bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparing deep belief networks with support vector machines for classifying gene expression data from complex disorders
Authors: Smolander Johannes , Dehmer Matthias , Emmert‐Streib Frank
Published: May 2019

Genomics data provide great opportunities for translational research and the clinical practice, for example, for predicting disease stages. However, the classification of such data is a challenging task due to their high dimensionality, noise, and heterogeneity. In recent years, deep learning classifiers generated much interest, but due to their complexity, so far, little is known about the utility of this method for genomics. In this paper, we address this problem by studying a computational diagnostics task by classification of breast cancer and inflammatory bowel disease patients based on high‐dimensional gene expression data. We provide a comprehensive analysis of the classification performance of deep belief networks (DBNs) in dependence on its multiple model parameters and in comparison with support vector machines (SVMs). Furthermore, we investigate combined classifiers that integrate DBNs with SVMs. Such a classifier utilizes a DBN as representation learner forming the input for a SVM. Overall, our results provide guidelines for the complex usage of DBN for classifying gene expression data from complex diseases.
Esthetics in Media Literacy
Authors: Zoss Michelle
Published: May 2019

Media literacy is a means to read and compose using the dynamic and ubiquitous tools now available on nearly any electronic device. Esthetics helps the media‐literate person to grasp the particulars, or qualities, within media texts. Reasoned perception is a tool for teaching how to perceive the ways in which media texts are constructed and understood. Esthetics and media literacy thus focuses on understanding the relations that perceivers develop as they work through the complexity and nuances of qualities in media texts.
Children and Media as a Discipline
Authors: Lemish Dafna
Published: May 2019

This entry discusses the main areas of study in the discipline of children, adolescents, and media as a microcosm of the field of media studies. It reviews various ways of mapping the field, the types of questions asked, and the methodologies employed in responding to them. The discussion compares formal school learning with leisure culture and suggests various hypotheses to explain the ongoing mutual distrust. The relationship between scholars of media and young people and those engaged in education and media literacy is examined in an attempt to identify common interests and divisions. The interdisciplinary nature of the field and the call for collaboration with all stakeholders concerned with the well‐being of children is highlighted as we continue to engage with the mediatization of childhood worldwide.
Children's Judgment of Reality and Fantasy
Authors: Mares Marie‐Louise , Bonus James Alex
Published: May 2019

Research suggests that children aged 5 and younger frequently distinguish successfully between fantasy and reality, but also that they make mistakes. Although 3‐year‐olds show clear signs of being able to distinguish play actions from real actions (e.g., pretending vs. actually eating), and toy objects from real objects (e.g., toy phones vs. real phones), reality–fantasy distinctions for media content remain somewhat challenging even into early elementary school years. Children sometimes mistakenly believe in magical or impossible events. They also tend to dismiss unfamiliar yet realistic content as impossible or pretend.
Children's Understanding of Persuasion
Authors: Rozendaal Esther , van Reijmersdal Eva , Buijzen Moniek
Published: May 2019

Children's understanding of persuasion (also referred to as persuasion knowledge) develops with age. From 5 years of age most children are able to recognize a commercial on television, and between 8 and 12 years they start to understand the selling and persuasive intent of TV commercials. However, children find it more difficult to recognize and understand the commercial nature of integrated forms of advertising such as advergames and brand placements. Although it is assumed that children with better developed persuasion knowledge are less susceptible to the effects of advertising, research has shown that knowledge does not automatically result in less persuasion. Children who possess the necessary persuasion knowledge do not automatically activate and use this knowledge when they come into contact with advertising. They only do this when triggered, for instance through the presence of a warning accompanying the advertisement or through a comment by their parents.
Civic Activism
Authors: Mihailidis Paul
Published: May 2019

Action‐taking in daily life has long been associated with media literacy practices and pedagogies. Traditionally, media literacy facilitations have focused on media production as the core pursuit of civic activism. In contemporary digital culture, civic activism has been more intentionally prioritized in media literacy scholarship and practice. Activism is closely related to concepts around voice, agency, and participation. New modes of engagement with and through technologies have opened avenues for acting in public as a core part of the media literacy process. At the same time, they call into question how we define activism and what media literacy experiences are included in the articulation of action‐taking in civic life.
Global Citizenship
Authors: Gerodimos Roman
Published: May 2019

Global citizenship is an emerging concept that describes the rights and responsibilities of a person as a member of the global community. While cosmopolitanism has existed as a normative framework for many centuries, global citizenship scholarship and practice are relatively recent. The first stage of establishing universal human rights and liberties came in response to World War II and provides a basic legal framework. A second layer focuses on sustainable development and education, so as to address major environmental challenges that emerged toward the end of the 20th century. The democratic deficit created by globalization and multilevel governance and the scale of the challenges facing the world in the 21st century have led to calls for formalized global citizenship and democratic global governance. As millions use new media to engage with current affairs and with each other across borders, effectively exercising global citizenship, digital media literacy has become a fundamental mechanism of enfranchisement.
Health Literacy
Authors: Cooke‐Jackson Angela
Published: May 2019

