bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
lncRNA CASC11 promotes cancer cell proliferation in bladder cancer through miRNA‐150
Authors: Luo Huarong , Xu Chengdang , Le Wei , Ge Bujun , Wang Tianru
Published: March 2019

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) CASC11 is an oncogenic lncRNA in gastric cancer and colorectal cancer. Our study aimed to investigate the role of lncRNA CASC11 in bladder cancer. In this study we showed that plasma lncRNA CASC11 was upregulated, while plasma miRNA‐150 was downregulated in patients with early‐stage bladder cancer than in healthy controls. Altered expression of plasma lncRNA CASC11 and miRNA‐150 separated patients with bladder cancer from healthy controls. lncRNA CASC11 expression was inversely correlated with miRNA‐150 expression in patients with bladder cance but not in healthy controls. Overexpression of lncRNA CASC11 mediated the inhibition of miRNA‐150 expression in cancer cells, while miRNA‐150 overexpression did not significantly alter lncRNA CASC11 expression. lncRNA CASC11 overexpression promoted, while miRNA‐150 overexpression inhibited cancer cell proliferation. miRNA‐150 also attenuated the enhancing effects of lncRNA CASC11 overexpression on cancer cell proliferation. However, overexpression of lncRNA CASC11 showed no significant effects on cancer cell migration and invasion. Therefore, lncRNA CASC11 may promote cancer cell proliferation in bladder cancer, and the actions of lncRNA CASC11 are likely through miRNA‐150.
DNA methylation‐based diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of nonsmoking lung adenocarcinoma patients
Authors: Zhang Xiaoming , Gao Chundi , Liu Lijuan , Zhou Chao , Liu Cun , Li Jia , Zhuang Jing , Sun Changgang
Published: March 2019

Currently, there are few studies on patients with nonsmoking lung adenocarcinoma, and the pathogenesis is still unclear. The role of DNA methylation in the pathogenesis of cancer is gradually being recognized. The purpose of this study was to determine the abnormal methylation genes and pathways involved in nonsmoking lung adenocarcinoma patients. Gene expression microarray data (GSE10072, GSE43458) and gene methylation microarray data (GSE62948) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and differentially expressed genes were obtained through GEO2R. Next, we analyzed the function and enrichment of the selected genes using Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery. The protein‐protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes database and visualized in Cytoscape. Finally, we performed module analysis of the PPI network using Molecular Complex Detection. And we obtained 10 hub genes by Cytoscape Centiscape. We analyzed the independent prognostic value of each hub gene in nonsmoking nonsmall cell lung cancer patients through Kaplan‐Meier plotter. Seven hub genes (CXCL12, CDH1, CASP3, CREB1, COL1A1, ERBB2, and ENO2) were closely related to the overall survival time. This study provides an effective bioinformatics basis for further understanding the pathogenesis and prognosis of nonsmoking lung adenocarcinoma patients. Hub genes with prognostic value could be selected as effective biomarkers for timely diagnosis and prognostic of nonsmoking lung adenocarcinoma patients.
Identification of potential key genes associated with osteosarcoma based on integrated bioinformatics analyses
Authors: Hu Guangbing , Cheng Zhian , Wu Zizhuo , Wang Hanyu
Published: March 2019

Due to high rates of metastasis and poor clinical outcomes for patients, it is important to study the pathomechanisms of osteosarcoma. However, due to the fact that osteosarcoma shows significant interindividual variation and high heterogeneity, the identification of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the population level cannot answer many important questions related to osteosarcoma tumorigenesis. Therefore, a new strategy to identify dysregulated genes in osteosarcoma samples is required. The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of osteosarcoma pathogenesis by identifying genes with universal aberrant expression in osteosarcoma samples. Because the relative expression ordering of genes is stable in normal bone tissues but is disrupted in osteosarcoma tissues, we used the RankComp algorithm to identify DEGs in normal and osteosarcoma tissue samples. We then calculated the dysregulation frequency for each gene. Genes with deregulation frequencies above 80% were deemed to be universal DEGs. Next, coexpression, pathway enrichment, and protein‐protein interaction network analyses were performed to characterize the functions of these genes. From 188 samples of osteosarcoma obtained from four datasets measured on different platforms, 51 universal DEGs were identified, including 4 universally upregulated genes and 47 universally downregulated genes. Genes that were differentially coexpressed with these universal DEGs were found to be enriched in 46 cancer‐related pathways. In addition, functional and network analyses showed that genes with high dysregulation frequencies were involved in cancer‐related functions. Thus, the commonly aberrant genes identified in osteosarcoma tissues may be important targets for osteosarcoma diagnosis and therapy.
Valence: A Massively Parallel Implementation of the Variational Subspace Valence Bond Method
Authors: Fletcher Graham D. , Bertoni Colleen , Keçeli Murat , D'Mello Michael
Published: March 2019

This work describes the software package, Valence, for the calculation of molecular energies using the variational subspace valence bond (VSVB) method. VSVB is an ab initio electronic structure method based on nonorthogonal orbitals. Important features of practical value include high parallel scalability, wave functions that can be constructed automatically by combining orbitals from previous calculations, and ground and excited states that can be modeled with a single configuration or determinant. The open‐source software package includes tools to generate wave functions, a database of generic orbitals, example input files, and a library build intended for integration with other packages. We also describe the interface to an external software package, enabling the computation of optimized molecular geometries and vibrational frequencies. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Microstructure and material properties of hind wings of a bamboo weevil Cyrtotrachelus buqueti (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: Li Xin , Guo Ce
Published: March 2019

