bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of backbone binders on rheological performance of ceramic injection molding feedstocks
Authors: Hausnerova Berenika , Kasparkova Vera , Hnatkova Eva
Published: June 2017

In a novel binder system, carnauba wax (CW), and acrawax (AW) (N,N′‐Ethylene Bis‐stearamide) were considered to replace the synthetic backbone polymers (polyolefins) in aluminum oxide (Al2O3) Ceramic Injection Molding feedstocks. For both proposed substitutes there is a significant reduction in viscosity in comparison to polyolefin based binder and also commercially available one, and in case of CW based feedstock also in processing temperature, which is essential for injection molding of reactive powders. For all ceramic feedstocks studied, there is a nonmonotonous dependence of viscosity on shear rate/stress, whose fitting requires eight‐parameter model. At the processing‐relevant shear conditions, polyolefin based feedstocks show dilatant cause, whereas both CW and AW compounds have a pseudoplastic manner. Thermal characterization was used to evaluate i(miscibility) of the neat binder components, their mixtures and mixtures with Al2O3. The presence of powder lowered melting temperatures of all tested binders except of polyolefin. Further depression in melting point of poly(ethylene glycol) is observed in combination with polyolefin in the presence of powder, and it is related to changes in size of the crystalline domains. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:739–745, 2017. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of core–shell acrylate rubber particles on the thermomechanical and physical properties of biocomposites from polylactic acid and olive solid waste
Authors: Khemakhem Marwa , Lamnawar Khalid , Maazouz Abderrahim , Jaziri Mohamed
Published: June 2017

Biocomposites from polylactic acid (PLA) and olive solid waste (OSW) were melt‐blended with core–shell acrylate rubber particles (ACR) in order to enhance the thermal stability upon melt processing and the mechanical performances of these biocomposites, thereby expanding their area of application. Dynamic mechanical analysis indicated that the ACR particles imparted more flexibility to the PLA/OSW biocomposites and thermal analysis showed that the incorporation of ACR significantly restrained the ability of the PLA chains to crystallize. The values of complex viscosity and storage modulus were significantly increased with the introduction of ACR. These results could be assigned to the entanglements between the PLA chains and those of the ACR shell, giving rise to a physical network that limited the segmental mobility of PLA and induced a high melt elasticity. Mechanical tests revealed that the elongation at break and the impact strength of the biocomposites were considerably improved. Moreover, morphological observations showed a clear adhesion enhancement between the PLA matrix and the OSW fillers in the presence of the ACR additive. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:894–902, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
In Situ polymerization of propylene with carbon nanoparticles. Effect of catalytic system and graphene type
Authors: Polschikov Sergei , Nedorezova Polina , Palaznik Olga , Klyamkina Alla , Shashkin Dmitry , Gorenberg Arkadiy , Krasheninnikov Vadim , Shevchenko Vitaliy , Arbuzov Artem
Published: June 2017

Two catalytic systems, metallocene‐based and Ti‐based were used to synthesize by in situ polymerization the composites of polypropylene and few‐layer graphene nanoparticles, prepared by chemical or thermal reduction of graphite oxide. The effect of metallocene and titanium catalytic systems on the properties of nanocomposites and distribution of nanoparticles in polymer matrix is investigated in detail. The data on electrical and thermal properties of nanocomposites are presented. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 58:1461–1470, 2018. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Diazaisoindigo bithiophene and terthiophene copolymers for application in field‐effect transistors and solar cells
Authors: Yue Wan , Li Cheng , Tian Xuelin , Li Weiwei , Neophytou Marios , Chen Hu , Du Weiyuan , Jellett Cameron , Chen Hung‐Yang , Onwubiko Ada , McCulloch Iain
Published: June 2017

Two donor–acceptor conjugated polymers with azaisoindigo as acceptor units and bithiophene and terthiophene as donor units have been synthesized by Stille polymerization. These two polymers have been successfully applied in field‐effect transistors and polymer solar cells. By changing the donor component of the conjugated polymer backbone from bithiophene to terthiophene, the density of thiophene in the backbone is increased, manifesting as a decrease in both ionization potential and in electron affinity. Therefore, the charge transport in field‐effect transistors switches from ambipolar to predominantly hole transport behavior. PAIIDTT exhibits hole mobility up to 0.40 cm2/Vs and electron mobility of 0.02 cm2/Vs, whereas PAIIDTTT exhibits hole mobility of 0.62 cm2/Vs. Polymer solar cells were fabricated based on these two polymers as donors with PC61BM and PC71BM as acceptor where PAIIDTT shows a modest efficiency of 2.57% with a very low energy loss of 0.55 eV, while PAIIDTTT shows a higher efficiency of 6.16% with a higher energy loss of 0.74 eV. Our results suggest that azaisoindgo is a useful building block for the development of efficient polymer solar cells with further improvement possibility by tuning the alternative units on the polymer backbone. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 2691–2699
Lethal effects of selected novel pesticides on immature stages of Trichogramma pretiosum (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae)
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ashraf , Ruberson John R
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

Trichogramma pretiosum Riley is an important egg parasitoid and biological control agent of caterpillar pests. We studied the acute toxicity of 20 pesticides (14 insecticides/miticides, three fungicides and three herbicides) exposed to recommended field rates. Egg, larval, and pupal stages of the parasitoid in their hosts were dipped in formulated solutions of the pesticides and evaluated 10 days later for percentage of host eggs with holes, number of parasitoids emerged per egg with holes, and stage‐specific mortality of immature as well as adult wasps within the host eggs.

