bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychological distress is highly prevalent in inflammatory bowel disease: A survey of psychological needs and attitudes
Authors: Mikocka‐Walus Antonina , Massuger Wayne , Knowles Simon R , Moore Gregory T , Buckton Stephanie , Connell William , Pavli Paul , Raven Leanne , Andrews Jane M
Published: August 2019

Background and Aim

Data on patient needs and access to psychological services in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are scarce. This study aimed to describe the levels of distress and the needs, attitudes, and access to psychological services for people within Australia against established Australian IBD Standards.

Methods

An online cross‐sectional survey was conducted with Australians ≥16 years old recruited via Crohn's & Colitis Australia membership, public and private clinics, and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. K10 was used to measure psychological distress. The Chi‐square test was used to compare those with and without distress on key variables.

Results

Overall, 731 respondents provided complete data (71.5% female, mean age 46.5 years). Overall, 50% of respondents reported distress; only 15.2% were currently seeing a mental health practitioner; only 16.1% were asked about their mental health by their IBD specialist or IBD nurse; and only 12.2% reported access to a mental health practitioner as part of their IBD service. Those with psychological distress were significantly less satisfied with their IBD care; more commonly hospitalized; had an active disease, fistula or perianal disease, pain, or fatigue; and were receiving steroids, opioids, or antidepressants (all P < 0.05). As many as 68.2% of those with severe distress were not seeing a mental health practitioner.

Conclusions

The integrated biopsychosocial model of health care, with regular mental health screening and good access to mental health professionals, is requested by people living with IBD to improve their outcomes.
Think tank—Breaking through to innovation
Authors: Schultz John R.
Published: August 2019

Innovation is a process that, when effectively managed, uncovers facts and ideas that lead to novel products or services. No matter how remarkable, however, these outcomes are unlikely to result in actual transformation unless the new approach replaces previous processes and becomes standard operating procedure. Achieving effective change entails two distinct but linked and equally necessary stages: breakthrough thinking encouraged by an environment that inspires unique perceptiveness, and purposeful implementation driven by effective collaboration and leadership.
Charting a new course for strategic planning in human resources
Authors: Toterhi Tim , Recardo Ronald J.
Published: August 2019

To be successful, a functional strategic plan needs to offer more than a list of projects to be completed within a specific period of time. Yet, like most staff functions, human resources (HR) often does a poor job of aligning its efforts with the enterprise's overall strategy and objectives. Grounded in seven best practices that call for thorough evaluation and assessment of people, processes, and systems, the framework for effective strategic planning presented here can be applied not only to HR, but also to other departments. Showcasing examples of planning deliverables, various data collection and analysis tools, and the experiences of a global healthcare company, it illustrates how managers can make the most cost‐effective and productive use of all employees to optimize work throughout the organization.
The changing value equation: Keeping customers satisfied while meeting bottom‐line objectives in the service industry
Authors: Heymann Mark
Published: August 2019

Customers do not intend to be fickle. They have, however, been conditioned to continually reassess their expectations in an evolving service economy that encourages direct engagement through social media. The speed and persistence with which customer expectations are changing challenges organizations to keep up. Saddled by past practices, some industries and organizations have been slow to recognize the required paradigm shift in thinking. Employing smart technology that enables them to understand and act on the changing value equation, savvy business leaders in the service industry are staying ahead of the curve.
Alkosto faces up to Amazon in Colombia's e‐commerce market
Authors: Laemmel Julien , Alon Ilan , Vega Daniel
Published: August 2019

With a network of stores, its own brand of electronic goods, and a fledgling e‐commerce business, Alkosto has had an impressive rate of growth since its founding in 1987 and is now the 16th‐largest retailer in Colombia. With the imminent arrival of the e‐commerce giant Amazon to its homeland, however, it faces a new and formidable challenge: Upgrading its marketing, strategy, and operations to ensure that it remains competitive in the digital arena. To prepare for this task, Alkosto's leaders examined the e‐commerce techniques and strategies used by their competitors in Latin America. Ultimately, they adopted a plan that focused on the creation of a new digital platform and enhanced the skills of the firm's human resources.
Entrepreneurial orientation and church performance in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jakarta
Authors: Wulandari Respati
Published: August 2019

Encompassing the cities of Jakarta, Bekasi, and Tangerang, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Jakarta has existed in Indonesia for more than 200 years. Yet Roman Catholics make up less than 3% of the population there. To achieve their objectives, local parish priests need to act not only as religious leaders, but also as business managers. Guided by the theoretical framework of entrepreneurial orientation, interviews with 19 priests in the Archdiocese of Jakarta reveal how they have employed entrepreneurial techniques to improve their church's performance in terms of social outreach in a predominantly Muslim nation. Demonstrating the importance of such behavior for nonprofit organizations that operate in inimical environments, their experiences offer guidance to managers and practitioners who conduct operations in similar situations.
Papilla preservation flaps for periodontal regeneration of molars severely compromised by combined furcation and intrabony defects: Retrospective analysis of a registry‐based cohort
Authors: Cortellini Pierpaolo , Cortellini Simone , Tonetti Maurizio S.
Published: August 2019

Background

Furcation involvement and attachment loss are major predictors of tooth loss. The aim of this study was to describe specific designs for papilla preservation flaps (PPFs) and minimally invasive surgery to be used in compromised molars and report proof‐of‐principle data with 3 to 16‐year follow‐up in severely compromised molars due to the presence of combined furcation and intrabony defects.

