bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A 3D bioprinted in situ conjugated‐co‐fabricated scaffold for potential bone tissue engineering applications
Authors: Sithole Mduduzi N. , Kumar Pradeep , du Toit Lisa C. , Marimuthu Thashree , Choonara Yahya E. , Pillay Viness
Published: January 2018

There is a demand for progressive approaches in bone tissue engineering to repair and regenerate bone defects resulting from trauma or disease. This investigation sought to engineer a single‐step in situ conjugated polymeric scaffold employing 3D printing technology as an innovative fabricating tool. A polymeric scaffold was engineered in situ employing sodium alginate as a bio‐ink which interacted with a poly(ethyleneimine) solution on bioprinting to form a polyelectrolyte complex through ionic bond formation. Silica gel was included in the bio‐ink as temporal inorganic support component and for ultimate enhancement of osteoinduction. Characterization of the biorelevant properties of the scaffold was undertaken via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermogravimentric Analysis, X‐Ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and biomechanical testing. The scaffold maintained its 3D architecture for the duration of the 28‐day degradation investigation, while potentially permitting the infiltration of nutrients, growth factor, and cells evident by the increased solvent penetration into the scaffold observed via Magnetic Resonance Imaging studies. The scaffold porosity and pore size were found to be 60% and 360 µm, respectively. Biomechanical evaluation revealed a Young's modulus of 18.37 MPa highlighting that the scaffold in its current form possesses the mechanical capabilities for certain bone tissue engineering applications. This investigation provided highlighted the applicability of alginate‐poly(ethyeneimine)/silica for 3D bioprinting as a scaffold which could possess potential as a bone tissue engineering scaffold. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 106A: 1311–1321, 2018.
Reference intervals of carbohydrate antigen 19‐9 in the apparently healthy adult population
Authors: Zhang Gao‐Ming , Bai Shu‐Mei , Zhang Guo‐Ming , Ma Xiao‐Bo
Published: January 2018

Background

To establish reference intervals of carbohydrate antigen 19‐9(CA 19‐9) according to the CLSI CA28‐A3 guideline and to evaluate age‐ and gender‐related variations.

Methods

Serum CA 19‐9 values of 10 149 healthy subjects (from 20 years old to 60 years old) were measured from location health checkups. The relationship between CA 19‐9 and age was analyzed using Spearman's approach. The reference intervals of CA19‐9 were established using Q2.5 and Q97.5, and the 90% confidence intervals of upper limits were calculated.

Results

The reference intervals of CA 19‐9 were 1.98‐25.12 U/mL for males (1.97‐25.06 U/mL for 20‐50 years old and 2.31‐26.13 U/mL for 50‐60 years old) and 2.36‐29.29 U/mL for adult (20‐60 years old) females. The upper limit of reference intervals for all individuals was 26.45 U/mL; the level of CA 19‐9 is higher in females than males. Carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19‐9 is significantly associated with aging in adult males(r = .0930, P < .0001), but not in females (P = .4734).

Conclusions

Establishing reference intervals for CA19‐9 and giving age‐related reference intervals of CA19‐9 using a big data of healthy adult, we first discovered that CA19‐9 tends to increase with age in adult males but not in females.
Association between SMAD3 gene rs12901499 polymorphism and knee osteoarthritis in a Chinese population
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhang Limin , Zhang Haiqin , Wang Wenjun , Zhao You
Published: January 2018

Background

Many studies have revealed that transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) signals play important roles in maintaining normal status of articular cartilage in human osteoarthritis (OA). However, SMAD3 had inhibitory effect on TGF‐β‐induced chondrocyte maturation.

Method

To evaluate the association of SMAD3 genetic variants with the risk of knee OA, we conducted this hospital‐based case‐control study involving 350 knee patients with OA and 400 controls in a Chinese population. Genotyping was performed using a custom‐by‐design 48‐Plex single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) Scan™ Kit.

Results

Our results indicate that the GG genotype of rs12901499 could decrease the risk of knee OA compared to AA genotype. However, stratified analyses by sex and age did not obtain positive findings with regard to the association between rs12901499 polymorphism and knee OA risk.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SMAD3 rs12901499 polymorphism may be involved in the development of knee OA. Larger studies with more diverse ethnic populations are needed to confirm these results.
Social Norms and the Price of Zero
Authors: Ariely Dan , Gneezy Uri , Haruvy Ernan
Published: January 2018

The standard economic model assumes that demand is weakly decreasing in price. While empirical evidence shows that this is true for most price levels, it might not hold for the price of zero, where social norms are not entirely compatible with the self‐maximizing economic agent. A set of experiments shows that switching from a low price to a price of zero has two effects on behavior: First, in accordance with the economic theory, more people demand the product. Second, whereas in the low price case some individuals demand high quantities of the product, in the zero price case most people take only one unit of the product. As a result, lowering the price to zero may lead to a net decrease in the total amount demanded in the market. We further show that polite priming results in higher demand than ethical priming in both zero price and 1¢ conditions.
The Influence of Physical Elevation in Buildings on Risk Preferences: Evidence from a Pilot and Four Field Studies
Authors: Esteky Sina , Wineman Jean D. , Wooten David B.
Published: January 2018

