bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of hydroxylated azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridines from hydrolysis of high valent arylcopper complexes and conversion to a double azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridine host molecule
Authors: Zhang Qian , Wang Mei-Xiang
Published: November 2016

Arylcopper(ii) compounds reacted efficiently with KOH at ambient temperature to produce exclusively lower-rim-hydroxylated azacalix[1]arene[3]pyridines which underwent further CuCl2/TMEDA-catalyzed oxidative homocoupling to afford an unprecedented bisazacalix[1]phenol[3]pyridine host molecule.
Molecular dynamics simulation of a LixMn2O4 spinel cathode material in Li-ion batteries
Authors: Asadi Ali , Aghamiri Seyed Foad , Talaie Mohammad Reza
Published: November 2016

Molecular dynamics simulations and a particle-level mathematical model were used to study the state of charge dependent mechanical and diffusion properties of lithium manganese oxide as a cathode material in Li-ion batteries during electrochemical cycling.
Up-conversion luminescence behaviors in Er3+ doped single crystal KNbO3 nanosheets
Authors: Sun Siyuan , Ge Yiyao , Zhao Yongjie , Yuan Xuanyi , Zhao Yuzhen , Zhou Heping
Published: November 2016

The as-obtained KNbO3 exhibited excellent UC PL behaviours. The formation process of the nanosheets and occupation mechanism for Er3+ were put forward.
Surface property and enhanced oil recovery study of foam aqueous dispersions comprised of surfactants–organic acids–nanoparticles
Authors: Wang Yang , Ge Jijiang , Zhang Wen , Zhang Guicai , Lin Yang , Song Kaifei
Published: November 2016

With a higher surface dilatational modulus, the diameter of the produced foam has a narrower distribution.
A novel PAN/silazane hybrid polymer for processing of carbon-based fibres with extraordinary oxidation resistance
Authors: Ribeiro L. F. B. , Flores O. , Furtat P. , Gervais C. , Kempe R. , Machado R. A. F. , Motz G.
Published: November 2016

Development of carbon-based fibres with extraordinary oxidation resistance by combining typical manufacturing methods of PAN-based CFs with PDC technology.
A microfluidic-based cell encapsulation platform to achieve high long-term cell viability in photopolymerized PEGNB hydrogel microspheres
Authors: Jiang Zhongliang , Xia Bingzhao , McBride Ralph , Oakey John
Published: November 2016

Cell encapsulation within photopolymerized polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based hydrogel scaffolds has been demonstrated as a robust strategy for cell delivery, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and developing in vitro platforms to study cellular behavior and fate.
Laser annealing of electrodeposited CuInSe2semiconductor precursors: experiment and modeling
Authors: Meadows H. J. , Misra S. , Simonds B. J. , Kurihara M. , Schuler T. , Reis-Adonis V. , Bhatia A. , Scarpulla M. A. , Dale P. J.
Published: November 2016

Rapid laser annealing converts CuInSe2precursors into working semiconductors only when the precursor has suitable optical and microstructural properties.
Low-bandgap donor–acceptor polymers for photodetectors with photoresponsivity from 300 nm to 1600 nm
Authors: Han Jinfeng , Qi Ji , Zheng Xiuping , Wang Yukun , Hu Liuyong , Guo Chang , Wang Yang , Li Yuning , Ma Dongge , Qiao Wenqiang , Wang Zhi Yuan
Published: November 2016

Polymer photodetector based on a novel low-bandgap polymer showed a detectivity of greater than 1012 Jones in the spectral region of 300–980 nm and over 1010 Jones at 300–1600 nm under 0.1 V.
Efficient compression algorithm for ternary content addressable memory‐based regular expression matching
Authors: Liu Shu , Su Shaojing , Liu Desheng , Huang Zhiping , Xiao Mingyan
Published: November 2016

Deep packet inspection in modern networking and security devices use ternary content addressable memory (TCAM) to match regular expressions. TCAM has its advantage in search speed but disadvantages in limited storage and high power consumption. The hierarchical encoding algorithm to save TCAM space is proposed and the codes divided into four layers. The proposal and the results are tested showing that the new algorithm has higher compression efficiency and the compression rate can reach 95–99%.
1200 V FS‐IGBT with electric field modulation layer to improve trade‐off between avalanche ruggedness and on‐state voltage drop
Authors: Yang Zhuo , Bian Fangjuan , Zhu Jing , Sun Weifeng , Tian Ye , Tong Xin , Zhu Yuanzheng , Ye Peng
Published: November 2016