This entry offers an overview of health literacy from the perspective of the field of health communication. An abbreviated definition of health communication that has undergone numerous changes in the past four decades is offered. The entry examines the different societal, cultural, and individual norms that have influenced different intersections of health and media literacy. It explains how media literacy plays a key role toward enhancing health literacy, especially given the growing research in mass communication and technology. Finally, this entry addresses future trends in health literacy research, particularly in relation to interactive platforms.
Knowledge Structures
Authors: Andriopoulou Irene
Published: May 2019

What are the tools and mechanisms that can best support the development of open, mediated societies in the digital era? It is imperative to create an enabling environment for identifying the key measures and variables in media literacy policies toward establishing all‐inclusive democratic societies. The core challenge lies in the establishment of active monitoring mechanisms in the form of media and information literacy indicators. It is a fact that there's an increasing mobility of media literacy initiatives globally that pave the way for sustainable development and active citizenship. However, this activity is not (always) supported by relevant indicators and assessment mechanisms, key constituents for a pluralistic media dynamics for all. On this premise, the main fields where media literacy indicators shall develop are: media pluralism, freedom of expression and information, societal and communication skills, and cognitive and digital skills accompanied by consistent regulation. This entry endeavors to propose a media literacy infrastructure from a policy perspective, exploring all possibilities for setting up media literacy indicators and effective verification measures. At the same time, it will seek interconnections with the role of the state, the regulatory authorities, and relevant media stakeholders toward creating media diverse and sustainable democracies.
Local Public Access Centers
Authors: Rega Isabella
Published: May 2019

This entry explores different typologies of public venues used to access information and communication services and resources through (digital) technologies all over the world, with a special emphasis on their role to promote social and digital inclusion. It traces the origin and history of local public access centers and highlights common features and challenges of this kind of initiative, as well as current and future trends. Finally, the entry focuses on UNESCO community multimedia centers as an exemplary initiative to promote media literacy in the Global South.
Media Addiction among Children and Youths
Authors: Labaš Danijel
Published: May 2019

Much research and many scholars have dedicated their research and surveys to the study of Internet addiction. But, there is still no official diagnosis for Internet addiction in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders or the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. But previous research indicated that some online users were becoming addicted to the Internet in the same way that others become addicted to drugs or alcohol, and the consequences are manifested in the social, work, and family life of a person. Furthermore, there are many dangers on the Internet, and the protection of children and young people requires good cooperation and communication between children, parents, schools, local community, and society as a whole, systematically acting at all levels of prevention and protection of children from possible harmful effects of the new electronic media. This entry presents and analyzes the relation between children, teens, youth, and media, describes the concept of Internet Addiction Disorder, and opens “controversies” about this concept inviting all to see Internet Addiction Disorder as an educational challenge that can be avoided by digital literacy for all, children, youths, teachers, and parents.
Media Use in the Science Classroom
Authors: Hoban Garry
Published: May 2019

With increasing science knowledge and expanding media forms, the need for students to develop science media literacies has never been more important. In the classroom, teachers of science find themselves in the position of having to teach students increasing amounts of knowledge while at the same time engaging them in new ways of learning. Students need to develop science media literacies by interpreting and evaluating different science representations that experts and non‐experts create. While students traditionally use media as consumers of science content, another way is for them to become makers of media to represent science content, which helps them develop media literacies. Student‐generated representation of content using digital media will become an increasingly important classroom activity in both schools and universities in the 21st century, enabling students to increase their science media literacies.
Media Literacy inEngland
Authors: McDougall Julian
Published: May 2019

In England, media literacy is largely an academic/research field, while media education is taught in formal education, often in the form of the examined subject media studies. Media literacy in England has historically been informed by two traditions: the broad field of literacy research (and specifically new literacy studies) and education and the study of popular culture. More recently, media literacy's status in both policy and educational practice has been reduced, giving way to a focus on digital literacy and e‐safety. In the research community, a new definition is proposed by English academics—dynamic literacies—toward an agentive and inclusive contrast with both the static nature of curriculum and assessment design for literacy in English schools and the narrower, more functionalist conceptions of digital literacy and e‐safety in the wider society.
Media Literacy in
R
ussia
Authors: Fedorov Alexander , Levitskaya Anastasia
Published: May 2019

Media literacy education in Russia is not incorporated in the formal school curriculum, which is still regulated by the state. Universities have a more liberal approach to curriculum implementation, within the framework of elective courses. It is a pressing problem particularly for universities preparing teachers to introduce media studies and media literacy education courses into their curriculum, and also for those offering short‐term seminars on media for inservice teachers. It is through these efforts that Russian school teachers will be equipped to foster media‐literate young citizens, although it cannot be stated that Russia today is in the vanguard of media education, compared to such countries as the United Kingdom, Canada, or New Zealand, for example. This entry looks at the development of media literacy education in Russia.
Representation
Authors: Ceretti Filippo
Published: May 2019

