bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hepatitis C virus–induced tumor‐initiating cancer stem–like cells activate stromal fibroblasts in a xenograft tumor model
Authors: Sasaki Reina , Devhare Pradip , Ray Ratna B. , Ray Ranjit
Published: June 2017

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) often causes persistent infection and is an increasingly important factor in the etiology of fibrosis/cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, although the mechanisms for the disease processes remain unclear. We have shown previously that HCV infection generates an epithelial–mesenchymal transition state and tumor‐initiating cancer stem–like cells in human hepatocytes. In this study, we investigated whether HCV‐induced tumor‐initiating cancer stem–like cells when implanted into mice activate stromal fibroblasts. A number of fibroblast activation markers, including matrix metalloproteinase 2, were significantly increased at the mRNA or protein level in the xenograft tumors, suggesting the presence of tumor‐associated fibroblasts. Fibroblast activation markers of murine origin were specifically increased in tumor, suggesting that fibroblasts migrate to form stroma. Next, we demonstrated that conditioned medium from HCV‐infected human hepatocytes activates fibrosis‐related markers in hepatic stellate cells. We further observed that these HCV‐infected hepatocytes express transforming growth factor beta, which activates stromal fibroblast markers. Subsequent analysis suggested that anti–transforming growth factor beta neutralizing antibody, when incubated with conditioned medium from HCV‐infected hepatocytes, inhibits fibrosis marker activation in primary human hepatic stellate cells. Conclusion: HCV‐infected hepatocytes induce local fibroblast activation by secretion of transforming growth factor beta, and a preneoplastic or tumor state of the hepatocytes influences the network for the tumor‐associated fibroblast environment. (Hepatology 2017;66:1766–1778)
Variability in the vertical hyporheic water exchange affected by hydraulic conductivity and river morphology at a natural confluent meander bend
Authors: Song Jinxi , Zhang Guotao , Wang Weize , Liu Qi , Jiang Weiwei , Guo Weiqiang , Tang Bin , Bai Haifeng , Dou Xinyi
Published: June 2017

River confluences and their associated tributaries are key morphodynamic nodes that play important roles in controlling hydraulic geometry and hyporheic water exchange in fluvial networks. However, the existing knowledge regarding hyporheic water exchange associated with river confluence morphology is relatively scarce. On January 14 and 15, 2016, the general hydraulic and morphological characteristics of the confluent meander bend (CMB) between the Juehe River and the Haohe River in the southern region of Xi'an City, Shaanxi Province, China, were investigated. The patterns and magnitudes of vertical hyporheic water exchange (VHWE) were estimated based on a one‐dimensional heat steady‐state model, whereas the sediment vertical hydraulic conductivity (Kv) was calculated via in situ permeameter tests. The results demonstrated that 6 hydrodynamic zones and their extensions were observed at the CMB during the test period. These zones were likely controlled by the obtuse junction angle and low momentum flux ratio, influencing the sediment grain size distribution of the CMB. The VHWE patterns at the test site during the test period mostly showed upwelling flow dominated by regional groundwater discharging into the river. The occurrence of longitudinal downwelling and upwelling patterns along the meander bend at the CMB was likely subjected to the comprehensive influences of the local sinuosity of the meander bend and regional groundwater discharge and finally formed regional and local flow paths. Additionally, in dominated upwelling areas, the change in VHWE magnitudes was nearly consistent with that in Kv values, and higher values of both variables generally occurred in erosional zones near the thalweg paths of the CMB, which were mostly made up of sand and gravel. This was potentially caused by the erosional and depositional processes subjected to confluence morphology. Furthermore, lower Kv values observed in downwelling areas at the CMB were attributed to sediment clogging caused by local downwelling flow. The confluence morphology and sediment Kv are thus likely the driving factors that cause local variations in the VHWE of fluvial systems.
DNA decontamination methods for internal quality management in clinical PCR laboratories
Authors: Wu Yingping , Wu Jianyong , Zhang Zhihui , Cheng Chen
Published: June 2017

Background

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, one of the most commonly applied methods in diagnostic and molecular biology, has a frustrating downside: the occurrence of false‐positive signals due to contamination. In previous research, various DNA decontamination methods have been developed to overcome this limitation. Unfortunately, the use of random or poorly focused sampling methods for monitoring air and/or object surfaces leads to the incomplete elimination during decontamination procedures. We herein attempted to develop a novel DNA decontamination method (environmental surveillance, including surface and air sampling) and quality management program for clinical molecular diagnostic laboratories (or clinical PCR laboratories).

Methods

Here, we performed a step‐by‐step evaluation of current DNA decontamination methods and developed an effective procedure for assessing the presence of decontaminating DNA via PCR analysis. Performing targeted environmental surveillance by sampling, which reached optimal performance over 2 weeks, and the decontamination process had been verified as reliable. Additionally, the process was validated to not affect PCR amplification efficiency based on a comparative study.