Little empirical research has been reported on the role of spatial positioning inside buildings on consumer behavior. Based on embodied cognition literature, we propose that elevation from street level influences risk preferences. In a pilot study and four field studies involving financial decisions with both hypothetical and real payoffs, we find evidence that high physical elevation increases risk‐seeking tendencies. Furthermore, we demonstrate that elevation leads to riskier behavior by increasing sensitivity to power. Finally, we establish a boundary condition for the impact of elevation on risk preferences by demonstrating that the effect attenuates when accessibility of physical elevation is low. These findings show that a subtle environmental parameter—physical elevation from street level—can influence human psychological states and consequently affect decisions.
Can Everyday Brands Be Threatening? Responses to Brand Primes Depend on Childhood Socioeconomic Status
Authors: Whelan Jodie , T. Hingston Sean
Published: January 2018

The current work investigates whether childhood socioeconomic status influences how people respond to brands. Results from two experiments show that, perhaps counterintuitively, everyday brands—and not luxury brands—can threaten the self‐esteem of people who had poor childhoods. Supported by the results of our pilot study, we argue this is because everyday brands represent a material norm that can be difficult for low‐income consumers to achieve. Furthermore, our findings suggest that consumers from poor backgrounds may cope with this threat by becoming morse self‐interested, as indicated by decreased volunteer intentions.
Galectin-3 type-C self-association on neutrophil surfaces; The carbohydrate recognition domain regulates cell function
Authors: Sundqvist Martina , Welin Amanda , Elmwall Jonas , Osla Veronica , Nilsson Ulf J , Leffler Hakon , Bylund Johan , Karlsson Anna
Published: January 2018

Galectin-3 is an endogenous β-galactoside-binding lectin comprising a carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) linked to a collagen-like N-domain. Both domains are required for galectin-3 to induce cellular effects; a C-terminal fragment of galectin-3, galectin-3C, containing the CRD but lacking the N-domain, binds cell surface glycoconjugates but does not induce cellular effects since cross-linking promoted by the N-domain is thought to be required. Instead, galectin-3C is proposed to antagonize the effects of galectin-3 by competing for binding sites. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of galectin-3C on galectin-3 interactions with human neutrophils. Recombinant galectin-3C inhibited galectin-3-induced production of reactive oxygen species in primed neutrophils. Surprisingly, this inhibition was not due to competitive inhibition of galectin-3 binding to the cells. In contrast, galectin-3C potentiated galectin-3 binding, in line with emerging evidence that galectin-3 can aggregate not only through the N-domain but also through the CRD. The cell surface interaction between galectin-3C and galectin-3 was corroborated by colocalization of fluorescently labeled galectin-3 and galectin-3C. Galectin-3C can be generated in vivo through cleavage of galectin-3 by proteases. Indeed, in circulation, galectin-3 and galectin-3C were both attached to the cell surface of neutrophils, which displayed great capacity to bind additional galectin-3 and galectin-3C. In conclusion, galectin-3C enhances galectin-3 binding to neutrophils by nonactivating type-C self-association, in parallel to inhibiting neutrophil activation by galectin-3 (induced by type-N self-association). This implicates type-C self-association as a termination system for galectin-3-induced cell activation, with the purpose of avoiding oxidant-dependent tissue damage.
Sphingolipids role in the regulation of inflammatory response: From leukocyte biology to bacterial infection
Authors: Chiricozzi Elena , Loberto Nicoletta , Schiumarini Domitilla , Samarani Maura , Mancini Giulia , Tamanini Anna , Lippi Giuseppe , Dechecchi Maria Cristina , Bassi Rosaria , Giussani Paola , Aureli Massimo
Published: January 2018

Sphingolipids (SLs) are amphiphilic molecules mainly associated with the external leaflet of eukaryotic plasma membrane, and are structural membrane components with key signaling properties. Since the beginning of the last century, a large number of papers described the involvement of these molecules in several aspects of cell physiology and pathology. Several lines of evidence support the critical role of SLs in inflammatory diseases, by acting as anti- or pro-inflammatory mediators. They are involved in control of leukocyte activation and migration, and are recognized as essential players in host response to pathogenic infection. We propose here a critical overview of current knowledge on involvement of different classes of SLs in inflammation, focusing on the role of simple and complex SLs in pathogen-mediated inflammatory response.
Novel scores combining AFP with non‐invasive markers for prediction of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients
Authors: Gamil Mohamed , Alboraie Mohamed , El‐Sayed Mohammad , Elsharkawy Aisha , Asem Noha , Elbaz Tamer , Mohey Mohammad , Abbas Bahaa , Mehrez Mai , Esmat Gamal
Published: January 2018

