bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
C‐Met as a potential target for the treatment of gastrointestinal cancer: Current status and future perspectives
Authors: Bahrami Afsane , Shahidsales Soodabeh , Khazaei Majid , Ghayour‐Mobarhan Majid , Maftouh Mina , Hassanian Seyed Mahdi , Avan Amir
Published: January 2017

Aberrant activation of the HGF/c‐Met signalling pathways is shown to be related with cell proliferation, progression, metastasis, and worse prognosis in several tumor types, including gastrointestinal cancers, suggesting its value as a stimulating‐target for cancer‐therapy. Several approaches have been developed for targeting HGF and/or c‐Met, and one of them, crizotinib (dual c‐Met/ALK inhibitor), is recently been approved by FDA for lung‐cancers with ALK‐rearrangement. The main aim of current review is to give an overview on the role of c‐Met/HGF pathway in gastrointestinal cancer, in preclinical and clinical trials. Although several important matters is still remained to be elucidated on the molecular pathways underlying the antitumor effects of this therapy in gastrointestinal‐cancers. Further investigations are warranted to recognize the main determinants of the activity of c‐Met inhibitors, for parallel targeting signalling pathway associated/activated via MET/HGF pathway or in response to the cell resistance to anti‐c‐Met agents. Additionally, identification of patients that might benefit from therapy could help to increase the selectivity and efficacy of the therapy.
Characterization and application of a self‐aspirating electrospray source with pneumatic‐assisted ionization
Authors: Yu Q. , Zhang J. , Ni K. , Qian X. , Wang X.
Published: January 2017

A single gas‐assisted electrospray ion source developed for ambient mass spectrometry is introduced in this paper. Simultaneous self‐aspiration and electrospray could be achieved by using a constant sheath gas flow supplied from a mini air pump. A gas dynamic study of the spray module is carried out for structural optimization. The entire device exhibits a simplified design and has been systematically characterized through both simulated and experimental investigations. According to the results, the ion source exhibited satisfactory stability and the ability for quantitative operation in routine electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the ion source can be operated as a desorption electrospray ionization source to perform direct desorption/ionization of the solid samples. The versatile source described here appears to provide a practical approach to perform ambient mass spectrometry analysis with unrestricted sampling operation, and the extensive gas dynamic studies together with the experimental characterization are believed to be helpful in building self‐aspirating spray devices. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Raman spectroscopic study of cracking and hydrolysis of propane in fused silica capillary capsules between 300 and 400 °C
Authors: Xu Xiaochun , Chou I‐Ming
Published: January 2017

Isothermal experiments on C3H8, with or without water, in fused silica capillary capsules were conducted at temperatures (Ts) between 300 and 400 °C for durations up to 322 hours. Reaction progresses were evaluated with Raman spectroscopy at room T before and after heating. After an initial experiment, some samples were reheated to the same T for total durations up to 821 hours. Consumption of water was monitored by calculating the changes in relative volumes of the vapor, aqueous, and C3H8 liquid phases from the lengths of the phases in the capillary. Reactions of C3H8 without water produced a small amount of CH4, reaching a steady state after about 100 hours of heating at T < 360 °C. Reactions with water appear to be largely hydrolysis, generating a CH4‐rich vapor phase and methanol and ethanol in the aqueous phase. At fixed T, Raman spectra showed that concentrations of alcohols increased steadily with time as water was consumed. Our observations show that, without iron‐bearing mineral buffers, the reactions between propane and water are relatively limited, forming alcohols without further oxidation to propanoic or ethanoic acid and/or CO2. This observation suggests that during deep burial, hydrocarbon gases may be more stable in iron‐poor reservoirs like quartz arenites or carbonate grainstones than in mudstones or arkoses that are rich in redox‐reactive iron‐bearing siliciclastic and diagenetic minerals. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Poststroke Choreodystonia Responsive to Zopiclone: Further Evidence of a Role for the “Z‐Drugs” in Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders
Authors: Bogdanova‐Mihaylova Petya , Walsh Richard A.
Published: January 2017

View Supplementary Video 1
Health benefits of methylxanthines in neurodegenerative diseases
Authors: Oñatibia‐Astibia Ainhoa , Franco Rafael , Martínez‐Pinilla Eva
Published: January 2017

Methylxanthines (MTXs) are consumed by almost everybody in almost every area of the world. Caffeine, theophylline and theobromine are the most well‐known members of this family of compounds; they are present, inter alia, in coffee, tea, cacao, yerba mate and cola drinks. MTXs are readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and are able to penetrate into the central nervous system, where they exert significant psychostimulant actions, which are more evident in acute intake. Coffee has been paradigmatic, as its use was forbidden in many diseases, however, this negative view has radically changed; evidence shows that MTXs display health benefits in diseases involving cell death in the nervous system. This paper reviews data that appraise the preventive and even therapeutic potential of MTXs in a variety of neurodegenerative diseases. Future perspectives include the use of MTXs to advance the understanding the pathophysiology of, inter alia, Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), and the use of the methylxanthine chemical moiety as a basis for the development of new and more efficacious drugs.
Aged garlic extract suppresses the increase of plasma glycated albumin level and enhances the AMP‐activated protein kinase in adipose tissue in TSOD mice
Authors: Miki Satomi , Inokuma Ken‐ichi , Takashima Miyuki , Nishida Mitsuho , Sasaki Yoko , Ushijima Mitsuyasu , Suzuki Jun‐ichiro , Morihara Naoaki
Published: January 2017

Scope

In this study, we investigated the effect of aged garlic extract (AGE) on the high level of blood glucose in Tsumura Suzuki Obese‐Diabetes (TSOD) mice.

