bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separation of prescription and treatment in health care markets: A laboratory experiment
Authors: Greiner Ben , Zhang Le , Tang Chengxiang
Published: December 2017

Health care is a credence good, and its market is plagued by asymmetric information. In this paper, we use a laboratory experiment to test the performance of a potential remedy discussed in the applied literature, the separation of prescription and treatment activities. We observe a significant amount of overtreatment (and a smaller nonpredicted amount of undertreatment) in our baseline environment. Requiring a different than the treating physician to provide diagnosis and prescription for free is an effective way to reduce overtreatment in our laboratory setting. This effect, however, is partially offset by an increased frequency of undertreatment. Allowing prescription and treatment physicians to independently set prices for their services reduces efficiency due to coordination failures: In sum, prices are often higher than expected benefit of patients, who in turn do not attend to the physician. Also contrary to theory, bargaining power does not play a significant role for the distribution of profits between physicians.
Behavioral responses to surveys about nicotine dependence
Authors: Harrison Glenn W.
Published: December 2017

Behavioral responses to surveys can significantly affect inferences about population prevalence unless correctly modeled statistically. An important case study is the prevalence of nicotine dependence, a formal psychiatric disorder satisfying clinical criteria. Data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions in the United States are used, along with a flexible semi‐nonparametric sample selection model. Corrections for sample selection responses to “gateway” survey questions lead to significantly higher estimates of the prevalence of nicotine dependence among current daily smokers. These corrections also imply even higher levels of the decades‐long and lifetime‐long persistence of nicotine dependence after the onset of smoking.
Impact evaluation of “Have Fun — Be Healthy” program: A community based health promotion intervention to prevent childhood obesity
Authors: Pathirana Thanya , Stoneman Rebecca , Lamont Amanda , Harris Neil , Lee Patricia
Published: December 2017

Issue addressed

Childhood obesity is rising in prevalence in Australia. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the “Have Fun—Be Healthy” (HFBH) intervention, delivered in the Playgroup setting, to generate short term changes in dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours of children under 5 years and self‐efficacy of parents and primary carers.

Methods

This intervention consisted of eight structured cooking and physical play sessions delivered over a period of 8 weeks by trained facilitators. Pre‐ and post‐intervention data collection was performed using survey questionnaires administered to parents and carers of children under 5 years from low socioeconomic backgrounds recruited through convenience sampling.

Results

A total of 640 pre‐intervention surveys and 312 post‐intervention surveys were returned. The matched response rate was 45.5%. There was an improvement in mean intake of healthy foods and mean physical activity with a decrease in mean intake of unhealthy food and mean screen time in children (P > .05). Following the intervention, parental/carer self‐efficacy in promoting healthy eating and limiting screen time of children improved significantly (P < .05). Children's physical activity levels and consumption of healthy foods were positively correlated with parental/carer self‐efficacy (P < .01) while screen time and consumption of unhealthy foods were negatively correlated (P < .01).

Conclusions

HFBH intervention was successful in improving the dietary, physical activity and screen time in children and parental self‐efficacy.

So what?

Being amongst the first of its’ kind in Australia, the findings of this study can have implications for developing and implementing similar future health promotion interventions in comparable settings.
Hello Sunday Morning: Strategies used to support temporary alcohol abstinence through participation in an online health promotion program
Authors: Pennay Amy , MacLean Sarah , Rankin Georgia , O'Rourke Sean
Published: December 2017

Issue addressed

Hello Sunday Morning (HSM) is an online program that encourages people to commit to a period of non‐drinking and blog about their experiences. Among a sample of Victorian HSM users, we aimed to explore the barriers faced and the strategies adopted to maximise potential for achieving temporary abstinence.

Methods

A content analysis of blog data from 154 HSM users (a total of 2844 blog posts) was undertaken by three researchers. Participants were predominantly women aged 30‐50 years.

Results

The most common barriers to achieving temporary alcohol abstinence reported by participants were stress and tiredness, pervasiveness of drinking in social life, negative effects from not drinking and negative reactions from others. The strategies most commonly implemented included drawing on HSM and other non‐drinking networks, self‐talk, engaging in non‐alcohol‐related activities and substituting alcohol with other drinks.

Conclusions

Although significant individual and systemic barriers to abstaining from alcohol were identified by HSM users, multiple strategies were identified and effectively utilised to overcome these barriers.

So what?

We suggest that the virtual support from an online community with a shared interest in reducing their alcohol use appears to be a useful health promotion strategy for temporarily reducing consumption, particularly for women.
Recent Progress in Gas Phase Cucurbit[n]uril Chemistry
Authors: Shen Jiewen , Dearden David V.
Published: December 2017

Cucurbit[n]urils (CB[n]s) are of great significance due to their unique molecular recognition properties and their potential applications in areas such as drug delivery or analytical assays. Gas phase studies, without interference from solvents or counterions, provide fundamental insights into the mechanism of CB[n] complex formation and binding. In this paper, we review the progress in gas phase CB[n] chemistry, mainly based on mass spectrometry, since 2011, including important discoveries in structural studies, mechanistic studies, and gas phase studies related to analytical or clinical applications of CB[n]s. We expect the use of gas phase methods to continue to expand and diversify.
Optimization for imaging through scattering media for confocal microscopes with divided elliptical apertures
Authors: Tang Hengjie , Wu Chenxue , Gong Wei , Zheng Yao , Zhu Xinpei , Wang Jiahao , Si Ke
Published: December 2017

