bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone Morbidity and Recovery in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Results of a Six-Year Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ward Leanne M , Ma Jinhui , Lang Bianca , Ho Josephine , Alos Nathalie , Matzinger Mary Ann , Shenouda Nazih , Lentle Brian , Jaremko Jacob L , Wilson Beverly , Stephure David , Stein Robert , Sbrocchi Anne Marie , Rodd Celia , Lewis Victor , Israels Sara , Grant Ronald M , Fernandez Conrad V , Dix David B , Cummings Elizabeth A , Couch Robert , Cairney Elizabeth , Barr Ronald , Abish Sharon , Atkinson Stephanie A , Hay John , Rauch Frank , Moher David , Siminoski Kerry , Halton Jacqueline ,   the Steroid-Associated Osteoporosis in the Pediatric Population (STOPP) Consortium
Published: May 2018

Osteoporotic fractures are a significant cause of morbidity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Our objective was to determine the incidence and predictors of fractures and recovery from osteoporosis in pediatric ALL over 6 years following glucocorticoid initiation. Vertebral fractures (VF) and vertebral body reshaping were assessed on annual spine radiographs, low-trauma non-VF were recorded at regular intervals and spine bone mineral density (BMD) was captured every 6 months for 4 years and then annually. A total of 186 children with ALL were enrolled (median age 5.3 years; range, 1.3 to 17.0 years). The cumulative fracture incidence was 32.5% for VF and 23.0% for non-VF; 39.0% of children with VF were asymptomatic. No fractures occurred in the sixth year and 71.3% of incident fractures occurred in the first 2 years. Baseline VF, cumulative glucocorticoid dose, and baseline lumbar spine (LS) BMD Z-score predicted both VF and non-VF. Vertebral body reshaping following VF was incomplete or absent in 22.7% of children. Those with residual vertebral deformity following VF were older compared to those without (median age 8.0 years at baseline [interquartile range {IQR}, 5.5 to 9.4] versus 4.8 years [IQR, 3.6 to 6.2], p = 0.04) and had more severe vertebral collapse (median maximum spinal deformity index 3.5 [IQR, 1.0 to 8.0] versus 0.5 [IQR, 0.0 to 1.0], p = 0.01). VF and low LS BMD Z-score at baseline as well as glucocorticoid exposure predicted incident VF and non-VF. Nearly 25% of children had persistent vertebral deformity following VF, more frequent in older children, and in those with more severe collapse. These results suggest the need for trials addressing interventions in the first 2 years of chemotherapy, targeting older children and children with more severe vertebral collapse, because these children are at greatest risk for incident VF and subsequent residual vertebral deformity. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
An efficient production of a novel carbohydrate polymer Sphingan WL
Authors: Li Hui , Li Jing , Zhou Wanlong , Jiao Xue , Sun Yajie , Shen Yaling , Qian Jin , Wang Jiqian , Zhu Hu
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

The sphingan WL produced by Sphingomonas sp. WG has great application potential in the food, ink and other industries. To discover optimal culture conditions for WL production, a gradual optimization method including one‐factor design, Plackett‐Burman design and response surface methodology was employed. Furthermore, the possible reason for the enhancement in WL production was analysed by detecting the gene expression levels in WL biosynthesis using quantitative real‐time PCR.

RESULTS

The results showed that the optimal conditions are as follows: seed age, 15–18 h; incubation time, 72 h; inoculum size, 5%; loading volume, 50 mL of medium in 250‐mL shaking flasks; shaking speed, 175 rpm; initial pH of medium, 7.0; and incubation temperature, 32.5°C. WL production was mainly dependent on the concentration of glucose and yeast extract. The statistically optimized culture medium consisted of 72.40 g L−1 glucose, 3.58 g L−1 yeast extract, 3.00 g L−1 K2HPO4, 0.10 g L−1 MgSO4, and 0.10 g L−1 ZnSO4. Interestingly, a high WL production of 39.95 g L−1, 2.37‐fold the initial production (16.82 g L−1), was obtained, which was due to the higher expression level of WL‐related enzymes under these optimized conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides useful fundamental information for the development of an efficient process for large‐scale WL production. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Time dependent loss of trabecular bone in human tibial plateau fractures
Authors: Solomon Lucian B. , Kitchen David , Anderson Paul H. , Yang Dongqing , Starczak Yolandi , Kogawa Masakazu , Perilli Egon , Smitham Peter J. , Rickman Mark S. , Thewlis Dominic , Atkins Gerald J.
Published: May 2018

