bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychology in Japan
Authors: Imada Hiroshi , Tanaka‐Matsumi Junko
Published: February 2016

The purpose of this article is to provide information about Japan and its psychology in advance of the 31st International Congress of Psychology (ICP), to be held in Yokohama, Japan, in 2016. The article begins with the introduction of the Japanese Psychological Association (JPA), the hosting organization of the ICP 2016, and the Japanese Union of Psychological Associations consisting of 51 associations/societies, of which the JPA is a member. This is followed by a brief description of a history of psychology of Japan, with emphasis on the variation in our approach to psychology in three different periods, that is, the pre‐ and post‐Pacific War periods, and the post‐1960 period. Next, the international contributions of Japanese psychology/psychologists are discussed from the point of view of their visibility. Education and training in psychology in Japanese universities is discussed with a final positive remark about the long‐awaited enactment of the Accredited Psychologist Law in September, 2015.
Age- and Sex-Related Changes in Bone Microarchitecture and Estimated Strength: A Three-Year Prospective Study Using HRpQCT
Authors: Shanbhogue Vikram V , Brixen Kim , Hansen Stinus
Published: February 2016

Although projections from cross-sectional studies have shown that bone loss leading to osteoporosis begins around menopause in women and later in life in men, this has not been examined longitudinally in population-based studies using high-resolution technology capable of distinguishing cortical (Ct) and trabecular (Tb) bone microarchitecture. The aim of this 3-year prospective study was to investigate age- and sex-related changes in bone compartment–specific geometry, volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), microarchitecture, and estimated strength. The distal radius and tibia were imaged at baseline and after 3 years (median 3.0; range, 2.7 to 3.9 years) using high-resolution peripheral computed tomography (HRpCT) in an age- and sex-stratified, population-based, random sample of white men and women (n = 260) aged 21 to 82 years. In general, at the radius and tibia there was a moderate annual increase in cortical thickness (Ct.Th) that seemed to offset the increase in cortical porosity (Ct.Po), resulting in net annual increase in cortical vBMD (Ct.vBMD) in premenopausal women and young men. With advancing age, postmenopausal women displayed significant bone loss with decreased trabecular vBMD (Tb.vBMD) (due to loss of entire trabeculae) and Ct.vBMD (manifested as increase in Ct.Po and decrease in Ct.Th) at the radius, and a decline in Ct.vBMD (with increasing Ct.Po) at the tibia, resulting in loss of estimated bone strength. In contrast, men had a lower rate of bone loss with advancing age with smaller increases in Ct.Po at both the skeletal sites. In summary, the pattern of bone loss in men and women was discrepant, with women losing more bone than men with aging, although with a dominance of cortical over trabecular bone loss at the peripheral sites in both sexes. This conforms to epidemiological evidence that most fractures occurring in old age are predominantly at cortical peripheral sites, with women having a higher incidence of fractures than men at any given age. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Class I PI-3-Kinase Signaling Is Critical for Bone Formation Through Regulation of SMAD1 Activity in Osteoblasts
Authors: Gámez Beatriz , Rodríguez-Carballo Edgardo , Graupera Mariona , Rosa José Luis , Ventura Francesc
Published: February 2016

Bone formation and homeostasis is carried out by osteoblasts, whose differentiation and activity are regulated by osteogenic signaling networks. A central mediator of these inputs is the lipid kinase phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K). However, at present, there are no data on the specific role of distinct class IA PI3K isoforms in bone biology. Here, we performed osteoblast-specific deletion in mice to show that both p110α and p110β isoforms are required for survival and differentiation and function of osteoblasts and thereby control bone formation and postnatal homeostasis. Impaired osteogenesis arises from increased GSK3 activity and a depletion of SMAD1 protein levels in PI3K-deficient osteoblasts. Accordingly, pharmacological inhibition of GSK3 activity or ectopic expression of SMAD1 or SMAD5 normalizes bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) transduction and osteoblast differentiation. Together, these results identify the PI3K-GSK3-SMAD1 axis as a central node integrating multiple signaling networks that govern bone formation and homeostasis. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Mitochondria and Mitochondrial ROS in Cancer: Novel Targets for Anticancer Therapy
Authors: Yang Yuhui , Karakhanova Svetlana , Hartwig Werner , D'Haese Jan G. , Philippov Pavel P. , Werner Jens , Bazhin Alexandr V.
Published: February 2016