We develop a confocal system equipped with optimal elliptical apertures to improve axial point spread function and signal‐to‐background ratio (SBR) for different detector sizes. By adjusting the parameters of the elliptical apertures, the axial half width at half‐maximum can be reduced to 4.986 (described in optical coordinates) and SBR can be improved to 0.176. We evaluate this system with the 1951 USAF resolution test chart and the primary cultured neuron from SD rat stained by Map‐2, and observe better imaging performance, which indicates the potential applications in biological science.
MALDI imaging detects endogenous digoxin in glioblastoma cells infected by Zika virus—Would it be the oncolytic key?
Authors: Lima Estela de O. , Guerreiro Tatiane M. , Melo Carlos Fernando O.R. , de Oliveira Diogo N. , Machado Daisy , Lancelloti Marcelo , Catharino Rodrigo R.
Published: December 2017

Recently, microcephaly cases have increased in Americas and have been matter of concern due to Zika virus (ZIKV) recent outbreak. Previous studies have shown that ZIKV‐infected progenitor neuronal cells present morphological abnormalities and increased rates of cell death, which may be indicators of microcephaly causes. As recent studies indicate ZIKV' tropism for brain cells, how would a glioblastoma (GBM) lineage behave under ZIKV infection, considering GBM the most common and malignant brain tumor in adults, presenting extreme chemoresistance and high morbidity and mortality rates? The current trend of using genetically engineered oncolytic pathogens as a safe way to eliminate tumors is under development, with trials already in course. Therefore, the present study evaluated the possible oncolytic effects and metabolomic alterations of ZIKV infection at human malignant M059J GBM cells. Microscopic evaluation was performed by using optical microscopy, which showed cytopathic effects induced by ZIKV at GBM cells. For the metabolomics study, both control and infected cell cultures were submitted to matrix laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging analysis. Mass spectrometry data were submitted to partial least squares discriminant analysis statistical analysis, and distinct biomarkers were elected for each infected groups. This study brings light to unexpectedly induced metabolic changes, as endogenous digoxin as important biomarker for ZIKV‐GBM group, associated with cytopathic effects induced by viral infection. These result evidences that genetically engineered ZIKV might be a potential new strategy for neural cancer management through the induction of endogenous digoxin synthesis in GBM cells.
An optimized method for correcting fluorescence quenching using optical backscattering on autonomous platforms
Authors: Thomalla Sandy J. , Moutier William , Ryan‐Keogh Thomas J. , Gregor Luke , Schütt Julia
Published: December 2017

Autonomous platforms will begin to address the space‐time gaps required to improve estimates of phytoplankton distribution, which will aid in the quantification of baseline conditions necessary to detect long‐term trends that can be attributed to factors such as climate change. However, there is a need for high quality controlled and verified datasets. In vivo fluorescence provides a proxy for chlorophyll pigment concentration, but it is sensitive to physiological downregulation under incident irradiance (fluorescence quenching). Quenching can undermine the validity of these datasets by underestimating daytime fluorescence derived chlorophyll across regional and temporal scales. Existing methods from the literature have corrected for quenching, however, these methods require certain assumptions to be made that do not hold true across all regions and seasons. The method presented here overcomes some of these assumptions to produce corrected surface fluorescence during the day that closely matched profiles from the previous (or following) night, decreasing the difference to less than 10%. This method corrects daytime quenched fluorescence using a mean nighttime profile of the fluorescence to backscattering ratio multiplied by daytime profiles of backscattering from the surface to the depth of quenching (determined as the depth at which the day fluorescence profile diverges from the mean night profile). This method was applied to a 7‐month glider time series in the sub‐Antarctic Southern Ocean together with four other methods from the literature for comparison. In addition, the method was applied to a glider time series from the North Atlantic to demonstrate its applicability to other ocean regions.
Corrosion and nanomechanical behavior of high strength low alloy steels
Authors: Ghosh Rahul , Venugopal Arjunan , Karthikeyan Muniyandi K. , Narayanan P. Ramesh , Pant Bhanu , Cherian Roy M.
Published: December 2017

The effect of electro‐slag refining (ESR) processing with niobium inoculation and increased carbon content of high strength low alloy steel was examined using electrochemical corrosion and nanomechanical test methods. The results indicate that ESR processing with niobium inoculation effectively improves the corrosion resistance of the steel by lowering the corrosion rate. This was shown due to refinement in grain size along with freedom from inclusions. Post test observation after potentiodynamic test revealed pitting corrosion attack of the steel processed through conventional melting process and its absence in case of ESR (with niobium inoculation) processed steel. Higher carbon content of 0.29 wt% effectively enhances the strength and hardness of the modified steel for use in larger rocket boosters. The lower Lc2 and lower friction coefficient (SFC) values obtained for the ESR processed (with niobium inoculation) steel during scratch test demonstrated that the hardness and wear resistance is better when compared to the conventional steel.
‐subgroups in the space Cremona group
Authors: Prokhorov Yuri , Shramov Constantin
Published: December 2017

We prove that if X is a rationally connected threefold and G is a p‐subgroup in the group of birational selfmaps of X, then G is an abelian group generated by at most 3 elements provided that . We also prove a similar result for under an assumption that G acts on a (Gorenstein) G‐Fano threefold, and show that the same holds for under an assumption that G acts on a G‐Mori fiber space.
Hyperpolarized 13C,15N2‐urea T2 relaxation changes in acute kidney injury
Authors: Mariager Christian Østergaard , Nielsen Per Mose , Qi Haiyun , Ringgaard Steffen , Laustsen Christoffer
Published: December 2017

Purpose

To investigate the correlation between renal ischemia and 13C‐urea T2 relaxation rate in an acute kidney injury (AKI) rat model.

