bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sedimentary environment evolution in a marine hangingwall dipslope setting. El Qaa Fault Block, Suez Rift, Egypt
Authors: Muravchik Martin , Gawthorpe Rob L. , Sharp Ian R. , Rarity Franklin , Hodgetts David
Published: December 2016

Sedimentation in hangingwall dipslope settings is still a relatively underexplored topic in rift basin studies. A better understanding of the evolution of marine sedimentary environments in this kind of settings has to address the variations occurring both along the strike and down the dipslope. Previous work was mainly built on the analysis of subsurface data, relying on the visualization of coarse resolution (10s of m) seismic sections and sparsely located borehole logs (km apart). This study focuses on the sedimentology and stratal arrangement of excellent quality Miocene marine early syn‐rift and rift climax successions continuously exposed for more than 20 km along the strike of the hangingwall dipslope in the El Qaa Fault Block, Suez Rift, Egypt. The integration of traditional sedimentary field techniques and terrestrial LIDAR scanning allowed for a detailed analysis of dip and dip direction for the different depositional units. Three different phases of tilting were identified for the hangingwall dipslope, which controlled the overall evolution of the marine sedimentary environment in the area. The tilt of the hangingwall not only determined variations in facies, thickness and grain‐size of the deposits down the dipslope but also along its strike. The studied exposures of the El Qaa Fault Block dipslope constitute a unique outcrop analogue for marine sedimentation in hangingwall dipslopes.
Targeting human vasohibin‐2 by a neutralizing monoclonal antibody for anti‐cancer treatment
Authors: Koyanagi Takahiro , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Komori Kazuki , Saga Yasushi , Matsubara Shigeki , Fujiwara Hiroyuki , Sato Yasufumi
Published: December 2016

There are two members of the vasohibin (VASH) family, VASH1 and VASH2. VASH1 is expressed mainly in endothelial cells to inhibit angiogenesis, whereas VASH2 is expressed mainly in cancer cells to stimulate tumor growth. The aim of the present study was to establish neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) against human VASH2 and apply it as an anti‐cancer treatment. We previously raised mAb against several synthetic peptides of hVASH1, and found that one of them exhibited neutralizing activity against hVASH1. Because of the similarity in the amino acid sequences between VASH1 and VASH2, we hypothesized that they shared the bioactive center. When we mutated four amino acids within the region, the mutant VASH2 lost its pro‐angiogenic activity. Therefore, we raised mAb against a synthetic peptide overlapping the mutated amino acids of hVASH2, and isolated one clone (1760) that almost completely inhibited the stimulatory effect of hVASH2 on the migration of and tube formation by endothelial cells. When we used this clone 1760 antibody for cancer treatment, the peritoneal injection of it inhibited both tumor growth and angiogenesis in a mouse xenograft model of human cancer cells. In terms of anti‐tumor activity, 25 mg/kg of clone 1760 was equivalent to 5 mg/kg of bevacizmab. From these results, we propose the targeting of human VASH2 with neutralizing mAb as a new strategy for cancer treatment.
Increasing circulating exosomes‐carrying TRPC5 predicts chemoresistance in metastatic breast cancer patients
Authors: Wang Teng , Ning Kuan , Lu Ting‐xun , Sun Xu , Jin Linfang , Qi Xiaowei , Jin Jian , Hua Dong
Published: December 2016

Chemoresistance, the major obstacle in breast cancer chemotherapy, results in unnecessary chemotherapy and wasting of medical resources. No feasible method has been available to predict chemoresistance before chemotherapy. In our previous study, elevated expression of transient receptor potential channel TRPC5 was found to be an essential element for chemoresistance in breast cancer cells, and it was determined that it could be transferred to chemosensitive breast cancer cells through releasing extracellular vesicles (EV) containing TRPC5 from chemoresistant cells, resulting in acquired chemoresistance. Exosomes, a type of EV, are secreted membrane‐enclosed vesicles of 50–150‐nm diameter. In this study we found that circulating exosomes in peripheral blood from breast cancer patients carried TRPC5. In the present study, circulating exosome‐carrying TRPC5 (cirExo‐TRPC5) level was significantly correlated with TRPC5 expression level in breast cancer tissues and tumor response to chemotherapy. Furthermore, increased cirExo‐TRPC5 level after chemotherapy preceded progressive disease (PD) based on imaging examination and strongly predicted acquired chemoresistance. Taken together, our study demonstrated that cirExo‐TRPC5 might act as a noninvasive chemoresistance marker and might serve as an adjuvant to the current imaging examination‐based chemoresistance.
Downregulation of microRNA‐100/microRNA‐125b is associated with lymph node metastasis in early colorectal cancer with submucosal invasion
Authors: Fujino Yasuteru , Takeishi Shunsaku , Nishida Kensei , Okamoto Koichi , Muguruma Naoki , Kimura Tetsuo , Kitamura Shinji , Miyamoto Hiroshi , Fujimoto Akiko , Higashijima Jun , Shimada Mitsuo , Rokutan Kazuhito , Takayama Tetsuji
Published: December 2016