Results

In this study, effective guidelines for DNA decontamination were developed. The method employed ensured that surface DNA contamination could be effectively identified and eliminated. Furthermore, our study highlighted the importance of overall quality assurance and good clinical laboratory practices for preventing contamination, which are key factors for compliance with regulatory or accreditation requirements.

Conclusions

Taken together, we provided the evidence that the presented scheme ranged from troubleshooting to the elimination of surface contamination, could serve as critical foundation for developing regular environmental surveillance guidelines for PCR laboratories.
Phosphate recovery from treated municipal wastewater using hybrid anion exchangers containing hydrated ferric oxide nanoparticles
Authors: You Xialei , Valderrama César , Soldatov Vladimir , Cortina José Luis
Published: June 2017

BACKDROUND

This study presents the evaluation of two ion exchangers (granular and fibrous) impregnated with nanoparticles of hydrated ferric oxide (HFO) as selective sorbents for phosphate recovery from aqueous solutions. The hybrid impregnated anion exchangers combine the durability and mechanical strength of a polymeric weak base anion exchange resin with the high sorption affinity of HFO towards phosphate species. Dynamic experiments were carried out and data obtained were fitted to a well‐known fixed‐bed sorption model.

RESULTS

The theoretical sorption capacities reported by the Thomas model were in good agreement with the breakthrough experimental capacities determined from the sorption data. The sorption capacity decreased when using wastewater treatment plant secondary effluents in comparison with synthetic water mainly owing to the presence of organic matter and suspended solids. The phosphate sorbed on the impregnated ion exchangers was efficiently desorbed by using a 0.5 mol L‐1 sodium hydroxide solution, reporting up to 90% of recovery.

CONCLUSION

The reusability of sorbents was evaluated through five sorption–desorption working cycles. Fiban‐As was able to operate up to three consecutive cycles with good sorption performance while a significant decrease of sorption capacity after the first cycle was observed for FO36 resin. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of a New Class of Benzazolyl Pyrazoles
Authors: Suram Durgamma , Thatha Sreenivasulu , Venkatapuram Padmavathi , Adivireddy Padmaja
Published: June 2017

A new class of benzazolyl pyrazoles were prepared from the simple substrates benzoxazol‐2‐thiol, benzothiazol‐2‐thiol, 1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐thiol and cinnamoyl chloride and tested for antimicrobial activity. The compounds 2‐(benzothiazol‐2‐ylthio)‐1‐(3‐(benzothiazol‐2‐ylthio)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)ethanone and 2‐(benzothiazol‐2‐ylamino)‐1‐(3‐(benzothiazol‐2‐ylthio)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)ethanone showed pronounced antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae whereas 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylthio)‐1‐(3‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylthio)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl)ethanone and 2‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylamino)‐1‐(3‐(1H‐benzimidazol‐2‐ylthio)‐5‐phenyl‐1H‐pyrazol‐1‐yl) ethanone displayed excellent antifungal activity against Penicillium chrysogenum.
Design, Synthesis, and In Vitro Anti‐mycobacterial Evaluation 1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐tethered Ciprofloxacin and Isatin Conjugates
Authors: Hu Yuan‐Qiang , Meng Ling‐Dan , Qiang Min , Song Xu‐Feng
Published: June 2017

Eight novel 1H‐1,2,3‐triazole‐tethered ciprofloxacin (CPFX) isatin conjugates 5a–h with greater lipophilicity compared with CPFX were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their in vitro anti‐mycobacterial activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) H37Rv. The preliminary results showed that all hybrids (MIC: 12.5–100 μg/mL) exhibited considerable activity against M. smegmatis, but less active than the parent CPFX (MIC: 6.25 μg/mL) and the reference INH (MIC: 0.78 μg/mL). Against MTB H37Rv, all hybrids displayed excellent inhibitory activity with MICs ranging from 1.56 to 25 μg/mL, particularly, 5h (MIC: 1.56 μg/mL) was twofold more active CPFX (MIC: 3.12 μg/mL), warrant further investigations.
Efficient Synthesis of Novel 3‐Phenyl‐5‐thioxo‐3,4,5,6‐tetrahydroimidazo[4,5‐c]pyrazole‐2(1H)‐carbothioamide Derivatives Using a CeO2–MgO Catalyst and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Activity
Authors: Moydeen Meera , Al‐Deyab Salem S. , Kumar Radhakrishnan Surendra , Idhayadhulla Akbar
Published: June 2017

Imidazo[4,5‐c]pyrazole derivatives (3a–f, 4a–f, and 5a–f) were efficiently synthesized by one‐pot three‐component reactions using CeO2–MgO as the catalyst. The synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectroscopic analyses. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds against various bacterial and fungal strains was screened. Compound 3b was highly active [minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 0.5 μg/mL] against Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus, and compounds 3b, 3f, 4d, and 4e were highly active (MIC: 0.5, 2, 2, and 0.5 μg/mL, respectively) against Gram‐negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, relative to standard ciprofloxacin in the antibacterial activity screening. Compounds 3b and 4f were highly active (MIC: 4 and 0.5 μg/mL, respectively) against Aspergillus fumigatus and Microsporum audouinii in the antifungal activity screening compared with the clotrimazole standard.
Betaine and arginine supplementation of low protein diets improves plasma lipids but does not affect hepatic fatty acid composition and related gene expression profiling in pigs
Authors: Madeira Marta S , Rolo Eva A , Lopes Paula A , Ramos Denis A , Alfaia Cristina M , Pires Virgínia MR , Martins Susana V , Pinto Rui MA , Prates José AM
Published: June 2017

