bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Colorectal cancer screening at US community health centers: Examination of sociodemographic disparities and association with patient‐provider communication
Authors: Lin Sue C. , McKinley Duane , Sripipatana Alek , Makaroff Laura
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates are low among underserved populations. High‐quality patient‐physician communication potentially influences patients' willingness to undergo CRC screening. Community health centers (HCs) provide comprehensive primary health care to underserved populations. This study's objectives were to ascertain national CRC screening rates and to explore the relations between sociodemographic characteristics and patient‐provider communication on the receipt of CRC screening among HC patients.

METHODS

Using 2014 Health Center Patient Survey data, bivariate and multivariate analyses examined the association of sociodemographic variables (sex, race/ethnicity, age, geography, preferred language, household income, insurance, and employment status) and patient‐provider communication with the receipt of CRC screening.

RESULTS

Patients between the ages of 65 and 75 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.33‐4.64) and patients not in the labor force (aOR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.37‐3.94) had higher odds of receiving CRC screening, whereas patients who were uninsured (aOR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.18‐0.61) and patients who were non–English‐speaking (aOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.18‐0.99) had lower odds. Patient‐provider communication was not associated with the receipt of CRC screening.

CONCLUSIONS

The CRC screening rate for HC patients was 57.9%, whereas the rate was 65.1% according to the 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and 58.2% according to the 2013 National Health Interview Survey. The high ratings of patient‐provider communication, regardless of the screening status, suggest strides toward a patient‐centered medical home practice transformation that will assist in a positive patient experience. Addressing the lack of insurance, making culturally and linguistically appropriate patient education materials available, and training clinicians and care teams in cultural competency are critical for increasing future CRC screening rates. Cancer 2017;123:4185–4192. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy for unresected pancreatic cancer: A nationwide review
Authors: de Geus Susanna W. L. , Eskander Mariam F. , Kasumova Gyulnara G. , Ng Sing Chau , Kent Tara S. , Mancias Joseph D. , Callery Mark P. , Mahadevan Anand , Tseng Jennifer F.
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

The role of conventional radiotherapy in the management of pancreatic cancer has yet to be elucidated. Over the past decade, stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has emerged as a novel therapeutic option in pancreatic cancer care. This study evaluated the survival impact of SBRT on patients with unresected pancreatic cancer.

METHODS

The National Cancer Data Base was queried for unresected patients who received chemotherapy for nonmetastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma between 2004 and 2012. Four treatment groups were identified: chemotherapy alone, chemotherapy combined with external‐beam radiotherapy (EBRT), chemotherapy combined with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), and chemotherapy combined with SBRT. Propensity score models predicting the odds of receiving SBRT were created to control for potential selection bias, and patients were matched by propensity scores. The survival analysis was performed with the Kaplan‐Meier method.

RESULTS

A total of 14,331 patients met the inclusion criteria. Chemotherapy alone was delivered to 5464 patients (38.1%); 6418 (44.8%), 322 (2.3%), and 2127 (14.8%) received chemotherapy along with EBRT, IMRT, and SBRT, respectively. The unadjusted median survival before matching was 9.9, 10.9, 12.0, and 13.9 months for patients treated with chemotherapy, EBRT, IMRT, and SBRT, respectively. In separate matched analyses, SBRT remained superior to chemotherapy alone (log‐rank P < .0001) and EBRT (log‐rank P = .0180). After matching, survival did not differ between patients receiving IMRT and patients receiving SBRT (log‐rank P = .0492).

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT is associated with a significantly better outcome than chemotherapy alone or in conjunction with traditional EBRT. These results support the idea that SBRT is a promising treatment approach for patients with unresected pancreatic cancer. Cancer 2017;123:4158–4167. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Tandem repeat variation near the HIC1 (hypermethylated in cancer 1) promoter predicts outcome of oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Okazaki Satoshi , Schirripa Marta , Loupakis Fotios , Cao Shu , Zhang Wu , Yang Dongyun , Ning Yan , Berger Martin D. , Miyamoto Yuji , Suenaga Mitsukuni , Iqubal Syma , Barzi Afsaneh , Cremolini Chiara , Falcone Alfredo , Battaglin Francesca , Salvatore Lisa , Borelli Beatrice , Helentjaris Timothy G. , Lenz Heinz‐Josef
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

The hypermethylated in cancer 1/sirtuin 1 (HIC1/SIRT1) axis plays an important role in regulating the nucleotide excision repair pathway, which is the main oxaliplatin‐induced damage‐repair system. On the basis of prior evidence that the variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) sequence located near the promoter lesion of HIC1 is associated with HIC1 gene expression, the authors tested the hypothesis that this VNTR is associated with clinical outcome in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who receive oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy.

METHODS

Four independent cohorts were tested. Patients who received oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy served as the training cohort (n = 218), and those who received treatment without oxaliplatin served as the control cohort (n = 215). Two cohorts of patients who received oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy were used for validation studies (n = 176 and n = 73). The VNTR sequence near HIC1 was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction analysis and gel electrophoresis and was tested for associations with the response rate, progression‐free survival, and overall survival.

