bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dual antiplatelet therapy after coronary drug‐eluting stent implantation in China: A large single center study
Authors: Xu Jing‐jing , Gao Zhan , Zhang Yin , Gao Li‐jian , Chen Jue , Qiao Shu‐bin , Gao Run‐lin , Yang Yue‐jin , Xu Bo , Yuan Jin‐qing
Published: January 2018

Objective

To investigate the actual dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration after drug‐eluting stent (DES) treatment in China.

Background

Currently, less is known about actual DAPT duration after drug‐eluting stent (DES) treatment in China. Here, we performed a study in the largest cardiovascular center in China to investigate DAPT duration and identify associated factors after DES implantation.

Methods

A total of 9,919 consecutive patients with DES implantation from January 2013 to December 2013 were enrolled. DAPT cessation was observed, and factors associated with different DAPT durations were analyzed.

Results

The median follow‐up time was 882 days. The proportion of patients with DAPT coverage at 1‐year of follow‐up was 97.3%, and it decreased to 30.1% for 2 years. The distribution of DAPT duration was not significantly different among patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) versus non‐AMI (P = 0.41) and with new‐generation DES versus first‐generation DES (P = 0.54). The multivariable analysis indicated some independent predictors prolonging DAPT duration, including target vessel revascularization (OR 2.50, 95% CI 2.04‐3.06, P < 0.001), stent numbers (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05‐1.15, P < 0.001), and previous coronary artery bypass grafting (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.61‐0.96, P = 0.02). Other clinical factors, such as the increased risk of bleeding and high ischemic risk, were not associated with DAPT duration.

Conclusions

The 1‐year DAPT after DES was applied to 97.3% of Chinese patients in the studied clinical center. However, the DAPT duration after 1 year was not adjusted according to the patients' bleeding situation and ischemic risks.
Direct Conversion of Syngas into Light Olefins over Zirconium‐Doped Indium(III) Oxide and SAPO‐34 Bifunctional Catalysts: Design of Oxide Component and Construction of Reaction Network
Authors: Su Junjie , Wang Dong , Wang Yangdong , Zhou Haibo , Liu Chang , Liu Su , Wang Chuanming , Yang Weimin , Xie Zaiku , He Mingyuan
Published: January 2018

The direct synthesis of light olefins from syngas over a bifunctional catalyst containing an oxide and zeolite has been proven to be a promising strategy. Nevertheless, an unclear reaction network hinders any further enhancement in catalytic performance, such as increasing the conversion of CO. We herein report a novel bifunctional catalyst composed of a InZr binary oxide and SAPO‐34 zeolite displaying superior CO conversion (27.7 %) with selectivity to light olefins (73.6 %) at 400 °C, 2.0 MPa. We demonstrate that the Zr‐doped body‐centered cubic In2O3 phase, exhibiting higher stability than pure In2O3 under a reducing atmosphere, is the active oxide component for the initial activation of CO. A complete reaction network is proposed by DFT calculations and model reactions, revealing that CO activation over Zr‐In2O3 follows a quasi‐CO2 hydrogenation pathway and methanol is the key intermediate to be transformed into light olefins in zeolites. Moreover, inhibiting excessive hydrogenation is an effective strategy to achieve higher performance.
A Highly Reversible Mechanochromic Difluorobenzothiadiazole Dye with Near‐Infrared Emission
Authors: Chen Jianhua , Li Dongyang , Chi Weijie , Liu Guotao , Liu Sheng Hua , Liu Xiaogang , Zhang Chun , Yin Jun
Published: January 2018

A difluorobenzothiadiazole‐based fluorescent material with a D‐π‐A‐π‐D structure exhibits a reversible mechanofluorochromic characteristic in the solid state. Its red fluorescent emission switches to near‐infrared fluorescence upon mechanical stimulation, but recover after fuming the ground solid powder with dichloromethane.
Clinical and prognostic relationships of pulmonary artery to aorta diameter ratio in patients with heart failure: a cardiac magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: Pellicori Pierpaolo , Urbinati Alessia , Zhang Jufen , Joseph Anil C. , Costanzo Pierluigi , Lukaschuk Elena , Capucci Alessandro , Cleland John G.F. , Clark Andrew L.
Published: January 2018

Background

The pulmonary artery (PA) distends as pressure increases.

Hypothesis

The ratio of PA to aortic (Ao) diameter may be an indicator of pulmonary hypertension and consequently carry prognostic information in patients with chronic heart failure (HF).

Methods

Patients with chronic HF and control subjects undergoing cardiac magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated. The main PA diameter and the transverse axial Ao diameter at the level of bifurcation of the main PA were measured. The maximum diameter of both vessels was measured throughout the cardiac cycle and the PA/Ao ratio was calculated.

Results

A total of 384 patients (mean age, 69 years; mean left ventricular ejection fraction, 40%; median NT‐proBNP, 1010 ng/L [interquartile range, 448–2262 ng/L]) and 38 controls were included. Controls and patients with chronic HF had similar maximum Ao and PA diameters and PA/Ao ratio. During a median follow‐up of 1759 days (interquartile range, 998–2269 days), 181 patients with HF were hospitalized for HF or died. Neither PA diameter nor PA/Ao ratio predicted outcome in univariable analysis. In a multivariable model, only age and NT‐proBNP were independent predictors of adverse events.

