
Reference materials selection for the stable carbon isotope analysis of dissolved carbon using a wet oxidation system
Authors: Skrzypek Grzegorz , Ford Douglas 
Published: November 2018

RationaleWet chemical oxidation combined with isotope ratio mass spectrometry has become a routine technique for analyzing the stable carbon isotope composition of dissolved organic (DOC) and inorganic (DIC) carbon. However, methodological inconsistencies between laboratories in using different reference materials lead to a discrepancy in results. We experimentally tested the precision and accuracy of the analysis of commonly available international reference materials and other chemicals potentially suitable for laboratory standards.MethodsThe solid international reference materials and other simple chemicals were used to prepare water solutions. A range of carbon concentrations was chosen to optimize tests for (1) precision and accuracy, (2) linearity, (3) detection limits, (4) memory effects, and (5) efficiency of DIC removal from a DOC/DIC mixtures. Samples were analyzed using an LC‐IsoLink coupled with a Delta V Plus isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Thermo Fisher Scientific).ResultsThe analytical setup had a negligible memory effect, good reproducibility (<0.21‰) and accuracy (maximum difference from the true values <0.35‰) for the analyzed organic compounds if approximately ≥9 × 10−09 moles of dissolved carbon was injected into the system (~11 mg C L−1 if a 10‐μL loop was used). Analyses of sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate solutions had a two‐fold lower accuracy despite maintaining a high precision.ConclusionsAqueous solutions of international reference materials such as L‐glutamic acids (USGS40, USGS41), benzoic acid (IAEA‐601) and sucrose (IAEA‐CH‐6) can be successfully used for direct normalization of results to the VPDB scale. By contrast, analyses of caffeine and urea returned very reproducible but highly inaccurate results and these materials are not recommended for standards.
Differentially private nonlinear observer design using contraction analysis
Authors: Le Ny Jerome 
Published: November 2018

SummaryReal‐time information processing applications such as those enabling a more intelligent infrastructure are increasingly focused on analyzing privacy‐sensitive data obtained from individuals. To produce accurate statistics about the habits of a population of users of a system, this data might need to be processed through model‐based estimators. Moreover, models of population dynamics, originating for example from epidemiology or the social sciences, are often necessarily nonlinear. Motivated by these trends, this paper presents an approach to design nonlinear privacy‐preserving model‐based observers, relying on additive input or output noise to give differential privacy guarantees to the individuals providing the input data. For the case of output perturbation, contraction analysis allows us to design convergent observers as well as set the level of privacy‐preserving noise appropriately. Two examples illustrate the proposed approach: estimating the edge formation probabilities in a social network using a dynamic stochastic block model, and syndromic surveillance relying on an epidemiological model.
Benign One‐Pot Synthesis of Carbamo(dithioperoxo)thioate Compounds in Water Medium Using N‐(Arylthio)phthalimides as the Electrophilic Sulfur Source
Authors: Dutta Soumya , Saha Amit 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCarbamo(dithioperoxo)thioate compounds have been synthesized in aqueous medium under open aerial condition at room temperature. N‐(Arylthio)phthalimides are used as electrophilic sulfur donors which react with in situ generated dithiocarbamate anions to produce carbamo(dithioperoxo)thioates in excellent yields. After the reaction, phthalimide residue was recovered and reused to prepare N‐(Arylthio)phthalimides.
Cyclometalated Iridium(III) Complexes Featuring Disubstituted Cyanamides
Authors: Kinzhalov Mikhail A. , Parfenova Suzanna N. , Novikov Alexander S. , Katlenok Evgeniy A. , Puzyk Mikhail V. , Avdontceva Margarita S. , Bokach Nadezhda A. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe neutral cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes [Ir(ppy)2Cl(NCNR2)] [ppy=2‐phenylpyridinato‐C2,N, R=Me 3 a, Et 3 b,
C5H10 3 c] were prepared via the reaction of the chloro‐bridged dimer [Ir2(ppy)4(μ‐Cl)2] (1) with corresponding dialkylcyanamides NCNR2 (2 a–c) and 3 a–c were isolated in 74–85% yields. The cationic cyclometalated iridium(III) complex [Ir(ppy)2(NCNMe2)2](OTf) (4) was obtained by replacement of chloride ligands with NCNMe2 in 1 in the presence of AgOTf. UV/Vis absorption and emission properties of 3 a−c and 4 were studied; these complexes exhibit luminescence in the solid state upon photoexcitation (340 nm, 77 K). The characteristic feature of the X‐ray structures of 3 a–c is a deviation of the fragment Ir–N–C from linearity by 13.8(5)–22.8(3)°. Quantum chemical DFT calculations and topological analysis of the electron density distribution within the formalism of Bader's theory (AIM method) performed for 3 a–c demonstrated that the Ir–N–C fragments in the optimized equilibrium structures of [Ir(ppy)2Cl(NCNR2)] significantly deviate from the linearity (by 19.8–30.7°) and indicated that the Ir–N contacts between the metal centers and dialkylcyanamide ligands are relatively weak (24–30 kcal/mol) and have a closed‐shell dative interactions character. The charge decomposition analysis (CDA) shows existence of {M}←L donation with almost negligible contribution of the {M}→L back‐donation in 3 a–c.