BACKGROUND

The individual and combined effects of betaine and arginine supplemented to reduced protein diets were investigated on plasma metabolites, hepatic fatty acid composition and mRNA levels of lipid‐sensitive factors in commercial pigs. Betaine has previously been shown to reduce carcass fat deposition and arginine improves meat quality of finishing pigs. Forty male crossbred pigs were randomly assigned to one of five diets (n = 8): 160 g kg−1 of crude protein (NPD), 130 g kg−1 of crude protein (RPD), RPD with 3.3 g kg−1 of betaine, RPD with 15 g kg−1 of arginine, and RPD with 3.3 g kg−1 of betaine and 15 g kg−1 of arginine.

RESULTS

The restriction of dietary protein increased total lipids (P < 0.001), total cholesterol (P < 0.001), high‐density lipoprotein‐cholesterol (P < 0.001) and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.001). Betaine and arginine, individually or combined, reduced the majority of plasma lipids (P < 0.05) without affecting total fatty acids in the liver and the overall gene expression pattern.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest a positive effect of betaine and arginine, singly or combined, by reversing plasma lipids increase promoted by dietary protein restriction. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Prey in oceanic sound scattering layers organize to get a little help from their friends
Authors: Benoit‐Bird Kelly J. , Moline Mark A. , Southall Brandon L.
Published: June 2017

Group formation in animals is a widespread phenomenon driven by food acquisition, reproduction, and defense. Life in the ocean is characteristically aggregated into horizontally extensive layers as a result of strong vertical gradients in the environment. Each day, animals in high biomass aggregations called “deep scattering layers” migrate vertically, comprising the largest net animal movement on earth. This movement is commonly thought of as a predator avoidance tactic, however, the aggregation of animals into layers has been viewed as an incidental outcome of similar responses by many individuals to the risk of visual predation coupled with the location of resources including food and oxygen rather than active, socially mediated congregation for defense purposes. Here, using a newly adapted autonomous vehicle to measure individual characteristics, we provide the first measures of the internal layer structure, demonstrating that these features are made up of many topologically scaled, mono‐specific aggregations, or “schools” rather than an indiscriminate mix of sizes and species. Schools responded to predators using behavior much like flash compression while neighboring aggregations increased their spacing to maintain coherent layers. Rather than simply an incidental outcome, the formation of layers of life in the sea is a highly organized process driven, at least in part, by biotic pressures for cohesion with broad adaptive significance for the myriad species that inhabit these ubiquitous features. These observations highlight the range of spatial scales we must examine in order to understand the strong impacts these high‐biomass layers have on ecological and biogeochemical processes in the sea.
Self‐Referenced Measurement of Light Waves
Authors: Shirai Hideto , Nomura Yutaka , Fuji Takao
Published: June 2017

The wave nature of light has been known for more than 100 years. However, it is still very difficult to directly sample an optical field transient on a time scale below the oscillation period. It has been naturally believed that the field oscillation can be detected only by using a reference pulse that has a shorter duration than the period of the oscillation. In this Letter, an experimental demonstration of a self‐referenced light wave measurement is shown. Frequency‐resolved optical gating capable of carrier‐envelope phase determination was used to measure the complete electric field evolution of a 21‐fs few‐cycle pulse without any reference pulses. A second harmonic generation frequency‐resolved optical gating spectrogram and an interferogram between second harmonic and self‐diffraction signals were simultaneously recorded. The phase‐controlled light waves of few‐cycle pulses were clearly observed by using this method.
Effect of Terminal Modification on the Molecular Assembly and Mechanical Properties of Protein‐Based Block Copolymers
Authors: Jacobsen Matthew M. , Tokareva Olena S. , Ebrahimi Davoud , Huang Wenwen , Ling Shengjie , Dinjaski Nina , Li David , Simon Marc , Staii Cristian , Buehler Markus J. , Kaplan David L. , Wong Joyce Y.
Published: June 2017

Accurate prediction and validation of the assembly of bioinspired peptide sequences into fibers with defined mechanical characteristics would aid significantly in designing and creating materials with desired properties. This process may also be utilized to provide insight into how the molecular architecture of many natural protein fibers is assembled. In this work, computational modeling and experimentation are used in tandem to determine how peptide terminal modification affects a fiber‐forming core domain. Modeling shows that increased terminal molecular weight and hydrophilicity improve peptide chain alignment under shearing conditions and promote consolidation of semicrystalline domains. Mechanical analysis shows acute improvements to strength and elasticity, but significantly reduced extensibility and overall toughness. These results highlight an important entropic function that terminal domains of fiber‐forming peptides exhibit as chain alignment promoters, which ultimately has notable consequences on the mechanical behavior of the final fiber products.
Direct Printing of Thermal Management Device Using Low‐Cost Composite Ink
Authors: Nguyen Nam , Melamed Eric , Park Jin Gyu , Zhang Songlin , Hao Ayou , Liang Richard
Published: June 2017