We investigated if time between injury and surgery affects cancellous bone properties in patients suffering tibial plateau fractures (TPF), in terms of structural integrity and gene expression controlling bone loss. A cohort of 29 TPF, operated 1–17 days post‐injury, had biopsies from the fracture and an equivalent contralateral limb site, at surgery. Samples were assessed using micro‐computed tomography and real‐time RT‐PCR analysis for the expression of genes known to be involved in bone remodeling and fracture healing. Significant decreases in the injured vs control side were observed for bone volume fraction (BV/TV, −13.5 ± 6.0%, p = 0.011), trabecular number (Tb.N, −10.5 ± 5.9%, p = 0.041) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th, −4.6 ± 2.5%, p = 0.033). Changes in these parameters were more evident in patients operated 5–17 days post‐injury, compared to those operated in the first 4 days post‐injury. A significant negative association was found between Tb.Th (r = −0.54, p < 0.01) and BV/TV (r = −0.39, p < 0.05) in relation to time post‐injury in the injured limb. Both BV/TV and Tb.Th were negatively associated with expression of key molecular markers of bone resorption, CTSK, ACP5, and the ratio of RANKL:OPG mRNA. These structure/gene expression relationships did not exist in the contralateral tibial plateau of these patients. This study demonstrated that there is a significant early time‐dependent bone loss in the proximal tibia after TPF. This bone loss was significantly associated with altered expression of genes typically involved in the process of osteoclastic bone resorption but possibly also bone resorption by osteocytes. The mechanism of early bone loss in such fractures should be a subject of further investigation. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:2865–2875, 2018.
Stem cells, blood vessels, and angiogenesis as major determinants for musculoskeletal tissue repair
Authors: Huard Johnny
Published: May 2018

This manuscript summarizes 20 years of research from my laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh and more recently, at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and the Steadman Philippon Research Institute in Vail, Colorado. The discovery of muscle‐derived stem cells (MDSCs) did not arise from a deliberate search to find a novel population of muscle cells with high regenerative potential, but instead was conceived in response to setbacks encountered while working in muscle cell transplantation for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). DMD is a devastating inherited X‐linked muscle disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness due to lack of dystrophin expression in muscle fiber sarcolemma.1 Although the transplantation of normal myoblasts into dystrophin‐deficient muscle can restore dystrophin, this approach has been hindered by limited survival (less than 1%) of the injected cells.1 The fact that 99% of the cells were not surviving implantation was seen as a major weakness with this technology by most. My research team decided to investigate which cells represent the 1% of the cells surviving post‐implantation. We have subsequently confirmed that the few cells which exhibit high survival post‐implantation also display stem cell characteristics, and were termed “muscle‐derived stem cells” or MDSCs. Herein, I will describe the origin of these MDSCs, the mechanisms of MDSC action during tissue repair, and finally the development of therapeutic strategies to improve regeneration and repair of musculoskeletal tissues. © 2018 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1212–1220, 2019.
A comparison of one‐stage vs two‐stage individual patient data meta‐analysis methods: A simulation study
Authors: Kontopantelis Evangelos
Published: May 2018

Background

Individual patient data (IPD) meta‐analysis allows for the exploration of heterogeneity and can identify subgroups that most benefit from an intervention (or exposure), much more successfully than meta‐analysis of aggregate data. One‐stage or two‐stage IPD meta‐analysis is possible, with the former using mixed‐effects regression models and the latter obtaining study estimates through simpler regression models before aggregating using standard meta‐analysis methodology. However, a comprehensive comparison of the two methods, in practice, is lacking.

Methods

We generated 1000 datasets for each of many simulation scenarios covering different IPD sizes and different between‐study variance (heterogeneity) assumptions at various levels (intercept and exposure). Numerous simulation settings of different assumptions were also used, while we evaluated performance both on main effects and interaction effects. Performance was assessed on mean bias, mean error, coverage, and power.

Results

Fully specified one‐stage models (random study intercept or fixed study‐specific intercept; random exposure effect; and fixed study‐specific effects for covariate) were the best performers overall, especially when investigating interactions. For main effects, performance was almost identical across models unless intercept heterogeneity was present, in which case the fully specified one‐stage and the two‐stage models performed better. For interaction effects, differences across models were greater with the two‐stage model consistently outperformed by the two fully specified one‐stage models.

Conclusions

A fully specified one‐stage model should be preferred (accounting for potential exposure, intercept, and, possibly, interaction heterogeneity), especially when investigating interactions. If non‐convergence is encountered with a random study intercept, the fixed study‐specific intercept one‐stage model should be used instead.
Cellulose membrane modified with polypyrrole as an extraction device for the determination of emerging contaminants in river water with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry
Authors: de Noronha Bárbara Viero , Fernando Bergamini Márcio , Marcolino Junior Luiz Humberto , da Silva Bruno José Gonçalves
Published: May 2018

In this study, a simple, efficient, and reusable device based on cellulose membranes modified with polypyrrole was developed to extract 14 emerging contaminants from aqueous matrices. For chemical polymerization, a low‐cost cellulose membrane was immersed in 0.1 mol/L pyrrole and 0.5 mol/L ammonium persulfate for 40 min in an ice/water bath. The cellulose membranes modified with polypyrrole were accommodated in a polycarbonate holder suitable for solid‐phase extraction disks. Solid‐phase extraction parameters that affect extraction efficiency, such as sample volume, pH, flow rate, and desorption were optimized. Subsequently, determination of target compounds was performed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry. The linear range for analytes ranged from 0.05 to 500 μg/L, with coefficients of determination above 0.990. The limits of quantification varied between 0.05 and 10 μg/L, with relative standard deviations lower than 17%. The performance of the proposed cellulose membranes modified with polypyrrole device for real samples was evaluated after extraction of emerging contaminants from a river water sample from the city of Curitiba, Brazil. Bisphenol A (6.39 μg/L), caffeine (17.83 μg/L), and paracetamol (19.28 μg/L) were found in these samples.
Should authors suggest reviewers? A comparative study of the performance of author‐suggested and editor‐selected reviewers at a biological journal
Authors: Liang Yan
Published: May 2018

