bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Between Necessity and Delight - Negotiating Involved Fatherhood among Career Couples in Denmark.
Authors: Bach Anna Sofie
Published: August 2018

Fathering practices are changing. Many fathers are no longer simply providers but are also active caregivers. While women’s entry into the labour market spurred a need for men to engage with the ‘second shift’, research has showed that men’s engagement with childcare does not necessarily imply an equal division of labour. By examining the construction of father’s identity in a context where traditional scripts for ‘doing family’ cannot (easily) be applied, this article discusses how necessity affects practices of involved fathering and the sharing of responsibilities. Based on qualitative interviews with 22 Danish men who are in relationships with so-called career women, the article argues that among this group of men, who in many ways appear as frontrunners of egalitarian family practices, fathers’ involvement is not only negotiated as a an emotional investment but also from a need to ‘make it work’. These fathers’ close relationships with their children and their parental independency is as much the result of the career orientation of the mothers as an expression of their having embraced the (Nordic) ideal of gender-neutral, symmetrical parenthood. Finally, in showing how intensive involvement and care-giving change men’s experience of fatherhood, the article contributes to the ongoing academic enquiry into what it means to be an involved father.
The Joy of Food Play – Gender and Class in Men’s auto/biographical Accounts of Everyday Food-ways
Authors: Parsons Julie M.
Published: August 2018

The Joy of Food Play – Gender and Class in Men’s auto/biographical Accounts of Everyday Food-ways: This article is informed by research that set out to investigate the relationship between individuals and their everyday food-ways using an auto/biographical research approach. The focus of this articlecentres on the notion of food ‘play’ rather than food ‘work’ as significant in the performance of a gendered cultural habitus, whereby men distanced themselves from notions of feminised domesticity and health discourses by resorting to both hegemonic masculinities and epicurean foodways. Despite a contemporary trend that emphasises fluidities across gender boundaries and shifting roles, the 75 respondents in the study that informs this article presented their food autobiographies as a type of transformation narrative heavily influenced by the continued intersectionalities of gender and class. Indeed, for the male respondents in this UK based study, a commitment to epicurean food-ways becomes a field for the performance of hegemonic masculinities with the gourmet food adventurer emerging from this culinary field coded elite and male. This raises questions with regards to cultural influences on everyday food-ways, as well as notions of what it means to be a gourmet, epicure, or food adventurer within a contemporary foodscape.
Teaching about Food, Sex and Gender in the Classroom
Authors: Wilk Richard
Published: August 2018

Teaching about Food, Sex and Gender in the Classroom: In this essay Richard Wilk shares his experience with teaching a course on food, sexuality and gender and the challenges it proved to provide during the semester: not only was finding literatureand putting the syllabus together demanding tasks, there was also a series of rather uncomfortable, affective moments in the class during the semester. Wilk presents perspectives on teaching the theme of food, sexuality and gender and highlights the importance of current discussions about gender and sexuality in contemporary food studies.
Dette nummers samlede anmeldelser
Authors: Madsen Diana Højlund , Bülow Morten Hillgaard
Published: August 2018

I dette nummer anmeldes følgende: "Women's Role in the Slave Trade" (Pernille Ipsen) anmeldt af Diana Højlund Madsen. "Meeting Barad Halfway - Hasse's Book on Learning is not Without Friction" anmeldt af Morten Hillgaard Büllow.Herudover: Information om Ph.D.-afhandling af Marietta Radomska: "Uncontain-able Life: A Biophilosophy of Bivart"
Dette nummers samlede anmeldelser + Ph.D.-omtaler
Authors: Brade Lovise Haj , Breengaard Michala Hvidt , Thomsen Bodil Marie Stavning , Povlsen Karen Klitgaard , Lehn-Cristiansen Sine
Published: August 2018

I dette nummer anmeldes følgende: "Klasse - en introduktion" (Gitte Sommer Harrits) anmeldt af: Lovise Haj Brade. "The Social Meaning of Children and Fertility Change in Europe" (Anne Lise Ellingsæter, An-Margitt Jensen og Merete Lie (red.)) anmeldt af: Michala Hvidt Breengaard. "Wie Lili zy einem rightigen Mädchen wurde" (Sabine Meyer) anmeldt af: Bodil Marie Stavning Thomsen). "Mediers känsla för kön. Feministisk medieforskning" (Anja Hirdman og Madeleine Kleberg (red.)) anmeldt af: Karen Klitgaard Povlsen. "Kvinde kend din krop - En håndbog" (A.B Elsberg, C.Aa. Due, C.L. Dideriksen, C.D. Alexandersen, M.L. Melgaard og S.H. Inanloo (red.)) anmeldt af: Sine Lehn-Christiansen. Pd.D.-omtale: Magdalena Górska: "Breathing Matters: Feminist Intersectional Politics of Vulnerability" samt Anna Sofie Bach: "Morgendagens mænd. En sociologisk analyse af nye familiepraksisser og maskuline transformationer i samlivet med en karrierekvinde".
Dette nummers samlede anmeldelser
Authors: Christensen Ann Dorte , Holen Mari , Lehn-Christiansen Sine , Friis Elisabeth , Wegener Nina , Sjørup Karen , Gade Rune , Vittrup Bonnie
Published: August 2018