Conclusions

The PA/Ao ratio is not a useful method to stratify prognosis in patients with HF.
Germline mutation prevalence in individuals with pancreatic cancer and a history of previous malignancy
Authors: Dudley Beth , Karloski Eve , Monzon Federico A. , Singhi Aatur D. , Lincoln Stephen E. , Bahary Nathan , Brand Randall E.
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Approximately 10% of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PC) cases are attributed to hereditary causes. Individuals with PC and a personal history of another cancer associated with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) or Lynch syndrome (LS) may be more likely to carry germline mutations.

METHODS

Participants with PC and a history of cancer were selected from a pancreatic disease registry. Of 1296 individuals with PC, 149 had a relevant history of cancer. If banked DNA was available, a multigene panel was performed for individuals who had not 1) previously had a mutation identified through clinical testing or 2) undergone clinical multigene panel testing with no mutations detected.

RESULTS

Twenty‐two of 124 individuals with PC and another HBOC‐ or LS‐related cancer who underwent genetic testing had a mutation identified in a PC susceptibility gene (18%). If prostate cancer is excluded, the mutation prevalence increased to 23% (21/93). Mutation carriers were more likely to have more than 1 previous cancer diagnosis (P = .001), to have had clinical genetic testing (P = .001), and to meet National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) genetic testing criteria (P < .001). Approximately 23% of mutation carriers did not meet NCCN HBOC or LS testing guidelines based on their personal cancer history and reported cancer history in first‐degree relatives.

CONCLUSION

At least 18% of individuals with PC and a personal history of other HBOC‐ or LS‐related cancers carry mutations in a PC susceptibility gene based on our data, suggesting that criteria for genetic testing in individuals with PC should include consideration of previous cancer history. Cancer 2018;124:1691‐700. © 2018 American Cancer Society
Insulinoma‐associated protein 1 is a sensitive and specific marker of neuroendocrine lung neoplasms in cytology specimens
Authors: Doxtader Erika E. , Mukhopadhyay Sanjay
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that insulinoma‐associated protein 1 (INSM1) is a sensitive and specific marker of neuroendocrine neoplasms. The aims of this study were to determine whether INSM1 can be reliably used in cytology (Cellient) cell blocks, to ascertain whether staining correlates with paired surgical pathology specimens, and to compare its sensitivity and specificity with those of synaptophysin (SYN), chromogranin (CHR), and CD56 for neuroendocrine lung tumors.

METHODS

Seventy‐four primary lung neoplasms diagnosed on cytology were stained with INSM1, SYN, CHR, and CD56: 41 small cell lung carcinomas (SCLCs), 1 large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), 10 carcinoid tumors, 11 adenocarcinomas, 9 squamous cell carcinomas, 1 mesothelioma and 1 poorly differentiated non–small cell lung carcinoma, not otherwise specified. In 20 cases, a paired surgical pathology specimen was also stained with INSM1.

RESULTS

INSM1 was positive in 48 of 52 primary lung neuroendocrine neoplasms (92%), including 38 of 41 SCLCs (93%), the only LCNEC (100%), and 9 of 10 carcinoid tumors (90%), and it was negative in all 22 non‐neuroendocrine primary lung tumors. For SCLC, the sensitivity of INSM1 (93%) was lower than the sensitivity of CD56 (100%), equal to the sensitivity of SYN (93%), and higher than the sensitivity of CHR (35%). For carcinoid tumors, the sensitivity of INSM1 (90%) was lower than the sensitivity of all other markers (100% each). The specificity of INSM1 for neuroendocrine neoplasms as a group was 100%. INSM1 staining was concordant with surgical pathology specimens in all 20 paired cases.

CONCLUSIONS

INSM1 can be used in cytopathology cell blocks, and it is sensitive and highly specific for neuroendocrine lung tumors. INSM1 staining in cytology cell blocks correlates well with surgical pathology specimens. Cancer Cytopathol 2018;126:243‐52. © 2018 American Cancer Society.
Exploiting the control power of SDN during the transition from IP to SDN networks
Authors: Galán‐Jiménez Jaime
Published: January 2018

The emerging software‐defined networking (SDN) paradigm introduces new opportunities to improve network performance due to the flexibility and programmability provided by a logically centralized element named controller. However, a rapid adoption of the full SDN architecture is difficult in the short term due to economic and technical reasons. This paper faces the SDN nodes replacement problem during the transition from traditional IP networks to fully deployed SDN networks. Six different replacement methods are proposed to select the most appropriate set of traditional IP nodes to be upgraded to SDN‐enabled switches at a particular transition stage. To show the effectiveness of the proposed methods, they have been applied on an optimization problem currently studied by the research community: the power consumption problem. An integer linear programming formulation is presented to solve it and a genetic algorithm is evaluated through simulations on realistic network topologies. Results highlight that energy‐efficiency in hybrid IP/SDN networks can be significantly improved by only replacing a reduced number of IP nodes.
Interactive Tutor Robot for Collaborative e‐Learning System
Authors: TOJO TOSHIYUKI , ONO OSAMU , NOH NORZAIDAH BINTI MD , YUSOF RUBIYAH
Published: January 2018