Methods

Six rats subjected to unilateral renal ischemia were investigated. Creatinine clearance, urine output, plasma creatinine as well as blood‐urea nitrogen (BUN) values were acquired before and after the procedure. 1H
mapping was acquired using blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) MRI and hyperpolarized 13C‐urea T2 mapping was acquired using a 2D golden‐angle radial approach. Kidney perfusion was estimated using noncontrast flow alternating inversion recovery arterial spin labeling.

Results

All rats showed clinical signs of AKI with increased plasma creatinine and increased BUN. Whole kidney 13C‐urea T2 significantly decreased 26% (P = 0.001) 24 h after reperfusion. A significantly different (3.7 times steeper; P = 0.008) osmolality gradient was observed in the contralateral kidney (P = 0.008; R2 = 0.86) compared with the postischemic kidney (P = 0.0004, R2=0.97). Whole kidney
signal (P = 0.14) and
gradient (P = 0.26) was similar between the two kidneys. Oxygen availability dependency on 13C‐urea T2 was investigated by means of the correlation between the BOLD and T2 signals; a statistically significant difference (P = 0.03) was found in the contralateral kidney (P = 0.0001; R2 = 0.95), but not in the postischemic kidney (P = 0.31; R2 = 0.25).

Conclusion

We demonstrate that hyperpolarized [13C,15N2]urea T2 relaxation correlates with renal oxygen tension (
) in the healthy contralateral kidney, but not in the postischemic kidney. The whole kidney T2 relaxation difference between the postischemic and contralateral kidney may originate from altered blood volume in the postischemic kidney. Magn Reson Med 80:696–702, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
An industrial design solution for integrating NMR magnetic field sensors into an MRI scanner
Authors: Kennedy Michael , Lee Yoojin , Nagy Zoltan
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Neuroimaging research relies on the skills of increasingly multidisciplinary individuals and often requires the installation and use of additional home‐built or third‐party equipment. The purpose of the present work was the safe, ergonomic, durable, and aesthetically pleasing installation of magnetic field monitoring equipment into a scanner, while keeping the setup compatible with standard operating procedures.

Methods

An extensive set of steps was required to design a 3D printed solution to install a magnetic field camera into the eight‐channel head coil of a 3T MRI scanner. First, the outer surface of the plastic coil housing was recreated into a 3D model, and the installation of the magnetic field sensors around this 3D model was performed in a virtual environment. The 3D printed solution was then assembled and tested for safety, reproducible performance, and image quality.

Results

The 3D printed solution holds the probes in stable positions and guides the necessary cables in an organized fashion and away from the volunteer. Assembly is easy and the solution is ergonomic, durable, and safe. We did not find excessive heating in the 3D printed parts, nor in the electronics, that they help to incorporate. The material used interferes minimally with transmit
field.

Conclusion

The design met all of the boundary conditions for a durable, safe, cost‐effective, attractive, and functional installation. This work will provide the basis for installing the magnetic field sensors into other available head coils, and for designing the experimental setup for projects with varying experimental requirements. Magn Reson Med 80:833–839, 2018. © 2017 International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine.
Strategic spectrum occupancy for secondary users in cognitive radio networks with retrials
Authors: Wang Jinting , Wang Fang , Li Wei Wayne
Published: December 2017

This article investigates joining strategies and admission control policy for secondary users (SUs) with retrial behavior in a cognitive radio (CR) system where a single primary user (PU) coexists with multiple SUs. Under a certain reward‐cost structure, SUs opportunistically access the PU band when it is not occupied by the PU. If the band is available upon arrival, an SU decides with a probability either to use the band immediately or to balk the system. If the band is occupied, the SU must decide whether to enter the system as a retrial customer or to leave the system. Once the PU requests for service, the service of SU being served, if any, will be interrupted, and the interrupted SU leaves the band and retries for service after a random amount of time. In this article, we study the equilibrium behavior of non‐cooperative SUs who want to maximize their benefit in a selfish, distributed manner with delay‐sensitive utility function. The socially optimal strategies of SUs are also derived. To utilize the PU band more efficiently and rationally, an admission control policy is proposed to regulate SUs who enter the system in order to eliminate the gap between the individually and socially optimal strategies.
Musculoskeletal complications following total body irradiation in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Jackson Taylor J. , Mostoufi‐Moab Sogol , Hill‐Kayser Christine , Balamuth Naomi J. , Arkader Alexandre
Published: December 2017

