bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A comparison of nanoparticulate CpG immunotherapy with and without allergens in spontaneously equine asthma‐affected horses, an animal model
Authors: Klier John , Geis Sabine , Steuer Jeanette , Geh Katharina , Reese Sven , Fuchs Sebastian , Mueller Ralf S. , Winter Gerhard , Gehlen Heidrun
Published: November 2017

Introduction

New therapeutic strategies to modulate the immune response of human and equine allergic asthma are still under extensive investigation. Immunomodulating agents stimulating T‐regulatory cells offer new treatment options beyond conventional symptomatic treatment or specific immunotherapy for human and equine allergic airway diseases, with the goal of a homoeostatic T‐helper cell balance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a nebulized gelatin nanoparticle‐CpG formulation (CpG‐GNP) with and without specific allergens for the treatment of spontaneous allergic equine asthma as a model for human asthma.

Methods

Twenty equine asthma‐affected horses were treated either with CpG‐GNP alone or CpG‐GNP with allergens. Two specific allergens were selected for each horse based on history and an in‐vitro test. Each horse received seven administrations of the respective nebulized composition and was examined before treatment, immediately after and 6 weeks after the treatment course.

Results

Clinical parameters such as breathing rate, indirect interpleural measurement, arterial blood gases, amount of tracheal mucus and percentage of neutrophils and cytokines in tracheal washes and serum samples were evaluated. Treatment with CpG‐GNP alone as well as in combinations with relevant allergens resulted in clinical improvement of nasal discharge, breathing rate, amount of secretion and viscosity, neutrophil percentage and partial oxygen pressure directly after and 6 weeks after treatment. There were no significant differences between the two treatments in clinical parameters or local cytokine profiles in the tracheal wash fluid (IL‐10, IFN‐g, and IL‐17). IL‐4 concentrations decreased significantly in both groups.

Conclusion

Nonspecific CpG‐GNP‐based immunotherapy shows potential as a treatment for equine and possibly also human allergic asthma.
Mechanisms of the action of adenine on anti‐allergic effects in mast cells
Authors: Hosoi Toru , Ino Shinsuke , Ohnishi Fumie , Todoroki Kenichi , Yoshii Michiko , Kakimoto Mai , Müller Christa E. , Ozawa Koichiro
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Mast cells play an important role in allergic responses.

Methods

We herein demonstrated the mechanisms of inhibitory effect of adenine on IgE/antigen‐induced degranulation and TNF‐α release in mast cells.

Results

We found that these effects were dependent on the amino group of adenine because purine only weakly inhibited degranulation. Adenine also inhibited Ca2+ ionophore‐ and thapsigargin‐induced degranulation, however, this inhibitory effect was weaker than that of the antigen. Therefore, the inhibitory effects of adenine on degranulation may be mediated before as well as after the Ca2+ raise under the antigen stimulus. Adenine inhibited antigen‐induced Syk and the subsequent induction of AKT and ERK activation under FcϵRI‐mediated signal. Adenine also attenuated antigen‐induced increase in Ca2+. Furthermore, adenine inhibited IgE/antigen‐induced IKKα/β activation, which is involved in degranulation. Finally, adenine protected mice against anaphylactic allergic responses in vivo.

Conclusions

The present study revealed a key role of adenine in the attenuation of allergic responses through the inhibition of Syk‐mediated signal transduction and IKK‐mediated degranulation.
Selective C−H Functionalizations by Electrochemical Reactions with Palladium Catalysts
Authors: Kakiuchi Fumitoshi , Kochi Takuya
Published: November 2017

Efficient, selective, transition‐metal‐catalyzed C−H functionalizations have been widely studied and are recognized as atom‐ and step‐economical tools in organic synthesis. During the past two decades, a variety of catalytic reactions involving C−H bond cleavage have been developed. In this review, we briefly survey studies dealing with transition‐metal‐catalyzed efficient and selective C−H functionalization by electrochemical reactions.
Meta‐analysis of associations between maternal breast cancer and the risk of adverse delivery outcomes
Authors: Sun Chenyu , Ding Xiuxiu , Wu Yile , Yang Liqi
Published: November 2017

Background

Research into the effects of breast cancer on delivery outcomes has generated inconsistent findings.

Objectives

To pool data from existing observational studies of the effect of breast cancer on preterm delivery and low delivery weight.

Search strategy

A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases using keywords including, “breast cancer” and “birth outcome” up to March 7, 2017, was performed.

Selection criteria

Observational studies of the effect of breast cancer on delivery outcomes were included.

Data collection and analysis

Articles were reviewed independently by two authors and data were extracted. Risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated.

Main results

Preterm delivery data were included from seven studies including 6 687 579 patients and low delivery weight data were retrieved from five studies including 6 687 103 patients. Maternal breast cancer was associated with an increased risk of preterm delivery (pooled risk ratio 1.82, 95% confidence interval 1.44–2.30) and low delivery weight (pooled risk ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.15–1.74). No publication bias was detected in the meta‐analysis.

Conclusions

The present meta‐analysis demonstrated that maternal breast cancer was associated with increased risk of preterm delivery and low delivery weight.
The prognostic value of perioperative, pre‐systemic therapy CA125 levels in patients with high‐grade serous ovarian cancer
Authors: May Taymaa , Stewart Jocelyn M. , Bernardini Marcus Q. , Ferguson Sarah E. , Laframboise Stephane , Jiang Haiyan , Rosen Barry
Published: November 2017

Objective

To investigate the ability of preoperative CA125 and post‐surgical CA125 changes to predict outcomes among patients with high‐grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC).