Mitochondria are indispensable for energy metabolism, apoptosis regulation, and cell signaling. Mitochondria in malignant cells differ structurally and functionally from those in normal cells and participate actively in metabolic reprogramming. Mitochondria in cancer cells are characterized by reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction, which promotes cancer development by inducing genomic instability, modifying gene expression, and participating in signaling pathways. Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA mutations caused by oxidative damage that impair the oxidative phosphorylation process will result in further mitochondrial ROS production, completing the “vicious cycle” between mitochondria, ROS, genomic instability, and cancer development. The multiple essential roles of mitochondria have been utilized for designing novel mitochondria‐targeted anticancer agents. Selective drug delivery to mitochondria helps to increase specificity and reduce toxicity of these agents. In order to reduce mitochondrial ROS production, mitochondria‐targeted antioxidants can specifically accumulate in mitochondria by affiliating to a lipophilic penetrating cation and prevent mitochondria from oxidative damage. In consistence with the oncogenic role of ROS, mitochondria‐targeted antioxidants are found to be effective in cancer prevention and anticancer therapy. A better understanding of the role played by mitochondria in cancer development will help to reveal more therapeutic targets, and will help to increase the activity and selectivity of mitochondria‐targeted anticancer drugs. In this review we summarized the impact of mitochondria on cancer and gave summary about the possibilities to target mitochondria for anticancer therapies. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 2570–2581, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prenatal diagnosis of tethered spinal cord associated with sacrococcygeal teratoma
Authors: Sivrikoz Tugba Sarac , Has Recep , Esmer Aytul Corbacioglu , Kalelioglu Ibrahim , Yuksel Atil , Taskin Orhun Cig
Published: February 2016

Tethered spinal cord is mostly caused by myelomeningocele and lipomyelomeningocele, while dermal sinus tract, diastematomyelia, lipoma, tumor, thickened/tight filum terminale, spinal trauma, and spinal surgery are among the other causes. Prenatal diagnosis of tethered cord has been reported, and it is usually associated with neural tube defects. We present an atypical presentation of a tethered spinal cord, which was associated with a sacrococcygeal teratoma and was diagnosed in the 23rd week of pregnancy by ultrasonography. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 44:506–509, 2016
Comparative embryogenesis of Mecoptera and Lepidoptera with special reference to the abdominal prolegs
Authors: Kou Li‐Xuan , Hua Bao‐Zhen
Published: February 2016

The eruciform larvae of holometabolous insects are primarily characterized by bearing a varying number of abdominal prolegs in addition to three pairs of thoracic legs. However, whether the prolegs are evolutionarily homologous among different insect orders is still a disputable issue. We examined the embryonic features and histological structure of the prolegs of the scorpionfly Panorpa byersi Hua and Huang (Mecoptera: Panorpidae) and the Oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to investigate whether the prolegs are homologous between these two holometabolous insect orders. In the scorpionfly, paired lateral process primordia arise on abdominal segments I–VIII (A1–A8) in line with the thoracic legs in early embryonic stages, but degenerate into triangular protuberances in later stages, and paired medial processes appear along the midventral line before dorsal closure and eventually develop into unjointed, cone‐shaped prolegs. Histological observation showed that the lumina of the prolegs are not continuous with the hemocoel, differing distinctly from that of the basic appendicular plan of thoracic legs. These results suggest that the prolegs are likely secondary outgrowths in Mecoptera. In the armyworm, lateral process primordia appear on A1–A10 in alignment with the thoracic legs in the early embryonic stages, although only the rudiments on A3–A6 and A10 develop into segmented prolegs with the lumina continuous with the hemocoel and others degenerate eventually, suggesting that the prolegs are true segmental appendages serially homologous with the thoracic legs in Lepidoptera. Therefore, we conclude that the larval prolegs are likely not evolutionarily homologous between Mecoptera and Lepidoptera. J. Morphol. 277:585–593, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative BOLD imaging at 3T: Temporal changes in hepatocellular carcinoma and fibrosis following oxygen challenge
Authors: Patterson Andrew J. , Priest Andrew N. , Bowden David J. , Wallace Tess E. , Patterson Ilse , Graves Martin J. , Lomas David J.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To evaluate the utility of oxygen challenge and report on temporal changes in blood oxygenation level‐dependent (BOLD) contrast in normal liver, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and background fibrosis.

Materials and Methods

Eleven volunteers (nine male and two female, mean age 33.5, range 27–41 years) and 10 patients (nine male and one female, mean age 68.9, range 56–87 years) with hepatocellular carcinoma on a background of diffuse liver disease were recruited. Imaging was performed on a 3T system using a multiphase, multiecho, fast gradient echo sequence. Oxygen was administered via a Hudson mask after 2 minutes of free‐breathing. Paired t‐tests were performed to determine if the mean pre‐ and post‐O2 differences were statistically significant.

Results

In patients with liver fibrosis (n = 8) the change in
following O2 administration was elevated (0.88 ± 0.582 msec, range 0.03–1.69 msec) and the difference was significant (P = 0.004). The magnitude of the BOLD response in patients with HCC (n = 10) was larger, however the response was more variable (1.07 ± 1.458 msec, range –0.93–3.26 msec), and the difference was borderline significant (P = 0.046). The BOLD response in the volunteer cohort was not significant (P = 0.121, 0.59 ± 1.162 msec, range –0.81–2.44 msec).