Wings of flying insects, as representative biomaterials, are composed of a flexible membrane and a stiff vein structure that are prone to bending and deformation under aerodynamic forces. Therefore, we must investigate the application value of insect wings in the field of engineering design from the perspective of bionics, which is a new challenge. In this study, we measured the mechanical properties of the hind wings of Cyrtotrachelus buqueti including “dried” and “fresh” samples. The wing membrane samples were prepared by carefully cutting the hind wings into 2.0 mm by 8.0 mm rectangular segments using a gauge. As the major wing veins are the main loading units under aerodynamic forces, we also separated them from the wings as a kind of investigative specimen. The wing membranes were adhered to a specially designed paper fixture and the mechanical properties of the wing veins and membranes were evaluated using a tensile testing machine. We observed the microstructure of the samples using a scanning electron microscope and accurately measured the thicknesses of desired the wing membranes and veins. The results show that there is a difference in the mechanical properties of the two samples. The elastic modulus and Poisson's ratios vary over the region in hind wing, so we can conclude that the wing membrane is an anisotropic and non‐uniform material.
Effect of gluten‐free diet and compliance on quality of life in pediatric celiac disease patients
Authors: Chellan Deepak , Muktesh Gaurav , Vaiphei Kim , Berry Neha , Dhaka Narendra , Sinha Saroj Kant , Thapa Babu Ram , Kochhar Rakesh
Published: March 2019

Background

Quality of life (QOL) in children with celiac disease (CD) has been sparsely studied.

Aims

We aimed to study QOL in pediatric CD and the effect of a gluten‐free diet (GFD) in a North Indian population.

Methods

QOL was assessed at baseline and 6 months after GFD using a pediatric symptom checklist (PSC) score. The effect of GFD was assessed using a CD‐specific questionnaire on domains such as dietary compliance, parental behavior and perceptions, children's feeling, and difficulty identifying gluten‐free foods.

Results

A total of 60 CD children (age 6.03 ± 0. 42 years, range: 2–12 years, M:F 2:1) were prospectively enrolled. The median PSC score at baseline was 11.5 (2–35), which showed a statistically significant improvement after GFD to 2.5 (0–34) (P < 0.001). Significant concerns regarding specific domains emerged: difficulty in maintaining GFD 26.2%, at school 14.3%, at parties 43.2%, poor taste 11.4%, special diet a burden 28.5%, felt left out at school or friend's home 40.9%, felt different from other kids 40.9%, felt embarrassed to bring GFD to parties 54.6%, felt angry about following a special diet 56.8%, felt not invited out for meals because of CD 13.6%, and difficulty determining if food available was gluten free in 75%.

Conclusion

GFD has a significant impact on emotional, behavioral, and psychosocial domains in children with CD. Proper labeling of commercially available food items, counseling, and patient support groups are the need of the hour.
Characterization of Sub‐1 cm Breast Lesions Using Radiomics Analysis
Authors: Gibbs Peter , Onishi Natsuko , Sadinski Meredith , Gallagher Katherine M. , Hughes Mary , Martinez Danny F. , Morris Elizabeth A. , Sutton Elizabeth J.
Published: March 2019

Background

Small breast lesions are difficult to visually categorize due to the inherent lack of morphological and kinetic detail.

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of radiomics analysis in discriminating small benign and malignant lesions utilizing model free parameter maps.

Study Type

Retrospective, single center.

Population

In all, 149 patients, with a total of 165 lesions scored as BI‐RADS 4 or 5 on MRI, with an enhancing volume of <0.52 cm3.

Field Strength/Sequence

Higher spatial resolution T1‐weighted dynamic contrast‐enhanced imaging with a temporal resolution of ~90 seconds performed at 3.0T.

Assessment

Parameter maps reflecting initial enhancement, overall enhancement, area under the enhancement curve, and washout were generated. Heterogeneity measures based on first‐order statistics, gray level co‐occurrence matrices, run length matrices, size zone matrices, and neighborhood gray tone difference matrices were calculated. Data were split into a training dataset (~75% of cases) and a test dataset (~25% of cases).

Statistical Tests

Comparison of medians was assessed using the nonparametric Mann–Whitney U‐test. The Spearman rank correlation coefficient was utilized to determine significant correlations between individual features. Finally, a support vector machine was employed to build multiparametric predictive models.

Results

Univariate analysis revealed significant differences between benign and malignant lesions for 58/133 calculated features (P < 0.05). Support vector machine analysis resulted in areas under the curve (AUCs) ranging from 0.75–0.81. High negative (>89%) and positive predictive values (>83%) were found for all models.

Data Conclusion

Radiomics analysis of small contrast‐enhancing breast lesions is of value. Texture features calculated from later timepoints on the enhancement curve appear to offer limited additional value when compared with features determined from initial enhancement for this patient cohort.

