bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age‐related changes in fiber tracts in healthy adult brains: A generalized q‐sampling and connectometry study
Authors: Liu Xiaojing , Gao Xiaodong , Zhang Li , Yuan Zilong , Zhang Chen , Lu Weizhao , Cui Dong , Zheng Fenglian , Qiu Jianfeng , Xie Jindong
Published: January 2018

Background

Generalized q‐sampling (GQI) and connectometry analysis provide new indices, i.e., quantitative anisotropy (QA) and spin distribution function (SDF) in comparison with diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). They may provide more age‐related changes in white matter (WM) in aging.

Purpose

To investigate the feasibility of using GQI and connectometry analysis to determine WM properties changes in aging.

Study Type

Cross‐cohort research.

Population

Fifty normal adults (27 females) aged 21–71 years.

Field Strength/Sequence

T1‐weighted images (T1WI) and high angular resolution diffusion imaging (HARDI) images were acquired at 1.5T.

Assessment

HARDI data were analyzed using DTI and GQI to obtain fractional anisotropy (FA), QA, fiber numbers, and fiber lengths for tract analysis and using q‐space diffeomorphic reconstruction (QSDR) for the connectometry analysis. We compared differences of DTI, GQI, and connectometry analysis to reflect WM changes in aging.

Statistical Tests

Associations between FA, QA, and fiber numbers and lengths and age were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. The connectometry analysis was conducted using a multiple linear regression analysis, including age and gender as factors. UncorrectedP‐value/false discovery rate (FDR) (corrected for multiple comparisons) < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

More regional changes were detected in FA related to age than changes in QA (17 > 6 regions,P< 0.05). Fewer regional changes in fiber numbers and more changes of fiber lengths were observed for DTI than for GQI (5 < 8/10 > 7 regions,P< 0.05). However, DTI and GQI analyses revealed consistent results in some regions, including the genu of the corpus callosum (GCC), body of the corpus callosum (BCC), fornix (Fx), and anterior coronal radiation (ACR) (P< 0.05). The connectometry analysis showed more tract changes associated with age at an FDR of 0.05, which partially overlapped with the FA and QA.

Data Conclusion

GQI and connectometry provide more information about age‐related tracts and complement the DTI findings.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:369–381.
Probing the non‐native states of Cytochrome c with resonance Raman spectroscopy: A tool for investigating the structure–function relationship
Authors: Milazzo Lisa , Tognaccini Lorenzo , Howes Barry D. , Smulevich Giulietta
Published: January 2018

Cytochrome c (Cyt c) is a single polypeptide chain hemoprotein located in the mitochondrial intermembrane space. Under physiological conditions, His18 and Met80 are the fifth and sixth axial ligands, respectively, of the heme iron. Cyt c plays important roles in the cell because it acts as an electron carrier in the respiratory chain and as a reactive oxygen species scavenger. Moreover, direct interaction with cardiolipin, a phospholipid of the mitochondrial membrane, induces acquisition of peroxidase activity and subsequent release of Cyt c into the cytosol, where it acts as an apoptosis initiator. Cyt c has been extensively studied as a model protein to understand the general principles of protein folding, and it has been reported that the Met80 sixth ligand can be replaced by other internal or exogenous ligands depending on the pH or the presence of denaturing agents. The combination of ultraviolet–visible absorption and resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy is a precious tool to identify the sixth heme iron ligand in the misligated forms. In particular, specific RR markers have been identified for each non‐native ligand. In this review, we illustrate the spectral variations and the corresponding RR marker bands observed for the different non‐native species. Furthermore, on the basis of these findings, we discuss the results obtained on the interaction of Cyt c with cardiolipin and the effect of mutating key residues in the Cyt c heme cavity, which has enhanced insight into protein unfolding and apoptosis.
Simple and efficient fabrication of dimers of silver colloidal particles for surface‐enhanced Raman scattering
Authors: Yoon Hyeokjin , Suh Jung Sang
Published: January 2018

We developed a simple and efficient method to fabricate surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates consisting mainly of dimers of Ag colloidal particles. The SERS substrates were fabricated by immobilization of Ag colloidal particles on a cover glass coated with poly(4‐vinyl pyridine), and then adsorption of target molecules on the immobilized colloidal particles, and then second immobilization. To increase the surface charge of the colloidal particles, pristine silver sols were purified by centrifuging. Also, the colloidal particle diameter was optimized to achieve a high Raman signal enhancement from their dimers. When silver sols purified were used in the immobilizations, the dimers of Ag colloidal particles were formed dominantly with very few trimers and tetramers. The percentage of dimerization among Ag colloidal particles immobilized by the first immobilization was about 65%, 73%, and 77% when the second immobilization time was 10, 20, and 30 min, respectively. With an increase in the second immobilization duration, the peak intensity of the longitudinal mode of the dimers increased without any shift in its extinction peak wavelength (λmax) from 519 nm. By excitation with a 514.5 nm laser line, the highest enhancement was obtained when dimers were formed from the Ag colloidal particles whose average diameter was 28 nm. The fabricated substrates were very sensitive and stable. Also, they showed very good SERS spectra, with an average enhancement factor of ~6.2 × 107. The enhancement factor at the junction was estimated roughly to be 1.3 × 109. Our method could be used to measure SERS spectra of most molecules.
Identification and molecular docking study of novel angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitory peptides from Salmo salar using in silico methods
Authors: Yu Zhipeng , Chen Yang , Zhao Wenzhu , Li Jianrong , Liu Jingbo , Chen Feng
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

In order to circumvent some challenges of the classical approach, the in silico method has been applied to the discovery of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from food proteins. In this study, some convenient and efficient in silico tools were utilized to identify novel ACE inhibitory peptides from Salmo salar.