Serum levels of alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP) were reported to increase in patients with significant or advanced hepatic fibrosis. Combination of non‐invasive tests decreases the use of liver biopsy in large proportion of chronic HCV patients. The aim of the study was to compare and combine AFP with commonly used non‐invasive fibrosis tests in novel scores for prediction of different stages of hepatic fibrosis. Six hundred and fifty two treatment naïve chronic hepatitis C patients were enrolled. Demographic data, basic pre‐treatment laboratory tests including complete blood count (CBC), liver biochemical profile and renal functions test, international normalized ratio (INR) in addition to AFP, liver stiffness measurement (LSM) by Fibroscan and liver biopsies were retrospectively analyzed. AST to Platelet Ratio Index (APRI) and FIB‐4 scores were calculated. Different predictive models using multivariate logistic regression analysis were generated and presented in equations (scores) composed of a combination of AFP, LSM plus FIB‐4/APRI scores. AFP was correlating significantly with LSM, FIB‐4, and APRI scores. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROCs) for predicting significant hepatic fibrosis, advanced hepatic fibrosis, and cirrhosis were 0.897, 0.931, and 0.955, respectively, for equations (scores) containing AFP, LSM, and FIB‐4. AUROCs for predicting significant hepatic fibrosis, advanced hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis were 0.897, 0.929, and 0.959, respectively, for equations (scores) containing AFP, LSM, and APRI. The study shows that combining AFP to serum biomarkers and LSM increases their diagnostic performance for prediction of different stages of liver fibrosis.
Information retrieval for systematic reviews in food and feed topics: A narrative review
Authors: Wood Hannah , O'Connor Annette , Sargeant Jan , Glanville Julie
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Systematic review methods are now being used for reviews of food production, food safety and security, plant health, and animal health and welfare. Information retrieval methods in this context have been informed by human health‐care approaches and ideally should be based on relevant research and experience.

Objective

This narrative review seeks to identify and summarize current research‐based evidence and experience on information retrieval for systematic reviews in food and feed topics.

Methods

MEDLINE (Ovid), Science Citation Index (Web of Science), and ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com/) were searched in 2012 and 2016. We also contacted topic experts and undertook citation searches. We selected and summarized studies reporting research on information retrieval, as well as published guidance and experience.

Results

There is little published evidence on the most efficient way to conduct searches for food and feed topics. There are few available study design search filters, and their use may be problematic given poor or inconsistent reporting of study methods. Food and feed research makes use of a wide range of study designs so it might be best to focus strategy development on capturing study populations, although this also has challenges. There is limited guidance on which resources should be searched and whether publication bias in disciplines relevant to food and feed necessitates extensive searching of the gray literature.

Conclusions

There is some limited evidence on information retrieval approaches, but more research is required to inform effective and efficient approaches to searching to populate food and feed reviews.
Enantioselective and simultaneous determination of lactate and 3‐hydroxybutyrate in human plasma and urine using a narrow‐bore online two‐dimensional high‐performance liquid chromatography system
Authors: Hsieh Chin‐Ling , Koga Reiko , Furusho Aogu , Akita Takeyuki , Mita Masashi , Ide Tomomi , Lee Jen‐Ai , Hamase Kenji
Published: January 2018

For the enantioselective and simultaneous analysis of lactate and 3‐hydroxybutyrate, a validated online two‐dimensional high‐performance liquid chromatography system using 4‐nitro‐7‐piperazino‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole as a fluorescent derivatization reagent has been developed. For the reversed‐phase separation in the first dimension, a Capcell Pak C18 ACR column (1.5 × 250 mm, particle size 3 μm) was used, and the target fractions were isolated by their hydrophobicity. In the second dimension, a polysaccharide‐coated enantioselective column, Chiralpak AD‐H (2.0 × 250 mm, 5 μm), was used. The system was validated by the calibration curve, intraday precision, interday precision, and accuracy using standards and real human samples, and satisfactory results were obtained. The present method was applied to human plasma and urine, and in the plasma, trace amounts of d‐lactate (8.4 μM) and l‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (1.0 μM), besides high levels of l‐lactate (860.9 μM) and d‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (59.4 μM), were successfully determined. In urine, trace levels of d‐lactate (3.7 μM), d‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (2.3 μM), and l‐3‐hydroxybutyrate (3.3 μM) in addition to a relatively large amount of l‐lactate (15.4 μM) were observed. The present online two‐dimensional high‐performance liquid chromatography system is useful for the simultaneous determination of all the lactate and 3‐hydroxybutyrate enantiomers in human physiological fluids, and further clinical applications are ongoing.
Comparative Study of Abdominal Versus Transvaginal Ultrasound for Uterine Artery Doppler Velocimetry at 11 to 13 Weeks
Authors: Demers Marie‐Elaine , Dubé Samuel , Bourdages Mélodie , Gasse Cedric , Boutin Amélie , Girard Mario , Bujold Emmanuel , Demers Suzanne
Published: January 2018

Objectives

To compare the first‐trimester uterine artery pulsatility index (PI) measured by abdominal and transvaginal ultrasound (US).

Methods

We performed a prospective study of singleton pregnant women recruited at 11 to 13 weeks' gestation. The mean uterine artery PI was obtained by abdominal followed by transvaginal US. The mean of the left and right uterine artery PIs was used, and differences between approaches were computed. The intraclass correlation coefficient and a Bland‐Altman plot were used to compare the two approaches.

Results

Data were available for 940 participants, including 928 (99%) with uterine artery PIs obtained on both uterine sides. The mean uterine artery PI decreased with gestational age in both approaches (P < .001). We observed a moderate correlation between abdominal and transvaginal mean uterine artery PIs (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.72; 95% confidence interval, 0.69 to 0.75). Values obtained by abdominal US (median, 1.70, interquartile range, 1.35 to 2.09) were greater than those obtained by transvaginal US (median, 1.65; interquartile range, 1.37 to 1.99). There was a significant increase in differences as average measurements became higher (P < .01).