In this paper, we propose Interactive Tutor Robot (ITR) to enhance collaborative e‐Learning system for Science and Technology education field. We implemented the robot with powerful communication specification to e‐Learning contents. It makes learner to get more efficient environment and education contents by a communication with tutor robot interactively. Based on this idea, we defined a simple prototype system to realize an experimental emotion on the target education contents, and tried to confirm a possibility to extend the function for collaborative e‐Learning system according to noble “Qualia” and “Awareness”. We propose one of methods to realize the two above concepts.
Circuit Analysis and Characterization of Contactless Power Transfer System with Variable Impedance
Authors: YAMADA JUN , TSUDA KAZUMA , KOBAYASHI RYOTA , KANEKO YASUYOSHI
Published: January 2018

A contactless power transfer system using a repeater coil (repeater Coil topology) has been proposed as a method of suppressing overcurrent without power control during misalignment or no‐load. By installing a repeater coil between the primary and secondary coils, it is possible to increase the input impedance in the case of misalignment of the secondary coil or no‐load condition. In addition, another contactless power transfer system using primary parallel and secondary series resonance capacitors (PS capacitor topology) has been proposed. In the PS capacitor topology, the input impedance can be increased during misalignment of the secondary coil or no‐load condition similar to the repeater coil topology. In this paper, we evaluated the characteristics of both these topologies. First, we conducted a circuit analysis of the repeater coil topology and proposed a design method. In addition, we theoretically clarified the characteristic difference of the two topologies and experimentally evaluated the characteristics.
Synthesis and Photophysical Properties ofN‐Arylated Diketopyrrolopyrroles
Authors: Gutkowski Krzysztof , Azarias Cloé , Banasiewicz Marzena , Kozankiewicz Bolesław , Jacquemin Denis , Gryko Daniel T.
Published: January 2018

TheN‐arylation of diketopyrrolopyrroles with aryl fluorides free of nitro groups was successfully achieved for the first time. Diketopyrrolopyrroles possessing 3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl and benzofuryl substituents underwent reaction with, for example, pentafluoropyridine, in the presence of K2CO3inN‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone to give the desired products in moderate yields. Their photophysical properties in solution were found not to differ significantly from those of analogousN‐alkylated diketopyrrolopyrroles, whereas in contrast to the latter compounds, they were found to possess fluorescence in the solid state. The photophysical properties of all compounds were rationalized by using time‐dependent density functional theory.
A Water‐Soluble [2]Biphenyl‐Extended Pillar[6]arene
Authors: Wu Jia‐Rui , Wang Chun‐Yu , Tao Yan‐Chun , Wang Yan , Li Chunju , Yang Ying‐Wei
Published: January 2018

The facile design and synthesis of a series of extended pillar[6]arene derivatives is described. In particular, the first water‐soluble version bearing eight pyridinium moieties (CWBpP6) showed strong binding capabilities towards certain guest compounds with sulfonate groups. Significantly, CWBpP6 could uptake 2,6‐naphthalene‐disulfonate from water due to the rapid precipitation upon host–guest complexation, which indicates the potential of CWBpP6 as a promising detection and separation agent for naphthalene sulfonate substrates in water. This provides a possibility for further development of extended pillararenes in selective cargo precipitation as well as sensing and detection of analytes.
Influence of Carnicor, Venofer, and Sevelamer on the levels of genotoxic damage in end‐stage renal disease patients
Authors: Pastor Susana , Coll Elisabeth , Rodríguez‐Ribera Lara , Stoyanova Elitsa , Corredor Zuray F. , Marcos Ricard
Published: January 2018

End‐stage renal disease (ESRD) patients present high levels of phosphorus and calcium products in serum, which contribute to the development of vascular calcification and cardiovascular disease, and to low iron stores and carnitine deficiency. For these reasons, ESRD patients are generally supplemented with different medicines. Some of the most common treatments include the use of Carnicor, Venofer, and Sevelamer drugs. Carnicor is used as a source of L‐carnitine, acting as antioxidant and neuroprotector. Venofer is used to reduce the deficit of iron. Sevelamer is used to treat hyperphosphatemia. To determine the potential harmful genotoxic effects of these drugs, a group of 214 patients included in a hemodialysis program with different intakes of Carnicor, Venofer, and Sevelamer were evaluated. The levels of basal and oxidative DNA damage, as well as chromosomal damage, were measured in all individuals using the comet and the micronucleus assays, respectively. Our results indicate that Carnicor administration was associated with low but significant increases in the frequency of basal DNA damage and micronuclei. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 59:302–311, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Testing slope effect on flow resistance equation for mobile bed rills
Authors: Di Stefano Costanza , Ferro Vito , Palmeri Vincenzo , Pampalone Vincenzo
Published: January 2018

In this paper, a recently theoretically deduced rill flow resistance equation, based on a power‐velocity profile, is tested experimentally on plots of varying slopes in which mobile bed rills are incised. Initially, measurements of flow velocity, water depth, cross‐sectional area, wetted perimeter and bed slope conducted in 106 reaches of rills incised on an experimental plot having a slope of 14% were used to calibrate the flow resistance equation. Then, the relationship between the velocity profile parameter Γ, the channel slope, and the flow Froude number, which was calibrated using the 106 rill reach data, was tested using measurements carried out in plots having slopes of 22% and 9%. The measurements carried out in the latter slope conditions confirmed that (a) the Darcy–Weisbach friction factor can be accurately estimated using the proposed theoretical approach, and (b) the data were supportive of the slope independence hypothesis of rill velocity stated by Govers.
Clinical study of hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome in Shandong province, East China
Authors: Sheng Xiugui , Zhong Yan , Lu Chunhua , Peng Jingwei , Yu Hao , Guo Jing
Published: January 2018

Objective

To explore the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis of hereditary ovarian cancer syndrome (HOCS) in Shandong province, East China.