RESULTS

Seven insecticides (buprofezin, chlorantraniliprole, spirotetramat, flonicamid, flubendiamide) and miticides (spiromesifen, cyflumetofen), one herbicide (nicosulfuron), and three fungicides (myclobutanil, pyraclostrobin, trifloxystrobin + tebuconazole) caused no significant mortality to immature stages or pre‐emergent adult parasitoids relative to controls. By contrast, seven insecticides/miticides (abamectin, acetamiprid, dinotefuran, fipronil, novaluron, spinetoram, tolfenpyrad) adversely affected immature and pre‐emergent adult T. pretiosum, with tolfenpyrad being particularly lethal. Two herbicides had moderate (glufosinate ammonium) to severe (s‐metolachlor) acute lethal effects on the immature parasitoids.

CONCLUSIONS

This study corroborates earlier findings with adult T. pretiosum. Over half of the pesticides – and all the fungicides – tested in the current study would appear to be compatible with the use of T. pretiosum in integrated pest management programs, with respect to acute parasitoid mortality. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Pharmacokinetics of Sulfadoxine and Pyrimethamine for Intermittent Preventive Treatment of Malaria During Pregnancy and After Delivery
Authors: de Kock M , Tarning J , Workman L , Nyunt MM , Adam I , Barnes KI , Denti P
Published: June 2017

Sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine is recommended for intermittent preventative treatment of malaria during pregnancy. Data from 98 women during pregnancy and 77 after delivery in four African countries were analyzed using nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling to characterize the effects of pregnancy, postpartum duration, and other covariates such as body weight and hematocrit on sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine pharmacokinetic properties. During pregnancy, clearance increased 3‐fold for sulfadoxine but decreased by 18% for pyrimethamine. Postpartum sulfadoxine clearance decreased gradually over 13 weeks. This finding, together with hematocrit‐based scaling of plasma to whole‐blood concentrations and allometric scaling of pharmacokinetics parameters with body weight, enabled site‐specific differences in the pharmacokinetic profiles to be reduced significantly but not eliminated. Further research is necessary to explain residual site‐specific differences and elucidate whether dose‐optimization, to address the 3‐fold increase in clearance of sulfadoxine in pregnant women, is necessary, viable, and safe with the current fixed dose combination of sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine.
Brief Report: External Beam Radiation Therapy for the Treatment of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Teratomas
Authors: Lee Andrew S. , Tang Chad , Hong Wan Xing , Park Sujin , Bazalova-Carter Magdalena , Nelson Geoff , Sanchez-Freire Veronica , Bakerman Isaac , Zhang Wendy , Neofytou Evgenios , Connolly Andrew J. , Chan Charles K. , Graves Edward E. , Weissman Irving L. , Nguyen Patricia K. , Wu Joseph C.
Published: June 2017

Human pluripotent stem cells, including human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and human induced PSCs (hiPSCs), have great potential as an unlimited donor source for cell-based therapeutics. The risk of teratoma formation from residual undifferentiated cells, however, remains a critical barrier to the clinical application of these cells. Herein, we describe external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) as an attractive option for the treatment of this iatrogenic growth. We present evidence that EBRT is effective in arresting growth of hESC-derived teratomas in vivo at day 28 post-implantation by using a microCT irradiator capable of targeted treatment in small animals. Within several days of irradiation, teratomas derived from injection of undifferentiated hESCs and hiPSCs demonstrated complete growth arrest lasting several months. In addition, EBRT reduced reseeding potential of teratoma cells during serial transplantation experiments, requiring irradiated teratomas to be seeded at 1 × 103 higher doses to form new teratomas. We demonstrate that irradiation induces teratoma cell apoptosis, senescence, and growth arrest, similar to established radiobiology mechanisms. Taken together, these results provide proof of concept for the use of EBRT in the treatment of existing teratomas and highlight a strategy to increase the safety of stem cell-based therapies.
Soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 and placental growth factor kinetics during and after pregnancy in women with suspected or confirmed pre‐eclampsia
Authors: Saleh L. , van den Meiracker A. H. , Geensen R. , Kaya A. , Roeters van Lennep J. E. , Duvekot J. J. , Verdonk K. , Steegers E. A. P. , Russcher H. , Danser A. H. J. , Visser W.
Published: June 2017

Objectives

To assess the evolution of the soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) ratio in women with suspected or confirmed pre‐eclampsia (PE), and to investigate the changes in sFlt‐1 and PlGF levels in pre‐eclamptic women after delivery.

Methods

This was an exploratory study in which secondary analysis was performed on a prospective cohort study that enrolled women with a singleton pregnancy and suspected or confirmed PE from 18 weeks' gestation, carried out between December 2013 and April 2016 at the Department of Obstetrics of the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam. sFlt‐1 and PlGF were determined using Roche Diagnostics Elecsys assays in two groups of patients. In the first group, patients with suspected or confirmed PE had sFlt‐1 and PlGF levels measured at least twice during their pregnancy. Changes in these biomarkers over the course of pregnancy were compared for patients in this group with a baseline sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio of ≤ 38 and for those with a ratio > 38. In the second group, sFlt‐1 and PlGF levels of women with PE or HELLP syndrome were measured before and after delivery. For this group, pre‐ and postpartum sFlt‐1 and PlGF levels were compared and half‐lives were calculated.