The complex and wide notion of representation plays a fundamental role in the definition of principles and approaches of media literacy. Media don't just present reality, they represent it. Focusing just on the power of media representations, media literacy aims to develop—not only in the context of
case analysis
workshops but also within
media production
workshops—the student's ability to critically understand the strategies of the symbolic construction of reality, the ability to read the semiotic nature (and therefore be aware of the opaqueness) of media messages, and then knowledge of the role of the media in spreading models and stereotypes.
Social Action and Advocacy
Authors: Roberts Jessica
Published: May 2019

This entry explains the history of media use for social action and advocacy, the characteristics that distinguish it from other types of media content, and the issues of empowerment and action that are raised in studying media for social action and advocacy.
Social Networking Skills
Authors: Damico Nicole , Krutka Daniel G.
Published: May 2019

This entry addresses how students and teachers might leverage affordances and mitigate challenges of social networking services to develop the skills needed in the 21st century. Moving beyond narrow visions of digital citizenship, the authors argue that netizens must develop participatory and critical approaches to effectively navigate the shifting online terrain.
Stereotyping, Teaching About
Authors: Friesem Elizaveta
Published: May 2019

Stereotypes can be described as mental shortcuts that allow the brain to quickly process information and choose efficient strategies of interaction with our surroundings. Although stereotypes are a natural byproduct of human cognition and an effective narrative device, they are believed to reinforce discrimination. Teaching about stereotyping should take into consideration their pervasiveness, the fact that they stem from implicit (unconscious) biases, different kinds of stereotype formation, as well as the connection between stereotypes and inequalities along the lines of race, gender, sexuality, physical ability, class, and religion. Stereotypes are learned through interactions with a variety of social institutions, including the family and media. Media representations are often described as containing a variety of stereotypes; therefore media literacy education appears to be an effective strategy of teaching about stereotyping. It is recommended to start teaching about stereotyping in early childhood, because socialization into stereotypes happens at a young age.
Digital Media and Information Rights
Authors: Baú Valentina , Calandro Enrico
Published: May 2019

This entry advances theoretical reflections in the area of digital media access and citizen engagement and participation through digital communications. Specifically, it seeks to provide a framework to investigate the relationship between social development, civic and political participation, and access to digital media in countries where rights such as freedom of speech and information are not always upheld by governments. The authors observe that improving access to digital media in a country by providing good quality, low‐cost Internet service and information technology literacy does not unquestioningly facilitate a country's development when those media are subjected to government control. The issue this raises, in contrast, is that improved digital media access may result in increased control and restriction of freedoms in cases where telecommunications and Internet infrastructures are under government control.
Video Games as Education
Authors: Zaidan Sarah
Published: May 2019

Video games inherently combine interactivity with player agency and, irrespective of theme or genre, simulate a particular activity or situation. The medium is therefore an ideal ground for constructionist learning, where knowledge is acquired through active participation, creation, and experimentation. Video games equally enable situated learning, which relies on immersing the learner in activities relevant to the knowledge that is being acquired. This entry provides a survey of how video games are being utilized as education, including educators' repurposing of games originally designed for entertainment, and games whose applications in classrooms have led their developers to produce educational variants that facilitate learning outcomes, collaboration, and discussion.
Youth Media with Court‐Involved Youth
Authors: Huggins Gabriella
Published: May 2019

The media carry great influence on how the general public understands the justice system, and they are often the main source through which the public interacts with themes of crime and justice. Media narratives about crime are often sensationalized or dramatized, which distorts perceptions of crime and reinforces negative stereotypes about individuals in the justice system. Young people are especially vulnerable to these images. Sensational media messages isolate high‐risk young people from their communities, increase engagement in criminal activity, and may set them on a path to lifelong incarceration. In the context of mass media and growing access to alternative opportunities for media consumption and creation, digital literacy is an increasingly relevant skill for young people. This entry explores the potential of podcasting as a tool for alternative media creation in youth secure care facilities and the transformative potential of alternative media creation for young people and their audiences alike.
α‐synuclein RT‐QuIC in cerebrospinal fluid of LRRK2‐linked Parkinson's disease
Authors: Garrido Alicia , Fairfoul Graham , Tolosa Eduardo S. , Martí Maria José , Green Alison ,   the Barcelona LRRK2 Study Group
Published: May 2019

Background

Leucine‐rich kinase 2 (LRRK2)‐linked Parkinson's disease (PD) is clinically indistinguishable from idiopathic PD (IPD). A pleiotropic neuropathology has been recognized but the majority of studies in LRRK2 p.G2019S patients reveal Lewy‐type synucleinopathy as its principal histological substrate. To date no in vivo biomarkers of synucleinopathy have been found in LRRK2 mutation carriers.

Objectives

We used real‐time quaking‐induced conversion (RT‐QuIC) technique to assess the presence of alpha‐synuclein (a‐syn) aggregates in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of LRRK2 p.G2019S carriers.