Methods

The present retrospective study assessed the clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis among patients with HOCS treated at Shandong Cancer Hospital, China, between January 1, 2008, and January 31, 2016. Data from women with primary ovarian cancer who met HOCS diagnostic criteria (genetic‐disease group) were compared with data from a control group of 100 women with sporadic ovarian cancer (sporadic‐disease group) identified using simple random sampling.

Results

Among 1247 records of primary ovarian cancer during the study period, 96 (7.7%) women from 77 pedigrees had HOCS (genetic‐disease group), and 65 of these pedigrees had sufficient data available for inclusion. In the genetic‐disease group, 55 (85%) and 10 (15%) women inherited the disease through the maternal and paternal lines, respectively. Age of onset was earlier in the genetic‐disease group compared with the sporadic‐disease group (P=0.016), the proportion of mucinous adenocarcinoma was lower in the genetic‐disease group (P=0.006), and the genetic‐disease group had higher 3‐year (P=0.036) and 5‐year (P=0.035) survival rates.

Conclusion

HOCS exhibited maternal lineage primarily, and featured an early age of onset, advanced disease (stage III), serous adenocarcinoma, and a better prognosis after comprehensive treatment (including surgery, chemotherapy, and occasionally radiotherapy) relative to sporadic ovarian cancer.
Rapid brain tissue segmentation process by modified FCM algorithm with CUDA enabled GPU machine
Authors: Kalaiselvi T , Sriramakrishnan P
Published: January 2018

The proposed work introduces a modified method of fuzzy c means (FCM) algorithm using bias field correction and partial supervision techniques. The proposed method is named as bias corrected partial supervision FCM (BCPSFCM). The modified membership function takes the advantage of available knowledge from labeled patterns with the bias field correction. The experiment is tested on internet brain segmentation repository with their gold standard. The performance of the method is compared with three existing methods and 12 state of the art methods using dice coefficient, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. Accuracy of the proposed method reached upto 98%, 98%, and 99% of GM, WM, and CSF segmentation but required additional computation power from graphics processing unit (GPU). Further parallel BCPSFCM is proposed with the help of compute unified device architecture enabled GPU machine and the processing time is reduced up to 49 times than the serial implementation.
Evaluation of stimulus intensity fading on reduction of rapid eating in a child with autism
Authors: Valentino Amber L. , LeBlanc Linda A. , Raetz Paige B.
Published: January 2018

This study assessed the effects of a vibrating pager on reduction of rapid eating. The study also evaluated two strategies for fading the pager, by intensity and by frequency. The pager was successful in decreasing the pace of eating to an appropriate level and the pager prompt was successfully faded. Fading by frequency was ineffective in maintaining an appropriate pace of eating while intensity fading was successful.
Methylparaben induces malformations and alterations on apoptosis, oxidant–antioxidant status,ccnd1andmycaexpressions in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Ateş Perihan Seda , Ünal İsmail , Üstündağ Ünsal Veli , Alturfan Ahmet Ata , Yiğitbaşı Türkan , Emekli‐Alturfan Ebru
Published: January 2018

Methylparabens (MP) are widely used as preservatives in cosmetics, pharmacy, and food industry. Although acute toxicity studies in animals indicated that parabens are not significantly toxic, the effects of chronic exposure under sublethal doses are still unknown and the number of related studies is limited. Our aim was to evaluate the effects of MP on the development of zebrafish embryos focusing on development, locomotor activity, oxidant–antioxidant status, apoptosis, andccnd1andmycaexpressions. The expressions ofccnd1andmycawere determined by RT‐PCR. Lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), and glutathione‐S‐transferase (GST) activities were determined spectrophotometrically. Apoptosis was determined using acridine orange staining. Locomotor activity was measured using touch‐evoked movement test. MP exposure increased malformations, LPO, apoptosis,ccnd1andmycaexpressions, and decreased GST activities and NO levels compared with the control group. Our findings will lead to further understanding of the mechanism of MP toxicity, and merit further research.
The Influence of Corporate Social Responsibility Efforts on the Moral Behavior of High Self‐Brand Overlap Consumers
Authors: Newman Kevin P. , Brucks Merrie
Published: January 2018