Results

Women with suspected or confirmed PE for whom sFlt‐1 and PlGF levels were measured at least twice during pregnancy (n = 46) had a median gestational age at inclusion of 26 weeks (range, 18–40 weeks). In 27 of the 30 patients with sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio ≤ 38 at baseline, thereby ruling out PE, the sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio remained stable for up to 100 days. In the remaining three patients with a ratio ≤ 38 and in most of the 16 patients with a ratio > 38, the ratio increased further. For women diagnosed with PE or HELLP syndrome for whom sFlt‐1 and PlGF levels were measured before and after delivery (n = 26), median gestational age at inclusion was 29 weeks (range, 16–37 weeks) and median time between antepartum measurement and delivery was 2 days (range, 1–17 days). In this group, after delivery, sFlt‐1 dropped to < 1% of its pre‐delivery value, with a half‐life of 1.4 ± 0.3 days, while PlGF dropped to ∼30% of its pre‐delivery value, with a half‐life of 3.7 ± 4.3 days.

Conclusions

Based on this small cohort, up to 10% of pregnant women admitted with suspected or confirmed PE presenting with a sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio of ≤ 38 display a rise in sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio in subsequent weeks, implying that repeat determination of the sFlt‐1/PlGF ratio is required to exclude definitively a diagnosis of PE. Furthermore, the rapid and pronounced decline in sFlt‐1 levels after delivery in patients with PE/HELLP syndrome suggests that sFlt‐1, in contrast to PlGF, is almost entirely derived from the placenta. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Adjusting for body mass change in white‐tailed deer during hunting season
Authors: Strickland Bronson K. , Jones Phillip D. , Demarais Stephen , Dacus Chad M.
Published: June 2017

Age‐specific body mass is a variable of interest to managers and hunters of white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Long hunting seasons across much of the southern United States include most of the period of active rut, when individual body mass fluctuates over time. Adjusting body mass for harvest date would improve accuracy of age‐specific mass estimates and enable managers to make valid comparisons among years with different harvest patterns. We used 17 years (1991–2007) of harvest records from the Delta, Thin Loess, and Lower Coastal Plain (LCP) soil regions of Mississippi, USA, to develop age‐ and region‐specific models of average daily mass at harvest for male and female deer over a 121‐day hunting season. Models of female mass peaked in early winter near median population conception date. Among females, yearling mass exhibited the most marked fluctuations, with a projected increase of 7.3% from the start of hunting season to its seasonal peak. Modeled mass of harvested males fluctuated more strongly, peaking well before median conception date and decreasing an average of 13.8% from seasonal peak to the end of hunting season. Harvest mass of prime‐aged (5.5–7.5 years old) males began decreasing earliest in all regions, reflecting earlier participation in rut, and mass of older males always peaked earlier than younger males in the Delta and Thin Loess. In the LCP, projected peak male body mass did not correlate with age class and spacing between dates of peak mass was greatly truncated relative to other regions. Different patterns of mass change between the LCP and other regions may be explained by later breeding, greater overlap of rut‐related and seasonal hypophagy, and lower nutritional plane. Models to correct body mass for harvest date should be specific to sex and age class and distinguish among adjacent populations with different mating season phenology. © 2017 The Wildlife Society.
Suksdorfin Promotes Adipocyte Differentiation and Improves Abnormalities in Glucose Metabolism via PPARγ Activation
Authors: Iwase Mari , Yamamoto Takayuki , Nishimura Kanako , Takahashi Haruya , Mohri Shinsuke , Li Yongjia , Jheng Huei‐Fen , Nomura Wataru , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Kim Chu‐Sook , Yu Rina , Taniguchi Masahiko , Baba Kimiye , Murakami Shigeru , Kawada Teruo , Goto Tsuyoshi
Published: June 2017

Although the Apiaceae herb family has been traditionally used for the management of type 2 diabetes, its molecular mechanism has not been clarified. Coumarin derivatives, which are abundant in plants of the Apiaceae family, were evaluated for their effects on adipogenesis. We found that suksdorfin significantly promoted adipocyte differentiation and enhanced production of adiponectin, an anti‐diabetic adipokine. We also demonstrated that suksdorfin activates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a master regulator of adipogenesis. Furthermore, we showed metabolic disorders in obese diabetic KK‐Ay mice were attenuated by suksdorfin feeding. Suksdorfin intake induced adipocyte miniaturization and increased expression levels of PPARγ target genes related to adipocyte differentiation. These results indicated that suksdorfin induces adipogenesis in white adipose tissue (WAT) via the activation of PPARγ, leading to improvement of obesity‐induced metabolic disorders. Therefore, suksdorfin‐mediated amelioration of WAT dysfunctions might be responsible for the anti‐diabetic effects of traditional herbal medicine therapy with Apiaceae.
Aqueous Surfactant‐Based Extraction of Cottonseed Collets from an Industrial Oilseed Processing Facility
Authors: Petts Alexander J. , Hou Lili , Sabatini David A. , Kibbey Tohren C. G.
Published: June 2017