A majority of early colorectal cancers (CRCs) with submucosal invasion undergo surgical operation, despite a very low incidence of lymph node metastasis. Our study aimed to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) specifically responsible for lymph node metastasis in submucosal CRCs. MicroRNA microarray analysis revealed that miR‐100 and miR‐125b expression levels were significantly lower in CRC tissues with lymph node metastases than in those without metastases. These results were validated by quantitative real‐time PCR in a larger set of clinical samples. The transfection of a miR‐100 or miR‐125b inhibitor into colon cancer HCT116 cells significantly increased cell invasion, migration, and MMP activity. Conversely, overexpression of miR‐100 or miR‐125b mimics significantly attenuated all these activities but did not affect cell growth. To identify target mRNAs, we undertook a gene expression array analysis of miR‐100‐silenced HCT116 cells as well as negative control cells. The Ingenuity Pathway Analysis, TargetScan software analyses, and subsequent verification of mRNA expression by real‐time PCR identified mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and insulin‐like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) as direct, and Fas and X‐linked inhibitor‐of‐apoptosis protein (XIAP) as indirect candidate targets for miR‐100 involved in lymph node metastasis. Knockdown of each gene by siRNA significantly reduced the invasiveness of HCT116 cells. These data clearly show that downregulation of miR‐100 and miR‐125b is closely associated with lymph node metastasis in submucosal CRC through enhancement of invasion, motility, and MMP activity. In particular, miR‐100 may promote metastasis by upregulating mTOR, IGF1R, Fas, and XIAP as targets. Thus, miR‐100 and miR‐125b may be novel biomarkers for lymph node metastasis of early CRCs with submucosal invasion.
Synthesis of new pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine derivatives and evaluation of their anti‐inflammatory and anticancer activities
Authors: Abd El Razik Heba A. , Mroueh Mohamad , Faour Wissam H. , Shebaby Wassim N. , Daher Costantine F. , Ashour Hayam M. A. , Ragab Hanan M.
Published: December 2016

This study reports the synthesis of two series of new purine bioisosteres comprising a pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine scaffold linked to piperazine moiety through different amide linkages. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for anticancer activity against four cell lines (MDA‐MB‐231, MCF‐7, SF‐268, B16F‐10) and cyclooxygenase (COX‐2) protein expression inhibition in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated rat monocytes. The results revealed that most of the synthesized compounds showed moderate‐to‐high cytotoxic activity against at least one cell line, with compound 10b being the most active against all used cell lines (IC50 values 5.5–11 μg/ml) comparable to cisplatin. In addition, six of these compounds (7b, 10a–d, and 12c) demonstrated inhibition of LPS‐induced COX‐2 protein expression at low concentration (25 μg/ml) as compared to the control non‐stimulated cells and showed a COX‐2 selectivity index range comparable to diclofenac sodium. The overall results indicate that many of these pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives possess in vitro anti‐inflammatory and anticancer activities at varying doses, and the most active compounds will be subjected to in vivo pharmacological evaluation.
In silico design and bioevaluation of selective benzotriazepine BRD4 inhibitors with potent antiosteoclastogenic activity
Authors: Deepak Vishwa , Wang Binglin , Koot Dwayne , Kasonga Abe , Stander Xiao Xing , Coetzee Magdalena , Stander Andre
Published: December 2016

The bromodomain (BRD) and extra‐terminal domain (BET) protein family bind to acetylated histones on lysine residues and act as epigenetic readers. Recently, the role of this protein family in bone loss has been gaining attention. Earlier studies have reported that benzotriazepine (Bzt) derivatives could be effective inhibitors of BET proteins. In this study, using in silico tools we designed three Bzt analogs (W49, W51, and W52). By docking, molecular simulations, and chemiluminescent Alpha Screen binding assay, we show that the studied analogs were selective at inhibiting BRD4 when compared to BRD2. Furthermore, we tested the effectiveness of these analogs on osteoclast formation and function. Among the examined analogs, Bzt‐W49 and Bzt‐W52 were found to be the most potent inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis without cytotoxicity in murine RAW264.7 osteoclast progenitors. Both the compounds also inhibited osteoclast formation without affecting cell viability in human CD14+ monocytes. Moreover, owing to attenuated osteoclastogenesis, actin ring formation and bone resorptive function of osteoclasts were severely perturbed. In conclusion, these results suggest that the novel BRD4‐selective Bzt analogs designed in this study could be explored further for developing therapeutics against bone loss diseases characterized by excessive osteoclast activity.
The Development of Selective Copying: Children's Learning From an Expert Versus Their Mother
Authors: Lucas Amanda J. , Burdett Emily R. R. , Burgess Vanessa , Wood Lara A. , McGuigan Nicola , Harris Paul L. , Whiten Andrew
Published: December 2016

This study tested the prediction that, with age, children should rely less on familiarity and more on expertise in their selective social learning. Experiment 1 (N = 50) found that 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds copied the technique their mother used to extract a prize from a novel puzzle box, in preference to both a stranger and an established expert. This bias occurred despite children acknowledging the expert model's superior capability. Experiment 2 (N = 50) demonstrated a shift in 7‐ to 8‐year‐olds toward copying the expert. Children aged 9–10 years did not copy according to a model bias. The findings of a follow‐up study (N = 30) confirmed that, instead, they prioritized their own—partially flawed—causal understanding of the puzzle box.
Socioeconomic position during life and periodontitis in adulthood: a systematic review
Authors: Schuch Helena Silveira , Peres Karen G. , Singh Ankur , Peres Marco A. , Do Loc G.
Published: December 2016