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts are known to affect firm and societal outcomes, but little is known about their effects on consumer well‐being. We address this research gap by investigating whether consumers who have integrated their self‐schema with a brand's schema (i.e., high self‐brand overlap consumers) vicariously balance their moral behavior against a brand's CSR efforts. Specifically, we propose that a brand's socially responsible behavior can negatively influence the moral behavior of high self‐brand overlap consumers (vicarious moral licensing), while a brand's less socially responsible behavior can positively influence the moral behavior of these consumers (vicarious moral cleansing). Further, we do not predict or observe these effects among low self‐brand overlap consumers, given their lack of psychological identification with the CSR brand. Across four experiments, we demonstrate the vicarious moral balancing effect and show process evidence for the potential role of pride (guilt) in driving vicarious moral licensing (cleansing) behaviors. Importantly, we also demonstrate two potential methods to eliminate the vicarious moral licensing effect when firms conduct CSR efforts.
Usefulness of Sweep Imaging With Fourier Transform for Evaluation of Cortical Bone in Diabetic Rats
Authors: Minami Masataka , Ikoma Kazuya , Horii Motoyuki , Sukenari Tsuyoshi , Onishi Okihiro , Fujiwara Hiroyoshi , Ogi Hiroshi , Itoh Kyoko , Kubo Toshikazu
Published: January 2018

Background

Diabetes decreases bone strength, possibly because of cortical bone changes. Sweep imaging with Fourier transform (SWIFT) has been reported to be useful for cortical bone evaluation.

Purpose

To evaluate cortical bone changes in diabetic rats using SWIFT, assess the usefulness of this technique through comparisons with microcomputed tomography (μCT) and conventional MRI, and clarify the mechanism underlying cortical bone changes using histomorphometry

Study Type

Animal cohort.

Animal Model

8‐week‐old male Wistar/ST rats (N = 36) were divided into diabetes (induced by streptozotocin injection) and control groups.

Field Strength/Sequence

7.04T MRI, SWIFT.

Assessment

Six animals from each group were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 8 weeks after injection. Tibial bones were extracted and evaluated using μCT and MRI. The cortical bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using μCT. Proton density‐weighted imaging (PDWI) and SWIFT were also performed. The signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) was calculated for each acquisition. The bone formation rate was evaluated using histomorphometry.

Statistical Tests

Findings at each timepoint were compared using Mann–Whitney U‐tests.

Results

Cortical BMD was significantly lower in the diabetes group than in the control group only at 8 weeks (P < 0.05). At all timepoints, PDWI‐SNR showed no significant differences between groups (P = 0.59, 0.70, and 0.82 at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, respectively). SWIFT‐SNR was significantly lower in the diabetes group than in the control group (P < 0.05 at 2 and 4 weeks and P < 0.01 at 8 weeks), and the bone formation rate was significantly lower in the diabetes group than in the control group (P < 0.01 for all).

Data Conclusion

SWIFT can detect cortical bone changes even before a decline in the cortical BMD in a diabetic model.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 3

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:389–397.
Progression of histopathological and behavioral abnormalities following mild traumatic brain injury in the male ferret
Authors: Schwerin Susan C. , Chatterjee Mitali , Imam‐Fulani Aminat O. , Radomski Kryslaine L. , Hutchinson Elizabeth B. , Pierpaoli Carlo M. , Juliano Sharon L.
Published: January 2018

White matter damage is an important consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in humans. Unlike rodents, ferrets have a substantial amount of white matter and a gyrencephalic brain; therefore, they may represent an ideal small mammal model to study human‐pertinent consequences of TBI. Here we report immunohistochemical and behavioral results after a controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury to the sensorimotor cortex of adult male ferrets. We assessed inflammation in the neocortex and white matter, and behavior at 1 day post injury and 1, 4, and 16 weeks post injury (WPI). CCI in the ferret produced inflammation that originated in the neocortex near the site of the injury and progressed deep into the white matter with time. The density of microglia and astrocytes increased in the neocortex near the injury, peaking at 4WPI and remaining elevated at 16WPI. Microglial morphology in the neocortex was significantly altered in the first 4 weeks, but showed a return toward normal at 16 weeks. Clusters of microglial cells in the white matter persisted until 16WPI. We assessed motor and cognitive behavior using the open field, novel object recognition, T‐maze, and gait tests. A transient deficit in memory occurred at 4WPI, with a reduction of rearing and motor ability at 12 and 16WPI. Behavioral impairments coincide with features of the inflammatory changes in the neocortex revealed by immunohistochemistry. The ferret represents an important animal model to explore ongoing damage in the white matter and cerebral cortex after TBI.
Baseline ICIQ‐UI score, body mass index, age, average birth weight, and perineometry duration as promising predictors of the short‐term efficacy of Er:YAG laser treatment in stress urinary incontinent women: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Fistonić Ivan , Fistonić Nikola
Published: January 2018

Background and Objective

A growing body of evidence indicates that a non‐invasive erbium yttrium‐aluminum‐garnet (Er:YAG) laser may be an effective and highly tolerable treatment for stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in women. The primary objective was to identify pre‐intervention predictors of short‐term Er:YAG outcomes. The secondary objective was to identify patient segments with the best Er:YAG laser treatment short‐term outcomes.

Methods

A prospective cohort study performed in 2016 at Ob/Gyn Clinic, Zagreb, Croatia, recruited 85 female patients who suffered from SUI. The intervention was performed with a 2940 nm wave length Er:YAG laser (XS Dynamis, Fotona, Slovenia). Outcomes were absolute change in the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Short Form (ICIQ‐UI SF) and a relative decrease in ICIQ‐UI score of ≥30% 2–6 months after the intervention.