Conclusion

This work demonstrates that the BOLD response following oxygen challenge within cirrhotic liver is consistent with a breakdown in vascular autoregulatory mechanisms. Similarly, the elevated BOLD response within HCC is consistent with the abnormal capillary vasculature within tumors and the arterialization of the blood supply. Our results suggest that oxygen challenge may prove a viable BOLD contrast mechanism in the liver. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:739–744.
Diffusion‐weighted imaging outside the brain: Consensus statement from an ISMRM‐sponsored workshop
Authors: Taouli Bachir , Beer Ambros J. , Chenevert Thomas , Collins David , Lehman Constance , Matos Celso , Padhani Anwar R. , Rosenkrantz Andrew B. , Shukla‐Dave Amita , Sigmund Eric , Tanenbaum Lawrence , Thoeny Harriet , Thomassin‐Naggara Isabelle , Barbieri Sebastiano , Corcuera‐Solano Idoia , Orton Matthew , Partridge Savannah C. , Koh Dow‐Mu
Published: February 2016

The significant advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) hardware and software, sequence design, and postprocessing methods have made diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) an important part of body MRI protocols and have fueled extensive research on quantitative diffusion outside the brain, particularly in the oncologic setting. In this review, we summarize the most up‐to‐date information on DWI acquisition and clinical applications outside the brain, as discussed in an ISMRM‐sponsored symposium held in April 2015. We first introduce recent advances in acquisition, processing, and quality control; then review scientific evidence in major organ systems; and finally describe future directions. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:521–540.
Diffusion‐weighted quantitative MRI to diagnose benign conditions from malignancies of the anterior mediastinum: Improvement of diagnostic accuracy by comparing perfusion‐free to perfusion‐sensitive measurements of the apparent diffusion coefficient
Authors: Priola Adriano Massimiliano , Priola Sandro Massimo , Gned Dario , Piacibello Edoardo , Sardo Diego , Parvis Guido , Torti Davide , Ardissone Francesco , Veltri Andrea
Published: February 2016

Purpose

To compare perfusion‐free to perfusion‐sensitive measurements of the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) to diagnose benign conditions from malignancies of the anterior mediastinum.

Materials and Methods

Seventy‐six subjects were divided into a “benign conditions” group (A, n = 44) and a “malignancies” group (B, n = 32), based on histological findings. diffusion‐weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW‐MRI) was performed at b of 0/150/800 sec/mm2. The ADCs were obtained on an ADC map by including (perfusion‐sensitive = ADCb0‐800) and excluding (perfusion‐free = ADCb150‐800) the b = 0 sec/mm2. The Mann–Whitney U‐test was used to detect differences in ADCb0‐800 compared with ADCb150‐800 values between all cases, benign conditions, and malignancies. The same test was used to evaluate differences in ADCs between the two groups for each type of measurement (ADCb0‐800 and ADCb150‐800), and receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves were obtained to evaluate discrimination abilities with comparison of areas‐under‐ROC‐curves (AUROC). Optimal cutpoints for discrimination between groups were determined by the Youden‐Index with computation of accuracy.

Results

The median ADCb0‐800 was significantly greater compared with ADCb150‐800 for all cases (P = 0.0014), benign conditions (P = 0.0412), and malignancies (P = 0.0001). The median percentage of increase was 5.30% for group‐A and 22.39% for group‐B (P < 0.0001). AUROC of ADC in discriminating between groups was significantly greater for ADCb150‐800 (0.932) compared with ADCb0‐800 (0.831) (P = 0.001). The optimal cutpoint for distinction between groups was 1.52 × 10‐3mm2/sec (sensitivity = 93.7%, specificity = 88.6%, accuracy = 90.8%) for ADCb150‐800 and 1.75 × 10‐3mm2/sec (sensitivity = 75.0%, specificity = 79.5%, accuracy = 77.6%) for ADCb0‐800.

Conclusion

The use of perfusion‐free ADC measurements significantly improves diagnostic accuracy of DW‐MRI in differentiating benign conditions from malignancies of the anterior mediastinum. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:758–769.
Co‐infection assessment in HBV, HCV, and HIV patients in Western Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al‐Mughales Jamil A.
Published: February 2016

To estimate the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed coinfections among HIV, HBV, and HCV infected patients. Retrospective analysis of laboratory records for HIV, HBV, and HCV patients presenting at the HIV outpatient clinic. Serological data including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B e‐antigen (HBeAg), hepatitis B e‐antibody (anti‐HBe), antibodies to HIV and HCV, anti‐toxoplasmosis IgG and IgM antibodies, and anti‐syphilis antibodies (VDRL) were collected. We obtained data for 628 (218 HCV, 268 HBV, and 142 HIV) patients. Male‐to‐female ratios were 1:1 for HCV, 3:4 for HBV, and 5:3 for HIV. Age means (SD) were 54.24 (16.40), 44.53 (18.83), and 40.39 (15.92) years for HCV, HBV, and HIV, respectively. In HIV group, the prevalence of HBV and HCV coinfections was 8.5% and 2.8%, respectively. In HBV group, the prevalence of HCV and HIV coinfections was 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively. In HCV group, HIV or HBV coinfections occurred at the same frequency (1.4%). An absence of screening for coinfections was detected in 7.0–48.5% patients as per the group and the infectious agent; which represents an estimated proportion of 20 out of 1,000 patients with an undiagnosed coinfection. Despite a relatively low prevalence of coinfections, a significant proportion of cases remain undiagnosed because of a lack of systematic screening. J. Med. Virol. 88:1545–1551, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
How affective commitment to the organization changes over time: A longitudinal analysis of the reciprocal relationships between affective organizational commitment and income
Authors: Gao‐Urhahn Xiaohan , Biemann Torsten , Jaros Stephen J.
Published: February 2016