RESULTS

In the training cohort, patients who harbored at least 5 tandem repeats (TRs) in both alleles had a significantly shorter PFS compared with those who had fewer than 4 TRs in at least 1 allele (9.5 vs 11.6 months; hazard ratio, 1.93; P = .012), and these findings remained statistically significant after multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 1.13‐3.54; P = .018). This preliminary association was confirmed in the validation cohort, and patients who had at least 5 TRs in both alleles had a worse PFS compared with the other cohort (7.9 vs 9.8 months; hazard ratio, 1.85; P = .044).

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings suggest that the VNTR sequence near HIC1 could be a predictive marker for oxaliplatin‐based chemotherapy in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Cancer 2017;123:4506‐14. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
A randomized phase 2 study of idarubicin and cytarabine with clofarabine or fludarabine in patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Jabbour Elias , Short Nicholas J. , Ravandi Farhad , Huang Xuelin , Xiao Lianchun , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo , Plunkett William , Gandhi Varsha , Sasaki Koji , Pemmaraju Naveen , Daver Naval G. , Borthakur Gautam , Jain Nitin , Konopleva Marina , Estrov Zeev , Kadia Tapan M. , Wierda William G. , DiNardo Courtney D. , Brandt Mark , O'Brien Susan M. , Cortes Jorge E. , Kantarjian Hagop
Published: July 2017

BACKGROUND

Fludarabine and clofarabine are purine nucleoside analogues with established clinical activity in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

METHODS

Herein, the authors evaluated the efficacy and safety of idarubicin and cytarabine with either clofarabine (CIA) or fludarabine (FIA) in adults with newly diagnosed AML. Adults with newly diagnosed AML who were deemed suitable for intensive chemotherapy were randomized using a Bayesian adaptive design to receive CIA (106 patients) or FIA (76 patients). Patients received induction with idarubicin and cytarabine, plus either clofarabine or fludarabine. Responding patients could receive up to 6 cycles of consolidation therapy. Outcomes were compared with a historical cohort of patients who received idarubicin and cytarabine.

RESULTS

The complete remission/complete remission without platelet recovery rate was similar among patients in the CIA and FIA arms (80% and 82%, respectively). The median event‐free survival was 13 months and 12 months, respectively (P = .91), and the median overall survival was 24 months and not reached, respectively (P = .23), in the 2 treatment arms. CIA was associated with more adverse events, particularly transaminase elevation, hyperbilirubinemia, and rash. Early mortality was similar in the 2 arms (60‐day mortality rate of 4% for CIA vs 1% for FIA; P = .32). In an exploratory analysis of patients aged <50 years, FIA was found to be associated with improved survival compared with idarubicin and cytarabine (2‐year event‐free survival rate: 58% vs 30% [P = .05] and 2‐year overall survival rate: 72% vs 36% [P = .009]).

CONCLUSIONS

CIA and FIA have similar efficacy in younger patients with newly diagnosed AML, although FIA is associated with a better toxicity profile. Cancer 2017;123:4430‐9. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
cis‐ versus trans‐Square‐Planar Palladium(II) and Platinum(II) Complexes with Triphenylphosphine Amino Acid Bioconjugates
Authors: Kokan Zoran , Perić Berislav , Kovačević Goran , Brozovic Anamaria , Metzler‐Nolte Nils , Kirin Srećko I.
Published: July 2017

Triphenylphosphine–amino acid bioconjugates Ph2P‐pC6H4‐Aa‐OR [Lig; Aa = glycine (1G), alanine (2A), valine (3V), isoleucine (4I), proline (5P), or phenylalanine (6F)] were synthesized and used as monodentate ligands for the preparation of twelve metal complexes, [MCl2(Lig)2] (M = PdII or PtII). All of the prepared compounds were characterized by spectroscopic methods, and the structures of ligand 1G and complexes 1GPd, 4IPd, and 6FPd were determined by X‐ray single‐crystal diffraction. The cis and trans configurations of the square‐planar metal complexes were investigated by solution NMR spectroscopy and computational methods.
Prevalence, risk factors, and neurobehavioral comorbidities of epilepsy in Kenyan children
Authors: Kind Charles J. , Newton Charles R. J. C. , Kariuki Symon M. ,   the Neurodevelopment Disorders study group
Published: July 2017

Objective

To investigate the prevalence, risk factors, clinical features, and neurobehavioral comorbidities of epilepsy and acute symptomatic seizures in school‐aged children in Kilifi, Kenya.

Methods

Randomly selected children (N = 11,223) were screened for epilepsy and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Those who screened positive were invited for further clinical, electroencephalographic (EEG), and neuropsychological evaluations. Prevalence was measured by dividing cases by screened population, providing Agresti–Coull confidence intervals (CIs). Prevalence ratios were computed using log binomial regression, and odds ratios (ORs) were computed using logistic regression; both were implemented with generalized linear models. Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and other neurodevelopmental impairments were assessed in cases and controls.

