bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the pain continuum after adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Chidambaran V. , Ding L. , Moore D.L. , Spruance K. , Cudilo E.M. , Pilipenko V. , Hossain M. , Sturm P. , Kashikar‐Zuck S. , Martin L.J. , Sadhasivam S.
Published: March 2017

Background

Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) affects half a million children annually in the United States, with dire socioeconomic consequences, including long‐term disability into adulthood. The few studies of CPSP in children are limited by sample size, follow‐up duration, non‐homogeneity of surgical procedure and factors evaluated.

Methods

In a prospective study of 144 adolescents undergoing a single major surgery (spine fusion), we evaluated demographic, perioperative, surgical and psychosocial factors as predictors of a continuum of postsurgical pain: immediate, pain maintenance at 2–3 months (chronic pain/CP) and persistence of pain a year (persistent pain/PP) after surgery.

Results

We found an incidence of 37.8% and 41.8% for CP and PP. CP and acute pain were both significant predictors for developing PP (p‐value <0.001 and 0.003). Preoperative pain and higher postoperative opioid requirement was significantly associated with CP (p = 0.015, p = 0.002), while Childhood Anxiety Sensitivity Index (p = 0.002) and surgical duration (p = 0.014) predicted PP. The final regression models had reasonable predictive accuracy (c‐statistic of 0.73 and 0.83 for CP and PP, respectively). Anxiety scores and catastrophizing for child and parent were found to be significantly correlated (p = 0.005, p = 0.013 respectively). Pain trajectories revealed that 65% of patients who developed PP reported CP and high pain trends; however, 33% of those who developed PP could not be identified using solely pain criteria.

Conclusion

Persistent postsurgical pain in children is a significant problem. It can be predicted in part by combinations of psychological and clinical variables, which may provide evidence‐based measures to prevent development of CPSP in the future.

Significance

In a homogeneous cohort of adolescents undergoing spine fusion, we report a high incidence of persistent postsurgical pain (41.8%) predicted by child anxiety, perioperative pain, and surgical duration. Our results stress timely preventive and therapeutic strategies.
SIMDOM: A framework for SIMD instruction translation and offloading in heterogeneous mobile architectures
Authors: Shuja Junaid , Gani Abdullah , Ko Kwangman , So Kyoungyoung , Mustafa Saad , Madani Sajjad A. , Khan Muhammad Khurram
Published: March 2017

Fog and mobile edge computing is a paradigm that augments resource‐scarce mobile devices with resource‐rich network servers to enable ubiquitous computing. Smartphone applications rely on code offloading techniques to leverage high‐performance computing opportunities available on edge and cloud servers for compute‐intensive applications. Mobile (ARM) and edge/cloud (x86) architectures are heterogeneous and necessitate dynamic binary translation for compiled code migration that increases the application execution time. The application execution time and energy consumption should be lesser on the edge/cloud server as compared with the local mobile execution for optimal offload. Multimedia‐based applications contain a large set of single instruction multiple data (SIMD) instructions that are compute and resource intensive. However, dynamic binary translation techniques of SIMD instructions lose the parallelism and optimization because of inefficient vector‐to‐scalar translation. We present a framework for SIMD instruction translation and offloading for mobile devices (SIMDOM) in cloud and edge environments. The SIMDOM framework reduces the execution overhead of migrated vectorized multimedia application by using vector‐to‐vector instruction mappings. The framework maps and translates ARM SIMD intrinsic instructions to x86 SIMD intrinsic instructions such that an application programmed for the mobile platform can be executed on the cloud server without any modification. The offload decision is based on inputs from the device energy, network, and application profilers. Experiments show that SIMDOM framework provides 84.78%, 3.41%, and 79.93% energy, time, and performance efficiency, respectively, compared with local offload‐disabled execution. Compared with compiled code offloading, the SIMDOM framework provides 55.99%, 57.50%, and 96.23% energy, time, and performance efficiency, respectively.
Multi‐task diagnosis for autism spectrum disorders using multi‐modality features: A multi‐center study
Authors: Wang Jun , Wang Qian , Peng Jialin , Nie Dong , Zhao Feng , Kim Minjeong , Zhang Han , Wee Chong‐Yaw , Wang Shitong , Shen Dinggang
Published: March 2017

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopment disease characterized by impairment of social interaction, language, behavior, and cognitive functions. Up to now, many imaging‐based methods for ASD diagnosis have been developed. For example, one may extract abundant features from multi‐modality images and then derive a discriminant function to map the selected features toward the disease label. A lot of recent works, however, are limited to single imaging centers. To this end, we propose a novel multi‐modality multi‐center classification (M3CC) method for ASD diagnosis. We treat the classification of each imaging center as one task. By introducing the task‐task and modality‐modality regularizations, we solve the classification for all imaging centers simultaneously. Meanwhile, the optimal feature selection and the modeling of the discriminant functions can be jointly conducted for highly accurate diagnosis. Besides, we also present an efficient iterative optimization solution to our formulated problem and further investigate its convergence. Our comprehensive experiments on the ABIDE database show that our proposed method can significantly improve the performance of ASD diagnosis, compared to the existing methods. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3081–3097, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Decoding facial expressions based on face‐selective and motion‐sensitive areas
Authors: Liang Yin , Liu Baolin , Xu Junhai , Zhang Gaoyan , Li Xianglin , Wang Peiyuan , Wang Bin
Published: March 2017