This work presents a new method for fabricating thermal devices, such as heat sinks, using a 3D printing technique and lightweight composite ink. The method focuses on formulating composite inks with desired properties and direct ink writing for manufacturing. The ink undergoes two phases: phase one uses low viscosity epoxy to provide viscoelastic properties and phase two provides the fillers consisting of carbon fiber and graphite nanoplatelets to provide high thermal conductivity and structural properties. By combining these functional materials, 3D structures with a high thermal conductivity (≈2 W m−1 K−1) are printed for thermal management applications with the storage modulus of 3000 MPa and a density only 1.24 g cm−3. The results show that by carefully tailoring functional properties of the ink, net‐shape multifunctional structures can be directly printed for thermal management device applications, such as heat sinks.
Examination of factor structure of the inventory of complicated grief (ICG) in a sample of bereaved military family members with persistent and elevated grief
Authors: Fisher Joscelyn E. , Mauro Christine , Cozza Stephen J. , Wall Melanie , Simon Naomi M. , Ortiz Claudio D. , Harrington‐LaMorie Jill , Wang Yuanjia , Fullerton Carol S. , Ursano Robert J. , Katherine Shear M.
Published: June 2017

Knowledge about the effect of a US service member's death on surviving family members is limited. In order to identify their grief‐related health care needs, a first step is to identify the characteristics of persistent and elevated grief in a military family sample. The present study identified military family members (n = 232) bereaved more than six months who endorsed an elevated level of grief. A confirmatory factor analysis and test of measurement invariance of factor structure were used to compare the factor structure of their Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG) responses to that of a bereaved non‐military‐related clinical research sample with similar grief levels. Results confirmed an equivalent five‐factor structure of the ICG in both the military family sample and the clinical research sample. The similarity in factor structure was present despite differences in demographic characteristics and bereavement experiences between samples. Thus, the ICG reliably measures persistent and elevated grief in military family samples and provides grief symptom profiles that facilitates better understanding of their grief‐related needs.
A populational—based survey on the prevalence, incidence, and risk factors of urinary incontinence in older adults—results from the “SABE STUDY”
Authors: Tamanini José Tadeu Nunes , Pallone Letícia Valério , Sartori Marair Grácio Ferreira , Girão Manoel João Batista Castello , dos Santos Jair Lício Ferreira , de Oliveira Duarte Yeda Aparecida , van Kerrebroeck Philip E.V.A.
Published: June 2017

Aims

To estimate the prevalence and incidence of urinary incontinence (UI) and identify the associated risk factors in a cohort of elderly individuals in Brazil.

Methods

In 2006, individuals aged ≥60 years were selected from the SABE Study (Health, Well‐being, and Aging). The dependent variable was reported UI in 2009. UI was assessed using the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence‐Short Form (ICIQ‐UI SF). Incidence was measured in units of 1000 person‐years, and Cox regression was applied for data analysis. Multivariate analysis was used to assess risk factors for UI. Incidence risk ratio (IRR) was used for comparison.

Results

This is the first study to examine the incidence of UI in Brazilian elderly individuals. In total, 1413 individuals were included; the mean age was 74.5 years, and 864 (61.8%) participants were female. The risk of UI was greater among women with cancer (other than skin) and among those with diabetes. In men, the risk of UI was greater for those in Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) category “5‐8” and those who self‐reported a “fair” health status. The prevalence of UI was 14.2% and 28.2% for men and women, respectively. The incidence rate of UI was 25.6 and 39.3 (×1000 person‐years) for men and women, respectively.

Conclusions

The incidence rate of UI among older adults in the Brazilian community was high for elderly individuals. The identified risk factors were diabetes and IADL category 5‐8 (women) as well as cancer (other than skin) and self‐reported health status (male).
Stable 3D XFEM/vector level sets for non‐planar 3D crack propagation and comparison of enrichment schemes
Authors: Agathos Konstantinos , Ventura Giulio , Chatzi Eleni , Bordas Stéphane P. A.
Published: June 2017

We present a three‐dimensional vector level set method coupled to a recently developed stable extended finite element method (XFEM). We further investigate a new enrichment approach for XFEM adopting discontinuous linear enrichment functions in place of the asymptotic near‐tip functions. Through the vector level set method, level set values for propagating cracks are obtained via simple geometrical operations, eliminating the need for solution of differential evolution equations. The first XFEM variant ensures optimal convergence rates by means of geometrical enrichment, ie, the use of enriched elements in a fixed volume around the crack front, without giving rise to conditioning problems. The linear enrichment approach, significantly simplifies implementation and reduces the computational cost associated with numerical integration, while providing nonoptimal convergence rates similar to standard finite elements. The 2 dicretization schemes are tested for different benchmark problems, and their combination to the vector level set method is verified for nonplanar crack propagation problems.
Locations of Decision Makers in Membership Organizations
Authors: AbouAssi Khaldoun , Tschirhart Mary , Makhlouf Nadeen H.
Published: June 2017