While cotton is largely produced for its fibers, the seed and hull byproducts are essential for agricultural economies around the world for their high oil content and wide range of uses. Cottonseed oil is often extracted by solvent extraction, a process that is of increasing concern due to its potential to impact human and ecological health. For this reason, environmentally‐benign extraction methods are increasingly being explored. The focus of this work is on aqueous surfactant‐based extraction of cottonseed collets taken directly from a conventional solvent‐based extraction facility. A propoxylated–ethoxylated extended anionic surfactant was tested for its ability to extract cottonseed oil. Results found that moderate (77%) extraction yields could be achieved by the surfactant given adequate surfactant concentration (0.5% in this case). However, unlike previous work with other oilseeds, the best extractions were achieved at moderate interfacial tensions (0.2–3.0 mN/m); surfactant formulations capable of producing ultralow interfacial tensions led to much lower extraction yields, as did water‐only extraction. Similar behavior was also observed for two different conventional surfactants, with decreasing interfacial tension values below 0.1 mN/m leading to decreasing yields for all surfactants tested.
Psychiatric outcomes associated with chronic illness in adolescence: A systematic review
Authors: Brady Ann Marie , Deighton Jessica , Stansfeld Stephen
Published: June 2017

Recent years have seen an increased focus on the high rates of psychiatric comorbidities in adults with chronic illness. This systematic review explored whether chronic illness in adolescents was similarly associated with poor psychiatric outcomes. The literature search identified 129 articles, only 5 of which were indicated to be at a low risk of methodological bias. Four of these articles found a strong relationship between asthma in adolescence and an increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depressive disorders, while the remaining article, which focused on diabetes mellitus, indicated similarly increased rates of psychiatric illness. Trends among the remaining studies suggested that many illnesses were not associated with poor adolescent mental health. Please note that chronic conditions with a neurological aetiology were excluded from the main review due to indications of qualitative differences in comorbidities. Findings highlight that the well‐being of adolescents with chronic illness warrants a specific research focus.
Amyloid β–associated cognitive decline in the absence of clinical disease progression and systemic illness
Authors: Harrington Karra D. , Lim Yen Ying , Ames David , Hassenstab Jason , Laws Simon M. , Martins Ralph N. , Rainey‐Smith Stephanie , Robertson Joanne , Rowe Christopher C. , Salvado Olivier , Doré Vincent , Villemagne Victor L. , Snyder Peter J. , Masters Colin L. , Maruff Paul ,   AIBL Research Group
Published: June 2017

Introduction

High levels of amyloid β (Aβ) are associated with cognitive decline in cognitively normal (CN) older adults. This study investigated the nature of cognitive decline in healthy individuals who did not progress to mild cognitive impairment or dementia.

Method

Cognition was measured over 72 months and compared between low (Aβ−) and high (Aβ+) CN older adults (n = 335) who did not progress to mild cognitive impairment or dementia and who remained free of severe or uncontrolled systemic illness.

Results

Compared to the Aβ− group, the Aβ+ group showed no cognitive impairment at baseline but showed substantial decline in verbal learning, episodic memory, and attention over 72 months.

Discussion

Moderate cognitive decline, particularly for learning and memory, was associated with Aβ+ in CN older adults in the absence of clinical disease progression and uncontrolled or serious comorbid illness.
Mobile Shopping through Applications: Understanding Application Possession and Mobile Purchase
Authors: Kim Mingyung , Kim Jeeyeon , Choi Jeonghye , Trivedi Minakshi
Published: June 2017

Smartphones have penetrated rapidly and mobile shopping provides promising market opportunities for retailers. However, little is known about mobile shopping patterns and inferring these patterns from online shopping may provide misleading insights. We combine mobile log data and a mobile panel survey, and examine two stages in mobile shopping: the possession of shopping applications (hereafter, apps) and the purchase via shopping apps. Our exploratory investigation of mobile data and its empirical analyses provide three substantive findings. First, online experience and mobile experience both positively relate to the possession of shopping apps. Second, browsing behavior for non-shopping apps helps understand the possession of shopping apps as it reflects user preferences for acquiring more apps. Third, purchasing decisions are explained by digital experience (i.e., online experience and mobile experience) and browsing information from shopping apps, with other factors being of little predictive value. The implications for mobile retailing research and practice are discussed.
Cephalad Lead Migration During a Spinal Cord Stimulation Trial: A Case Presentation
Authors: Agubuzu Ogoegbunam , Beckworth William J.
Published: June 2017

Spinal cord stimulation is used in the treatment of a variety of pain conditions. Lead migration is among the most common complications associated with spinal cord stimulation. Although there have been reports of caudal lead migration, there have been no reports of significant cephalad lead migration during a spinal cord stimulation trial. Here we report what is potentially the first case of significant cephalad lead migration (from the initial T8 position to C2) during a spinal cord stimulation trial. This case demonstrates that significant lead migration is possible, and this case highlights the importance of adequately securing leads during a trial.

Level of Evidence

V
Functional disability and depression symptoms in a paediatric persistent pain sample
Authors: Broadbent Jaclyn , Bertino Melanie D. , Brooke Leah , Fuller-Tyszkiewicz Matthew , Chalkiadis George
Published: June 2017

Background and Aims

Clinicians treating paediatric chronic pain conditions understand that persistent pain, functional ability, and symptoms of depression often co-exist, yet these relationships have only been described to a limited extent by research. This paper more closely examines the relationship between symptoms of depression and subtypes of functional disability.