Total body irradiation (TBI) is commonly used in conditioning regimens for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) to treat benign and malignant disease. Though life‐saving, these therapies place patients at risk for important side effects, including musculoskeletal complications such as short stature, osteonecrosis, slipped capital femoral epiphysis, and the development of benign and malignant bone tumors. With an increasing number of HSCT survivors, there is a growing need for awareness of the musculoskeletal complications of HSCT and TBI.
High incidence of acute kidney injury during chemotherapy for childhood acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Du Plessis Liezl , Rassekh Shahrad Rod , Mammen Cherry
Published: December 2017

Background/objectives

Childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare and heterogeneous disease. Pediatric data on the epidemiology of acute kidney injury (AKI) in AML are limited. We report on the incidence of AKI in childhood AML and the risk factors associated with AKI episodes.

Methods

A retrospective cohort of 53 patients (≤18 years), with de novo AML, receiving chemotherapy over a 10‐year period. All serum creatinine (SCr) levels during therapy‐related hospitalizations were assessed to stage AKI episodes as per Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes criteria. Severe AKI was defined as AKI stages 2 or 3 and urine output criteria were not used. AKI risk factors were assessed independently in both cycle 1 alone and combining all chemotherapy cycles.

Results

AKI developed in 34 patients (64%) with multiple AKI episodes in 10 patients (46 total episodes). Twenty‐four severe AKI episodes occurred in 23 patients (43.4%) with a mean duration of 26.1 days (SD 7.3). In cycle 1, hyperleukocytosis was not predictive of AKI, but severe sepsis was an independent risk factor of severe AKI (odds ratio [OR]: 13.4; 95% CI 1.9–94.9). With cycles combined, all subjects with AKI had severe sepsis and older age (≥10 years) was associated with severe AKI (OR: 20.8; 95% CI 3.8–112.2).

Conclusion

There was a high incidence of AKI in our AML cohort with a strong association with older age (≥10 years) and severe sepsis. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm the high burden of AKI and risk factors in this susceptible population.
Crizotinib in ALK+ inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors—Current experience and future perspectives
Authors: Theilen Till‐Martin , Soerensen Jan , Bochennek Konrad , Becker Martina , Schwabe Dirk , Rolle Udo , Klingebiel Thomas , Lehrnbecher Thomas
Published: December 2017

Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) and its subtype epithelioid inflammatory myofibroblastic sarcoma (EIMS) are rare soft‐tissue tumors. As about 50% of IMT and 100% of EIMS contain activating rearrangements of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene, targeted kinase inhibition of ALK by compounds such as crizotinib is a potential treatment option. We performed a literature review and analyzed a total of 30 patients with IMT/EIMS treated with crizotinib. A total of 12 patients achieved complete or partial remission. As preliminary data are promising, a prospective study evaluating crizotinib treatment in patients with unresectable/multifocal ALK+ IMT/EIMS is warranted.
Family history‐taking practices and genetic confidence in primary and tertiary care providers for childhood cancer survivors
Authors: Wakefield Claire E. , Quinn Veronica F. , Fardell Joanna E. , Signorelli Christina , Tucker Katherine M. , Patenaude Andrea F. , Malkin David , Walwyn Thomas , Alvaro Frank , Cohn Richard J.
Published: December 2017

Background

There is growing impetus for increased genetic screening in childhood cancer survivors. Family history‐taking is a critical first step in determining survivors’ suitability. However, the family history‐taking practices of providers of pediatric oncology survivorship care and the confidence of these providers to discuss cancer risks to relatives are unknown.

Procedure

Fifty‐four providers completed semistructured interviews in total, which included eight tertiary providers representing nine hospitals across two countries (63% male, 63% oncologists, 37% nurses) and 46 primary care providers (PCPs) nominated by a survivor (59% male, 35% regional practice). We used content analysis and descriptive statistics/regression to analyze the data.

Results

Few tertiary (38%) or primary (35%) providers regularly collected survivors’ family histories, often relying on survivors/parents to initiate discussions. Providers mostly took two‐generation pedigrees (63% tertiary and 81% primary). Primary providers focused on adult cancers. Lack of time, alternative priorities, and perceived lack of relevance were common barriers. Half of all tertiary providers felt moderately comfortable discussing genetic cancer risk to children of survivors (88% felt similarly discussing risks to other relatives). Most primary providers lacked confidence: 41% felt confident regarding risks to survivors’ children and 48% regarding risks to other relatives.

Conclusions

While family history‐taking will not identify all survivors suitable for genetics assessment, recommendations for regular history‐taking are not being implemented in tertiary or primary care. Additional PCP‐targeted genetic education is warranted given that they are well placed to review family histories of pediatric cancer survivors.
ETV6–NTRK3 in congenital mesoblastic nephroma: A report of the SIOP/GPOH nephroblastoma study
Authors: Vokuhl Christian , Nourkami‐Tutdibi Nasenien , Furtwängler Rhoikos , Gessler Manfred , Graf Norbert , Leuschner Ivo
Published: December 2017

Background

Congenital mesoblastic nephroma (MN) is a rare pediatric renal tumor representing approximately 5% of all pediatric renal tumors. Three different types of MN are distinguished histologically: classical, cellular, and mixed. A frequent genetic alteration is the translocation t(12;15) resulting in a fusion of the ETV6 gene on 12p13 and the NTRK3 gene on 15p15 that occurs almost exclusively in cellular MN. The aim of this study was to determine translocation status of a large cohort of MN with respect to tumor subtype and outcome.