Jeff Hearn: "Men of the World, Genders, Globalizations,Transnational Times" og James W. Messerschmidt: "Masculinities in the Making. From the Local to the Global." Anmeldt af Ann-Dorte ChristensenSvend Aage Madsen: "Mænds sundhed og sygdomme". Anmeldt af: Mari Holen og Sine Lehn-Christiansen. Judith Butler: "Senses of the Subject". Anmeldt af: Elisabeth Friis,Liv Strömquist: "Kundskabens frugt". Anmeldt af: Nina WegenerSigne Arnfred, Litten Hansen og Anne Houe (red.): "Kvinder: bladet Kvinder". Anmeldt af: Karen SjørupSigne Arnfred, Litten Hansen og Anne Houe (red.): "Kvinder: bladet Kvinder 1975-1984". Anmeldt af: Rune GadeHarriet Bjerrum Nielsen (red.): "Forskjeller i klassen – nye perspektiver på kjønn, klasse og etnisitet i skolen". Anmeldt af: Bonnie Vittrup
Age, exposure and immunity
Authors: White Michael , Watson James
Published: August 2018

The acquisition of immunity to malaria by an individual depends on their age and the number of infectious mosquito bites they have received.
Interrater Reliability of Osteopathic Sacral Palpatory Diagnostic Tests Among Osteopathy Students
Authors: Consorti Giacomo , Basile Fabio , Pugliese Leonardo , Petracca Marco
Published: August 2018

Context

Somatic dysfunctions are a key element of osteopathic practice. The evaluation of somatic dysfunctions is achieved by assessment of the TART (tissue texture abnormality, asymmetry, restriction of motion, tenderness) parameters. The reliability of a diagnostic method is the crux of successful treatment. Interrater reliability of osteopathic palpatory diagnostic tests have been studied on different anatomical areas, but there are no studies on the evaluation of all of the TART parameters on the sacrum.

Objective

To evaluate the interrater reliability of osteopathic sacral palpatory diagnostic tests. The hypothesis was that 3 trained osteopathy students at the end of their curriculum could achieve at least moderate agreement on osteopathic sacral palpatory diagnostic tests.

Methods

Three students from the Centre pour l’Étude, la Recherche et la Diffusion Ostéopathiques school in Rome, Italy, at the end of their curriculum participated as raters and received consensus training. Eligible subjects among students of the same school were recruited on a voluntary basis to be tested. All of the raters tested the sacrum by evaluating the TART parameters on every subject for 3 minutes. Raters were blinded to the other raters’ findings. Interrater reliability was evaluated using Fleiss κ statistics.

Results

Fifty-two subjects (20 women) were enrolled in the study. Mean (SD) age was 25.9 (7.03) years; height, 1.73 (0.09) ms; weight, 68.73 (14.2) kg; and body mass index, 22.66 (3.58). Agreement was fair for tissue texture abnormality (κ=0.28), asymmetry (κ=0.29), restriction of motion (κ=0.32), and tenderness (κ=0.34); agreement was slight for landmark position (κ=0.06) and diagnosis of somatic dysfunction (κ=0.17).

Conclusion

Results showed a level of agreement ranging from slight to fair in the assessment of the TART parameters among raters, who were in their last year of osteopathy school. The tenderness parameter was the most reliable. Our findings are consistent with other interrater reliability studies carried out in different body regions, contributing to show an overall heterogeneous level of diagnostic reliability in osteopathy.
RNA-Seq analysis of differential gene expression inBetula luminiferaxylem during the early stages of tension wood formation
Authors: Cai Miaomiao , Huang Huahong , Ni Fei , Tong Zaikang , Lin Erpei , Zhu Muyuan
Published: August 2018

Background

Betula luminiferaH. Winkler, which is widely distributed in southern China, is an economically important broadleaf tree species. However, little genomic information ofB.luminiferais available, and little is known about the molecular mechanisms of wood formation in this species. Meanwhile, few efforts have focused on investigating the early transcriptional changes during tension wood formation in woody plants.

Results

A reference transcriptome dataset was first generated containing 45,700 Unigenes, and 35,135 (76.9%) Unigenes were annotated by a BLAST similarity search against four public databases. Then, based on an anatomical investigation, the global gene expression changes during the early stages of tension wood formation were analyzed. Gene expression profiling showed that a total of 13,273 Unigenes were differentially regulated during the early stages of tension wood formation. Most genes involved in cellulose and lignin biosynthesis were highlighted to reveal their biological importance in tension wood formation. In addition, the transcription levels of many genes involved in the auxin response pathway were significantly changed during the early stages of tension wood formation. Furthermore, 18 TFs co-expressed with key enzymes of cellulose synthesis were identified.

Conclusions

Our results revealed the transcriptional changes associated with TW formation and identified potential key genes in the regulation of this process. These results will help to dissect the molecular mechanism of wood formation and provide key candidate genes for marker-assisted selection inB. luminifera.
Disentangling the mechanisms of mate choice in a captive koala population
Authors: Brandies Parice A. , Grueber Catherine E. , Ivy Jamie A. , Hogg Carolyn J. , Belov Katherine
Published: August 2018