Humans can easily recognize others' facial expressions. Among the brain substrates that enable this ability, considerable attention has been paid to face‐selective areas; in contrast, whether motion‐sensitive areas, which clearly exhibit sensitivity to facial movements, are involved in facial expression recognition remained unclear. The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study used multi‐voxel pattern analysis (MVPA) to explore facial expression decoding in both face‐selective and motion‐sensitive areas. In a block design experiment, participants viewed facial expressions of six basic emotions (anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise) in images, videos, and eyes‐obscured videos. Due to the use of multiple stimulus types, the impacts of facial motion and eye‐related information on facial expression decoding were also examined. It was found that motion‐sensitive areas showed significant responses to emotional expressions and that dynamic expressions could be successfully decoded in both face‐selective and motion‐sensitive areas. Compared with static stimuli, dynamic expressions elicited consistently higher neural responses and decoding performance in all regions. A significant decrease in both activation and decoding accuracy due to the absence of eye‐related information was also observed. Overall, the findings showed that emotional expressions are represented in motion‐sensitive areas in addition to conventional face‐selective areas, suggesting that motion‐sensitive regions may also effectively contribute to facial expression recognition. The results also suggested that facial motion and eye‐related information played important roles by carrying considerable expression information that could facilitate facial expression recognition. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3113–3125, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neuroplasticity of language in left‐hemisphere stroke: Evidence linking subsecond electrophysiology and structural connections
Authors: Piai Vitória , Meyer Lars , Dronkers Nina F. , Knight Robert T.
Published: March 2017

The understanding of neuroplasticity following stroke is predominantly based on neuroimaging measures that cannot address the subsecond neurodynamics of impaired language processing. We combined behavioral and electrophysiological measures and structural‐connectivity estimates to characterize neuroplasticity underlying successful compensation of language abilities after left‐hemispheric stroke. We recorded the electroencephalogram from patients with stroke lesions to the left temporal lobe and from matched controls during context‐driven word retrieval. Participants heard lead‐in sentences that either constrained the final word (“He locked the door with the”) or not (“She walked in here with the”). The last word was shown as a picture to be named. Individual‐participant analyses were conducted, focusing on oscillatory power as a subsecond indicator of a brain region's functional neurophysiological computations. All participants named pictures faster following constrained than unconstrained sentences, except for two patients, who had extensive damage to the left temporal lobe. Left‐lateralized alpha–beta oscillatory power decreased in controls pre‐picture presentation for constrained relative to unconstrained contexts. In patients, the alpha–beta power decreases were observed with the same time course as in controls but were lateralized to the intact right hemisphere. The right lateralization depended on the probability of white‐matter connections between the bilateral temporal lobes. The two patients who performed poorly behaviorally showed no alpha–beta power decreases. Our findings suggest that incorporating direct measures of neural activity into investigations of neuroplasticity can provide important neural markers to help predict language recovery, assess the progress of neurorehabilitation, and delineate targets for therapeutic neuromodulation. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3151–3162, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Population health and the economy: Mortality and the Great Recession in Europe
Authors: Tapia Granados José A. , Ionides Edward L.
Published: March 2017

We analyze the evolution of mortality‐based health indicators in 27 European countries before and after the start of the Great Recession. We find that in the countries where the crisis has been particularly severe, mortality reductions in 2007–2010 were considerably bigger than in 2004–2007. Panel models adjusted for space‐invariant and time‐invariant factors show that an increase of 1 percentage point in the national unemployment rate is associated with a reduction of 0.5% (p < .001) in the rate of age‐adjusted mortality. The pattern of mortality oscillating procyclically is found for total and sex‐specific mortality, cause‐specific mortality due to major causes of death, and mortality for ages 30–44 and 75 and over, but not for ages 0–14. Suicides appear increasing when the economy decelerates—countercyclically—but the evidence is weak. Results are robust to using different weights in the regression, applying nonlinear methods for detrending, expanding the sample, and using as business cycle indicator gross domestic product per capita or employment‐to‐population ratios rather than the unemployment rate. We conclude that in the European experience of the past 20 years, recessions, on average, have beneficial short‐term effects on mortality of the adult population.
Cohort study of oncologic emergencies in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Reyes–Gibby Cielito C. , Melkonian Stephanie C. , Hanna Ehab Y. , Yeung Sai‐ching J. , Lu Charles , Chambers Mark S. , Banala Srinivas R. , Gunn Gary B. , Shete Sanjay S.
Published: March 2017

Background

Treatments for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are associated with toxicities that lead to emergency department presentation.

Methods

We utilized data from an ongoing prospective cohort of newly diagnosed, previously untreated patients (N = 298) with HNSCC to evaluate the association between clinical and epidemiologic factors and risk for and frequency of emergency department presentation. Time to event was calculated from the date of treatment initiation to emergency department presentation, date of death, or current date. Frequency of emergency department presentation was the sum of emergency department visits during the follow‐up time.

Results

History of hypertension, normal/underweight body mass index (BMI), and probable depression predicted increased risk for emergency department presentation. BMI and severe pain were associated with higher frequency of emergency department presentations.