Procedure

In total, clinical data from 111 patients were available. Sixty‐seven tumors were classical MN (51%), 29 cellular MN (31%), and 15 were mixed MN (18%). From these 111 cases, 79 were analyzed by FISH and RT‐PCR.

Results

All classical and mixed MN were translocation negative. Seventeen out of 29 (58%) cellular MN harbored the ETV6–NTRK3 translocation. Five‐year relapse‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were 93.2% and 96.8% for the complete cohort. All seven relapses occurred in translocation negative tumors. Five‐year RFS was significantly inferior for cellular and mixed MN compared to classic MN (89%, 80%, and 98%), whereas 5‐year OS was similar (93%, 96%, and 98%). Within the group of cellular MN, patients having translocation‐positive tumors had a significantly superior RFS (5‐year RFS: 100% vs. 73%).

Conclusion

The majority of cellular MNs harbor the ETV6–NTKR3 gene fusion, whereas all classic‐ and mixed‐type MNs were translocation negative. Within the cellular subgroup, patients having translocation‐positive tumors had a significantly superior RFS.
Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal perfusion with chemotherapy in children with peritoneal tumor spread: A French nationwide study over 14 years
Authors: Scalabre Aurélien , Philippe‐Chomette Pascale , Passot Guillaume , Orbach Daniel , Elias Dominique , Corradini Nadège , Brugières Laurence , Msika Simon , Leclair Marc‐David , Joseph Solène , Brigand Cécile , Becmeur François , Soler Christine , Pezet Denis , Gagniere Johan , Glehen Olivier , Sarnacki Sabine
Published: December 2017

Background

Efficacy and role of cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic peritoneal perfusion with chemotherapy (HIPEC) remain poorly documented in pediatric tumors.

Methods

This retrospective national study analyzed all pediatric patients with peritoneal tumor spread treated by CRS and HIPEC as part of a multimodal therapy in France from 2001 to 2015.

Results

Twenty‐two patients (nine males and 13 females) were selected. The median age at diagnosis was 14.8 years (4.2–17.6). Seven had peritoneal mesotheliomas; seven, desmoplastic small round cells tumors (DSRCT); and eight, other histologic types. A complete macroscopic resection (CC‐0, where CC is completeness of cytoreduction) was achieved in 16 (73%) cases. Incomplete resections were classified as CC‐1 in four (18%) cases and CC‐2 in two (9%) cases. Fourteen (64%) patients had complications within 30 days from HIPEC, requiring an urgent laparotomy in eight (36%) cases. Thirteen (59%) patients received adjuvant chemotherapy and four (18%) received total abdominal radiotherapy after surgery. Sixteen (72%) patients had relapse after a median time of 9.6 months (1.4–86.4) and nine (41%) eventually died after a median time of 5.3 months (0.1–36.1) from relapse. Six (27%) patients (four mesotheliomas, one pseudopapillary pancreatic tumor, and one DSRCT) were alive and in complete remission after a median follow‐up of 25.0 months (5.3–78.2).

The mean overall survival (OS) and disease‐free survival (DFS) were 57.5 months (95% CI [38.59–76.32]) and 30.9 months (95% CI [14.96–46.77]). Patients with a peritoneal mesothelioma had a significantly better OS (p = 0.015) and DFS (p = 0.028) than other histologic type.

Conclusions

In this national series, outcomes of HIPEC are encouraging for the treatment of peritoneal mesothelioma in children.
Systematic review of pharmacogenomics and adverse drug reactions in paediatric oncology patients
Authors: Conyers Rachel , Devaraja Subalatha , Elliott David
Published: December 2017

Many paediatric patients with cancer experience significant chemotherapy side effects. Predisposition to drug reactions is governed by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We performed a systematic review of the literature from 2006 through 2016. Outcomes of interest included patient characteristics, cancer type drug of interest, genes investigated, toxicity identified and genetic polymorphisms implicated. The primary toxicities studied were neurotoxicity cardiotoxicity, osteonecrosis, and thromboembolism and hypersensitivity reactions. The retrieved studies were grouped according to toxicity reported and SNP associations. This review highlights the discoveries to date in pharmacogenomics and paediatric oncology along with highlighting some of the important limitations in the area.
Bone marrow features in Pearson syndrome with neonatal onset: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Tadiotto Elisa , Maines Evelina , Degani Daniela , Balter Rita , Bordugo Andrea , Cesaro Simone
Published: December 2017

Pearson syndrome (PS) is a rare mitochondrial disorder that usually presents with transfusion‐dependent macrocytic anemia, exocrine pancreatic dysfunction, and lactic acidosis. Typical bone marrow (BM) features are vacuolization in hematopoietic progenitors, hypocellularity, and ringed sideroblasts. At the neonatal age, PS may have a variable clinical onset. Moreover, there is little information about BM features at this age and the timing of their presentation. We report a neonatal case of PS that presented with refractory anemia and atypical BM features. We reviewed the BM findings in neonatal‐onset PS cases to stress the importance and limitations of BM evaluation at this age.
Mechanical, electrical, and thermal analysis of sisal fibril/kenaf fiber hybrid polyester composites
Authors: Nimanpure Subhash , Hashmi S.A.R. , Kumar Rajnish , Bhargaw H.N. , Kumar Rajeev , Nair Prasanth , Naik Ajay
Published: December 2017