Level of Evidence: 4

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2019;50:1468–1477.
Reliable noise modeling of GaN HEMTs for designing low‐noise amplifiers
Authors: Jarndal Anwar , Hussein Ahmed , Crupi Giovanni , Caddemi Alina
Published: March 2019

A reliable modeling procedure is developed for extracting an equivalent circuit able to reproduce the small‐signal and noise performance of the gallium nitride (GaN) high‐electron mobility transistor (HEMT) technology. The main advantages of this model are its simplicity and straightforward extraction based on only pinch‐off scattering (S‐) parameter measurements. The validity of the achieved model is verified by the good agreement between high‐frequency experiments and simulations for three devices with different sizes. The model reliability is further confirmed by the observed good scaling of the extracted parameters. The same model is demonstrated by designing and simulating a broadband low‐noise amplifier (LNA) for 5G applications.
Tachycardia cycle length alternans caused by alternate conduction velocity on the slow conduction zone in a postoperative scar‐related atrial tachycardia
Authors: Su Chen , Liu Menghui , Ma Yuedong , Wang Lichun
Published: March 2019

The underlying mechanism for stable beat‐to‐beat cycle length variability (CL alternans) in scar‐related atrial tachycardia (AT) had not been elucidated clearly. We described a case with postoperative dual‐loop reentrant AT in right atrium. When the loop depended on cavo‐tricuspid isthmus was blocked by ablation, the AT transformed into a CL alternate tachycardia. High density and resolution mapping revealed that the CL alternans was caused by the alternate conduction velocities at the slow conduct region. A further ablation line was created from the slow conduction zone to the inferior vena cave, and afterward no AT was inducible.
Backward and forward drift trajectories of sea ice in the northwestern Arctic Ocean in response to changing atmospheric circulation
Authors: Lei Ruibo , Gui Dawei , Hutchings Jennifer K. , Wang Jia , Pang Xiaoping
Published: March 2019

To track sea ice motion, four ice‐tethered buoys were deployed at 84.6°N and 144.3°W, 87.3°N and 172.3°W, 81.1°N and 157.4°W, and 82.8°N and 166.5°W in summers of 2008, 2010, 2014, and 2016, respectively. In addition, the remote sensed ice motion product provided by National Snow and Ice Data Center was used to reconstruct backward and forward ice drifting trajectories from the buoy deployment sites during 1979–2016. Sea ice in the central Arctic Ocean in late summer is trending to have travelled from lower latitudes, and to be advected to the region more involved in the Transpolar Drift Stream (TDS) during 1979–2016. The strengthened TDS has played a crucial role in Arctic sea ice loss from a dynamic perspective. The trajectory of ice is found to be significantly related to atmosphere circulation indices. The Central Arctic Index (CAI), defined as the difference in sea level pressure between 84°N, 90°W and 84°N, 90°E, can explain 34–40% of the meridional displacement along the backward trajectories, and it can explain 27–40% of the zonal displacement along the forward trajectories. The winter Beaufort High (BH) anomaly can explain 18–27% of the zonal displacement. Under high positive CAI values or high negative winter BH anomalies, floes from the central Arctic tended to be advected out of the Arctic Ocean through Fram Strait or other marginal gateways. Conversely, under high negative CAI values or high positive winter BH anomalies, ice tended to become trapped within a region close to the North Pole or it drifted into the Beaufort Gyre region. The long‐term trend and spatial change in Arctic surface air temperature were more remarkable during the freezing season than the melt season because most energy from the lower troposphere is used to melt sea ice and warm the upper ocean during summer.
Aligning content rendering resolution and feature size with display capability in near‐eye display systems
Authors: Hoffman David M. , McKenzie Chris , Koprowski Brion , Iqbal Asif , Balram Nikhil
Published: March 2019

In order to create a satisfying experience with near‐eye displays, the content must be adapted to be legible on the display used. New displays are using subpixel arrangements that can limit the minimum resolvable feature size to something greater than with the conventional RGB stripe arrangement. We conducted an experiment to measure the minimum and preferred size of text in two virtual reality (VR) displays systems and find that the text size is display limited. We then measure several displays with different pixel arrangements to determine whether the subpixel arrangement could impact legibility. We propose several Fourier metrics that can be computed from the measured data to categorize the capability of the display and describe a framework for selecting the appropriate content from a set of discrete tiers.
A nomogram for predicting recurrence after complete resection for thymic epithelial tumors based on the TNM classification: A multi‐institutional retrospective analysis
Authors: Yun Jae Kwang , Lee Geun Dong , Kim Hyeong Ryul , Kim Dong Kwan , Zo Jae Il , Shim Young Mog , Kang Chang Hyun , Kim Young Tae , Paik Hyo Chae , Chung Kyoung Young ,   other members of the Korean Association for Research on the Thymus (KART).
Published: March 2019

Objectives

This study aimed to compare the predictive ability between the Masaoka‐Koga (M‐K) staging system and the 8th TNM staging system for the recurrence of thymic epithelial tumors (TETs). In addition, a nomogram was developed on the basis of the proposed TNM classification to predict individual recurrence rate.

Methods

A retrospective study was performed on 445 patients who underwent complete resection (R0) of TETs between January 2000 and February 2013. Concordance index (C‐index) was used as a statistical indicator to quantify the prediction power of the prediction models.

Results

In multivariate analysis, tumor stage and WHO classification were independent recurrence factors in a predictive model on the basis of M‐K and TNM stage. The TNM model showed higher C‐index than the M‐K model (0.837 vs 0.817). The nomogram, on the basis of the TNM model, revealed a highly predictive performance, with a bootstrap‐corrected C‐index of 0.85 (95% CI, 0.76 to 0.93).