Conclusion

Clinical and epidemiologic factors can help predict patients with HNSCC who will present to the emergency department. Such knowledge may improve treatment‐related patient outcomes and quality of life. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 1195–1204, 2017
Radiopaque UHMWPE sublaminar cables for spinal deformity correction: Preclinical mechanical and radiopacifier leaching assessment
Authors: Roth Alex K. , Boon‐Ceelen Karlien , Smelt Harold , van Rietbergen Bert , Willems Paul C. , van Rhijn Lodewijk W. , Arts Jacobus J.
Published: March 2017

Polymeric sublaminar cables have a number of advantages over metal cables in the field of spinal deformity surgery, with decreased risk of neurological injury and potential for higher correction forces as the two most predominant. However, currently available polymer cables are radiolucent, precluding postoperative radiological assessment of instrumentation stability and integrity. This study provides a preclinical assessment of a woven UHMWPE cable made with radiopaque UHMWPE fibers. Our primary goal was to determine if the addition of a radiopacifier negatively affects the mechanical properties of UHMWPE woven cables. Tensile mechanical properties were determined and compared to suitable controls. Radiopacity was evaluated and radiopacifier leaching was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Finally, in vivo bismuth organ content was quantified after a 24‐week implantation period in sheep. Results show that the mechanical properties of woven UHMWPE cables were not deleteriously affected by the addition of homogenously dispersed bismuth oxide particles within each fiber. Limited amounts of bismuth oxide were released in vitro, well below the toxicological threshold. Tissue concentrations lower than generally accepted therapeutic dosages for use against gastrointestinal disorders, well below toxic levels, were discovered in vivo. These results substantiate controlled clinical introduction of these radiopaque UHMWPE cables. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 771–779, 2018.
Importance of laboratory parameters in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and their relationship with cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Kıvanc Tulay , Kulaksızoglu Sevsen , Lakadamyalı Huseyin , Eyuboglu Fusun
Published: March 2017

Background

Ostructive sleep apnea (OSA) is an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular events. Platelet activation and inflammation are the mechanisms involved in the association between OSA and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The markers of platelet activation and inflammation are the mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), red cell distribution width (RDW), neutrophil‐ lymphocyte ratio (NLR). We aimed to define the association of NLR, PLR, RDW, and MPV with the severity of disease and the presence of CVD.

Methods

This study consisted of 300 patients who were admitted to the sleep laboratory. The patients were classified according to their apnea‐ hypopnea index (AHI) scores as OSA negative (Group A: AHI<5), mild (Group B: AHI: 5‐15), moderate (Group C: AHI=15‐30), and severe OSA (Group D: AHI >30).

Results

There were no significant differences in the NLR, PLR, and MPV among the groups (P>.05); only RDW differed significantly (P=.04). RDW was significantly higher in patients with than without risk factors for CVD [15.6% (15.4‐15.7) vs 15.3% (15.1‐15.3), respectively; P=.02].

Conclusions

NLR, PLR, MPV, and RDW are widely available and easily obtained from a routinely performed hemogram. Among these laboratory parameters, only RDW can demonstrate the reverse consequences of OSA‐associated comorbidities, because vascular damage due to systemic inflammation is an important underlying mechanism in these diseases. RDW might be used as a marker of the response and patient compliance with continuous positive airway pressure treatment.
Red blood cell distribution width and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio are correlated with disease activity of dermatomyositis and polymyositis
Authors: Gao Ming‐Zhu , Huang Yuan‐Lan , Wu Xiao‐Dan , Xu Qiang‐Wei , Ji Rong , Gu Bing , Zhang Ai‐Yan , Hao Ting‐Ting , Han Zhi‐Jun , Ren Tian‐Li
Published: March 2017

Background

Previous studies indicated that both red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were useful indices in assessing the disease activity of autoimmune diseases. However, the evidence for the association between RDW, NLR and dermatomyositis (DM) and polymyositis (PM) is limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the disease activity of PM/DM and both RDW and NLR.

Methods

Medical records of 114 PM/DM patients and 114 healthy controls were retrospectively reviewed, and their RDW, NLR and myositis disease activity assessment visual analogue scale (MYOACT) on admission were extracted. The correlations between RDW, NLR and MYOACT were analyzed using the Spearman approach and multivariable model.

Results

PM/DM patients had significantly higher RDW and NLR. Increased RDW in PM/DM patients was not completely attributed to decreased hemoglobin or therapeutic agents. Both RDW and NLR are independently and positively correlated MYOACT.

Conclusion

Both RDW and NLR are useful indices in assessing the disease activity of PM/DM.
The role of Runx2 in facilitating autophagy in metastatic breast cancer cells
Authors: Tandon Manish , Othman Ahmad H. , Ashok Vivek , Stein Gary S. , Pratap Jitesh
Published: March 2017