Methods and results

TSOD mice were fed standard diet with or without 2% AGE for 19 weeks. AGE treatment lowered the blood glucose level and significantly reduced the plasma level of glycated albumin in TSOD mice as compared with those without AGE treatment. In addition, AGE treatment increased the level of phosphorylated AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the adipose tissue, liver and muscle that played an important role in the maintenance of insulin sensitivity. Moreover, AGE treatment also suppressed the mRNA expression of fatty acid synthase, a known factor regulated by AMPK, and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, one of the representative inflammatory chemokines, in the adipose tissue but not in the liver.

Conclusion

AGE treatment suppresses the increase of plasma glycated albumin level in TSOD mice and this effect is accompanied by the activation of AMPK in adipose tissue, and suggests that AGE may play a potential role in the prevention and treatment of type 2 diabetes.
Slice profile and B1 corrections in 2D magnetic resonance fingerprinting
Authors: Ma Dan , Coppo Simone , Chen Yong , McGivney Debra F. , Jiang Yun , Pahwa Shivani , Gulani Vikas , Griswold Mark A.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

The goal of this study is to characterize and improve the accuracy of 2D magnetic resonance fingerprinting (MRF) scans in the presence of slice profile (SP) and B1 imperfections, which are two main factors that affect quantitative results in MRF.

Methods

The SP and B1 imperfections are characterized and corrected separately. The SP effect is corrected by simulating the radiofrequency pulse in the dictionary, and the B1 is corrected by acquiring a B1 map using the Bloch‐Siegert method before each scan. The accuracy, precision, and repeatability of the proposed method are evaluated in phantom studies. The effects of both SP and B1 imperfections are also illustrated and corrected in the in vivo studies.

Results

The SP and B1 corrections improve the accuracy of the T1 and T2 values, independent of the shape of the radiofrequency pulse. The T1 and T2 values obtained from different excitation patterns become more consistent after corrections, which leads to an improvement of the robustness of the MRF design.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that MRF is sensitive to both SP and B1 effects, and that corrections can be made to improve the accuracy of MRF with only a 2‐s increase in acquisition time. Magn Reson Med 78:1781–1789, 2017. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Childhood autoimmune necrotizing myopathy with anti‐signal recognition particle antibodies
Authors: Zhao Yawen , Liu Xiujuan , Zhang Wei , Yuan Yun
Published: January 2017

Introduction

The aim of this study was to describe the therapeutic effects of immunomodulatory therapy in 3 patients with childhood autoimmune necrotizing myopathy with anti‐signal recognition particle antibodies (SRP‐ANM).

Methods

Before treatment, data on clinical features, muscle pathology, and thigh MRIs were obtained. After definitive diagnoses, all 3 patients were treated with intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids, and thigh MRIs were performed.

Results

Clinical improvements were associated with declines in serum creatine kinase levels. Pretreatment thigh MRIs revealed diffuse, but uneven or focal edema, mostly in the posterior thigh muscles, which was alleviated after immunomodulatory therapy.

Discussion

Childhood SRP‐ANM responded well to immunomodulatory therapy. The extent of edema, as monitored by thigh MRI, appears to be a useful marker of disease severity and therapeutic benefit. Muscle Nerve 56: 1181–1187, 2017
Repeatability, consistency, and accuracy of hand‐held dynamometry with and without fixation for measuring ankle plantarflexion strength in healthy adolescents and adults
Authors: Davis Phillip R. , McKay Marnee J. , Baldwin Jennifer N. , Burns Joshua , Pareyson Davide , Rose Kristy J.
Published: January 2017

Introduction: Hand‐held dynamometry (HHD) is commonly used to measure ankle plantarflexion strength but has variable reliability measuring higher forces. Fixed HHD is suggested to improve reliability. We, therefore, compared the reliability, consistency, and accuracy of measuring plantarflexion strength. Methods: Plantarflexion strength was measured in 25 healthy individuals with fixed HHD and HHD alone. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC2,2), SEM, minimal detectable change, and Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to assess inter‐trial repeatability, consistency, agreement, and accuracy. Results: Both methods were repeatable (ICC2,2 0.96 to 0.98) and highly correlated (Spearman rho = 0.815; P < 0.01). Fixed HHD produced significantly higher force outputs. HHD alone provided more consistent force values. Conclusions: Both methods of measuring ankle plantarflexion force were reliable. Force measured with fixed HHD will likely be more accurate for adults and individuals with greater strength, while HHD alone will be more consistent for individuals with lower strength. Muscle Nerve 56: 896–900, 2017
Spin–orbit coupling and Lorentz force enhanced efficiency of TiO2‐based dye sensitized solar cells
Authors: Kannan Udaya Mohanan , Muddisetti Venkat Narayana , Kotnana Ganesh , Kandhadi Jaipal , Giribabu Lingamallu , Singh Surya Prakash , Jammalamadaka S. Narayana
Published: January 2017