A novel hybrid composition of sisal fibrils and kenaf fibers has been introduced first time as reinforcement in composite preparation for the environmental friendly high strength electrical insulation applications. Hybrid reinforcement was increased from 10 to 40 wt% in unsaturated polyester resin. The sisal fibril used in this study was extracted from sisal fiber. Alkali treatment was employed and FTIR analysis was done to study its effect on sisal fibrils and kenaf fibers. A positive hybridization effect was observed for the composites. Hybrid composite showed 24 and 18% increase in tensile strength, 30 and 36.4% increase in flexural strength, and 196.3 and 196% increase in impact strength as compared to the composites having same loading of 40 wt% with sisal fibrils and kenaf fibers, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy of the fractured mechanical testing samples was carried out to understand the nature of fibril/fiber/matrix interface. Electrical characterization showed high electrical insulation capability of the hybrid composites. Thermal stability of hybrid composites was also found higher than sisal fibrils and kenaf fibers reinforced composites. A comparative study of properties of sisal fibril/kenaf fiber reinforced hybrid polyester composites with various single and hybrid fiber composites is done. It has been concluded that the developed novel hybrid composite has the potential to replace various existing natural and synthetic fiber composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:664–676, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Facilitators and Barriers to the Adoption of Pharmacogenetic Testing in an Inner‐City Population
Authors: Lee Yee Ming , Manzoor Beenish S. , Cavallari Larisa H. , Nutescu Edith A.
Published: December 2017

Objectives

To examine the knowledge, attitudes, and interest of an inner‐city population toward pharmacogenetic testing, with the primary objective of identifying facilitators and barriers toward pharmacogenetic testing; and secondary objectives of determining predictors of patient interest in pharmacogenetic testing and how much patients would pay for the test.

Methods

Patients were recruited from an Antithrombosis Clinic from March to April 2014. A cross‐sectional 19‐question survey was administered in person to determine patients' knowledge and awareness of pharmacogenetic testing and collect demographic information. After explaining pharmacogenetics, patients ranked their interest toward the test and answered open‐ended questions that elicited facilitators and barriers toward pharmacogenetic testing and elucidated how much patients would pay for testing.

Results

A total of 120 patients (mean age 55.0 ± 14.0 years, 39.2% male, 69.2% African American) were surveyed. Facilitators included providing further information about pharmacogenetic testing; elaborating on benefits of testing to predict treatment efficacy; patients' trust in their providers to make correct genotype‐guided prescribing decisions; and insurance coverage and test affordability. Barriers to testing included concerns about the negative consequences associated with test results; burden of the testing process; perceived lack of utility among elderly and those whose medications were working; privacy issues; and concerns regarding insurance coverage and test affordability. Women had 4.2 times higher adjusted odds of being interested in pharmacogenetic testing. Almost half (44.4%) of the patients with high interest in the test were willing to pay $20 or more, whereas 76.2% of patients with low interest wanted testing at no cost.

Conclusion

This study identified facilitators, such as providing additional pharmacogenetic test information, and barriers, such as perceived negative impact of the results and test utility, as issues to address when engaging an urban, largely minority population in pharmacogenetic testing. Female sex was a predictor of interest toward pharmacogenetic testing. These facilitators and barriers should be taken into consideration as pharmacogenetic testing gains widespread utility among inner‐city populations.
Serious Liver Injury Associated with Macitentan: A Case Report
Authors: Tran Thao T. , Brinker Allen D. , Muñoz Monica
Published: December 2017

Several endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) that were developed for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), including bosentan and sitaxentan, have been linked to clinically significant hepatocellular injury, as well as liver failure. We describe the first case of fulminant hepatitis to be reported in association with the ERA macitentan. This case was recently identified within the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) and describes liver transplantation occurring 13 months after macitentan initiation in a young patient (23 years old) with idiopathic PAH New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III.
A brittle‐2 transgene increases maize yield by acting in maternal tissues to increase seed number
Authors: Hannah L. Curtis , Shaw Janine R. , Clancy Maureen A. , Georgelis Nikolaos , Boehlein Susan K.
Published: December 2017

The enzyme ADP‐glucose pyrophosphorylase is essential for starch biosynthesis and is highly regulated. Here, mutations that increased heat stability and interactions with allosteric effectors were incorporated into the small subunit of the isoform known to be expressed at high levels in the maize endosperm. The resulting variants were transformed into maize with expression targeted to the endosperm. Transgenes harboring the changes increased yield some 35%; however, yield enhancement occurred via an increase in seed number rather than by increased seed weight. Interestingly, seed number increase is controlled by the genotype of the plant rather than the genotype of the seed as seeds increase in number whether or not they contain the transgene as long as the maternal parent has the transgene. The transgene is however expressed in the endosperm, and the altered allosteric and stability properties initially seen in Escherichia coli expression experiments are also seen with the endosperm‐expressed gene. The extent of seed number increase is positively correlated with the average daily high temperature during the first 4 days postpollination. While these results were unexpected, they echo the phenotypic changes caused by the insertion of an altered large subunit of this enzyme reported previously (Plant Cell, 24, 2012, 2352). These results call into question some of the reported fundamental differences separating starch synthesis in the endosperm vis‐à‐vis other plant tissues.
Reduced translocation in 2,4‐D‐resistant oriental mustard populations (Sisymbrium orientale L.) from Australia
Authors: Dang Hue Thi , Malone Jenna M , Boutsalis Peter , Krishnan Mahima , Gill Gurjeet , Preston Christopher
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