Methods

Participants included a clinical sample of children and adolescents (N = 239) referred to a paediatric multidisciplinary pain clinic for treatment of persistent or recurrent (chronic) pain in Australia. The majority of participants were female, (76.6%), and were aged 7–17 years (mean age at the time of presentation was 13.8 years). Data from standardized instruments and interview data were collected from a clinical file audit. The Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) was used as a measure of functional difficulties performing activities of daily living, and the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) was used to measure depressive symptoms.

Results

High rates of depression and functional disability were observed, but were not associated with one another beyond relatively weak associations. Contrary to prior studies using different measures of physical functioning, depression symptoms were not associated with PODCI functional disability beyond a minor association with anhedonia symptoms (primarily driven by the pain/comfort subscale of the PODCI).

Conclusions and Implications

We argue that prior research has measured physical functional limitations in paediatric pain sufferers in a way that is heavily influenced by psychosocial factors, in particular by the symptoms of clinical depression. In contrast, using a measure of physical functioning (PODCI) less influenced by psychosocial factors suggests that the relationship between physical functioning during activities of daily living (e.g., use of upper limbs, basic gross and fine motor skills, basic mobility) and depression is weaker, despite both being heightened in this sample. Unlike other functional disability measures, the Pediatric Outcomes Data Collection Instrument (PODCI) may allow researchers to assess functional limitations somewhat independently of depression symptoms. This conclusion requires replication in further studies, but if confirmed, then the PODCI could be advocated as a useful measure to obtain a more ‘pure’ measure of functional difficulties due to pain, relatively independent of depression.
Animal, Microbial, and Fungal Borne Skin Pathology in the Mountain Wilderness: A Review
Authors: Brandenburg William E. , Levandowski William , Califf Tom , Manly Cory , Levandowski Cecilia Blair
Published: June 2017

Mountains are home to numerous organisms known to cause skin disease. Bites, stings, poisons, chemicals, toxins, trauma, and infections all contribute to this end. Numerous plants, animals, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and protozoa are responsible. This paper aims to review skin illness and injury sustained from organisms in the mountains of North America. Other factors such as increased ultraviolet radiation, temperature extremes, and decreasing atmospheric pressure along with human physiologic parameters, which contribute to disease severity, will also be discussed. After reading this review, one should feel more comfortable identifying potentially harmful organisms, as well as diagnosing, treating, and preventing organism-inflicted skin pathology sustained in the high country.
Application of drug‐induced sleep endoscopy in patients treated with upper airway stimulation therapy
Authors: Ong Adrian A. , Ayers Christopher M. , Kezirian Eric J. , Tucker Woodson B. , de Vries Nico , Nguyen Shaun A. , Boyd Gillespie M.
Published: June 2017

Objective

To determine the level of agreement among experienced operators of candidacy for upper airway stimulation (UAS) based on evaluation of drug‐induced sleep endoscopy (DISE).

Methods

The trial was designed as a single‐blinded cross‐sectional study. Four otolaryngologists with extensive DISE experience were given 63 video clips from the STAR trial video library. These videos were graded using the VOTE classification. Percentage agreement and Cohen's κ (for inter‐rater reliability) were calculated between pairs of reviewers, assessing palatal complete concentric collapse (CCC) and determining UAS eligibility. Subjects were also grouped based on collapse severity for each reviewer.

Results

The reviewers had excellent (approximately 90%) agreement on findings at the level of the soft palate and tongue base. The inter‐rater reliability for palatal CCC ranged from moderate to substantial. The agreement on determining the criteria for UAS implantation ranged from poor to moderate. All 4 upper airway structures as classified by the criteria of the VOTE were graded by all the reviewers as contributing to obstruction in a majority of subjects who were performed via application of DISE.

Conclusion

Application of DISE remains a subjective examination, even among those experienced operators, therefore more studies need to be performed for evaluation of improvement in inter‐rater reliability after implantation of training videos.
Infectious disease research and the gender gap
Authors: Sommerfeld J. , Manderson L. , Ramirez B. , Guth J. A. , Reeder J. C.
Published: June 2017

Historically, women have been less likely to be supported through higher degree training programmes, and they continue to hold more junior positions in science. This paper reviews the current gender research and gender capacity-building efforts led by the UNICEF/UNDP/World Bank/WHO Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR). Created more than 40 years ago as the only United Nations-based Special Programme dedicated to research and research capacity building on infectious diseases, TDR has a longstanding track record both in supporting research into gender-specific questions and in research capacity strengthening among women scientists. We provide an overview of these approaches, then describe a recent pilot programme on Women in Science, designed to understand and remedy the gender gaps in health research. The programme focused on Africa, but it is hoped that the replication of such schemes in TDR and other international funding agencies will lead to more attention being given to women in infectious diseases research in other continents.

This article may not be reprinted or reused in any way in order to promote any commercial products or services.
Blunt laryngeal trauma secondary to sporting injuries
Authors: Mendis D , Anderson J A
Published: June 2017

Background:

Laryngeal injury after blunt trauma is uncommon, but can cause catastrophic airway obstruction and significant morbidity in voice and airway function. This paper aims to discuss a case series of sports-related blunt laryngeal trauma patients and describe the results of a thorough literature review.