Despite many investigations concerning the outcomes of affective organizational commitment (AC) in the workplace, very few studies so far have analyzed the long‐term development of AC within individuals over time. Existing research either focused on individuals' initial employment stage or was restricted to a specific organizational context. To provide supplemental evidence, we examined the development of AC over 6 years in a group of employees that had passed their initial year of employment. Results from a factorial‐invariant latent change score model with 1004 individuals from different organizations in Korea indicated an overall increase of AC over time. To further explore why individuals differ in their growth patterns, we related intra‐individual changes of AC to individuals' income in two aspects: levels and changes. Cross‐lagged regression models firstly revealed positive reciprocal relationships between AC level and income level, showing an individual accumulation of AC over time. Furthermore, the study showed a significantly positive impact of income changes on AC changes, but not vice versa, illustrating the transition of AC at the individual level. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed, revealing future research on the development of commitment. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Asian–Pacific Oscillation pattern in CMIP5 simulations of historical and future climate
Authors: Zhou Botao
Published: February 2016

Based on the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) simulations, this article evaluated the performance of 33 coupled models in simulating the summer Asian–Pacific Oscillation (APO) pattern and projected its change under the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios. The results show that most of the individual models have good capacity to simulate the climate mean state of the spatial structure of the summer APO pattern, while some have poor skill in modelling its secular trend and interannual variability. The multimodel ensemble mean (MME) generally outperforms the individual models. It not only well reproduces the spatial distribution of the observed APO pattern, but also reasonably captures the observed negative trend and interannual variability of the APO. The MME projects a decrease in the APO intensity towards the end of 21st century under both the RCP4.5 and the RCP8.5 scenarios. Large differences in projected change under the two forcing scenarios start to emerge about in the 2040s, with larger decreasing under the RCP8.5 than that under the RCP4.5. Over the course of the second half of the 21st century, the APO pattern will shift eastward slightly in addition to the weakening in intensity as compared to the 1950–2005 mean climate. For the individual models, the majority of models agree on the sign of projected decreasing change in the APO intensity and also exhibit a stronger change under the RCP8.5 scenario than under the RCP4.5 scenario.
Recent temporal trend in modelled soil water deficit over Europe driven by meteorological observations
Authors: Cammalleri C. , Micale F. , Vogt J.
Published: February 2016

The Lisflood rainfall‐runoff model was forced by the E‐OBS (http://www.ecad.eu/download/ensembles/ensembles.php) gridded meteorological dataset in order to produce 5‐km resolution maps of root zone soil moisture for the period 1951–2013, which were used to evaluate the presence of significant trends in soil water deficit over Europe. The results of the trend analysis highlighted a clear subdivision of the European domain into two sub‐regions: a southwest portion with mostly positive trends (drying of the soil) and a northeast part with decreasing soil water deficit. Overall, about 19% of the domain was affected by a significant linear trend according to the Mann‐Kendall test and the false discovery rate (FDR) procedure (p = 0.05), with about 11.6% having a negative (wetting) and 7.6% a positive (drying) slope. A spatial cluster analysis identified 11 major areas (with extension > 10 000 km2) affected by significant trends, including the Ebro and Garonne basins (for positive slopes) and the Dniester watershed (for negative trends). A final analysis at national and sub‐national levels highlights that most of the observed trends are also significant when aggregated at a regional (NUTS‐1) spatial scale, detecting the administrative areas where water management planes are most likely affected. As drying and wetting processes are occurring mainly in the already driest and wettest sub‐areas of the modelling domain, respectively, the obtained results suggest a further polarization of the water deficit in Europe.
Kartogenin treatment prevented joint degeneration in a rodent model of osteoarthritis: A pilot study
Authors: Mohan Geetha , Magnitsky Sergey , Melkus Gerd , Subburaj Karupppasamy , Kazakia Galateia , Burghardt Andrew J. , Dang Alexis , Lane Nancy E. , Majumdar Sharmila
Published: February 2016

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive loss of articular cartilage, synovitis, subchondral bone changes, and osteophyte formation. Currently there is no treatment for OA except temporary pain relief and end‐stage joint replacement surgery. We performed a pilot study to determine the effect of kartogenin (KGN, a small molecule) on both cartilage and subchondral bone in a rat model of OA using multimodal imaging techniques. OA was induced in rats (OA and KGN treatment group) by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) surgery in the right knee joint. Sham surgery was performed on the right knee joint of control group rats. KGN group rats received weekly intra‐articular injection of 125 μM KGN 1 week after surgery until week 12. All rats underwent in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 3, 6, and 12 weeks after surgery. Quantitative MR relaxation measures (T1ρ and T2) were determined to evaluate changes in articular cartilage. Cartilage and bone turnover markers (COMP and CTX‐I) were determined at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 weeks. Animals were sacrificed at week 12 and the knee joints were removed for micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) and histology. KGN treatment significantly lowered the T1ρ and T2 relaxation times indicating decreased cartilage degradation. KGN treatment significantly decreased COMP and CTX‐I levels indicating decreased cartilage and bone turnover rate. KGN treatment also prevented subchondral bone changes in the ACLT rat model of OA. Thus, kartogenin is a potential drug to prevent joint deterioration in post‐traumatic OA. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1780–1789, 2016.
Novel customized template designing for patellar resurfacing in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Huang Ai‐Bing , Qi Yan‐Song , Song Chang‐Hui , Zhang Ji‐Ying , Yang Yong‐Qiang , Yu Jia‐Kuo
Published: February 2016