Conclusions

The first‐trimester mean uterine artery PI decreases with gestational age in both approaches. Abdominal US could be associated with greater uterine artery PI values than transvaginal US, especially at higher measurements. The first‐trimester uterine artery PI for prediction of adverse perinatal outcomes should be adjusted for gestational age and possibly for the US approach.
Global patterns in phytoplankton biomass and community size structure in relation to macronutrients in the open ocean
Authors: Mousing Erik Askov , Richardson Katherine , Ellegaard Marianne
Published: January 2018

Owing to the dynamic nature of nutrient‐phytoplankton interactions, ambient macronutrient concentrations reveal little about the impact of nutrient availability on phytoplankton biomass and community composition at any given point in time or space. Here, however, we examine a global dataset (n = 262) where phytoplankton community structure and biomass are related to ambient concentrations of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), phosphate (P), and silicate. The macroecological patterns emerging from the analysis suggests plausible causal relationships between nutrient availability and global phytoplankton community responses: When DIN and P are below ca. 5 μM and 0.5 μM, respectively, increases in the concentration of either nutrient correlate with increases in both biomass and the contribution of large cells to the total phytoplankton biomass. At higher concentrations, increasing DIN or P concentrations do not correlate with increases in biomass. However, the fraction of large phytoplankton continues to increase with increasing concentrations suggesting DIN and P availability to be important factors in controlling phytoplankton community composition over the entire spectrum of potential macronutrient availability in the open ocean. Ambient silicate concentrations were not strongly associated with phytoplankton community structure or biomass. Nor did the DIN/P ratio correlate with community structure indicating that this ratio is a poor descriptor of phytoplankton limitation at the community scale. No empirical evidence was found for commonly referred threshold values for nutrient limitation (i.e., 2 μM, 0.2 μM, and 2 μM for DIN, P, and silicate, respectively) suggesting that these threshold values may not contain any practical information.
Foraging response and acclimation of ambush feeding and feeding‐current feeding copepods to toxic dinoflagellates
Authors: Xu Jiayi , Nielsen Lasse Tor , Kiørboe Thomas
Published: January 2018

Copepods exposed to toxic algae in “black box” incubation experiments show highly varied responses, but the mechanisms cannot be revealed from such experiments and the implications to copepod and phytoplankton population dynamics consequently not evaluated. Here, we use direct video observations to examine the response and temporal acclimation (5 d) of two copepods with different foraging behaviors to toxic dinoflagellates. Feeding‐current feeding Temora longicornis and ambush feeding Acartia tonsa were offered three strains of toxic Alexandrium tamarense and a nontoxic control Protoceratium reticulatum. We hypothesize (1) that ambush feeders are less affected by toxic algae than feeding‐current feeders, (2) that copepods acclimate to the toxic algae, and (3) that phytoplankton cells previously exposed to copepod cues elicit stronger responses. Both copepod species consumed the toxic algae at a reduced rate and there was no difference in their net‐response, but the mechanisms differed. T. longicornis responded in strain‐specific ways by reducing its feeding activity, by rejecting captured algae, or by regurgitating consumed cells. A. tonsa reduced its consumption rate, jump frequency, and jump distance on all strains of the toxic dinoflagellate, and most so on copepod‐cue induced cells. There was limited acclimation to algal toxins, although some behavioral responses relaxed or intensified during the first one to several days. Mortality rates were low and the various responses, thus, all allow the copepods to survive harmful algal blooms. However, the implications to algal population dynamics are species/strains specific, with only prey selection providing the toxic algae with a competitive advantage.
Heuristic Search Strategy for Transforming Microstructural Patterns to Optimal Copolymerization Recipes
Authors: Mohammadi Yousef , Saeb Mohammad Reza , Penlidis Alexander
Published: January 2018

Manipulation and optimization of copolymer microstructure for tailoring final properties is of great importance in macromolecular science and engineering. Uncovering the complexities of the interrelationships between copolymerization recipe and copolymer microstructure (a challenging field of study in its own right) is a multiobjective optimization problem, which has attracted a lot of attention in the last 10–15 years. In the present study, a powerful optimizer is developed based on the Non‐dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA‐II) for transforming desired microstructural copolymerization profiles, including molecular weight distribution and chemical composition distribution, back to optimal copolymerization recipes and operating conditions. The optimizer developed has the beneficial features of robust machine learning and multiobjective optimization based upon heuristic search strategies. The metallocene‐catalyzed ethylene/α‐olefin copolymerization is selected as a sufficiently complex system to challenge the proposed optimization tool. The developed computer code is used to explore copolymerization recipes (polymerization temperature and concentrations of ethylene, 1butene, cocatalyst, and hydrogen) needed to synthesize copolymers having desired microstructural features. Based on the results obtained, it is now possible to produce various grades or tailor‐make the copolymer structure by suggesting the “best” copolymerization recipe/conditions as reliably as possible.
The effects of ageing on mouse muscle microstructure: a comparative study of time‐dependent diffusion MRI and histological assessment
Authors: Porcari Paola , Hall Matt G. , Clark Chris A. , Greally Elizabeth , Straub Volker , Blamire Andrew M.
Published: January 2018