Methods

The present retrospective cohort study included patients with HGSC who underwent surgery between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2011 at Princess Margaret Cancer Center, Toronto, ON, Canada. CA125 was measured at diagnosis and following surgery, and the CA125 ratio was calculated (preoperative CA125/postoperative CA125). Optimal CA125 cutoff levels were identified using the point with the most significant log‐rank‐test result. Univariate and multivariate analyses with Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to study overall survival.

Results

Among 212 patients, an optimal baseline CA125 cutoff value of 174 U/mL and a seven‐fold decrease in CA125 after surgery were positive prognostic indicators. A 10‐fold increase in baseline CA125 was associated with decreased overall survival (univariate hazard ratio 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–2.06; P=0.002; multivariate hazard ratio 1.72, 95% CI 1.21–2.44; P=0.002). An increase in the CA125 ratio (log10[preoperative CA125/postoperative CA125]) was associated with improved overall survival (univariate hazard ratio 0.63, 95% CI 0.43–0.90; P=0.012; multivariate hazard ratio 0.41, 95% CI 0.24–0.70, P<0.001).

Conclusion

CA125 demonstrated prognostic value for HGSC; baseline CA125 of 174 U/mL or lower and a post‐surgical decline of seven‐fold or greater were associated with improved overall survival.
Taxonomy and structure of the Romanian personality lexicon
Authors: Burtăverde Vlad , De Raad Boele
Published: November 2017

We identified 1746 personality‐relevant trait‐adjectives in a Romanian dictionary, of which 412 were classified as descriptors of dispositions by 10 judges. Self‐ratings were collected from 515 participants on those 412 adjectives, and the ratings were factored using principal components analysis. Solutions with different numbers of factors were analysed. The two‐ and three‐factor solutions, respectively, confirmed the Big Two and Big Three of personality traits. A five‐factor solution reflected the Big Five model with a fifth factor emphasising Rebelliousness versus Conventionality. The five‐factor solution was related to the International Personality Item Pool‐Big Five scales, and the highest correlations were indeed between the corresponding factors and scales. A six‐factor solution was indicative of the six‐factor model as expressed in the HEXACO model, yet with a weak Honesty‐Humility factor. Additional analysis with self‐ratings from 218 participants on marker‐scales for the six‐factor solution and on the six scales of the HEXACO did not produce a clear one‐to‐one correspondence between the two sets of scales, confirming indeed that the six‐factor model was only partially found.
A Queer Critical Media Literacies Framework in a Digital Age
Authors: van Leent Lisa , Mills Kathy
Published: November 2017

Media literacy skills are focal for many educators across the globe in an age of ubiquitous access to the Internet and the rapid circulation of digital texts. A critical media literacies perspective is often a key element in teaching adolescents to read a range of texts. A queer critical media literacies pedagogy supports a social justice agenda aimed at addressing inequalities in education for youths who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, and queer (LGBTQ+), with the + accounting for other identities, such as asexual, agender, and questioning. Queer theories provide the basis of a new pedagogical model aimed at empowering educators to guide young adolescents in identity formation as they navigate a range of content. The model is presented as a queer critical media literacies framework aimed at directly supporting the work of teachers in classrooms, including illustrative key questions, learning experiences, and related teaching resources.
Transcriptional profiling reveals gene expression changes associated with inflammation and cell proliferation following short‐term inhalation exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Costa Pedro M. , Gosens Ilse , Williams Andrew , Farcal Lucian , Pantano Daniele , Brown David M. , Stone Vicki , Cassee Flemming R. , Halappanavar Sabina , Fadeel Bengt
Published: November 2017

Our recent studies revealed a dose‐dependent proinflammatory response to copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) in rats following short‐term inhalation exposure for five consecutive days. Here transcriptomics approaches were applied using the same model to assess global gene expression in lung tissues obtained 1 day post‐exposure and after a recovery period of 22 days from rats exposed to clean air or 6 hour equivalent doses of 3.3 mg m−3 (low dose) and 13.2 mg m−3 (high dose). Microarray analyses yielded about 1000 differentially expressed genes in the high‐dose group and 200 in low‐dose compared to the clean air control group, and less than 20 after the recovery period. Pathway analysis indicated cell proliferation/survival and inflammation as the main processes triggered by exposure to CuO NPs. We did not find significant perturbations of pathways related to oxidative stress. Upregulation of epithelial cell transforming protein 2 (Ect2), a known oncogene, was noted and ECT2 protein was upregulated in the lungs of exposed animals. Proliferation of alveolar epithelial cells was demonstrated based on Ki67 expression. The gene encoding monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (or CCL2) was also upregulated and this was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. However, no aberrant DNA methylation of inflammation‐associated genes was observed. In conclusion, we have found that inhalation of CuO NPs in rats causes upregulation of the oncoprotein ECT2 and the chemokine CCL2 and other proinflammatory markers as well as proliferation in bronchoalveolar epithelium after a short‐term inhalation exposure. Thus, pathways known to be associated with neoplastic processes and inflammation were affected in this model.
Photoluminescence intensity ratio of Eu‐conjugated lactates—A simple optical imaging technique for biomarker analysis for critical diseases
Authors: Kakkar Tarun , Thomas Nikita , Kumi‐Barimah Eric , Jose Gin , Saha Sikha
Published: November 2017