We report on the effect of the strong spin–orbit coupling and the Lorentz force on the efficiency of TiO2‐based dye sensitized solar cells. Upon inclusion of Ho2O3, due to the strong spin–orbit coupling of the rare earth Ho3+ ion, we do see 13% enhancement in the efficiency. We attribute such an enhancement in power conversion efficiency to the increased lifetime of the photo‐excited excitons. Essentially, a Ho3+ ion accelerates the phenomenon of the spin rephasing or the intersystem crossing of the excitons in a photosensitizer. Increase in the absorbance and decrease in the photoluminescence intensity suggests a decrease in the recombination rate, hinting an enhanced charge transport, and is in accordance with our electrochemical impedance spectra and the J–V characteristics. From the above we strongly believe that enhanced efficiency of the device is due to increased intersystem crossing which would accelerate the exciton dissociation. On top of spin–orbit interaction, a configuration where the electric and magnetic fields are perpendicular to each other helped in enhancing the efficiency by 16%, suggesting that the Lorentz force also plays a dominant role in controlling the charge transport of the photo‐generated charge carriers. We strongly believe that this simple and novel strategy of improving the efficiency may pave the way for realizing higher efficiency dye sensitized solar cells.
Analyzing multiple endpoints in a confirmatory randomized clinical trial—an approach that addresses stratification, missing values, baseline imbalance and multiplicity for strictly ordinal outcomes
Authors: Sun Hengrui , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Koch Gary
Published: January 2017

Confirmatory randomized clinical trials with a stratified design may have ordinal response outcomes, ie, either ordered categories or continuous determinations that are not compatible with an interval scale. Also, multiple endpoints are often collected when 1 single endpoint does not represent the overall efficacy of the treatment. In addition, random baseline imbalances and missing values can add another layer of difficulty in the analysis plan. Therefore, the development of an approach that provides a consolidated strategy to all issues collectively is essential. For a real case example that is from a clinical trial comparing a test treatment and a control for the pain management for patients with osteoarthritis, which has all aforementioned issues, multivariate Mann‐Whitney estimators with stratification adjustment are applicable to the strictly ordinal responses with stratified design. Randomization based nonparametric analysis of covariance is applied to account for the possible baseline imbalances. Several approaches that handle missing values are provided. A global test followed by a closed testing procedure controls the family wise error rate in the strong sense for the analysis of multiple endpoints. Four outcomes indicating joint pain, stiffness, and functional status were analyzed collectively and also individually through the procedures. Treatment efficacy was observed in the combined endpoint as well as in the individual endpoints. The proposed approach is effective in addressing the aforementioned problems simultaneously and straightforward to implement.
Engineering matrix‐free laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry using glancing angle deposition films
Authors: Singh Reshma , Bezuidenhout Louis W. , Jemere Abebaw , Wang Zhen , Brett Michael , Harrison D. Jed
Published: January 2017

Rationale

Thin, nanoporous films fabricated using Glancing Angle Deposition (GLAD) technology are demonstrated for solid matrix laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (SMALDI‐MS). GLAD allows facile engineering of nanoporosity, film thickness, post alignment, and material composition, as demonstrated here by the fabrication of Co‐GLAD and Si‐GLAD films for SMALDI, and by exploration of the SMALDI performance as a function of thickness, post density, and angle of the post relative to surface normal.

Methods

GLAD films were prepared by electron beam evaporation onto silicon substrates, using steep angles of incidence for the vacuum deposition, with computer controlled substrate rotation. LDI from the GLAD films was evaluated using an MDS‐Sciex time‐of‐flight (TOF) MALDI mass spectrometer.

Results

Co‐GLAD films give a limit of quantitation of 6 fmol for complex carbohydrate derivatives, and slanted‐post Si‐GLAD films show up to three times higher sensitivity than vertical post structures. Reproducibility of both Si and Co films is much higher than conventional MALDI methods for m/z below at least 2100 Da. Both reproducibility and detection limits are comparable to or better than other nano‐structured materials. Co‐GLAD films are significantly better in performance than Co powders or Co thin films on silicon substrates previously evaluated.

Conclusions

The flexibility of GLAD for thin film fabrication of LDI materials is demonstrated by the range of nanoporous materials that can be grown, and the fine control over structural conformation, thickness and porosity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sample size calculations for randomised trials including both independent and paired data
Authors: Yelland Lisa N. , Sullivan Thomas R. , Price David J. , Lee Katherine J.
Published: January 2017