Due to the irregular shape of patella and difficulty in identifying its bony landmarks, it can be a challenge for surgeons to accurately and symmetrically perform patellar resurfacing. Three‐dimensional (3D) models of 20 patellae were generated from computed tomographic images. Using a computer‐assisted preoperative planning technique, customized template designs were developed to guide patellar resurfacing. The patellar models and corresponding templates were produced through rapid prototyping. The accuracy of this technique was assessed after applying the templates on patellar models and cadaver specimens, respectively. Using preoperative planning and predesigned templates, a significant improvement in symmetric patellar resurfacing, with a mean angle of 1.21° mediolateral (ML) obliquity and 1.95° superoinferior (SI) obliquity, was observed compared with the conventional sawguide technique (mean angle of ML and SI was 4.13°, 4.95°, respectively). Additionally, the use of customized templates reproduced the desired preplanned patellar resection. Preoperative planning with 3D imaging and customized templates improved the accuracy of patellar resurfacing in terms of the obliquity and thickness. Clinical Relevance: A novel customized template designed for patellar resectioning will benefit surgeons in performing patellar resurfacing. This technique will provide accurate patellar resurfacing in clinical practice. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1798–1803, 2016.
Submicron‐surface structured tricalcium phosphate ceramic enhances the bone regeneration in canine spine environment
Authors: Duan Rongquan , Barbieri Davide , Luo Xiaoman , Weng Jie , de Bruijn Joost D. , Yuan Huipin
Published: February 2016

Calcium phosphate ceramics with submicron‐scaled surface structure can trigger bone formation in non‐osseous sites and are expected to enhance bone formation in spine environment. In this study, two tricalcium phosphate ceramics having either a submicron‐scaled surface structure (TCP‐S) or a micron‐scaled one (TCP‐B) were prepared and characterized regarding their physicochemical properties. Granules (size 1–2 mm) of both materials were implanted on either left or right side of spinous process, between the two lumbar vertebrae (L3‐L4), and in paraspinal muscle of eight beagles. After 12 weeks of implantation, ectopic bone was observed in muscle in TCP‐S explants (7.7 ± 3.7%), confirming their ability to inductively form bone in non‐osseous sites. In contrast, TCP‐B implants did not lead to bone formation in muscle. Abundant bone (34.1 ± 6.6%) was formed within TCP‐S implants beside the two spinous processes, while limited bone (5.1 ± 4.5%) was seen in TCP‐B. Furthermore, the material resorption of TCP‐S was more pronounced than that of TCP‐B in both the muscle and spine environments. The results herein indicate that the submicron‐scaled surface structured tricalcium phosphate ceramic could enhance bone regeneration as compared to the micron‐scaled one in spine environment. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 34:1865–1873, 2016.
On the size of the fibers of spectral maps induced by semialgebraic embeddings
Authors: Fernando Jose F.
Published: February 2016

Let be the ring of (continuous) semialgebraic functions on a semialgebraic set M and its subring of bounded semialgebraic functions. In this work we compute the size of the fibers of the spectral maps and induced by the inclusion of a semialgebraic subset N of M. The ring can be understood as the localization of at the multiplicative subset of those bounded semialgebraic functions on M with empty zero set. This provides a natural inclusion that reduces both problems above to an analysis of the fibers of the spectral map . If we denote , it holds that the restriction map is a homeomorphism. Our problem concentrates on the computation of the size of the fibers of at the points of Z. The size of the fibers of prime ideals “close” to the complement provides valuable information concerning how N is immersed inside M. If N is dense in M, the map is surjective and the generic fiber of a prime ideal contains infinitely many elements. However, finite fibers may also appear and we provide a criterium to decide when the fiber is a finite set for . If such is the case, our procedure allows us to compute the size s of . If in addition N is locally compact and M is pure dimensional, s coincides with the number of minimal prime ideals contained in .
Targeting fatty acid synthase with ASC‐J9 suppresses proliferation and invasion of prostate cancer cells
Authors: Wen Simeng , Niu Yuanjie , Lee Soo Ok , Yeh Shuyuan , Shang Zhiqun , Gao Hengheng , Li Yanjun , Chou Fuju , Chang Chawnshang
Published: February 2016