Instant measurement of elevated biomarkers such as lactic acid offers the most promising approaches for early treatment and prevention of many critical diseases including cardiac arrest, stroke, septic shock, trauma, liver dysfunction, as well as for monitoring lactic acid level during intense exercise. In the present study, a unique dependence of visible photoluminescence of Eu3+ ions resulting from 5D0 to 7FJ(J = 0,1,2,3,4) transitions, which can be exploited for rapid detection of biomarkers, both in vitro and ex vivo, has been reported. It is observed that the integrated intensity ratio of photoluminescence signals dominating at 591 and 616 nm originating from 5D0 to 7F2 and 5D0 to 7F1 transitions in Eu3+ ions can be used as a biosensing and bioimaging tool for detection of biomarkers released at disease states. The Eu3+ integrated photoluminescence intensity ratio approach reported herein for optical detection of lactates in blood serum, plasma and confocal imaging of brain tissues has very high potential for exploitation of this technique in both in vitro monitoring and in vivo bioimaging applications for the detection of biomarkers in various diseases states.
Peptide GAM immunoadsorption therapy in primary membranous nephropathy (PRISM): Phase II trial investigating the safety and feasibility of peptide GAM immunoadsorption in anti‐PLA2R positive primary membranous nephropathy
Authors: Hamilton Patrick , Kanigicherla Durga , Hanumapura Prasanna , Walz Lars , Kramer Dieter , Fischer Moritz , Brenchley Paul , Mitra Sandip
Published: November 2017

Introduction

Membranous nephropathy (MN) is among the most common causes of nephrotic syndrome in adults worldwide. Most patients have primary MN (PMN), an autoimmune condition associated with the IgG anti‐PLA2R autoantibody. For patients with severe disease, standard of care continues to be a 6‐month regime of rotating high dose steroids and immunosuppression that comes with a significant side‐effect profile. Immunoadsorption is a relatively safe procedure for the extracorporeal removal of specific immunoglobulins without the need for medications.

Design

This is a Phase II multi‐centre, single arm prospective clinical trial carried out across Northwest region of the United Kingdom to assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of immunoadsorption therapy in PMN. 12 adult patients with biopsy proven MN, nephrotic range proteinuria and serum anti‐PLA2R antibody titers of more than 170 µ/mL will undergo 5 consecutive daily sessions of immunoadsorption. Primary outcome is the reduction of serum anti‐PLA2R antibodies at day 14. Secondary outcomes are the safety and tolerability of immunoadsorption therapy in patients with primary MN at all‐time points, reduction of serum anti‐PLA2R levels, proteinuria and improvement in renal function. Quality of life and Cost‐effectiveness of treatment will be assessed from a UK National Health Service perspective.

Discussion

With proven efficacy in removing IgG antibodies and its use as a relatively safe treatment option in a multitude of conditions, immunoadsorption has the potential to offer patients with primary MN a more directed therapy free from the short and long‐term side‐effects generally seen in this condition.
NEAT1/hsa‐mir‐98‐5p/MAPK6 axis is involved in non–small‐cell lung cancer development
Authors: Wu Feima , Mo Qiang , Wan Xiaoling , Dan Jialong , Hu Haibo
Published: November 2017

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) or microRNAs belong to the two most important noncoding RNAs and they are involved in a lot of cancers, including non–small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Therefore, currently, we focused on the biological and clinical significance of lncRNA nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) and hsa‐mir‐98‐5p in NSCLC. It was observed that NEAT1 was upregulated while hsa‐mir‐98‐5p was downregulated respectively in NSCLC cell lines compared to human normal lung epithelial BES‐2B cells. Inhibition of NEAT1 can suppress the progression of NSCLC cells and hsa‐mir‐98‐5p can reverse this phenomenon. Bioinformatics search was used to elucidate the correlation between NEAT1 and hsa‐mir‐98‐5p. Additionally, a novel messenger RNA target of hsa‐mir‐98‐5p, mitogen‐activated protein kinase 6 (MAPK6), was predicted. Overexpression and knockdown studies were conducted to verify whether NEAT1 exhibits its biological functions through regulating hsa‐mir‐98‐5p and MAPK6 in vitro. NEAT1 was able to increase MAPK6 expression and hsa‐mir‐98‐5p mimics can inhibit MAPK6 via downregulating NEAT1 levels. We speculated that NEAT1 may act as a competing endogenous lncRNA to upregulate MAPK6 by attaching hsa‐mir‐98‐5p in lung cancers. Taken these together, NEAT1/hsa‐mir‐98‐5p/MAPK6 is involved in the development and progress in NSCLC. NEAT1 could be recommended as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic indicator in NSCLC diagnosis and treatment.
Reactions involving some gas molecules through sequestration on Al12Be cluster: An electron density based study
Authors: Chakraborty Debdutta , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar
Published: November 2017