To evaluate peer review of author‐suggested reviewers (Ra), this research compared them with editor‐selected reviewers (Re) using 1‐year data collected from Journal of Systematics and Evolution. The results indicated that (1) Ra responded more positively than Re, that is, accepted invitations to review more often, more likely to suggest alternative reviewers, and less likely to neglect a review invitation; (2) there was no statistically significant difference in timeliness between Ra and Re; (3) editors rated Re reviews of higher quality than Ra reviews, but the word count length of these reviews did not differ statistically; (4) Ra made more favourable publication recommendations than Re; and (5) Ra were more often based in the country of the authors than Re, and this correlated with the location effect on reviewer response and publication recommendations. These results suggest that authors should be encouraged to suggest reviewers. However, in terms of policy or procedure based on the results of this study, journals/editors should collect and consult at least one review from other sources than author suggested, and when reviewers nominated by authors are considered, priority should be given to those with different locations from the authors.
In Situ Template Polymerization to Prepare Liposome‐Coated PDMAEMA Nanogels with Controlled Size, High Stability, Low Cytotoxicity, and Responsive Drug Release for Intracellular DOX Release
Authors: Zhao Xiaoqing , Deng Liandong , Deng Hongzhang , Dong Anjie , Wang Weiwei , Zhang Jianhua
Published: May 2018

Poly[2‐(N,N‐dimethyl amino) ethyl methacrylate] (PDMAEMA)‐based nanogels (NGs) have attracted widespread interest as promising nanocarriers for drug/gene delivery, due to their versatile polyelectrolyte properties, multiple responsive functions, and acid‐swellable behaviors. However, the PDMAEMA NGs prepared by conventional methods often suffer from nonuniform particle shapes and sizes, intractable residues of surfactants, as well as inherent cytotoxicity and low circulation stability of cationic polymer particles. Herein, a facile and one‐pot liposome‐templated polymerization method is developed to prepare PEGylated liposome–coated PDMAEMA nanogels (PDMAEMA@liposome NGs). The results indicate that the liposome not only acts as polymerization template to obtain PDMAEMA NGs with controlled and predetermined size, but also anchors stealthy lipid molecules on the surface of NGs to improve the biocompatibility, enhance hemodynamic stability. In brief, the procedure provided here offers a robust and easy‐to‐implement approach to develop a polyelectrolyte–lipid hybrid nanoplatform with combined beneficial features of PDMAEMA NGs and stealthy liposomes, potentially providing a promising drug delivery vehicle for chemotherapy.
Schizophyllum commune: An unexploited source for lignocellulose degrading enzymes
Authors: Tovar‐Herrera Omar Eduardo , Martha‐Paz Adriana Mayrel , Pérez‐LLano Yordanis , Aranda Elisabet , Tacoronte‐Morales Juan Enrique , Pedroso‐Cabrera María Teresa , Arévalo‐Niño Katiushka , Folch‐Mallol Jorge Luis , Batista‐García Ramón Alberto
Published: May 2018

Lignocellulose represents the most abundant source of carbon in the Earth. Thus, fraction technology of the biomass turns up as an emerging technology for the development of biorefineries. Saccharification and fermentation processes require the formulation of enzymatic cocktails or the development of microorganisms (naturally or genetically modified) with the appropriate toolbox to produce a cost‐effective fermentation technology. Therefore, the search for microorganisms capable of developing effective cellulose hydrolysis represents one of the main challenges in this era. Schizophyllum commune is an edible agarical with a great capability to secrete a myriad of hydrolytic enzymes such as xylanases and endoglucanases that are expressed in a high range of substrates. In addition, a large number of protein‐coding genes for glycoside hydrolases, oxidoreductases like laccases (Lacs; EC 1.10.3.2), as well as some sequences encoding for lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) and expansins‐like proteins demonstrate the potential of this fungus to be applied in different biotechnological process. In this review, we focus on the enzymatic toolbox of S. commune at the genetic, transcriptomic, and proteomic level, as well as the requirements to be employed for fermentable sugars production in biorefineries. At the end the trend of its use in patent registration is also reviewed.
A Case of Pseudodystonia in a Patient on Neuroleptics
Authors: El Otmani Hicham , Fotso Vicky , Rafai Mohamed Abdoh , El Moutawakil Bouchra
Published: May 2018

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Levodopa/Carbidopa Intestinal Gel Infusion Therapy: Focus on Gait and Balance
Authors: Rispoli Vittorio , Golfrè Andreasi Nico , Penna Giovanna , Preda Francesca , Contini Eleonora , Sensi Mariachiara
Published: May 2018

Background

Gait and balance disorders in advanced Parkinson's disease (aPD) heavily impact the disease burden. In this prospective observational open‐label study, our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) infusion on balance and gait over a long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

The motor status of 15 aPD patients with balance and gait symptoms was assessed with UPDRS (I–IV) and H&Y at baseline in OFF and ON conditions, and after 52 weeks of LCIG infusion. Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Tinetti Gait & Balance Score (TS), Gait and Falls Questionnaire (G&F‐Q), FOG Questionnaire (FOG‐Q), and New FOG Questionnaire (NFOG‐Q) were used to specifically test balance and gait.