Results

Age and pre‐intervention ICIQ‐UI values were independent significant predictors of laser treatment efficacy for SUI. A decrease in ICIQ‐UI score (minimum important difference, MID) of ≥30% was independently significantly associated with body mass index and ICIQ‐UI values before the intervention. All patients with four or five positive predictors saw a clinically relevant decrease in ICIQ‐UI of ≥30%. The total accuracy of the predictive model defined by the area under the curve was 0.83 (95%CI 0.74–0.91). At the cut‐off ≥3 positive predictors, C‐index was 0.80 (95%CI 0.71–0.90), positive predictive value was 0.97 (95%CI 0.87–0.99), and negative predictive value was 0.53 (95%CI 0.45–0.55).

Conclusions

A relevant decrease in ICIQ‐UI (MID) of ≥30% can be predicted based on age, body mass index, average birth weight, perineometer squeeze duration, and ICIQ‐UI scores before the intervention. The association between Q‐tip test and treatment outcome was moderated by age. Q‐tip was a significant predictor for patients between 44 and 53 years of age. The best results should be expected in younger women with a body mass index of ≤23.3, average birth weight of >3.6 kg, ICIQ‐UI at a baseline of ≤10, and perineometer squeeze duration at a baseline of ≥3.51 seconds. The critical age for Er:YAG laser effect is 47.5 years. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:636–643, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Log‐Harnack inequalities for Markov semigroups generated by non‐local Gruschin type operators
Authors: Deng Chang‐Song , Zhang Shao‐Qin
Published: January 2018

Based on coupling in two steps and the regularization approximations of the underlying subordinators, we establish log‐Harnack inequalities for Markov semigroups generated by a class of non‐local Gruschin type operators. Some concrete examples are also presented.
Audiovisual biofeedback improves the correlation between internal/external surrogate motion and lung tumor motion
Authors: Lee Danny , Greer Peter B. , Paganelli Chiara , Ludbrook Joanna Jane , Kim Taeho , Keall Paul
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Breathing management can reduce breath‐to‐breath (intrafraction) and day‐by‐day (interfraction) variability in breathing motion while utilizing the respiratory motion of internal and external surrogates for respiratory guidance. Audiovisual (AV) biofeedback, an interactive personalized breathing motion management system, has been developed to improve reproducibility of intra‐ and interfraction breathing motion. However, the assumption of the correlation of respiratory motion between surrogates and tumors is not always verified during medical imaging and radiation treatment. Therefore, the aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that the correlation of respiratory motion between surrogates and tumors is the same under free breathing without guidance (FB) and with AV biofeedback guidance for voluntary motion management.

Methods

For 13 lung cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, 2D coronal and sagittal cine‐MR images were acquired across two MRI sessions (pre‐ and mid‐treatment) with two breathing conditions: (a) FB and (b) AV biofeedback, totaling 88 patient measurements. Simultaneously, the external respiratory motion of the abdomen was measured. The internal respiratory motion of the diaphragm and lung tumor was retrospectively measured from 2D coronal and sagittal cine‐MR images. The correlation of respiratory motion between surrogates and tumors was calculated using Pearson's correlation coefficient for: (a) abdomen to tumor (abdomen‐tumor) and (b) diaphragm to tumor (diaphragm‐tumor). The correlations were compared between FB and AV biofeedback using several metrics: abdomen‐tumor and diaphragm‐tumor correlations with/without ≥5 mm tumor motion range and with/without adjusting for phase shifts between the signals.

Results

Compared to FB, AV biofeedback improved abdomen‐tumor correlation by 11% (p = 0.12) from 0.53 to 0.59 and diaphragm‐tumor correlation by 13% (p = 0.02) from 0.55 to 0.62. Compared to FB, AV biofeedback improved abdomen‐tumor correlation by 17% (p = 0.01) and diaphragm‐tumor correlation by 15% (p < 0.01) while correcting 0.3 s (p = 0.54) and 0.2 s (p = 0.19) phase shifts, respectively. In addition, AV biofeedback with ≥5 mm tumor motion range, compared to FB improved abdomen‐tumor correlation by 14% (p = 0.18) and diaphragm‐tumor correlation by 17% (p = 0.01). The highest abdomen‐tumor and diaphragm‐tumor correlations were found using ≥5 mm tumor motion range and phase shifts, resulting in a 12% improvement in AV biofeedback.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that AV biofeedback improves the correlation of respiratory motion between surrogates and the tumor. This suggests a need for AV biofeedback for respiratory guidance utilizing respiratory surrogates during image‐guided and MRI‐guided radiotherapy in thoracic regions.
Feasibility study of range‐based registration using daily cone beam CT for intensity‐modulated proton therapy
Authors: Yao Weiguang , Krasin Matthew J. , Farr Jonathan B. , Merchant Thomas E.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Proton dose coverage is sensitive to proton beam range. The current practice of CT number–based registration for patient positioning focuses on matching the target and is not sufficient for proton therapy because the proton range depends on the medium traversed by the beam. Patient body deformations and anatomical changes result in range deviation in the target. We propose proton range–based registration to minimize the range deviation.