Successful captive breeding programs are crucial to the long-term survival of many threatened species. However, pair incompatibility (breeding failure) limits sustainability of many captive populations. Understanding whether the drivers of this incompatibility are behavioral, genetic, or a combination of both, is crucial to improving breeding programs. We used 28 years of pairing data from the San Diego Zoo koala colony, plus genetic analyses using both major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-linked and non-MHC-linked microsatellite markers, to show that both genetic and non-genetic factors can influence mating success. Male age was reconfirmed to be a contributing factor to the likelihood of a koala pair copulating. This trend could also be related to a pair’s age difference, which was highly correlated with male age in our dataset. Familiarity was reconfirmed to increase the probability of a successful copulation. Our data provided evidence that females select mates based on MHC and genome-wide similarity. Male heterozygosity at MHC class II loci was associated with both pre- and post-copulatory female choice. Genome-wide similarity, and similarity at the MHC class II DAB locus, were also associated with female choice at the post-copulatory level. Finally, certain MHC-linked alleles were associated with either increased or decreased mating success. We predict that utilizing a variety of behavioral and MHC-dependent mate choice mechanisms improves female fitness through increased reproductive success. This study highlights the complexity of mate choice mechanisms in a species, and the importance of ascertaining mate choice mechanisms to improve the success of captive breeding programs.
Seed bank and growth comparisons of native (Virgilia divaricata) and invasive alien (Acacia mearnsii and A. melanoxylon) plants: implications for conservation
Authors: Goets Stefan A. , Kraaij Tineke , Little Keith M.
Published: August 2018

Background

Invasive alien plants with long-lived dormant seed banks and fast growth rates are difficult to manage. Acacia mearnsii and Acacia melanoxylon are two such invaders in the southern Cape of South Africa which occasionally co-occur with a native, ecologically analogous species, Virgilia divaricata. We compared the performance of these three species to determine potential for the native species to be used in management of the invasives.

Methods

We compared the study species in terms of (i) soil seed bank densities, their vertical distribution, and the viability of seeds underneath the canopies of mature trees; (ii) seedling growth from planted seeds over a period of three months; and (iii) growth rates of saplings over a period of 10 months in stands that have naturally regenerated in the field (these stands were dominated by A. mearnsii) and where saplings have been exposed to varying levels of competition from surrounding saplings.

Results

Seed bank densities differed significantly among species but not among soil depth classes. Acacia mearnsii had the highest seed bank densities (mean of 7,596 seeds m−2), followed by V. divaricata (938 seeds m−2) and A. melanoxylon (274 seeds m−2). Seed viability was high (87–91%) in all three study species and did not differ significantly among species or soil depth classes. As seedlings, V. divaricata significantly outgrew A. mearnsii in terms of height, root and shoot dry mass, and root:shoot ratio. Relative growth (the relationship between growth in height and initial height) was negative in the seedlings of both species. Trends during the sapling stage were opposite to those during the seedling stage; A. mearnsii (but not A. melanoxylon) saplings significantly outgrew V. divaricata saplings in height, while relative growth rates were positive in all species. Sapling growth of all species was furthermore uninfluenced by the collective biomass of surrounding competitors.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that amongst the measures considered, A. mearnsii’s success as an invader is primarily attributable to its large seed banks, and secondly to its vigorous growth in height as saplings. However, the superior growth performance of V. divaricata seedlings and no apparent negative effect of competition from the acacias on sapling growth show promise for its use in integrated management of the acacias.
Arachidonic acid suppresses hepatic cell growth through ROS‐mediated activation of transglutaminase
Authors: Qin Xian‐Yang , Lu Jun , Cai Muyi , Kojima Soichi
Published: August 2018

We previously reported a profound augmentation in the hepatic levels of a pro‐inflammatory precursor, arachidonic acid (AA), during liver tumorigenesis. Here, we report a critical role of the induced reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐mediated cellular activation of a protein cross‐linking enzyme, transglutaminase 2 (TG2), in liver injury by AA. In cultures of hepatic cells, AA dose‐dependently suppressed cell growth, which accompanied the induced nuclear accumulation of TG2, as demonstrated in EGFP‐tagged, TG2‐overexpressing hepatic cells. A chemical inhibitor/shRNA that acts against TG2 prevented AA‐mediated cell growth suppression. In addition, AA provoked significant production of ROS, and antioxidants blocked AA‐induced activation of nuclear TG2 and hepatic cell growth suppression. We propose that AA‐mediated oxidative stress and TG2 transamidase activity might contribute to chronic liver injury and inflammation and thereby serve as potential therapeutic targets for the chemoprevention of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Humoral and Cellular Immune Response of European Seabass Dicentrarchus labrax Vaccinated with Heat-Killed Mycobacterium marinum (iipA::kan Mutant)
Authors: Ziklo N. , Colorni A. , Gao L.-Y. , Du S. J. , Ucko M.
Published: August 2018

No vaccine is yet commercially available against Mycobacterium marinum, the etiological agent of fish mycobacteriosis (also known as “fish tuberculosis”). The mycobacterial gene responsible for invasion and intracellular persistence, iipA, is known to moderate M. marinum pathology in Zebrafish Danio rerio. Two doses of heat-killed, wild-type, virulent M. marinum and two doses of a heat-killed, avirulent M. marinum iipA::kan mutant strain were used in parallel to vaccinate European Seabass Dicentrarchus labrax. The fish were then challenged with live, virulent M. marinum, and the pathogenesis of the infection was monitored. High specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) response and an increase in cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) messenger RNA expression levels were observed in all vaccinated fish. At 1 month postchallenge, TNF-α expression levels increased in spleen tissues of fish vaccinated with the virulent type and in those of unvaccinated fish, whereas in the head kidney, expression was up-regulated only in unvaccinated fish. The expression then decreased, and at 2 months postchallenge, expression appeared similar in all vaccination types. The highest survival rate (75%) was recorded in the group of fish that were vaccinated with a high dose of avirulent iipA::kan mutant. The iipA::kan mutant induced a strong immune response accompanied by only modest tissue disruption. Coupled with an effective program of booster treatments, the iipA::kan mutant vaccine may be developed into a powerful preventive measure against fish mycobacteriosis.
Enhancing CCTV: Averages improve face identification from poor‐quality images
Authors: Ritchie Kay L. , White David , Kramer Robin S. S. , Noyes Eilidh , Jenkins Rob , Burton A. Mike
Published: August 2018