Breast cancer metastases cause significant patient mortality. During metastases, cancer cells use autophagy, a catabolic process to recycle nutrients via lysosomal degradation, to overcome nutritional stress for their survival. The Runt‐related transcription factor, Runx2, promotes cell survival under metabolic stress, and regulates breast cancer progression and bone metastases. Here, we identify that Runx2 enhances autophagy in metastatic breast cancer cells. We defined Runx2 function in cellular autophagy by monitoring microtubule‐associated protein light chain (LC3B‐II) levels, an autophagy‐specific marker. The electron and confocal microscopic analyses were utilized to identify alterations in autophagic vesicles. The Runx2 knockdown cells accumulate LC3B‐II protein and autophagic vesicles due to reduced turnover. Interestingly, Runx2 promotes autophagy by enhancing trafficking of LC3B vesicles. Our mechanistic studies revealed that Runx2 promotes autophagy by increasing acetylation of α‐tubulin sub‐units of microtubules. Inhibiting autophagy decreased cell adhesion and survival of Runx2 knockdown cells. Furthermore, analysis of LC3B protein in clinical breast cancer specimens and tumor xenografts revealed significant association between high Runx2 and low LC3B protein levels. Our studies reveal a novel regulatory mechanism of autophagy via Runx2 and provide molecular insights into the role of autophagy in metastatic cancer cells.
Predictive value of p63, ki‐67, and survivin expression in oral leukoplakia: A tissue microarray study
Authors: Bienk Dias Kelly , Pereira Costa Flores Anacláudia , Gaiger Oliveira Márcia , Varvaki Rados Pantelis , Sant'ana Filho Manoel
Published: March 2017

The aim of this study was to analyze the immunohistochemical expression of survivin, ki‐67, and p63 in oral leukoplakic lesions, histopathologically differentiated into dysplastic and nondysplastic. A tissue microarray containing 57 samples of biopsies from clinically classified lesions, such as leukoplakia, was immunolabeled for survivin, ki‐67, and p63. Samples were scored for percentage of positively stained. Scores were designated as follows: low = less than 25% of positive cells; and high = more than 25% of positive cells. On performing histopathological diagnosis, 20 dysplastic lesions and 37 nondysplastic lesions were seen, in which female patients (56.1%) were predominant with an average age of 58.27 years. The study showed a high expression of 37.5% for survivin, 43.7% for ki‐67, and 88.2% for p63 in dysplastic lesions. However, there was a high expression of 16.7% for survivin, 16.7% for ki‐67, and 92% for p63 in nondysplastic lesions. There is a positive correlation of expression among the three antibodies. In the association of immunoreactivity, in both dysplastic and nondysplastic lesions, increased expression of survivin reflects on the increased expression of ki‐67, and there is an overexpression of p63. In leukoplakia, the expression of survivin associated with that of ki‐67 reinforces the assumption that all these lesions are potentially malignant, regardless of histopathology; and the overexpression of p63 may indicate carcinogenic potential. These findings may help in the treatment of patients with this type of lesion.
On the Number of 5‐Cycles in a Tournament
Authors: Komarov Natasha , Mackey John
Published: March 2017

We find a formula for the number of directed 5‐cycles in a tournament in terms of its edge scores and use the formula to find upper and lower bounds on the number of 5‐cycles in any n‐tournament. In particular, we show that the maximum number of 5‐cycles is asymptotically equal to , the expected number 5‐cycles in a random tournament (), with equality (up to order of magnitude) for almost all tournaments.
Functional morphological adaptations of the bony labyrinth in marsupials (Mammalia, Theria)
Authors: Pfaff Cathrin , Czerny Stefan , Nagel Doris , Kriwet Jürgen
Published: March 2017

Diprotodontia represents the largest and ecologically most distinct order of marsupials occurring in Australasian being highly divers in size, locomotion, habitat preferences, feeding, and activity pattern. The spatial orientation in the habitat and therefore the three‐dimensional space is detected by the vestibular system of the inner ear, more precisely by the three semicircular canals. In this study, we investigated the bony labyrinth of diprotodontian and selected non‐diprotodontian marsupial mammals of almost all genera with noninvasive micro‐CT scanning and 3D‐reconstructions. In principal component analyses, the subterranean taxon can be separated from gliding and saltatorial taxa, whereas arboreal species can be separated from saltatorial specimens. The highest PCA loadings of this functional distinction are clearly found in the diameter of the semicircular canals, whereas the overall shape (height, width, length) of the semicircular canals is less important. Additionally, the investigated arboreal and fossorial species of South America are nested in the morphospace of the Australasian taxa. Even if a phylogenetic signal in the anatomy of the bony labyrinth cannot be excluded entirely, the main functional morphological signal of the vestibular system is found in the diameter of the semicircular canals. With the large dataset of extant marsupial mammals analysed here, the locomotion mode of extinct taxa can be inferred in future studies independent of any evidence of postcranial material.
The anatomy of the blood vascular system of the giant vestimentiferan tubeworm Riftia pachyptila (Siboglinidae, Annelida)
Authors: Rimskaya‐Korsakova Nadezhda N. , Galkin Sergey V. , Malakhov Vladimir V.
Published: March 2017