Few studies have theorized and empirically tested variation in location of decision making in NGOs and relationship of decision location choices to accountability dimensions. Using a sample of Lebanese NGOs legally registered as membership organizations, we examine if their budget size and level of member dues, along with dependence on donors interested in democratic governance, predict who participates in their decision‐making process through involvement in preparing and formally approving the annual budget, financial records, and work plan. Our study reveals the reality of shared leadership in these organizations and suggests the value of considering the location of decision making for NGO leaders and the government regulators and funders who wish to encourage democratic processes within membership organizations.
Background and design of the symptom burden in end‐stage liver disease patient‐caregiver dyad study
Authors: Hansen Lissi , Lyons Karen S. , Dieckmann Nathan F. , Chang Michael F. , Hiatt Shirin , Solanki Emma , Lee Christopher S.
Published: June 2017

Over half a million Americans are affected by cirrhosis, the cause of end‐stage liver disease (ESLD). Little is known about how symptom burden changes over time in adults with ESLD and their informal caregivers, which limits our ability to develop palliative care interventions that can optimize symptom management and quality of life in different patient‐caregiver dyads. The purpose of this article is to describe the background and design of a prospective, longitudinal descriptive study, “Symptom Burden in End‐Stage Liver Disease Patient‐Caregiver Dyads,” which is currently in progress. The study is designed to (i) identify trajectories of change in physical and psychological symptom burden in adults with ESLD; (ii) identify trajectories of change in physical and psychological symptom burden in caregivers of adults with ESLD; and (iii) determine predictors of types of patient‐caregiver dyads that would benefit from tailored palliative care interventions. We aim for a final sample of 200 patients and 200 caregivers who will be followed over 12 months. Integrated multilevel and latent growth mixture modeling will be used to identify trajectories of change in symptom burden, linking those changes to clinical events, and quality of life outcomes and characterizing types of patient‐caregiver dyads based on patient‐, caregiver‐, and dyad‐level factors. Challenges we have encountered include unexpected attrition of study participants, participants not returning their baseline questionnaires, and hiring and training of research staff. The study will lay the foundation for future research and innovation in ESLD, end‐of‐life and palliative care, and caregiving.
Prescribing trends and indications of antipsychotic medication in Hong Kong from 2004 to 2014: General and vulnerable patient groups
Authors: Lao Kim S.J. , Tam Anthony W.Y. , Wong Ian C.K. , Besag Frank M.C. , Man Kenneth K.C. , Chui Celine S.L. , Chan Esther W.
Published: June 2017

Purpose

Antipsychotic‐prescribing patterns remain unclear in Asia. The aims of our study were to investigate prescribing trends of antipsychotic medication in the general population, children, and older patients by drug generation (first or second), the prescribing trend in pregnant women, the probable indication for antipsychotic prescription, and the prescribing trend by dosage form.

Methods

This descriptive study identified and included all patients prescribed with antipsychotic in Hong Kong from 2004 to 2014 using the Clinical Data Analysis and Report System. This study calculated and reported the prevalence of antipsychotic prescribing in patient groups of interest, the percentage with diagnoses of mental disorders were derived, and the prevalence of antipsychotic by dosage forms.

Results

The study included 10 109 206 prescriptions of any antipsychotics to 256 903 patients. Over the study period, the prevalence of antipsychotic prescribing increased from 1.06% to 1.54% in the general population, from 0.10% to 0.23% in children (3‐17 years old), and from 2.61% to 3.26% in older patients (≥65 years old). The prevalence of second‐generation antipsychotics increased, but the prevalence of first‐generation antipsychotics did not. Prevalence of antipsychotic prescribing in prepregnancy, pregnancy, and postpartum timeframes varied from 0.18% to 0.38%. The percentage of incident prescriptions with a diagnosis of psychosis decreased from 54.1% to 47.5%.

Conclusions

Antipsychotics have been increasingly prescribed in the general population, children, and older patients. There is an increase in second‐generation antipsychotic prescribing. Over half of incident users had a recent diagnosis of a nonpsychotic mental disorder in 2014, suggesting that off‐label prescribing of antipsychotics might be common.
Understanding how coping strategies and quality of life maintain hope in patients deliberating phase I trial participation
Authors: van der Biessen Diane A. , van der Helm Peer G. , Klein Dennis , van der Burg Simone , Mathijssen Ron H. , Lolkema Martijn P. , de Jonge Maja J.
Published: June 2017

Objective

This study aimed to understand how hope and motivation of patients considering phase I trial participation are affected by psychological factors such as coping strategies and locus of control (LoC) and general well‐being as measured by the quality of life (QoL).

Methods

An exploratory cross‐sectional study was performed in patients with incurable cancer (N = 135) referred to our phase I unit for the first time. Patients were potentially eligible for phase I trial participation and participated in our study while deliberating phase I trial participation. We used questionnaires on hope, motivation to participate, coping, LoC, and QoL. To investigate the nature and magnitude of the relationships between the scales, a structural equation modeling (SEM) was fitted to the data.