Conclusions

A predictive model based on the 8th TNM stage was slightly better than that based on M‐K stage with respect to recurrence after R0 of TETs. The proposed nomogram could be applied to estimate the individual recurrence rate and make decisions for proper surveillance.
Multi‐scale Gaussian/Haar wavelet strategies coupled with sub‐window factor analysis for an accurate alignment in nontargeted metabolic profiling to enhance herbal origin discrimination capability
Authors: He Min , Hong Liang , Zhou Yu
Published: March 2019

Metabolic dataset can provide an overview of different herbal origin, which is conducted by some statistical procedures. Such results often deviate to a certain degree, due to peaks shifts in chromatographic signals. In order to solve this problem, an improved algorithm of combining sub‐window factor analysis with the mass spectrum information is proposed. The algorithm uses a peak detection approach derived either from multi‐scale Gaussian function or Haar wavelet to locate the peaks with different application scope; the candidate drift points at each peak are estimated by Fast Fourier transform cross correlation; Specifically, the best drift points at each candidate peaks are confirmed by sub‐window factor analysis and mass spectrum information in nontargeted metabolic profiling. Finally, the peak regions were aligned against a reference chromatogram, and the non‐peak regions were used linear interpolation. The chromatographic signals of 30 Bupleurum samples were aligned as an illustration of this algorithm, and they could be well distinguished using some statistical procedures. The result demonstrates that the presented method is stronger than other mass‐spectra based algorithms, when facing the alignment of some co‐eluted peaks.
Sol‐gel technique for the preparation of β‐cyclodextrin gold nanoparticles as chiral stationary phase in open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Jiang Zhen , Qu Jialin , Tian Xiangge , Huo Xiaokui , Zhang Jianbin , Guo Xingjie , Fang Linlin
Published: March 2019

A novel open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography column coated with β‐cyclodextrin was prepared using the sol‐gel technique. In the sol‐gel approach, owing to the three‐dimensional network of sol‐gel and the strong chemical bond between the stationary phase and the surface of capillary columns, good chromatographic characteristics and unique selectivity in separating enantiomers were shown. The influences of capillary inner diameter, coating time, organic modifier, buffer pH, and buffer concentration on separation were investigated. The sol‐gel‐coated β‐cyclodextrin column has shown improved enantioseparation efficiency of chlorphenamine, brompheniramine, pheniramine, zopiclone in comparison with the sol‐gel matrix capillary column. The migration time relative standard deviation of the separation of the enantiomers was less than 0.89% over five runs and 2.9% from column to column. This work confirmed that gold nanoparticles are promising electrochromatographic support to enhance the phase ratio of open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography column in capillary electrochromatography.
Examination of Treatment Effects on Hazardous Drinking Among Service Members With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
Authors: Dondanville Katherine A. , Wachen Jennifer Schuster , Hale Willie J. , Mintz Jim , Roache John D. , Carson Cody , Litz Brett T. , Yarvis Jeffrey S. , Young‐McCaughan Stacey , Peterson Alan L. , Resick Patricia A. ,   for the STRONG STAR Consortium
Published: March 2019

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder are frequently comorbid and present significant treatment challenges. Unfortunately, since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in the United States, the rates of PTSD and hazardous drinking among active duty service members have increased significantly. Previous research on PTSD has typically excluded participants with current substance abuse. However, there is some research examining independent treatments for PTSD and substance abuse provided consecutively, concurrently, or as enhancements to other treatment. The current study examined the association between current hazardous drinking and PTSD treatment among 108 active duty service members with PTSD in a randomized controlled trial of group cognitive processing therapy and group present‐centered therapy. Total scores above 8 on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test defined hazardous alcohol use. At baseline, 25.0% of the sample was categorized as hazardous drinkers, and the hazardous and nonhazardous drinking groups did not differ in PTSD symptom severity, F(1, 106) = 0.08, p = .777, d = 0.06. Over the course of treatment, the two groups also did not differ significantly in PTSD symptom severity change on the PTSD Checklist, F(1, 106) = 1.20, p = .280, d = 0.33. Treatment for PTSD did not exacerbate hazardous drinking, and the hazardous drinking group showed significant reductions in drinking following PTSD treatment. Limitations and implications for treatment considerations are discussed.
Kinetics of nonisothermal reduction and carburization of WO3─NiO nano‐composite powders by CO─CO2
Authors: Mohammadzadeh Hurieh , Rezaie HamidReza , Barati Mansoor , Yu Dawei , Samim Hamid Reza
Published: March 2019

The kinetics of simultaneous reduction and carburization of WO3─NiO nanocomposite powders by CO/CO2 was studied using a nonisothermal thermogravimetric analysis. The experiments were carried out at heating rates between 5 and 15°C/min, showing that the thermochemical processes can be divided into four steps, each dominated by a reaction, as following: NiO → Ni, WO3 → WO2, WO2 → W, and W → WC. The apparent activation energy for each step was obtained based on the Flynn‐Wall‐Ozawa isoconversional method for the individual steps, and the kinetic model was assessed by fitting master plots of various kinetic models for these steps at different heating rates. The Avrami‐Erofeev kinetic model was found to fit to the third and fourth steps and main part of the first, and the geometric contracting model fitted the best for the second step. Changing the heating rate did not affect the master plots of the third step. However, for the first step, increasing the heating rate made the Avrami‐Erofeev model the best‐fitting correlation and also for the second step the matching model changed at the highest heating rate (15°C/min) from a two‐dimensional contracting model (cylindrical particles) to a three‐dimensional contracting model (spherical particles).
Treatment modality impact on quality of life for human papillomavirus–associated oropharynx cancer
Authors: Xu Mary Jue , Plonowska Karolina A. , Gurman Zev R. , Humphrey Amanda K. , Ha Patrick K. , Wang Steven J. , El‐Sayed Ivan H. , Heaton Chase M. , George Jonathan R. , Yom Sue S. , Algazi Alain P. , Ryan William R.
Published: March 2019