The viability of sequestering gas molecules (CO, NO, CO2, NO2, N2O, O2, O3, H2O, NH3, H2, CH3OH, CH3F, C2H5F, C2H2, C2H4, HCN, and SO2) on the Al12Be cluster is investigated by carrying out density functional theory based computations. Thermochemical as well as energetic considerations suggest that Al12Be cluster adsorbs the chosen gas molecules in a favorable fashion. The gas molecules attain an activated state on getting adsorbed on the metal cluster as vindicated by Atoms‐in‐Molecule analysis. The possibility of CO oxidation, dissociative addition of CH3F and C2H5F, NH bond decomposition in NH3, dissociation of NO, and hydrogenation of C2H2reactions on Al12Be cluster has been investigated. Results indicate that all the reactions take place in a thermodynamically favorable way at 298.15 K and one atmospheric pressure. The first five reactions aforementioned are kinetically favorable also and therefore are amenable to ambient temperature and pressure conditions. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Confinement induced thermodynamic and kinetic facilitation of some Diels–Alder reactions inside a CB[7] cavitand
Authors: Chakraborty Debdutta , Chattaraj Pratim Kumar
Published: November 2017

The effect of geometrical confinement on the Diels–Alder reactions between some model dienes viz. furan, thiophene, cyclopentadiene, benzene, and a classic dienophile, ethylene has been explored by performing density functional theory‐based calculations. The effect of confinement has been imposed by a rigid macrocyclic molecule cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]). Results indicate that all the reactions become thermodynamically more favorable at 298.15 K temperature and one atmospheric pressure inside CB[7] as compared to the corresponding free gaseous state reactions. Moreover, the rate constants associated with the reactions experience manifold enhancement inside CB[7] as compared to the “unconfined” reactions. Suitable contribution from the entropy factor makes the concerned reactions more facile inside CB[7]. The energy gap between the frontier molecular orbitals of the dienes and dienophiles decrease inside CB[7] as compared to that in the free state reactions thereby allowing facile orbital interactions. The nature of interaction as well as bonding has been analyzed with the help of atoms‐in‐molecules, noncovalent interaction, natural bond orbital as well as energy decomposition analyses. Results suggest that all the guests bind with CB[7] in an attractive fashion. Primarily, noncovalent interactions stabilize the host–guest systems. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perylene‐based Solution‐processable Conjugated Molecules for Optoelectronic Applications: Synthesis and Comparison of Different Substituents on the Optical, Thermal, and Electrochemical Properties
Authors: Irfan Madiha , Mahar Jamaluddin , Saeed Aamer , Belfield Kevin D. , Siddiq Muhammad
Published: November 2017

A series of small organic molecules were synthesized by exploiting the bay and imide positions of the perylene nucleus. The synthesized compounds 1–11 were characterized by spectroscopic and elemental analyses. These molecules show yellowish color in solution and are highly soluble in dichloromethane. Compound 7 shows a bandgap of 1.7 eV and a Stokes shift of 27. From these results, we infer that this compound can serve as structural template in the design of organic electronics. Moreover, compound 7 shows higher Td (370°C) and Tg (132°C) values, which reflect its high thermal stability.
Blood biomarkers reflect integration of severity and extent of endoscopic inflammation in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Uchihara Mayu , Kato Jun , Tsuda Saya , Yoshida Takeichi , Maekita Takao , Iguchi Mikitaka , Kitano Masayuki
Published: November 2017

Background and Aim

Blood markers are not always regarded as satisfactory surrogate biomarkers for predicting endoscopic activity in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, those biomarkers have been evaluated solely based on endoscopic activity at the most severe colorectal location, taking no account of the extent of inflammation. This study aimed to examine whether integrated evaluation of severity and extent of endoscopic activity improves the performance of blood biomarkers for UC.

Methods

We performed a retrospective study of UC patients who underwent colonoscopy and blood tests in our hospital. Blood tests were C‐reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin (ALB), and platelet count (PLT). We compared blood markers with two versions of endoscopic activity assessed by Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES): the maximum score of MES in the colorectum (mMES, range: 0–3) and the cumulative score of MES of six colorectal regions (cMES, range: 0–18).

Results

All three blood markers correlated well with both mMES and cMES, and each marker showed better correlation with cMES than mMES (Spearman rank correlation coefficient: PLT: 0.54 vs 0.47, ALB: −0.65 vs −0.52, and CRP: 0.52 vs 0.38, respectively). The predictability, including sensitivity and specificity, of each marker for endoscopic activity was also better for cMES, resulting in higher degrees of area under the curve (mMES vs cMES: PLT: 0.75 vs 0.83, ALB: 0.77 vs 0.90, and CRP: 0.75 vs 0.90, respectively).

Conclusion

When incorporating the extent of inflammation, blood markers are better at predicting endoscopic activity of UC than previously considered and could be used as a reliable biomarker in clinical practice.
Quasi‐carousel tournaments
Authors: Nagami Coregliano Leonardo
Published: November 2017

A tournament is called locally transitive if the outneighborhood and the inneighborhood of every vertex are transitive. Equivalently, a tournament is locally transitive if it avoids the tournaments W4 and L4, which are the only tournaments up to isomorphism on four vertices containing a unique 3‐cycle. On the other hand, a sequence of tournaments  with  is called almost balanced if all but  vertices of  have outdegree . In the same spirit of quasi‐random properties, we present several characterizations of tournament sequences that are both almost balanced and asymptotically locally transitive in the sense that the density of W4 and L4 in  goes to zero as n goes to infinity.
Background, current role, and potential applications of radiogenomics
Authors: Pinker Katja , Shitano Fuki , Sala Evis , Do Richard K. , Young Robert J. , Wibmer Andreas G. , Hricak Hedvig , Sutton Elizabeth J. , Morris Elizabeth A.
Published: November 2017