Results

Prevalence of lifetime epilepsy was 20.9 per 1,000 (95% CI = 18.4–23.7), and that of active epilepsy was 11.5 per 1,000 (95% CI = 9.7–13.6). Prevalence of acute symptomatic seizures was 68.8 per 1,000 (95% CI = 64.2–73.6). Acute symptomatic seizures preceded a diagnosis of epilepsy in 8% of children. Of 98 children diagnosed with epilepsy, focal seizures were seen in 79%, abnormal EEG was seen in 39%, and 83% were not receiving antiepileptic drugs. Childhood absence epilepsy and Lennox–Gastaut epilepsy were the most easily identifiable epilepsy syndromes. Perinatal complications, previous hospitalization, geophagia, and snoring were risk factors for epilepsy. Family history of seizures, abnormal pregnancy, previous hospitalization, and snoring were risk factors for acute symptomatic seizures. Neurobehavioral comorbidities were present in 54% of subjects with lifetime epilepsy and in 3% of controls, with associations for individual comorbidities being statistically significant: ADHD (OR = 14.55, 95% CI = 7.54–28.06), ASD (OR = 36.83, 95% CI = 7.97–170.14), and cognitive impairments (OR = 14.55, 95% CI = 3.52–60.14).

Significance

The burden of seizure disorders in this area is higher than in locations in high‐income countries, and can be reduced by preventing risk factors. A comprehensive management plan for neurobehavioral comorbidities of epilepsy should be incorporated into standard epilepsy care.
The ecotoxicity of zinc and zinc-containing substances in soil with consideration of metal-moiety approaches and organometal complexes
Authors: Ritchie Ellyn , Boyd Patrick , Lawson-Halasz Annamaria , Hawari Jalal , Saucier Stacey , Scroggins Richard , Princz Juliska
Published: July 2017

Within Canada, screening-level assessments for chemical substances are required to determine whether the substances pose a risk to human health and/or the environment, and as appropriate, risk management strategies. In response to the volume of metal and metal-containing substances, process efficiencies were introduced using a metal-moiety approach, whereby substances that contain a common metal moiety are assessed simultaneously as a group, with the moiety of concern consisting of the metal ion. However, for certain subgroups, such as organometals or organic metal salts, the organic moiety or parent substance may be of concern, rather than simply the metal ion. To further investigate the need for such additional consideration, certain substances were evaluated: zinc (Zn)-containing inorganic (Zn chloride [ZnCl2] and Zn oxide) and organic (organometal: Zn diethyldithiocarbamate [Zn(DDC)2] and organic metal salts (Zn stearate [ZnSt] and 4-chloro-2-nitrobenzenediazonium tetrachlorozincate [BCNZ]). The toxicity of the substances were assessed using plant (Trifolium pratense and Elymus lanceolatus) and soil invertebrate (Folsomia candida and Eisenia andrei) tests in a sandy soil. Effect measures were determined based on total metal and total parent analyses (for organic substances). In general, the inorganic Zn substances were less toxic than the organometals and organic metal salts, with 50% effective concentrations ranging from 11 to >5194 mg Zn kg−1 dry soil. The data demonstrate the necessity for alternate approaches in the assessment of organo–metal complexes, with the organic moieties or parent substances warranting consideration rather than the metal ion alone. In this instance, the organometals and organic metal salts were significantly more toxic than other test substances despite their low total Zn content. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3324–3332. © 2017 Crown in the Right of Canada. Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC.
Malaria, Epstein–Barr virus infection and the pathogenesis of Burkitt's lymphoma
Authors: Mawson Anthony R. , Majumdar Suvankar
Published: July 2017

A geographical and causal connection has long been recognized between malaria, Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection and Burkitt's lymphoma (BL), but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Potential clues are that the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum selectively absorbs vitamin A from the host and depends on it for its biological activities; secondly, alterations in vitamin A (retinoid) metabolism have been implicated in many forms of cancer, including BL. The first author has proposed that the merozoite‐stage malaria parasite, emerging from the liver, uses its absorbed vitamin A as a cell membrane destabilizer to invade the red blood cells, causing anemia and other signs and symptoms of the disease as manifestations of an endogenous form of hypervitaminosis A (Mawson AR, Path Global Health 2013;107(3):122–9). Repeated episodes of malaria would therefore be expected to expose the tissues of affected individuals to potentially toxic doses of vitamin A. It is proposed that such episodes activate latent EBV infection, which in turn activates retinoid‐responsive genes. Expression of these genes enhances viral replication and induces germinal center (GC) B cell expansion, activation‐induced cytidine deaminase (AID) expression, and c‐myc translocation, which in turn predisposes to BL. Thus, an endogenous form of retinoid toxicity related to malaria infection may be the common factor linking frequent malaria, EBV infection and BL, whereby prolonged exposure of lymphatic tissues to high concentrations of retinoids may combine to induce B‐cell translocation and increase the risk of Burkitt's lymphoma.
Role of C1q complement fixing antibody assay in therapeutic plasma exchange management of pediatric cardiac antibody mediated rejection
Authors: Onwuemene Oluwatoyosi A. , Heath Deneen M. , Hartman Carol , Wong Edward C.C.
Published: July 2017

Pediatric cardiac transplant patients with antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) often undergo therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) to remove pathologic donor specific antibodies (DSA). In cases where DSA persist, it is unclear how long TPE should be continued. We report a case of a 17‐year‐old cardiac transplant patient with AMR where use of a C1q complement fixing antibody assay helped guide TPE cessation. This report adds to the existing literature that highlights the potential clinical significance of C1q antibodies in AMR management.
Human biliverdin reductase regulates the molecular mechanism underlying cancer development
Authors: Zhang Min , Xin Wei , Yi Zhi , Li Yue , Liu Ying , Zhang Hongyue , Chen He , Chen Xinxin , Tan Shujie , Zhu Daling
Published: July 2017