Objectives/Hypothesis

Compare treatment‐related quality of life (QOL) impact for early‐stage human papillomavirus–associated oropharynx squamous cell carcinoma (HPV+ OPSCC) patients.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort at a tertiary center.

Methods

Stage I (T0‐2/N0‐1) HPV+ OPSCC patients (n = 76) with pretreatment Karnofsky scores ≥80 reported QOL after surgery alone (n = 17, 22%), surgery with adjuvant radiation ± chemotherapy (S‐a[C]XRT) (n = 23, 30%), or definitive radiation ± chemotherapy (d[C]XRT) (n = 36, 47%) with the University of Washington QOL version 4 (UW‐QOL); European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core Module (EORTC QLQ‐C30) and Head and Neck Module (EORTC QLQ‐HN35); University of Michigan Xerostomia, and Neck Dissection Impairment Index questionnaires (median follow‐up = 2.2 years, interquartile range = 1.0–4.2 years). Treatment adverse events and gastrostomy tube rates were assessed.

Results

Over 87% of each treatment group reported good or better overall QOL. Each group had low gastrostomy tube and treatment‐specific complication rates. S‐a(C)XRT and d(C)XRT patients had similar mean scores with wide ranges for most individual and all composite categories. S‐a(C)XRT compared to d(C)XRT patients reported significantly fewer dental problems (EORTC QLQ‐C30/HN35 means = 10.1 vs. 34.3, P = .007), worse appearance (UW‐QOL means = 72.8 vs. 82.6, P = .02), and worse coughing (EORTC QLQ‐C30/HN35 means = 31.9 vs. 15.7, P = .007). Surgery alone compared to d(C)XRT and S‐a(C)XRT patients reported significantly better salivary/taste/oral functions and less pain, financial, oral/dental, and sexual problems.

Conclusions

For early‐stage HPV+ OPSCC, patients usually achieve acceptable QOL regardless of treatment. S‐a(C)XRT and d(C)XRT patients report generally similar QOL including neck/shoulder pain/function, but with a wide range in a limited patient sample. Surgery alone should be considered, when oncologically and functionally safe, given the better associated QOL.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 130:E48–E56, 2020
Vegetation responses and trade‐offs with soil‐related ecosystem services after shrub removal: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Daryanto Stefani , Wang Lixin , Fu Bojie , Zhao Wenwu , Wang Shuai
Published: March 2019

Aim

To assess the sustainability of different shrub control practices (fire, mechanical, and chemical) based on their efficacy to control shrubs and their effects on multiple ecosystem service provisions, including possible trade‐off and/or synergy.

Methods

Using a meta‐analysis approach, this study synthesized results from global shrub removal experiments. Log response ratio (lnR) between the outcome of shrub removal and that of the untreated control was used to estimate proportional changes in soil and vegetation properties resulting from each shrub control practice.

Results

When forage provisioning is the only service considered, shrub removal could achieve this desirable outcome as indicated by increasing herbaceous biomass. However, observable decreases in litter, biological crust cover, and soil nutrients, as well as increases in bare soil indicated long‐term potential trade‐offs with other ecosystem services (e.g., erosion control service and nutrient cycling); the degree was influenced by different shrub control methods. Synergistic properties were probably limited to a short‐term boost of herb productivity resulting from short‐term increase in herb biomass and diversity as well as nutrient availability.

Conclusion

Human‐induced drivers manifested in shrub control practices changed vegetation response. However, management also changed non‐targeted processes, generating potential reduction in several regulating ecosystem services. Continuous monitoring to assess landscape conditions should therefore become the key for adaptive management. Sustainable forage production should focus on strategies to maintain multiple ecosystem services because consideration of those services can lead to long‐term protection of the landscape and provide a broader range of environmental benefits.
Propionibacterium acnes susceptibility to low‐level 449 nm blue light photobiomodulation
Authors: Boyd Jeffrey M. , Lewis Kelly A. , Mohammed Nisa , Desai Primit , Purdy Mackenzie , Li Wen‐Hwa , Fourre Tara , Miksa Davide , Crane Sharron , Southall Michael , Fassih Ali
Published: March 2019

Background and Objective

Recent advances in low‐level light devices have opened new treatment options for mild to moderate acne patients. Light therapies have been used to treat a variety of skin conditions over the years but were typically only available as treatments provided by professional clinicians. Clinical application of blue light has proven to be effective for a broader spectral range and at lower fluences than previously utilized. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that sub‐milliwatt/cm2 levels of long‐wave blue light (449 nm) effectively kills Propionibacterium acnes, a causative agent of acne vulgaris, in vitro.