The giant dimensions of vestimentiferan Riftia pachyptila (Jones, ) are achieved thanks to the well‐developed vascular system. In the vestimentum, there is a complicated net of lacunae, including the brain blood supply and the ventral lacuna underlying the ciliary field. The trunk region has an extensive network of blood vessels feeding the gonads («rete mirabile»). The thick muscular lining of the mesenterial vessels in the trunk and the dorsal vessel in the opisthosome serves as an additional pump, pushing blood into numerous vessels in the segments. It was hypothesized that the blood envelope of the ventral blood vessel in the trunk provides the blood supply to the trophosome. The 3D reconstruction has revealed that there are two vascular systems of the tentacular crown of R. pachyptila. Blood runs into the tentacles via axial afferent vessels, as described earlier only for Riftia, and also via basal ones, as described for other vestimentiferans except Riftia. The basal ones are poorly developed, and the number of lamellar blood vessels is small, indicating a lack of demand for these within huge R. pachyptila. It appears that the presence of these vessels is the preserved ancestral state of Vestimentifera. In different portions of the dorsal vessel, the morphology of the intravasal body varies, depending on function.
The tarsal‐metatarsal complex of caviomorph rodents: Anatomy and functional‐adaptive analysis
Authors: Candela Adriana M. , Muñoz Nahuel A. , García‐Esponda César M.
Published: March 2017

Caviomorph rodents represent a major adaptive radiation of Neotropical mammals. They occupy a variety of ecological niches, which is also reflected in their wide array of locomotor behaviors. It is expected that this radiation would be mirrored by an equivalent disparity of tarsal‐metatarsal morphology. Here, the tarsal‐metatarsal complex of Erethizontidae, Cuniculidae, Dasyproctidae, Caviidae, Chinchillidae, Octodontidae, Ctenomyidae, and Echimyidae was examined, in order to evaluate its anatomical variation and functional‐adaptive relevance in relation to locomotor behaviors. A qualitative study in functional morphology and a geometric morphometric analysis were performed. We recognized two distinct tarsal‐metatarsal patterns that represent the extremes of anatomical variation in the foot. The first, typically present in arboreal species, is characterized by features that facilitate movements at different levels of the tarsal‐metatarsal complex. The second pattern, typically present in cursorial caviomorphs, has a set of features that act to stabilize the joints, improve the interlocking of the tarsal bones, and restrict movements to the parasagittal plane. The morphological disparity recognized in this study seems to result from specific locomotor adaptations to climb, dig, run, jump and swim, as well as phylogenetic effects within and among the groups studies.
Evaluation of simulations with the regional climate model REMO over Central Africa and the effect of increased spatial resolution
Authors: Vondou Derbetini A. , Haensler Andreas
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACT

Simulations of the regional climate model REMO at 25 and 50 km (0.44° and 0.22°, respectively) grid spacing are evaluated over Central Africa for the period 1998–2010. The model's ability to simulate various aspects of the observed climate is assessed with a main focus on precipitation characteristics. The results show that the REMO model has a good skill to reproduce the main regional features of the mean climate fields as well as seasonal and annual cycles, although some biases still exist. The model captures the variability in precipitation anomalies between different events associated with El Niño/Southern Oscillation. Generally, the findings remain largely insensitive to the refinement of the horizontal resolution, especially when considering the regional scale. This points the fact that the model dynamical and physical setup may have to be adjusted when setting a focus on the Central African region, in order to better represent the climate mechanisms. It is further found that REMO is capable of capturing the basic features of climatic extremes and accurately represents the shape of the frequency distribution of daily precipitation data. Daily characteristics of precipitation are simulated much better by REMO at 25 km.
East Asian presummer precipitation in the CMIP5 at high versus low horizontal resolution
Authors: Wu Chi‐Hua , Freychet Nicolas , Chen Chao‐An , Hsu Huang‐Hsiung
Published: March 2017

Inevitable drawbacks occur when the Asian monsoon is simulated at a horizontal resolution that is too low to resolve topographic effects and sub‐grid processes. By comparing the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP) phase 5 simulations conducted at higher (∼1°) and lower (∼3°) horizontal resolutions, this study attempted to extend understanding of potential resolution limits in simulating the East Asian presummer climate. April–May is found to have considerable resolution‐dependent contrasts in position and strength of precipitation (spring rains and pre–Meiyu) among the simulations. The low‐resolution models cannot simulate ascending vertical motion over the mountainous regions in the southern Tibetan Plateau and subtropical East Asia, which coincides with the overestimation of the strength of the lower‐tropospheric westerly in 90°–105°E and of the downstream southerly in 110°–130°E. Because of the southerly wind bias, the East Asian presummer precipitation simulated in the low‐resolution models is lower in amount and located farther north compared with the observed and high‐resolution models. Despite distinct large‐scale climatology between April and late May, the East Asian precipitation contrasts in these two periods are similar between the high‐ and low‐resolution models, which could be possibly explained as a systematic response to resolution. Systematically less precipitation in the high‐resolution model compared with the low‐resolution model is also observable over the Maritime Continent, whereas a further connection to the East Asian precipitation simulation remains unclear. Regarding projected changes, the resolution‐dependent contrasts are also considerable; the contrasts further suggest potential regional interactions such as between the subtropical South and East Asia (10°–20°N).
A comparative analysis of phosphoproteome in ovine muscle at early postmortem in relationship to tenderness
Authors: Li Xin , Chen Lijuan , He Fan , Li Meng , Shen Qingwu , Zhang Dequan
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Tenderness is considered to be the most important quality characteristic of meat as it is the main cause of unacceptability of meat. Post‐translational modification regulates protein functions that involve in postmortem changes in muscle and meat quality formation. Specifically, phosphorylation was proved to regulate postmortem glycolytic rates and meat tenderisation. However, the relationship between protein phosphorylation and meat tenderness remains unclear. This study examined the phosphoproteomes found in ovine muscle with different degrees of tenderness over time (at 0.5 h, 4 h, and 24 h postmortem).