Human biliverdin reductase (hBVR), is an enzyme, that converts biliverdin to bilirubin, and has been implicated in epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer. However, few studies have investigated the role of hBVR in cell apoptosis in other cancers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of hBVR in several lines of cancer cells. The results of this study showed that hBVR expression was up‐regulated in breast, lung, and liver cancers, but not ovarian cancer. Moreover, hBVR inhibition by small interfering RNA (si‐hBVR) attenuated cell survival and increased caspase‐3 protein expression, which was mediated by the ERK1/2 signaling pathway in relative cancer cells. In addition, the mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial membrane proteins Bcl‐2 and BAX were found to be necessary for activation of the mitochondria dependent apoptosis pathway. Collectively, these findings indicated, for the first time, that the anti‐apoptotic effect of hBVR in cancers which portend new strategies for developing novel biomarkers and effective treatment ways for cancer patients.
The mechanism of long non‐coding RNA MEG3 for hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion: Mediated by miR‐34a/Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Huang Xinli , Gao Yun , Qin Jianjie , Lu Sen
Published: July 2017

To investigate the function of MEG3 in hepatic ischemia‐reperfusion (HIR) progress, involving its association with the level of miR‐34a during hypoxia‐induced hypoxia re‐oxygenation (H/R) in vitro. HIR mice model in vivo was established. MEG3, miR‐34a expression, along with Nrf2 mRNA and protein level were detected in tissues and cells. Serum biochemical parameters (ALT and AST) were assessed in vivo. A potential binding region between MEG3 and miR34a was confirmed by luciferase assays. Hepatic cells HL7702 were subjected to hypoxia treatment in vitro for functional studies, including TUNEL‐positive cells detection and ROS analysis. MEG3, Nrf2 expression was significantly down‐regulated in infarction lesion from HIR mice, as opposed to increased miR‐34a production, while similar results were also observed in H/R HL7702 cells, while the above effects were reversed by MEG3 over‐expression. By using bioinformatics study and RNA pull down combined with luciferase assays, we demonstrated that MEG3 functioned as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for miR‐34a, and there was reciprocal repression between MEG3 and miR‐34a in an Argonaute 2‐dependent manner. Functional studies demonstrated that MEG3 showed positive regulation on TUNEL‐positive cells and ROS level. Further in vivo study confirmed that MEG3 over‐expression could improve hepatic function of HIR mice, and markedly decreased the expression of serum ALT and AST. MEG3 protected hepatocytes from HIR injury through down‐regulating miR‐34a expression, which could add our understanding of the molecular mechanisms in HIR injury.
Evaluation of short‐term effectiveness of eight targeted agents combined with chemotherapy for treating esophageal‐gastric junction adenocarcinoma: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: He Yong‐Ming , Yu Chen , Li Wei‐Bing , Li Zhi‐Peng , Xu Nan
Published: July 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the short‐term effectiveness of eight targeted agents (ramucirumab, bevacizumab, rilotumumab, panitumumab, cetuximab, trebananib, trastuzumab, matuzumab) plus chemotherapy in esophageal‐gastric junction adenocarcinoma (EGJA) by a network meta‐analysis (NMA). PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically retrieved for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) concerning targeted agents plus chemotherapy in the treatment of EGJA. This NMA combined both direct and indirect evidence to evaluate odds ratio (OR) and to draw the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). In total 11 RCTs with 3649 EGJA patients (1907 patients treated with targeted agents plus chemotherapy were regarded as the case group, and 1742 patients with placebo plus chemotherapy were assigned into the control group) were enrolled in this study. Targeted agents in terms of stable disease (SD), partial response (PR), disease control rate (DCR), and overall response ratio (ORR) with the SUCRA values of 0.838, 0.807, 0.934, and 0.793, respectively. Cetuximab and trastuzumab, with the SUCRA values of 0.884 and 0.758, came on top as the best outcomes for treating EGJA in terms of progressive disease (PD) and complete response (CR). Cluster analysis results indicated that ramucirumab plus chemotherapy might be the optimal treatment for EGJA. Our findings indicated that ramucirumab plus chemotherapy might be the optimal treatment for EGJA amongst the nine treatment regimens, which provided clinical guidance for clinicians in the treatment of EGJA.
On the anatomy of social engineering attacks—A literature‐based dissection of successful attacks
Authors: Bullée Jan‐Willem Hendrik , Montoya Lorena , Pieters Wolter , Junger Marianne , Hartel Pieter
Published: July 2017

The aim of this study was to explore the extent to which persuasion principles are used in successful social engineering attacks. Seventy‐four scenarios were extracted from 4 books on social engineering (written by social engineers) and analysed. Each scenario was split into attack steps, containing single interactions between offender and target. For each attack step, persuasion principles were identified. The main findings are that (a) persuasion principles are often used in social engineering attacks, (b) authority (1 of the 6 persuasion principles) is used considerably more often than others, and (c) single‐principle attack steps occur more often than multiple‐principle ones. The social engineers identified in the scenarios more often used persuasion principles compared to other social influences. The scenario analysis illustrates how to exploit the human element in security. The findings support the view that security mechanisms should include not only technical but also social countermeasures.
Distinguishing of 2‐MAPB and 6‐MAPB: Solution of the problem
Authors: Shevyrin Vadim , Shafran Yuri
Published: July 2017