Socioeconomic position (SEP) is a well‐known risk indicator for chronic periodontitis. However, it is still unclear how SEP during the life course influences periodontal outcomes in adulthood. This study aimed to systematically review longitudinal studies investigating the influence of individual‐level SEP during the life course on subsequent periodontitis in adulthood. Inclusion criteria were epidemiological longitudinal observational studies, in which indicators of relative SEP were assessed prior to clinical assessment of periodontitis. Six electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS) and ScieLO) were searched. The methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle‐Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). The search identified 1720 papers. After removal of duplicates (n=697), title and abstract screening (n=996), and full‐text review (n=19), eight original manuscripts from seven studies were finally included. Sample sizes ranged from 167 to 2806, and the follow‐up time from exposure to outcome ranged from 2 to 28 years. Studies evaluated education, occupation or income as SEP indicators. Prevalence, extent and severity of periodontal attachment loss, probing pocket depth and alveolar bone loss were the studied outcomes. Based on NOS, studies presented low risk of bias. Six of eight papers reported that relatively low SEP earlier in life was associated with poorer periodontal health in adulthood. The available scientific evidence demonstrates potential longitudinal impact of earlier lower SEP on later periodontal health. The findings were consistent despite differences in study methods.
Controversies in the management of caustic ingestion injury: an evidence‐based review
Authors: Bird J.H. , Kumar S. , Paul C. , Ramsden J.D.
Published: December 2016

Background

Caustic ingestion of acid or alkaline substances can cause damage to the upper respiratory and upper digestive tract. Initial presentation following caustic ingestion can include oropharyngeal pain, dysphagia and stridor. It is due to this clinical presentation that the resident otolaryngologist is consulted to review and examine these patients to assess for airway compromise and commence initial management and care until airway concern has passed.

Objective of review

This review aims to provide evidence‐based guidance in the management of those presenting with acute ingestion injury so that informed initial medical therapy can be commenced and appropriate investigations are arranged to optimize patient outcome.

Type of review and search strategy

A literature review searched PubMed citing variations on the areas of controversies with ‘caustic ingestion’, ‘corrosive ingestion’, ‘acid ingestion’ and ‘alkali ingestion’ – from 1956 to present with language restrictions.

Evaluation method

The bibliographies of articles were searched for relevant references. The references were then compiled and reviewed independently by two authors (JB and SK), overseen by the senior authors (CP and JR). The review process was conducted independently, with the results then collated, with the aim of identifying the highest levels of evidence in each of the areas of controversy.

Results

Over 100 full‐text articles were retrieved. Several specific areas of controversy were identified and addressed, with the highest available evidence referenced for each area.

Conclusions

In caustic ingestion injury, the urgent assessment of the airway is the first priority with a definitive airway secured in those with airway compromise. In those patients with a stable airway and no clinical or radiological sign of perforation, then medical therapy should be commenced and an urgent oesophagogastroduodenoscopy (OGD) is arranged and this should take place within the first 24 h to grade the degree of injury and establish long‐term prognosis. In suspected perforation, a surgical opinion should be sought. For those adults who are asymptomatic following ingestion an OGD may not be necessary; however, asymptomatic paediatric patients should be treated with more caution and a period of observation is important. Those who are at risk of developing late complications must be followed up.
An analysis of the fate of 917 manuscripts rejected from Clinical Otolaryngology
Authors: Earnshaw C.H. , Edwin C. , Bhat J. , Krishnan M. , Mamais C. , Somashekar S. , Sunil A. , Williams S.P. , Leong S.C.
Published: December 2016

Objectives

The fate of all manuscripts rejected from the journal Clinical Otolaryngology (CO) over a three‐year period was investigated. The aim was to review publication rate, delay and the impact factors of the journals that the papers went on to be published in.

Design

In total, 917 papers were rejected from CO between 2011 and 2013. The fate of these manuscripts was determined by searching for the corresponding author's surname, and if necessary keywords from the manuscript title, in both PubMed and Google Scholar.

Main outcome measures

The main outcome measures recorded were as follows: the subsequent publication of the article, delay to publication and journal of publication.

Results

In all, 511 papers were subsequently published in journals, representing 55.7% of all rejected manuscripts. The average delay was 15.1 months (standard deviation [sd] = 8.8). The impact factor of CO was found to be higher than the average of the journals that accepted the rejected manuscripts in all 3 years. Only 41 (8%) papers were published in journals with a higher impact factor than CO. Of all subsequently accepted manuscripts, 60 (11.7%) were found only on Google Scholar (and not on PubMed).

Conclusions

Rejection from CO certainly does not prevent subsequent publication, although the papers tend to be published after a lengthy delay and in journals with a lower impact factor than CO. When performing literature searches, it is important to search more than one database to ensure as many of the relevant articles are found as possible.
Effects of time and recall of patch test results on quality of life (QoL) after testing. Cross‐sectional study analyzing QoL in hand eczema patients 1, 5 and 10 years after patch testing
Authors: Jamil Wasim N. , Lindberg Magnus
Published: December 2016

Background

Patch testing can improve health‐related quality of life (HRQOL).