The investigation of age‐related changes in muscle microstructure between developmental and healthy adult mice may help us to understand the clinical features of early‐onset muscle diseases, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We investigated the evolution of mouse hind‐limb muscle microstructure using diffusion imaging of in vivo and in vitro samples from both actively growing and mature mice. Mean apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) of the gastrocnemius and tibialis anterior muscles were determined as a function of diffusion time (Δ), age (7.5, 22 and 44 weeks) and diffusion gradient direction, applied parallel or transverse to the principal axis of the muscle fibres. We investigated a wide range of diffusion times with the goal of probing a range of diffusion lengths characteristic of muscle microstructure. We compared the diffusion time‐dependent ADC of hind‐limb muscles with histology. ADC was found to vary as a function of diffusion time in muscles at all stages of maturation. Muscle water diffusivity was higher in younger (7.5 weeks) than in adult (22 and 44 weeks) mice, whereas no differences were observed between the older ages. In vitro data showed the same diffusivity pattern as in vivo data. The highlighted differences in diffusion properties between young and mature muscles suggested differences in underlying muscle microstructure, which were confirmed by histological assessment. In particular, although diffusion was more restricted in older muscle, muscle fibre size increased significantly from young to adult age. The extracellular space decreased with age by only ~1%. This suggests that the observed diffusivity differences between young and adult muscles may be caused by increased membrane permeability in younger muscle associated with properties of the sarcolemma.
Sedentary behavior and physical activity of young adult university students
Authors: Peterson Neil E. , Sirard John R. , Kulbok Pamela A. , DeBoer Mark D. , Erickson Jeanne M.
Published: January 2018

Movement and non‐movement behaviors include sleep, sedentary behavior (SB) and physical activity (PA). While young adults are generally perceived as healthy, the level and relationship of SB and PA in college‐age students has not been greatly explored. The purpose of this study was to objectively measure the levels of SB and PA in 18–20 year‐old university students, record their self‐reported extracurricular activities, and explore the relationship of all these with body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). Male (n = 48) and female (n = 46) students participated in this cross‐sectional study. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine time spent in SB, moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), number of self‐reported sedentary extracurricular activities, and their relation to the dependent variables of BMI and WC. In correlation analyses, SB (p < .001) and MVPA (p = .017) both were negatively associated with BMI, and “other” race or ethnicity (African American, Hispanic, mixed; p = .013) and number of self‐reported sedentary extracurricular activities (p = .006) were positively associated with BMI. In the WC regression model, SB (p = .018) was negatively associated and number of self‐reported sedentary extracurricular activities (p = .006) was positively associated with WC. University students may be both highly active and highly sedentary. Future researchers should consider targeting interventions to reduce SB in addition to improving PA.
Prospective surveillance pilot of rivaroxaban safety within the US Food and Drug Administration Sentinel System
Authors: Chrischilles Elizabeth A. , Gagne Joshua J. , Fireman Bruce , Nelson Jennifer , Toh Sengwee , Shoaibi Azadeh , Reichman Marsha E. , Wang Shirley , Nguyen Michael , Zhang Rongmei , Izem Rima , Goulding Margie R. , Southworth Mary Ross , Graham David J. , Fuller Candace , Katcoff Hannah , Woodworth Tiffany , Rogers Catherine , Saliga Ryan , Lin Nancy D. , McMahill‐Walraven Cheryl N. , Nair Vinit P. , Haynes Kevin , Carnahan Ryan M.
Published: January 2018

Purpose

The US Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel system developed tools for sequential surveillance.

Methods

In patients with non‐valvular atrial fibrillation, we sequentially compared outcomes for new users of rivaroxaban versus warfarin, employing propensity score matching and Cox regression. A total of 36 173 rivaroxaban and 79 520 warfarin initiators were variable‐ratio matched within 2 monitoring periods.

Results

Statistically significant signals were observed for ischemic stroke (IS) (first period) and intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) (second period) favoring rivaroxaban, and gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) (second period) favoring warfarin. In follow‐up analyses using primary position diagnoses from inpatient encounters for increased definition specificity, the hazard ratios (HR) for rivaroxaban vs warfarin new users were 0.61 (0.47, 0.79) for IS, 1.47 (1.29, 1.67) for GIB, and 0.71 (0.50, 1.01) for ICH. For GIB, the HR varied by age: <66 HR = 0.88 (0.60, 1.30) and 66+ HR = 1.49 (1.30, 1.71).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates the capability of Sentinel to conduct prospective safety monitoring and raises no new concerns about rivaroxaban safety.
Use of antihypertensive drugs and risk of keratinocyte carcinoma: A meta‐analysis of observational studies
Authors: Tang Huilin , Fu Shuangshuang , Zhai Suodi , Song Yiqing , Asgari Maryam M. , Han Jiali
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Current epidemiologic evidence on the association between antihypertensive drugs and keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) risk is inconsistent. We sought to quantify this association by meta‐analysis of observational studies.