Results

UPDRS, H&Y, BBS, TS, G&F‐Q, FOG‐Q, NFOG‐Q improved significantly. All FOG types benefited from LCIG.

Conclusions

Our preliminary data show the beneficial effect of LCIG therapy not only on FOG, but also on gait and balance. Results need to be confirmed in larger cohort studies.
Deep brain stimulation treated dystonia‐trajectory via status dystonicus
Authors: Nerrant Elodie , Gonzalez Victoria , Milesi Christophe , Vasques Xavier , Ruge Diane , Roujeau Thomas , De Antonio Rubio Isabel , Cyprien Fabienne , Seng Emilie Chan , Demailly Diane , Roubertie Agathe , Boularan Alain , Greco Fréderic , Perrigault Pierre‐François , Cambonie Gilles , Coubes Philippe , Cif Laura
Published: May 2018

Background: Status dystonicus (SD) is a life‐threatening condition.

Objective and Methods: In a dystonia cohort who developed status dystonicus, we analyzed demographics, background dystonia phenomenology and complexity, trajectory previous to‐, via status dystonicus episodes, and evolution following them.

Results: Over 20 years, 40 of 328 dystonia patients who were receiving DBS developed 58 status dystonicus episodes. Dystonia was of pediatric onset (95%), frequently complex, and had additional cognitive and pyramidal impairment (62%) and MRI alterations (82.5%); 40% of episodes occured in adults. Mean disease duration preceding status dystonicus was 10.3 ± 8 years. Evolution time to status dystonicus varied from days to weeks; however, 37.5% of patients exhibited progressive worsening over years. Overall, DBS was efficient in resolving 90% of episodes.

Conclusion: Status dystonicus is potentially reversible and a result of heterogeneous conditions with nonuniform underlying physiology. Recognition of the complex phenomenology, morphological alterations, and distinct patterns of evolution, before and after status dystonicus, will help our understanding of these conditions. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Effects of antipsychotic drugs on neurites relevant to schizophrenia treatment
Authors: Huang Xu‐Feng , Song Xueqin
Published: May 2018

Although antipsychotic drugs are mainly used for treating schizophrenia, they are widely used for treating various psychiatric diseases in adults, the elderly, adolescents and even children. Today, about 1.2% of the worldwide population suffers from psychosis and related disorders, which translates to about 7.5 million subjects potentially targeted by antipsychotic drugs. Neurites project from the cell body of neurons and connect neurons to each other to form neural networks. Deficits in neurite outgrowth and integrity are implicated in psychiatric diseases including schizophrenia. Neurite deficits contribute to altered brain development, neural networking and connectivity as well as symptoms including psychosis and altered cognitive function. This review revealed that (1) antipsychotic drugs could have profound effects on neurites, synaptic spines and synapse, by which they may influence and regulate neural networking and plasticity; (2) antipsychotic drugs target not only neurotransmitter receptors but also intracellular signaling molecules regulating the signaling pathways responsible for neurite outgrowth and maintenance; (3) high doses and chronic administration of antipsychotic drugs may cause some loss of neurites, synaptic spines, or synapsis in the cortical structures. In addition, confounding effects causing neurite deficits may include elevated inflammatory cytokines and antipsychotic drug‐induced metabolic side effects in patients on chronic antipsychotic therapy. Unraveling how antipsychotic drugs affect neurites and neural connectivity is essential for improving therapeutic outcomes and preventing aversive effects for patients on antipsychotic drug treatment.
Bicomplex signals with sparsity constraints
Authors: Cerejeiras Paula , Fu Yingxiong , Gomes Narciso
Published: May 2018

In this paper, we aim to prove the possibility to reconstruct a bicomplex sparse signal, with high probability, from a reduced number of bicomplex random samples. Due to the idempotent representation of the bicomplex algebra, this case is similar to the case of the standard Fourier basis, thus allowing us to adapt in a rather easy way the arguments from the recent works of Rauhut and Candés et al.
Temporally feathered intensity‐modulated radiation therapy: A planning technique to reduce normal tissue toxicity
Authors: López Alfonso Juan Carlos , Parsai Shireen , Joshi Nikhil , Godley Andrew , Shah Chirag , Koyfman Shlomo A. , Caudell Jimmy J. , Fuller Clifton D. , Enderling Heiko , Scott Jacob G.
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) has allowed optimization of three‐dimensional spatial radiation dose distributions permitting target coverage while reducing normal tissue toxicity. However, radiation‐induced normal tissue toxicity is a major contributor to patients’ quality of life and often a dose‐limiting factor in the definitive treatment of cancer with radiation therapy. We propose the next logical step in the evolution of IMRT using canonical radiobiological principles, optimizing the temporal dimension through which radiation therapy is delivered to further reduce radiation‐induced toxicity by increased time for normal tissue recovery. We term this novel treatment planning strategy “temporally feathered radiation therapy” (TFRT).