Two oriental mustard populations (P2 and P13) collected from Port Broughton, South Australia were identified as resistant to 2,4‐D. The level of resistance, mechanism and the mode of inheritance for 2,4‐D resistance in these populations were investigated.

RESULTS

Populations P2 and P13 were confirmed to be resistant to 2,4‐D at the field rate (600 g a.e. ha−1). P2 and P13 were 81‐ and 67‐fold more resistant than the susceptible populations (S1 and S2) at the dose required for 50% mortality (LD50), respectively. No predicted amino acid modification was detected in sequences of potential target‐site genes (ABP, TIR1 and AFB5). Resistant populations had reduced 2,4‐D translocation compared with the susceptible populations, with 77% of [14C]2,4‐D retained in the treated leaf versus 32% at 72 h after treatment. Resistance to 2,4‐D is encoded on the nuclear genome and is dominant, as the response to 2,4‐D of all F2 individuals were similar to the resistant biotypes. The segregation of F2 phenotypes fitted a 3: 1 (R: S) inheritance model.

CONCLUSION

Resistance to 2,4‐D in oriental mustard is likely due to reduced translocation of 2,4‐D out of the treated leaf. Inheritance of 2,4‐D resistance is conferred by a single gene with a high level of dominance. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Mechanistic study on gold(I)‐catalyzed crosscoupling of diazo compounds: A DFT study
Authors: Li Yan , Tian Ruixue , Liang Changhai
Published: December 2017

The reaction mechanisms of the gold(I)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reaction of aryldiazoacetate R1 with vinyldiazoacetate R2 leading to N‐substituted pyrazoles have been theoretically investigated using density functional theory calculations. Two possible reaction mechanisms were examined and discussed. The preferred reaction mechanism (mechanism A) can be characterized by five steps: the formation of the gold carbenoid A2 via the attack of catalyst to R1 (step I), nucleophilic addition of another reactant R2 to generate intermediate A3 (step II), intramolecular cyclization of A3 to form intermediate A4 (step III), hydrogen migration to give intermediate A5 (step IV), and catalyst elimination affording the final product P1 (step V). Step IV is found to be the rate‐determining step with an overall free energy barrier of 28.3 kcal/mol. Our calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental observations. The present study may provide a useful guide for understanding these kinds of gold(I)‐catalyzed cross‐coupling reactions of diazo compounds.
On MAXCUT in strictly supercritical random graphs, and coloring of random graphs and random tournaments
Authors: Gishboliner Lior , Krivelevich Michael , Kronenberg Gal
Published: December 2017

We use a theorem by Ding, Lubetzky, and Peres describing the structure of the giant component of random graphs in the strictly supercritical regime, in order to determine the typical size of MAXCUT of in terms of ɛ. We then apply this result to prove the following conjecture by Frieze and Pegden. For every , there exists such that w.h.p. is not homomorphic to the cycle on vertices. We also consider the coloring properties of biased random tournaments. A p‐random tournament on n vertices is obtained from the transitive tournament by reversing each edge independently with probability p. We show that for the chromatic number of a p‐random tournament behaves similarly to that of a random graph with the same edge probability. To treat the case we use the aforementioned result on MAXCUT and show that in fact w.h.p. one needs to reverse edges to make it 2‐colorable.
Children's ideas about fossils and foundational concepts related to fossils
Authors: Borgerding Lisa A. , Raven Sara
Published: December 2017

Many standards documents and learning progressions recommend evolution learning in elementary grades. Given young children's interest in dinosaurs and other fossils, fossil investigations can provide a rich entry into evolutionary biology for young learners. Educational psychology literature has addressed children's reasoning about foundational concepts related to fossils such as living/nonliving distinctions, causation, origins of objects, and conceptions of time. This exploratory qualitative case study explored preschool children's ideas about fossils and these foundational concepts as children moved through a 1‐week science camp devoted to fossils. Research participants consisted of 15 preschool children aged 3–6 enrolled in a university‐affiliated summer camp. Data sources included daily assessments and postcamp individual interviews. Data analysis yielded several main findings. Children were successful at determining where fossils could be found, identifying familiar fossils and fossil tracks, ascertaining that familiar and unfamiliar fossils were nonliving, and determining that rocks have natural origins. Children struggled more often at understanding how fossils differ from recent bones and skulls, properties uniting fossils, and the natural origins of plants and unfamiliar fossils. We also noted clear age‐ and object‐related trends for living/nonliving distinctions, teleological reasoning, origins, and object ages. Implications for future research and practice are offered.
The Taming of the Maleimide: Fabrication of Maleimide‐Containing ‘Clickable’ Polymeric Materials
Authors: Oz Yavuz , Sanyal Amitav
Published: December 2017