Materials and Methods

Two types of LED light boards were designed to facilitate in vitro blue light irradiation to either six‐well plates containing fluid culture or a petri plate containing solid medium. P. acnes. Survival was determined by counting colony forming units (CFU) following irradiation. P. acnes was exposed in the presence and absence of oxygen. Coproporphyrin III (CPIII) photoexcitation was spectrophotometrically evaluated at 415 and 440 nm to compare the relative photochemical activities of these wavelengths.

Results

422 and 449 nm blue light killed P. acnes in planktonic culture. Irradiation with 449 nm light also effectively killed P. acnes on a solid agar surface. Variation of time or intensity of light exposure resulted in a fluence‐dependent improvement of antimicrobial activity. The presence of oxygen was necessary for killing of P. acnes with 449 nm light. CPIII displayed clear photoexcitation at both 415 and 440 nm, indicating that both wavelengths are capable of initiating CPIII photoexcitation at low incident light intensities (50 uW/cm2).

Conclusion

Herein we demonstrate that sub‐milliwatt/cm2 levels of long‐wave blue light (449 nm) effectively kill P. acnes. The methods and results presented allow for deeper exploration and design of light therapy treatments. Results from these studies are expanding our understanding of the mode of action and functionality of blue light, allowing for improved options for acne patients. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sulfate‐reducing bacteria‐assisted hydrogen‐induced stress cracking of 2205 duplex stainless steels
Authors: Łabanowski Jerzy , Rzychoń Tomasz , Simka Wojciech , Michalska Joanna
Published: March 2019

The paper presents the results of a laboratory investigation of the microbiologically assisted hydrogen‐induced stress cracking (HISC) of 2,205 duplex stainless steel (DSS). The testing of susceptibility toward HISC was performed with two different methods. Precharged in sulfate‐reducing bacteria (SRB), inoculated medium samples were subjected to slow strain‐rate testing in artificial seawater. In situ constant load tests were performed directly in SRB‐inoculated medium under hydrogen charging at 70% of the ultimate tensile strength. Samples tested in the biotic (SRB) conditions showed a considerable loss of ductility as compared to those tested in sterile conditions. Quantitative characteristics of fracture surfaces indicated increased susceptibility to HISC of biotic samples, therefore, suggesting a role of SRB in promoting hydrogen damage of DSS.
Isolated Abdominal Motor Seizures of Mesial Parietal Origin: Epileptic Belly Dancing?
Authors: Lizarraga Karlo J. , Serrano Enrique A. , Tornes Leticia , Kanner Andres M. , Lang Anthony E.
Published: March 2019

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Current therapies and therapeutic decision making for childhood‐onset movement disorders
Authors: Mohammad Shekeeb S. , Paget Simon P. , Dale Russell C.
Published: March 2019

Movement disorders differ in children to adults. First, neurodevelopmental movement disorders such as tics and stereotypies are more prevalent than parkinsonism, and second, there is a genomic revolution which is now explaining many early‐onset dystonic syndromes. We outline an approach to children with movement disorders starting with defining the movement phenomenology, determining the level of functional impairment due to abnormal movements, and screening for comorbid psychiatric conditions and cognitive impairments which often contribute more to disability than the movements themselves. The rapid improvement in our understanding of the etiology of movement disorders has resulted in an increasing focus on precision medicine, targeting treatable conditions and defining modifiable disease processes. We profile some of the key disease‐modifying therapies in metabolic, neurotransmitter, inflammatory, and autoimmune conditions and the increasing focus on gene or cellular therapies. When no disease‐modifying therapies are possible, symptomatic therapies are often all that is available. These classically target dopaminergic, cholinergic, alpha‐adrenergic, or GABAergic neurochemistry. Increasing interest in neuromodulation has highlighted that some clinical syndromes respond better to DBS, and further highlights the importance of “disease‐specific” therapies with a future focus on individualized therapies according to the genomic findings or disease pathways that are disrupted. We summarize some pragmatic applications of symptomatic therapies, neuromodulation techniques, and some rehabilitative interventions and provide a contemporary overview of treatment in childhood‐onset movement disorders. © 2019 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
The Presence of Pulses within a Meal can Alter Fat‐Soluble Vitamin Bioavailability
Authors: Margier Marielle , Antoine Tiffany , Siriaco Aurélie , Nowicki Marion , Halimi Charlotte , Maillot Matthieu , Georgé Stéphane , Reboul Emmanuelle
Published: March 2019

Scope

It is widely advised to increase pulse consumption. However, pulses are rich in molecules displaying lipid‐lowering properties, including fibers, phytates, saponins, and tannins. The effects of pulses on fat‐soluble vitamin bioavailability were thus explored.

Methods

Vitamin A (β‐carotene and retinyl palmitate), vitamin E (α‐tocopherol), vitamin D (cholecalciferol), and vitamin K (phylloquinone) bioaccessibility was evaluated by assessing micellarization after in vitro digestion of meals containing either potatoes (control), household‐cooked, or canned pulses. The obtained mixed micelles were delivered to Caco‐2 cells to evaluate vitamin uptake. The impact of fibers, phytates, saponins, and tannins on both phylloquinone (used as a model vitamin) bioaccessibility and uptake were then specifically assessed.