Results

Hope significantly predicted the motivation to participate in phase I trials. Predictors of hope were a combination of flexible and tenacious goal pursuit (both P < .01), internal LoC (P < .01), and QoL (P < .01). The SEM showed an exact fit to the data, using a null hypothesis significance test: chi‐square (8) = 9.30, P = .32.

Conclusions

Patients considering phase I trial participation seem to use a pact of tenacious and flexible coping and control to stay hopeful. Furthermore, hope and QoL positively affected each other. The psychological pact may promote an adaptation enabling them to adjust to difficult circumstances by unconsciously ignoring information, called dissonance reduction. This mechanism may impair their ability to provide a valid informed consent. We suggest including a systematic exploration of patients' social context and values before proposing a phase I trial.
Effects of stepped psychooncological care on referral to psychosocial services and emotional well‐being in cancer patients: A cluster‐randomized phase III trial
Authors: Singer Susanne , Danker Helge , Roick Julia , Einenkel Jens , Briest Susanne , Spieker Henning , Dietz Andreas , Hoffmann Isabell , Papsdorf Kirsten , Meixensberger Jürgen , Mössner Joachim , Schiefke Franziska , Dietel Anja , Wirtz Hubert , Niederwieser Dietger , Berg Thomas , Kersting Anette
Published: June 2017

Objective

Emotional distress in cancer patients often goes unnoticed in daily routine; therefore, distress screening is now recommended in many national guidelines. However, screening alone does not necessarily translate into better well‐being. We examined whether stepped psychooncological care improves referral to consultation‐liaison (CL) services and improves well‐being.

Methods

In a cluster‐randomized trial, wards were randomly allocated to stepped versus standard care. Stepped care comprised screening for distress, consultation between doctor and patient about the patient's need for CL services, and provision of CL service. Primary outcomes were referral to psychosocial services and emotional well‐being half a year after baseline, measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. A secondary endpoint was uptake of outpatient health care. Analysis employed mixed‐effects multivariate regression modeling.

Results

Thirteen wards were randomized; 1012 patients participated. With stepped care (N = 570; 7 wards), 22% of the patients were referred to CL services and 3% with standard care (N = 442; 6 wards; odds ratio [OR] 10.0; P < .001). Well‐being 6 months after baseline was 9.5 after stepped care (N = 341) and 9.4 after standard care (N = 234, β −0.3; P = .71). After stepped care, patients with psychiatric comorbidity went more often to psychotherapists (OR 4.0, P = .05) and to psychiatrists (OR 2.3, P = .12), whereas patients without comorbidity used psychiatrists less often (OR 0.4, P = .04) than in standard care.

Conclusions

Stepped care resulted in better referral to CL services. The patients' emotional well‐being was not improved, but uptake of outpatient psychiatric help was increased in patients with psychiatric comorbidity and decreased in patients without.
A methodology for computing spatially and temporally varying surface sensible heat flux from thermal imagery
Authors: Morrison Travis J. , Calaf Marc , Fernando Harindra J. S. , Price Timothy A. , Pardyjak Eric R.
Published: June 2017

Thermal infrared imagery provides a measure of surface temperature by quantifying the thermal emission of radiation from objects. In this work, we propose a novel approach for computing surface sensible heat fluxes from a time series of thermal imagery sampled at 20 Hz. The approach consists of using a surface energy budget, where the ground heat flux is easily computed from limited measurements using a force–restore‐type methodology, the latent heat fluxes are neglected, and the energy storage is computed using a lumped capacitance model. Preliminary validation of the method is presented using experimental data acquired at a desert playa in western Utah from an intensive observation period during the Mountain Terrain Atmospheric Modeling and Observations (MATERHORN) Program. The sensible heat fluxes computed from thermal imagery show encouraging agreement (≈4% difference for 1 h averaged fluxes computed with the force–restore method) compared to heat fluxes obtained using the eddy‐covariance technique, however additional evaluation is required to confirm the method's validity. Further, the technique illustrates the richness of surface heat flux spatio‐temporal structure even over very smooth surfaces.
Clustering high‐dimensional mixed data to uncover sub‐phenotypes: joint analysis of phenotypic and genotypic data
Authors: McParland D. , Phillips C. M. , Brennan L. , Roche H. M. , Gormley I. C.
Published: June 2017