Differentiation of new psychoactive substance (NPS), 6‐(2‐methylaminopropyl)benzofuran (6‐MAPB), and its positional isomer, 2‐(2‐methylaminopropyl)benzofuran (2‐MAPB), by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with quadrupole detection is ambiguous. Reliable distinguishing of the two isomers could be achieved by MS/MS spectra recorded after collision‐induced dissociation (CID) of precursor ions. Both electron ionization (EI) and electrospray ionization (ESI) methods could be used for these purposes.
Three‐Dimensional Power Doppler Evaluation of Cerebral Vascular Blood Flow: A Novel Tool in the Assessment of Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Goetzinger Katherine R. , Cahill Alison G. , Odibo Linda , Macones George A. , Odibo Anthony O.
Published: July 2017

Objectives

To determine whether fetuses with fetal growth restriction (FGR) are more likely to have abnormal cerebral vascular flow patterns compared to fetuses who are appropriate for gestational age (AGA) when quantified by using 3‐dimensional (3D) power Doppler ultrasound.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of singleton gestations presenting for growth ultrasound examination between 24 and 36 weeks' gestation. Patients with FGR (estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile) were enrolled and matched 1:1 for gestational age (±7 days) with AGA fetuses. A standardized 3D power Doppler image of the middle cerebral artery territory was obtained from each patient. The vascularization index (VI), flow index (FI), and vascularization‐flow index (VFI) were calculated by the Virtual Organ computer‐aided analysis technique (GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI). These indices were compared between FGR and AGA fetuses and correlated with 2‐dimensional Doppler parameters. Neonatal outcomes were also compared with respect to the 3D parameters.

Results

Of 306 patients, there were 151 cases of FGR. There was no difference in the VI (6.0 versus 5.7; P = .65) or VFI (2.0 versus 1.8; P = .31) between the groups; however, the FI was significantly higher in FGR fetuses compared to AGA controls (33.9 versus 32.3; P = .009). There was a weak, but significant, negative correlation between the FI and both the middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (r = −0.34; P < .001) and cerebroplacental ratio (r = −0.29; P < .001). Within the FGR group, there was no difference in any of the 3D vascular indices with regard to neonatal outcomes.

Conclusions

Three‐dimensional power Doppler measurement of cerebral blood flow, but not the vascularization pattern, is significantly altered in FGR. This measurement may play a future role in distinguishing pathologic FGR from constitutionally small growth.
The fundraiser's journey: A developmentally informed, grounded theory analysis
Authors: Jones Jennifer A. , Castillo Elizabeth A.
Published: July 2017

Fundraisers play a vital role in the success of nonprofit organizations, yet relatively little is known about the experiences, motivations, and thought processes that inform their career choice and development. This exploratory, cross‐comparative case study of 3 fundraisers addresses this gap in the literature by examining some formative influences on fundraisers' careers, their professional growth aspirations and opportunities, and how, if at all, they engage in personal philanthropy. Results suggest that fundraisers' aptitudes, skills, and abilities may influence their career choice more than a sense of connection to the nonprofit sector or organizational mission. Further, fundraisers seek opportunities to exercise leadership at the individual, organizational, and community levels. Additionally, their personal philanthropy and social embeddedness play integral roles in their professional development. Although not large enough for generalization, these results suggest the need to study fundraisers holistically, including their psychological development and social embeddedness over time. We argue for the need to move beyond traditional marketing and public relations perspectives to explain fundraising. Instead, future studies should adopt a service‐dominant logic framing that considers fundraisers as part of a larger philanthropic ecosystem. We conclude with several questions to guide future studies toward this line of inquiry.
Neutron crystallographic studies of T4 lysozyme at cryogenic temperature
Authors: Li Le , Shukla Shantanu , Meilleur Flora , Standaert Robert F. , Pierce Josh , Myles Dean A. A. , Cuneo Matthew J.
Published: July 2017

Bacteriophage T4 lysozyme (T4L) has been used as a paradigm for seminal biophysical studies on protein structure, dynamics, and stability. Approximately 700 mutants of this protein and their respective complexes have been characterized by X‐ray crystallography; however, despite the high resolution diffraction limits attained in several studies, no hydrogen atoms were reported being visualized in the electron density maps. To address this, a 2.2 Å‐resolution neutron data set was collected at 80 K from a crystal of perdeuterated T4L pseudo‐wild type. We describe a near complete atomic structure of T4L, which includes the positions of 1737 hydrogen atoms determined by neutron crystallography. The cryogenic neutron model reveals explicit detail of the hydrogen bonding interactions in the protein, in addition to the protonation states of several important residues.
Prognostic accuracy of cerebroplacental ratio and middle cerebral artery Doppler for adverse perinatal outcome: systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vollgraff Heidweiller‐Schreurs C. A. , De Boer M. A. , Heymans M. W. , Schoonmade L. J. , Bossuyt P. M. M. , Mol B. W. J. , De Groot C. J. M. , Bax C. J.
Published: July 2017