Methods

Temporally feathered radiotherapy plans were generated as a composite of five simulated treatment plans each with altered constraints on particular hypothetical organs at risk (OARs) to be delivered sequentially. For each of these TFRT plans, OARs chosen for feathering receive higher doses while the remaining OARs receive lower doses than the standard fractional dose delivered in a conventional fractionated IMRT plan. Each TFRT plan is delivered a specific weekday, which in effect leads to a higher dose once weekly followed by four lower fractional doses to each temporally feathered OAR. We compared normal tissue toxicity between TFRT and conventional fractionated IMRT plans by using a dynamical mathematical model to describe radiation‐induced tissue damage and repair over time.

Results

Model‐based simulations of TFRT demonstrated potential for reduced normal tissue toxicity compared to conventionally planned IMRT. The sequencing of high and low fractional doses delivered to OARs by TFRT plans suggested increased normal tissue recovery, and hence less overall radiation‐induced toxicity, despite higher total doses delivered to OARs compared to conventional fractionated IMRT plans. The magnitude of toxicity reduction by TFRT planning was found to depend on the corresponding standard fractional dose of IMRT and organ‐specific recovery rate of sublethal radiation‐induced damage.

Conclusions

TFRT is a novel technique for treatment planning and optimization of therapeutic radiotherapy that considers the nonlinear aspects of normal tissue repair to optimize toxicity profiles. Model‐based simulations of TFRT to carefully conceptualized clinical cases have demonstrated potential for radiation‐induced toxicity reduction in a previously described dynamical model of normal tissue complication probability (NTCP).
The ability to obtain, appraise and understand health information among undergraduate nursing students in a medical university in Chongqing, China
Authors: Zou Mao , Zhang Yan , Zhang Fan , Hu Ping , Bai Ruixue , Huang Wenjie , Lu Lu , Abdullah Abu S. , Guo Jeff Jianfei , Sharma Manoj , Reis Cesar , Zhao Yong
Published: May 2018

Aim

The aim of this study was to survey the ability of nursing students to obtain, appraise and understand health information and its influencing factors among undergraduate nursing students in a medical university in Chongqing, China.

Design

A cross‐sectional survey.

Method

The sample was obtained using stratified sampling methods. We used the internationally validated Health Literacy Questionnaire. Six hundred and fifteen (76.88%) of 800 nursing students completed participated anonymous questionnaires that measured their ability to obtain, appraise and understand health information.

Results

Mean scores of nursing students to obtain, appraise and understand health information were 17.13, 13.07 and 17.78 respectively. Academic level, parental educational level and socioeconomic status were significantly associated with scores in obtaining, appraising and understanding health information.
Body Composition Profiling in the UK Biobank Imaging Study
Authors: Linge Jennifer , Borga Magnus , West Janne , Tuthill Theresa , Miller Melissa R. , Dumitriu Alexandra , Thomas E. Louise , Romu Thobias , Tunón Patrik , Bell Jimmy D. , Dahlqvist Leinhard Olof
Published: May 2018

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the value of imaging‐based multivariable body composition profiling by describing its association with coronary heart disease (CHD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and metabolic health on individual and population levels.

Methods

The first 6,021 participants scanned by UK Biobank were included. Body composition profiles (BCPs) were calculated, including abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), thigh muscle volume, liver fat, and muscle fat infiltration (MFI), determined using magnetic resonance imaging. Associations between BCP and metabolic status were investigated using matching procedures and multivariable statistical modeling.

Results

Matched control analysis showed that higher VAT and MFI were associated with CHD and T2D (P < 0.001). Higher liver fat was associated with T2D (P < 0.001) and lower liver fat with CHD (P < 0.05), matching on VAT. Multivariable modeling showed that lower VAT and MFI were associated with metabolic health (P < 0.001), and liver fat was nonsignificant. Associations remained significant adjusting for sex, age, BMI, alcohol, smoking, and physical activity.

Conclusions

Body composition profiling enabled an intuitive visualization of body composition and showed the complexity of associations between fat distribution and metabolic status, stressing the importance of a multivariable approach. Different diseases were linked to different BCPs, which could not be described by a single fat compartment alone.
Current advances in screening for bioactive components from medicinal plants by affinity ultrafiltration mass spectrometry
Authors: Chen Guilin , Huang Bill X. , Guo Mingquan
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Medicinal plants have played an important role in maintaining human health for thousands of years. However, the interactions between the active components in medicinal plants and some certain biological targets during a disease are still unclear in most cases.

Objective

To conduct the high‐throughput screening for small active molecules that can interact with biological targets, which is of great theoretical significance and practical value.

Methodology

The ultrafiltration mass spectrometry (UF‐LC/MS) is a powerful bio‐analytical method by combining affinity ultrafiltration and liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC/MS), which could rapidly screen and identify small active molecules that bind to biological targets of interest at the same time. Compared with other analytical methods, affinity UF‐LC/MS has the characteristics of fast, sensitive and high throughput, and is especially suitable for the complicated extracts of medicinal plants.