Method:

Retrospective case-based analysis of laryngeal trauma referrals over six years to a tertiary laryngology centre.

Results:

Twenty-eight patients were identified; 13 (46 per cent) sustained sports-related trauma. Most were young males, presenting with dysphonia, some with airway compromise (62 per cent). Nine patients were diagnosed with a laryngeal fracture. Four patients were managed conservatively and nine underwent surgery. Post-treatment, the majority of patients achieved good voice outcomes (83 per cent) and all had normal airway function.

Conclusion:

Sports-related neck trauma can cause significant injury to the laryngeal framework and endolaryngeal soft tissues, and most cases require surgical intervention. Clinical presentation may be subtle; a systematic approach along with a high index of suspicion is essential, as early diagnosis and treatment have been reported to improve airway and voice outcome.
Legitimate Authority and the Ethics of War: A Map of the Terrain
Authors: Parry Jonathan
Published: June 2017

Despite a recent explosion of interest in the ethics of armed conflict, the traditional just war criterion that war be waged by a “legitimate authority” has received relatively little attention. Moreover, of those theorists who have addressed the criterion, many are deeply skeptical about its moral significance. This article aims to add some clarity and precision to the authority criterion and the debates surrounding it, and to suggest that this skepticism may be too quick. The first section analyzes the authority criterion and reveals that there are at least two distinct moral claims associated with it, each requiring separate evaluation. The second section outlines an increasingly influential “reductivist” approach to just war theory, explaining how this approach grounds powerful objections to the authority criterion. The third section sketches the most promising strategies for providing a qualified defense of authority, while acknowledging the further questions and complications these strategies raise. Importantly, the article aims to rehabilitate the authority criterion from within a broadly reductivist view.
A Brief Cognitive Behavioural Intervention for Maladaptive Perfectionism in Students: A Pilot Study
Authors: Arana Fernán G. , Miracco Mariana C. , Galarregui Marina S. , Keegan Eduardo G.
Published: June 2017

Background:Researchers focused on developing therapeutic strategies for perfectionism given its well-established link to the onset and maintenance of several mental disorders. Meta-analytical findings provided support for the efficacy of cognitive behavioural (CB) approaches. However, most studies have focused on the efficacy of interventions, without analysing their efficiency.Aims:To explore the feasibility of a brief (five weekly sessions) CB group intervention focused on reducing perfectionistic concerns in Argentine students. We also aimed to identify participants who benefited from the intervention and to explore their differences with non-respondents. A third aim was to explore the potential merits of the intervention in a different cultural context as this is the first attempt to adapt an English-spoken protocol to the Spanish language.Method:A quasi-experimental design with two time points was used. Twenty-four out of 84 participants (mean age = 27.75 years,SD= 8.3) were classified as maladaptive perfectionists.Results:Pairedt-tests and reliable change index comparisons revealed that most students (75%) statistically and clinically reduced their levels of perfectionistic concerns as well as their perfectionistic strivings. General distress, operationalized as anxious and depressive symptoms, was also decreased. Students who completed and responded to the intervention were more dysfunctional in academic and psychological measures at baseline than non-completers and non-improvers.Conclusions:Findings support the feasibility, preliminary efficacy and efficiency of this five weekly session intervention when applied to a sample of Argentine university students.
Effects of early home language environment II: Speech comprehension and cognitive functions
Authors: TAO LILY , CAI QING
Published: June 2017

People who were mostly exposed to English with an accent in the early home environment are more native-like when performing various English tasks, compared to those who were mostly exposed to their non-English heritage language (Tao & Taft, 2016). The present study extends from the work of Tao and Taft (2016), further exploring the effects of early home language environment on linguistic and cognitive outcomes later in life. Three groups of young adult participants who differed in their early home language environment were examined on speech comprehension and executive function tasks. Results showed that people who were exposed mostly to non-English heritage languages have disadvantages relative to native monolingual speakers in the comprehension of certain types of stimuli, but show advantages in their executive functioning. Those exposed mostly to nonstandard English showed a less robust advantage in executive functions over native speakers, and showed no apparent disadvantage in speech comprehension.
Pumping approximately integrable systems
Authors: Lange Florian , Lenarčič Zala , Rosch Achim
Published: June 2017

Weak perturbations can drive an interacting many-particle system far from its initial equilibrium state if one is able to pump into degrees of freedom approximately protected by conservation laws. This concept has for example been used to realize Bose–Einstein condensates of photons, magnons and excitons. Integrable quantum systems, like the one-dimensional Heisenberg model, are characterized by an infinite set of conservation laws. Here, we develop a theory of weakly driven integrable systems and show that pumping can induce large spin or heat currents even in the presence of integrability breaking perturbations, since it activates local and quasi-local approximate conserved quantities. The resulting steady state is qualitatively captured by a truncated generalized Gibbs ensemble with Lagrange parameters that depend on the structure but not on the overall amplitude of perturbations nor the initial state. We suggest to use spin-chain materials driven by terahertz radiation to realize integrability-based spin and heat pumps.
Discovery and identification of O, O-diethyl O-(4-(5-phenyl-4, 5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl) phenyl) phosphorothioate (XP-1408) as a novel mode of action of organophosphorus insecticides
Authors: Zeng Zhigang , Yan Ying , Wang Bingfeng , Liu Niu , Xu Hanhong
Published: June 2017