In this Letter, a novel 1200 V FS‐ insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) is proposed to improve the trade‐off between avalanche ruggedness and on‐state voltage drop. The proposed IGBT features the high doping and thin n‐layer under trench gates and we call it the electric field modulation layer (EFM layer). Under the avalanche condition, the EFM layer can form the sharp electric filed distribution in the EFM layer and the avalanche multiplication is constrained in the thin EFM layer. The difference between the holes and electrons due to the avalanche multiplication effect at the emitter side of the IGBT is minished. Therefore, the negative difference resistance in the avalanche I–V curve caused by the difference between the holes and electrons is eliminated. As a consequence, the avalanche ruggedness of the EFM‐IGBT is improved. In the on‐state, the high doping EFM layer can store the carriers and the on‐state voltage drop of the EFM‐IGBT is reduced to 1.48 V at 200 A/cm2. Finally, the EFM‐IGBT improves the trade‐off between avalanche ruggedness and on‐state voltage drop.
Structure of Herbig AeBe disks at the milliarcsecond scale
Authors: Lazareff B. , Berger J.-P. , Kluska J. , Le Bouquin J.-B. , Benisty M. , Malbet F. , Koen C. , Pinte C. , Thi W.-F. , Absil O. , Baron F. , Delboulbé A. , Duvert G. , Isella A. , Jocou L. , Juhasz A. , Kraus S. , Lachaume R. , Ménard F. , Millan-Gabet R. , Monnier J. D. , Moulin T. , Perraut K. , Rochat S. , Soulez F. , Tallon M. , Thiébaut E. , Traub W. , Zins G.
Published: November 2016

Context. It is now generally accepted that the near-infrared excess of Herbig AeBe stars originates in the dust of a circumstellar disk.

Aims. The aims of this article are to infer the radial and vertical structure of these disks at scales of order 1 au, and the properties of the dust grains.

Methods. The program objects (51 in total) were observed with the H-band (1.6 μm) PIONIER/VLTI interferometer. The largest baselines allowed us to resolve (at least partially) structures of a few tenths of an au at typical distances of a few hundred parsecs. Dedicated UBVRIJHK photometric measurements were also obtained. Spectral and 2D geometrical parameters are extracted via fits of a few simple models: ellipsoids and broadened rings with azimuthal modulation. Model bias is mitigated by parallel fits of physical disk models. Sample statistics were evaluated against similar statistics for the physical disk models to infer properties of the sample objects as a group.

Results. We find that dust at the inner rim of the disk has a sublimation temperature Tsub ≈ 1800 K. A ring morphology is confirmed for approximately half the resolved objects; these rings are wide δr/r ≥ 0.5. A wide ring favors a rim that, on the star-facing side, looks more like a knife edge than a doughnut. The data are also compatible with the combination of a narrow ring and an inner disk of unspecified nature inside the dust sublimation radius. The disk inner part has a thickness z/r ≈ 0.2, flaring to z/r ≈ 0.5 in the outer part. We confirm the known luminosity-radius relation; a simple physical model is consistent with both the mean luminosity-radius relation and the ring relative width; however, a significant spread around the mean relation is present. In some of the objects we find a halo component, fully resolved at the shortest interferometer spacing, that is related to the HAeBe class.
Post annealing treatment of zinc sulphide thin film as a buffer layer for solar cell application
Authors: Vashistha I. B. , Sharma M. C. , Sharma S. K.
Published: November 2016

In the present study, buffer layer of zinc sulphide (ZnS) thin film for solar cell has been deposited by chemical bath deposition method and followed by annealing at different temperatures in order to control the surface morphology and grain size of the thin film. Effect of annealing is also analysed by structural, morphological and optical properties. The X-ray diffraction analyses revealed that ZnS thin film is polycrystalline in nature with cubic crystal structure. The atomic force micrographs images indicated change in grain size which further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Optical measurement data give band gap of 3.5 eV which is optimal band gap for buffer layer for solar cell application.
Microbial innovations in the world of food†
Authors: Kawasaki Hisashi , Ueda Kenji
Published: November 2016

Technological developments in Japan based on the results of microbial research were a major pillar supporting the postwar industrial revolution. The wellspring of these advancements was the sophisticated technology used in traditional brewing, a foundation of the characteristic Japanese food culture. In this manuscript, we will describe the fermentative production of amino acids and nucleic acids following the discovery of the umami component so distinct in Japanese cuisine, which finally revealed the true power of microbial production. Thereafter, we will describe acetic acid production stemming from brewed vinegar production and the fermentative production of some other organic acids. Finally, we will delve into the massive scale of innovations achieved by the discovery of valuable micro-organisms and how they have affected the field of food.
The path to producing pharmaceuticals from natural products uncovered by academia—from the perspective of a science coordinator†
Authors: Fujie Akihiko
Published: November 2016

To actualize the invention of all-Japanese medicines, the Department of Innovative Drug Discovery and Development (iD3) in the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) serves as the headquarters for the Drug Discovery Support Network. iD3 assists with creating research strategies for the seeds of medicines discovered by academia and provides technological support, intellectual property management, and aid for applying the seeds through industry-led efforts. In this review, from the perspective of a science coordinator, I will describe the current activities of the drug discovery support network and iD3 as well as the challenges and future developments of pharmaceutical research and development using the natural product drug discovery method.
A protease/peptidase from culture medium of Flammulina velutipes that acts on arabinogalactan-protein
Authors: Yoshimi Yoshihisa , Sugawara Yumi , Hori Chiaki , Igarashi Kiyohiko , Kaneko Satoshi , Tsumuraya Yoichi , Kotake Toshihisa
Published: November 2016