Objectives

To study the impact on HRQOL of elapsed time after patch testing (1–10 years), and how the outcome of testing and patients' recall affects HRQOL.

Patients/materials/methods

The Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire was sent to all patients (aged 18–65 years) who were patch tested for suspected contact allergy in 2009, 2005 and 2000 at the Department of Dermatology in Örebro.

Results

The response rate was 51% (n = 256). The DLQI score was significantly lower at 10 years after patch testing (mean DLQI = 5.5) than at 1 year (mean DLQI = 7.7). Work was the most impaired aspect. A binary logistic model showed that only time (10 years after testing) was associated with no effect, a light effect or a moderate effect (DLQI < 10) on HRQOL. No such association was seen for patients with negative or positive test results concerning full recall, partial recall or no recall of diagnosed allergens.

Conclusions

Although there was an improvement in HRQOL over time, the work aspect remained a major problem. The improvement was not affected by the outcome of testing and patients' recall of test results.
Novel characteristics of traction force in biliary self‐expandable metallic stents
Authors: Hori Yasuki , Hayashi Kazuki , Yoshida Michihiro , Naitoh Itaru , Ban Tesshin , Miyabe Katsuyuki , Kondo Hiromu , Nishi Yuji , Umemura Shuichiro , Fujita Yasuaki , Natsume Makoto , Kato Akihisa , Ohara Hirotaka , Joh Takashi
Published: December 2016

Background and Aim

In recent years, knowledge concerning the mechanical properties of self‐expandable metallic stents (SEMS) has increased. In a previous study, we defined traction force and traction momentum and reported that these characteristics are important for optimal stent deployment. However, traction force and traction momentum were represented as relative values and were not evaluated in various conditions. The purpose of the present study was to measure traction force in various situations assumed during SEMS placement.

Methods

Traction force and traction momentum were measured in non‐stricture, stricture, and angled stricture models using in‐house equipment.

Results

Stricture and angled stricture models had significantly higher traction force and traction momentum than those of the non‐stricture model (stricture vs non‐stricture: traction force, 7.2 N vs 1.4 N, P < 0.001; traction momentum, 237.8 Ns vs 62.3 Ns, P = 0.001; angled stricture vs non‐stricture: traction force, 7.4 N vs 1.4 N, P < 0.001; traction momentum, 307.2 Ns vs 62.3 Ns, P < 0.001). Traction force was variable during SEMS placement and was categorized into five different stages, which were similar in both the stricture and angled stricture models.

Conclusions

We measured traction force and traction momentum under simulated clinical conditions and demonstrated that strictures and the angular positioning of the stent influenced the traction force. Clinicians should be aware of the transition of the traction force and should schedule X‐ray imaging during SEMS placement.
Predictive factors for outcomes of patients undergoing endoscopic therapy for bile leak after hepatobiliary surgery
Authors: Yabe Shuntaro , Kato Hironari , Mizukawa Sho , Akimoto Yutaka , Uchida Daisuke , Seki Hiroyuki , Tomoda Takeshi , Matsumoto Kazuyuki , Yamamoto Naoki , Horiguchi Shigeru , Tsutsumi Koichiro , Okada Hiroyuki
Published: December 2016

Background and Aim

Endoscopic procedures are used as first‐line treatment for bile leak after hepatobiliary surgery. Advances have been made in endoscopic techniques and devices, but few reports have described the effectiveness of endoscopic procedures and the management principles based on severity of bile leak. We evaluated the effectiveness of an endoscopic procedure for the treatment of bile leak after hepatobiliary surgery.

Methods

Fifty‐eight patients underwent an endoscopic procedure for suspected bile leak after hepatobiliary surgery; the presence of bile leak on endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) was evaluated retrospectively. Two groups were created based on bile leak severity at ERCP. We defined success as follows: technical, successful placement of the plastic stent at the intended bile duct; clinical, improvement in symptoms of bile leak; and eventual, disappearance of bile leak at ERCP. We evaluated several factors that influenced the success of the endoscopic procedure and the differences between bile leak severity.

Results

Success rates were as follows: technical, 90%; clinical, 79%; and eventual, 71%. Median interval between first endoscopic procedure and achievement of eventual success was 135 days (IQR, 86–257 days). Bile leak severity was the only independent factor associated with eventual success (P = 0.01).

Conclusions

Endoscopic therapy is safe and effective for postoperative bile leak. Bile leak severity is the most important factor influencing successful endoscopic therapy.
Reading comprehension and immersion schooling: evidence from component skills
Authors: Hansen Laura Birke , Morales Julia , Macizo Pedro , Duñabeitia Jon Andoni , Saldaña David , Carreiras Manuel , Fuentes Luis J. , Bajo M. Teresa
Published: December 2016

The present research aims to assess literacy acquisition in children becoming bilingual via second language immersion in school. We adopt a cognitive components approach, assessing text‐level reading comprehension, a complex literacy skill, as well as underlying cognitive and linguistic components in 144 children aged 7 to 14 (72 immersion bilinguals, 72 controls). Using principal component analysis, a nuanced pattern of results was observed: although emergent bilinguals lag behind their monolingual counterparts on measures of linguistic processing, they showed enhanced performance on a memory and reasoning component. For reading comprehension, no between‐group differences were evident, suggesting that selective benefits compensate costs at the level of underlying cognitive components. Overall, the results seem to indicate that literacy skills may be modulated by emerging bilingualism even when no between‐group differences are evident at the level of complex skill, and the detection of such differences may depend on the focus and selectivity of the task battery used.
Maturation constrains the effect of exposure in linking language and thought: evidence from healthy preterm infants
Authors: Perszyk Danielle R. , Ferguson Brock , Waxman Sandra R.
Published: December 2016