Methods

The range was calculated from cone beam–computed tomography (CBCT) of the patient on couch, and the range deviation was the difference of the calculated range from that on the initial (day 1) CBCT. In the investigated prostate cases in which the main cause of range deviation was the rotation of femur bones, and in the investigated abdomen cases in which the main cause of range deviation was body growth and anatomic change, our range‐based registration was used to obtain the optimal beam angle by minimizing the range deviation. The new angle was limited to be ±5° from that planned to prevent potentially increased dose to the organs at risk. To demonstrate the benefit of range‐based registration, we investigated the range at the voxels on the surface of the target volume. The calculation error of range deviation due to CBCT scatter was investigated by using solid water phantoms with different thicknesses. Range‐based registration using both CBCTs and CTs was performed in cases of two patients with pelvic rhabdomyosarcoma and one patient with upper abdominal tumor. The range was represented by the water‐equivalent thickness to shorten the computation for online application purposes.

Results

In the phantom study, the calculation error of range deviation due to CBCT scatter was within 2 mm for a 1‐cm thickness change (the mean range deviation was 0.8 mm). In the CT study of the prostate cases, the range deviation (mean ± root‐mean‐square deviation) on the contour in each slice was efficiently reduced from 3.6 ± 2.8 mm to 2.1 ± 1.4 mm, with most slices being within 3 mm; in the CT study of the abdomen cases, the range deviation of the whole set was reduced from 4.4 ± 1.9 mm to 3.5 ± 2.1 mm. Both the mean and root‐mean‐square deviation of the range deviation on each treatment day were decreased. The dose coverage on the target was improved and the dose on the OARs was only slightly changed.

Conclusion

Range‐based registration can efficiently mitigate range deviation due to patient positioning and anatomical changes. It can shorten patient positioning time and reduce the patient's dose from CBCT.
Development of an overactive bladder assessment tool (BAT): A potential improvement to the standard bladder diary
Authors: Kelleher Con , Chapple Christopher , Johnson Nathan , Payne Christopher , Homma Yukio , Hakimi Zalmai , Siddiqui Emad , Evans Christopher , Egan Shayna , Kopp Zoe
Published: January 2018

Aims

To develop a comprehensive patient‐reported bladder assessment tool (BAT) for assessing overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, bother, impacts, and satisfaction with treatment.

Methods

Subjects were consented and eligibility was confirmed by a recruiting physician; subjects were then scheduled for in‐person interviews. For concept elicitation and cognitive interviews, 30 and 20 subjects, respectively, were targeted for recruitment from US sites. All interviews were conducted face‐to‐face, audio‐recorded, transcribed verbatim, anonymized, and analyzed using a qualitative data analysis software program. A draft BAT was created based on the results of the concept elicitation interviews and further revised based on cognitive interviews as well as feedback from an advisory board of clinical and patient‐reported outcome (PRO) experts.

Results

Nocturia, daytime frequency, and urgency were reported by all subjects (n = 30, 100.0%), and incontinence was reported by most subjects (n = 25, 83.3%). The most frequently reported impacts were waking up to urinate (n = 30, 100.0%), embarrassment/shame (n = 24, 80.0%), stress/anxiety (n = 23, 76.7%), and lack of control (n = 23, 76.7%). Following analysis, item generation, cognitive interviews, and advisory board feedback, the resulting BAT contains four hypothesized domains (symptom frequency, symptom bother, impacts, and satisfaction with treatment) and 17 items with a 7‐day recall period.

Conclusions

The BAT has been developed in multiple stages with input from both OAB patients and clinical experts following the recommended processes included in the FDA PRO Guidance for Industry. Once fully validated, we believe it will offer a superior alternative to use of the bladder diary and other PROs for monitoring OAB patients in clinical trials and clinical practice.
Surface modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and Nafion nanocomposite membranes for use in fuel cell applications
Authors: Tohidian Mahdi , Ghaffarian Seyed Reza
Published: January 2018

The preparation and characterization of the nanocomposite polyelectrolyte membranes, based on Nafion, sulfonated multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐SO3H) and imidazole modified multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐Im), for direct methanol fuel cell applications is described. The results showed that the modification of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) with proton‐conducting groups (sulfonic acid groups or imidazole groups) could enhance the proton conductivity of the nanocomposite membranes in comparison to Nafion 117. Regarding the interactions between the protonated imidazole groups, grafted on the surface of MWCNT, and the negatively charged sulfonic acid groups of Nafion, new electrostatic interactions can be formed in the interface of the Nafion and MWCNT‐Im, which result in both lower methanol permeability and higher proton conductivity. The physical characteristics of these manufactured nanocomposite membranes were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, water uptake, methanol permeability, and ion exchange capacity, as well as proton conductivity. The Nafion/MWCNT‐Im membranes showed the higher proton conductivity, lower methanol permeability, and, as a consequence, a higher selectivity parameter in comparison to the neat Nafion or Nafion membrane containing MWCNT‐SO3H or ─OH functionalized multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐OH) membranes. The obtained results indicated that the Nafion/MWCNT‐Im membranes could be used as efficient polyelectrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cell applications.
Preparation of novel thermoplastic poly(vinyl alcohol) with improved processability for fused deposition modeling
Authors: Wu Jintian , Chen Ning , Wang Qi
Published: January 2018