Methods

Forty‐nine subjects with furcated molars and deep intrabony defects were treated with PPFs, application of periodontal regenerative devices. Improvement as a consequence of therapy was defined as tooth retention, reduction in horizontal and vertical furcation involvement, decrease in probing depths, and increases in clinical attachment level. Subjects were maintained with regular supportive periodontal care.

Results

At 1 year, 100% of maxillary and 92% of mandibular molars showed improvements. Improvements were not observed in molars with baseline hypermobility: two mandibular molars with hypermobility were extracted at the 1‐year follow‐up. Improvement in vertical sub‐classification was observed in 87.5% of maxillary and in 84.6% of mandibular molars. One‐year improvements could be maintained over the 3 to 16‐year follow‐up.

Conclusions

PPFs and periodontal regeneration can be applied and provide clinical benefits to severely compromised molars due to the combined presence of furcation involvement and deep intrabony defects. These results were obtained in cases with an interdental peak of bone and gingival margin coronal to the furcation entrance in well‐maintained and compliant subjects. Randomized controlled clinical trials with medium‐ to long‐term follow‐up are needed to confirm these findings.
Professional tooth cleaning prior to non‐surgical periodontal therapy: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Jentsch Holger F.R. , Heusinger Thea , Weickert Anne , Eick Sigrun
Published: August 2019

Background

This study was aimed to investigate if professional oral prophylaxis before scaling and root planing (SRP) has an effect on the outcome of non‐surgical periodontal treatment in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Methods

Fifty‐two individuals with chronic periodontitis receiving non‐surgical periodontal therapy by SRP with (test) and without (control) two appointments of professional tooth cleaning but with motivation and instruction were monitored for clinical variables, four selected microorganisms and two biomarkers at baseline, before SRP as well as 3 and 6 months after SRP. Statistical analysis included non‐parametric tests for intra‐ and intergroup comparisons.

Results

Probing depth (PD), attachment level, bleeding on probing (BOP), and interproximal plaque index (API) were significantly improved in both groups 3 and 6 months after SRP. PD, BOP, API, and the number of sites with PD ≥5 mm were significantly lower in the test group than in the control group at the appointment immediately before SRP. Tannerella forsythia was significantly reduced in both groups at 3 and 6 months, Porphyromonas gingivalis only in the test group. Interleukin‐1β was significantly reduced in the control group 3 and 6 months after SRP, matrix metalloproteinase‐8 level decreased in the test group 3 months after SRP. There was no significant difference of any clinical and non‐clinical variable between both groups at 3 and 6 months after SRP.

Conclusions

Professional tooth cleaning before the SRP does not improve the clinical results of the SRP. It has no obvious long‐lasting effects on major periodontopathogens in the subgingival biofilm as well as on biomarkers in the gingival crevicular fluid after SRP.
The influence of palatal harvesting technique on the donor site vascular injury: A split‐mouth comparative cadaver study
Authors: Tavelli Lorenzo , Barootchi Shayan , Namazi Sharon S. , Chan Hsun‐Liang , Brzezinski David , Danciu Theodora , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: August 2019

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of two harvesting approaches on the donor site vascular injury.

Methods

A split‐mouth cadaver study was designed on 21 fresh donor heads. Every hemi‐palate was assigned to receive the trap‐door harvesting technique (TDT) or the epithelialized free gingival graft harvesting technique (FGGT). A soft tissue graft was harvested from each side for histology analyses. Betadine solution was used to inject the external carotid artery and a collagen sponge was positioned over the harvested area to compare the amount of “leakage.”

Results

The mean leakage observed was 16.56 ± 3.01 µL in the FGGT‐harvested sites, and 69.21 ± 7.08 µL for the TDT group, a ratio of 4.18 (P < 0.01). Regression analyses demonstrated a trend for more leakage at thinner palatal sites for the FGGT group (P = 0.09), and a statistically significant correlation for the TDT‐harvest sites (P = 0.02). Additionally, a shallow palatal vault height (PVH) was associated with a higher leakage in both harvesting groups (P = 0.02). The histomorphometric analyses revealed that grafts harvested with TDT exhibited a significantly higher mean number of medium (ø = 0.1 to 0.5 mm, P = 0.03), and large vessels (ø ≥ 0.5 mm, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Within the limitations of the present research, the TDT resulted in a significantly higher leakage than the FGGT, which was also correlated with the histology analyses where a greater number of medium and large vessels were observed in the harvested grafts.
Functional lymphatic reconstruction with the “Selected Lymph Node” technique guided by a SPECT‐CT lymphoscintigraphy
Authors: Dionyssiou Dimitrios , Demiri Efterpi , Sarafis Alexandros , Goula Christina‐Olga , Tsimponis Antonios , Arsos Georgios
Published: August 2019

Background

A new technique named “Selected Lymph Node” (“SeLyN”) was evaluated, aiming to identify the most functional groin lymph nodes (LNs) for an effective LN transplantation.

Methods

Bilateral lower‐limb SPECT‐CT was performed in the upper‐limb lymphedema patients, to select the most radioactive inguinal LN. Recorded data included demographics, stage, etiology of lymphedema, flap consistency in accordance to preoperative findings, flap size, number of LN, and harvesting time. Infection episodes per year and volume changes of the upper limbs were documented. Donor‐site complications were recorded and lower‐limb evaluation was performed through clinical examination, volume analysis, and lymphoscintigraphy.