Randomised trials including a mixture of independent and paired data arise in many areas of health research, yet methods for determining the sample size for such trials are lacking. We derive design effects algebraically assuming clustering because of paired data will be taken into account in the analysis using generalised estimating equations with either an independence or exchangeable working correlation structure. Continuous and binary outcomes are considered, along with three different methods of randomisation: cluster randomisation, individual randomisation and randomisation to opposite treatment groups. The design effect is shown to depend on the intracluster correlation coefficient, proportion of observations belonging to a pair, working correlation structure, type of outcome and method of randomisation. The derived design effects are validated through simulation and example calculations are presented to illustrate their use in sample size planning. These design effects will enable appropriate sample size calculations to be performed for future randomised trials including both independent and paired data. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Production of Isopropyl and Methyl Esters from Yellow Mustard Oil/IPA Miscellas
Authors: Sinichi Sayeh , Boocock David G. B. , Diosady Levente L.
Published: January 2017

Using an isopropyl alcohol (IPA):flour [volume:weight (ml:g)] ratio of 1.5:1 per stage of extraction resulted in an oil yield of 86.3%. The combined miscella (IPA + oil), which contained 90.6 wt% IPA, 9.8 wt% oil, and 2.1 wt% water, was used as a feedstock for biodiesel production by transesterification. Transesterification of the IPA/oil miscella dehydrated using adsorption on 4Å molecular sieves with 1.2 wt% (based on oil) potassium hydroxide for 2 h at 72 °C converted only 29% of the feed to esters. The addition of methanol (MeOH) resulted in an ester yield of 87%, consisting of 79% methyl ester and 7% isopropyl ester when starting with an IPA:oil:MeOH molar ratio of 146:1:30. By increasing the KOH catalyst to 3 wt%, the ester yield increased to 94%. To increase the ester yield, the miscella was pretreated with sulfuric acid. This resulted in a reduction of the IPA content, the removal of other impurities such as phospholipids, and reduction of the water mass fraction to less than 1%. When IPA was used as a cosolvent with methanol in the transesterification process, a very high ester conversion (>99%) was achieved. The biodiesel produced was compliant with ASTM standards, showing that IPA can be used as a solvent for oil extraction from yellow mustard flour.
Education and the Transition to Fatherhood: The Role of Selection Into Union
Authors: Trimarchi Alessandra , Van Bavel Jan
Published: January 2017

Although advanced education has been found to be consistently associated with a later transition to parenthood for women, findings about education and the transition to parenthood have been much less consistent for men, and no stylized fact has emerged from the literature. We argue that the inconsistency of findings for men is due to the fact that the selection process involved in union formation has been disregarded in earlier studies. We hypothesize that men’s educational attainment consistently and positively affects the transition to fatherhood via higher rates of union formation. We apply multiprocess event-history analysis to data from the Generations and Gender Surveys for 10 European countries. Our results show indeed a consistent positive effect of education on the transition to fatherhood, but it operates chiefly through selection into union. Failing to account for this selection process leads to a major underestimation of the salience of education for the transition to fatherhood.
Is Stepfamily Status Associated With Cohabiting and Married Women’s Fertility Behaviors?
Authors: Guzzo Karen Benjamin
Published: January 2017

Children from prior relationships potentially complicate fertility decision-making in new cohabitations and marriages. On the one hand, the “value of children” perspective suggests that unions with and without stepchildren have similar—and deliberate—reasons for shared childbearing. On the other hand, multipartnered fertility (MPF) research suggests that childbearing across partnerships is often unintended. Using the 2006–2010 National Survey of Family Growth and event-history models, I examine the role of stepfamily status on cohabiting and married women’s fertility and birth intendedness, with attention to union type and stepfamily configuration. Adjusting for covariates, women in stepfamily unions are more likely to have a first shared birth in a union than women in unions in which neither partner has children from past relationships, but stepfamily births are less likely to be intended than unintended. Further, this association varies by union type: married women have similar birth risks across stepfamily status, but births are less likely to be intended in marital stepfamilies. For cohabitors, women in a stepfamily are more likely to have a birth than women in nonstepfamily unions, with no differences in intendedness. Configuration (whose children and how many) also matters; for instance, women with one child from a past relationship are more likely to have a birth and to have an intended than unintended birth than women with other stepfamily configurations. It appears that children from either partner’s prior relationships influences subsequent fertility decision-making, undermining the utility of the “value of children” perspective for explaining childbearing behaviors in complex families.
What Is the Real Impact of Urinary Incontinence on Female Sexual Dysfunction? A Case Control Study
Authors: Felippe Mariana Rhein , Zambon Joao Paulo , Girotti Marcia Eli , Burti Juliana Schulze , Hacad Claudia Rosenblatt , Cadamuro Lina , Almeida Fernando
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Urinary incontinence (UI) has been associated with negative effects on women's sexuality. Women's sexuality and sexual function are a complex issue, and the role of UI is not completely clear.

Aim

To assess the impact of UI on female sexual function by comparing this population with a control group of continent women.

Methods

We performed a case-control study from August 2012 to September 2013. We evaluated continent and incontinent women (age range = 30–70 years) for their sexuality.

Main Outcome Measures

All patients were evaluated by anamnesis, physical examination, and self-report quality-of-life questionnaires. In addition, incontinent women underwent a 1-hour pad test. Patients without sexual activity were evaluated for the role of UI in their sexual abstinence. Sexual abstinence was defined as the absence of sexual activity for more than 6 months. All sexually active women completed the self-report Sexuality Quotient–Female Version (SQ-F) questionnaire.