In this work, thermoplastic poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) with improved processability for fused deposition modeling (FDM) was successfully prepared via intermolecular complexation and plasticization. The glycerol and water, which were non‐toxic and have a complementary structure with PVA, were adapted to realize FDM processing of PVA, thus providing a novel biomaterial with FDM processability. The result showed that the water and glycerol could interrupt hydrogen bonding in PVA and reduce the melting point of PVA to 127.4°C. Moreover, the water fraction of the plasticizer had a significant effect on the FDM processability and usability of the final parts. When the water fraction was greater than 75%, the PVA/plasticizer was unsuitable for FDM processing. However, when the water fraction was lower than 25%, the glycerol precipitated from the modified PVA. Thus, a mixture of 50% water and 50% glycerol was most suitable for FDM processing. A 0.3 mm layer thickness with a nozzle temperature of 175°C was chosen as the optimal processing condition for FDM using thermoplastic PVA. Finally, complex PVA parts with high dimensional accuracy, good mechanical properties, and designated structures were fabricated by FDM machine.
The effect of nonlinear temperature distribution on the vibrational behavior of a size‐dependent FG laminated rectangular plates undergoing prescribed overall motion
Authors: Fallah Abolfazl , Khorshidi Korosh
Published: January 2018

In this article, the effect of the nonlinear temperature distribution on the free vibration analysis of size‐dependent rotating laminated rectangular FG micro‐/nanoplates are developed based on modified couple stress theory and exponential shear deformation theory. The modified couple stress theory model contains one length scale parameter to consider the small size effect. In exponential shear deformation theory, exponential functions are used in terms of thickness coordinate to include the effect of transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia. The temperature is assumed to be constant in the plane of the plate and to vary in the thickness direction only. Material properties are assumed to be temperature dependent, and vary continuously through the thickness according to a power law distribution in terms of the volume fraction of the constituents. The Eigen frequency equation is obtained by the use of Rayleigh–Ritz method. Displacement components are expressed in simple algebraic polynomial forms which can handle any sets of boundary conditions. The effect of material compositions, rotation speed, hub ratio, length‐to‐thickness ratio, aspect ratio, material length scale parameter, number of layered, and temperature filed on the vibration characteristics is examined. The present theoretical results are verified by comparing with those in literature. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:766–778, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Regulating polycrystalline behavior of the β‐nucleated isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide composites by melt memory effect
Authors: Yu Yansong , Zeng Fangxinyu , Chen Jinyao , Kang Jian , Yang Feng , Cao Ya , Xiang Ming
Published: January 2018

Balancing the stiffness and toughness is always the goal of high performance general plastics, especially for isotactic polypropylene/graphene oxide (iPP/GO) composites. However, during the crystallization of β‐nucleated iPP, GO exhibits an α‐nucleating effect, and its nucleation efficiency (NE) is higher than that of some conventional β‐nucleating agents (β‐NAs), thus reducing the formation of β‐phase and therefore the toughness of the material. In this article, we used the melt memory effect of β‐nucleated iPP/GO composites to improve the formation of β‐phase. By adjusting the fusion temperature Tf of β‐nucleated iPP/GO composites, the amount of ordered structure in composites was controlled. The crystallization behavior and melting behavior of composites were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and wide‐angle X‐ray scattering. The results showed that when Tf = 200°C, no ordered structures survived in the melt, no β‐phase formed due to the strong α‐nucleating effect of GO; in the Tf range of 178–168°C, large amount of β‐phase survived in the composites, which helped to improve the formation of β‐phase during the subsequent cooling process, and the relative content of β‐phase even reached the maximum value of 85.8%. The mechanism of melt structure on the polymorphic behavior of the composites were also investigated, and it was found that the ordered structure in the melt evidently enhanced the NE of β‐crystallization, and overcome the challenge from the α‐nucleation effect of GO. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:E440–E448, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Does distance to a cystic fibrosis center impact health outcomes?
Authors: Johnson Ben , Ngueyep Rodrigue , Schechter Michael S. , Serban Nicoleta , Swann Julie
Published: January 2018

Introduction

This paper considers the impact of geographic distance from cystic fibrosis centers on lung function in children, young adults, and adults with cystic fibrosis.

Methods

Clinical patient‐level data on 20 351 patients from 1986 to 2011 were evaluated from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation National Patient Registry. We measure distance using a patient's zip code centroid to the center where they received care. A heteroscedastic mixed effects model was used to capture the association of distance with longitudinal variation in patients’ lung function.

Results

Children, young adults, and adults in lower socioeconomic categories had a %FEV1 between 3 and 10 percentage‐points lower than those living in higher income areas and those privately insured. For patients who changed distance categories, high distance was associated with lower lung function in young adults (P‐value <0.001). For older patients we observed the reverse, suggesting that the choice to move farther away is associated with better health (P‐value <0.001). For patients who did not change distance categories, only medium distance in children was significant (P‐value = 0.01). Known confounding factors including age and CFTR mutation class were statistically significantly associated to health outcomes (P‐value <0.001).

Conclusions

This study shows distance is not found to be associated with health lung function among patients whose distance category remained unchanged during the analysis. For patients who move, the association of health with distance depends on the age of the patient; adult patients further from their care center are healthier. Overall, we find that socioeconomic and genetic factors appear to impact health outcomes to a greater extent.