RESULTS

This study detected five, eight and nine phosphoprotein spots (>two‐fold change, P < 0.05) at each respective time point. The different phosphoproteins found included glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, tropomyosin α‐1 chain, pyruvate kinase, myosin binding protein H, glycogen phosphorylase, α‐actinin‐3, and an uncharacterised protein (GN, myosin‐binding protein C2, MYBPC2). Most of the different phosphoproteins maintained sarcomeric functions, or were involved in glycometabolism.

CONCLUSION

Phosphorylation levels of multiple proteins that are involved in glycolysis, muscle contraction or sarcomeric structure integrity were identified in ovine muscles with different tenderness. The differential phosphorylation of these proteins explains in part the difference in meat tenderness. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Zein films with unoxidized or oxidized tannic acid
Authors: Santos Talita M , Souza Filho Men de Sá M , Muniz Celli R , Morais João Paulo S , Kotzebue Lloyd Ryan Viana , Pereira André Luís Sousa , Azeredo Henriette MC
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Corn zein is a predominatly hydrophobic protein, forming films with relatively good water resistance. Tannic acid, especially in its oxidized form, is supposed to cross‐link proteins including zein, which may be explored to further enhance the water resistance of zein films. The effects of different contents (0–8 wt%) of unoxidized and oxidized tannic acid (uTA and oTA, respectively) on the properties of zein films at different pH values (4–9) were studied, according to central composite designs.

RESULTS

Increasing tannic acid contents and pH values resulted in decreased water solubility and increased tensile strength and modulus of films. The presence of tannic acid provided the films with a yellowish color and increased opacity. Paired t‐tests indicated that oTA films presented higher tensile strength, lower water vapor permeability and lower water solubility than uTA films.

CONCLUSION

Higher tannic acid contents and pH values resulted in films with better overall physical properties, which might be ascribed to cross‐linking, although the films were still not water resistant. The resulting films have potential to be used for food packaging and coating applications. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Global trends in the burden of liver cancer
Authors: Are Chandrakanth , Meyer Bria , Stack Apollo , Ahmad Humera , Smith Lynette , Qian Biyun , Song Tianqiang , Chowdhury Sanjib
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study is to describe the influence of geography, socio‐economic development, and demographic shift on the trends in global incidence, mortality, and prevalence of liver cancer (LC).

METHODS

Data (2012‐2030) relating to LC and demographic shifts based on WHO regions and HDI areas were extracted from GLOBOCAN 2012 and analyzed to evaluate trends in incidence, mortality, and prevalence.

RESULTS

The results of our study document a rising global burden of LC with the maximum impact in the WPRO region. We did not observe a definite association between LC and higher socio‐economic status with the highest burden in the MHD region. For the MHD region, we noticed age reversal in burden from the younger age group currently to the older age group in the future (2030). Another finding is the high burden and early onset of disease in some low‐income countries such as Mongolia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam.

CONCLUSION

The results of our study demonstrate a rising global burden of LC with some significant but uneven trends based on geography, age, and socio‐economic status. This information can be used to shape policy and aid strategic targeting of resources to areas with the highest burden.
ITADE flap after mastectomy for locally advanced breast cancer: A good choice for mid‐sized defects of the chest wall, based on a systematic review of thoracoabdominal flaps
Authors: Vieira René Aloisio da Costa , da Silva Katia Mathias Teixeira , de Oliveira‐Junior Idam , de Lima Marcos Alves
Published: March 2017

Background

Locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) is still a common problem in developing countries. Extensive resections are aimed at local control and improving quality of life. Dermofat flaps are an option for medium‐sized defects.

Objectives

Evaluate the results of a new thoracoabdominal flap (TAF).

Methods

We describe and evaluate an ipsilateral, thoracoabdominal horizontal, dermofat (ITADE) flap performed in patients submitted to mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. A systematic review of the flaps used in this situation was performed.

Results

A total of 23 patients underwent the ITADE flap. The average flap size was 360 cm2. One (4.3%) patient presented extensive loss of the flap. In the literature review, we observed 354 patients with 159 TAFs. We added our cases to the evaluation. A significant reduction in the risk of necrosis using myocutaneous flaps versus TAFs was observed (P < 0.001). Comparing other TAFs and ITADE flaps, considering all necrosis, a significant difference was apparent (P = 0.02), which disappeared when evaluating only larger necrosis (P = 0.13). Multivariate analysis showed that the resected area was the best variable related to the presence of necrosis.

Conclusions

ITADE allows extensive coverage areas, an early start of adjuvant treatment and it can be performed without requiring a reconstructive team.
The SORG nomogram accurately predicts 3‐ and 12‐months survival for operable spine metastatic disease: External validation
Authors: Paulino Pereira Nuno Rui , Mclaughlin Lily , Janssen Stein J. , van Dijk Cornelis N. , Bramer Jos A. M. , Laufer Ilya , Bilsky Mark H. , Schwab Joseph H.
Published: March 2017

Background and Objectives

Externally validate the SORG12 nomogram and SORG classic algorithm at estimating survival in patients with spine metastatic disease, and compare predictive accuracy with other survival algorithms.