Low‐quality images are problematic for face identification, for example, when the police identify faces from CCTV images. Here, we test whether face averages, comprising multiple poor‐quality images, can improve both human and computer recognition. We created averages from multiple pixelated or nonpixelated images and compared accuracy using these images and exemplars. To provide a broad assessment of the potential benefits of this method, we tested human observers (n = 88; Experiment 1), and also computer recognition, using a smartphone application (Experiment 2) and a commercial one‐to‐many face recognition system used in forensic settings (Experiment 3). The third experiment used large image databases of 900 ambient images and 7,980 passport images. In all three experiments, we found a substantial increase in performance by averaging multiple pixelated images of a person's face. These results have implications for forensic settings in which faces are identified from poor‐quality images, such as CCTV.
Modified MXene/Holey Graphene Films for Advanced Supercapacitor Electrodes with Superior Energy Storage
Authors: Fan Zhimin , Wang Youshan , Xie Zhimin , Wang Duola , Yuan Yin , Kang Hongjun , Su Benlong , Cheng Zhongjun , Liu Yuyan
Published: August 2018

MXene films are attractive for advanced supercapacitor electrodes requiring high volumetric energy density due to their high redox capacitance combined with extremely high packing density. However, the self‐restacking of MXene flakes unavoidably decreases the volumetric performance, mass loading, and rate capability. Herein, a simple strategy is developed to prepare a flexible and free‐standing modified MXene/holey graphene film by filtration of the alkalized MXene and holey graphene oxide dispersions, followed by a mild annealing treatment. After terminal groups (F/OH) are removed, the increased proportion of Ti atoms enables more pseudocapacitive reaction. Meanwhile, the embedded holey graphene effectively prevents the self‐restacking of MXene and forms a high nanopore connectivity network, which is able to immensely accelerate the ion transport and shorten transport pathways for both ion and electron. When applied as electrode materials for supercapacitors, it can deliver an ultrahigh volumetric capacitance (1445 F cm−3) at 2 mV s−1, excellent rate capability, and high mass loading. In addition, the assembled symmetric supercapacitor demonstrates a fantastic volumetric energy density (38.6 Wh L−1), which is the highest value reported for MXene‐based electrodes in aqueous electrolytes. This work opens a new avenue for the further exploration of MXene materials in energy storage devices.
Eicosanoid mediation of immune responses at early bacterial infection stage and its inhibition by Photorhabdus temperata subsp. temperata, an entomopathogenic bacterium
Authors: Kim Hyoil , Choi Duyeol , Jung Jihyeon , Kim Yonggyun
Published: August 2018

An entomopathogenic bacterium Photorhabdus temperata subsp. temperata (Ptt) infects insect hemocoel by the vectoring activity of its symbiotic nematode, Heterorhabditis megidis. The bacterium induces host immunosuppression by inhibiting eicosanoid biosynthesis. This study investigated the role of eicosanoids in immune responses of the beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, in the early bacterial infection stage (first 3 hr postinfection [PI]). After infection with the nonpathogenic Escherichia coli (Ec), the bacterium maintained its population for the first 3 hr PI, then rapidly decreased in numbers. During the 3 hr PI of Ptt, this pathogenic bacterium also did not show any significant change in bacterial population. However, Ptt rapidly increased its population size after the initial lag phase, inducing fatal septicemia. This study further analyzed cellular and humoral immune responses of the beet armyworm during the initial 3 hr PI. During this early stage, challenge with Ec stimulated hemocyte‐spreading behavior along with extensive F‐actin growth. However, Ptt infection suppressed hemocyte spreading. Expression levels of three antimicrobial peptides (lysozyme, gloverin, and gallerimycin) were significantly inhibited during Ptt infection. Phospholipase A2 activity was significantly induced during the early infection stage of Ec, but not during Ptt infection. Addition of eicosanoid biosynthesis inhibitors significantly reversed the initial immunosuppression. These results suggest that, during the early infection stage, Ptt can shutdown eicosanoid biosynthesis which can prevent acute immune responses of host insects.
Biosurfactants from probiotic bacteria: A review
Authors: Hajfarajollah Hamidreza , Eslami Parisa , Mokhtarani Babak , Akbari Noghabi Kambiz
Published: August 2018