Arabinogalactan-proteins (AGPs) are highly diverse plant proteoglycans found on the plant cell surface. AGPs have large arabinogalactan (AG) moieties attached to a core-protein rich in hydroxyproline (Hyp). The AG undergoes hydrolysis by various glycoside hydrolases, most of which have been identified, whereas the core-proteins is presumably degraded by unknown proteases/peptidases secreted from fungi and bacteria in nature. Although several enzymes hydrolyzing other Hyp-rich proteins are known, the enzymes acting on the core-proteins of AGPs remain to be identified. The present study describes the detection of protease/peptidase activity toward AGP core-proteins in the culture medium of winter mushroom (Flammulina velutipes) and partial purification of the enzyme by several conventional chromatography steps. The enzyme showed higher activity toward Hyp residues than toward proline and alanine residues and acted on core-proteins prepared from gum arabic. Since the activity was inhibited in the presence of Pefabloc SC, the enzyme is probably a serine protease.
Aloe QDM complex enhances specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte killing in vivo in metabolic disease mice
Authors: Lee Youngjoo , Kim Jiyeon , An Jinho , Lee Heetae , Kong Hyunseok , Song Youngcheon , Shin Eunju , Do Seon-Gil , Lee Chong-Kil , Kim Kyungjae
Published: November 2016

We developed spontaneous diet-induced metabolic disease in mice by feeding them a high-fat diet for 23 weeks and administered Aloe QDM complex for 16 weeks to examine its restorative effect on immune disorders and metabolic syndrome. A series of immune functional assays indicated Aloe QDM complex enhanced lymphocyte proliferation and antigen-specific immunity as determined by the restored functions of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and IgG production. The elevated serum TNF-α level was also regulated by Aloe QDM complex treatment, which suggested its complex therapeutic potential. As for metabolic phenotypes, oral administration of Aloe QDM complex significantly improved diabetic symptoms, including high fasting glucose levels and glucose tolerance, and distinctly alleviated lipid accumulation in adipose and hepatic tissue. The simultaneous restoration of Aloe QDM complex on metabolic syndrome and host immune dysfunction, especially on the specific CTL killing was first elucidated in our study.
Jim Bear: Delineating the mechanics of cell migration
Authors: Casadio Melina
Published: November 2016

Bear studies the role of actin and its regulation in cell motility.
Randomized dynamic programming principle and Feynman-Kac representation for optimal control of McKean-Vlasov dynamics
Authors: Bayraktar Erhan , Cosso Andrea , Pham Huyên
Published: November 2016

We analyze a stochastic optimal control problem, where the state process follows a McKean-Vlasov dynamics and the diffusion coefficient can be degenerate. We prove that its value function

V
V

admits a nonlinear Feynman-Kac representation in terms of a class of forward-backward stochastic differential equations, with an autonomous forward process. We exploit this probabilistic representation to rigorously prove the dynamic programming principle (DPP) for

V
V

. The Feynman-Kac representation we obtain has an important role beyond its intermediary role in obtaining our main result: in fact it would be useful in developing probabilistic numerical schemes for

V
V

. The DPP is important in obtaining a characterization of the value function as a solution of a nonlinear partial differential equation (the so-called Hamilton-Jacobi-Belman equation), in this case on the Wasserstein space of measures. We should note that the usual way of solving these equations is through the Pontryagin maximum principle, which requires some convexity assumptions. There were attempts in using the dynamic programming approach before, but these works assumed a priori that the controls were of Markovian feedback type, which helps write the problem only in terms of the distribution of the state process (and the control problem becomes a deterministic problem). In this paper, we will consider open-loop controls and derive the dynamic programming principle in this most general case. In order to obtain the Feynman-Kac representation and the randomized dynamic programming principle, we implement the so-called randomization method, which consists of formulating a new McKean-Vlasov control problem, expressed in weak form taking the supremum over a family of equivalent probability measures. One of the main results of the paper is the proof that this latter control problem has the same value function

V
V

of the original control problem.
RECKONER: read error corrector based on KMC
Authors: Długosz Maciej , Deorowicz Sebastian
Published: November 2016

Presence of sequencing errors in data produced by next-generation sequencers affects quality of downstream analyzes. Accuracy of them can be improved by performing error correction of sequencing reads. We introduce a new correction algorithm capable of processing eukaryotic close to 500 Mbp-genome-size, high error-rated data using less than 4 GB of RAM in about 35 min on 16-core computer.

Availability and Implementation

Program is freely available at http://sun.aei.polsl.pl/REFRESH/reckoner.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
MetaSpark: a spark-based distributed processing tool to recruit metagenomic reads to reference genomes
Authors: Zhou Wei , Li Ruilin , Yuan Shuo , Liu ChangChun , Yao Shaowen , Luo Jing , Niu Beifang
Published: November 2016

With the advent of next-generation sequencing, traditional bioinformatics tools are challenged by massive raw metagenomic datasets. One of the bottlenecks of metagenomic studies is lack of large-scale and cloud computing suitable data analysis tools. In this paper, we proposed a Spark-based tool, called MetaSpark, to recruit metagenomic reads to reference genomes. MetaSpark benefits from the distributed data set (RDD) of Spark, which makes it able to cache data set in memory across cluster nodes and scale well with the datasets. Compared with previous metagenomics recruitment tools, MetaSpark recruited significantly more reads than many programs such as SOAP2, BWA and LAST and increased recruited reads by ∼4% compared with FR-HIT when there were 1 million reads and 0.75 GB references. Different test cases demonstrate MetaSpark’s scalability and overall high performance.