The power of human language rests upon its intricate links to human cognition. By 3 months of age, listening to language supports infants’ ability to form object categories, a building block of cognition. Moreover, infants display a systematic shift between 3 and 4 months – a shift from familiarity to novelty preferences – in their expression of this link between language and core cognitive processes. Here, we capitalize on this tightly‐timed developmental shift in fullterm infants to assess (a) whether it also appears in preterm infants and (b) whether it reflects infants’ maturational status or the duration of their postnatal experience. Healthy late preterm infants (N = 22) participated in an object categorization task while listening to language. Their performance, coupled with that of fullterm infants, reveals that this developmental shift is evident in preterm infants and unfolds on the same maturational timetable as in their fullterm counterparts.
Williams and the Desirability of Body‐Bound Immortality Revisited
Authors: Gorman A. G.
Published: December 2016

Bernard Williams argues that human mortality is a good thing because living forever would necessarily be intolerably boring. His argument is often attacked for unfoundedly proposing asymmetrical requirements on the desirability of living for mortal and immortal lives. My first aim in this paper is to advance a new interpretation of Williams' argument that avoids these objections, drawing in part on some of his other writings to contextualize it. My second aim is to show how even the best version of his argument only supports a somewhat weaker thesis: it may be possible for some people with certain special psychological features to enjoy an immortal life, but no one has good reason to bet on being such a person.
Mixotrophy everywhere on land and in water: thegrand écarthypothesis
Authors: Selosse Marc‐André , Charpin Marie , Not Fabrice
Published: December 2016

There is increasing awareness that many terrestrial and aquatic organisms are not strictly heterotrophic or autotrophic but rather mixotrophic. Mixotrophy is an intermediate nutritional strategy, merging autotrophy and heterotrophy to acquire organic carbon and/or other elements, mainly N, P or Fe. We show that both terrestrial and aquatic mixotrophs fall into three categories, namely necrotrophic (where autotrophs prey on other organisms), biotrophic (where heterotrophs gain autotrophy by symbiosis) and absorbotrophic (where autotrophs take up environmental organic molecules). Here we discuss their physiological and ecological relevance since mixotrophy is found in virtually every ecosystem and occurs across the whole eukaryotic phylogeny, suggesting an evolutionary pressure towards mixotrophy. Ecosystem dynamics tend to separate light from non‐carbon nutrients (N and P resources): the biological pump and water stratification in aquatic ecosystems deplete non‐carbon nutrients from the photic zone, while terrestrial plant successions create a canopy layer with light but devoid of non‐carbon soil nutrients. In both aquatic and terrestrial environments organisms face agrand écart(dancer's splits, i.e., the need to reconcile two opposing needs) between optimal conditions for photosynthesis vs. gain of non‐carbon elements. We suggest that mixotrophy allows adaptation of organisms to such ubiquist environmental gradients, ultimately explaining why mixotrophic strategies are widespread.
Onset and evolution of anxiety in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zhu K. , van Hilten J. J. , Marinus J.
Published: December 2016

Background and purpose

Anxiety is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and has a great influence on quality of life. However, little is known about risk factors for development of anxiety in PD. We investigated which factors were associated with longitudinal changes in severity of anxiety symptoms and development of future anxiety in patients who were not anxious at baseline.

Methods

Analyses were performed on data of the PROfiling PARKinson's disease (PROPARK) cohort, a 5‐year hospital‐based longitudinal cohort of over 400 patients with PD who have been examined annually. Linear mixed models were used to identify factors associated with longitudinal changes in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Anxiety (HADS‐A) scores. Survival analysis using data of patients who were not anxious at baseline was performed to identify predictors of future anxiety (i.e. HADS‐A ≥ 11).

Results

Of 409 patients who were included at baseline, 67 (16%) had anxiety, whereas 64 (19%) of the remaining 342 non‐anxious patients developed anxiety after a mean (SD) follow‐up of 2.6 (1.3) years. Seventy percent of the patients with anxiety were also depressed. Female gender, cognitive impairment, depressive symptoms, dysautonomia, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) at baseline were associated with higher HADS‐A scores over time and, except for female gender and EDS, all of these variables were independent predictors of development of anxiety in patients who were not anxious at baseline.