Methods

CSF samples of 51 subjects were analyzed: 15 LRRK2 p.G2019S PD, 10 IPD, 16 LRRK2 p.G2019S nonmanifesting carriers (NMC) and 10 healthy controls. The presence of parkinsonism and prodromal symptoms was assessed in all study subjects.

Results

Forty percent (n = 6) LRRK2‐PD, and 18.8% (n = 3) LRRK2‐NMC had a positive a‐syn RT‐QuIC response. RT‐QuIC detected IPD with 90% sensitivity and 80% specificity. No clinical differences were detected between LRRK2‐PD patients with positive and negative RT‐QuIC. A positive RT‐QuIC result in LRRK2‐NMC occurred in a higher proportion of subjects meeting the Movement Disorder Society research criteria for prodromal PD.

Interpretation

RT‐QuIC detects a‐syn aggregation in CSF in a significant number of patients with LRRK2‐PD, but less frequently than in IPD. A small percentage of LRRK2‐NMC tested also positive. If appropriately validated in long‐term studies with large number of mutation carriers, and hopefully, postmortem or in vivo confirmation of histopathology, RT‐QuIC could contribute to the selection of candidates to receive disease modifying drugs, in particular treatments targeting a‐syn deposition.
Addiction counselors stay on message in counteracting threats to profession
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: May 2019

As they work doggedly to elevate the standing of the addiction counseling profession, the national and regional leaders of NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals continue to encounter industry trends that, if unchecked, threaten to diminish the perceived value of counselors. From the proliferation of medication treatment delivered absent counseling to the embrace of peer support services that lawmakers often confuse with therapy, many of today's hot‐button issues in addiction services would appear to make the task of counselors' advocates that much harder.
One physician's path to addiction medicine
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2019

Ajay Manhapra, M.D., began his medical career as a hospitalist. Eventually, he became an addiction treatment specialist. He described his path to addiction medicine in an interview with ADAW last month.
Ice‐Assisted Synthesis of Black Phosphorus Nanosheets as a Metal‐Free Photocatalyst: 2D/2D Heterostructure for Broadband H2 Evolution
Authors: Zhang Qingzhe , Huang Shengyun , Deng Jiujun , Gangadharan Deepak Thrithamarassery , Yang Fan , Xu Zhenhe , Giorgi Giacomo , Palummo Maurizia , Chaker Mohamed , Ma Dongling
Published: May 2019

A 2D/2D heterojunction of black phosphorous (BP)/graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) is designed and synthesized for photocatalytic H2 evolution. The ice‐assisted exfoliation method developed herein for preparing BP nanosheets from bulk BP, leads to high yield of few‐layer BP nanosheets (≈6 layers on average) with large lateral size at reduced duration and power for liquid exfoliation. The combination of BP with g‐C3N4 protects BP from oxidation and contributes to enhanced activity both under λ > 420 nm and λ > 475 nm light irradiation and to long‐term stability. The H2 production rate of BP/g‐C3N4 (384.17 µmol g−1 h−1) is comparable to, and even surpasses that of the previously reported, precious metal‐loaded photocatalyst under λ > 420 nm light. The efficient charge transfer between BP and g‐C3N4 (likely due to formed NP bonds) and broadened photon absorption (supported both experimentally and theoretically) contribute to the excellent photocatalytic performance. The possible mechanisms of H2 evolution under various forms of light irradiation is unveiled. This work presents a novel, facile method to prepare 2D nanomaterials and provides a successful paradigm for the design of metal‐free photocatalysts with improved charge‐carrier dynamics for renewable energy conversion.
The Coffee‐Ring Effect on 3D Patterns: A Simple Approach to Creating Complex Hierarchical Materials
Authors: Mirbagheri Marziye , Hwang Dae Kun
Published: May 2019

The coffee‐ring effect can be troublesome or beneficial in many surface coating and patterning technologies, prompting an extensive investigation into understanding its underlying mechanism. Although valuable insights are available on drying of polymer solutions on planar surfaces, such information is lacking for 3D‐patterned substrates. Here, the experimental realization of the coffee‐ring effect of a polymer solution on topographical surfaces is reported. Interestingly, the results indicate that, following the capillary flow, the polymer is divided between multiple contact lines on the 3D features and around the base. Therefore, for a proper spacing between the 3D patterns, it is demonstrated that the polymer deposit can be limited to the 3D structures, leaving the base unoccupied. This superposition property is then exploited to fabricate complex hierarchical materials with selective wrinkling on the 3D features, by simply drying a polymer solution on them and, subsequently crosslinking the polymers using plasma.
Numerical Relativity and the Discovery of Gravitational Waves
Authors: Eisenstein Robert A.
Published: May 2019