Results

A total of 41 patients underwent a “SeLyN” transfer technique. The mean flap size was 28.34 cm2 containing a mean of 3.4 LNs. The mean time spent on flap harvest was 39 minutes. A mean 56.5% volume reduction (P < .001) and a mean 1.41 to 0.29 infection episodes per patient per year (P < .001) were recorded. Clinical evaluation and lymphography of the donor site advocated no major complications for a mean follow‐up period of 42.5 months.

Conclusions

“SeLyN” is a safe and effective technique in selecting the most suitable LNs, minimizing the donor‐site morbidity, and decreasing the overall operating time.
Simultaneous analysis of indaziflam and its metabolites in pitaya using dispersive solid phase extraction coupled with liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Liu Xiaoliang , Ji Chunhong , Tang Wenwei , Hu Mingfeng , Tan Huihua , Li Xuesheng , Ma Shaozhi , Yu Xiangyang , Zeng Dongqiang
Published: August 2019

A simple and efficient multiresidue method using dispersive solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was developed for the targeted analysis of indaziflam and its five metabolites (indaziflam‐diaminotriazine, indaziflam‐carboxylic acid, indaziflam‐triazine indanone, indaziflam‐hydroxyethyl, and indaziflam‐olefin) in pitaya samples (including roots, plants, flowers, peels, pulp, and whole fruit). The analytes were extracted with acetonitrile, and the extracts were purified using multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The method was validated using pitaya samples spiked at 0.5, 5, and 50 µg/kg, and the average recoveries varied from 61.1 to 103.7% with relative standard deviations lower than 12.7% (n = 5). This method exhibited sufficient linearity within the concentration range of 0.1–100 µg/L. The limits of detection and quantification were in the ranges of 0.001–0.1 and 0.003–0.3 µg/kg, respectively. The method was successfully applied to analyze pitaya samples in Nanning, and no indaziflam or its metabolites were detected in the samples analyzed.
Organic matter supply and bacterial community composition predict methanogenesis rates in temperate lake sediments
Authors: Bertolet Brittni L. , West William E. , Armitage David W. , Jones Stuart E.
Published: August 2019

The objective of our study was to identify environmental conditions that structure lake sediment microbial communities and determine whether community composition explained inter‐lake variation in potential methanogenesis rates. We performed a comparative analysis of microbial communities and methanogenesis rates in 14 lake sediments along gradients of pH and primary productivity. Variation in methanogen community composition and non‐methanogen microbial community composition was best explained by pH and sediment organic matter content. However, these regulators of methanogen community structure were not associated with differences in methanogenesis rates. Instead, variation in lake methanogenesis rates was best explained by proxies for organic matter supplied to sediments (lake chlorophyll a concentration and sediment pore‐water total phosphorus) and the composition of the non‐methanogen microbial community. Our results suggest a role for sediment bacterial community in influencing methanogenesis via the supply of growth substrates.
Whole‐genome sequencing revealed an interstitial deletion encompassing OCRL and SMARCA1 gene in a patient with Lowe syndrome
Authors: Zheng Bixia , Chen Qiuxia , Wang Chunli , Zhou Wei , Chen Ying , Ding Guixia , Jia Zhanjun , Zhang Aihua , Huang SongMing
Published: August 2019

Background

Lowe syndrome is a rare X‑linked syndrome that is characterized by involvement of the eyes, central nervous system, and kidneys. The aim of the present study was to determine the molecular basis of four patients with congenital cataract, infantile congenital hypotonia, and proximal renal tubular defect.

Methods

Four children who met the clinical manifestations of Lowe syndrome were enrolled in this study. Patients’ clinical information on eyes, central nervous system, kidneys, and family histories, etc., were reviewed and analyzed. After obtaining informed consent, we performed a mutation analysis of OCRL gene using direct sequencing. Because of failure of PCR amplification, low coverage shortread whole genome sequencing (CNVseq) analysis was performed on one proband. Real‐time PCR was subsequently performed to confirm the CNV that was detected from the CNVseq results.

Results

We identified three OCRL allelic variants, including two novel missense mutations (c.1423C>T/p.Pro475Ser, c.1502T>G/p.Ile501Ser) and one recurrent nonsense mutation (c.2464C>T/p.Arg822Ter). Various bioinformatic tools revealed scores associated with potential pathogenic effects for the two missense variants, and protein alignments revealed that both variants affected an amino acid highly conserved among species. Since deletion of the entire gene was suspected in a patient, CNVseq was used, identifying an interstitial deletion to approximately 190 kb, encompassing OCRL, and SMARCA1 gene. Moreover, the hemizygous CNV was confirmed by qPCR. Reviewing another case reported in the literature, we found that the deletion of OCRL and nearby genes may contribute to a more severe phenotype and premature death.

Conclusions

This is the first report of an interstitial deletion encompassing OCRL and SMARCA1 gene in Lowe syndrome. Our results expand the spectrum of mutations of the OCRL gene in Chinese population. Moreover, whole‐genome sequencing presents a comprehensive and reliable approach for detecting genomic copy number variation in patients or carriers in the family with rare inherited disorders.
Research participants’ experiences with return of genetic research results and preferences for web‐based alternatives
Authors: Gaieski Jill B. , Patrick‐Miller Linda , Egleston Brian L. , Maxwell Kara N. , Walser Sarah , DiGiovanni Laura , Brower Jamie , Fetzer Dominique , Ganzak Amanda , McKenna Danielle , Long Jessica M. , Powers Jacquelyn , Stopfer Jill E. , Nathanson Katherine L. , Domchek Susan M. , Bradbury Angela R.
Published: August 2019

Background

While there is increasing interest in sharing genetic research results with participants, how best to communicate the risks, benefits and limitations of research results remains unclear.