RESULTS

Collagen from Salmo salar was digested in silico into hundreds of peptides. Results revealed that tetrapeptides PGAR and IGPR showed potent ACE inhibitory activity, with IC50 values of 0.598 ± 0.12 and 0.43 ± 0.09 mmol L−1, respectively. The molecular docking result showed that PGAR and IGPR interact with ACE mostly via hydrogen bonds and attractive charge. Peptide IGPR interacts with Zn+ at the ACE active site, showing high inhibitory activity.

CONCLUSION

Interaction with Zn+ in ACE may lead to higher inhibitory activity of peptides, and Pi interactions may promote the effect of peptides on ACE. The in silico method can be an effective method to predict potent ACE inhibitory peptides from food proteins. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Fruit flesh volatile and carotenoid profile analysis within the Cucumis melo L. species reveals unexploited variability for future genetic breeding
Authors: Esteras Cristina , Rambla Jose Luis , Sánchez Gerardo , López‐Gresa M Pilar , González‐Mas M Carmen , Fernández‐Trujillo Juan Pablo , Bellés Jose María , Granell Antonio , Picó M Belén
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Aroma profile and carotenoids content of melon flesh are two important aspects influencing the quality of this fruit that have been characterized using only selected genotypes. However, the extant variability of the whole species remains unknown.

RESULTS

A complete view of the volatile/carotenoid profiles of melon flesh was obtained analyzing 71 accessions, representing the whole diversity of the species. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and high‐performance liquid chromatography were used to analyze 200 volatile compounds and five carotenoids. Genotypes were classified into two main clusters (high/low aroma), but with a large diversity of differential profiles within each cluster, consistent with the ripening behavior, flesh color and proposed evolutionary and breeding history of the different horticultural groups.

CONCLUSION

Our results highlight the huge amount of untapped aroma diversity of melon germplasm, especially of non‐commercial types. Also, landraces with high nutritional value with regard to carotenoids have been identified. All this knowledge will encourage melon breeding, facilitating the selection of the genetic resources more appropriate to develop cultivars with new aromatic profiles or to minimize the impact of breeding on melon quality. The newly characterized sources provide the basis for further investigations into specific genes/alleles contributing to melon flesh quality. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of an automated flow injection analysis system for determination of phosphate in nutrient solutions
Authors: Karadağ Sevinç , Görüşük Emine M , Çetinkaya Ebru , Deveci Seda , Dönmez Koray B , Uncuoğlu Emre , Doğu Mustafa
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

A fully automated flow injection analysis (FIA) system was developed for determination of phosphate ion in nutrient solutions. This newly developed FIA system is a portable, rapid and sensitive measuring instrument that allows on‐line analysis and monitoring of phosphate ion concentration in nutrient solutions. The molybdenum blue method, which is widely used in FIA phosphate analysis, was adapted to the developed FIA system. The method is based on the formation of ammonium Mo(VI) ion by reaction of ammonium molybdate with the phosphate ion present in the medium. The Mo(VI) ion then reacts with ascorbic acid and is reduced to the spectrometrically measurable Mo(V) ion. New software specific for flow analysis was developed in the LabVIEW development environment to control all the components of the FIA system. The important factors affecting the analytical signal were identified as reagent flow rate, injection volume and post‐injection flow path length, and they were optimized using Box–Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology.

RESULTS

The optimum point for the maximum analytical signal was calculated as 0.50 mL min−1 reagent flow rate, 100 µL sample injection volume and 60 cm post‐injection flow path length. The proposed FIA system had a sampling frequency of 100 samples per hour over a linear working range of 3–100 mg L−1 (R2 = 0.9995). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 1.09% and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.34 mg L−1.

CONCLUSION

Various nutrient solutions from a tomato‐growing hydroponic greenhouse were analyzed with the developed FIA system and the results were found to be in good agreement with vanadomolybdate chemical method findings. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Heat transfer analysis and resolution quantification of active dynamic thermography through human skin
Authors: Prindeze Nicholas J. , Mann Yvette V.L. , Feric Tony G. , Currie Timothy R. , Carney Bonnie C. , Moffatt Lauren T. , Loew Murray H. , Shupp Jeffrey W.
Published: January 2018

Objectives

Active dynamic thermography (ADT) is a non‐contact imaging technique that characterizes non‐homogeneities in thermal conductance through objects as a response to applied energy stimulus. The aim of this study was to (i) develop a heat transfer model to define the relationship between thermal stimulation and resolution and (ii) empirically quantify the resolution an ADT imaging system can detect through a range of depths of human skin.