Objective

Doppler ultrasonographic assessment of the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and middle cerebral artery (MCA) is widely used as an adjunct to umbilical artery (UA) Doppler to identify fetuses at risk of adverse perinatal outcome. However, reported estimates of its accuracy vary considerably. The aim of this study was to review systematically the prognostic accuracies of CPR and MCA Doppler in predicting adverse perinatal outcome, and to compare these with UA Doppler, in order to identify whether CPR and MCA Doppler evaluation are of added value to UA Doppler.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library and
ClinicalTrials.gov were searched, from inception to June 2016, for studies on the prognostic accuracy of UA Doppler compared with CPR and/or MCA Doppler in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in women with a singleton pregnancy of any risk profile. Risk of bias and concerns about applicability were assessed using the QUADAS‐2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies‐2) tool. Meta‐analysis was performed for multiple adverse perinatal outcomes. Using hierarchal summary receiver–operating characteristics meta‐regression models, the prognostic accuracy of CPR vs MCA Doppler was compared indirectly, and CPR and MCA Doppler vs UA Doppler compared directly.

Results

The search identified 4693 articles, of which 128 studies (involving 47 748 women) were included. Risk of bias or suboptimal reporting was detected in 120/128 studies (94%) and substantial heterogeneity was found, which limited subgroup analyses for fetal growth and gestational age. A large variation was observed in reported sensitivities and specificities, and in thresholds used. CPR outperformed UA Doppler in the prediction of composite adverse outcome (as defined in the included studies) (P < 0.001) and emergency delivery for fetal distress (P = 0.003), but was comparable to UA Doppler for the other outcomes. MCA Doppler performed significantly worse than did UA Doppler in the prediction of low Apgar score (P = 0.017) and emergency delivery for fetal distress (P = 0.034). CPR outperformed MCA Doppler in the prediction of composite adverse outcome (P < 0.001) and emergency delivery for fetal distress (P = 0.013).

Conclusion

Calculating the CPR with MCA Doppler can add value to UA Doppler assessment in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in women with a singleton pregnancy. However, it is unclear to which subgroup of pregnant women this applies. The effectiveness of the CPR in guiding clinical management needs to be evaluated in clinical trials. © 2017 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Zelltherapie am Augenhintergrund – gestern, heute, morgen
Authors: Brandl Caroline
Published: July 2017

Der gemeinsame Endpunkt vieler Netzhautdegenerationen ist ein Zelluntergang im retinalen Pigmentepithel und/oder der neurosensorischen Retina und ein damit verbundener irreversibler Visusverlust. Therapieansätze in fortgeschrittenen Erkrankungsstadien müssen folglich ebenfalls den Ersatz dieser verloren gegangenen Zellen und Gewebe adressieren. Hier zeichnen sich in den letzten Jahren vor allem auf dem Gebiet der stammzellbasierten zellulären Transplantationstherapie rasante Fortschritte in Grundlagenforschung und klinischer Anwendung ab. Besonders die induzierten pluripotenten Stammzellen scheinen die personalisierte Medizin signifikant voranbringen zu können, falls es gelingt wesentliche Bedenken und Limitationen zu überwinden. Diese Übersicht benennt retinale Krankheitsbilder, bei denen Zelltherapie eine potenzielle Therapieoption darstellt, und gibt einen kurzen Einblick in bisherige Therapiemöglichkeiten. Darüber hinaus werden insbesondere die potenziellen Anwendungsbereiche induzierter pluripotenter Stammzellen mit ihren Vorteilen, aber auch Problemen beleuchtet. Der Hauptfokus liegt auf dem stammzellbasierten Ersatz des retinalen Pigmentepithels, da dieser im Hinblick auf eine therapeutische Anwendung am Menschen, im Vergleich zu anderen Zellen der neurosensorischen Netzhaut, die größten Fortschritte verzeichnet. Abschließend wird ein Überblick über bereits laufende klinische Studien zur Therapie von Netzhautdegenerationen mittels stammzellbasierter zellulärer Transplantationstherapie gegeben.
British Prisoners of War in First World War Germany
Authors: Wilkinson Oliver
Published: July 2017

Over 185,000 British military servicemen were captured by the Germans during the First World War and incarcerated as prisoners of war (POWs). In this original investigation into their experiences of captivity, Wilkinson uses official and private British source material to explore how these servicemen were challenged by, and responded to, their wartime fate. Examining the psychological anguish associated with captivity, and physical trials, such as the controlling camp spaces; harsh routines and regimes; the lack of material necessities; and, for many, forced labour demands, he asks if, how and with what effects British POWs were able to respond to such challenges. The culmination of this research reveals a range of coping strategies embracing resistance; leadership and organisation; networks of support; and links with 'home worlds'. British Prisoners of War offers an original insight into First World War captivity, the German POW camps, and the mentalities and perceptions of the British servicemen held within.
Racial Coalition Building in Local Elections
Authors: Benjamin Andrea
Published: July 2017