Among microorganisms, bacteria are the main group of biosurfactant‐producing organisms. Different types of bacteria including Pseudomonas sp., Acinetobacter sp., Bacillus sp., and Arthrobacter sp. are among the most commonly studied bacteria in the realm of scientific research. However, due to the pathogenic nature of the producing organisms, the application of these compounds is restricted, therefore, not suitable for use in food‐related industries. Given that probiotic bacteria impact human health, applying probiotics as nonpathogenic and safe organisms have gained much attention for the production of biosurfactants in recent years. Most biosurfactants obtained from probiotic bacteria are related to a number of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). These types of biosurfactants are classified based on their structures as protein–carbohydrate complexes, lipids, or fatty acids. The present paper seeks to provide comprehensive and useful information about the production of various kinds of biosurfactants by different probiotic bacteria. In addition, we have extensively reviewed their potential for possible future applications.
Quantification of in vivo gastric fluid volume in Bama miniature pigs in fasted state
Authors: Guo Hui , Wang Cuncai , Liu Zhen , Gu Huayong , Li Yuwen , Zhao Li , Hou Ranran , Zhu Jiajia , Ho Harvey , Hao Zhihui
Published: August 2018

Although the study of bioequivalence waivers in humans is already well‐established, their application and translation into animals, which are complicated by differences in physiology, have only recently become subjects of interest. The main purpose of this paper is to quantify the liquid volume affecting drug dissolution in pig stomachs. We used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to scan 18 Bama miniature pigs weighing 15, 30 or 50 kg. Amira 6.0.1 software was used for 3D image processing. We found that the gastric fluid volume had a linear relationship with the weight of pig (R2 = 0.9935) over this weight range. The pig weight, therefore, could be used as a surrogate for the fasted gastric fluid volume. After combining data of gastric fluid secretion and drinking water volumes, our results could be used as a reference for the evaluation of oral drug absorption in pigs.
Association of FOLH1, DHFR, and MTHFR gene polymorphisms with susceptibility of Neural Tube Defects: A case control study from Eastern India
Authors: Paul Silpita , Sadhukhan Susanta , Munian Dinesh , Bankura Biswabandhu , Das Madhusudan
Published: August 2018

Background

Worldwide, Neural tube defects (NTDs) are considered as major clinical problems imposing a huge socio‐economic burden for both affected individuals and their families. In India, the prevalence of Neural tube defects is significantly high. This study aims to evaluate the association between genetic defects in folate metabolism pathway genes, mainly: Folate hydrolase 1 (FOLH1), Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and neural tube defects from eastern India.

Methods

We enrolled 62 consecutive mothers with NTDs foetuses as cases and their corresponding age matched 73 mothers with healthy babies as controls (genetic power has been calculated). Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (FOLH1: rs202676, DHFR: rs70991108, MTHFR: rs1801133 and rs1801131) have been amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. Statistical analysis has been undertaken to find out association with NTDs.

Results

Genotype and allele frequency analysis of these SNPs revealed that, rs1801133 (p.Ala222Val) was significantly associated with NTDs risk (p value = 0.028; odds ratio‐2.31; 95% CI 1.08–4.93), whereas rs202676 (p.Tyr60His) showed protective role (p value = 0.0066; odds ratio‐0.11; 95% CI 0.01–0.86). Serum homocysteine (Hcy) concentration was respectively higher in subjects carrying 222Ala/Val and 222Val/Val alleles (p value = 0.009; p value ≤ 0.0001).

Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be stated that, rs1801133 was associated with neural tube defects risk in patients from the eastern part of India and it might be counted as a molecular marker for evaluating the susceptibility of NTDs.
Quantitative determination of levonorgestrel in beagle dog plasma after vaginal administration of intravaginal ring by high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Zhenqi , Qiu Shunchen , Gu Yiqun , Ning Meiying
Published: August 2018

A specific and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method that could be used to determine the concentration of levonorgestrel (LNG) in beagle dog plasma was developed. Specifically, terfenadine was used as the internal standard (IS). The separation was achieved on a Kinetex‐C18 110A column (3 × 30 mm i.d., 2.6 um, Phenomenex) and a gradient mobile phase consists of methanol (0.1% formic acid) and water (0.1% formic acid) was used. The flow rate was 0.8 mL/min and the injection volume was 10 μL. The detection was performed on a triple‐quadruple tandem mass spectrometer by multiple reaction monitoring mode via electrospray ionization. Quantitative analysis was carried out at m/z 313.0 → 108.9 and m/z 472.6 → 436.2 for LNG and IS respectively. This method demonstrated the linearity of LNG over a concentration range of 0.5–50 ng/mL with a coefficient correlation (r) of 0.9973. The lower limit of quantification was 0.5 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐assay precisions were 2.9 and 11.2%, with an accuracy range from 94.8 to 108.4%. The stability data indicated that sample preparation and storage process had little effect on the concentration of LNG QC sample. The validated method was successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of LNG in beagle dog after vaginal administration of intravaginal ring.
Encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells in glycosaminoglycans‐chitosan polyelectrolyte microcapsules using electrospraying technique: Investigating capsule morphology and cell viability
Authors: Vossoughi Amin , Matthew Howard W. T.
Published: August 2018

Polyelectrolyte microcapsules are modular constructs which facilitate cell handling and assembly of cell‐based tissue constructs. In this study, an electrospray (ES) encapsulation apparatus was developed for the encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Ionic complexation between glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and chitosan formed a polyelectrolyte complex membrane at the interface. To optimize the capsules, the effect of voltage, needle size and GAG formulation on capsule size were investigated. It was observed that by increasing the voltage and decreasing the needle size, the capsule size would decrease but at voltages above 12 kV, capsule size distribution broadened significantly which yields lower circularity. Increase in GAG viscosity resulted in larger microcapsules and cell viability exhibited no significant changes during the encapsulation procedure. These results suggest that ES is a highly efficient, and scalable approach to the encapsulation of MSCs for subsequent use in bioprinting and other modular tissue engineering or regenerative medicine applications.
Investigating the time‐lapsed effects of rigid cervical collars on the dimensions of the internal jugular vein
Authors: Kroeker Jenna , Keith Jay , Carruthers Hailey , Hanna Cherry , Qureshi Natasha , Calic Masa , Kaye Meagan , Solow Marissa , Coey James , Sulaiman Sara
Published: August 2018