Materials and Methods

A heat transfer model was developed to describe a thermally non‐conductive object below a sheet of skin. The size and depth of the object were varied to simulate wound conditions, while the intensity and duration of thermal stimulation were varied to define stimulation parameters. The model was solved by numerical analysis. For ex vivo experimentation, freshly excised human pannus tissue was cut into sheets of thickness 2.54–6.35 × 10−4 m (0.010–0.025vinches) for a total of 48 grafts from 12 patients. Grafts were placed over a 3D printed resolution target with objects ranging from 0.445–0.125 LP/mm. Stimulation from a 300 W halogen lamp array was applied for 0.5–14 seconds for a total of 480 experiments.

Results

ADT resolved a peak of 0.428 ± 0.025 LP/mm for 2.54 × 10−4 m (0.010 inches) skin thickness, 0.384 ± 0.030 LP/mm for 3.81 × 10−4 m (0.015 inches), 0.325 ± 0.042 LP/mm for 5.08 × 10−4 m (0.020 inches) and 0.249 ± 0.057 LP/mm for 6.35 × 10−4 m (0.025 inches) skin thickness. Additionally, it was determined that the ideal duration of stimulation energy with a 300 W stimulation system was 4 seconds for 2.54 × 10−4 m, 6 seconds for 3.81 × 10−4 m, 8 seconds for 5.08 × 10−4 m, and 14 seconds for 6.35 × 10−4 m skin thickness.

Conclusions

This study has characterized the correlation between thermal stimulus input and resolvable object size and depth for ADT. Through ex vivo experimentation it has also quantified the functional imaging depth to below the sub‐cutis, beyond that of conventional imaging techniques. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:680–688, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion reduces bile duct reperfusion injury after transplantation of donation after circulatory death livers
Authors: van Rijn Rianne , van Leeuwen Otto B. , Matton Alix P. M. , Burlage Laura C. , Wiersema‐Buist Janneke , van den Heuvel Marius C. , de Kleine Ruben H. J. , de Boer Marieke T. , Gouw Annette S. H. , Porte Robert J.
Published: January 2018

Dual hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion (DHOPE) of the liver has been advocated as a method to reduce ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI). This study aimed to determine whether DHOPE reduces IRI of the bile ducts in donation after circulatory death (DCD) liver transplantation. In a recently performed phase 1 trial, 10 DCD livers were preserved with DHOPE after static cold storage (SCS; www.trialregister.nl NTR4493). Bile duct biopsies were obtained at the end of SCS (before DHOPE; baseline) and after graft reperfusion in the recipient. Histological severity of biliary injury was graded according to an established semiquantitative grading system. Twenty liver transplantations using DCD livers not preserved with DHOPE served as controls. Baseline characteristics and the degree of bile duct injury at baseline (end of SCS) were similar between both groups. In controls, the degree of stroma necrosis (P = 0.002) and injury of the deep peribiliary glands (PBG; P = 0.02) increased after reperfusion compared with baseline. In contrast, in DHOPE‐preserved livers, the degree of bile duct injury did not increase after reperfusion. Moreover, there was less injury of deep PBG (P = 0.04) after reperfusion in the DHOPE group compared with controls. In conclusion, this study suggests that DHOPE reduces IRI of bile ducts after DCD liver transplantation. Liver Transplantation 24 655–664 2018 AASLD.
Experience with genomic sequencing in pediatric patients with congenital cardiac defects in a large community hospital
Authors: Hauser Natalie S. , Solomon Benjamin D. , Vilboux Thierry , Khromykh Alina , Baveja Rajiv , Bodian Dale L.
Published: January 2018

Background

Congenital cardiac defects, whether isolated or as part of a larger syndrome, are the most common type of human birth defect occurring on average in about 1% of live births depending on the malformation. As there is an expanding understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms by which a cardiac defect may occur, there is a need to assess the current rates of diagnosis of cardiac defects by molecular sequencing in a clinical setting.

Methods and Results

In this report, we evaluated 34 neonatal and pediatric patients born with a cardiac defect and their parents using exomized preexisting whole genome sequencing (WGS) data to model clinically available exon‐based tests. Overall, we identified candidate variants in previously reported cardiac‐related genes in 35% (12/34) of the probands. These include clearly pathogenic variants in two of 34 patients (6%) and variants of uncertain significance in relevant genes in 10 patients (26%), of these latter 10, 2 segregated with clinically apparent findings in the family trios.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that with current knowledge of the proteins underlying CHD, genomic sequencing can identify the underlying genetic etiology in certain patients; however, this technology currently does not have a high enough yield to be of routine clinical use in the screening of pediatric congenital cardiac defects.
Robotic‐assisted deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap abdominal harvest for breast reconstruction: A case report
Authors: Gundlapalli Vinay S. , Ogunleye Adeyemi A. , Scott Kiandra , Wenzinger Eric , Ulm Jason P. , Tavana Lance , Pullatt Rana C. , Delaney Kevin O.
Published: January 2018

The deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap is a mainstay of autologous breast reconstruction. The da Vinci robot has recently been adapted for an increasing number of reconstructive surgeries. The literature has yet to describe its use for the intra‐abdominal harvest of the deep inferior epigastric vessels (DIEV) during DIEP flap breast reconstruction. We show the use of the da Vinci robotic surgical system for the intra‐abdominal dissection of DIEV during delayed breast reconstruction with a DIEP flap in a 51‐year‐old female who had undergone a right modified radical mastectomy. After dissecting the flap from the anterior abdominal wall leaving only the targeted perforating vessels intact, a 1.5 cm fascial incision was made adjacent to the perforator and the vessels were dissected to below the level of the fascia. The intra‐abdominal robotic‐assisted dissection of the DIEV up to the perforator was then completed. The DIEV were divided at their origin using the robot and the flap removed from the abdomen for subsequent reconstruction. This technique enabled improved precision of flap harvest while also decreasing the donor‐site morbidity by minimizing the incision length of the anterior rectus sheath. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and, at 9‐month follow‐up, exhibited no evidence of flap or donor‐site complications, specifically hernia or bulge. This novel approach for the harvest of a DIEP flap introduces an alternative technique to the conventional DIEP flap procedure in the appropriate patient population. Risks inherent to this technique as well as additional costs must be considered.
Explorative analysis of IPA‐SPECT data through statistical inference for an automated diagnosis of glioma tumor
Authors: Ubben Timm , Kluge Andreas , Abolmaali Nasreddin , Iannilli Emilia
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The identification of a brain tumor imaged with PET or SPECT is usually performed with visual inspection of an expert medical clinician. However an automated diagnostic of such images hasn't been established or applied. In this study, we explored the possibility of establishing an automated statistical analysis for the diagnosis of glioma by means of IPA‐SPECT data.

Methods

On the basis of a dataset of 100 patients that have undergone MRI and IPA‐SPECT acquisition, in this work, we identify an automated workflow. Three different approaches were explored: I. statistical non‐parametric mapping analysis (SnPM), II. statistical non‐parametric analysis with an increased number of permutations due to sign‐flipping function (PALM) and III. statistical parametric analysis (SPM). The automated methods were compared with the visual inspection.

Results

The study proved PALM and SPM approaches to have a high diagnostic power. Compared to the parametric methods, the non‐parametric method is the mathematically correct approach for the problem in question. If we take the high resolution structural MRI information into account, the diagnostic power of PALM was not significantly inferior to the visual inspection (P = 0.5150), showing an area under the ROC curve (AUC) smaller only by less than 3%.

Conclusions

The automated diagnostic method based on statistical inference, here applied to diagnose glioma tumors in IPA‐SPECT data, seems to be a promising tool that can support the visual investigation in nuclear medicine. Moreover in the foreseeable future, the presented methodology has a big potential in various application like localization of active tumor tissues in surgical resection or stereotactic radiosurgery.
Non‐contrast enhanced 4D intracranial MR angiography based on pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling with the keyhole and view‐sharing technique
Authors: Obara Makoto , Togao Osamu , Beck Gabriele M. , Shibukawa Shuhei , Okuaki Tomoyuki , Yoneyama Masami , Nakamura Masanobu , Honda Hiroshi , Van Cauteren Marc
Published: January 2018

Purpose

4D dynamic MR angiography (4D‐MRA) using pseudo‐continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL), combined with Keyhole and View‐sharing (4D‐PACK) for scan acceleration, is introduced. Its validity for arterial inflow dynamics visualization was investigated through comparison with 4D‐pCASL and contrast inherent inflow enhanced multiphase angiography (CINEMA).

Methods

Six healthy volunteers were included in the study. The arterial transit time (ATT) in 4D‐PACK was measured at multiple regions in middle cerebral artery (MCA), and Pearson's correlation coefficient with ATT in 4D‐pCASL was calculated. The contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) in 4D‐PACK was measured in four MCA segments and compared with that in 4D‐pCASL and CINEMA. Arterial visualization in 4D‐PACK was assessed qualitatively in patients with moyamoya disease and arteriovenous malformation by comparing with CINEMA.

Results

4D‐PACK achieved a 36% scan time reduction compared with 4D‐pCASL. The correlation coefficient for ATT measured by 4D‐pCASL and 4D‐PACK was greater than 0.96. The CNR was significantly higher using 4D‐PACK compared with CINEMA in the M4 segment (P < 0.01). In patient examinations, the flow in the collateral artery or draining vein was better visualized in 4D‐PACK compared with CINEMA.

Conclusion

4D‐PACK accelerates 4D‐pCASL, shows similar inflow dynamics as 4D‐pCASL and shows better peripheral visualization compared with CINEMA. Magn Reson Med 80:719–725, 2018. © 2018 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Evaluation of Formulated Feed for Juvenile Lake Sturgeon Based on Growth Performance and Nutrient Retention
Authors: Lee Seunghyung , Zhao Hongxia , Li Yuquan , Binkowski Fred P , Deng Dong-Fang , Shepherd Brian S , Hung Silas S O , Bai Sungchul C
Published: January 2018