Methods

We systematically reviewed observational studies published through August 2016 and reported the KC risk (basal cell carcinoma [BCC] and squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]) associated with antihypertensive drugs, including diuretics, angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta‐adrenergic blocking agents (β‐blockers), and calcium channel blockers (CCBs). Random‐effects meta‐analysis was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Ten eligible studies were included. Compared with nonuse, diuretic use was significantly associated with increased risk of both BCC (OR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.20) and SCC (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.19‐1.66). Use of β‐blockers or CCBs was associated with increased risk of BCC (but not SCC); the OR with β‐blockers was 1.09 (95% CI, 1.04‐1.15) and with CCBs was 1.15 (95% CI, 1.09‐1.21). Use of ACE inhibitors or ARBs was associated with decreased risk of both BCC (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.39‐0.71) and SCC (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42‐0.80) in high‐risk individuals.

Conclusions

Current evidence indicates that use of diuretics might be associated with increased risk of KC, while ACE inhibitors or ARBs might be associated with decreased risk in high‐risk individuals. β‐blockers or CCBs might be positively associated with BCC risk. Further postmarketing surveillance studies and investigations to clarify the possible underlying mechanisms are warranted.
Super toughened poly(trimethylene terephthalate) composite using flowable crosslink elastomer blend
Authors: Hu Xilong , Wang Yan , Yu Junrong , Zhu Jing , Hu Zuming
Published: January 2018

Super toughened poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) blend was obtained by melt blending of PTT with a flowable crosslinked elastomer blend. The elastomer blend was prepared through reaction between an epoxy contained ethylene acrylate copolymer (EMMA‐GMA) and an ethylene acrylic copolymer with carboxylic acid and zinc ion (EMAA‐Zn). The EMMA‐GMA/EMAA‐Zn elastomer with rich epoxy groups was found to be an effective impact modifier in PTT resin because the zinc ion in the elastomer catalyzed the reaction between the epoxy and end groups of PTT resin to promote the interfacial compatibilization between the PTT matrix and the crosslinked elastomer phase. It was found that a homogeneous and moderate dispersed size was achieved in the super toughened PTT/(EMMA‐GMA/EMAA‐Zn) blend due to the improvement of interfacial miscibility and the increase of viscosity ratio of crosslinked elastomer to PTT. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:2039–2046, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
A bird's eye view of the synthesis and practical application of conducting polymers
Authors: Evans Drew
Published: January 2018

For almost four decades conducting polymers (CPs) have maintained the interest of the global scientific community. This interest arises from the unique blend of properties that these materials possess: tuneable electrical properties combined with mechanical flexibility of traditional polymers. In more recent times the broader investigation of CP properties and behaviour has led to new potential applications, such as photovoltaic and bioelectronic devices. The promise of CPs is considerable, yet to date they have had limited penetration into the commercial and industrial sectors. This perspective article highlights some of the challenges and opportunities ahead as CPs translate from the research sector into commercial products. In particular is the need to study in depth the manufacturing process(es) of CPs and how they relate to existing or emerging industry. © 2018 The Author. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Rheo‐Raman spectroscopic study of microscopic deformation behavior for ultra‐low‐density polyethylene
Authors: Kida Takumitsu , Hiejima Yusuke , Nitta Koh‐hei
Published: January 2018

In situ Raman spectroscopy was applied to ultra‐low‐density polyethylene (ULDPE) to investigate the microscopic deformation behavior under uniaxial stretching. It was found that the crystalline chains of ULDPE show a bimodal molecular orientation parallel and perpendicular to the stretching direction beyond the elastic region. The peak shifts of C − C stretching modes of the crystalline chains obviously depend on the polarization direction, suggesting that the microscopic load sharing is anisotropic. Whereas the stretching stress is applied on the crystalline chains oriented in the stretching direction, the compression stress is applied on those oriented perpendicular to the stretching direction. This anisotropic load sharing is caused by the Poisson shrinkage of the specimen owing to the rubber‐like properties of ULDPE. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Patients' and oncologists' views on family involvement in goals of care conversations
Authors: Lin Jenny J. , Smith Cardinale B. , Feder Shelli , Bickell Nina A. , Schulman‐Green Dena
Published: January 2018

Objective

Family members can significantly impact advanced cancer patients' treatment and are important participants in goals of care (GoC) conversations. Yet, research on patient and physician perspectives about family involvement and influence on GoC conversations is limited. Our purpose was to describe patients' and oncologists' perspectives about family involvement and influence on GoC conversations among patients with advanced cancer.

Methods

We conducted semi‐structured interviews at academic, community, and municipal hospitals (n = 4) with patients with advanced cancer (n = 39) and their oncologists (n = 21). Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed. We analyzed data using interpretive description. Three coders independently coded transcripts, compared codes, and resolved discrepancies.

Results

We identified 4 themes common to patients and oncologists regarding family involvement in GoC conversations: (1) Presence and Duration of Family Involvement; (2) Family Expectations; (3) Protecting patients'/Family Members' Feelings; and (4) Patient‐Family Disagreement. For patients, we identified 2 additional themes: (1) Family and Oncologist Relationship and (2) Effects of Cancer on Family. Both patients and oncologists emphasized the importance of family support for the patient's understanding of their illness and on patients' emotions. We also identified ways in which family involvement may benefit or prove challenging to GoC conversations.