Conclusions

Anxiety is highly prevalent in PD. Higher anxiety scores over time and future development of anxiety are associated with female gender, cognitive impairment, autonomic dysfunction, insomnia and EDS. Anxiety and depression usually coexist and share similar determinants, suggesting a common pathophysiological mechanism.
Wood pellets, what else? Greenhouse gas parity times of European electricity from wood pellets produced in the south‐eastern United States using different softwood feedstocks
Authors: Hanssen Steef V. , Duden Anna S. , Junginger Martin , Dale Virginia H. , van der Hilst Floor
Published: December 2016

Several EU countries import wood pellets from the south‐eastern United States. The imported wood pellets are (co‐)fired in power plants with the aim of reducing overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity and meeting EU renewable energy targets. To assess whether GHG emissions are reduced and on what timescale, we construct the GHG balance of wood‐pellet electricity. This GHG balance consists of supply chain and combustion GHG emissions, carbon sequestration during biomass growth and avoided GHG emissions through replacing fossil electricity. We investigate wood pellets from four softwood feedstock types: small roundwood, commercial thinnings, harvest residues and mill residues. Per feedstock, the GHG balance of wood‐pellet electricity is compared against those of alternative scenarios. Alternative scenarios are combinations of alternative fates of the feedstock materials, such as in‐forest decomposition, or the production of paper or wood panels like oriented strand board (OSB). Alternative scenario composition depends on feedstock type and local demand for this feedstock. Results indicate that the GHG balance of wood‐pellet electricity equals that of alternative scenarios within 0–21 years (the GHG parity time), after which wood‐pellet electricity has sustained climate benefits. Parity times increase by a maximum of 12 years when varying key variables (emissions associated with paper and panels, soil carbon increase via feedstock decomposition, wood‐pellet electricity supply chain emissions) within maximum plausible ranges. Using commercial thinnings, harvest residues or mill residues as feedstock leads to the shortest GHG parity times (0–6 years) and fastest GHG benefits from wood‐pellet electricity. We find shorter GHG parity times than previous studies, for we use a novel approach that differentiates feedstocks and considers alternative scenarios based on (combinations of) alternative feedstock fates, rather than on alternative land uses. This novel approach is relevant for bioenergy derived from low‐value feedstocks.
A new twist on glass: A brittle material enabling flexible integrated photonics
Authors: Li Lan , Lin Hongtao , Michon Jerome , Huang Yizhong , Li Junying , Du Qingyang , Yadav Anupama , Richardson Kathleen , Gu Tian , Hu Juejun
Published: December 2016

Glass is in general brittle and therefore usually cannot sustain large deformation. Recent advances in glass material development as well as micro‐mechanical designs, however, are set to defy the conventional wisdom through the demonstration of flexible integrated photonics that can be bent, twisted, and even stretched without compromising its structural integrity and optical performance. In this paper, we review the latest progress in this emerging field, and discuss the rational material and mechanical engineering principles underlying the extraordinary flexibility of these photonic structures. Leveraging these design strategies, we demonstrated bendable chalcogenide glass waveguide circuits, flexible glass waveguide‐integrated nanomembrane photodetectors, and stretchable glass photonics.
Tannase from Aspergillus melleus improves the antioxidant activity of green tea: purification and biochemical characterisation
Authors: Liu Tatiana Pereira Shiu Lin , Brandão Costa Romero Marcos Pedrosa , de Vasconcelos Freitas Dante Jordão , Oliveira Nacimento Cynthia , de Souza Motta Cristina Maria , Bezerra Raquel Pedrosa , Nunes Herculano Polyanna , Porto Ana Lucia Figueiredo
Published: December 2016

Tannase is an inducible enzyme used extensively in food, feed, pharmaceutical and chemical industries. In this study, tannase production and its biochemical properties were evaluated. From 42 Aspergillus strains analysed for potential tannase selection, Aspergillus melleus yielded the best results. Production was analysed using a complete factorial planning of 2³. Maximum activity (452.55 U mL−1) was obtained in the optimal conditions of substrate (5.0 g), initial moisture (60%), tannic acid (2%) and 48 h of fermentation. The molecular weight of the purified enzyme was estimated as 69.52 kDa; its optimum temperature and pH were 40 °C and 5.5, respectively. Regarding the chemical effectors used, tannase was inhibited by ZnCl2, ZnSO4, Triton X‐100 and SDS. The addition of tannase to green tea improved its antioxidant potential by approximately 85% when compared to the control. The present results suggest that tannase may be used as an adjuvant to increase the antioxidant potential of green tea.
Effect of partial substitution of sodium with potassium chloride in the fermenting brine on organoleptic characteristics and bioactive molecules occurrence in table olives debittered using Spanish and Castelvetrano methods
Authors: Ambra Roberto , Lucchetti Sabrina , Moneta Elisabetta , Peparaio Marina , Nardo Nicoletta , Baiamonte Irene , Di Costanzo Maria Gabriella , Saggia Civitelli Eleonora , Pastore Gianni
Published: December 2016

This research was aimed at testing whether the partial substitution of NaCl with KCl (50 or 75% relative substitution) in the fermenting brine of green table Nocellara del Belice olives debittered using two used method (Spanish and Castelvetrano) affected the presence of nutritionally relevant molecules (tocopherols, carotenoids, squalene, phenolic compounds) or the organoleptic characteristics of the table‐ready product. Results support the effectiveness of NaCl partial substitution by potassium chloride for olive processing, with the advantage of a significant decrease in the amount of sodium in the end product. The presence of the main bioactive molecules remained substantially unchanged, but KCl was associated with an increase in bitterness in both debittering methods. However, bitter properties (bitter, persistence and aftertaste) of olives obtained through the modification of Castelvetrano method still remained below those debittered with the classic Spanish method preserving, for such olives, the characteristic of ‘sweet olives’.
High‐pressure processing‐induced conformational changes during heating affect water holding capacity of myosin gel
Authors: Wang Mengyao , Chen Xing , Zou Yufeng , Chen Hongqiang , Xue Siwen , Qian Chang , Wang Peng , Xu Xinglian , Zhou Guanghong
Published: December 2016