Methods

We received data from 100 patients who had surgery for spine metastatic disease at an external institution. Algorithms were accurate if the Area Under Curve (AUC) was >0.70, and we used Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis to compare predictive accuracy with other algorithms.

Results

The SORG nomogram accurately estimated 3‐months (AUC = 0.74) and 12‐months survival (AUC = 0.78); it did not accurately estimate 1‐month survival (AUC = 0.65). There was no difference in 1‐month survival accuracy between the SORG nomogram and SORG classic algorithm (P = 0.162). The SORG nomogram was best at predicting 3‐months survival, compared with the Tokuhashi score and SORG classic algorithm (P = 0.009). The SORG nomogram was best at predicting 12‐months survival, compared with the Tomita score, Ghori score, Bauer modified score, Tokuhashi score, and SORG classic algorithm (P = 0.033).

Conclusions

The SORG nomogram accurately estimated 3‐ and 12‐months survival for operable spine metastatic disease, and is therefore, useful in clinical practice.
Using a novel NQO1 bioactivatable drug, beta‐lapachone (ARQ761), to enhance chemotherapeutic effects by metabolic modulation in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Beg Muhammad Shaalan , Huang Xiumei , Silvers Molly A. , Gerber David E. , Bolluyt Joyce , Sarode Venetia , Fattah Farjana , Deberardinis Ralph J. , Merritt Matthew E. , Xie Xian‐Jin , Leff Richard , Laheru Daniel , Boothman David A.
Published: March 2017

Novel, tumor‐selective therapies are needed to increase the survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients. K‐Ras‐mutant‐driven NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) is over‐expressed in pancreatic tumor versus associated normal tissue, while catalase expression is lowered compared to levels in associated normal pancreas tissue. ARQ761 undergoes a robust, futile redox cycle in NQO1+ cancer cells, producing massive hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels; normal tissues are spared by low NQO1 and high catalase expression. DNA damage created by ARQ761 in pancreatic cancer cells “hyperactivates” PARP1, causing metabolic catastrophe and NAD ± keresis cell death. NQO1: catalase levels (high in tumor, low in normal tissue) are an attractive therapeutic window to treat pancreatic cancer. Based on a growing body of literature, we are leading a clinical trial to evaluate the combination of ARQ761 and chemotherapy in patients with pancreatic cancer.
CAR T‐cell therapy for pancreatic cancer
Authors: DeSelm Carl J. , Tano Zachary E. , Varghese Anna M. , Adusumilli Prasad S.
Published: March 2017

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T‐cell therapy utilizes genetic engineering to redirect a patient's own T cells to target cancer cells. The remarkable results in hematological malignancies prompted investigating this approach in solid tumors such as pancreatic cancer. The complex tumor microenvironment, stromal hindrance in limiting immune response, and expression of checkpoint blockade on T cells pose hurdles. Herein, we summarize the opportunities, challenges, and state of knowledge in targeting pancreatic cancer with CAR T‐cell therapy.
Whispering gallery mode hybridization in photonic molecules
Authors: Li Yangcheng , Abolmaali Farzaneh , Allen Kenneth W. , Limberopoulos Nicholaos I. , Urbas Augustine , Rakovich Yury , Maslov Alexey V. , Astratov Vasily N.
Published: March 2017

This work takes inspiration from chemistry where the spectral characteristics of the molecules are determined by hybridization of electronic states evolving from the individual atomic orbitals. Based on analogy between quantum mechanics and the classical electrodynamics, we sorted dielectric microspheres with almost identical positions of their whispering gallery mode (WGM) resonances. Using these microspheres as classical photonic atoms, we assembled them in a wide range of structures including linear chains and planar photonic molecules. We studied WGM hybridization effects in such structures using side coupling by tapered microfibers as well as finite difference time domain modeling. We demonstrated that the patterns of WGM spectral splitting are representative of the symmetry, number of constituting atoms and topology of the photonic molecules which in principle can be viewed as “spectral signatures” of various molecules. We also show new ways of controlling WGM coupling constants in such molecules. Excellent agreement was found between measured transmission spectra and spectral signatures of photonic molecules predicted by simulation.

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Mid‐infrared supercontinuum covering 2.0–16 μm in a low‐loss telluride single‐mode fiber
Authors: Zhao Zheming , Wu Bo , Wang Xunsi , Pan Zhanghao , Liu Zijun , Zhang Peiqing , Shen Xiang , Nie Qiuhua , Dai Shixun , Wang Rongping
Published: March 2017

A mid‐infrared (MIR) supercontinuum (SC) has been demonstrated in a low‐loss telluride glass fiber. The double‐cladding fiber, fabricated using a novel extrusion method, exhibits excellent transmission at 8–14 μm: < 10 dB/m in the range of 8–13.5 μm and 6 dB/m at 11 μm. Launched intense ultrashort pulsed with a central wavelength of 7 μm, the step‐index fiber generates a MIR SC spanning from ∼2.0 μm to 16 μm, for a 40‐dB spectral flatness. This is a fresh experimental demonstration to reveal that telluride glass fiber can emit across the all MIR molecular fingerprint region, which is of key importance for applications such as diagnostics, gas sensing, and greenhouse CO2 detection.