Results

In this review, the basic principle, characteristics and some most recent challenges in UF‐LC/MS have been demonstrated. Meanwhile, the progress and applications of affinity UF‐LC/MS in the discovery of the active components from natural medicinal plants and the interactions between small molecules and biological target proteins are also briefly summarised. In addition, the future directions for UF‐LC/MS are also prospected.

Conclusion

Affinity UF‐LC/MS is a powerful tool in studies on the interactions between small active molecules and biological protein targets, especially in the high‐throughput screening of active components from the natural medicinal plants.
Clinical Proteomics: Closing the Gap from Discovery to Implementation
Authors: Frantzi Maria , Latosinska Agnieszka , Kontostathi Georgia , Mischak Harald
Published: May 2018

Clinical proteomics, the application of proteome analysis to serve a clinical purpose, represents a major field in the area of proteome research. Over 1000 manuscripts on this topic are published each year, with numbers continuously increasing. However, the anticipated outcome, the transformation of the reported findings into improvements in patient management, is not immediately evident. In this article, the value and validity of selected clinical proteomics findings are investigated, and it is assessed how far implementation has progressed. A main conclusion from this assessment is that to achieve implementation, well‐powered clinical studies are required in the appropriate population, addressing a specific clinical need and with a clear context‐of‐use. Efforts toward implementation, to be feasible, must be supported by the key players in science: publishers and funders. The authors propose a change on objectives, from additional discovery studies toward studies aiming at validation of the plethora of potential biomarkers that have been described, to demonstrate practical value of clinical proteomics. All elements required, potential biomarkers, technologies, and bio‐banked samples are available (based on today's literature), hence a change in focus from discovery toward validation and application is not only urgently necessary, but also possible based on resources available today.
Systematic In‐Depth Proteomic Analysis of Mitochondria‐Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranes in Mouse and Human Testes
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Wen Yujiao , Dong Juan , Cao Congcong , Yuan Shuiqiao
Published: May 2018

Mitochondria‐associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes (MAMs) regulate important cellular functions including calcium signaling, bioenergetics, and apoptosis during neurodevelopment and carcinogenesis, but its function in male reproduction and spermatogenesis remains enigmatic because the field lacks a complete understanding of the proteome within testis MAMs. To better understand the biological processes and molecular functions of MAM in testes, a global mass spectrometry‐based proteomic evaluation of MAM proteins from human and mouse testes are reported here, respectively. The evaluation and analysis showed that the components of MAM were highly conserved not only between different species (human and mouse) but also between different tissues (testes and brains). Bioinformatics interrogation of these MAM protein catalogues uncovered that 815 new potential linkages specifically existed in mouse testes compared with mouse brains. In addition, a comparative analysis showed that 1347 proteins (account for ≈96.56%) were highly conservatively expressed in both human and mouse testis MAMs. Furthermore, functional analysis revealed that testis‐specific MAM proteins were related to spermatogenesis, male gamete generation, as well as sexual reproduction. The data identified, for the first time, numerous MAM proteins in mouse and human testes, which provide a possibility to define the relationship between testis MAM proteins and reproductive diseases.
Decreased E‐Cadherin in MCF7 Human Breast Cancer Cells Forming Multicellular Spheroids Exposed to Simulated Microgravity
Authors: Sahana Jayashree , Nassef Mohamed Zakaria , Wehland Markus , Kopp Sascha , Krüger Marcus , Corydon Thomas J. , Infanger Manfred , Bauer Johann , Grimm Daniela
Published: May 2018

MCF7 human breast cancer cells were cultured under normal gravity (1 g) and on a random positioning machine (RPM) preventing sedimentation. After 2 weeks, adherent 1 g‐control and adherent RPM cells (AD) as well as multicellular spheroids (MCS) were harvested. AD and MCS had been exposed to the RPM in the same culture flask. In a subsequent proteome analysis, the majority of the proteins detected showed similar label‐free quantification (LFQ) scores in each of the respective subpopulations, but in both AD or MCS cultures, proteins were also found whose LFQs deviated at least twofold from their counterparts in the 1 g‐control cells. They included the cell junction protein E‐cadherin, which was diminished in MCS cells, where proteins of the E‐cadherin autodegradation pathway were enhanced and c‐Src (proto‐oncogene tyrosine‐protein kinase c‐Src) was detected. Spheroid formation was prevented by inhibition of c‐Src but promoted by antibodies blocking E‐cadherin activity. An interaction analysis of the detected proteins that are involved in forming and regulating junctions or adhesion complexes and in E‐cadherin autodegradation indicated connections between the two protein groups. This suggests that the balance of proteins that up‐ or downregulate E‐cadherin mediates the tendency of MCF7 cells to form MCS during RPM exposure.
Facing death alone or together? Investigating the interdependence of death anxiety, dysfunctional attitudes, and quality of life in patient‐caregiver dyads confronting lung cancer
Authors: Lau Bobo Hi‐Po , Wong Daniel F.K. , Fung Y.L. , Zhou Jillian , Chan Cecilia L.W. , Chow Amy Y.M.
Published: May 2018

Background

Based on the cognitive theory, anxiety arising from the awareness of death and dying may activate dysfunctional attitudes, which may then reduce quality of life. This study examined the interdependence and the mediating role of dysfunctional attitudes on the relationship between death anxiety and quality of life among patients with lung cancer and their caregivers.