The LIPGENE‐SU.VI.MAX study, like many others, recorded high‐dimensional continuous phenotypic data and categorical genotypic data. LIPGENE‐SU.VI.MAX focuses on the need to account for both phenotypic and genetic factors when studying the metabolic syndrome (MetS), a complex disorder that can lead to higher risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Interest lies in clustering the LIPGENE‐SU.VI.MAX participants into homogeneous groups or sub‐phenotypes, by jointly considering their phenotypic and genotypic data, and in determining which variables are discriminatory. A novel latent variable model that elegantly accommodates high dimensional, mixed data is developed to cluster LIPGENE‐SU.VI.MAX participants using a Bayesian finite mixture model. A computationally efficient variable selection algorithm is incorporated, estimation is via a Gibbs sampling algorithm and an approximate BIC‐MCMC criterion is developed to select the optimal model. Two clusters or sub‐phenotypes (‘healthy’ and ‘at risk’) are uncovered. A small subset of variables is deemed discriminatory, which notably includes phenotypic and genotypic variables, highlighting the need to jointly consider both factors. Further, 7 years after the LIPGENE‐SU.VI.MAX data were collected, participants underwent further analysis to diagnose presence or absence of the MetS. The two uncovered sub‐phenotypes strongly correspond to the 7‐year follow‐up disease classification, highlighting the role of phenotypic and genotypic factors in the MetS and emphasising the potential utility of the clustering approach in early screening. Additionally, the ability of the proposed approach to define the uncertainty in sub‐phenotype membership at the participant level is synonymous with the concepts of precision medicine and nutrition. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simulation study on the shear transfer behavior of recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Sun Chang , Xiao Jianzhuang , Lange David A.
Published: June 2017

In this paper, a three‐dimensional finite element method (FEM) model of push‐off tests for specimens made with recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) was presented. The FEM model used ABAQUS/Standard module software. The model considered the plasticity of concrete and the concrete‐to‐concrete contact properties, and was found to agree with experimental data from shear transfer tests. The verified model was then used for a parametric study that investigated lateral reinforcement, concrete strength, and recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) replacement ratio. The parametric study shows that the ultimate shear strength increases by 23.1% when the lateral reinforcement ratio increases from 0.56% to 1.12%; the ultimate shear stress increases almost linearly when the concrete strength increases from 30 MPa to 60 MPa; the ultimate shear stress is reduced by 13.8% when the RCA replacement ratio increases from 0% to 100%.
Migrants and Psychosomatic Symptoms: An Evaluation in an Emergency Centre
Authors: Perito M. , Calia R.M. , Carpentieri G. , De Guglielmo S. , Del Buono G. , Fasano V. , Fiorentino N. , Napolitano R. , Forgione M. , Scotti D. , Solomita B. , Franza F.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

In recent years, there has been an increase in migration in Europe. Particularly, Italy has been one of the most important landing place. Currently, migrants in the province of Avellino, South Italy city, amount to about 1400, housed in 40 facilities in 23 municipalities. Psychological interest on migration and its impact on lifestyle patterns has increased in recent years.

Objectives

There are few studies that evaluated the frequent psychosomatic symptoms in these populations. Despite the trauma experienced, they are not able to give a name to the suffered and somatized pain.

Aim

Assessment of somatic symptoms reported by the immigrant cohort after a three-month observation period.

Methods

We included 50 migrants (21.3 mean years) hosted in emergency centre in Avellino, Italy. All guests have conducted psychological clinical interviews. At baseline, were administered following scales: the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9); Illness Behaviour Inventory (IBI); Symptoms checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) scale. Same data was collected after three months.

Results

The migrant group was a heterogeneous group. Overall data on IBI and PHQ-9 scale indicate a statistically significant variation baseline vs deadline Data of IBI scale is statistically significant [T-Score: 3,921; P: 003]; also with PHQ-9 [T0 vs. T1: T-Score: 3,986; P: .003]. Similar results have been found with SCL-90-R.

Conclusions

In their vocabulary, terms such as anxiety, sadness, fear exist hardly. They tend to minimize the psychological pain, not because I do not feel, but because move it on the body. They have difficulty to talk about emotions, not just a matter of culture and language, but also because they are ashamed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Cerebellar Activity in Young People with Familial Risk for Psychosis — The Oulu Brain and Mind Study
Authors: Jukur T. , Kiviniemi V. , Veijola J.
Published: June 2017

Objective

The cerebellum plays a critical role in cognition and behavior. Altered function of the cerebellum has been related to schizophrenia and psychosis but it is not known how this applies to spontaneous resting state activity in young people with familial risk for psychosis.

Methods

We conducted resting-state functional MRI (R-fMRI) in 72 (29 male) young adults with a history of psychosis in one or both parents (FR) but without their own psychosis, and 72 (29 male) similarly healthy control subjects without parental psychosis. Both groups in the Oulu Brain and Mind Study were drawn from the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986. Participants were 20–25 years old. Parental psychosis was established using the Care Register for Health Care. R-fMRI data pre-processing was conducted using independent component analysis with 30 and 70 components. A dual regression technique was used to detect between- group differences in the cerebellum with p b 0.05 threshold corrected for multiple comparisons.

Results

FR participants demonstrated statistically significantly increased activity compared to control subjects in the anterior lobe of the right cerebellum in the analysis with 70 components. The volume of the increased activity was 73 mm3. There was no difference between the groups in the analysis with 30 components (Fig. 1).