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Direct Functionalization of Poly(spirophosphazene)s via the Regioselective Lithiation of the Aromatic Rings Using a Cooperative Superbase
Authors: de la Campa Raquel , García Diego , Rodríguez Sandra , Carriedo Gabino A. , Presa Soto Alejandro
Published: March 2017

The direct chemical functionalization of poly(spirophosphazene) [NP(O2C12H8)]n (1) can be performed by the lithiation of the aromatic rings at low temperature using Schlosser's base (LitBu/KOtBu or “superbase”), and the subsequent reaction with various electrophiles such as ClSiMe3, ClPPh2, or MeOB(O2C6H12) (MeOBpin). The functionalized polymers, isolated in very high yields (>90%) and without degradation of the polymeric chains, have an average degree of substitution per repeat unit ranging from 0.3 (random copolymers) to a maximum of 1.0, which corresponds to the homopolymers [NP(O2C12H7FG)]n (FG (functional group) =SiMe3, PPh2, and Bpin). NMR studies, including bidimensional high temperature experiments on silylated and deuterated polymers, show that the substitution is regioselectively occurring at the C3 carbon of the aromatic rings due to the coordination of the lithium cations to the nitrogen of the polyphosphazene chain. The introduction of functional groups on the aromatic rings leads to significant changes in the solubility (silylated polymers), Tg, and electronic properties of the material, showing how the change of substituents in the aromatic rings can lead to polyphosphazenes with properties markedly different from those of the precursor polymer.

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Promoter hypermethylation‐mediated downregulation of miR‐770 and its host gene MEG3, a long non‐coding RNA, in the development of gastric cardia adenocarcinoma
Authors: Guo Wei , Dong Zhiming , Liu Shengnan , Qiao Yiling , Kuang Gang , Guo Yanli , Shen Supeng , Liang Jia
Published: March 2017

Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is an imprinted gene located at 14q32 which encodes an lncRNA and is downregulated in an expanding list of cancer cell lines and primary human cancers. The miR‐770 is transcribed from the intronic sequence of MEG3 and MEG3 may be the host gene for miR‐770. However, the biological role of MEG3 and miR‐770 in gastric cardia adenocarcinoma (GCA) development and prognosis is poorly defined. The present study was to investigate the function and methylation status of MEG3 in GCA, and further to detect the functional association of miR‐770 and its host gene MEG3 in GCA carcinogenesis and prognosis. MEG3 and miR‐770 was significantly downregulated in GCA patients and cell lines, and their expression was associated with TNM stage and lymph node metastasis. Overexpression of MEG3 and miR‐770 inhibited gastric cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro. Furthermore, the expression level of MEG3 and miR‐770 was significantly increased in cancer cells after treated with 5‐Aza‐dC. The aberrant hypermethylation of proximal promoter and enhancer region of MEG3 was detected in GCA tissues. In addition, the proximal promoter and enhancer region hypermethylation and dysregulation of MEG3 and miR‐770 were associated with poorer GCA patients’ survival. These findings suggest that miR‐770 and its host gene MEG3 may play tumor suppressor role and hypermethylation of proximal promoter and enhancer region may be one of the critical mechanisms in inactivation of MEG3 and miR‐770 in GCA development. MEG3 and miR‐770 may be used as potential biomarkers in predicting GCA patients’ prognosis.
Molecular genetic analysis of the melanoma regulatory locus in Xiphophorus interspecies hybrids
Authors: Lu Yuan , Boswell Mikki , Boswell William , Kneitz Susanne , Hausmann Michael , Klotz Barbara , Regneri Janine , Savage Markita , Amores Angel , Postlethwait John , Warren Wesley , Schartl Manfred , Walter Ronald
Published: March 2017

Development of spontaneous melanoma in Xiphophorus interspecies backcross hybrid progeny, (X. hellerii × [X. maculatus Jp 163 A × X. hellerii]) is due to Mendelian segregation of a oncogene (xmrk) and a molecularly uncharacterized locus, called R(Diff), on LG5. R(Diff) is thought to suppresses the activity of xmrk in healthy X. maculatus Jp 163 A parental species that rarely develop melanoma. To better understand the molecular genetics of R(Diff), we utilized RNA‐Seq to study allele‐specific gene expression of spontaneous melanoma tumors and corresponding normal skin samples derived from 15 first generation backcross (BC1) hybrids and 13 fifth generation (BC5) hybrids. Allele‐specific expression was determined for all genes and assigned to parental allele inheritance for each backcross hybrid individual. Results showed that genes residing in a 5.81 Mbp region on LG5 were exclusively expressed from the X. hellerii alleles in tumor‐bearing BC1 hybrids. This observation indicates this region is consistently homozygous for X. hellerii alleles in tumor bearing animals, and therefore defines this region to be the R(Diff) locus. The R(Diff) locus harbors 164 gene models and includes the previously characterized R(Diff) candidate, cdkn2x. Twenty‐one genes in the R(Diff) region show differential expression in the tumor samples compared to normal skin tissue. These results further characterize the R(Diff) locus and suggest tumor suppression may require a multigenic region rather than a single gene variant. Differences in gene expression between tumor and normal skin tissue in this region may indicate interactions among several genes are required for backcross hybrid melanoma development.