Methods

Participants who received genetic research results answered open and closed‐ended questions about their experiences receiving results and interest in and advantages and disadvantages of a web‐based alternative to genetic counseling.

Results

107 BRCA1/2 negative women with a personal or family history of breast cancer consented to receive genetic research results and 82% completed survey items about their experience. Most participants reported there was nothing they disliked (74%) or would change (85%) about their predisclosure or disclosure session (78% and 89%). They most frequently reported liking the genetic counselor and learning new information. Only 24% and 26% would not be willing to complete predisclosure counseling or disclosure of results by a web‐based alternative, respectively. The most frequently reported advantages included convenience and reduced time. Disadvantages included not being able to ask questions, the risk of misunderstanding and the impersonal nature of the encounter.

Conclusion

Most participants receiving genetic research results report high satisfaction with telephone genetic counseling, but some may be willing to consider self‐directed web alternatives for both predisclosure genetic education and return of results.
Technical Note: Real‐time 3D MRI in the presence of motion for MRI‐guided radiotherapy: 3D Dynamic keyhole imaging with super‐resolution
Authors: Kim Taeho , Park Justin C. , Gach H. Michael , Chun Jaehee , Mutic Sasa
Published: August 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to present real‐time three‐dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the presence of motion for MRI‐guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) using dynamic keyhole imaging for high‐temporal acquisition and super‐resolution generative (SRG) model for high‐spatial reconstruction.

Method

We propose a unique real‐time 3D MRI technique by combining a data sharing technique (3D dynamic keyhole imaging) with a SRG model using cascaded deep learning technique. 3D dynamic keyhole imaging utilizes the data sharing mechanism by combining keyhole central k‐space data acquired in real‐time with high‐spatial, high‐temporal resolution prior peripheral k‐space data at various motion positions prepared by the SRG model. The efficacy of the 3D dynamic keyhole imaging with super‐resolution (SR_dKeyhole) was compared to the ground‐truth super‐resolution images with the original full k‐space data. It was also compared with the zero‐filling reconstruction (zero‐filling), conventional keyhole reconstruction with low‐spatial high‐temporal prior data (LR_cKeyhole), and conventional keyhole reconstruction with super‐resolution prior data (SR_cKeyhole).

Results

High‐spatial, high‐temporal resolution 3D MRI datasets (1.5 × 1.5 × 6 mm3) were generated from low‐spatial, high‐temporal resolution 3D MRI datasets (6 × 6 × 6 mm3) using the cascaded deep learning SRG framework (<100 ms/volume). 3D dynamic keyhole imaging with the SRG model provided high‐spatial, high‐temporal resolution images (1.5 × 1.5 × 6 mm3, 455 ms) with the highest similarity to the ground‐truth SR images without any noticeable artifacts. Structural similarity indices (SSIM) of the reconstructed 3D MRI to the original SR 3D MRI were 0.65, 0.66, 0.86, and 0.89 for zero‐filling, LR_cKeyhole, SR_cKeyhole, and SR_dKeyhole, respectively (1 for identical image). In addition, average value of image relative error (IRE) of the reconstructed 3D MRI to the original SR 3D MRI were 0.169, 0.191, 0.079, and 0.067 for zero‐filling, LR_cKeyhole, SR_cKeyhole, and SR_dKeyhole, respectively (0 for identical image).

Conclusions

We demonstrated that high‐spatial, high‐temporal resolution 3D MRI was feasible by combing 3D dynamic keyhole imaging with a SRG model in terms of image quality and imaging time. The proposed technique can be utilized for real‐time 3D MRgRT.
Induced neuronal activity does not attenuate amyloid beta‐induced synaptic loss in vitro
Authors: Kono Rena , Kim Gyu Li , Nagata Hidetaka , Ikegaya Yuji , Koyama Ryuta
Published: August 2019

Aim

The accumulation of amyloid beta (Aβ) is one of the characteristics of Alzheimer's disease. The excessive accumulation of Aβ has been suggested to result in a decrease in the number of synapses. Although the number of synapses is generally modulated by neuronal activity, whether neuronal activity affects Aβ‐induced synapse loss remains unknown. Therefore, we addressed this question using a primary culture of hippocampal neurons.

Method

The neuronal activity of cultured hippocampal neurons from mouse pups was increased using the chemogenetic technique designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADD). The cultured neurons were treated with Aβ, and synapse density was assessed by immunocytochemistry.

Results

Aβ decreased the synapse density probably by decreasing postsynapse. On the other hand, enhanced neuronal activity did not affect the synapse density significantly. However, there was a trend that enhanced neuronal activity increased especially presynapse density.