Results

A total of 356 women were included in the study (incontinent, n = 243; continent, n = 113). Sexual abstinence was found in 162 women (45%). Incontinent women presented a higher prevalence (P < .001) of sexual abstinence than their counterparts (129 [53%] and 33 [29.2%], respectively). Age, marital status, and UI were found to be isolated predictive factors for more sexual abstinence in incontinent women. Sexually active women (incontinent, n = 114; continent, n = 80) presented similar demographic data. Despite a similar frequency of sexual activity, incontinent women had less sexual desire, foreplay, harmony with a partner, sexual comfort, and sexual satisfaction than their counterparts. Women with greater urinary leakage during the 1-hour pad test (weight > 11 g) had the worst sexual function (SQ-F) score.

Conclusion

Women with UI were more likely to be sexual abstinent than continent women. Furthermore, women with UI showed less sexual desire, sexual comfort, and sexual satisfaction than their counterparts despite having a similar frequency of sexual activity.
Humanizing brands: When brands seem to be like me, part of me, and in a relationship with me
Authors: MacInnis Deborah J. , Folkes Valerie S.
Published: January 2017

We review a growing body of research in consumer behavior that has examined when consumers humanize brands by perceiving them as like, part of, or in a relationship with themselves. One research stream shows that sometimes consumers perceive brands as having human‐like forms, minds, and personality characteristics. A second stream identifies ways that a consumer perceives a brand as being congruent with or connected to the self. Finally, a third highlights that consumers can view brands in ways that are analogous to the types of relationships they have with people. We review research in these three areas and point out connections among these research streams. In part, we accomplish this by showing that factors associated with the SEEK model, which are designed to explain anthropomorphic tendencies, are also relevant to other ways of humanizing brands. We identify major propositions derived from this research and several areas for which additional research is needed. We conclude with recommendations for the many opportunities for expanding our conceptual and empirical understanding of this domain.
Synchronous Ipsilateral High Submuscular Placement of Prosthetic Balloons and Reservoirs
Authors: Kavoussi Nicholas L. , Hofer Matthias D. , Viers Boyd R. , Cordon Billy H. , Mooney Ryan P. , Pagliara Travis J. , Scott Jeremy M. , Morey Allen F.
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Synchronous ipsilateral high submuscular placement of artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) pressure-regulating balloons (PRBs) and inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) reservoirs in a single submuscular tunnel is a novel strategy that could be advantageous for patients who have had major pelvic surgery.

Aim

To report our initial experience with synchronous ipsilateral vs bilateral placement of AUS PRBs and IPP reservoirs in men undergoing implant surgery.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients undergoing synchronous AUS and IPP placement from 2007 through 2015 by a single surgeon at our tertiary center. Patients were stratified according to ipsilateral vs bilateral placement of the AUS PRB and IPP reservoir.

Main Outcome Measures

Reoperation rates because of infectious or erosive complications and mechanical failure were assessed.

Results

Of the 968 implant surgeries during the study period, 47 men had synchronous device placement, of whom 17 (36%) underwent ipsilateral placement of the PRB and reservoir. During a median follow-up of 19 months (range = 1–84 months), reoperations were necessary in 12 of 47 (26%) and were similar between groups (ipsilateral, 5 of 17, 29%; bilateral, 7 of 30, 23%; P = .73). Most reoperations were due to AUS-related complications (10 of 12, 83%) and nearly all patients with reoperation (10 of 12, 83%) had compromised urethras (ie, prior urethral surgery, radiation, or prior AUS implantation). The most common indication for reintervention was cuff erosion (4 of 47, 9%), with no difference between groups (ipsilateral, 3 of 17, 18%; bilateral, 1 of 30, 3%; P = .13).

Conclusion

Synchronous ipsilateral high submuscular placement of urologic prosthetic balloons could safely facilitate prosthetic surgery in patients with a history of major pelvic and inguinal surgery.
Long-Term Sensitivity and Patient-Reported Functionality of the Neoclitoris After Gender Reassignment Surgery
Authors: Sigurjónsson Hannes , Möllermark Caroline , Rinder Johan , Farnebo Filip , Lundgren T. Kalle
Published: January 2017

Introduction

A cornerstone of treating gender dysphoria for transgender women is gender reassignment surgery (GRS) encompassing vaginoplasty and clitoroplasty. The neoclitoris is harvested as a flap with a neurovascular pedicle from the proximal dorsal part of the glans penis. Few long-term follow-ups exist on postoperative sensation and patient-reported sexual functionality of the neoclitoris.

Aim

To examine the sensitivity of the neoclitoris and its relation to orgasm and sexual function at least 1 year after GRS.

Methods

Twenty-two patients were included, with a mean follow-up of 37 months (range = 12–63) after initial surgery. Tactile and vibratory sensitivities were measured with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and the Bio-Thesiometer vibratory measurement device, respectively. A questionnaire was provided to the patients, as were interview questions about body image, orgasm, pain, and general satisfaction with the surgery.

Main Outcome Measures

Tactile and vibratory sensitivities of the neoclitoris and questionnaire on satisfaction with orgasm, sexual function, and general satisfaction.