This book examines racial and ethnic coalition building in local elections and considers Black and Latino political incorporation more broadly. Although many argue that Black and Latino voters have much to gain from alliances that advance shared interests, coalitions between the two groups have not always formed easily or been stable over time. Recent mayoral elections across the country show different patterns of out-group candidate support. This book seeks to explain these variations and the specific conditions under which Blacks and Latinos vote for the same candidate. Drawing on large-n observational data, survey experiments, and qualitative case studies, Benjamin develops a theory of co-ethnic endorsements, which points to the significance of elite cues from Black and Latino leaders. The book demonstrates that voters use elite co-ethnic endorsements to help inform their votes, that they do so particularly when race is salient in an election, and that this has real implications for representation and access to political benefits.
The Logic of Securities Law
Authors: Georgakopoulos Nicholas L. , Posner Richard
Published: July 2017

This book opens with a simple introduction to financial markets, attempting to understand the action and the players of Wall Street by comparing them to the action and the players of main street. Firstly, it explores the definition of a security by its function, the departure from the buyer beware environment of corporate law and the entrance into the seller disclose environment of securities law. Secondly, it shows that the cost of disclosure rules is justified by their capacity to combat irrationalities, fads, and panics. The third section explains how the structure of class actions is designed to improve deterrence. Next it explores the economic harm from insider trading and how the law fights it. In sum, the book shows how all these parts of securities law serve the virtuous cycle from liquidity to accurate prices and more trading and how the great recession showed that our securities regulation reacted mostly adequately to the crisis.
Dueling, Conflicting Masculinities, and the Victorian Gentleman
Authors: Masterson Margery
Published: July 2017

This article takes an unexplored popular debate from the 1860s over the role of dueling in regulating gentlemanly conduct as the starting point to examine the relationship between elite Victorian masculinities and interpersonal violence. In the absence of a meaningful replacement for dueling and other ritualized acts meant to defend personal honor, multiple modes of often conflicting masculinities became available to genteel men in the middle of the nineteenth century. Considering the security fears of the period––European and imperial, real and imagined––the article illustrates how pacific and martial masculine identities coexisted in a shifting and uneasy balance. The professional character of the enlarging gentlemanly classes and the increased importance of men's domestic identities––trends often aligned with hegemonic masculinity––played an ambivalent role in popular attitudes to interpersonal violence. The cultural history of dueling can thus inform a multifaceted approach toward gender, class, and violence in modern Britain.
Transport efficiency of metachronal waves in 3D cilium arrays immersed in a two-phase flow
Authors: Chateau S. , Favier J. , D’Ortona U. , Poncet S.
Published: July 2017

This work reports the formation and characterization of antipleptic and symplectic metachronal waves in 3D cilium arrays immersed in a two-fluid environment, with a viscosity ratio of 20. A coupled lattice Boltzmann–immersed-boundary solver is used. The periciliary layer is confined between the epithelial surface and the mucus. Its thickness is chosen such that the tips of the cilia can penetrate the mucus. A purely hydrodynamical feedback of the fluid is taken into account and a coupling parameter$\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FC}$is introduced, which allows tuning of both the direction of the wave propagation and the strength of the fluid feedback. A comparative study of both antipleptic and symplectic waves, mapping a cilium interspacing ranging from 1.67 up to 5 cilium lengths, is performed by imposing metachrony. Antipleptic waves are found to systematically outperform symplectic waves. They are shown to be more efficient for transporting and mixing the fluids, while spending less energy than symplectic, random or synchronized motions.
Conditioning Family-life at the Intersection of Migration and Welfare: The Implications for ‘Brexit Families’
Authors: KILKEY MAJELLA
Published: July 2017

European Freedom of Movement (EFM) was central to the referendum on the UK's membership of the EU. Under a ‘hard’ Brexit scenario, it is expected that EFM between the UK and the EU will cease, raising uncertainties about the rights of existing EU citizens in the UK and those of any future EU migrants. This article is concerned with the prospects for family rights linked to EFM which, I argue, impinge on a range of families – so-called ‘Brexit families’ (Kofman, 2017) – beyond those who are EU-national families living in the UK. The article draws on policy analysis of developments in the conditionality attached to the family rights of non-EU migrants, EU migrants and UK citizens at the intersection of migration and welfare systems since 2010, to identify the potential trajectory of rights post-Brexit. While the findings highlight stratification in family rights between and within those three groups, the pattern is one in which class and gender divisions are prominent and have become more so over time as a result of the particular types of conditionality introduced. I conclude by arguing that, with the cessation of EFM, those axes will also be central in the re-ordering of the rights of ‘Brexit families’.
Scalable and controlled self-assembly of aluminum-based random plasmonic metasurfaces
Authors: Siddique Radwanul Hasan , Mertens Jan , Hölscher Hendrik , Vignolini Silvia
Published: July 2017