With the genomic revolution in the early 1990s, medical research has been driven to study the basis of human disease on a genomic level and to devise precise cancer therapies tailored to the specific genetic makeup of a tumor. To match novel therapeutic concepts conceived in the era of precision medicine, diagnostic tests must be equally sufficient, multilayered, and complex to identify the relevant genetic alterations that render cancers susceptible to treatment. With significant advances in training and medical imaging techniques, image analysis and the development of high‐throughput methods to extract and correlate multiple imaging parameters with genomic data, a new direction in medical research has emerged. This novel approach has been termed radiogenomics. Radiogenomics aims to correlate imaging characteristics (ie, the imaging phenotype) with gene expression patterns, gene mutations, and other genome‐related characteristics and is designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of tumor biology and capture the intrinsic tumor heterogeneity. Ultimately, the goal of radiogenomics is to develop imaging biomarkers for outcome that incorporate both phenotypic and genotypic metrics. Due to the noninvasive nature of medical imaging and its ubiquitous use in clinical practice, the field of radiogenomics is rapidly evolving and initial results are encouraging. In this article, we briefly discuss the background and then summarize the current role and the potential of radiogenomics in brain, liver, prostate, gynecological, and breast tumors.

Level of Evidence: 5

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;47:604–620.
Assessment of climate change trends over the Loess Plateau in China from 1901 to 2100
Authors: Peng Shouzhang , Gang Chengcheng , Cao Yang , Chen Yunming
Published: November 2017

The Loess Plateau (LP) in China is sensitive to climate change because of its fragile ecological environment and geographic features. This study presents a detailed assessment of the climate change trends over the LP from 1901 to 2100 based on the 1‐km spatial resolution climate data generated through delta downscaling. The following results are drawn: (1) Delta downscaling performs well in detecting the monthly precipitation and temperature over the LP based on the mean absolute error between downscaled data and independent surface observations. Among the 28 general circulation models, the GFDL‐ESM2M and NorESM1‐M models show the best performance in reproducing the monthly precipitation and temperature in the future period, respectively. (2) The annual precipitation over the entire LP shows no significant trends in the historical and future periods. By contrast, the annual temperature shows a significantly increasing trend with 0.097 °C/10 year in the historical period (1901–2014) and with 0.113, 0.24, 0.355, and 0.558 °C/10 year in the future period (2015–2100) under the RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0, and RCP8.5 scenarios, respectively. (3) The significantly increasing trends in precipitation and temperature at each grid of the LP present various spatial distributions in terms of their magnitude. The significant trend magnitude calculated by the downscaled data has a larger range and a higher percentage of area – and is even observed at a small area – compared with that calculated by the raw data. (4) The spatial results calculated by the downscaled data provide more detailed information about the locations and percentages of area, both of which are valuable in assessing the change trends in precipitation and temperature. These spatio‐temporal results present the climate change trends over the LP in detail and provide valuable insights for developing flexible adaptation and mitigation strategies to address the climate change challenges in this region.
Soil versus plant as indicators of agroecosystem pollution by potentially toxic elements
Authors: Agrelli Diana , Adamo Paola , Cirillo Teresa , Duri Luigi Giuseppe , Duro Ida , Fasano Evelina , Ottaiano Lucia , Ruggiero Luigi , Scognamiglio Gelsomina , Fagnano Massimo
Published: November 2017

The major route of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) to humans is the intake through food. They enter the food chain principally by plants uptake from the soil and, to a less extent, through foliar deposition. The soil‐to‐plant transfer as part of the biogeochemical cycle of these elements is a complex and hardly predictable process. In this study, we investigated the capability of soils and plants to indicate PTEs inputs in an intermingled urban‐rural landscape of south Italy affected by legal and illegal waste disposal and dumping. For this aim, 172 agricultural soil and plant (edible part) samples were collected in pairs from 47 municipalities and analyzed for 12 PTEs (As, Be, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Se, Tl, V, Zn). Soil extractions with 1 M NH4NO3 and 0.05 M EDTA pH 7 were applied to assess PTEs bioavailability. Results were examined according to plant species and main soil chemical properties. For Pb and Cd, the soil‐to‐plant transfer factors (TF) and the corresponding soil benchmark concentrations were also investigated. Zinc, Cu, Cd, and Pb were the only PTEs of anthropic origin severely polluting from 10 to 16% of the soils, but only in a very few cases exceeded physiological or EU legal critical values in the edible part of the plants. An evaluation of human risk due to the ingestion of these elements was tried; no risk for consumers for Zn, Cu, and Pb, while for Cd three values slightly exceeded the tolerable daily intake. Therefore, we conclude that crops cultivated in the studied area could represent only a moderate risk for human health. No correlation was found between soil and plant data, which likely highlights different pollution inputs. A large variability characterized the Pb and Cd TF, making it difficult to establish a unique benchmark concentration for the studied agricultural soils.
Knowledge of Australian hospital pharmacists regarding delirium in elderly patients
Authors: Kassie Gizat M. , Kalisch Ellett Lisa M. , Nguyen Tuan A. , Roughead Elizabeth E.
Published: November 2017

Background

Delirium is a serious condition in which medications are just one of a number of potential predisposing or precipitating factors. Adequate knowledge of delirium among all healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, may assist in effective prevention and management. However, little is known about the knowledge of pharmacists regarding delirium.