Results

The average tactile threshold for the clitoris was 12.5 g/mm2 and the average vibratory threshold was 0.3 μm. Most participants (86%) experienced orgasm after surgery, had no or little pain, and were satisfied with the surgery. No statistical correlation was found between better or worse objective pressure and vibratory thresholds and patient answers to questions about the clitoris in the Body Image Scale for Transsexuals questionnaire.

Conclusion

The neoclitoris derived from the glans penis in GRS provides long-term clitoral sensation that is erogenous. Overall, the vast majority of patients who undergo male-to female GRS experience orgasm and are satisfied with the surgery.
Early Effect of Bariatric Surgery on Urogenital Function in Morbidly Obese Men
Authors: Aleid Maha , Muneer Asif , Renshaw Sara , George Jason , Jenkinson Andrew D. , Adamo Marco , Elkalaawy Mohamed , Batterham Rachel L. , Ralph David J. , Hashemi Majid , Cellek Selim
Published: January 2017

Introduction

Obesity is an independent risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve erectile function and urinary symptoms in medium- to long-term studies (3- to 12-month postoperative follow-up).

Aim

To investigate the early effect (1 month postoperatively) of bariatric surgery on ED and LUTS, which has not previously been investigated.

Methods

Morbidly obese men (body mass index > 35 kg/m2) undergoing bariatric surgery were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaires before surgery and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.

Main Outcome Measure

The influence of bariatric surgery on urogenital function, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin were analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests for paired samples.

Results

Of 30 patients who completed the study, 18 reported ED (IIEF score < 25) and 14 reported moderate or severe LUTS (IPSS ≥ 8) before the operation. Twelve patients had ED and moderate or severe LUTS. IIEF score, IPSS, body mass index, percentage of weight loss, fasting blood glucose, and glycated hemoglobin showed significant and rapid improvement after bariatric surgery starting at the 1-month postoperative time point and improvement continued throughout the study in all patients with ED or moderate to severe LUTS.

Conclusion

This is the first study showing improvement in erectile and urinary function within 1 month after bariatric surgery, an effect that was parallel to glycemic improvement and weight loss.
The Georgia Peach
Authors: Okie William Thomas
Published: January 2017

Imprinted on license plates, plastered on billboards, stamped on the tail side of the state quarter, and inscribed on the state map, the peach is easily Georgia's most visible symbol. Yet Prunus persica itself is surprisingly rare in Georgia, and it has never been central to the southern agricultural economy. Why, then, have southerners - and Georgians in particular - clung to the fruit? The Georgia Peach: Culture, Agriculture, and Environment in the American South shows that the peach emerged as a viable commodity at a moment when the South was desperate for a reputation makeover. This agricultural success made the fruit an enduring cultural icon despite the increasing difficulties of growing it. A delectable contribution to the renaissance in food writing, The Georgia Peach will be of great interest to connoisseurs of food, southern, environmental, rural, and agricultural history.
Nuclear Weapons and Coercive Diplomacy
Authors: Sechser Todd S. , Fuhrmann Matthew
Published: January 2017

Are nuclear weapons useful for coercive diplomacy? Since 1945, most strategic thinking about nuclear weapons has focused on deterrence - using nuclear threats to prevent attacks against the nation's territory and interests. But an often overlooked question is whether nuclear threats can also coerce adversaries to relinquish possessions or change their behavior. Can nuclear weapons be used to blackmail other countries? The prevailing wisdom is that nuclear weapons are useful for coercion, but this book shows that this view is badly misguided. Nuclear weapons are useful mainly for deterrence and self-defense, not for coercion. The authors evaluate the role of nuclear weapons in several foreign policy contexts and present a trove of new quantitative and historical evidence that nuclear weapons do not help countries achieve better results in coercive diplomacy. The evidence is clear: the benefits of possessing nuclear weapons are almost exclusively defensive, not offensive.
Bodies against War: Voluntary Human Shielding as a Practice of
Resistance
Authors: Bargu Banu
Published: January 2017

International humanitarian law strictly prohibits the use of human shields and,
through a well-known genealogy of supranational efforts that passes through the Hague
Convention IV (1907), the Geneva Conventions III and IV (1949), the Additional
Protocol I (1977), and, more recently, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal
Court (1998), has sought to prevent this practice. However, both states and nonstate
belligerents have deployed human shields in order to gain military advantages—to ward
off attacks by placing civilians close to military targets or hiding military targets
within areas inhabited by civilians. This is especially the case in asymmetric
conflict, where the weaker party can use human shields to protect fighters, weapons,
strategic sites, and critical infrastructures, and to delay, deter, and even
discourage attackers from direct engagement that might lead to a high number of
civilian casualties. On the other hand, the attacking party can allege that the
“other” party is using civilians as human shields. Even in the absence of actual
evidence, such an allegation has come to constitute a convenient excuse for attackers
to justify civilian casualties and to relegate the responsibility for their deaths to
the party that endangered them in the first place. In asymmetric conflict, therefore,
parties are incentivized to resort to a politics of human shielding.
Human Shields: Complementary Duties under IHL
Authors: Van Schaack Beth
Published: January 2017