Solving Einstein's equations precisely for strong‐field gravitational systems is essential to determining the full physics content of gravitational wave detections. Without these solutions it is not possible to infer precise values for initial and final‐state system parameters. Obtaining these solutions requires extensive numerical simulations, as Einstein's equations governing these systems are much too difficult to solve analytically. These difficulties arise principally from the curved, non‐linear nature of spacetime in general relativity. Developing the numerical capabilities needed to produce reliable, efficient calculations has required a Herculean 50‐year effort involving hundreds of researchers using sophisticated physical insight, algorithm development, computational technique, and computers that are a billion times more capable than they were in 1964 when computations were first attempted. The purpose of this review is to give an accessible overview for non‐experts of the major developments that have made such dramatic progress possible.
Multi‐Party Semi‐Quantum Key Distribution Protocol With Four‐Particle Cluster States
Authors: Zhou Nan‐Run , Zhu Kong‐Ni , Zou Xiang‐Fu
Published: May 2019

The application of semi‐quantum conception can provide unconditional secure communication for communicators without quantum capabilities. A semi‐quantum key distribution (SQKD) protocol based on four‐particle cluster states is put forward, which can achieve key distribution among one quantum party and two classical parties simultaneously. Furthermore, this protocol can be expanded to the χ‐party () communication scheme. Compared with the existing multi‐party SQKD protocol, the proposed protocol and the extended one own more excellent time efficiency and qubit efficiency. The security of the proposed SQKD protocol under ideal circumstances is validated while the key rate under non‐ideal conditions is calculated.
Synthesis of phosphorus‐containing flame retardants and investigation of their flame retardant behavior in textile applications
Authors: Kanat Muhammed , Eren Tarik
Published: May 2019

Flame retardants are a growing area of research interest. Nonhalogenated, durable, and nonleachable flame retardants are one of the main strategies used in the research of flame retardant polymers. In this regard, the covalent attachment of phosphorus‐containing flame retardants onto cotton fabric has been developed. Two types of reactive phosphorus‐containing flame retardants (MKT‐1 and MKT‐2) have been synthesized and used as a surface coating for cotton fabric. MKT‐1 possesses anhydride and acid functionalities that can react with the OH functionalities in cellulose. In addition, MKT‐2 has both acid and organosilicon groups that can also react with the hydroxy group present in cellulose. The structures of the reactive flame retardants (MKT‐1 and MKT‐2) were characterized using 13C and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Thermal properties of the coated and uncoated cotton fabrics were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. Surface characterization was carried out using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A standard test method used to evaluate the flammability of blankets (BS 5852) was also applied to characterize the fire retardant properties of the coated and uncoated cotton fabrics studied. Different loadings of MKT‐1 and MKT‐2 on the fabric (10, 20, and 30% by weight in dimethylformamide solution) were applied in the dip coating process. The cotton fabric coated with 30% MKT‐2 does not burn after being subjected to a propane burner for 20 s and also produced the highest char yield (36%) at 500 °C. Inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry showed that MKT‐1 contains 8.23 ± 0.33 P% whereas MKT‐2 contains 3.88 ± 0.15 P%. Although MKT‐1 possess a higher P content than MKT‐2, the additive effect caused by the organosilicon and nitrogen groups present in MK‐2 enhance its flame retardant properties. Furthermore, the covalently attached flame retardant materials are durable and do not hydrolyze during washing. The mechanical properties of coated fabrics were characterized by a tensile test and significant change in elongation at break was observed. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47935.
Preparation of reactive amphoteric polyurethane with multialdehyde groups and its use as a retanning agent for chrome‐free tanned leather
Authors: Xu Wei , Chai Xiaoye , Zhao Guohui , Li Ji , Wang Xuechuan
Published: May 2019

Leather retanning agents are of great meaning for the reactive competence and thermal, physical, and mechanical properties of treated leather fibers. For this motif, reactive amphoteric polyurethane with multialdehyde groups (AAPU) was prepared by a polyaddition reaction with isophorone diisocyanate, poly(tetrahydrofuran glycol), 2,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,2‐dihydroxymethyl propionic acid, and N‐methyl diethanolamine as raw materials and was then used as a retanning agent to explore its effects on leather fibers. The structure of AAPU was confirmed by UV, Fourier transform infrared, and 1H‐NMR spectroscopy. An average particle size of 42.6 nm and an isoelectric point of 5.16 were determined. The thermal stability, physical and mechanical properties, and morphology of the AAPU‐treated leather fibers and their reactivities to anionic materials were investigated. Because of the crosslinking effect of multisite covalent bonds, which resulted from reactions between the aldehyde groups in AAPU and the pendant amido groups from collagen fibers, and the role of the cationic groups in AAPU, the thermal stability of the treated leather fibers and their reactivity to anionic materials, such as dyestuffs and fatliquoring agents, were enhanced. Thus, the absorption rate of dyes was almost as high as 99.89%, and the physical and mechanical properties of the AAPU‐treated final leather fibers were superior to those of the contrast. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47940.
Morbidity and oncological outcomes of rectal cancer impaired by previous prostate malignancy
Authors: Lakkis Z , Vernerey D , Mege D , Faucheron J-L , Panis Y , Tuech J-J , Lefevre J H , Brouquet A , Dumont F , Borg C , Woronoff A-S , Meurisse A , Heyd B , Rullier E
Published: May 2019

Background

Specific surgical and oncological outcomes in patients with rectal cancer surgery after a previous diagnosis of prostate cancer have not been well described. The aim of this study was to compare surgical outcomes in patients with rectal cancer with or without a history of prostate cancer.