Organophosphorus (OP) insecticides play an important role in pest control. Many OP insecticides have been removed from the market because of their high toxicity to humans. We designed and synthesized a new OP insecticide with the goal of providing a low cost, and less toxic insecticide. The mode of action of O, O-diethyl O-(4-(5-phenyl-4, 5-dihydroisoxazol-3-yl) phenyl) phosphorothioate (XP-1408) was studied in Drosophila melanogaster. Bioassays showed that XP-1408 at a concentration of 50 mg/L delayed larval development. Molecular docking into Drosophila acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and voltage-gated sodium channels suggested that XP-1408 fitted into their active sites and could be inhibitory. Whole-cell patch clamp recordings indicated that XP-1408 exhibited synergistic effects involving the inhibition of cholinergic synaptic transmission and blockage of voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels and sodium (Nav) channels. In conclusion, the multiple actions of XP-1408 rendered it as a lead compound for formulating OP insecticides with a novel mode of action.
Bacterial Diversity of Intestinal Microbiota in Patients with Substance Use Disorders Revealed by 16S rRNA Gene Deep Sequencing
Authors: Xu Yu , Xie Zhenrong , Wang Huawei , Shen Zongwen , Guo Youbing , Gao Yunhong , Chen Xin , Wu Qiang , Li Xuejun , Wang Kunhua
Published: June 2017

Substance abuse and addiction are worldwide concerns. In China, populated with over 1.3 billion people, emerging studies show a steady increase in substance abuse and substance-related problems. Some of the major challenges include a lack of an effective evaluation platform to determine the health status of substance-addicted subjects. It is known that the intestinal microbiota is associated to the occurrence and development of human diseases. However, the changes of bacterial diversity of intestinal microbiota in substance-addicted subjects have not been clearly characterized. Herein, we examined the composition and diversity of intestinal microbiota in 45 patients with substance use disorders (SUDs) and in 48 healthy controls (HCs). The results show that the observed species diversity index and the abundance of Thauera, Paracoccus, and Prevotella are significantly higher in SUDs compared to HCs. The functional diversity of the putative metagenomes analysis reveals that pathways including translation, DNA replication and repair, and cell growth and death are over-represented while cellular processes and signaling, and metabolism are under-represented in SUDs. Overall, the analyses show that there seem to be changes in the microbiota that are associated with substance use across an array of SUDs, providing fundamental knowledge for future research in substance-addiction assessment tests.
Prehistoric cooking versus accurate palaeotemperature records in shell midden constituents
Authors: Müller Peter , Staudigel Philip T. , Murray Sean T. , Vernet Robert , Barusseau Jean-Paul , Westphal Hildegard , Swart Peter K.
Published: June 2017

The reconstruction of pre-depositional cooking treatments used by prehistoric coastal populations for processing aquatic faunal resources is often difficult in archaeological shell midden assemblages. Besides limiting our knowledge of various social, cultural, economic and technological aspects of shell midden formation, unknown pre-depositional cooking techniques can also introduce large errors in palaeoclimate reconstructions as they can considerably alter the geochemical proxy signatures in calcareous skeletal structures such as bivalve shells or fish otoliths. Based on experimental and archaeological data, we show that carbonate clumped-isotope thermometry can be used to detect and reconstruct prehistoric processing methods in skeletal aragonite from archaeological shell midden assemblages. Given the temperature-dependent re-equilibration of clumped isotopes in aragonitic carbonates, this allows specific processing, cooking or trash dispersal strategies such as boiling, roasting, or burning to be differentiated. Besides permitting the detailed reconstruction of cultural or technological aspects of shell midden formation, this also allows erroneous palaeoclimate reconstructions to be avoided as all aragonitic shells subjected to pre-historic cooking methods show a clear alteration of their initial oxygen isotopic composition.
Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Poly-ADP-ribose Polymerase from Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: Haikarainen Teemu , Schlesinger Mariana , Obaji Ezeogo , Fernández Villamil Silvia H. , Lehtiö Lari
Published: June 2017

Trypanosoma brucei is a unicellular parasite responsible for African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness. It contains a single PARP enzyme opposed to many higher eukaryotes, which have numerous PARPs. PARPs are responsible for a post-translational modification, ADP-ribosylation, regulating a multitude of cellular events. T. brucei PARP, like human PARPs-1-3, is activated by DNA binding and it potentially functions in DNA repair processes. Here we characterized activation requirements, structure and subcellular localization of T. brucei PARP. T. brucei PARP was found to be selectively activated by 5′ phosphorylated and 3′ phosphorylated DNA breaks. Importantly, the N-terminal region is responsible for high-affinity DNA-binding and required for DNA-dependent enzymatic activation. This module is also required for nuclear localization of the protein in response to oxidative stress. Solution structures of activating and non-activating PARP-DNA complexes were determined with small-angle X-ray scattering revealing distinct differences in their DNA-binding modes.
Targeting glioma stem cells in vivo by a G-quadruplex-stabilizing synthetic macrocyclic hexaoxazole
Authors: Nakamura Takahiro , Okabe Sachiko , Yoshida Haruka , Iida Keisuke , Ma Yue , Sasaki Shogo , Yamori Takao , Shin-ya Kazuo , Nakano Ichiro , Nagasawa Kazuo , Seimiya Hiroyuki
Published: June 2017