Subwavelength metal-dielectric plasmonic metasurfaces enable light management beyond the diffraction limit. However, a cost-effective and reliable fabrication method for such structures remains a major challenge hindering their full exploitation. Here, we propose a simple yet powerful manufacturing route for plasmonic metasurfaces based on a bottom-up approach. The fabricated metasurfaces consist of a dense distribution of randomly oriented nanoscale scatterers composed of aluminum (Al) nanohole-disk pairs, which exhibit angle-independent scattering that is tunable across the entire visible spectrum. The macroscopic response of the metasurfaces is controlled via the properties of an isolated Al nanohole-disk pair at the nanoscale. In addition, the optical field confinement at the scatterers and their random distribution of sizes result in a strongly enhanced Raman signal that enables broadly tunable excitation using a single substrate. This unique combination of a reliable and lithography-free methodology with the use of aluminum permits the exploitation of the full potential of random plasmonic metasurfaces for diagnostics and coloration.
Oxygen-induced impairment in arterial function is corrected by slow breathing in patients with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Bernardi Luciano , Gordin Daniel , Bordino Marco , Rosengård-Bärlund Milla , Sandelin Anna , Forsblom Carol , Groop Per-Henrik
Published: July 2017

Hyperoxia and slow breathing acutely improve autonomic function in type-1 diabetes. However, their effects on arterial function may reveal different mechanisms, perhaps potentially useful. To test the effects of oxygen and slow breathing we measured arterial function (augmentation index, pulse wave velocity), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) and oxygen saturation (SAT), during spontaneous and slow breathing (6 breaths/min), in normoxia and hyperoxia (5 L/min oxygen) in 91 type-1 diabetic and 40 age-matched control participants. During normoxic spontaneous breathing diabetic subjects had lower BRS and SAT, and worse arterial function. Hyperoxia and slow breathing increased BRS and SAT. Hyperoxia increased blood pressure and worsened arterial function. Slow breathing improved arterial function and diastolic blood pressure. Combined administration prevented the hyperoxia-induced arterial pressure and function worsening. Control subjects showed a similar pattern, but with lesser or no statistical significance. Oxygen-driven autonomic improvement could depend on transient arterial stiffening and hypertension (well-known irritative effect of free-radicals on endothelium), inducing reflex increase in BRS. Slow breathing-induced improvement in BRS may result from improved SAT, reduced sympathetic activity and improved vascular function, and/or parasympathetic-driven antioxidant effect. Lower oxidative stress could explain blunted effects in controls. Slow breathing could be a simple beneficial intervention in diabetes.
Comparative gene-expression profiling of the large cell variant of gastrointestinal marginal-zone B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Barth Thomas F. E. , Kraus Johann M. , Lausser Ludwig , Flossbach Lucia , Schulte Lukas , Holzmann Karlheinz , Kestler Hans A. , Möller Peter
Published: July 2017

Gastrointestinal (g.i.) large cell lymphoma is currently regarded as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) despite a more favorable clinical outcome compared to other DLBCL. Cluster analyses on a transcriptome signature of NF-κB target genes of 30 g.i. marginal zone B-cell lymphomas (MZBL; 8 g.i. MZBL, 22 large cell MZBL - among them 9 with coexisting small cell component) and 6 DLBCL (3 activated B-cell like (ABC), 3 germinal center-like (GCB)) reveals a distinct pattern. The distinctiveness of large cell MZBL samples is further confirmed by a cohort of 270 available B-cell lymphoma and B-cell in silico profiles. Of the NF-κB genes analyzed, c-REL was overexpressed in g.i. MZBL. c-REL amplification was limited to 6/22 large cell MZBL including the large cell component of 2/9 composite small cell/large cell lymphomas, and c-Rel protein expression was found in the large cell compartment of composite lymphomas. Classification experiments on DLBCL and large cell MZBL profiles support the concept that the large cell MZBL is a distinct type of B-cell lymphoma.
Anti-Tumor Activity and Immunotherapeutic Potential of a Bisphosphonate Prodrug
Authors: Tanaka Yoshimasa , Iwasaki Masashi , Murata-Hirai Kaoru , Matsumoto Kenji , Hayashi Kosuke , Okamura Haruki , Sugie Tomoharu , Minato Nagahiro , Morita Craig T. , Toi Masakazu
Published: July 2017

Bisphosphonates have benefits in breast cancer and multiple myeloma patients and have been used with adoptive immunotherapy with γδ T cells expressing Vγ2 Vδ2 TCRs. Although treatment with γδ T cells is safe, it has shown limited efficacy. Present bisphosphonates stimulate γδ T cells but were designed to inhibit bone resorption rather than treating cancer and have limited oral absorption, tumor cell entry, and cause bone side effects. The development of phosphate and phosphonate nucleotide prodrugs has led to important drugs for hepatitis C and HIV. Using a similar approach, we synthesized bisphosphonate prodrugs and found that they efficiently limit tumor cell growth. Pivoxil bisphosphonate esters enter cells where esterases convert them to their active acids. The bisphosphonate esters stimulated γδ T cells to secrete TNF-α in response to a variety of tumor cells more efficiently than their corresponding acids. The most active compound, tetrakis-pivaloyloxymethyl 2-(thiazole-2-ylamino)ethylidene-1,1- bisphosphonate (7), specifically expanded γδ T cells and stimulated them to secrete interferon-γ and kill tumor cells. In preclinical studies, combination therapy with compound 7 and γδ T cells prolonged survival of mice inoculated with either human bladder cancer or fibrosarcoma cells. Therefore, bisphosphonate prodrugs could enhance the effectiveness of adoptive cancer immunotherapy with γδ T cells.