Aim

To assess Australian hospital pharmacists' knowledge of risk factors, symptoms, prevention and treatment of delirium in elderly patients.

Method

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted via a web‐based questionnaire to collect information on participants' demographics, knowledge of delirium risk factors, symptoms, prevention and treatment. A link to the survey was included in the newsletters of The Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, Australasian Delirium Association and New South Wales Therapeutic Advisory Group and distributed to hospital pharmacists in Australia via email.

Results

One‐hundred and six responses from hospital pharmacists were available for analysis. Nine of 11 questions assessing basic knowledge were correctly answered by more than half of respondents. Seven of the eight questions related to delirium prevention strategies were correctly answered by more than half of pharmacists. However, only three of the eight questions about risk factors for delirium were answered correctly by more than half of pharmacists.

Conclusion

Pharmacists' basic knowledge about delirium and prevention strategies was good; however, their knowledge of risk factors and symptoms of delirium needs to be improved. Delirium‐specific educational programs for pharmacists should be considered for improving their knowledge and understanding regarding delirium.
Development of a novel smoke‐flavoured salmon product by sodium replacement using water vapour permeable bags
Authors: Rizo Arantxa , Fuentes Ana , Barat José M , Fernández‐Segovia Isabel
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Food manufacturers need to reduce sodium content to meet consumer and public health demands. In the present study, the use of sodium‐free (SF) salt and KCl to develop a novel smoke‐flavoured salmon product with reduced sodium content was evaluated. Fifty percent of NaCl was replaced with 50% of SF salt or 50% KCl in the salmon smoke‐flavouring process, which was carried out using water vapour permeable bags.

RESULTS

Triangle tests showed that samples with either SF salt or KCl were statistically similar to the control samples (100% NaCl). Because no sensorial advantage in using SF salt was found compared to KCl and given the lower price of KCl, the KCl–NaCl samples were selected for the next phase. The changes of physicochemical and microbial parameters in smoke‐flavoured salmon during 42 days showed that partial replacement of NaCl with KCl did not significantly affect the quality and shelf‐life of smoke‐flavoured salmon, which was over 42 days.

CONCLUSION

Smoke‐flavoured salmon with 37% sodium reduction was developed without affecting the sensory features and shelf‐life. This is an interesting option for reducing the sodium content in such products to help meet the needs set by both health authorities and consumers. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Preparation of highly hydrophilic magnetic nanoparticles with anion‐exchange ability and their application for the extraction of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs in environmental samples
Authors: Ma Li‐yun , Li Qian , Li Jing , Xu Li
Published: November 2017

Diallyldimethylammonium chloride modified magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by the “thiol‐ene” click chemistry reaction. Diallyldimethylammonium chloride rendered the material plenty of quaternary ammonium groups, and thus the excellent aqueous dispersibility and anion‐exchange capability. The novel material was then used as the magnetic solid‐phase extraction sorbent to extract eight non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs from water samples. Combined with high‐performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection, under the optimal conditions, the developed method exhibited wide linearity ranges (1–1000, 2–1000, and 5–1000 ng/mL) with recoveries of 88.0–108.6% and low limits of detection (0.3–1.5 ng/mL). Acceptable precision was obtained with satisfactory intra‐ and inter‐day relative standard deviations of 0.4–4.4% (n = 3) and 1.1–5.5% (n = 3), respectively. Batch‐to‐batch reproducibility was acceptable with relative standard deviations <9.7%. The hydrophilic magnetic nanoparticle featured with quaternary ammonium groups showed high analytical potential for acidic analytes in environmental water samples.
Preparation and characterization of molecularly‐imprinted polymers for extraction of sanshool acid amide compounds followed by their separation from pepper oil resin derived from Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum)
Authors: Chen Xiaolong , Jin Xinkai , Li Yao , Chen Guangjing , Chen Kewei , Kan Jianquan
Published: November 2017

Molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared using the molecular structure analogs of sanshool as template molecule, 2‐vinylpyridine and β‐cyclodextrin as double functional monomers, ethylene dimethacrylate as cross linker, and azobisisobutyronitrile as initiator. The structural characteristics of the polymers were determined by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Dynamic adsorption and isothermal adsorption were also investigated. The molecularly imprinted polymers were used to prepare a molecularly imprinted solid‐phase extraction column in order to separate acid amide components from pepper oil resin derived from Chinese prickly ash (Zanthoxylum bungeanum). After eluting, the percentage of acid amide components was enhanced to 92.40 ± 1.41% compared with 23.34 ± 1.21% in the initial pepper oil resin, indicating good properties of purification of molecularly imprinted polymers and potential industrial application.
Elements of virtual temporal bone surgery: Manipulandum format may be more important to surgeons than haptic device force capabilities
Authors: Unger Bertram , Sepehri Nariman , Rampersad Vivek , Pisa Justyn , Michael Gousseau  , Hochman Jordan B.
Published: November 2017

Background

Temporal bone simulations are critiqued for poor drill‐bone interaction. This project appraises the import of increasing haptic device and manipulandum fidelity on the perceived realism of drilling a virtual temporal bone.

Virtual surgical contact forces rely on haptic device fidelity and are transmitted through a manipulandum. With identical software, both device hardware and manipulandum may each contribute to realism. We compare the three degrees of freedom (DOF), 3N Geomagic Touch (3D Systems, SC) to a 6DOF, 5.5N HD2 (Quanser, ON) with the both standard (“HD2–Standard”) and in‐house customized otic drill manipulandum (“HD2–Modified”).