Conclusions

Patients and oncologists have similar views about family involvement in GoC conversations. Learning how to communicate with family members should be a critical component of physician education in palliative care.
Prevalence of physical problems detected by the distress thermometer and problem list in patients with breast cancer
Authors: McFarland Daniel C. , Shaffer Kelly M. , Tiersten Amy , Holland Jimmie
Published: January 2018

Background

Patients with breast cancer have high rates of physical symptoms that negatively impact their quality of life. The relationship between women's perceptions of these physical symptoms and patient demographic and breast cancer characteristics is less well known. This study describes physical symptoms of patients with breast cancer and their relationship with patient characteristics.

Methods

Patients (n = 125) with breast cancer (stage 0‐IV) completed questionnaires in a dedicated academic medical center breast cancer clinic. Patients reported demographics (age, race/ethnicity, marital status, and employment status) and disease characteristics (surgery type, receipt of chemotherapy, or antihormonal therapy). Patients reported whether they were bothered by any of the 22 physical problem list (PPL) variables from the distress thermometer and problem list.

Results

The median number of physical problems endorsed by patients was 3.0 (M = 3.43, SD = 3.42). Approximately one‐fourth endorsed no physical symptoms while three‐fourths reported at least 1 problem, and three‐fifths endorsed 2 or more problems. Fatigue (40.0%), sleep (34.7%), skin dry/itchy (22.9%), pain (19.5%), and feeling swollen (19.5%) were most commonly reported. Age, race/ethnicity, marital status, employment status, and receipt of chemotherapy were associated with certain physical problems. Problems with breathing, eating, memory/concentration, nausea, and total number of endorsed PPL variables were associated with distress.

Conclusion

The breast cancer population demonstrates heavy physical symptom burden with multiple physical problems that are related to overall functioning. Special attention should be given to the physical symptom burden of younger, nonwhite, unmarried, and unemployed patients. Future research should investigate the PPL of the distress thermometer and problem list with other measures of symptom burden.
Effect of Ammonium Perchlorate and Aluminum Composition Density on Characteristics of Laser Ignition
Authors: Medvedev Valerii , Tsipilev Vladimir , Forat Egor
Published: January 2018

Laser ignition of stoichiometric mixture based on aluminum nanopowder and ammonium perchlorate were studied experimentally. The laser with a radiation wavelength of 1.06 μm and a pulse duration of 0.8 ms was used as a source of heat. The ignition thresholds were determined for open samples in the air and for samples confined with transparent dielectric. The difference in the obtained data is discussed within the thermal ignition theory.
Trench‐Confined InP‐Based Epitaxial Regrowth Using Metal‐Organic Vapor‐Phase Epitaxy
Authors: Reuterskiöld Hedlund Carl , Öberg Olof , Lim Jang‐Kwon , Wang Qin , Salter Michael , Hammar Mattias
Published: January 2018

In this study, an area‐selective metal‐organic vapor‐phase epitaxy (MOVPE) for trench‐confined InP‐based epitaxial regrowth in‐between arrayed rectangular‐shaped device elements is reported. Test structures are fabricated to investigate the influence of MOVPE growth and other processing parameters on regrowth control, doping incorporation, and morphology. For correctly chosen crystallographic mesa orientation and mask geometry, good control of growth selectivity, layer morphology, and doping concentration can be achieved, although with an enhanced and non‐constant growth rate. This is discussed in terms of orientation‐dependent growth rate and loading effects. In addition, a selective etch and regrowth approach which allows for the processing of field‐effect transistors of significance for spatial light modulators with trench‐integrated driver electronics is successfully implemented.
Characterisation of MOS Transistors as an Electromechanical Transducer for Stress
Authors: Hafez Nessma , Haas Sven , Loebel Kay‐Uwe , Reuter Danny , Ramsbeck Marco , Schramm Michael , Horstmann John Thomas , Otto Thomas
Published: January 2018

The influence of mechanical stress on field effect transistors is investigated using a pressure‐deflected membrane for generation various mechanical stresses. It consists of a silicon membrane and transistors, which are designed and manufactured using 1.0 μm‐XC10 technology from X‐Fab. The transducers for sensing mechanical stress are placed on the edges with the maximum stress. Furthermore, the position is optimized by using FEM simulations (Ansys). Different variances of transistors and the impact on their electrical properties are investigated. Transistors are manufactured with different parameters such as channel lengths, widths, and alignments of the channel current to the direction of the mechanical stress, as well as connecting transistors in Wheatstone‐like quarter and half bridges to generate a read‐out voltage that is amplified using an integrated operational amplifier on the same chip. The bridge consists of p‐MOSFETs as transducers on the membrane and n‐MOSFETs as reference transistors (active loads). Transistors bridges are optimized on sensitivity, linearity and temperature behavior by varying channel length (L) and width (W). The influence of the membrane size and deposited technology layers is also investigated. The focus of this publication is presenting an analysis of the electrical behavior of the designed and manufactured transistors for different applied pressures. An experimental setup with a temperature and pressure calibrators is used for characterizing the transducers between 25 and 75 °C and up to 1 bar differential pressure.
Thermoelectric Properties and Transport Mechanism of Pure and Bi‐Doped SiNWs‐Mg2Si
Authors: Yang Xiaomeng , Chen Shaoping , Zhang Hua , Lv Feng , Fan Wenhao , Wang Wenxian , Munir Zuhair A.
Published: January 2018