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is the key enzyme for the control of fatty acid synthesis that contributes significantly to the prostate cancer (PCa) progression. It was reported that androgens were able to induce FASN expression in PCa, and addition of the anti‐androgen Casodex might suppress the androgen‐induced FASN expression. However, here we found androgen‐deprivation‐therapy (ADT) with anti‐androgens Bicalutamide (Casodex) or Enzalutamide (MDV3100) had little effect to suppress FASN expression and FASN‐mediated cell growth and invasion during the castration resistant stage when the androgen concentration is 1 nM DHT (dihydrotestosterone). In contrast, the newly developed androgen receptor (AR) degradation enhancer ASC‐J9® suppressed FASN expression and FASN‐mediated cell growth and invasion in various PCa cell lines at 1 nM DHT. Mechanism dissection found ASC‐J9® could suppress significantly the FASN expression and FASN‐mediated PCa progression via the AR‐dependent pathway involving AR→SREBP‐1→FASN signaling in AR‐positive C4‐2 and LNCaP cells and via the AR‐independent pathway involving the modulation of PI3K/AKT→SREBP‐1→FASN signaling in AR‐negative PC‐3 and DU145 cells. Together, these results suggest that FASN is one of the important mechanism why the current ADT eventually fails. ASC‐J9® might represent a new potential therapeutic approach to suppress FASN‐mediated PCa progression via both AR‐dependent and AR‐independent pathways during the castration resistant stage of PCa. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity and Parkinson's disease risk in patients with essential tremor
Authors: Sprenger Fabienne S. , Wurster Isabel , Seppi Klaus , Stockner Heike , Scherfler Christoph , Sojer Martin , Schmidauer Christof , Berg Daniela , Poewe Werner
Published: February 2016

Background

Several studies have reported an increased risk for patients with essential tremor to develop Parkinson's disease. In addition, hyperechogenicity in the area of the substantia nigra has been associated with a markedly increased risk for Parkinson's disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of substantia nigra hyperechogenicity in patients with essential tremor as a risk marker for Parkinson's disease.

Methods

Transcranial sonography was performed in 70 patients suffering from essential tremor. Fifty‐four of these patients were available for follow‐up after a mean of 6.16 ± 2.05 years and were assessed for the incidence of new‐onset Parkinson's disease.

Results

The relative risk for developing Parkinson's disease in patients with essential tremor who had hyperechogenicity at baseline versus those without this hyperechogenicity was 7.00 (95% confidence interval, 1.62–30.34; sensitivity, 77.8%; specificity, 75.6%).

Conclusions

Substantia nigra hyperechogenicity is also associated with an increased risk for Parkinson's disease in patients with essential tremor. These findings further support the potential role of this echofeature as a risk marker for Parkinson's disease. © 2016 Movement Disorder Society
Chemoinformatic Classification Methods and their Applicability Domain
Authors: Mathea Miriam , Klingspohn Waldemar , Baumann Knut
Published: February 2016

Classification rules are often used in chemoinformatics to predict categorical properties of drug candidates related to bioactivity from explanatory variables, which encode the respective molecular structures (i.e. molecular descriptors). To avoid predictions with an unduly large error probability, the domain the classifier is applied to should be restricted to the domain covered by the training set objects. This latter domain is commonly referred to as applicability domain in chemoinformatics. Conceptually, the applicability domain defines the region in space where the “normal” objects are located. Defining the border of the applicability domain may then be viewed as detecting anomalous or novel objects or as detecting outliers. Currently two different types of measures are in use. The first one defines the applicability domain solely in terms of the molecular descriptor space, which is referred to as novelty detection. The second type defines the applicability domain in terms of the expected reliability of the predictions which is referred to as confidence estimation. Both types are systematically differentiated here and the most popular measures are reviewed. It will be shown that all common chemoinformatic classifiers have built‐in confidence scores. Since confidence estimation uses information of the class labels for computing the confidence scores, it is expected to be more efficient in reducing the error rate than novelty detection, which solely uses the information of the explanatory variables.
Stability analysis of a virus infection model with humoral immunity response and two time delays
Authors: Miao Hui , Teng Zhidong , Kang Chengjun , Muhammadhaji Ahmadjan
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we investigate the dynamical properties for a model of delay differential equations, which describes a virus‐immune interaction in vivo. By analyzing corresponding characteristic equations, the local stability of the equilibria for infection‐free, antibody‐free, and antibody response and the existence of Hopf bifurcation with antibody response delay as a bifurcation parameter at the antibody‐activated infection equilibrium are established, respectively. Global stability of the equilibria for infection‐free, antibody‐free, and antibody response, respectively, also are established by applying the Lyapunov functionals method. The numerical simulations are performed in order to illustrate the dynamical behavior of the model. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ground states for nonlinear fractional Choquard equations with general nonlinearities
Authors: Shen Zifei , Gao Fashun , Yang Minbo
Published: February 2016

We study the existence of ground states for the nonlinear Choquard equation driven by fractional Laplacian:

urn:x-wiley:mma:media:mma3849:mma3849-math-0001
where the nonlinearity satisfies the general Berestycki–Lions‐type assumptions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrability and equivalence relationships of six integrable coupled Korteweg–de Vries equations
Authors: Wang Deng‐Shan , Liu Jiang , Zhang Zhifei
Published: February 2016

In this paper, we investigate the integrability and equivalence relationships of six coupled Korteweg–de Vries equations. It is shown that the six coupled Korteweg–de Vries equations are identical under certain invertible transformations. We reconsider the matrix representations of the prolongation algebra for the Painlevé integrable coupled Korteweg–de Vries equation in [Appl. Math. Lett. 23 (2010) 665‐669] and propose a new Lax pair of this equation that can be used to construct exact solutions with vanishing boundary conditions. It is also pointed out that all the six coupled Korteweg–de Vries equations have fourth‐order Lax pairs instead of the fifth‐order ones. Moreover, the Painlevé integrability of the six coupled Korteweg–de Vries equations are examined. It is proved that the six coupled Korteweg–de Vries equations are all Painlevé integrable and have the same resonant points, which further determines the equivalence among them. Finally, the auto‐Bäcklund transformation and exact solutions of one of the six coupled Korteweg–de Vries equations are proposed explicitly. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Urodynamic findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients with lower urinary tract symptoms: Results from a pilot study
Authors: Arlandis Salvador , Vázquez‐Costa Juan Francisco , Martínez‐Cuenca Esther , Sevilla Teresa , Boronat Francisco , Broseta Enrique
Published: February 2016

Aims

To determine lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) prevalence and urodynamic findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients treated in our hospital.