This study evaluated the potential of feeding formulated feed to juvenile Lake Sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens and determined the optimal feeding rate of a soft-moist feed on the growth performance and whole-body composition of the fish. Six feeding rates (% body weight [BW]/d) of the soft-moist feed were assigned to each of the 1-week feeding trials: 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, 10%, and 12% BW/d for trial I; and 0.5%, 2%, 3.5%, 5%, 6.5%, and 8% BW/d for trial II. As reference diets, frozen bloodworms and a dry formulated feed were administered to the fish at feeding rates of 8% and 5% BW/d for trials I and II, respectively. Each treatment was assigned to three tanks, with either 18 fish (trial I; initial BW [mean ± SD] = 3.5 ± 0.05 g) or 15 fish (trial II; initial BW = 7.8 ± 0.1 g) per tank. No mortality was observed during the two trials. Weight gain and feed conversation ratio were significantly better for fish that received the soft-moist feed than for those fed the bloodworms. The dry diet and soft-moist diet resulted in similar growth rates. Growth performance and whole-body lipid and moisture content were significantly influenced by feeding rates in both trials. The tyrosine, isoleucine, lysine, phenylalanine, and valine levels in whole fish were significantly altered by the feeding rates in trial I, whereas only the glycine level was altered in trial II. Optimum feeding rates based on the specific growth rate were estimated to be 7.6% and 6.2% BW/d (or 1.47 and 1.19 MJ·kg BW−1·d−1) for Lake Sturgeon weighing 3.5 and 7.8 g, respectively. These results indicate that Lake Sturgeon can be given formulated feed after previous acclimation to the formulated feed during the early life stage.
Drug Shortages: Effect on Parenteral Nutrition Therapy
Authors: Holcombe Beverly , Mattox Todd W. , Plogsted Steve
Published: January 2018

Drug shortages continue to be a threat to the health and welfare of numerous patients in the United States. For patients who depend on parenteral nutrition (PN) for survival, these shortages pose an even greater threat. Almost 75% of active drug shortages are sterile injectables, which includes PN components. Providing PN therapy is particularly challenging for clinicians because this is a complex medication and may contain 40 or more individual ingredients, of which multiple components may simultaneously be in limited supply. The availability of PN components must be considered during every step of the PN use process from ordering the PN prescription to administering this therapy to a patient. Alterations to a standardized process can lead to medication errors that can adversely affect patient outcomes and consume healthcare resources.
How to create a culture of sharing
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: January 2018

Higher education is known for its silos. For centralized marketing operations — and, more specifically, content creators — this scattered setup isn't ideal. Beyond campus constraints, in continuing education, we're often distanced by default from a network of instructors and scores of students who rarely or never come to campus.
Characteristics and management of ganglioneuroma and ganglioneuroblastoma‐intermixed in children and adolescents
Authors: Alexander Natasha , Sullivan Katie , Shaikh Furqan , Irwin Meredith S.
Published: January 2018

Background

Ganglioneuromas (GNs) usually demonstrate favorable histological and clinical features. Surgery is often performed due to clinical symptoms and/or theoretical concerns that GN may transform into neuroblastoma (NB); however, several studies have identified significant GN‐surgical morbidities.

Objectives

We compared the natural history, biological and clinical features of GN and ganglioneuroblastoma‐intermixed (GNB‐I) managed by surgery or observation to inform management and surveillance.

Procedures

This retrospective study includes patients (n = 67) with histological diagnosis of GN (50/67) and GNB‐I (17/67) at the Hospital for Sick Children between 1990 and 2014. Clinical, pathological features, tumor dimensions, and management were recorded.

Results

Median age and maximal tumor diameter were 6 years (1.3–17.8) and 6.3 cm (1.4–16.9), respectively. Of the 67 patients, 46 (69%) had upfront surgery and 21 (31%) were observed. Of the 21 observed patients 4 later underwent resection. There were post‐operative complications in 15 of the 50 (30%) surgical patients. The presence of imaging‐defined risk factors correlated with complications (P = 0.005). Observed patients were older (median 8.4 vs. 5.3 years) and diagnosed more recently. Median growth was 0.3 cm/year and 6 of 21 had progressive disease (PD). At median follow‐up of 2.2 years (0.2–14.3), all patients were alive and for those with evaluable imaging there were 27 complete and 10 partial responses, 19 stable and 6 PD. Pathology classification changed at resection for three cases, but no GN was reclassified to NB.

Conclusions

GN and GNB‐I have a slow growth rate and resection can be associated with significant morbidity. Watch and wait approaches should be considered for some GN and GNB‐I.
Sources of parental hope in pediatric oncology
Authors: Sisk Bryan A. , Kang Tammy I. , Mack Jennifer W.
Published: January 2018

Background

Hope is a multidimensional concept that is important for all parents of children with cancer. However, most work has focused on advanced cancer and poor prognoses. We examined hopes of all parents of children with cancer longitudinally during the first year of treatment.

Procedure

Prospective, longitudinal, questionnaire‐based cohort study of parents and physicians of children with cancer at two academic pediatric hospitals. Parents reported on general sense of hopefulness and specific hopes at time of diagnosis (N = 374); a subset of parents (N = 164) were followed longitudinally at 4 and 12 months.

Results

Fifty‐five percent of parents (N = 206/374) reported being extremely hopeful in general at baseline. Hopefulness did not significantly change over time, and most parents (51–58%) reported being extremely hopeful regardless of prognosis (P = 0.66). Most parents (N = 327/356) considered hope for cure to be an extremely important source of hope; most also reported hope that the child would feel loved (N = 328/356), that the child would have the best possible quality of life (N = 316/356), and that they would always do all they could for the child (N = 300/356). Hope for cure was slightly lower among parents of children with less than a 50% chance of cure at baseline (N = 53/63) when compared to those with better prognoses (moderately likely cure, N = 76/78; very likely cure, N = 198/215) (P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Many hopes contribute to parental hopefulness, not just hope for cure. This hopefulness persists over time, even when the prognosis is poor. Clinicians should focus on supporting the myriad hopes that contribute to overall hopefulness.
Reirradiation in patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas: The Canadian experience
Authors: Lassaletta Alvaro , Strother Douglas , Laperriere Normand , Hukin Juliette , Vanan Magimairajan Issai , Goddard Karen , Lafay‐Cousin Lucie , Johnston Donna L. , Zelcer Shayna , Zapotocky Michal , Rajagopal Revathi , Ramaswamy Vijay , Hawkins Cynthia , Tabori Uri , Huang Annie , Bartels Ute , Bouffet Eric
Published: January 2018