Methods

Patients who had surgery for rectal cancer with (PC group) or without (no-PC group) previous curative treatment for prostate cancer were enrolled between January 2001 and December 2015. Comparisons between the two groups were performed by multivariable Cox analysis, and after propensity score matching in a 3 : 1 ratio for demographic and tumour characteristics, and surgical and oncological outcomes.

Results

A total of 944 patients with rectal cancer were enrolled, of whom 10·8 per cent had a history of prostate cancer. After matching, 83 patients who had received treatment for prostate cancer were compared with 249 who had not. The PC and no-PC groups were similar regarding patient characteristics. Extended total mesorectal excision, conversion to open surgery, transfusion and tumour perforation were more frequent in the PC group than in the no-PC group. Major surgical morbidity (28 versus 17·2 per cent; P = 0·036), anastomotic leakage (25 versus 13·7 per cent; P = 0·019) and permanent stoma (41 versus 12·4 per cent; P < 0·001) occurred more frequently in the PC group. Local recurrence was increased significantly in the PC group (17 versus 8·0 per cent; P = 0·019), and resulted in a significant decrease in disease-free and overall survival.

Conclusion

Prostate cancer treatment increases short- and long-term surgical morbidity in patients with rectal cancer, and impairs oncological outcomes.
Redox and CD44 Dual‐Responsive Nanophotosensitizer Composed of Chlorin e6‐Conjugated Hyaluronic Acid via Disulfide Linkage for Targeted Photodynamic Treatment of Cancer Cells
Authors: Park Su Bum , Jang Hyung Ha , Lee Hye Lim , Kim JungSoo , Nah Jae‐Woon , Kim Douk‐Hoon , Jeong Young‐IL , Kang Dae Hwan
Published: May 2019

For redox‐ and CD44 receptor‐sensitive photodynamic treatment of cancer cells, chlorin e6 (Ce6) was conjugated to the end of hyaluronic acid (HA) via disulfide linkages. Ce6‐conjuated HA (HAssCe6) nanophosensitizers showed small particle size less than 100 nm and spherical morphology. Ce6 was liberated from HAssCe6 nanophotosensitizer with redox‐sensitive manner and Ce6 release rate was faster in the presence of GSH than normal condition. HAssCe6 nanophotosensitizers showed extremely higher Ce6 uptake ratio than Ce6 itself. Pretreatment of HA properly inhibited intracellular uptake of HAssCe6 nanophotosensitizers, indicating that nanophotosensitizers can be entered into cells by CD44 receptor‐mediated pathway. HAssCe6 nanophotosensitizer treatment increased reactive oxygen species production and PDT efficacy with negligible dark toxicity against HCT116 cells. Furthoremore, HAssCe6 nanophotosensitizers was efficiently delivered to tumor tissues of HCT116‐bearing mice while pretreatment of free HA properly inhibited delivery of nanophotosensitizers against tumor tissues. These results indicated that HAssCe6 nanophotosensitizers have redox‐ and CD44‐senstivity for cancer targeting. We suggested HAssCe6 nanophotosensitizers as a promising candidate for PDT of cancer cells.
Variants in matrix metalloproteinase‐9 gene are associated with hemorrhagic transformation in acute ischemic stroke patients with atherothrombosis, small artery disease, and cardioembolic stroke
Authors: Yi Xingyang , Sui Guo , Zhou Qiang , Wang Chun , Lin Jing , Chai Zhenxiao , Zhou Ju
Published: May 2019

Objective

The potential effect of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) variants and these variants interactions on hemorrhagic transformation (HT) risk after ischemic stroke (IS) remain unclear. The aims of present study were to investigate the associations of six variants in MMP‐9 with HT, and these variants interactions whether related to increased HT risk.

Method

A total of 705 patients with IS who were admitted to the participating hospitals within 48 hr of symptom onset were consecutively enrolled between March 2014 and December 2016. HT was confirmed by brain computed tomography (CT) scan during 14 days from stroke onset. Six variants of MMP‐9 gene were measured by mass spectrometry. Interactions of gene variant–gene variant were assessed through generalized multifactor dimensionality reduction method (GMDR).

Results

HT occurred in 104 (14.8%) patients. There were no differences in genotypes for the six variants between patients with and without HT using univariate analysis (all p > 0.05). GMDR analysis revealed that there was a synergistic effect of gene variant–gene variant interactions between rs3918242 and rs3787268 in MMP‐9 gene. Cox regression analysis showed that high‐risk interactions of rs3918242 and rs3787268 were associated with increased risk of HT after adjusting for covariates (hazard ratio: 2.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.34–7.85; p = 0.016).