Availability

https://github.com/zhouweiyg/metaspark

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online
PBIT: Pipeline Builder for Identification of drug Targets for infectious diseases
Authors: Shende Gauri , Haldankar Harshala , Barai Ram Shankar , Bharmal Mohammed Husain , Shetty Vinit , Idicula-Thomas Susan
Published: November 2016

PBIT (Pipeline Builder for Identification of drug Targets) is an online webserver that has been developed for screening of microbial proteomes for critical features of human drug targets such as being non-homologous to human proteome as well as the human gut microbiota, essential for the pathogen’s survival, participation in pathogen-specific pathways etc. The tool has been validated by analyzing 57 putative targets of Candida albicans documented in literature. PBIT integrates various in silico approaches known for drug target identification and will facilitate high-throughput prediction of drug targets for infectious diseases, including multi-pathogenic infections.

Availability and Implementation

PBIT is freely accessible at http://www.pbit.bicnirrh.res.in/.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Low-dose or low-dose-rate ionizing radiation–induced bioeffects in animal models
Authors: Tang Feng Ru , Loke Weng Keong , Khoo Boo Cheong
Published: November 2016

Animal experimental studies indicate that acute or chronic low-dose ionizing radiation (LDIR) (≤100 mSv) or low-dose-rate ionizing radiation (LDRIR) (<6 mSv/h) exposures may be harmful. It induces genetic and epigenetic changes and is associated with a range of physiological disturbances that includes altered immune system, abnormal brain development with resultant cognitive impairment, cataractogenesis, abnormal embryonic development, circulatory diseases, weight gain, premature menopause in female animals, tumorigenesis and shortened lifespan. Paternal or prenatal LDIR/LDRIR exposure is associated with reduced fertility and number of live fetuses, and transgenerational genomic aberrations. On the other hand, in some experimental studies, LDIR/LDRIR exposure has also been reported to bring about beneficial effects such as reduction in tumorigenesis, prolonged lifespan and enhanced fertility. The differences in reported effects of LDIR/LDRIR exposure are dependent on animal genetic background (susceptibility), age (prenatal or postnatal days), sex, nature of radiation exposure (i.e. acute, fractionated or chronic radiation exposure), type of radiation, combination of radiation with other toxic agents (such as smoking, pesticides or other chemical toxins) or animal experimental designs. In this review paper, we aimed to update radiation researchers and radiologists on the current progress achieved in understanding the LDIR/LDRIR-induced bionegative and biopositive effects reported in the various animal models. The roles played by a variety of molecules that are implicated in LDIR/LDRIR-induced health effects will be elaborated. The review will help in future investigations of LDIR/LDRIR-induced health effects by providing clues for designing improved animal research models in order to clarify the current controversial/contradictory findings from existing studies.
In-room computed tomography–based brachytherapy for uterine cervical cancer:
results of a 5-year retrospective study
Authors: Ohno Tatsuya , Noda Shin-Ei , Okonogi Noriyuki , Murata Kazutoshi , Shibuya Kei , Kiyohara Hiroki , Tamaki Tomoaki , Ando Ken , Oike Takahiro , Ohkubo Yu , Wakatsuki Masaru , Saitoh Jun-Ichi , Nakano Takashi
Published: November 2016

Herein, we investigate the long-term clinical outcomes for cervical cancer patients treated with in-room computed tomography–based brachytherapy. Eighty patients with Stage IB1–IVA cervical cancer, who had undergone treatment with combined 3D high-dose rate brachytherapy and conformal radiotherapy between October 2008 and May 2011, were retrospectively analyzed. External beam radiotherapy (50 Gy) with central shielding after 20–40 Gy was performed for each patient. Cisplatin-based chemotherapy was administered concurrently to advanced-stage patients aged ≤75 years. Brachytherapy was delivered in four fractions of 6 Gy per week. In-room computed tomography imaging with applicator insertion was performed for treatment planning. Information from physical examinations at diagnosis, and brachytherapy and magnetic resonance imaging at diagnosis and just before the first brachytherapy session, were referred to for contouring of the high-risk clinical target volume. The median follow-up duration was 60 months. The 5-year local control, pelvic progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 94%, 90% and 86%, respectively. No significant differences in 5-year local control rates were observed between Stage I, Stage II and Stage III–IVA patients. Conversely, a significant difference in the 5-year overall survival rate was observed between Stage II and III–IVA patients (97% vs 72%; P = 0.006). One patient developed Grade 3 late bladder toxicity. No other Grade 3 or higher late toxicities were reported in the rectum or bladder. In conclusion, excellent local control rates were achieved with minimal late toxicities in the rectum or bladder, irrespective of clinical stage.
Frequency of E-cigarette Use, Health Status, and Risk and Protective Health Behaviors in Adolescents
Authors: Dunbar Michael S. , Tucker Joan S. , Ewing Brett A. , Pedersen Eric R. , Miles Jeremy N.V. , Shih Regina A. , D’Amico Elizabeth J.
Published: November 2016

Objectives:

E-cigarettes (ECs) are increasingly popular among adolescents, who perceive them as “safer” than cigarettes. Although research has examined risk factors for adolescent EC use, little is known about how EC use correlates with health status and protective health behaviors.