The phenomenon of human shields challenges core tenets of international humanitarian
law (IHL), including its careful dialectic between the imperatives of humanity and
military necessity. Although the principles of distinction, precaution, and
proportionality are well established in the abstract, consensus remains elusive when
these concepts are applied to situations involving human shields, who blur the
boundary between civilians and combatants. And while the prohibition against using human shields is absolute,
it is too often honored in its breach in today's asymmetrical conflicts. Indeed,
resort to human shields has become attractive precisely because it exploits
protective legal rules to the detriment of those principled armed actors who
value—and thus strive for—IHL compliance. These parties, in turn, are struggling to
adapt their operations to a practice that has become “endemic” in the modern battlefield.
Human Shields, Sovereign Power, and the Evisceration of the
Civilian
Authors: Gordon Neve , Perugini Nicola
Published: January 2017

Human shields were prominent in the 2016 military campaign seeking to recapture Mosul
from the hands of ISIS militants. On October 24, 2016, Pope Francis expressed his
concern over the use of over two hundred boys and men as human shields in
the Iraqi city. In an election rally the following day, Donald Trump decried the
enemy's use of “human shields all over the place,” while the New York
Times reported that the Islamic State is driving hundreds of civilians into Mosul,
using them as human shields. A few days later, the United Nations disseminated a
press release, warning that ISIS militants are using “tens of thousands” as human shields, thus casting
massive numbers of Iraqi civilians as weapons of war.
First-passage times of two-dimensional Brownian motion
Authors: Kou Steven , Zhong Haowen
Published: January 2017

First-passage times (FPTs) of two-dimensional Brownian motion have many applications in quantitative finance. However, despite various attempts since the 1960s, there are few analytical solutions available. By solving a nonhomogeneous modified Helmholtz equation in an infinite wedge, we find analytical solutions for the Laplace transforms of FPTs; these Laplace transforms can be inverted numerically. The FPT problems lead to a class of bivariate exponential distributions which are absolute continuous but do not have the memoryless property. We also prove that the density of the absolute difference of FPTs tends to ∞ if and only if the correlation between the two Brownian motions is positive.
Clustering and preferential concentration of finite-size particles in forced homogeneous-isotropic turbulence
Authors: Uhlmann Markus , Chouippe Agathe
Published: January 2017

We have performed interface-resolved direct numerical simulations of forced homogeneous-isotropic turbulence in a dilute suspension of spherical particles in the Reynolds number range $Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}}=115{-}140$. The solid–fluid density ratio was set to $1.5$, gravity was set to zero and two particle diameters were investigated corresponding to approximately $5$ and $11$ Kolmogorov lengths. Note that these particle sizes are clearly outside the range of validity of the point-particle approximation, as has been shown by Homann & Bec (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 651, 2010, pp. 81–91). At the present parameter points the global effect of the particles upon the fluid flow is weak. We observe that the dispersed phase exhibits clustering with moderate intensity. The tendency to cluster, which was quantified in terms of the standard deviation of Voronoï cell volumes, decreases with the particle diameter. We have analysed the relation between particle locations and the location of intense vortical flow structures. The results do not reveal any significant statistical correlation. Contrarily, we have detected a small but statistically significant preferential location of particles with respect to the ‘sticky points’ proposed by Goto & Vassilicos (Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 100 (5), 2008, 054503), i.e. points where the fluid acceleration field is acting such as to increase the local particle concentration in one-way coupled point-particle models under Stokes drag. The presently found statistical correlation between the ‘sticky points’ and the particle locations further increases when focusing on regions with high local concentration. Our results suggest that small finite-size particles can be brought together along the expansive directions of the fluid acceleration field, as previously observed only for the simplest model for sub-Kolmogorov particles. We further discuss the effect of density ratio and collective particle motion upon the basic Eulerian and Lagrangian statistics.
Numerical simulation of the initial destabilization of an air-blasted liquid layer
Authors: Agbaglah G. , Chiodi R. , Desjardins O.
Published: January 2017

Numerical simulations of a planar air/water air-blast atomization are performed using an in-house multiphase Navier–Stokes solver which uses a semi-Lagrangian geometric volume of fluid method to track the position of the interface. This solver conserves mass exactly and mitigates momentum and kinetic energy conservation errors. Excellent agreement with recent experiments is obtained when comparing physical quantities, such as the liquid cone length, maximum wave frequency and spatial growth rate of the primary instability. The inclination of the gas inflow, which mimics the slope of the separator plate, is shown to enhance the primary atomization. A three-dimensional large-eddy simulation, run using physically correct air/water parameters, is used to provide the statistics of the flow. The gas layer is laminar close to the entrance and becomes turbulent at positions further downstream. The liquid wave crests expand in thin sheets, which break into secondary droplets, as observed in experiments.
Recurrent acute otitis media detracts from health-related quality of life
Authors: Kujala T , Alho O-P , Kristo A , Uhari M , Renko M , Pokka T , Koivunen P
Published: January 2017

Objective:

Acute otitis media causes discomfort to children and inconvenience to their parents. This study evaluated the quality of life in children with recurrent acute otitis media aged less than 24 months.