Conclusion

We found that enhanced neuronal activity did not affect Aβ‐induced synapse loss in vitro.
Testosterone accumulation in prostate cancer cells is enhanced by facilitated diffusion
Authors: Kaipainen Arja , Zhang Ailin , Gil da Costa Rui M. , Lucas Jared , Marck Brett , Matsumoto Alvin M. , Morrissey Colm , True Lawrence D. , Mostaghel Elahe A. , Nelson Peter S.
Published: August 2019

Background

Testosterone is a driver of prostate cancer (PC) growth via ligand‐mediated activation of the androgen receptor (AR). Tumors that have escaped systemic androgen deprivation, castration‐resistant prostate cancers (CRPC), have measurable intratumoral levels of testosterone, suggesting that a resistance mechanism still depends on androgen‐simulated growth. However, AR activation requires an optimal intracellular concentration of androgens, a situation challenged by low circulating testosterone concentrations. Notably, PC cells may optimize their androgen levels by regulating the expression of steroid metabolism enzymes that convert androgen precursors into androgens. Here we propose that testosterone entry into the cell could be another control point.

Methods

To determine whether testosterone enters cells via a transporter, we performed in vitro 3H‐testosterone uptake assays in androgen‐dependent LNCaP and androgen and AR‐independent PC3 cells. To determine if the uptake mechanism depended on a concentration gradient, we modified UGT2B17 levels in LNCaP cells and measured androgen levels by liquid‐liquid extraction–mass spectrometry. We also analyzed CRPC metastases for expression of AKR1C3 to determine whether this enzyme that converts adrenal androgens to testosterone was present in the tumor stroma (microenvironment) in addition to its expression in the tumor epithelium.

Results

Testosterone uptake followed a concentration gradient but unlike in passive diffusion, was saturable and temperature‐dependent, thus suggesting facilitated transport. Suppression of UGT2B17 to abrogate a testosterone gradient reduced testosterone transport while overexpression of the enzyme enhanced it. The facilitated transport suggests a paracrine route of testosterone uptake for maintaining optimal intracellular levels. We found that AKR1C3 was expressed in the tumor microenvironment of CRPC metastases in addition to epithelial cells and the pattern of relative abundance of the enzyme in epithelium vs stroma varied substantially between the metastatic sites.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that in addition to testosterone transport and metabolism by tumor epithelium, testosterone could also be produced by components of the tumor microenvironment. Facilitated testosterone uptake by tumor cells supports a cell nonautonomous mechanism for testosterone signaling in CRPC.
Polyploid giant cancer cells: Unrecognized actuators of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and resistance
Authors: Amend Sarah R. , Torga Gonzalo , Lin Ke‐Chih , Kostecka Laurie G. , de Marzo Angelo , Austin Robert H. , Pienta Kenneth J.
Published: August 2019

Cancer led to the deaths of more than 9 million people worldwide in 2018, and most of these deaths were due to metastatic tumor burden. While in most cases, we still do not know why cancer is lethal, we know that a total tumor burden of 1 kg—equivalent to one trillion cells—is not compatible with life. While localized disease is curable through surgical removal or radiation, once cancer has spread, it is largely incurable. The inability to cure metastatic cancer lies, at least in part, to the fact that cancer is resistant to all known compounds and anticancer drugs. The source of this resistance remains undefined. In fact, the vast majority of metastatic cancers are resistant to all currently available anticancer therapies, including chemotherapy, hormone therapy, immunotherapy, and systemic radiation. Thus, despite decades—even centuries—of research, metastatic cancer remains lethal and incurable. We present historical and contemporary evidence that the key actuators of this process—of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and therapy resistance—are polyploid giant cancer cells.
Low‐serum prostate‐specific antigen level predicts poor outcomes in patients with primary neuroendocrine prostate cancer
Authors: Wang Jun , Xu Wenhao , Mierxiati Abudurexiti , Huang Yongqiang , Wei Yu , Lin Guowen , Dai Bo , Freedland Stephen J. , Qin Xiaojian , Zhu Yao , Ye Ding‐Wei
Published: August 2019

Background

The rarities of primary neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC) and primary adenocarcinoma with neuroendocrine differentiation (NE differentiation) mean that their clinical characteristics have not been fully elucidated.

Materials and Methods

A total of 449 patients with NEPC, including 352 cases of pure NEPC and 97 cases of NE differentiation, together with 408 629 cases of prostate adenocarcinoma at diagnosis were retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program (2010‐2015). Clinical parameters and prognoses were compared between patients with different histological types of NEPC using the χ2 test and Kaplan‐Meier analysis, respectively. The prognostic value of prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) in NEPC and adenocarcinoma was evaluated using Cox regression and the Kaplan‐Meier method.

Results

Pure NEPC had higher rates of visceral metastases (brain, lung, and liver: 4.58%, 26.72%, and 36.64%, respectively) but a lower rate of bone metastasis (65.65%) compared with NE differentiation and prostate adenocarcinoma. Moreover, patients diagnosed with pure NEPC had a poorer outcome (median survival time: 10 months) compared with patients with NE differentiation (26 months) and prostate adenocarcinoma (median survival time not reached). Using PSA 4.1 to 10 ng/mL as the reference, the adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) for PSA lower than or equal to 4.0 ng/mL were 2.24 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11‐4.55, P = .025) in the NE differentiation group and 1.57 (95% CI: 1.11‐2.23, P = .011) in the pure NEPC group.