This study aimed to investigate the effects of high‐pressure processing (HPP) (0.1‐400 MPa for 9 min) on the water holding capacity (WHC) of heat‐induced rabbit myosin gel and structural changes during thermal treatment (25–75 °C). HPP at 100 MPa significantly increased the WHC (P < 0.05) and formed more regular and homogeneous three‐dimensional network. Myosin tails at 100 MPa unfolded completely during the thermal treatment, which was beneficial to form a high WHC gel network. However, myosin pressurised at 200 MPa and above formed a weak gel. Their heads were already aggregated before heating, preventing from subsequent thermal denaturation and aggregation. With the temperature increasing, unfolding of myosin tails was not sufficient for a filamentous network formation. These results suggested that HPP could modify the myosin structure and affect the gel formation during heating. The 100 MPa was the optimum pressure level for the WHC of rabbit myosin gel.
HLA‐DQA1 and HLA‐DQB1 allele diversity and its extended haplotypes in Madeira Island (Portugal)
Authors: Spínola H. , Lemos A. , Couto A. R. , Parreira B. , Soares M. , Dutra I. , Bruges‐Armas J. , Brehm A.
Published: December 2016

This study shows, for the first time, high‐resolution allele frequencies of HLA‐DQA1 loci in Madeira Island (Portugal) and allows us to better understand and refine present knowledge on DQB1 variation, with the identification of several alleles not previously reported in this population. Estimates on haplotype profile, involving HLA‐A, HLA‐B, HLA‐DRB1, HLA‐DQA1 and HLA‐DQB1, are also reported.
Predicting College Students' Food Intake Quality with Dimensions of Executive Functioning
Authors: Marshall Seth J. , Elliott Christine C.
Published: December 2016

More research is needed that investigates the mental processes associated with promoting and preventing healthy food intake. Correspondingly, this study investigates how, and to what extent, core dimensions of executive functioning (EF) predict college students' food intake quality based on six food groups, namely, fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, protein, and fats/sweets. Ninety‐eight participants were administered a dietary quality survey based on food group servings consumed daily and an EF self‐report measure. Results indicated that global EF skills successfully predicted food intake quality scores. Moreover, EF meta‐cognitive skills, or an individual's ability to hold information in mind, plan, and organize, was a better predictor of food intake quality when compared with EF behavior regulation, or the ability to inhibit, shift attention, and control emotion.
Do Deductive and Probabilistic Reasoning Abilities Decline in Older Adults?
Authors: Tommerdahl Jodi M. , McKee Will , Nesbitt Monica , Ricard Mark D. , Biggan John R. , Ray Christopher T. , Gatchel Robert J.
Published: December 2016

This present study investigated whether older adults' ability to accurately discriminate between deductive and probabilistic reasoning tasks declines with age, and whether this ability correlates with cognitive ability as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test. Seventy‐eight adults (65–92 years) were tested for their abilities to carry out deductive and probabilistic reasoning. Pearson correlations were conducted to determine the relationships among age, MoCA, deductive reasoning, probabilistic reasoning, and overall discrimination ability. Separate single‐factor analyses of variance were used to determine differences across age groups (65–74, 75–84, 85–94) on the MoCA, deductive and probabilistic reasoning, and overall discrimination ability. Ability to discriminate between the two tasks did not decline with age, nor did they correlate with scores of cognitive ability as measured by the MoCA. Furthermore, those with MoCA scores showing mild cognitive impairment appeared to retain all of these abilities. This leads to the conclusion that reasoning abilities may be retained while general cognitive skills decline. This in turn supports the notion that reasoning, both deductive and probabilistic, may be more domain specific than they are often considered to be.
Permanent His Bundle Pacing: The Past, Present, and Future
Authors: SHARMA PARIKSHIT S. , ELLENBOGEN KENNETH A. , TROHMAN RICHARD G.
Published: December 2016

Permanent His Bundle Pacing

Long‐term right ventricular (RV) apical pacing has been associated with an increased risk of death, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation (AF). Alternative sites for RV pacing have not proven to be superior to RV apical pacing. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using a biventricular (BiV) lead system is indicated for patients with a low left ventricular ejection fraction and QRS prolongation, but there remains about a 25–30% nonresponse rate. CRT has been less effective for nonleft bundle branch block conduction delay and with normal/low normal left ventricular function. Over the past decade, there have been more data on the feasibility and advantages of pacing at the His Bundle (HB) region. We review the anatomy and physiology of the HB, the available data on permanent HB pacing, its current and potential future applications.
Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes—Care Transitions: Enhancing Geriatric Care Transitions Through a Multidisciplinary Videoconference
Authors: Farris Grace , Sircar Mousumi , Bortinger Jonathan , Moore Amber , Krupp J. Elyse , Marshall John , Abrams Alan , Lipsitz Lewis , Mattison Melissa
Published: December 2016

Objectives

To examine whether a novel videoconference that connects an interdisciplinary hospital‐based team with clinicians at postacute care sites improves interprofessional communication and reduces medication errors.