Protocol advocates the use of rigid cervical collars (RCCs) in head trauma patients as they are at risk of concomitant cervical spine injury. Literature has shown RCCs to be a potential cause of venous outflow obstruction, changing internal jugular vein (IJV) cross‐sectional area (CSA), and raising intracranial pressure (ICP). This study aims to investigate the effects of applying a RCC, for a period of four hours, on the dimensions of the IJV, in healthy participants. Seventeen participants (nine male, eight female) took part in this study. Circumference and CSAs of the IJV were measured bilaterally by a single observer using a GE LOGIQ e ultrasound system. Measurements were taken pre‐RCC application, immediately after, every hour over four hours, and five minutes postcollar removal. The CSA of the IJV was 8.3 ±6.0 mm2 pre‐RCC application. The CSA of the IJV doubled (18.92 ±10.55 mm2) after four hours and decreased back to 9.36 ±6.8 mm2 five minutes postcollar removal. The circumference of the IJV was 17.29 ±6.03 mm pre‐RCC application, increasing to 20.34 ±5.59 mm by the end of the fourth hour and returning to 16.14 ±5.16 mm five minutes postcollar removal. Related‐samples Friedman's ANOVA test showed statistically significant differences for both left and right CSAs and circumferences of the IJV measured across the four hours (P‐value<0.05). Ultrasound assessment of CSA of the IJV may correlate with changes in ICP. Further studies may provide insight into the effects of collar design, and guide future trauma protocol to minimize intracranial pressure fluctuations. Clin. Anat. 32:196–200, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Palliative radiation therapy (RT) for prostate cancer patients with bone metastases at diagnosis: A hospital‐based analysis of patterns of care, RT fractionation scheme, and overall survival
Authors: Fischer‐Valuck Benjamin W. , Baumann Brian C. , Apicelli Anthony , Rao Yuan James , Roach Michael , Daly Mackenzie , Dans Maria C. , White Patrick , Contreras Jessika , Henke Lauren , Gay Hiram , Michalski Jeff M. , Abraham Christopher
Published: August 2018

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies associated with bone metastases, and palliative radiation therapy (RT) is an effective treatment option. A total of 2641 patients were identified with PCa and bone metastases at diagnosis from 2010 to 2014 in the NCDB. Fractionation scheme was designated as short course ([SC‐RT]: 8 Gy in 1 fraction and 20 Gy in 5 fractions) vs long course ([LC‐RT]: 30 Gy in 10 fractions and 37.5 Gy in 15 fractions). Patient characteristics were correlated with fractionation scheme using logistic regression. Overall survival was analyzed using the Kaplan‐Meier method, log‐rank test, Cox proportional hazards models, and propensity score‐matched analyses. A total of 2255 (85.4%) patients were included in the LC‐RT group and 386 (14.6%) patients in the SC‐RT group. SC‐RT was more common in patients over 75 years age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.32‐2.20), treatment at an academic center (OR: 1.76, 1.20‐2.57), living greater than 15 miles distance to treatment facility (OR: 1.38, 1.05‐1.83), treatment to the rib (OR: 2.99, 1.36‐6.60), and in 2014 (OR: 1.73, 1.19‐2.51). RT to the spine was more commonly long course (P < .0001). In the propensity‐matched cohort, LC‐RT was associated with improved OS (P < .0001), but no OS difference was observed between 37.5 Gy and either 8 Gy in one fraction or 20 Gy in 5 fractions (P > .5). LC‐RT remains the most common treatment fractionation scheme for palliative bone metastases in PCa patients. Use of palliative SC‐RT is increasing, particularly in more recent years, for older patients, treatment at academic centers, and with increasing distance from a treatment center.
Lathyrane‐Type Diterpenoids from the Seeds of Euphorbia lathyris L. with Inhibitory Effects on NO Production in RAW 264.7 Cells
Authors: Lee Jin Woo , Jin Qinghao , Jang Hari , Kim Jun Gu , Lee Dongho , Kim Youngsoo , Hong Jin Tae , Lee Mi Kyeong , Hwang Bang Yeon
Published: August 2018

Bioactivity‐guided fractionation of the methanolic extract from the seeds of Euphorbia lathyris led to the isolation of 18 lathyrane‐type diterpenoids including a new one, Euphorbia factor L29 (1). Their chemical structures were elucidated by extensive NMR spectroscopic data including 2D‐NMR and HR‐ESI‐MS as well as CD data. All isolates (1 – 18) were found to inhibit the nitric oxide production in LPS‐induced RAW 264.7 macrophages, with their IC50 values in the range of 11.2 – 52.2 μm.
Bioaccessibility and total content of iron, zinc, copper, and manganese in rice varieties (Oryza sativa L.): A probabilistic assessment to evaluate their contribution to dietary reference intake
Authors: Ortiz María Laura , Cámara‐Martos Fernando
Published: August 2018

Background and objectives

Fe, Zn, Cu, and Mn contents as well as bioaccessible fractions of eight rice varieties were analyzed in order to evaluate them nutritionally.