Conclusion

The finding suggests that increased activity of the anterior lobe of the right cerebellum may be associated with increased vulnerability to psychosis. The finding is novel, and needs replication to be confirmed.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
Case Report of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP)
Authors: Garcia B.
Published: June 2017

This is a case of an old man, affected by progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), admitted due to behavioral alteration in long-term home. Medical background PSP's diagnosis in 2008. Debuts in the form of lower limb tremor, Bradykinesia and tendency to fall. Hypomimia, hypotonia, rigidity and slight postural tremor in upper limbs. Partial response to anti-Parkinson drugs. Psychiatric background, premorbid personality prone to cognitive rigidity, dichotomous thinking and impulsiveness. Join in acute unit from February to May 2012, where it is oriented as a depression of adaptive features. Several antidepressants were tested with partial response (venlafaxine, reboxetine, mirtazapina, bupropion, sertraline). Current episode patient, who comes presenting behavioral alteration with poor tolerance to the limitations imposed by the disease and passive aggressive behaviors. His wife reports difficulties in ambulation, increment of falls, and lack of hygiene and dietary transgression. Complementary explorations blood test: hemogram and biochemical unaltered, hypertriglyceridemia, syphilis, HIV serology negative. Diagnosis stable PSP, behavioral disorders are objectified within his personality disorder. Pharmacological approach. In case levodopa causes clinical symptoms of postural hypotension, stalevo is decreased and sinemet is removed. Slight improvement is noticed. Case review PSP is an uncommon brain disorder that affects movement, control of walking and balance, vision, cognitive impairment and neuropsychiatric disorders. It is associated with the deposition of hyperphosphorylated, tau, in the pallidum, subthalamic nucleus, red nucleus, etc. Cognitive deficits and neuropsychiatric symptoms may precede the onset of Parkinsonism. Most changes are referred to personality, with presence of irritability, impulsivity. Psychotic symptoms may exist. There are no disease-modifying treatments. Management should focus on optimizing life quality.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his declaration of competing interest.
Self-compassion, Well-being and Health in Elderly: Are there Related?
Authors: Cunha M. , Parente L. , Galhardo A. , Couto M.
Published: June 2017

Introduction

The increase in aging population is a major advance in society, but also a great challenge, imposing the need for actions that promote successful aging, with higher subjective well-being and better health.

Objectives

(1) analyse the possible influence of socio-demographic variables in self-compassion, satisfaction with life, affection, physical and mental health (study variables); (2) understand how is that the study variables are associated with each other in old age; and (3) explore which variables best predict satisfaction with life and health in the elderly.

Method

The study sample consists of 155 individuals, aged between 65 and 94 years old, institutionalised and non-institutionalised.

Results

(1) significant correlations were found between some demographic and the study variables. (2) Significant associations were also found between self-compassion, subjective well-being and health. (3) linear regression analysis revealed that physical health is best predicted by greater life satisfaction and lower age; mental health is best predicted by increased satisfaction with life, self-compassion and decreased negative affect; and, finally, life satisfaction is predicted by a higher physical health and self-compassion.

Conclusions

These results suggest the importance of developing psychological skills such as warmth, tolerance and the acceptance of suffering bearing in mind that the elderly may experience difficulties resulting from the developmental characteristics of old age. Our findings suggest the possible beneficial effect of compassion, focused therapies designed for this specific population, particularly contributing to the promotion of life satisfaction and mental health of the Portuguese elderly.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.
The Neutrophil and Platelet to Lymphocyte Ratios in People with Subjective, Mild Cognitive Impairment and Early Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Kalelioglu T. , Yuruyen M. , Gultekin G. , Yavuzer H. , Ozturk Y. , Kurt M. , Topcu Y. , Doventas A. , Emul M.
Published: June 2017

Background

In this study we aimed to explore the role of inflammation in subjects with mild Alzheimer dementia (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and subjective cognitive decline (SCD) via new potential inflammation markers of Neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and Platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR). NLR and PLR are useful and cost-effective biomarkers, showing peripheral systemic inflammation, were previously shown in neuropsychiatric disorders [1].

Methods

In screening phase the patients were assessed with mini-mental state examination, clinical dementia rating scale (CDR), geriatric depression scale (GDS) and Hachinski Ischemic Scale (HIS) after unstructured psychiatric interview according to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorder, Text Revised (DSM-IV, TR). Spectrum of cognitive decline includes 31 patients with mild Alzheimer's disease, 30 subjects with mild cognitive impairment, 31 individuals with subjective cognitive decline. Thirty-one healthy controls enrolled to the study.

Results

NLR value of patients with AD was 2.38 ± 0.81, subjects with MCI was 2.48 ± 1.19, SCD group was 2.24 ± 1.11 and control group was 1.85 ± 0.80. NLR was significantly higher in AD and MCI groups when compared with control group (P = 0.006, P = 0.03, respectively). Platelet-lymphocyte ratio was not correlated with cognitive impairment. Neutrophil counts were indifferent when comparing either of groups. Lymphocyte levels were significantly lower in each of cognitive decline groups when compared to healthy controls.

Conclusion

The present findings suggest that systemic inflammation may have a role in developing Alzheimer's Disease.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.