Methods

Cross‐sectional and descriptive study on a cohort of ALS patients. Validated questionnaires (ICIQ‐SF, IPSS, and OAB‐V8) were self‐administered in order to evaluate the presence of LUTS. Symptoms were classified as clinically significant (csLUTS), if any of following scores, IPSS > 7, ICIQ‐SF > 0, or OAB‐V8 ≥ 8, were present. Urodynamic study was offered to csLUTS patients. Physical examination and prostate ultrasound were also performed.

Results

Fifty five of seventy nine (70%) ALS patients accepted to participate in the study. Only 24/55 (43.6%) patients met criteria for csLUTS and 13 patients reported urgency urinary incontinence (26.3%). Most of csLUTS patients complained of mixed symptoms (82.6%). QoL measured by IPSS was 2.1 ± 1.5, 20% scoring as mostly dissatisfied or unhappy. Average QoL ICIQ‐SF scoring was 3.17 ± 3, 33% complained of moderate to severe bother. Ten of twenty four (41.7%) csLUTS patients consented to UDS. The most frequent finding was detrusor overactivity with obstruction due to non‐relaxing external sphincter (five patients) or bladder neck (two patients). Two patients showed normal bladder filling but non‐relaxing external sphincter during voiding. UDS was normal in one patient.

Conclusions

In this small pilot study we found a high prevalence of csLUTS in ALS which are mainly related to a combination of voiding and storage symptoms. In most patients, symptoms are caused by overactive detrusor combined with non‐relaxing sphincter. Severity of symptoms and impact in QoL is only moderate but in a subset of patients can be considerable. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:626–631, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization design of RBF‐ARX model and application research on flatness control system
Authors: Zhang Xiu‐Ling , Cheng Long , Hao Shuang , Gao Wu‐Yang , Lai Yong‐Jin
Published: February 2016

The radial basis function (RBF) network and autoregressive exogenous (ARX) model are combined to form the structure of the RBF‐ARX model. The RBF‐ARX model can describe the global nonlinear dynamic process of the object, and its function coefficients are approximated by data‐driven method. The structured nonlinear parameters optimization method (SNPOM) is generally used to optimize model parameters, but this method is very complicated and hard to be mastered by engineers. However, genetic algorithm (GA) is simple and widely used. So the thought of GA optimizing RBF‐ARX is generated, called GA‐ARX‐RBF, and applied to nonlinear dynamic flatness control system. In this article, the recursive least squares method to optimize linear weights of RBF is also used to improve the SNPOM, which reduces the complexity and storage capacity of data processing. Meanwhile, GA to optimize all the parameters of the RBF‐ARX model replaces SNPOM completely. A GA‐RBF‐ARX modeling and optimizing method is proposed. In order to prove the efficiency of GA‐RBF‐ARX, it is applied into flatness control system, which has the characters of nonlinear, multivariable, and multi‐disturbance. The flatness recognition model and flatness predictive model are established. A predictive controller based on GA‐RBF‐ARX is designed for 900HC reversible cold rolling mill. The simulation results demonstrate that the flatness control system based on GA‐RBF‐ARX is effective and has a better precision. The method is easily mastered by engineers and helps to promote the practical value of RBF‐ARX. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparative study of rice husk ash and siliceous earth as reinforcing fillers in epoxidized natural rubber composites
Authors: Pongdong Wiphawadee , Kummerlöwe Claudia , Vennemann Norbert , Thitithammawong Anoma , Nakason Charoen
Published: February 2016

Rice husk ash (RHA) and siliceous earth (SE) were compared as alternative reinforcing fillers in epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) vulcanizates. The effects of RHA and SE on processability, curing characteristics, mechanical, thermal and morphological properties, and thermoelastic behavior of vulcanizates were studied, in the presence and absence of bis(triethoxysilylpropyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT) silane coupling agent. The results indicated that the RHA offers processing advantages over the commercial SE. The filled ENR vulcanizates without TESPT provided higher tensile strengths than the unfilled ENR vulcanizates, but had lower elongations at break. This is attributed to physical interactions between filler particles and rubber matrix, which affects the reinforcement by the filler. The modification of filler surfaces with TESPT resulted in further improved properties of the rubber vulcanizates. This is attributed to the coupling of polymer matrix and filler particles via TESPT linkages that increased the polymer–filler interactions. It was also found that the RHA filler, a renewable resource, exhibited similar reinforcement to the conventional SE. This indicates that the RHA has great potential as a reinforcing filler that can substitute for conventional SE in polymer composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 39:414–426, 2018. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of annealing at room temperature on the surface resistivity of elastomer/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites
Authors: Lee Sang‐Young , Kim Gue‐Hyun
Published: February 2016