Findings

Total trace element concentrations ranged between 5.90 and 15.3 mg/kg for Fe, 8.82–12.9 mg/kg for Zn, 1.45–5.59 mg/kg for Cu, and 2.45–13.6 mg/kg for Mn. Brown rice presented the highest trace element contents and at the same time the lowest bioaccessibility. A negative significant statistical correlation was found between dietary fiber and Mn bioaccessibility (r = −0.872; p < 0.01). Significant statistical negative correlations were found between vegetable proteins of rice and trace elements bioaccessibility.

Conclusions

A probabilistic assessment (@Risk) used to determine the contribution of DRI for Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu through the intake of 150–200 g of boiled rice showed that this food can be a proper source of Cu and to a lesser extent Mn but not in the case of Fe and Zn.

Significance and novelty

The present study develops a probabilistic model to evaluate the contributions to the DRIs of these micronutrients, from data of rice varieties consumption and their bioaccessibility—total content.
Clinical and echocardiographic parameters as risk factors for atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Klopotowski Mariusz , Kwapiszewska Aleksandra , Kukula Krzysztof , Jamiolkowski Jacek , Dabrowski Maciej , Derejko Pawel , Oreziak Artur , Baranowski Rafal , Spiewak Mateusz , Marczak Magdalena , Klisiewicz Anna , Szepietowska Barbara , Chmielak Zbigniew , Witkowski Adam
Published: August 2018

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and may contribute to high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is important to assess parameters associated with AF in HCM patients.

Hypothesis

The aim of the study was to evaluate AF prevalence in patients with HCM and to investigate risk factors for AF.

Methods

Five hundred and forty‐six HCM patients aged below 65 were included into analysis. Clinical and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed.

Results

In 141 patients (25.8%) AF episodes were recorded. The following factors were identified as risk factors for AF in patients with HCM: age ≥ 45 years (OR 2.38, CI 1.40‐4.05, P = 0.001), past history of presyncope or syncope (OR 2.25, CI 1.35‐3.74, P = 0.002), non‐sustained ventricular tachycardia (nsVT) (OR 2.70, CI 1.60‐4.57, P < 0.001), left atrium diameter during first assessment (OR 1.065, CI 1.03‐1.11, P = 0.001), left atrium diameter at the last assessment before AF occurrence (OR 1.10, CI 1.06‐1.14, P < 0.001) and left ventricular ejection fraction at the last assessment before AF occurrence (CI 0.96, CI 0.94‐0.98, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

We confirm that AF is a common complication for patients with HCM. Identification of patients with high risk for AF and implementation of preventive strategies may reduce AF occurrence and its complications.
Targeted sequencing and intracranial outcomes of patients with lung adenocarcinoma brain metastases treated with radiotherapy
Authors: Press Robert H. , Zhang Chao , Cassidy Richard J. , Ferris Matthew J. , Zhong Jim , Steuer Conor E. , Pillai Rathi N. , Owonikoko Taofeek K. , Kahn Shannon , Ramalingam Suresh S. , Patel Pretesh R. , Curran Walter J. , Shu Hui‐Kuo G. , Sica Gabriel L. , Higgins Kristin A.
Published: August 2018

BACKGROUND

Treatment for advanced lung adenocarcinoma (AC) has become increasingly personalized based on molecular results. However, for patients with AC brain metastases (BMs), intracranial outcomes based on molecular subtype and the frequency of molecular aberrations are less well defined. This study sought to report targeted next‐generation sequencing results and investigate molecularly based outcomes for patients with AC‐BMs treated with radiotherapy.

METHODS

The records of 132 patients with AC‐BMs treated at Emory University from September 2008 to August 2016 with successful next‐generation sequencing were reviewed. Rates of local disease recurrence, distant brain failure (DBF), and salvage whole‐brain radiotherapy (WBRT) were estimated using cumulative incidence with competing risk analysis. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The most common aberrations included tumor protein 53 (TP53) (60%), KRAS (29%), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) (20.5%), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) loss (15.5%), and MET amplification (13%). The majority of patients (62%) were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery alone. In these patients, KRAS mutation, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) rearrangement, and having ≥ 6 BMs were associated with an increased risk of salvage WBRT (P < .05). KRAS mutation remained significant for an increased risk of salvage WBRT when compared with EGFR/ALK/KRAS‐negative patients (hazard ratio, 5.17; P < .05), despite a similar risk of DBF. PTEN loss was associated with increased risk of DBF (P < .05), whereas EGFR and ALK aberrations were associated with a decreased risk of local disease recurrence (P < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study quantified the frequency of genetic aberrations in patients with AC‐BMs and demonstrated their association with intracranial outcomes. In particular, a cohort of patients with KRAS mutations and ≥6 BMs were identified to be at high risk of requiring salvage WBRT after undergoing upfront stereotactic radiosurgery.
Monte Carlo on Manifolds: Sampling Densities and Integrating Functions
Authors: Zappa Emilio , Holmes‐Cerfon Miranda , Goodman Jonathan
Published: August 2018