Methods

Six otologic surgeons performed three virtual mastoidectomy surgeries on a temporal bone surgical simulator. The HD2 manipulandum was modified for attached otic drill with gravity compensation and requisite mechanical modifications. Surgeons, in random order, performed the dissection with the different hardware platforms.

Results

Two‐tailed t‐tests demonstrate that for the acoustic properties of each simulation, the HD2–Modified manipulandum was favored (p ≤ 0.0004). For overall similarity of bone, both HD2–Standard (p ≤ 0.05) HD2–Modified (p ≤ 0.03)) were favored over the Geomagic; however they were not appreciably different when directly compared to each other. There was no preference for increasing haptic device fidelity in virtual drill bone interaction.

In forced rank, users favored the HD2–Modified in osseus, vibrational and overall realism, as well as being preferred for education and preoperative rehearsal (p ≤ 0.0164).

Conclusion

Increasing manipulandum realism was favored. However surprisingly, there was no preference for increased device fidelity, illustrating incremental stiffness had nominal impact. There may be a ceiling to drill bone interaction in virtual haptic simulation.

Level of Evidence

2b.
Opportunities and barriers for pragmatic embedded trials: Triumphs and tribulations
Authors: Ramsberg Joakim , Platt Richard
Published: November 2017

Results

Embedded pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs) are set in routine health care, have broad eligibility criteria, and use routinely collected electronic data. Many consider them a breakthrough innovation in clinical research and a necessary step in clinical trial development. To identify barriers and success factors, we reviewed published embedded PCTs and interviewed 30 researchers and clinical leaders in 7 US delivery systems.

Literature

We searched PubMed, the Cochrane library, and clinicaltrials.gov for studies reporting embedded PCTs. We identified 108 embedded PCTs published in the last 10 years. The included studies had a median of 5540 randomized patients, addressed a variety of diseases, and practice settings covering a broad range of interventions. Eighty‐one used cluster randomization. The median cost per patient was $97 in the 64 trials for which it was possible to obtain cost data.

Interviews

Delivery systems required research studies to align with operational priorities, existing information technology capabilities, and standard quality improvement procedures. Barriers that were identified included research governance, requirements for processes that were incompatible with clinical operations, and unrecoverable costs.

Conclusions

Embedding PCTs in delivery systems can provide generalizable knowledge that is directly applicable to practice settings at much lower cost than conventional trials. Successful embedding trials require accommodating delivery systems' needs and priorities.
Subacute effects of rose Bengal/Green light cross linking on rabbit thin corneal stability and safety
Authors: Wang Ti , Zhu Lu , Zhu Jingyin , Peng Yinbo , Shen Nianci , Yu Yan , Yao Min
Published: November 2017

Background and Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the subacute effects of Rose Bengal (RB) and 532 nm green light‐induced photochemical crosslinking (RB‐PCL) on rabbit thin corneal stability and safety in vivo.

Materials and Methods

Rabbit thin corneal models with 250 μm thickness were created by photorefractive keratectomy surgery. Photochemical crosslinking with green light (wavelength 532 nm) at an illumination intensity of 0.4 W/cm2 for 250 s (100 J/cm2) was performed, followed by antibiotic treatment and slit lamp monitoring for four weeks. At the end of week four, corneal biomechanical stiffness, biochemical resistance to collagenase digestion, and corneal cellular morphology were assessed. The penetration depth of RB into the corneal stromal was measured by confocal microscopy.

Results

At the end of week 4, RB‐PCL had increased corneal tensile strength by an average 2.5‐fold and had extended the corneal collagenase digestion time from 10.17 ± 2.93 to 15.83 ± 2.64 days. RB penetrated approximately 90 µm into the corneal stroma. RB‐PCL did not alter the corneal endothelial and stromal morphology at the cellular or subcellular levels, according to electron microscopic examination.

Conclusions

RB and 532 nm green light irradiation effectively induced crosslinking in rabbit thin cornea, by increasing both the biomechanical stiffness and the biochemical resistance without evidence of morphological damage to the corneal endothelium or stroma. This study demonstrated the efficacy of RB‐PCL in strengthening thin cornea at four weeks after the treatment, providing a potential and possibly better option for treating corneal ectasia disorders in cases where corneal thickness is less than 400 µm. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:324–332, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Super‐wavelets on local fields of positive characteristic
Authors: Shukla Niraj K. , Maury Saurabh Chandra
Published: November 2017

The concept of super‐wavelet was introduced by Balan, and Han and Larson over the field of real numbers which has many applications not only in engineering branches but also in different areas of mathematics. To develop this notion on local fields having positive characteristic we obtain characterizations of super‐wavelets of finite length as well as Parseval frame multiwavelet sets of finite order in this setup. Using the group theoretical approach based on coset representatives, further we establish Shannon type multiwavelet in this perspective while providing examples of Parseval frame (multi)wavelets and (Parseval frame) super‐wavelets. In addition, we obtain necessary conditions for decomposable and extendable Parseval frame wavelets associated to Parseval frame super‐wavelets.
Iterative Photoinduced Chain Functionalization as a Generic Platform for Advanced Polymeric Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Samad Assala Al , Bethry Audrey , Janouskova Olga , Ciccione Jérémie , Wenk Christiane , Coll Jean‐Luc , Subra Gilles , Etrych Tomas , Omar Fawaz El , Bakkour Youssef , Coudane Jean , Nottelet Benjamin
Published: November 2017