Methods:

Quality of life was evaluated in 149 children aged 10 to 24 months who were referred to the Oulu University Hospital on account of recurrent acute otitis media. The children were treated with or without surgery. Age-matched controls were selected randomly from the general child population. Parents completed the Child Health Questionnaire.

Results:

The children with recurrent acute otitis media had a significantly poorer quality of life than control children. The control children with a history of a few acute otitis media episodes had a significantly poorer quality of life than those without any such history. The quality of life of the children with recurrent acute otitis media improved during the one-year follow up, regardless of the treatment, but did not reach the same level as healthy children.

Conclusion:

Acute otitis media detracted from quality of life when a generic measure was used. The mode of treatment used to prevent further recurrences of acute otitis media did not influence quality of life improvement.
Avoiding impacts on biodiversity through strengthening the first stage of the mitigation hierarchy
Authors: Phalan Ben , Hayes Genevieve , Brooks Sharon , Marsh David , Howard Pippa , Costelloe Brendan , Vira Bhaskar , Kowalska Aida , Whitaker Samir
Published: January 2017

The mitigation hierarchy is a decision-making framework designed to address impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services through first seeking to avoid impacts wherever possible, then minimizing or restoring impacts, and finally by offsetting any unavoidable impacts. Avoiding impacts is seen by many as the most certain and effective way of managing harm to biodiversity, and its position as the first stage of the mitigation hierarchy indicates that it should be prioritized ahead of other stages. However, despite an abundance of legislative and voluntary requirements, there is often a failure to avoid impacts. We discuss reasons for this failure and outline some possible solutions. We highlight the key roles that can be played by conservation organizations in cultivating political will, holding decision makers accountable to the law, improving the processes of impact assessment and avoidance, building capacity, and providing technical knowledge. A renewed focus on impact avoidance as the foundation of the mitigation hierarchy could help to limit the impacts on biodiversity of large-scale developments in energy, infrastructure, agriculture and other sectors.
Study on the mitochondrial apoptosis pathways of small cell lung cancer H446 cells induced by Trichinella spiralis muscle larvae ESPs
Authors: LUO JINGMEI , YU LI , XIE GUANGCHENG , LI DAN , SU MENG , ZHAO XUERONG , DU LUANYING
Published: January 2017

Trichinella spiralis (T.spiralis) muscle-larva (ML) excretory–secretory proteins (ESPs) contain antitumour-active substances. ESPs have been shown to inhibit tumour growth. To explore the effects of these proteins on small cell lung cancer cells and the possible mechanisms of their antineoplastic action, H446 SCLC cells were co-cultured with different concentrations of T. spiralis ML ESPs for 12, 24 and 48 h. Our results showed that T. spiralis ML ESPs significantly inhibited H446 cell proliferation, which was dose-and time-dependent. The results of flow cytometry testing indicate a clear apoptosis trend in H446 cells co-cultured with ESPs for 24 h. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting results showed increased expression of pro-apoptosis genes Bax, Cyt-C, Apaf-1, caspase-9 and caspase-3, compared with the negative control group, and decreased the expression of anti-apoptosis genes Bcl-2 and Livin. Our results suggest that T. spiralis ML ESPs can induce apoptosis in H446 cells through a mitochondrial pathway, which may be a mechanism of antineoplastic action in T. spiralis ML ESPs.
Immediate and lag effects of pesticide exposure on parasite resistance in larval amphibians
Authors: POCHINI KATHERINE M. , HOVERMAN JASON T.
Published: January 2017

Across host–parasite systems, there is evidence that pesticide exposure increases parasite loads and mortality following infection. However, whether these effects are driven by reductions in host resistance to infection or slower rates of parasite clearance is often unclear. Using controlled laboratory experiments, we examined the ability of larval northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens) and American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) to resist and clear trematode (Echinoparyphium sp.) infections following exposure to the insecticide carbaryl. Northern leopard frogs exposed to 1 mg L−1 of carbaryl had 61% higher parasite loads compared with unexposed individuals, while there was no immediate effect of carbaryl on parasite encystment in American toads. However, when tadpoles were exposed to carbaryl and moved to freshwater for 14 days before the parasite challenge, we recovered 37 and 63% more parasites from carbaryl-exposed northern leopard frogs and American toads, respectively, compared with the control. No effects on clearance were found for either species. Collectively, our results suggest that pesticide exposure can reduce the ability of amphibians to resist parasite infections and that these effects can persist weeks following exposure. It is critical for researchers to incorporate species interactions into toxicity studies to improve our understanding of how contaminants affect ecological communities.
Does the dilution effect generally occur in animal diseases?
Authors: HUANG ZHENG Y. X. , YU YANG , VAN LANGEVELDE FRANK , DE BOER WILLEM F.
Published: January 2017

The dilution effect (DE) has been reported in many diseases, but its generality is still highly disputed. Most current criticisms of DE are related to animal diseases. Particularly, some critical studies argued that DE is less likely to occur in complex environments. Here our meta-analyses demonstrated that the magnitude of DE did not differ between animalvsplant diseases. Moreover, DE generally occurs in all three subgroups of animal diseases, namely direct-transmitted diseases, vector-borne diseases and diseases caused by parasites with free-living stages. Our findings serve as an important contribution to understanding the generality of DE.