Objective

Clinical trials have failed to demonstrate a survival benefit of adjuvant chemotherapy in diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG). Radiation therapy (RT) is the only effective treatment thus far and reirradiation (rRT) has become an option at the time of progression. The aim of this study was to review the Canadian experience of DIPG rRT with a focus on the safety and possible efficacy of this approach.

Method

We retrospectively reviewed the demographic, clinical, and RT data of patients with DIPG treated in Canada with rRT.

Results

Since January 2011, we identified 16 patients with progressive DIPG who received rRT. Median time from diagnosis to progression was 10.5 months (range, 4–37 months). rRT was given focally in 14 patients at a dose ranging from 21.6 to 36 Gy. rRT was well tolerated by all children but one. All but three patients showed neurological improvement. With a median follow‐up from original diagnosis of 19.2 months, all patients died, with a median time from rRT to death of 6.48 months (range, 3.83–13.26 months). When compared to a historic cohort of 46 consecutive patients, the median time from progression to death was 92 days in the non‐reirradiated patients versus 218 days in the reirradiated ones (P = 0.0001).

Conclusion

In this limited experience, rRT was safe and feasible in patients with progressive DIPG, providing neurological improvement and a prolonged life span in most patients. Prospective Canadian rRT protocols are ongoing to further assess the benefit of this approach, including quality of life assessment.
Utilization trends and safety of intravenous iron replacement in pediatric specialty care: A large retrospective cohort study
Authors: Boucher Alexander A. , Pfeiffer Amanda , Bedel Ashley , Young Jennifer , McGann Patrick T.
Published: January 2018

Background

Iron deficiency is a common and clinically diverse hematologic disorder in childhood for which oral iron is often an infeasible or ineffective treatment option. Intravenous (IV) iron can be an efficient and highly successful means of iron replacement but its use has not been well‐characterized on a large scale in pediatrics.

Procedure

All IV iron doses administered to patients for iron replacement therapy at a tertiary pediatric hospital from January 2010 through October 2016 were evaluated. Analyses included patient demographics, underlying medical conditions, and detailed information for each dose. Individual chart review was performed to identify infusion‐related reactions. Nephrology patients as well as those patients 21 years or older at the time of the first infusion were excluded.

Results

A total of 1,088 doses of IV iron administered to 194 patients met inclusion criteria. A wide variety of specialties prescribed IV iron, with gastroenterology, hematology, and hospital medicine being the highest users in this cohort. A majority of patients (68%) required multiple infusions and dosing was highly variable, ranging from 1.3–1,030 mg per infusion. Premedication use was infrequent (10.3% of doses) and no severe infusion‐associated reactions occurred.

Conclusions

IV iron is commonly prescribed by certain pediatric specialties but there is little standardization in the indications, formulations, or dosing. These data suggest that IV iron should be considered a safe alternative for iron deficiency treatment in pediatrics when oral iron is either unsuccessful or contraindicated.
Insights from Proteomic Studies into Plant Somatic Embryogenesis
Authors: Heringer Angelo Schuabb , Santa‐Catarina Claudete , Silveira Vanildo
Published: January 2018

Somatic embryogenesis is a biotechnological approach mainly used for the clonal propagation of different plants worldwide. In somatic embryogenesis, embryos arise from somatic cells under appropriate culture conditions. This plasticity in plants is a demonstration of true cellular totipotency and is the best approach among the genetic transformation protocols used for plant regeneration. Despite the importance of somatic embryogenesis, knowledge regarding the control of the somatic embryogenesis process is limited. Therefore, the elucidation of both the biochemical and molecular processes is important for understanding the mechanisms by which a single somatic cell becomes a whole plant. Modern proteomic techniques rely on an alternative method for the identification and quantification of proteins with different abundances in embryogenic cell cultures or somatic embryos and enable the identification of specific proteins related to somatic embryogenesis development. This review focuses on somatic embryogenesis studies that use gel‐free shotgun proteomic analyses to categorize proteins that could enhance our understanding of particular aspects of the somatic embryogenesis process and identify possible targets for future studies.
Melamine driven supramolecular self‐assembly of nucleobase derivatives in water
Authors: Xiao Yan , Zhang Jiaxiao , Lang Meidong
Published: January 2018