Results

The presence of pulses significantly decreased both vitamin bioaccessibility (up to −65% for β‐carotene, −69% for retinyl‐palmitate, −45% for cholecalciferol, −53% for α‐tocopherol and −67% for phylloquinone) and uptake (−40% for retinyl‐palmitate, −67% for cholecalciferol, −50% for α‐tocopherol and −57% for phylloquinone). Effects on bioaccessibility, but not on uptake, are dependent on pulse cooking method. Phylloquinone bioaccessibility is specifically impacted by saponins, tannins, and fibers while its uptake is impacted by saponins, fibers, and phytates.

Conclusion

Pulses can alter fat‐soluble micronutrient bioavailability. Pulses should thus be cooked appropriately and consumed within micronutrient‐rich meals.
Technical Note: Identification of an optimal electromagnetic sensor for in vivo electromagnetic‐tracked scintillation dosimeter for HDR brachytherapy
Authors: Tho Daline , Beaulieu Luc
Published: March 2019

Purpose

Brachytherapy is a treatment modality which delivers large doses of radiation in a reduced number of visits. Since a small number of large dose‐per‐fraction is administered in high dose rate brachytherapy, ensuring the right dose is delivered is highly critical. In this work, a scintillation detector is coupled to an electromagnetic (EM) sensor (NDI, Waterloo, ON, Canada) having submillimeter positional accuracy for real‐time tracking of the dosimeter position. However, adding an EM sensor adds materials in the path to the scintillator and thus could potentially perturb the dose measurements. This study assesses four different sensors for a plastic scintillation detector–EM sensor coupled dosimeter.

Methods

To confirm the perturbation presence, different sensors were placed in front of the scintillator so the radiation does not arrive to it directly. Variation of the distance between the sensor and the scintillator was used to quantify the effect on the signal at and . To test the signal's angular dependence for each sensor, the signal measurement was taken from to with increment.

Results

The Aurora 5DOF‐610090 sensor showed an increased signal of almost 20% with increasing beam angle. Sensors Aurora 5DOF‐610099, Aurora 5DOF‐610157, and Aurora Micro 6DOF‐610059 showed no significant angle dependance. The Aurora Micro 6DOF‐610059 and Aurora 5DOF‐610157 sensors' cable signal revealed no extra signal attenuation. The latter gives a smaller overall attenuation. Therefore, the Aurora 5DOF‐610157 sensor is chosen to be part of the novel dosimeter construction. It has a jitter error (average standard deviation of each individual measurement) of ±0.06 mm and a reproducibility of ±0.008 mm. In the optimal operating range, the average positional uncertainty is less than 0.2 mm. Average angle errors are not higher than .

Conclusion

It is feasible to integrate an EM tracking sensor to a plastic scintillation dosimeter with minimal impact to the collected signal as well as sufficient positional accuracy to keep dose uncertainty below 5%.
Localized rest and stress human cardiac creatine kinase reaction kinetics at 3 T
Authors: Clarke William T. , Peterzan Mark A. , Rayner Jennifer J. , Sayeed Rana A. , Petrou Mario , Krasopoulos George , Lake Hannah A. , Raman Betty , Watson William D. , Cox Pete , Hundertmark Moritz J. , Apps Andrew P. , Lygate Craig A. , Neubauer Stefan , Rider Oliver J. , Rodgers Christopher T.
Published: March 2019

Changes in the kinetics of the creatine kinase (CK) shuttle are sensitive markers of cardiac energetics but are typically measured at rest and in the prone position. This study aims to measure CK kinetics during pharmacological stress at 3 T, with measurement in the supine position. A shorter “stressed saturation transfer” (StreST) extension to the triple repetition time saturation transfer (TRiST) method is proposed. We assess scanning in a supine position and validate the MR measurement against biopsy assay of CK activity. We report normal ranges of stress CK forward rate (kfCK) for healthy volunteers and obese patients.

TRiST measures kfCK in 40 min at 3 T. StreST extends the previously developed TRiST to also make a further kfCK measurement during <20 min of dobutamine stress. We test our TRiST implementation in skeletal muscle and myocardium in both prone and supine positions. We evaluate StreST in the myocardium of six healthy volunteers and 34 obese subjects. We validated MR‐measured kfCK against biopsy assays of CK activity.

TRiST kfCK values matched literature values in skeletal muscle (kfCK = 0.25 ± 0.03 s−1 vs 0.27 ± 0.03 s−1) and myocardium when measured in the prone position (0.32 ± 0.15 s−1), but a significant difference was found for TRiST kfCK measured supine (0.24 ± 0.12 s−1). This difference was because of different respiratory‐ and cardiac‐motion‐induced B0 changes in the two positions. Using supine TRiST, cardiac kfCK values for normal‐weight subjects were 0.15 ± 0.09 s−1 at rest and 0.17 ± 0.15 s−1 during stress. For obese subjects, kfCK was 0.16 ± 0.07 s−1 at rest and 0.17 ± 0.10 s−1 during stress. Rest myocardial kfCK and CK activity from LV biopsies of the same subjects correlated (R = 0.43, p = 0.03).

We present an independent implementation of TRiST on the Siemens platform using a commercially available coil. Our extended StreST protocol enables cardiac kfCK to be measured during dobutamine‐induced stress in the supine position.
Barriers to patient and family‐centred care in adult intensive care units: A systematic review
Authors: Kiwanuka Frank , Shayan Shah Jahan , Tolulope Agbele Alaba
Published: March 2019

Aim

Despite remarkable theoretical evidence of positive outcomes of patient and family‐centred care, it is rarely performed in the intensive care setting. The aim of this review was to assess the barriers to patient and family‐centred care among healthcare providers, patients and family members in adult intensive care units.