Conclusions

Patients with NE differentiation had different clinical characteristics and a better prognosis than patients with pure NEPC. In addition, low‐serum PSA levels were associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with either NEPC or NE differentiation.
A four‐gene transcript score to predict metastatic‐lethal progression in men treated for localized prostate cancer: Development and validation studies
Authors: Cheng Anqi , Zhao Shanshan , FitzGerald Liesel M. , Wright Jonathan L. , Kolb Suzanne , Karnes R. Jeffrey , Jenkins Robert B. , Davicioni Elai , Ostrander Elaine A. , Feng Ziding , Fan Jian‐Bing , Dai James Y. , Stanford Janet L.
Published: August 2019

Background

Molecular studies have tried to address the unmet need for prognostic biomarkers in prostate cancer (PCa). Some gene expression tests improve upon clinical factors for prediction of outcomes, but additional tools for accurate prediction of tumor aggressiveness are needed.

Methods

Based on a previously published panel of 23 gene transcripts that distinguished patients with metastatic progression, we constructed a prediction model using independent training and testing datasets. Using the validated messenger RNAs and Gleason score (GS), we performed model selection in the training set to define a final locked model to classify patients who developed metastatic‐lethal events from those who remained recurrence‐free. In an independent testing dataset, we compared our locked model to established clinical prognostic factors and utilized Kaplan‐Meier curves and receiver operating characteristic analyses to evaluate the model's performance.

Results

Thirteen of 23 previously identified gene transcripts that stratified patients with aggressive PCa were validated in the training dataset. These biomarkers plus GS were used to develop a four‐gene (CST2, FBLN1, TNFRSF19, and ZNF704) transcript (4GT) score that was significantly higher in patients who progressed to metastatic‐lethal events compared to those without recurrence in the testing dataset (P = 5.7 × 10−11). The 4GT score provided higher prediction accuracy (area under the ROC curve [AUC] = 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.69‐0.83; partial area under the ROC curve [pAUC] = 0.008) than GS alone (AUC = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.56‐0.70; pAUC = 0.002), and it improved risk stratification in subgroups defined by a combination of clinicopathological features (ie, Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment‐Surgery).

Conclusion

Our validated 4GT score has prognostic value for metastatic‐lethal progression in men treated for localized PCa and warrants further evaluation for its clinical utility.
No survival benefit found after extended treatment with docetaxel for patients with castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Tanaka Masatoshi , Kimura Takahiro , Iwamura Yumina , Enei Yuki , Iwamoto Yuya , Imai Yu , Inaba Yuzo , Matsukawa Akihiro , Onuma Hajime , Ito Kagenori , Mori Keiichiro , Sasaki Hiroshi , Miki Jun , Furuta Akira , Miki Kenta , Egawa Shin
Published: August 2019

Background

Docetaxel (DOC) has been widely accepted as a therapeutic option for castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Evidence‐based clinical guidelines have stipulated its use up to 10 cycles in most health care systems. There has been a paucity of information regarding potential benefits of its use over 10 cycles. The purpose of this study is to re‐examine the rationale for the clinical guidelines concerning cycles of DOC in CRPC.

Methods

Between July 2007 and July 2016, a total of 122 CRPC patients received at least five cycles of DOC at Jikei University and its affiliate hospitals. Doses of DOC (75 mg/m
2) were administered every 3 to 4 weeks. Clinical outcomes between patients receiving extended cycles of DOC (≥11 cycles, extended [ex]‐DOC group) were compared to those receiving fewer (≤10 cycles, short‐DOC group). A subgroup of patients who had discontinued DOC owing to adverse events, but whose disease did not progress, were also considered for comparison (adverse events [AE] group). Overall survival from the induction of DOC was the primary outcome measure. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to analyze variables associated with overall survival.

Results

The ex‐ and short‐DOC groups included 80 and 42 patients, respectively. Most baseline demographics did not differ between groups. However, in the short‐DOC group more patients had received abiraterone acetate and/or enzalutamide before chemotherapy, age at DOC induction was younger, and lactate dehydrogenase at DOC induction was higher. Overall survival was significantly longer in the ex‐DOC group compared to the short‐DOC group (median, 53 and 27 months, respectively; P = .04). A subgroup of 22 patients in AE group was compared to compensate for potential bias. Overall survival from the induction of DOC was comparable between AE group and ex‐DOC groups (median, 53 vs 53 months, respectively; P = 0.87). Univariate and multivariate analyses did not show any advantage of extended use of DOC on patient survival.

Conclusions

The results of this study failed to show the survival benefit of extended use of DOC over 10 cycles in CRPC patients in the era of innovative drugs such as abiraterone acetate, enzalutamide, and cabazitaxel. Further prospective studies are required to confirm our findings.
Trichomonas vaginalis infection and prostate‐specific antigen concentration: Insights into prostate involvement and prostate disease risk
Authors: Langston Marvin E. , Bhalla Ankita , Alderete John F. , Nevin Remington L. , Pakpahan Ratna , Hansen Johannah , Elliott Debra , De Marzo Angelo M. , Gaydos Charlotte A. , Isaacs William B. , Nelson William G. , Sokoll Lori J. , Zenilman Jonathan M. , Platz Elizabeth A. , Sutcliffe Siobhan
Published: August 2019

Background: The protist
Trichomonas vaginalis causes a common, sexually transmitted infection and has been proposed to contribute to the development of chronic prostate conditions, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer. However, few studies have investigated the extent to which it involves the prostate in the current antimicrobial era. We addressed this question by investigating the relation between
T. vaginalis antibody serostatus and serum prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) concentration, a marker of prostate infection, inflammation, and/or cell damage, in young, male, US military members.