Conclusion

Incidence of HT is common in acute IS in Chinese population. The mechanisms leading to HT are most likely multifactorial. Two‐loci interactions of rs3918242 and rs3787268 in MMP‐9 gene may confer a higher risk for HT.
What are the Optimal Combinations of Parenting Intervention Components to Reduce Physical Child Abuse Recurrence? Reanalysis of a Systematic Review using Qualitative Comparative Analysis
Authors: Melendez‐Torres G. J. , Leijten Patty , Gardner Frances
Published: May 2019

Parenting interventions are widely used to reduce physical child abuse, but evidence for their effectiveness is mixed, partly because standard methods for synthesising the effectiveness of interventions do not address complex causation. We addressed this by using qualitative comparative analysis to understand pathways to effectiveness in social learning theory‐based parenting interventions. After a systematic search of nine databases and independent and duplicate study selection, we included 14 interventions from ten evaluations. We categorised nine as most effective and five as least effective. We labelled interventions as to the presence or absence of parental self‐management, attachment‐based, alternative punishment or proactive parenting components. We examined how these combined in the most effective and least effective interventions, and identified common pathways to most effectiveness and least effectiveness. The final pathways revealed the importance of two components: alternative punishment strategies and parental self‐management strategies. It was not clear that adding more components to an intervention necessarily translated to more effectiveness; indeed, this could backfire, as many of the least effective interventions combined multiple strategies without teaching parental self‐management. Our findings may be useful to intervention developers and implementers when considering new interventions. Future research should seek to test combinations of components for differential effectiveness between the most effective pathways.

‘[A] qualitative comparative analysis to understand pathways to effectiveness in social learning theory‐based parenting interventions’

Key Practitioner Messages

The effectiveness of social learning theory‐based parenting interventions for physical child abuse is variable.

We identified two key, but not necessary, components: alternative punishment strategies and parental self‐management strategies.

Adding more components did not necessarily lead to high effectiveness, and in some cases this could backfire when parental self‐management was not included.
Achievements in the Study of Marine Low‐Molecular Weight Biologically Active Metabolites from the Vietnamese Territorial Waters as a Result of Expeditions aboard the Research Vessel ‘Akademik Oparin’ (2004–2017)
Authors: Yurchenko Ekaterina A. , Yurchenko Anton N. , Van Minh Chau , Aminin Dmitry L.
Published: May 2019

Until 2004, the secondary metabolites of marine organisms of the Vietnamese territorial waters had been studied very poorly. Only four new compounds were isolated from 1977 to 2003. Joint Russian‐Vietnamese expeditions aboard the research vessel ‘Akademik Oparin’ made it possible to study in detail the chemical diversity of marine micro‐ and macroorganisms. As a result of five expeditions, more than 250 low‐molecular weight natural compounds, including 117 new metabolites, were isolated from marine invertebrates and microfilamentous fungi. Their biological activities, such as cytotoxic, cytoprotective, and antioxidant activities, were investigated. Information about the structure and biological activity of the compounds, the source for their isolation and the geographical location of the objects is summarized in this review.
Caution urged in postsurgery opioid prescribing
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: May 2019

Young people who are opioid‐naïve and undergo surgical and dental procedures are likely to be prescribed opioids for pain. A recent study has found that long‐term opioid use by these young people's family members is associated with these procedures, and concludes that physicians should screen young patients for opioid use in their family members. The purpose of the retrospective cohort study, which relied on commercial insurance claims from 2010 to 2016, looked at 346,251 opioid‐naïve patients aged 13 to 21 years who underwent surgical and dental procedures and who were dependents on a family insurance plan.
The use of CBD oil in children: More questions than answers
Authors: Walters Anne
Published: May 2019

There are certainly times when public interest in an option for treatment of childhood behavioral health issues outpaces our ability to offer informed opinions. Lately, this has been true with the use of cannabidiol (CBD) oil. In my own practice, two families in the last few weeks have wondered if it might be useful for treatment of anxiety. As a psychologist, I would not be the person to best answer the question anyway — but I also realized I wasn't informed enough about the topic to discuss it with them. It became clear that they were thinking of CBD oil as a “natural supplement,” in the category of melatonin or some herbal remedies, and could cite many blogs that touted its effectiveness for a variety of issues. Many of us in the mental health field have been slow to consider potential uses for CBD oil, perhaps because of very real concerns about legality, lack of research on safety and effectiveness, and concern about potential effects on developing brains.
Salvage of fractured abutment screw by transfer cap screw replacement (original study)
Authors: Al‐Rawee Rawaa Y. , Mohammad Fatima A. , Tawfeeq Bashar A.
Published: May 2019