Methods:

In all, 2488 adolescents (mean age = 17.31 years, SD = 0.67; 46% male) completed a survey on EC and cigarette use, physical and mental health, physical activity, diet, sleep, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) use. Logistic regression compared EC-only users to dual EC/cigarette users, cigarette-only users, and nonusers on these health factors. Among EC-only users, separate ordinary least-squares regression models assessed the effects of health status/behavior variables on frequency of past-year EC use, controlling for demographics and smokeless tobacco use.

Results:

User groups were similar on physical health and engagement in protective health behaviors (physical activity, sleep duration/quality, healthy diet), but EC-only users reported fewer mental health symptoms and less AOD use than dual or cigarette-only users. Among EC-only users, AOD use (all P < 0.0001) predicted more frequent EC use; healthy diet predicted less frequent use (P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

EC-only use is associated with lower engagement in risky behaviors, but not better health status or higher engagement in protective health behaviors, compared with cigarette smoking. Dual EC/cigarette users may represent a particularly high-risk group due to their greater AOD use and cigarette consumption. Among “intermediate-risk” EC-only users, AOD use and unhealthy diet correlated with heavier use, and may be important targets for preventing escalation to more harmful tobacco use.
Medications For Addiction Treatment: Changing Language to Improve Care
Authors: Wakeman Sarah E.
Published: November 2016

The term medication-assisted treatment has been widely adopted in reference to the use of opioid agonist therapy. Although it is arguably better than the older terms of replacement or substitution therapy, medication-assisted treatment implies that medications are a corollary to whatever the main part of treatment is. No other medication for other health conditions is referred to this way. It has finally been recognized that to improve care and reduce stigma, we must use medically accurate and person-first language, describing those with the disease of addiction as people with substance use disorder. However, to truly change outcomes, we must also alter the language of treatment.
Characterization of the Adverse Effects Induced by Acetaminophen and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Based on the Analysis of the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report Database
Authors: Nagai Junko , Uesawa Yoshihiro , Shimamura Ryotaro , Kagaya Hajime
Published: November 2016

Objectives:

Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are antipyretic analgesics with established adverse effects (AEs); however, only a few studies have compared their AEs simultaneously. We aimed to compare the AEs of these medications to confirm the respective frequencies of both rare and major AEs.

Methods:

We used a high-quality database for spontaneous adverse drug event reporting in Japan. Data were extracted regarding the AEs of acetaminophen and NSAIDs to compare the tendency of the appearance of those AEs between the drugs. We also performed a principal component analysis using the AE data to assess the characteristics of major AEs.

Results:

Cutaneous disorders and hepatic disorders were the most common AEs induced by acetaminophen and NSAIDs, with gastrointestinal tract disorders also common with NSAID use. Principal component analysis quantitatively showed the tendencies of specific AEs, and it helped demonstrate the characteristics of AEs. Acetaminophen and NSAIDs showed different tendencies in the occurrence of AEs. Each NSAID was plotted based on the tendency of the appearance of major AEs, and AEs were classified by their likelihood of being pharmacological or idiosyncratic.

Conclusions:

These findings may help clinicians select an appropriate drug for patients considering their backgrounds, instead of choosing merely based on the class of the drug, for example, cyclooxygenase selectivity. This selection, based on the characteristic information on AEs occurring in clinical settings, might be more suitable for patients.
Prostate cancer characteristics in the World Trade Center cohort, 2002–2013
Authors: Hashim Dana , Boffetta Paolo , Galsky Matthew , Oh William , Lucchini Roberto , Crane Michael , Luft Benjamin , Moline Jaqueline , Udasin Iris , Harrison Denise , Taioli Emanuela
Published: November 2016

An increased incidence of prostate cancer was reported in three cohorts of World Trade Center (WTC) respondents. It is uncertain whether this increase is because of WTC-related exposures or enhanced surveillance. Prostate cancer cases (2002–2013) were obtained from the WTC Health Program. Age, race, and Gleason score distribution were compared with New York State Cancer Registry cases from the same time period. Multivariate models were adjusted for age and race. Analyses of clinical characteristics of prostate cancer cases within the cohort were also carried out, adjusting for age, race, and WTC exposure categories. WTC respondents had a prostate cancer age-standardized rate ratio of 1.65 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37–1.93] compared with New York State; age-specific ratios were highest for ages 30–49 (2.28; 95% CI: 1.51–3.43), 70–74 (2.05; 95% CI: 1.03–4.10), and 80–84 years (5.65; 95% CI: 1.41–22.58). High WTC exposure was associated with advanced clinical stage (5.58; 95% CI: 1.05–29.76; P
trend=0.03). WTC respondents continue to have a higher prostate cancer rate compared with New York State as a whole. Respondents with a higher WTC exposure level may have had more advanced clinical stage of prostate cancer.
Formulating Clinical Trials in Prosthetics and Orthotics and Allied Health Fields
Authors: Wininger Michael
Published: November 2016

Introduction

Clinical trials (CTs) are an essential component of modern health care, and a prerequisite to policy making. Clinical trials are the foundation of evidence-based practice and are the final legitimizer of any clinical discipline. Today, the allied health fields in general, and prosthetics and orthotics (P&O) in particular, are at an especially opportune position to launch CT initiatives: There are many “big questions” needing answers and a critical mass of field professionals capable of executing a CT operation.

Materials and Methods

None.

Results

None.