Water‐soluble supramolecular polymers, especially made up of biomolecules, are ideally suited to build new biomaterials that can mimic or interact with dynamic, biological environments. Here, two derivatives from thymine (T), that is N‐[2‐(3,4‐Dihydro‐5‐methyl‐2,4‐dioxo‐1(2H)‐pyrimidinyl)acetyl]‐L‐phenylalanine (T‐phe) and N‐(2‐Aminoethyl)‐3,4‐dihydro‐5‐methyl‐2,4‐dioxo‐1(2H)‐pyrimidineacetamide (T‐NH2) were synthesized. Then the optimal condition for self‐assembly of T‐phe and T‐NH2 driven by melamine (M) was explored. It was observed that M/T kept at 1:3 with equivalent T‐phe and T‐NH2 under neutral environment resulted in long fibers (>1 μm) with extremely high aspect ratios, which suggested that electrostatic and π‐stacking interactions could be effectively orchestrated by hydrogen bonds to direct the hierarchical assembly. Furthermore, hydrogels were spontaneously generated with a concentrated solution of T‐phe, T‐NH2, and M due to the fibril entanglement. Given its biomimetic nature and efficient self‐assembly process, this newly developed supramolecular polymer stacked by tetrameric structures represented an innovative concept and pathway for novel bio‐inspired materials. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 789–796
Multigram Synthesis of Cu‐Ag Core–Shell Nanowires Enables the Production of a Highly Conductive Polymer Filament for 3D Printing Electronics
Authors: Cruz Mutya A. , Ye Shengrong , Kim Myung Jun , Reyes Christopher , Yang Feichen , Flowers Patrick F. , Wiley Benjamin J.
Published: January 2018

This article reports a synthesis that yields 4.4 g of Cu nanowires in 1 h, and a method to coat 22 g of Cu nanowires with Ag within 1 h. Due to the large diameters of Cu nanowires (≈240 nm) produced by this synthesis, a Ag:Cu mol ratio of 0.04 is sufficient to coat the nanowires with ≈3 nm of Ag, and thereby protect them from oxidation. This multigram Cu‐Ag core–shell nanowire production process enabled the production of the first nanowire‐based conductive polymer composite filament for 3D printing. The 3D printing filament has a resistivity of 0.002 Ω cm, >100 times more conductive than commercially available graphene‐based 3D printing filaments. The conductivity of composites containing 5 vol% of 50‐µm‐long Cu‐Ag nanowires is greater than composites containing 22 vol% of 20‐µm‐long Ag nanowires or 10‐µm‐long flakes, indicating that high‐aspect ratio Cu‐Ag nanowires enable the production of highly conductive composites at relatively low volume fractions. The highly conductive filament can support current densities between 2.5 and 4.5 × 105 A m−2 depending on the surface‐to‐volume ratio of the printed trace, and was used to 3D print a conductive coil for wireless power transfer.
Accuracy of standardized 12‐core template biopsies versus non‐standardized biopsies for detection of Epstein Grade 5 prostate cancer regarding the histology of the prostatectomy specimen
Authors: Würnschimmel Christoph , Grande Pietro , Moschini Marco , Ferrari Matteo , Mordasini Livio , Mattei Agostino
Published: January 2018

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of EAU Guideline compliant transrectal ultrasound‐guided 12‐core prostate biopsies for detection of highly aggressive Epstein Grade 5 (Gleason Score 9‐10) prostate cancer.

Methods

Two hundred ninety‐nine patients, treated by radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer, have been prospectively recorded in a database and were evaluated for this study. Pre‐operatively, all patients received transrectal ultrasound‐guided biopsies according to inhomogeneous templates chosen by the referring urologist. We evaluated the outcomes according to a stratified group‐analysis: Group 1 received less than 12 biopsies, Group 2 received more than 12 biopsies, and Group 3 received exactly 12 biopsies, according to the EAU Guidelines template. After surgical removal of the prostate, 12 EAU Guideline‐templated biopsies were performed in all prostatectomy specimens, directly after the surgery. Pre‐operative and post‐operative Epstein Grade 5 biopsy detection rates were thereafter correlated with these prostatectomy specimens.

Results

In prostatectomy specimens, the histology of 12 patients (4.0%) were Epstein Grade 1, 31 patients (10.5%) were Epstein Grade 2, 190 patients (63.5%) were Epstein Grade 3, 27 patients (9%) were Epstein Grade 4, and 39 patients (13%) were Epstein Grade 5. The detection rate of Epstein Grade 5 compared to the radical prostatectomy specimen was: Group 1: 23.0% pre‐operatively and 61.5% post‐operatively, Group 2: 33.3% pre‐operatively and 58.3% post‐operatively; and Group 3: 57.1% pre‐operatively and 64.2% post‐operatively.

Conclusion

Detection rates of highly aggressive Epstein Grade 5 prostate cancer vary considerably according to the biopsy technique. EAU Guideline compliant 12‐core template biopsies increase the detection rates of Epstein Grade 5 prostate cancer.
Effects of aPeganum harmala(Zygophyllaceae) preparation for root canal disinfection
Authors: Tabrizizadeh Mehdi , Kazemipoor Mahnaz , Hakimian Mahdi , Maleksabet Mojdeh , Kazemipoor Maryam , Zandi Hengameh , Pourrajab Fatemeh , Che Chun‐tao , Cordell Geoffrey A.
Published: January 2018