Salvage of fractured abutment screw is one of the critical complications, which can be solved in different ways. In this study, an innovative approach is introduced to solve this problem. It is a relatively simple, non‐invasive technique, which would provide an excellent result when executed with ultimate care and precision.
NaF PET assessment of bone metabolic changes around the femoral canal by intramedullary femoral alignment technique in total knee arthroplasty
Authors: Kaneko Soichiro , Kanetaka Masakazu , Wagatsuma Kei , Ishii Kenji , Anamizu Yorito , Tokimura Fumiaki , Miyazaki Tsuyoshi
Published: May 2019

We used the NaF PET scan to assess osteometabolic changes around the distal half of the femoral canal by intramedullary (IM) drill for femoral IM guiding rod insertion in total knee arthroplasty. Gentle IM rod insertion and focused attention can minimize surgical stress‐induced biological reaction of the femoral IM canal.
Ultrafast Sodium Storage through Capacitive Behaviors in Carbon Nanosheets with Enhanced Ion Transport
Authors: Jiang Biao , Zhang Yu , Yan Dong , Xia Ji‐Li , Li Wen‐Cui
Published: May 2019

Sodium‐ion batteries are regarded as a promising alternative for scalable electricity storage, but the rate capability is still a scientific challenge to be solved, owing to the poor Na+ kinetics in electrodes. Herein, nitrogen‐doped carbon nanosheets with rich defects, nanopores and various interlayer spacings are prepared by pre‐carbonized polymer sheets at different temperatures followed by sodium amide treatment. Combination of thin nanosheets, nanopores and large interlayer spacing can boost the rapid Na+ diffusion, as proven by the calculation of the diffusion coefficient. Meanwhile, the kinetics analysis demonstrates the capacitive behaviors, which favor fast Na+ storage. When applied as an anode, the material exhibits superior rate capability (111.1 mA h g−1 even at 20 A g−1), remarkable cycle stability (over 2000 cycles) and ultrahigh initial coulombic efficiency (81.4 %). Furthermore, this work demonstrates a new way to develop attractive high‐rate carbon anode materials for sodium‐ion batteries.
Effect of Collector Roughness on Properties of Amorphous Silicon Thin‐Film Anodes
Authors: Xue Wendong , Tian Xu , Xue Yawen , Peng Ting , Li Yan , Li Yong , Sun Jialin
Published: May 2019

Uniform silicon films about 500 nm thick for lithium‐ion batteries on copper foil current collectors were prepared using a magnetron sputtering method. We discuss the surface morphology and crystal structure of the silicon films, emphasizing how the current collector affects the performance of the silicon film anode. XRD and Raman analysis demonstrate that both films are amorphous. However, the silicon film deposited onto the matte copper foil shows better cycle behavior, it can be discharged at 0.5 C with 84.1 % capacity retention about 1470 mAhg−1 after 100 cycles.
WXy/g‐C3N4 (WXy=W2C, WS2, or W2N) Composites for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Shao Mengmeng , Chen Wenzhou , Ding Shengjie , Lo Kin Ho , Zhong Xiongwei , Yao Linmin , Ip Weng Fai , Xu Baomin , Wang Xuesen , Pan Hui
Published: May 2019

The development of earth‐abundant, economical, and efficient photocatalysts to boost water splitting is a key challenge for the practical large‐scale application of hydrogen energy. In this study, g‐C3N4 loaded with different tungsten compounds (W2C, WS2, and W2N) is found to exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activities. W2C/g‐C3N4 displays the highest activity for the photocatalytic reaction with a H2 evolution rate of up to 98 μmol h−1, as well as remarkable recycling stability. The excellent photocatalytic activity of W2C/g‐C4N3 is attributed to the suitable band alignment in W2C/g‐C4N3 and high HER activity of the W2C cocatalyst, which promotes the separation and transfer of carriers and hydrogen evolution at the surface. These findings demonstrate that the tungsten carbide cocatalyst is more active for the photocatalytic reaction than the sulfide or nitride, paving a way for the design of novel and efficient carbides as cocatalysts for photocatalysis.
Papillary meningioma: Diagnosis by intraoperative crush smear cytology
Authors: Tathe Shilpa P. , Parate Sanjay N.
Published: May 2019

Papillary meningioma is a rare, aggressive variant of meningioma. It accounts for less than 1% of all meningiomas. It is categorized as WHO grade III due to high rate of recurrence and metastasis. Histopathologic features of papillary meningioma are well described, but cytomorphology is rarely been described. We report a case of papillary meningioma, diagnosed on intraoperative crush cytology and later confirmed on histopathology. Papillary meningioma possesses characteristic cytological features. Along with the cellular meningothelial features, radial arrangement of cells around thin and thick walled hyalinised blood vessels gives the diagnostic clue. In addition, knowledge of clinical and radiological features is extremely helpful to arrive at the correct diagnosis and to differentiate it from other papillary lesions involving central nervous system. Due to aggressive clinical course and poor prognosis of papillary meningioma, a timely recognition of the diagnosis is desirable and helpful for rationalizing approaches to therapy.