Conclusion

Here, we formalize the call for active engagement in CTs within P&O and provide a framework for CT design, with guidance that generalizes across the allied health fields.
Long-term Symptom-specific Outcomes for Patients With Petrous Apex Cholesterol Granulomas: Surgery Versus Observation
Authors: Stevens Shawn M. , Manning Amy , Pensak Myles L. , Samy Ravi N.
Published: November 2016

Objective:

Review long-term symptom-specific outcomes for petrous apex cholesterol granulomas (PACG).

Study Design:

Retrospective review.

Setting:

Tertiary center.

Patients:

Adults with PACG were assessed from 1998 to 2015.

Intervention(s):

Symptomatic patients were stratified into surgical and observation subgroups.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

Resolution rates of individual symptoms and chief complaints were assessed as was the impact of surgical approach and stent usage on symptom-specific outcomes. Symptom recurrence rates were tabulated.

Results:

Twenty-seven patients were included whose mean age was 44.8 ± 3.3 years. Fourteen and 13 patients stratified into the surgical and observation subgroups respectively. The surgical subgroup trended toward a longer follow-up period (mean 68.5 vs. 33.8 mo; p = 0.06). Overall, the most frequent symptoms encountered were headache (52%), aural fullness, tinnitus, and vestibular complaints (41% each). Visual complaints, retro-orbital pain, and cranial neuropathies were less common (18%, 15%, 11%). The overall symptom resolution rate was significantly higher in the surgical subgroup (48% vs. 26%, p = 0.03). In both subgroups, headache, retro-orbital pain, and visual complaints had the highest resolution rates. Vestibular complaints and tinnitus were very unlikely to resolve. Significantly more patients in the surgical group resolved their chief complaints (70% vs. 25%, p = 0.02). While approach type and stent usage did not significantly influence symptom outcomes, all patients with symptom recurrence (11%) were initially managed without stents.

Conclusion:

Symptom-specific outcomes were better in patients managed surgically for PACG. Individual symptom resolution rates were highly variable. Some symptoms were refractory regardless of management strategy. Surgical approach and stent usage did not significantly influence symptom outcomes.
Initial Results of a Safety and Feasibility Study of Auditory Brainstem Implantation in Congenitally Deaf Children
Authors: Wilkinson Eric P. , Eisenberg Laurie S. , Krieger Mark D. , Schwartz Marc S. , Winter Margaret , Glater Jamie L. , Martinez Amy S. , Fisher Laurel M. , Shannon Robert V.
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To determine the safety and feasibility of the auditory brainstem implant (ABI) in congenitally deaf children with cochlear aplasia and/or cochlear nerve deficiency.

Study Design:

Phase I feasibility clinical trial of surgery in 10 children, ages 2 to 5 years, over a 3-year period.

Setting:

Tertiary children's hospital and university-based pediatric speech/language/hearing center.

Intervention(s):

ABI implantation and postsurgical programming.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

The primary outcome measure is the number and type of adverse events during ABI surgery and postsurgical follow-up, including behavioral mapping of the device. The secondary outcome measure is access to and early integration of sound.

Results:

To date, nine children are enrolled. Five children have successfully undergone ABI surgery and postoperative behavioral programming. Three children were screen failures, and one child is currently undergoing candidacy evaluation. Expected adverse events have been documented in three of the five children who received the ABI. One child experienced a cerebral spinal fluid leak, which resolved with lumbar drainage. One child demonstrated vestibular side effects during device programming, which resolved by deactivating one electrode. One child experienced postoperative vomiting resulting in an abdominal radiograph. Four children have completed their 1-year follow-up and have speech detection thresholds of 30 to 35 dB HL. Scores on the IT-MAIS/MAIS range from 8 to 31 (out of a total of 40), and the children are demonstrating some ability to discriminate between closed-sets words that differ by number of syllables (pattern perception).

Conclusion:

ABI surgery and device activation seem to be safe and feasible in this preliminary cohort.
Effect of Spatial Orientation of the Horizontal Semicircular Canal on the Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex
Authors: Maxwell Rebecca , von Kirschbaum Constantin , Jerin Claudia , Lehnen Nadine , Krause Eike , Gürkov Robert
Published: November 2016

Objective:

To determine if an alignment of the horizontal semi-circular canal (hSCC) with the plane of rotation would enhance the vestibular-ocular reflex (VOR) gain result as it has been previously suggested.

Study Design:

Comparative study of a physiological vestibular function test in healthy subjects.

Setting:

Tertiary referral center for otology and neurotology.

Patients:

Twenty two healthy volunteers were recruited for this study. Their mean age was 25.6 years and the sex distribution was 14:8 (M:F). None of the subjects had a history of audiovestibular disorders.

Intervention:

The video Head Impulse Test (v-HIT) was performed with the hSCC in the conventional position (head upright, horizontal gaze) and also with the hSCC in-line with the earth horizontal.

Main Outcome Measures:

1. the VOR gain at 60 ms,

2. the regression slope VOR gain,

depending on the alignment of the hSCC with the plane of head rotation.

Results:

There was no significant difference between the results, either for the VOR gain at 60 ms, or the regression slope gain, when the two alternative head positions were compared.