Methods

From March 2016 to April 2017, 173 pairs of patients and their caregivers enrolled in a randomized controlled trial of psychosocial support. Using the baseline data, actor‐partner interdependence modeling was used to analyze the relationships among death anxiety, dysfunctional attitudes, and quality of life.

Results

In patients, death anxiety was related to dependency (β = .51) and self‐control (β = −.37); achievement (β = −.21) and self‐control (β = .34) were related to quality of life. Among caregivers, death anxiety was related to all 3 dysfunctional attitudes of their own (βs = .23 to.32); dependency (β = −.22) was associated with quality of life. Caregiver quality of life was also associated with patient self‐control (β = .22) and achievement (β = −.18). Patient self‐control mediated the links between patient death anxiety with both patient and caregiver quality of life. The relationship between death anxiety and quality of life was mediated by dependency in caregivers.

Discussion

Death anxiety influences dysfunctional attitudes and quality of life of both patients and caregivers. Our results support the relevance of dysfunctional attitudes in understanding the impact of death anxiety and underscore the need for parallel psychosocial interventions.
Associations between the smoking‐relatedness of a cancer type, cessation attitudes and beliefs, and future abstinence among recent quitters
Authors: Martínez Úrsula , Brandon Thomas H. , Sutton Steven K. , Simmons Vani N.
Published: May 2018

Objective

Smoking after a diagnosis of cancer can negatively impact treatment outcomes and quality of life. It is important that patients quit smoking and remain abstinent regardless of cancer type. Some cancer types (eg, lung) have stronger links to smoking as a cause than do others (eg, colorectal). The aims of this study were to (1) assess associations between smoking‐relatedness of the cancer type with beliefs and attitudes concerning smoking abstinence (eg, confidence, self‐efficacy), and (2) assess these variables as predictors of future abstinence.

Methods

In this secondary analysis, cancer patients (N = 357) who quit smoking within the previous 90 days were assigned a code of 3, 2, or 1 according to the cancer type's level of smoking‐relatedness: Very related (n = 134, thoracic and head and neck), Somewhat related (n = 93, acute myeloid leukemia, bladder, cervix, colorectal, esophageal, kidney, liver, pancreas, and stomach), and Unlikely related (n = 137, all other cancer types).

Results

Smoking‐relatedness was positively associated with plan to stay smoke‐free, maximum confidence in being smoke‐free in 6 months, higher abstinence self‐efficacy, and lower expected difficulty in staying smoke‐free. Each of the 4 beliefs and attitude variables predicted abstinence 2 months later. Smoking‐relatedness also predicted abstinence in a univariate model, but not in a multivariable model with the belief and attitude variables. Using backwards stepwise procedures, the final model included plan to stay smoke‐free, confidence in being smoke‐free, and abstinence self‐efficacy.

Conclusion

These results are consistent with our conceptualization of cessation motivation differing by smoking‐relatedness of the cancer type and predicting future abstinence.
Surface Photovoltage Spectroscopy Study of Ultrasonically Sprayed‐Aerosol CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskite Crystals
Authors: Henjongchom Nakorn , Rujisamphan Nopporn , Tang I‐Ming , Supasai Thidarat
Published: May 2018

A simple deposition process for preparing crystalline semiconductors with low degrees of disorder is of paramount interest for both device applications and research investigations. This study centers on the ultrasonically sprayed‐aerosol based approach for preparing crystals of methylammonium lead trihalide perovskite (CH3NH3PbI3). The surface photovoltage (SPV) spectra are found to depend strongly on the preparation conditions, with the SPV signals (below the material's band gap) providing information on the defect states. The measured values of tail states near the band gap (Et) are found to be about 21 and 52 meV for the CH3NH3PbI3 crystals prepared by the ultrasonically sprayed‐on and spun casting approaches, respectively.
Herbal medicine as a promising therapeutic approach for the management of vascular dementia: A systematic literature review
Authors: Ghorani‐Azam Adel , Sepahi Samaneh , Khodaverdi Elham , Mohajeri Seyed Ahmad
Published: May 2018

Vascular dementia (VaD) generally refers to memory deficits and cognitive abnormalities that are resulted from vascular disease. In this study, we aimed to systematically review the literature wherein therapeutic effects of medicinal plants have been studied on VaD. A systematic literature search was performed in the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and other databases using VaD, and medicinal plants as key terms. No strict inclusion criteria were defined, and almost all clinical studies were included. A total of 524 articles were found, of which only 28 relevant articles with 3461 studied patients were included to this systematic review. The results showed that medicinal plants, particularly Sancaijiangtang and Ginkgo biloba could improve behavioral and psychological symptoms, working memory, Mini‐Mental State Examination, and activities of daily living as well as neuropsychiatric features. It was also shown that the age, average progression of the disease, and the type of folk medicines effective in treating the disease are important factors in the management of VaD. The results of this review indicated that herbal therapy can be a potential candidate in the treatment of VaD; however, further studies are needed to confirm such efficiency.
Simultaneously guaranteeing the in‐control and out‐of‐control performances of the S2 control chart with estimated variance
Authors: Aparisi Francisco , Mosquera Jaime , Epprecht Eugenio K.
Published: May 2018