Design

Prospective cohort.

Setting

One tertiary care medical center and eight postacute care sites.

Participants

Hospital‐based providers (hospitalists, geriatricians, pharmacists, social workers, medical trainees, and subspecialists) and postacute care clinicians.

Intervention

All patients discharged to eight postacute care sites were discussed in a weekly videoconference.

Measurement

Preliminary data including demographic characteristics of the patients discussed, postacute care provider satisfaction survey results, and data on medication errors are reported.

Results

Over 2 years, 907 patients were discussed; 84.6% were discussed with staff at subacute skilled nursing facilities and the remainder with clinicians at one long‐term acute care facility. They had an average hospital length of stay of 6.8 days. Postacute care providers felt that the videoconference enhanced communication and provided much‐needed access to information and hospital staff. Of the 106 pharmacy discrepancies identified, 16% involved an omission of a medication.

Conclusion

As increasing numbers of older adults are discharged to postacute care facilities, they face high‐risk care transitions. Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes—Care Transitions (ECHO‐CT) facilitates interdisciplinary communication between hospital and postacute care providers, who normally have minimal interaction. Preliminary data suggests that ECHO‐CT may improve the transitions of care processes between these sites.
African Urbanization: Assimilating Urban Metabolism into Sustainability Discourse and Practice
Authors: Currie Paul Klugman , Musango Josephine Kaviti
Published: December 2016

Shaping sustainable, equitable African cities requires strengthened investigations into the cities’ current resource flows, infrastructure systems, and future resource requirements. The field of urban metabolism (UM) offers multiple forms of analysis with which to map, analyse, and visualize urban resource profiles. Challenges in assessing UM in African cities include data scarcity at the city level, difficulty in tracking informal flows, lack of standardized methods, and the open nature of cities. However, such analyses are needed at the local level, given that city practitioners cannot rely purely on urban planning traditions of the global North or the typically broad studies about urban Africa, for supporting strategies toward sustainable urban development. This article aims to draw together the concepts of sustainable development and UM and explore their application in the African context. Further, the article estimated resource profiles for 120 African cities, including consumption of biomass, fossil fuels, electricity, construction materials, and water, as well as emissions of carbon dioxide. These resource profiles serve as a baseline from which to begin assessing the current and future resource intensity of these cities. It also provides insights into the cities’ relative resource impact, future consumption trends, and potential options for sustainability interventions.
Coexistence Opportunities for Coal Seam Gas and Agribusiness
Authors: Mehreen Syeda U. , Underschultz Jim R.
Published: December 2016

Australia's prospects to become a key energy exporter in the Asia‐Pacific region has driven rapid development and expansion of its coal seam gas (CSG) industry, particularly in regional Queensland, Australia. The vast majority of Australia's current CSG developments and reserves are situated in agriculture‐rich, cattle‐grazing regions; therefore, it is critical to identify symbiotic relationships between agri‐based industries and the CSG industry to achieve beneficial coexistence. The CSG industry has generated infrastructure such as gas and water pipelines, water storage and treatment facilities, transportation and electricity networks, and other CSG‐associated services (e.g., accommodation, education, and medical facilities), which have the potential to improve regional communities and facilitate economic growth. This article aims to investigate these coexistence opportunities, including the use of by‐products (mainly water produced during CSG extraction), infrastructure, and services generated from the CSG industry, which can provide value to the local industries. Focusing on the cattle value chain, the authors suggest an agri‐based industrial coexistence model that indicates material‐water flows and optimized utilization of infrastructure that not only promote coexistence between the agribusiness and CSG industries, but expand the cattle value‐chain productivity in rural Queensland. A water balance has been conducted around the suggested coexistence model with the aim of quantifying water flows, to indicate the supply versus demand scenario associated with CSG‐sourced water production. The results of the water balance indicate that CSG water supply has the potential to meet the requirements of agribusiness promoting industries.
Zygomatic bone shape in intentional cranial deformations: a model for the study of the interactions between skull growth and facial morphology
Authors: Ketoff S. , Girinon F. , Schlager S. , Friess M. , Schouman T. , Rouch P. , Khonsari R. H.
Published: December 2016

Intentional cranial deformations (ICD) were obtained by exerting external mechanical constraints on the skull vault during the first years of life to permanently modify head shape. The repercussions of ICD on the face are not well described in the midfacial region. Here we assessed the shape of the zygomatic bone in different types of ICDs. We considered 14 non‐deformed skulls, 19 skulls with antero‐posterior deformation, nine skulls with circumferential deformation and seven skulls with Toulouse deformation. The shape of the zygomatic bone was assessed using a statistical shape model after mesh registration. Euclidian distances between mean models and Mahalanobis distances after canonical variate analysis were computed. Classification accuracy was computed using a cross‐validation approach. Different ICDs cause specific zygomatic shape modifications corresponding to different degrees of retrusion but the shape of the zygomatic bone alone is not a sufficient parameter for classifying populations into ICD groups defined by deformation types. We illustrate the fact that external mechanical constraints on the skull vault influence midfacial growth. ICDs are a model for the study of the influence of epigenetic factors on craniofacial growth and can help to understand the facial effects of congenital skull malformations such as single or multi‐suture synostoses, or of external orthopedic devices such as helmets used to correct deformational plagiocephaly.