Conclusions:

The data acquired in this study show that the VOR as measured by the v-HIT is not enhanced by aligning the plane of the hSCC with the plane of rotation during the testing procedure. Hence, we recommend that the positioning of the patient, with the head upright and a horizontal gaze direction should be routinely used in the clinical evaluation of the angular VOR by v-HIT.
Rescue therapies for acute respiratory distress syndrome: what to try first?
Authors: Moerer Onnen , Tonetti Tommaso , Quintel Michael
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

Severe respiratory failure due to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) might require rescue therapy measures beyond even extended standard care to ensure adequate oxygenation and survival. This review provides a summary and assessment of treatment options that can be beneficial when the standard approach fails.

Recent findings

‘Life-threatening’ conditions or refractory hypoxemia during mechanical ventilation are more a matter of personal rating than an objective diagnosis based on defined and/or unanimously agreed thresholds that would mandate the use of rescue therapies. Although the outcome might vary with different rescue procedures, most of them will improve oxygenation. Prone positioning maintains a predominant role as rescue therapy in severe hypoxemia and does not only improve oxygenation in but also survival of ARDS patients. Recruitment maneuvers can have temporary positive effects. Inhaled nitric oxide, as well as high-frequency oscillatory ventilation might acutely improve oxygenation and can be used as a ‘bridge’ to alternative rescue therapies, but neither provides any survival advantage by itself and might even be detrimental. Although increasingly employed in other than the rescue indication, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation should still primarily be used in patients who do not respond to differentiated mechanical ventilation, which includes a careful evaluation of nonextracorporeal membrane oxygenation rescue therapies that might be combined in order to overcome the life-threatening situation. Early involvement of an ARDS or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation center should be considered to ensure optimal care.

A well timed, multimodal approach is required for patients with ARDS suffering from life-threatening hypoxemia. Understanding the limits of each type of rescue measure is of vital importance.
How best to set the ventilator on extracorporeal membrane lung oxygenation
Authors: Gattinoni Luciano , Tonetti Tommaso , Quintel Michael
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

Extracorporeal respiratory support in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome is applied either as rescue maneuver for life-threatening hypoxemia or as a tool to reduce the harm of mechanical ventilation. Depending on the blood and gas flow, extracorporeal support may completely substitute the natural lung as a gas exchanger (high-flow venovenous bypass) or reduce the need for mechanical ventilation, enabling the removal of a fraction of the metabolically produced CO2.

Recent findings

Recent studies provide a description on how mechanical ventilation is normally applied in combination with extracorporeal support in acute respiratory distress syndrome. The data show a general trend: a variable decrease of fraction of inspired oxygen (0.9 to 0.7 or 0.4), a consistent decrease in tidal volume (by 2 ml/kg), no change in positive end-expiratory pressure (maintained around 12–13 cmH2O) and a moderate decrease in the respiratory rate (22 to 15 bpm). These ventilatory settings are applied in whatever extracorporeal membrane lung oxygenation modality (venovenous versus venoarterial) and independent from the extent of extracorporeal support (partial or total substitution of gas exchange).

Mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal support are marginally integrated. The best environment for lung healing – complete lung collapse or protective ventilation strategy or fully open and immobile lung (all three conditions feasible with extracorporeal support) – remains to be defined.
Maternal epigenetics and fetal and neonatal growth
Authors: Kitsiou-Tzeli Sofia , Tzetis Maria
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

The article provides an update on new insights of factors altering inherited maternal epigenome that ultimately affect fetal and neonatal growth.

Recent findings

A number of new publications have identified mechanisms through which maternal nutrition, environmental exposures such as stress and toxic substances altering expression of imprinted genes during pregnancy can influence fetal and neonatal phenotype and susceptibility to disease development later in life. The possible causes of metabolic syndrome by in-utero epigenetic alterations of genes involved in energy metabolism (PPARγ and PPARα), microRNAs, arginine methyltransferases, lysine demethylases, and histone deacetylaces have been elucidated. Moreover associations between methylation of key genes (NRC31, HSD11β1/2, GFI1) involved in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis have been identified. Alcohol exposure during pregnancy was found to alter methylation patterns of several imprinted genes (H19, SLC22A18, SLC6A3, DRD4). Finally alterations in vulnerable epigenetic marks of imprinted genes such as H19/IGF2, during early stages of embryonic development result in intrauterine growth restriction.

All these investigations continue to provide new insights for improved clinical management of in-utero development.
Cognitive behavioral therapy for cancer-related cognitive dysfunction
Authors: Kucherer Shelly , Ferguson Robert J.
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

To provide the reader with an overview of the cognitive-behavioral conceptualization of cancer-related cognitive dysfunction (CRCD) and how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can play an important role in treatment.

Recent findings

Recent findings show that Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT), a CBT developed to help cancer survivors develop adaptive skills to improve daily cognitive performance and emotional coping, may be an efficacious treatment of CRCD and can be delivered through videoconference technology to improve survivor access to care.