Methods: We measured
T. vaginalis serum IgG antibodies and serum total PSA concentration in a random sample of 732 young, male US active duty military members. Associations between
T. vaginalis serostatus and PSA were investigated by linear regression.

Results: Of the 732 participants, 341 (46.6%) had a low
T. vaginalis seropositive score and 198 (27.0%) had a high score, with the remainder seronegative. No significant differences were observed in the distribution of PSA by
T. vaginalis serostatus. However, slightly greater, nonsignificant differences were observed when men with high
T. vaginalis seropositive scores were compared with seronegative men, and when higher PSA concentrations were examined (≥0.70 ng/mL). Specifically, 42.5% of men with high seropositive scores had a PSA concentration greater than or equal to 0.70 ng/mL compared with 33.2% of seronegative men (adjusted
P = .125).

Conclusions: Overall, our findings do not provide strong support for prostate involvement during
T. vaginalis infection, although our suggestive positive findings for higher PSA concentrations do not rule out this possibility entirely. These suggestive findings may be relevant for prostate condition development because higher early‐ to mid‐life PSA concentrations have been found to predict greater prostate cancer risk later in life.
Characterization of glycine‐N‐acyltransferase like 1 (GLYATL1) in prostate cancer
Authors: Eich Marie‐Lisa , Chandrashekar Darshan Shimoga , Rodriguez Pen᷉a Maria Del Carmen , Robinson Alyncia D. , Siddiqui Javed , Daignault‐Newton Stephanie , Chakravarthi Balabhadrapatruni V. S. K. , Kunju Lakshmi Priya , Netto George J. , Varambally Sooryanarayana
Published: August 2019

Background

Recent microarray and sequencing studies of prostate cancer showed multiple molecular alterations during cancer progression. It is critical to evaluate these molecular changes to identify new biomarkers and targets. We performed analysis of glycine‐N‐acyltransferase like 1 (GLYATL1) expression in various stages of prostate cancer in this study and evaluated the regulation of GLYATL1 by androgen.

Method

We performed in silico analysis of cancer gene expression profiling and transcriptome sequencing to evaluate GLYATL1 expression in prostate cancer. Furthermore, we performed immunohistochemistry using specific GLYATL1 antibody using high‐density prostate cancer tissue microarray containing primary and metastatic prostate cancer. We also tested the regulation of GLYATL1 expression by androgen and ETS transcription factor ETV1. In addition, we performed RNA‐sequencing of GLYATL1 modulated prostate cancer cells to evaluate the gene expression and changes in molecular pathways.

Results

Our in silico analysis of cancer gene expression profiling and transcriptome sequencing we revealed an overexpression of GLYATL1 in primary prostate cancer. Confirming these findings by immunohistochemistry, we show that GLYATL1 is overexpressed in primary prostate cancer compared with metastatic prostate cancer and benign prostatic tissue. Low‐grade cancers had higher GLYATL1 expression compared to high‐grade prostate tumors. Our studies showed that GLYATL1 is upregulated upon androgen treatment in LNCaP prostate cancer cells which harbors ETV1 gene rearrangement. Furthermore, ETV1 knockdown in LNCaP cells showed downregulation of GLYATL1 suggesting potential regulation of GLYATL1 by ETS transcription factor ETV1. Transcriptome sequencing using the GLYATL1 knockdown prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP showed regulation of multiple metabolic pathways.

Conclusions

In summary, our study characterizes the expression of GLYATL1 in prostate cancer and explores the regulation of its regulation in prostate cancer showing role for androgen and ETS transcription factor ETV1. Future studies are needed to decipher the biological significance of these findings.
Grade groups at diagnosis in African Caribbean men with prostate cancer: Results of a comparative study
Authors: Meunier Matthias E. , Tantot Juliet , Neuzillet Yann , Ghoneim Tarek P. , Martin François , Taouil Touafik , Vignac Maxime , Baumert Hervé , Vinh‐Hung Vincent , Dussaule‐Duchatelle Véronique , Lebret Thierry , Sutter Willy , Molinié Vincent
Published: August 2019

Background

There are no comparative data on pathological predictors at diagnosis, between African Caribbean and Caucasian men with prostate cancer (PCa), in equal‐access centers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the grade groups of an African Caribbean cohort, newly diagnosed with PCa on prostate biopsy, compared with a Caucasian French Metropolitan cohort.

Methods

A retrospective, a comparative study was conducted between 2008 and 2016 between the University Hospital of Martinique in the French Caribbean West Indies, and the Saint Joseph Hospital in Paris. Clinical, biological, and pathological data were collected at diagnosis. The primary outcome was the grade groups for Gleason score; the secondary outcome was the PCa detection rate. Multivariate analysis was performed using linear regression.

Results

Of the 1880 consecutive prostate biopsy performed in the African Caribbean cohort, 945 had a diagnosis of PCa (50.3%) and 500 of 945 in the French cohort (33.8%). African Caribbean patients were older (mean 68.5 vs 67.5 years; P = .028), had worse clinical stage (13.2% vs 5.2% cT3‐4; P < .001) and higher median prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) level (9.23 vs 8.32 ng/mL; P = .019). On univariate analysis, African Caribbean patients had worse pathological grade groups than French patients (P < .001). Nevertheless, after adjustment on age, stage, and PSA, there were no significant differences between the two cohorts (P = .903).