In this study, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM) were melt‐mixed with multi walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT), respectively. The change in the surface resistivity of the nanocomposites during annealing at room temperature was examined. The surface resistivity of TPU/MWCNT nanocomposites with 3 and 5 phr MWCNT and uncrosslinked EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites with 4 and 6 phr MWCNT significantly increases with increasing annealing time at room temperature. To delay the increase of surface resistivity during annealing at room temperature, silica was added to the TPU/MWCNT and EPDM/MWCNT nanocomposites. The rate of increase in the surface resistivity during annealing at room temperature was much slower with addition of silica to the nanocomposites. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E525–E530, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers
Emerging Role of Olanzapine for Prevention and Treatment of Chemotherapy‐Induced Nausea and Vomiting
Authors: DeRemer David L. , Clemmons Amber B. , Orr Julianne , Clark Stephen Michael , Gandhi Arpita Shah
Published: February 2016

The prevention and treatment of chemotherapy‐induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) continues to pose a challenge for clinicians. The development of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) antagonists and neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonists (NK1‐RAs) have demonstrated significant improvements in acute and delayed CINV for highly and moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Delayed and breakthrough CINV, however, continue to be difficult to manage despite available treatment agents. Randomized clinical trial data suggest that olanzapine, a second‐generation thienobenzodiazepine, traditionally used in the treatment of manifestations of psychotic disorders, is an effective agent in these clinical settings. The short‐term use of olanzapine has a favorable adverse event profile and was not associated with grade 3 or 4 toxicity in a phase III study. Olanzapine is recommended as an option within first‐line prophylaxis for CINV in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines and is an option for treatment of refractory CINV in the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/European Society for Medical Oncology and NCCN guidelines.
Psychological intervention targeting distress for cancer patients: a meta‐analytic study investigating uptake and adherence
Authors: Brebach Rachel , Sharpe Louise , Costa Daniel S. J. , Rhodes Paul , Butow Phyllis
Published: February 2016

Objective

Although cancer care guidelines recommend screening for distress among cancer patients and offering psychological support when indicated, many patients decline offers of such support. This study aimed to quantify uptake and adherence to psychological support and to identify predictors of each.

Methods

Searches were conducted in Embase, Medline, PsychInfo and Scopus to identify studies reporting uptake or adherence rates for individual psychological interventions targeting distress, anxiety or depression for cancer patients or survivors.

Results

Across the 53 included studies reporting uptake and/or adherence rates for 12 323 cancer patients, the uptake and adherence rates were 60.1% and 90.4%, respectively. Patients screened and identified as distressed were less likely to accept intervention than unselected patients (50.3% compared with 66.3%, Q(1) = 4.66, P = 0.031). Uptake of therapy was higher for interventions delivered by telephone rather than face‐to‐face (71.2% compared with 53.8%, Q(1) = 4.91, P = 0.027) and when therapy was offered prior to medical treatment compared with later (72.9% compared with 56.8%, Q(1) = 5.60, P = 0.018). Patients were more likely to accept intervention from nurses than other allied health professionals (68.3% compared with 50.5%, Q(1) = 5.76, P = 0.016).

Conclusions

Patients appeared more receptive to interventions offered near diagnosis, over the telephone and by nurses. Although this suggests higher acceptability of such interventions, evidence of their greater efficacy is lacking, and this merits further investigation. Research is needed to understand barriers to acceptance of psychological support, particularly because uptake rates were lower for distressed patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Density of localized state distribution near the valence band in stabilized a‐Se using interrupted field time of flight measurements with long interruption times
Authors: Koughia Cyril , Reznik Alla , Allen Christopher , Johanson Robert , Kasap Safa
Published: February 2016

In the present paper, we have investigated hole transport in stabilized a‐Se films using interrupted‐field‐time‐of‐flight (IFTOF) experiments with interruption times up to 600 μs. A distinct advantage of IFTOF measurements is that one can monitor the average “free” hole concentration p(t) (= p(x,t) averaged over the thickness of the sample L) at a given location x1 in the sample inasmuch as the applied field is removed at a certain time t1 for an interruption period of ti. At time t1 + ti, the field is reapplied and the recovered photocurrent i2 at t = t1 + ti is measured with respect to the original photocurrent i1 at t = t1. The experimental results are interpreted by the comparison of experimental photocurrent transients with numerical and Monte‐Carlo simulations of multiple trapping hole transport for different DOS models; and their agreement with a featureless DOS distribution in the vicinity of valence band is confirmed. The examination of IFTOF experiments (i2/i1 as a function of ti) for very long interruption times puts the energy position of deep traps controlling the hole lifetime to be above 0.65 eV from Ev. The results are critically discussed in view of past experiments on the DOS in a‐Se and recent structural modeling work on defects in the structure. Further, the work in this article vindicates the use of shallow trap controlled mobility and a single deep trapping time in the modeling of hole transport in recently developed a‐Se based X‐ray detectors; that is we only need shallow and deep traps to model the detector performance.