Through the use of nano‐Si wires as additive, a significant improvement in the thermoelectric (TE) properties of Mg2Si is achieved. SiNWs‐Mg2Si materials are prepared by a wet etching method followed by field activated pressure assisted synthesis (FAPAS). The results show that the presence of SiNWs successfully decouples the relationship between the electrical resistivity and the Seebeck coefficient of Mg2Si. The effect of doping with Bi is also investigated. The results show that the addition of Bi changed the scattering mechanism, and a zT value of 0.47 is determined at 800 K for Mg2Si0.99Bi0.01‐0.005SiNWs. The presence of MgO as an impurity and its effect on zT are discussed.
Edible protein films: Sources and behavior
Authors: Murrieta‐Martínez C. L. , Soto‐Valdez H. , Pacheco‐Aguilar R. , Torres‐Arreola W. , Rodríguez‐Felix F. , Márquez Ríos E.
Published: January 2018

Edible and biodegradable films are made of renewable resources, offer an alternative to synthetic plastics for packaging, and, unlike these, can be placed between phases in direct contact with food. Although there are different sources, such as lipids and carbohydrates, proteins are popular due to their abundance and their nutritional qualities. Protein for film elaboration can be extracted from cereals (gluten, prolamins), milk (casein, whey), muscle (myofibrillar), and the connective tissue (gelatin) of marine or terrain species. Requirements may vary depending on their future application; therefore, it cannot be said that 1 source or the other is better, because film properties will also differ due to their method of obtention. Therefore, it is necessary to know what kind of film is needed in order to choose the most suitable one.
Parainfluenza virus 5–vectored vaccines against human and animal infectious diseases
Authors: Chen Zhenhai
Published: January 2018

Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5), known as canine parainfluenza virus in the veterinary field, is a negative‐sense, nonsegmented, single‐stranded RNA virus belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family. Parainfluenza virus 5 is an excellent viral vector and has been used as a live vaccine for kennel cough for many years in dogs without any safety concern. It can grow to high titers in many cell types, and its genome is stable even in the presence of foreign gene insertions. So far, PIV5 has been used to develop vaccines against influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, rabies virus, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, demonstrating its ability to elicit robust and protective immune responses in preclinical animal models. Parainfluenza virus 5–based vaccines can be administered intranasally, intramuscularly, or orally. Interestingly, prior exposure of PIV5 does not prevent a PIV5‐vectored vaccine from generating robust immunity, indicating that the vector can be used more than once. Here, these encouraging results are reviewed together along with discussion of the desirable advantages of the PIV5 vaccine vector to aid future vaccine design and to accelerate progression of PIV5‐based vaccines into clinical trials.
Fully Solution‐Processed Semi‐Transparent Perovskite Solar Cells With Ink‐Jet Printed Silver Nanowires Top Electrode
Authors: Xie Menglan , Lu Hui , Zhang Lianping , Wang Jie , Luo Qun , Lin Jian , Ba Lixiang , Liu Hong , Shen Wenzhong , Shi Liyi , Ma Chang‐Qi
Published: January 2018

Owing to the sensitivity of the perovskite thin film to solvent, preparation of metal top electrode by solution process is of great challenging. This is the key technology for the realization of fully solution processed perovskite solar cells. In this paper, we report the preparation of transparent silver nanowires (AgNW) top electrode for perovskite solar cells using inkjet printing process. Experiment results demonstrate that low device performance with low fill factor was obtained when the AgNW is directly printed onto the PC61BM layer. This is ascribed to the mismatched work functions of the AgNW electrode and PC61BM layer, and the solvent assisted chemical corrosion of the AgNW electrode by halogen anions. By inserting a thin layer of polyethylenimine (PEI), the charge injection barrier between PC61BM and AgNW electrode was minimized. More importantly, such a thin PEI layer suppresses the chemical corrosion of AgNW electrode during printing, yielding a condensed and uniform AgNW networks. The introduction of a thin PEI layer greatly improves the device performance and stability. A high power conversion efficiency of 14.17% with an averaged light transmittance of 21.2% was achieved for the PEI/AgNW cells. In addition, improved performance stability was measured for the PEI/AgNW cells.
Advanced Inorganic Nanosystems for Skin Drug Delivery
Authors: Carazo E. , Borrego‐Sánchez A. , García‐Villén F. , Sánchez‐Espejo R. , Cerezo P. , Aguzzi C. , Viseras C.
Published: January 2018

On/into/through the skin drug delivery represents an attractive alternative for the oral route, providing local and/or systemic drug delivery. Due to its complex and well‐organised structure, most of the drugs show difficulties to penetrate the human skin. Therefore, enormous efforts have been invested to develop intelligent drug delivery systems overcoming the skin barrier with particular emphasis on increasing therapeutic activity and minimizing undesirable side‐effects. Most of these strategies require the use of singular materials with new properties. In particular, and on the basis of their inherent properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability and relative low‐cost, inorganic nanoparticles are ideal candidates for the development of skin drug delivery systems. This review provides an updated and comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the trends towards skin drug delivery with a particular focus in the attractive alternative offered by inorganic‐based nanosystems.