Conclusion

African Caribbean patients presented higher PCa detection rate, and higher grade groups at diagnosis than French patients in equal‐access centers on univariate analysis but not on multivariate analysis. African Caribbean patients with equivalent clinical and biological characteristics than Caucasian patients at diagnosis might expect the same prognosis for PCa.
Graded‐Index Ytterbium‐Doped Optical Fiber Fabricated through Vapor Phase Chelate Delivery Technique
Authors: Choudhury Nilotpal , Shekhar Nishant Kumar , Dhar Anirban , Sen Ranjan
Published: August 2019

Herein, the fabrication of ytterbium‐doped graded refractive‐index few‐mode fiber (GRIN‐FMF) is described for the first time following a vapor phase chelate delivery technique. Investigation is carried out to find out the best possible approach to fabricate the preform. The optimization of the process steps along with composition and associated process parameters leads to a parabolic refractive‐index profile with a profile parameter of 2 in the developed fiber. A large core of 30 μm diameter and a low numerical aperture (NA) of 0.08 with graded distribution of dopant ions is achieved with a good repeatability. Amplification gain of more than 20 dB with good beam quality for pulses with kW peak power without any distortion in temporal, spectral, and spatial profile proves the potential of the fiber for many promising applications.
Enhancements of Light Absorbability, Optical Conductivity, and Terahertz Cutoff Frequency in Stacked Layers of Selenium via Ag Nanoslabs Sandwiching
Authors: Qasrawi Atef F. , Abu Al Rob Osama H.
Published: August 2019

Herein, the effects of insertion of Ag layer of thickness of 100 nm between two stacked layers of selenium are investigated by means of X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and optical spectrophotometry techniques. While the structural analysis shows the amorphous nature of growth of the stacked layers of Se, the morphology analysis shows the formation of nanorods and nanowires that exhibit lengths and diameters in the ranges of 1.5–2.5 μm and 36–146 nm, respectively. The optical spectroscopy analysis shows that the presence of Ag between stacked layers of selenium enhances the light absorbability, increases the optical conductivity, and widens the range of the terahertz cutoff frequency. In addition, Ag layers increase the drift mobility from 15.07 to 35.64 cm2 Vs−1 and extend the plasmon frequency domain of stacked layers of selenium from 0.45–5.60 to 0.62–5.90 GHz. The calculated optical conductivity parameters and the spectral analysis of the terahertz cutoff frequency that vary in the range of 0.35–13.20 THz indicate the applicability of the Ag sandwiched selenium stacked layers as terahertz cavities suitable for visible‐light communications as band‐pass filters.
Prompting Rural Students’ Use of Background Knowledge and Experience to Support Comprehension of Unfamiliar Content
Authors: Hattan Courtney
Published: August 2019

Students’ ability to comprehend what they read is greatly influenced by what they already know and have experienced. For this reason, teachers work to activate students’ background knowledge prior to reading. Regrettably, the pedagogical techniques available to teachers for activating students’ knowledge are quite limited. Further, those available techniques have not always been effective for students whose background knowledge and experiences are ill matched to the textual content. Thus, the purpose of this quasi‐experimental study was to investigate the effectiveness of a traditional (mobilization) and a novel (relational reasoning) activation technique, in comparison with a control group. In this study, 149 rural middle school students were assigned to one of the two experimental conditions or a control condition. The author analyzed the data using structural equation modeling with comprehension as the outcome variable. The results indicated that relational reasoning was a significantly more effective activation technique than the mobilization and control conditions for enhancing comprehension. Qualitative analyses of semistructured interviews conducted with select low‐ and high‐ performing students revealed the utility of relational reasoning, especially for low‐performing students.
A Meta‐Ethnography of Family Literacy Scholarship: Ways With Metaphors and Silence
Authors: Compton‐Lilly Catherine F. , Rogers Rebecca L. , Lewis Ellison Tisha
Published: August 2019

In this meta‐ethnography, the authors analyze the metaphors that inhabit highly cited examples of family literacy scholarship. Meta‐ethnography is a methodology, as described by Noblit and Hare, in which metaphors are analyzed as linguistic tools; in this article, they are used to compare and synthesize understandings across existing ethnographic family literacy studies. Specifically, the authors identified and translated key metaphors in highly cited family literacy research studies to trace the development, refinement, and expansion of epistemological stances that have informed and continue to frame family literacy scholarship. This meta‐ethnography makes visible changes in understandings and emerging lines of argument related to family literacy practices that generally are not visible. Specifically, this analysis led to the identification of a problematic silence related to racism and systemic oppression, which the authors take up as a significant meta‐ethnographic finding.
Pb‐Site Doping of Lead Halide Perovskites for Efficient Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Jing , Gan Xinlei , Sun Hongrui , Yuan Haobo , Yu Luting , Hu Ziyang , Zhu Yuejin
Published: August 2019

Although great success has been achieved in perovskite solar cells (PSCs), it still suffers from several drawbacks in terms of stability and higher efficiency. Doping as an effective method to modify the optical and electronic properties of the materials is extensively studied in lead halide perovskites (LHPs). Herein, Pb‐site doping in organic–inorganic hybrid perovskites (OIH‐LHPs) and inorganic CsPbX3‐based materials is discussed. Doping has three functions toward PSCs: participating in the crystalline process, modifying the energy states in LHPs, and contributing to the stability of PSCs. Issues about further improvements are raised, and perspectives for further investigation are presented.