Advanced drug delivery systems (DDS) are easily designed following a photoiterative strategy. Multifunctional polymers are obtained by coupling building blocks of interest to an alkynated poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) platform via an efficient thiol–yne photoaddition. Fine‐tuning over the design is achieved, as illustrated with targeting and enzyme‐responsive DDS.
Ventral Intermediate Nucleus Versus Zona Incerta Region Deep Brain Stimulation in Essential Tremor
Authors: Eisinger Robert S. , Wong Joshua , Almeida Leonardo , Ramirez‐Zamora Adolfo , Cagle Jackson N. , Giugni Juan C. , Ahmed Bilal , Bona Alberto R. , Monari Erin , Wagle Shukla Aparna , Hess Christopher W. , Hilliard Justin D. , Foote Kelly D. , Gunduz Aysegul , Okun Michael S. , Martinez‐Ramirez Daniel
Published: November 2017

Background

The ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) is the target of choice for Essential Tremor (ET) deep brain stimulation (DBS). Renewed interest in caudal zona incerta (cZI) stimulation for tremor control has recently emerged and some groups believe this approach may address long‐term reduction of benefit seen with VIM‐DBS.

Objectives

To compare clinical outcomes and DBS programming in the long‐term between VIM and cZI neurostimulation in ET‐DBS patients.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective review of 53 DBS leads from 47 patients was performed. Patients were classified into VIM or cZI groups according to the location of the activated DBS contact. Demographics, DBS settings, and Tremor Rating Scale scores were compared between groups at baseline and yearly follow‐up to 4 years after DBS. Student t‐tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare variables between groups.

Results

Relative to baseline, an improvement in ON‐DBS tremor scores was observed in both groups from 6 months to 4 years post‐DBS (p < 0.05). Although improvement was still significant at 4 years, scores from month 6 to 2 years were comparable between groups but at 3 and 4 years post‐DBS the outcome was better in the VIM group (p < 0.01). Stimulation settings were similar across groups, although we found a lower voltage in the VIM group at 3 years post‐DBS.

Conclusions

More ventral DBS contacts in the cZI region do improve tremor, however, VIM‐DBS provided better long‐term outcomes. Randomized controlled trials comparing cZI vs VIM targets should confirm these results.
Cognitive impairment in Glucocerebrosidase (GBA)‐associated PD: Not primarily associated with cerebrospinal fluid Abeta and Tau profiles
Authors: Lerche Stefanie , Schulte Claudia , Srulijes Karin , Pilotto Andrea , Rattay Tim W. , Hauser Ann‐Kathrin , Stransky Elke , Deuschle Christian , Csoti Ilona , Lachmann Ingolf , Zetterberg Henrik , Liepelt‐Scarfone Inga , Gasser Thomas , Maetzler Walter , Berg Daniela , Brockmann Kathrin
Published: November 2017

Background

A proportion of idiopathic Parkinson's disease patients (PDidiopathic) with dementia show altered CSF profiles of amyloid β (Aβ) and Tau. PD patients with Glucocerebrosidase (GBA) mutations (PDGBA) present with even more cognitive decline than seen in PDidiopathic.

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether CSF profiles of Aβ and tau are associated with the prominent cognitive impairment in PDGBA.

Methods

CSF levels of Aβ1‐42, t‐Tau, p‐Tau, and total alpha‐synuclein were assessed in 479 participants (50 PDGBA, 308 PDidiopathic, 121 healthy controls).

Results

Older age was associated with cognitive impairment in PDGBA and PDidiopathic. Despite prominent cognitive impairment, PDGBA showed similar CSF levels of Aβ1‐42, t‐Tau, and p‐Tau as seen in healthy controls. In contrast, lower levels of Aβ1‐42 and higher levels of t‐Tau and p‐Tau were associated with worse cognitive performance in PDidiopathic.

Conclusions

The prominent cognitive impairment in PDGBA seems not primarily associated with Aβ and Tau profiles in CSF. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Injury to the perineal branch of the pudendal nerve in men: Outcomes from surgical resection of the perineal branches
Authors: Wan Eric L. , Dellon A. Lee
Published: November 2017

Objective

The objective is to report the outcome of an anterior surgical approach to treat neuroma of the perineal branch of the pudendal nerve (PBPN).

Patients and methods

An IRB‐approved prospective study enrolled 14 consecutive male patients from 2011 through 2015 who had symptoms of perineal/scrotal pain. Each patient had a successful, diagnostic, pudendal nerve block. The surgical procedure was resection of the PBPN and implantation of the nerve into the obturator internus muscle. Mean age at surgery was 50 ± 15 years. Median duration of pain symptoms was 5.5 years (range 1.2–42.9 years). Mechanisms of injury was exercise (6/14), prostatectomy (4/14), and falls (4/14). Outcomes were the Male Pudendal Pain Functional Questionnaire (MQ), and the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS).

Results

The mean postoperative follow‐up was 26 ± 14 months. The MQ demonstrated that after surgery, patients overall had significantly less disability due to pudendal pain (P < .03). The NPRS revealed that pain significantly improved (P < .004).

Conclusions

Resection of the PBPN and implantation of this nerve into the obturator internus muscle significantly relieved men's pelvic pain disability.