Recent studies on the effects of parameter estimation on control charts have focused on their conditional in‐control (IC) performance and recommended either the minimum number of Phase I samples (m) or adjustments to the control limit factor (L) that guarantee a desired IC performance with a high probability. In most cases, the numbers of samples required are prohibitively large in practice, and the adjustments for smaller numbers of samples entail as a counterpart a deterioration of the chart's out‐of‐control (OOC) performance. This presents the user with a hard decision, in which he or she will have difficulty in finding the best compromise between the objectives of good (or acceptable) IC performance, OOC performance, and a practicable number of Phase I samples. Therefore, in the context of the S2 chart, we propose a new approach that takes both the desired IC and OOC performances (that should be within specified tolerances with a specified high joint probability) as constraints for the optimization of the pair (L, m). This is the first work that simultaneously treats the choice of m and the control limit adjustment in the framework of an optimization problem. With our model, the user can automatically obtain the most feasible (minimum m) solution that satisfies his/her requirements on both the IC and OOC performances.
Fault detection via nonlinear profile monitoring using artificial neural networks
Authors: Awad Mahmoud I. , AlHamaydeh Mohammad , Faris Ahmed
Published: May 2018

Fault detection is the characterization of a normal behavior of a system using a response function or profile of interest and the identification of any deviation from such normal behavior. As system complexity grows, predicting the underlying structure or form of response function becomes challenging if not impossible. This article presents a data‐driven approach for fault detection of complex systems using multivariate statistical process control based on artificial neural network (ANN) characterization. In this approach, the quality of a system is characterized where one explanatory variable is adequately explained as a function of the other variables using an ANN model. The vector of weights and biases of the ANN model is monitored by using HotellingT2through control charts. The proposed method is tested and compared with existing methods such as polynomial and sum of sine function regression for 3 cases from the literature. Moreover, it is applied to a 4‐story reinforced concrete building that uses continuous monitoring to avoid potentially catastrophic failures. The proposed ANN approach outperforms the existing methods for small shifts (deviations) from healthy states. For large and medium shifts, it provides comparable results that are on the conservative side.
Vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy: Review of the procedures, outcomes, and predictors of patency and pregnancy over the last decade
Authors: Namekawa Takeshi , Imamoto Takashi , Kato Mayuko , Komiya Akira , Ichikawa Tomohiko
Published: May 2018

Background

In the era of improving assisted reproductive technology (ART), patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) have 2 options: vasal repair or testicular sperm extraction with intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Vasal repair, including vasovasostomy (VV) and vasoepididymostomy (VE), is the only option that leads to natural conception.

Methods

This article reviews the surgical techniques, outcomes, and predictors of postoperative patency and pregnancy, with a focus on articles that have reported over the last 10 years, using PubMed database searches.

Main findings

The reported mean patency rate was 87% and the mean pregnancy rate was 49% for a patient following microscopicVVand/orVEfor vasectomy reversal. Recently, robot‐assisted techniques were introduced and have achieved a high rate of success. The predictors and predictive models of postoperative patency and pregnancy also have been reported. The obstructive interval, presence of a granuloma, and intraoperative sperm findings predict postoperative patency. These factors also predict postoperative fertility. In addition, the female partner's age and the same female partner correlate with pregnancy after surgery.

Conclusion

In the era ofART, the physician should present and discuss with both the patient withOAand his partner the most appropriate procedure to conceive by using these predictors.
Simplex sliding mode control for autonomous six‐DOF vehicles with mono‐directional actuators: Robustness, stability, and implementation issues
Authors: Bartolini Giorgio , Pisano Alessandro , Punta Elisabetta , Usai Elio
Published: May 2018

The position and attitude control of a six‐degree‐of‐freedom vehicle is dealt with in this paper. The actuation system is assumed to consist of a set of mono‐directional devices suitably located and directed. The model of the system is characterized by a large amount of uncertainties, disturbances and measurement errors. The state is assumed fully available and the navigation problems generating smooth references for the state trajectories are supposed already solved. A new attitude guidance algorithm has been developed to enhance robustness with respect to a class of nonsmooth measurement errors. The use of the simplex‐based sliding mode methodology reveals to be simultaneously suitable for the design of the actuation system (position and orientation of the actuators) and the implementation of the control strategy. The chattering phenomenon is strongly attenuated by the introduction of integrators in the input channel and, consequently to this choice, a suitable mechanism to avoid the unbounded growth of the individual thrust of the actuators is designed, while at the same time, achieving a direct control of power losses. The performances of the proposed control scheme are demonstrated by simulation by using mathematical models available in the literature.