G-quadruplex (G4) is a higher-order nucleic acid structure that is formed by guanine-rich sequences. G4 stabilization by small-molecule compounds called G4 ligands often causes cytotoxicity, although the potential medicinal impact of this effect has not been fully established. Here we demonstrate that a synthetic G4 ligand, Y2H2-6M(4)-oxazole telomestatin derivative (6OTD), limits the growth of intractable glioblastoma (grade IV glioma) and glioma stem cells (GSCs). Experiments involving a human cancer cell line panel and mouse xenografts revealed that 6OTD exhibits antitumor activity against glioblastoma. 6OTD inhibited the growth of GSCs more potently than it did the growth of differentiated non-stem glioma cells (NSGCs). 6OTD caused DNA damage, G1 cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in GSCs but not in NSGCs. These DNA damage foci tended to colocalize with telomeres, which contain repetitive G4-forming sequences. Compared with temozolomide, a clinical DNA-alkylating agent against glioma, 6OTD required lower concentrations to exert anti-cancer effects and preferentially affected GSCs and telomeres. 6OTD suppressed the intracranial growth of GSC-derived tumors in a mouse xenograft model. These observations indicate that 6OTD targets GSCs through G4 stabilization and promotion of DNA damage responses. Therefore, G4s are promising therapeutic targets for glioblastoma.
LEA29Y expression in transgenic neonatal porcine islet-like cluster promotes long-lasting xenograft survival in humanized mice without immunosuppressive therapy
Authors: Buerck L. Wolf-van , Schuster M. , Oduncu F. S. , Baehr A. , Mayr T. , Guethoff S. , Abicht J. , Reichart B. , Klymiuk N. , Wolf E. , Seissler J.
Published: June 2017

Genetically engineered pigs are a promising source for islet cell transplantation in type 1 diabetes, but the strong human anti-pig immune response prevents its successful clinical application. Here we studied the efficacy of neonatal porcine islet-like cell clusters (NPICCs) overexpressing LEA29Y, a high-affinity variant of the T cell co-stimulation inhibitor CTLA-4Ig, to engraft and restore normoglycemia after transplantation into streptozotocin-diabetic NOD-SCID IL2rγ−/− (NSG) mice stably reconstituted with a human immune system. Transplantation of INSLEA29Y expressing NPICCs resulted in development of normal glucose tolerance (70.4%) and long-term maintenance of normoglycemia without administration of immunosuppressive drugs. All animals transplanted with wild-type NPICCs remained diabetic. Immunohistological examinations revealed a strong peri- and intragraft infiltration of wild-type NPICCs with human CD45+ immune cells consisting of predominantly CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes and some CD68+ macrophages and FoxP3+ regulatory T cells. Significantly less infiltrating lymphocytes and only few macrophages were observed in animals transplanted with INSLEA29Y transgenic NPICCs. This is the first study providing evidence that beta cell-specific LEA29Y expression is effective for NPICC engraftment in the presence of a humanized immune system and it has a long-lasting protective effect on inhibition of human anti-pig xenoimmunity. Our findings may have important implications for the development of a low-toxic protocol for porcine islet transplantation in patients with type 1 diabetes.
3D cellular invasion platforms: how do paper-based cultures stack up?
Authors: Kenney Rachael M. , Lloyd C. Chad , Whitman Nathan A. , Lockett Matthew R.
Published: June 2017

This feature compares the merits of different 3D invasion assays. We highlight paper-based cultures as an emerging platform that is readily accessible, modular in design, and capable of quantifying invasion in tissue-like structures.
Scalable and practical synthesis of clickable Cu-chelating azides
Authors: Sallustrau A. , Bregant S. , Chollet C. , Audisio D. , Taran F.
Published: June 2017

A convenient synthetic access to chelating azides enabled the preparation of efficient clickable fluorescent derivatives. The comparison of their reactivity to regular azides showcased the superiority of such derivatives for labeling applications.
Incorporation of native antibodies and Fc-fusion proteins on DNA nanostructures via a modular conjugation strategy
Authors: Rosier Bas J. H. M. , Cremers Glenn A. O. , Engelen Wouter , Merkx Maarten , Brunsveld Luc , de Greef Tom F. A.
Published: June 2017

A photocrosslinkable protein G adapter was used to site-specifically conjugate complex native proteins to oligonucleotides, allowing for efficient incorporation on DNA origami nanostructures.
Exfoliation of a two-dimensional cationic inorganic network as a new paradigm for high-capacity CrVI-anion capture
Authors: Yang Huimin , Fei Honghan
Published: June 2017

This work represents the selective capture of the aqueous CrVI-anions in record capacityviathein situexfoliation of a rare cationic copper hydroxide material.
On the mechanism of mechanochemical molecular encapsulation in peptidic capsules
Authors: Szymański M. P. , Jędrzejewska H. , Wierzbicki M. , Szumna A.
Published: June 2017

Molecular encapsulation of C60 inside a hydrogen-bond-sealed semi-flexible peptidic capsule is hindered in solution, yet it proceeds effectively after mechanical milling of a solid sample.