Functional polymers are widely employed in various areas of biomedical sciences. In order to tailor them for desired applications, facile and efficient functionalization of these polymeric materials under mild and benign conditions is important. Polymers containing reactive maleimide groups can be employed for such applications since they provide an excellent handle for conjugation of thiol‐ and diene‐containing molecules and biomolecules. Until recently, fabrication of maleimide containing polymeric materials has been challenging due to the interference from the highly reactive double bond. A Diels‐Alder/retro Diels‐Alder reaction sequence based strategy to transiently mask the maleimide group provides access to such polymeric materials. In this personal account, we summarize contributions from our group towards the fabrication and functionalization of maleimide‐containing polymeric materials over the past decade.
Flame‐retardancy and physico‐thermomechanical properties of irradiated ethylene propylene diene monomer inorganic composites
Authors: Raslan Heba A. , Elnaggar Mona Y. , Fathy E.S.
Published: December 2017

The ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM)/flame‐retardant composites filled with aluminum hydroxide (ATH), magnesium carbonate (MgC) and zinc borate (ZnB) were prepared at different contents 15, 30, and 40 wt%, and irradiated with different gamma radiation doses, namely 50 and 100 kGy. Mechanical properties, Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), limiting oxygen index (LOI) and swelling in motor and brake oils of the prepared composites were evaluated. Experimental results emphasized that flame resistant particles retard degradation and flammability of the composites. It has been established that the results showed that the particle size of inorganic fillers clearly have a significant effect on the whole properties of the prepared polymer composites hence zinc borate was the best. Moreover, significant alterations in characterization of polymer composites characters have been occurred due to irradiation remarkably at a dose of 50 kGy. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 25:59–67, 2019. © 2017 Society of Plastics Engineers
Antireflux Surgery in the USA: Influence of Surgical Volume on Perioperative Outcomes and Costs—Time for Centralization?
Authors: Schlottmann Francisco , Strassle Paula D. , Patti Marco G.
Published: December 2017

Background

Few studies have analyzed the relationship between surgical volume and outcomes after antireflux procedures. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of surgical volume on postoperative results and costs for patients undergoing surgery for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Methods

We analyzed the National Inpatient Sample (period 2000–2013). Adult patients (≥18 years old) with gastroesophageal reflux disease who underwent fundoplication were included. Hospital surgical volume was determined using the 30th and 60th percentile cut points using weighted discharges and categorized as low (<10 operations/year), intermediate (10–25 operations/year), or high (>25 operations/year). We performed multivariable logistic regression models to assess the effect of surgical volume on patient outcomes.

Results

The studied cohort comprised 75,544 patients who had antireflux surgery. When operations performed at low‐volume hospitals, postoperative bleeding, cardiac failure, renal failure, respiratory failure, and inpatient mortality were more common. In intermediate‐volume hospitals, patients were more likely to have postoperative infection, esophageal perforation, bleeding, cardiac failure, renal failure, and respiratory failure. The length of hospital stay was longer at low‐ and intermediate‐volume hospitals (1.08 and 0.55 days longer, respectively). There was an increase in charges of 5120 dollars per patient at low‐volume centers, and 4010 dollars per patient at intermediate‐volume centers.

Conclusions

When antireflux surgery is performed at high‐volume hospitals, morbidity is lower, length of hospital stay is shorter, and costs for the healthcare system are decreased.
Risk Factors for Incisional Hernia in Children
Authors: Tanaka Keiichiro , Misawa Takeyuki , Ashizuka Shuichi , Yoshizawa Jyoji , Akiba Tadashi , Ohki Takao
Published: December 2017

Background

Incisional hernia (IH) is a major complication of abdominal surgery. Although previous studies reported that the incidence of IH after abdominal surgery in adults was 5–50% and that various independent risk factors were involved, IH in children is still not well known. The objective of our study was to investigate the incidence and risk factors for IH in children.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all children who underwent abdominal surgery at the Jikei University Hospitals (Jikei University Hospital, Kashiwa Hospital, Katsushika Medical Center and Daisan Hospital) between January 2001 and December 2016. Abdominal surgery in children was defined as open laparotomy and laparoscopic abdominal surgery in patients ≤ 15 years old. Conventional open repair for inguinal hernias, umbilical hernia repair, congenital abdominal defect repair and orchiopexy were excluded.

Results

Overall, 2049 children were performed abdominal surgery. Among them, 14 children (10 males and 4 females) developed IH, and the incidence of IH was 0.68% (14/2049). There is no significant difference between laparotomy and laparoscopic surgery. The statistically significant variables and identified risk factors were operation in neonates, laparoscopic fundoplication and open supraumbilical pyloromyotomy. In all patients who had IH repair, there was no recurrence during the follow‐up period 50.4 months (range 1 months–10 years) except two recurrence cases.

Conclusion

The incidence of IH in children is significantly lower than that in adults, and the above three risk factors were revealed. Before abdominal surgery, we recommend that pediatric surgeons should mention the risk of developing IH when the patient has the above risk factors.