The aim of this study was to determine the antimicrobial capacity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and cytotoxic effects of aPeganum harmalaseed extract in comparison to 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl). The oral pathogenEnterococcus faecaliswas used to evaluate the antimicrobial capacity, and the MIC values were determined through serial dilution. Inhibition zones were measured in millimeter, and the data were analyzed statistically by analysis of variance and the Tukey HSD test. For cytotoxicity testing,P. harmalaseed extract and 5.25% NaOCl solution were incubated with L929 fibroblast cells. After 1, 24, and 72 hr of incubation, cells were stained and the optical density determined with an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) reader. Data were analyzed with Chi‐Square statistical test. The significance level was set atp < .05. There was no significant difference between the antimicrobial capacity of 5.25% NaOCl and theP. harmalaextract (p > .05; MIC 4 μg/ml). The Microculture Tetrazolium (MTT) assay test showed that the cytotoxic effects of theP. harmalaextract were significantly lower than 5.25% NaOCl (p < .05). The results show that 5.25% NaOCl andP. harmalaseed extract have similar antimicrobial activity againstEnterococcus faecalis; butP. harmala, which shows reduced cytotoxicity, should be considered for further investigation as a safe, phytotherapeutic, intracanal irrigant.
Immune modulation of i.v. immunoglobulin in women with reproductive failure
Authors: Han Ae R. , Lee Sung K.
Published: January 2018

Background

The mechanism of maternal immune tolerance of the semi‐allogenic fetus has been explored extensively. The immune reaction to defend from invasion by pathogenic microorganisms should be maintained during pregnancy. An imbalance between the immune tolerance to the fetus and immune activation to the pathogenic organisms is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes. This emphasizes that the immune mechanism of successful reproduction is not just immune suppression, but adequate immune modulation.

Methods

In this review, the action of i.v. immunoglobulin G (IVIg) on the immune system and its efficacy in reproductive failure (RF) was summarized. Also suggested is the indication of IVIg therapy for women with RF.

Main findings (Results)

Based on the mechanism of the immune regulation of IVIg and following confirmation of the immune modulation effects of it in various aberrant immune parameters in patients with RF, it is obvious that IVIg is effective in recurrent pregnancy losses and repeated implantation failures with immunologic disturbances.

Conclusion

The authors recommend IVIg therapy in patients with RF with aberrant cellular immunologic parameters, including a high natural killer cell proportion and its cytotoxicity or elevated T helper 1 to T helper 2 ratio, based on each clinic's cut‐off values. Further clinical studies about the safety of IVIg in the fetus and its efficacy in other immunologic abnormalities of RF are needed.
Early‐ and late‐lumping observer designs for long hydraulic pipelines: Application to pumped‐storage power plants
Authors: Marko L. , Mennemann J.‐F. , Jadachowski L. , Kemmetmüller W. , Kugi A.
Published: January 2018

Pumped‐storage power plants typically feature very long hydraulic pipelines, which can be modeled by a set of partial differential equations. The estimation of the pressure and volumetric flow along the pipes is an important task for the operation of such a plant. Therefore, this work compares different early‐ and late‐lumping–based observer designs for this system. Two late‐lumping observers, ie, a Lyapunov‐based design and an observer using the backstepping design method, are examined. The Lyapunov‐based approach uses a simple boundary correction to stabilize the estimation error dynamics. In contrast, the backstepping‐based approach allows utilizing additional in‐domain correction to obtain a faster rate of convergence. For the implementation of these distributed‐parameter observers, the spectral element method as a flexible and computationally efficient discretization method is introduced. It is shown that, compared with that of the Lyapunov‐based design, the discretization of the backstepping‐based design requires additional spatial grid points for the accurate approximation of its feedback gains. For the early‐lumping approach, the spectral element method is used to approximate the model equations by a system of differential equations. Based on this approximation, an extended Kalman filter is designed. All observer designs are validated and compared for a representative test case.
The chromatic number of dense random graphs
Authors: Heckel Annika
Published: January 2018

The chromatic number of a graph G is defined as the minimum number of colors required for a vertex coloring where no two adjacent vertices are colored the same. The chromatic number of the dense random graph where is constant has been intensively studied since the 1970s, and a landmark result by Bollobás in 1987 first established the asymptotic value of . Despite several improvements of this result, the exact value of remains open. In this paper, new upper and lower bounds for are established. These bounds are the first ones that match each other up to a term of size o(1) in the denominator: they narrow down the coloring rate of to an explicit interval of length o(1), answering a question of Kang and McDiarmid.
Improving estimation and prediction in linear regression incorporating external information from an established reduced model
Authors: Cheng Wenting , Taylor Jeremy M. G. , Vokonas Pantel S. , Park Sung Kyun , Mukherjee Bhramar
Published: January 2018

We consider a situation where there is rich historical data available for the coefficients and their standard errors in a linear regression model describing the association between a continuous outcome variable Y and a set of predicting factors X, from a large study. We would like to use this summary information for improving inference in an expanded model of interest, Y given X,B. The additional variable B is a new biomarker, measured on a small number of subjects in a new dataset. We formulate the problem in an inferential framework where the historical information is translated in terms of nonlinear constraints on the parameter space and propose both frequentist and Bayes solutions to this problem. We show that a Bayesian transformation approach proposed by Gunn and Dunson is a simple and effective computational method to conduct approximate Bayesian inference for this constrained parameter problem. The simulation results comparing these methods indicate that historical information on E(Y|X) can improve the efficiency of estimation and enhance the predictive power in the regression model of interest E(Y|X,B). We illustrate our methodology by enhancing a published prediction model for bone lead levels in terms of blood lead and other covariates, with a new biomarker defined through a genetic risk score.