The etiology of CRCD remains largely undetermined and likely is produced by multiple mechanisms. This can include neuronal death, microvascular damage, inflammatory processes, and psychological factors of perceptions of inadequate cognitive capacity to meet performance demands and related emotional distress. As a result, there are a variety of treatments currently being researched. More research with larger sample sizes, multiple clinicians and multiple sites are needed to confirm efficacy, but CBT approaches such as Memory and Attention Adaptation Training that address multiple psychological factors involved may offer a flexible nonpharmacological approach to CRCD that optimizes quality of life outcomes.
Cancer-related cognitive impairment and patients’ ability to work: a current perspective
Authors: Duijts Saskia F.A. , van der Beek Allard J. , Boelhouwer Ingrid G. , Schagen Sanne B.
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

About half of all cancer survivors are 65 years of age or younger and potentially part of the labor force. Increasing numbers of these survivors are able to return to work (RTW) or even continue working during treatment. Many factors are known to inhibit occupational reintegration of cancer survivors, and further affect job performance after RTW. However, the impact of cancer-related cognitive impairment on work-related outcomes in cancer survivors is not well understood.

Recent findings

Previous studies exploring cancer, cognition and the ability to work reported mixed results, because of inconsistency in the definitions of work-related outcomes, the use of self-reported rather than performance-based measurements and the interaction between cognitive limitations and other symptom burden, such as fatigue or job stress. In addition, a lack of interventions to specifically target cognitive problems at work was identified.

Cognitive problems because of cancer diagnosis and treatment demand action in terms of developing a better understanding of their impact on the ability to work, as well as identifying effective therapeutic interventions to diminish this impact, including innovative accommodations, changes in work tasks or organization and ergonomic adjustments. Both employers and survivors should welcome such changes, to rise to the challenge of successfully adapting from the precancer status quo.
Genetic control of postnatal human brain growth
Authors: van Dyck Laura I. , Morrow Eric M.
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

Studies investigating postnatal brain growth disorders inform the biology underlying the development of human brain circuitry. This research is becoming increasingly important for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and related disorders. Here, we review recent research on typical and abnormal postnatal brain growth and examine potential biological mechanisms.

Recent findings

Clinically, brain growth disorders are heralded by diverging head size for a given age and sex, but are more precisely characterized by brain imaging, post-mortem analysis, and animal model studies. Recent neuroimaging and molecular biological studies on postnatal brain growth disorders have broadened our view of both typical and pathological postnatal neurodevelopment. Correlating gene and protein function with brain growth trajectories uncovers postnatal biological mechanisms, including neuronal arborization, synaptogenesis and pruning, and gliogenesis and myelination. Recent investigations of childhood neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders highlight the underlying genetic programming and experience-dependent remodeling of neural circuitry.

To understand typical and abnormal postnatal brain development, clinicians and researchers should characterize brain growth trajectories in the context of neurogenetic syndromes. Understanding mechanisms and trajectories of postnatal brain growth will aid in differentiating, diagnosing, and potentially treating neurodevelopmental disorders.
Antithrombotic therapy in patients with cerebral microbleeds
Authors: Wilson Duncan , Werring David J.
Published: November 2016

Purpose of review

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are a radiological marker of cerebral small vessel disease corresponding to small haemosiderin foci identified by blood-sensitive MRI. CMBs are common in older community populations, and in individuals with ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH). We summarize how CMBs might contribute to assessing the future risk of ischaemic stroke and ICH to inform antithrombotic (antiplatelet or anticoagulant) decisions.

Recent findings

CMBs are a risk factor for future ischaemic stroke and ICH in all community and hospital populations studied. Following ischaemic stroke/TIA treated with antithrombotics, increasing CMB burden increases the risk of ICH more steeply than that of ischaemic stroke. In ICH populations the risk of recurrent ICH increases with CMB burden, and is highest in those with strictly lobar CMBs or other haemorrhagic findings (e.g. cortical superficial siderosis) suggesting cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA).

In ischaemic stroke or patients with TIA less than five CMBs should not affect antithrombotic decisions, although with more than five CMBs the risks of future ICH and ischaemic stroke are finely balanced, and antithrombotics might cause net harm. In lobar ICH populations, a high burden of strictly lobar CMBs is associated with CAA and high ICH risk; antithrombotics should be avoided unless there is a compelling indication.
Analgesic effects of neurotensin agonists in a rat bone cancer pain model
Authors: Dore-Savard Louis , Tetreault Pascal , Roux Melisange , Martel Marylie , Lemire Myriam , Belleville Karine , Beaudet Nicolas , Sarret Philippe
Published: November 2016

Bone metastases are a source of intractable pain, resistant to conventional opioid and non-opioid analgesics. The neurotensin system represents a potential pathway toward bone cancer pain (BCP) relieve via the inhibition of its receptors NTS1 and NTS2. Capitalizing on our recent results using neurotensin analogs in inflammatory and neuropathic pain models, we here show, for the first time, a potential role for neurotensin receptors agonists in the treatment of BCP. The novel non-selective agonist JMV-2009 (300 μg/kg) reversed mechanical allodynia in our rodent BCP model at both early and late stages of the disease. The NTS2-selective agonist JMV-431 (90 μg/kg), in addition to anti-allodynia, also had an effect on weight bearing deficits. In parallel, we tested proven analgesics from several classes to put the effect of neurotensin analogs in perspective and found that morphine (3 mg/kg), tramadol (15 mg/kg) and amitriptyline (10 mg/kg) had mild effects on BCP while the cannabinoid nabilone (1 mg/kg) significantly reversed both allodynia and weight bearing deficits. Taken together, our results affirm the potential of the modulation of the neurotensin system for the development of new analgesics for the treatment of bone cancer pain.