We describe and analyze some Monte Carlo methods for manifolds in euclidean space defined by equality and inequality constraints. First, we give an MCMC sampler for probability distributions defined by unnormalized densities on such manifolds. The sampler uses a specific orthogonal projection to the surface that requires only information about the tangent space to the manifold, obtainable from first derivatives of the constraint functions, hence avoiding the need for curvature information or second derivatives. Second, we use the sampler to develop a multistage algorithm to compute integrals over such manifolds. We provide single‐run error estimates that avoid the need for multiple independent runs. Computational experiments on various test problems show that the algorithms and error estimates work in practice. The method is applied to compute the entropies of different sticky hard sphere systems. These predict the temperature or interaction energy at which loops of hard sticky spheres become preferable to chains. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Industry Actions to Address Quality Issues for Dietary Supplements, Botanicals, and Other Natural Products
Authors: Shenkar J. , Griffiths James C.
Published: August 2018

The concept of “dietary supplements” is either a blessing for those focused on healthy lifestyles and personal management thereof or a crisis fraught with snake oil and drug analogs that are insidiously poisoning the gullible. Lost in this chatter is the role the ethical, and customer‐focused industry takes to drive self‐directing/self‐governing initiatives to demonstrate unequivocally their position as responsible corporate citizens, meeting the needs of the ever‐growing body of wellness‐seekers.
Getting to Long‐Term Effectiveness and Safety of Attention‐deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Medications
Authors: Beau‐Lejdstrom Raphaëlle , Zito Julie Magno
Published: August 2018

Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication use has dramatically increased in youth worldwide. Recent prevalence data in some European countries show expanded use with one country now matching US usage. Still, substantial geographic differences by country remain regarding the extent to which children receive ADHD medications. These geographic differences by country raise research questions about which country's prevalence data represents appropriate medication use. We urgently need country level studies to contribute to our understanding of an appropriate prevalence of ADHD medication use.
Development of a methodology to combine fMRI and EMG to measure emotional responses in patients with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Hildebrandt Tom , Schulz Kurt , Fleysher Lazar , Griffen Trevor , Heywood Ashley , Sysko Robyn
Published: August 2018

Objective

Individuals with eating disorders are theorized to have basic impairments in affective appraisal and social–emotional processing that contribute to pathogenesis of the disease. We aimed to determine if facial electromyography could be used to discriminate between happy and disgust emotions during simultaneous acquisition of an fMRI BOLD sequence in efforts to establish a novel tool for investigating emotion‐driven hypotheses about eating pathology. In line with standards for rigor and reproducibility, we provide detailed protocols and code to support each step of this project.

Method

Sixteen adolescents with low‐weight eating disorders viewed emotional faces (Happy or Disgust) and were asked to mimic their facial expression during simultaneous BOLD and EMG (Corrugator supercilli, Lavator lavii, Zygomaticus major) acquisition. Trials were repeated with the scanner off and again with scanner on (i.e., fatigue).

Results

The Levator and Zygomaticus activation patterns discriminated disgust and happy faces successfully. The pattern held between scanner on and off conditions, but muscle activation attenuated in the Fatigue condition, especially for the Zygomaticus.

Discussion

Simultaneous fMRI–EMG is a new tool capable of discriminating specific emotions based on muscle activation patterns and can be leveraged to answer emotion‐driven hypotheses about clinical populations characterized by difficulty labeling or processing emotions.
Liraglutide and weight loss among patients with advanced heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction: insights from the FIGHT trial
Authors: Sharma Abhinav , Ambrosy Andrew P. , DeVore Adam D. , Margulies Kenneth B. , McNulty Steven E. , Mentz Robert J. , Hernandez Adrian F. , Michael Felker Gary , Cooper Lauren B. , Lala Anuradha , Vader Justin , Groake John D. , Borlaug Barry A. , Velazquez Eric J.
Published: August 2018

Aims

Obesity is present in up to 45% of patients with heart failure (HF). Liraglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) receptor antagonist, facilitates weight loss in obese patients. The efficacy of liraglutide as a weight loss agent among patients with HF and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and a recent acute HF hospitalization remains unknown.

Methods and results

The Functional Impact of GLP‐1 for Heart Failure Treatment study randomized 300 patients with HFrEF (ejection fraction ≤ 40%), both with and without diabetes and a recent HF hospitalization to liraglutide or placebo. The primary outcome for this post hoc analysis was the change in weight from baseline to last study visit. We conducted an ‘on‐treatment’ analysis of patients with at least one follow‐up visit on study drug (123 on liraglutide and 124 on placebo). The median age was 61 years, 21% were female, and 69% of patients had New York Heart Association functional Class III or IV symptoms. The median ejection fraction was 25% (25th, 75th percentile 19–32%). Liraglutide use was associated with a significant weight reduction [liraglutide −1.00 lbs vs. placebo 2.00 lbs; treatment difference −4.10 lbs; 95% confidence interval (CI) −7.94, −0.25; P = 0.0367; percentage treatment difference −2.07%, 95% CI −3.86, −0.28; P = 0.0237]. Similar results were seen after multivariable adjustments. Liraglutide also significantly reduced triglyceride levels (liraglutide 7.5 mg/dL vs. placebo 12.0 mg/dL; treatment difference −33.1 mg/dL; 95% CI −60.7, −5.6; P = 0.019).

Conclusions

Liraglutide is an efficacious weight loss agent in patients with HFrEF. These findings will require further exploration in a well‐powered cardiovascular outcomes trial.