Design

A systematic review of both qualitative and quantitative studies.

Methods

The search strategy sought for published peer‐reviewed research papers limited to English language from conception to 2018. The review protocol was registered in the CRD Prospero database (CRD42018086838). Literature search was carried out in four databases: EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PubMed and Scopus where keywords “barriers,” “patient and family centered care,” “patient‐centered care” and “intensive care unit” appeared in any part of the reference. Hand search of reference lists of identified papers was also done to capture all pertinent materials. Each study was assessed by three independent reviewers against the inclusion criteria. Evidence was graded according to sampling quality, quantity and measurement of intended outcomes. Screening of studies and citations resulted in seven studies that were included in the analysis.

Results

Barriers to patient and family‐centred care broadly fall under four categories; lack of understanding of what is needed to achieve patient and family‐centred care, organizational barriers, individual barriers and interdisciplinary barriers.
Novel Synthesis of Cu‐Schiff Base Complex@Metal‐Organic Framework MIL‐101 via a Mild Method: A Comparative Study for Rapid Catalytic Effects
Authors: Wu Yun , Wang Wei , Liu Lingli , Zhu Sane , Wang Xiaochen , Hu Enzhu , Hu Kunhong
Published: March 2019

The use of metal complex immobilized/decorated porous materials as catalysts has found various applications. As such, finding a new and mild method for synthesis of metal complex immobilized over porous material is of great interest. Immobilized porous materials for styrene oxidation were reported in this work. Immobilized porous material of Cu‐Schiff base complex @MIL‐101 were described, in which immobilized Cu‐Schiff base complex within super cage of a metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐based porous material, chromium (III) terephthalate MIL‐101. They were systematically characterized by using elemental analysis, powder X‐ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, N2 absorption‐desorption, and so on, also used as catalyst for the selective oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde. Comparatively, the immobilized heterogeneous catalyst of Cu‐Schiff base complex@MIL‐101 acted as an efficient heterostructure catalyst in the oxidation of styrene to benzaldehyde up to six cycles, and showed superior activity for styrene oxidation over MIL‐101.
Efficient bioactive oligonucleotide‐protein conjugation for cell‐targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Aviñó Anna , Unzueta Ugutz , Virtudes Céspedes María , Casanova Isolda , Vázquez Esther , Villaverde Antonio , Mangues Ramon , Eritja Ramon
Published: March 2019

Oligonucleotide‐protein conjugates have important applications in biomedicine. Simple and efficient methods are described for the preparation of these conjugates. Specifically, we describe a new method in which a bifunctional linker is attached to thiol‐oligonucleotide to generate a reactive intermediate that is used to link to the protein. Having similar conjugation efficacy compared with the classical method in which the bifunctional linker is attached first to the protein, this new approach produces significantly more active conjugates with higher batch to batch reproducibility. In a second approach, direct conjugation is proposed using oligonucleotides carrying carboxyl groups. These methodologies have been applied to prepare nanoconjugates of an engineered nanoparticle protein carrying a T22 peptide with affinity for the CXCR4 chemokine receptor and oligomers of the antiproliferative nucleotide 2’‐deoxy‐5‐fluorouridine in a very efficient way. The protocols have potential uses for the functionalization of proteins, amino‐containing polymers or amino‐lipids in order to produce complex therapeutic nucleic acid delivery systems.
Conceptualizing community economic development strategic framework for poverty alleviation: The case of Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality
Authors: Ndaguba Emeka Austin , Hanyane Barry
Published: March 2019

Economic regeneration is a segment of neighbourhood renewal that boosts community economics and sustains certain principles of sustainable urbanization. The community economic development framework for poverty reduction, the implementation loop for stakeholder collaboration, and the Neo‐Marxist community economic development strategy for local economic freedom are imperative for sustaining and renewing the idealism of shared prosperity, which is the basis of collectivism and community economic development in relation to community development. Because, where there is poor economic vivacity; it is difficult, if not impossible for such community to galvanize towards the realisation of the sustainable development agenda, is tied to economic vivacity of an area. It is on this ground that this paper develops a neighbourhood regeneration model or the community economic development strategic framework for poverty alleviation for the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality. Data were sorted from Statistics South Africa, ScienceDirect, EBSCOHost, Proquest, and Scopus among others, and the data were cushioned with substantial qualitative analysis. Triangulation, content, and theme analysis were used to analysis the data and propose the models for the paper. It must be noted that an understanding and appreciation of this paper is dependent on the understanding of the earlier papers advanced in this series. Finding demonstrates the suitability and the need for models in empowering those at the rural areas in South Africa.
Formation and characteristics of starch‐based dual photo‐function composite hydrogel
Authors: Su Xiaoying , Xiao Congming
Published: March 2019

Starch‐based dual photo‐functional hydrogel (SDPH) was obtained via incorporating the azo group onto the backbone of polymeric network and titanium dioxide within the gel at the same time. The structure and composition of SDPH were confirmed with Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, ultraviolet‐visible (UV‐Vis) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and energy scattering X‐ray spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that titanium dioxide was well dispersed within SDPH. It was found that SDPH not only showed a reversible light‐sensitive behavior but also possessed photo‐catalytic activity. Moreover, the dual photo‐characteristics could be modulated by simply varying the initial amount of titanium dioxide.