bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RNA N6‐methyladenosine methyltransferase‐like 3 promotes liver cancer progression through YTHDF2‐dependent posttranscriptional silencing of SOCS2
Authors: Chen Mengnuo , Wei Lai , Law Cheuk‐Ting , Tsang Felice Ho‐Ching , Shen Jialing , Cheng Carol Lai‐Hung , Tsang Long‐Hin , Ho Daniel Wai‐Hung , Chiu David Kung‐Chun , Lee Joyce Man‐Fong , Wong Carmen Chak‐Lui , Ng Irene Oi‐Lin , Wong Chun‐Ming
Published: November 2017

Epigenetic alterations have contributed greatly to human carcinogenesis. Conventional epigenetic studies have predominantly focused on DNA methylation, histone modifications, and chromatin remodeling. Recently, diverse and reversible chemical modifications of RNAs have emerged as a new layer of epigenetic regulation. N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is the most abundant chemical modification of eukaryotic messenger RNA (mRNA) and is important for the regulation of mRNA stability, splicing, and translation. Using transcriptome sequencing, we discovered that methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3), a major RNA N6‐adenosine methyltransferase, was significantly up‐regulated in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and multiple solid tumors. Clinically, overexpression of METTL3 is associated with poor prognosis of patients with HCC. Functionally, we proved that knockdown of METTL3 drastically reduced HCC cell proliferation, migration, and colony formation in vitro. Knockout of METTL3 remarkably suppressed HCC tumorigenicity and lung metastasis in vivo. On the other hand, using the CRISPR/dCas9‐VP64 activation system, we demonstrated that overexpression of METTL3 significantly promoted HCC growth both in vitro and in vivo. Through transcriptome sequencing, m6A sequencing, and m6A methylated RNA immuno‐precipitation quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction, we identified suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2) as a target of METTL3‐mediated m6A modification. Knockdown of METTL3 substantially abolished SOCS2 mRNA m6A modification and augmented SOCS2 mRNA expression. We also showed that m6A‐mediated SOCS2 mRNA degradation relied on the m6A reader protein YTHDF2‐dependent pathway. Conclusion: METTL3 is frequently up‐regulated in human HCC and contributes to HCC progression. METTL3 represses SOCS2 expression in HCC through an m6A‐YTHDF2‐dependent mechanism. Our findings suggest an important mechanism of epigenetic alteration in liver carcinogenesis. (Hepatology 2018;67:2254‐2270).
Macrophyte‐driven transient storage and phosphorus uptake in a western Wisconsin stream
Authors: Bohrman Katherine J. , Strauss Eric A.
Published: November 2017

Investigations of phosphorus cycling and transport in streams lend insight into potential mechanisms of nutrient sequestration and can help mitigate human impacts. In this study, we examined the relationship between transient storage and phosphorus uptake in a cold‐water stream in western Wisconsin. Hydrological characteristics, nutrient spiralling metrics, macrophyte biomass, and geomorphological properties were quantified in 7 reaches of Spring Coulee Creek using injections of a conservative tracer alone or with added PO43−. Fraction of median travel time due to transient storage (Fmed200) was correlated with macrophyte biomass (r = .794, p = .033), and PO43− uptake velocity was correlated with Fmed200 (r = .756, p = .049). Stepwise linear regression was used to build models for transient storage and uptake velocity. Macrophyte biomass, stream bed slope, and riffle to pool ratio accounted for 99.6% of the variation in transient storage (p < .001). Transient storage, canopy cover, and slope accounted for 98.0% of the variation in uptake velocity (p = .002). This study shows that transient storage, primarily resulting from macrophyte beds, can be a significant factor regulating phosphorus uptake in stream ecosystems.
Joining the dots between omics and environmental management
Authors: Leung Kenneth MY
Published: November 2017

With the rapid advancement of DNA sequencing technologies and the substantial reduction of their running costs, environmental genomics and transcriptomics become more affordable and popular in environmental toxicology. In parallel, there are also speedy improvements of mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, enabling high-throughput analyses of proteins and metabolites in biological samples and promoting research studies in proteomics and metabolomics. By applying these high-throughput omics technologies, researchers can quickly generate an unprecedentedly vast amount of biological data that may be useful to environmental management. However, the current pace of applying omics information in environmental management is still very slow, and lags well behind the rapid development of omics-based research. This timely commentary, therefore, calls for joint efforts to increase this pace and join the dots between omics and environmental management, turning omics into practical tools. Herein, I explore how omics can contribute to risk assessment and management of chemicals, and recommend what we can do to facilitate and promote the use of omics information in environmental management. This article is especially dedicated to my role model, mentor, and friend, Peter M Chapman (1951–2017), who sadly passed away on 26 September 2017. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2018;14:169–173. © 2017 SETAC

Key Points

Environmental genomics and transcriptomics have become more affordable and popular in environmental toxicology. Improvements of mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry enable high-throughput analyses of proteins and metabolites in biological samples and promote research in proteomics and metabolomics. Applying these high-throughput omics technologies, researchers can quickly generate an unprecedentedly vast amount of biological data that may be useful to environmental management. The current pace of applying omics information in environmental management is still slow; joint efforts to increase this pace and join the dots between omics and environmental management, turning omics into practical tools, is needed.
Bevacizumab in combination with different platinum‐based doublets in the first‐line treatment for advanced nonsquamous non‐small‐cell lung cancer: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhao Shen , Gao Fangfang , Zhang Yaxiong , Zhang Zhonghan , Zhang Li
Published: November 2017

Platinum‐based doublet chemotherapy with or without bevacizumab is the standard treatment for untreated advanced nonsquamous non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NS‐NSCLC). However, adding bevacizumab to chemotherapies other than paclitaxel–carboplatin is, though widely applied clinically, largely unjustified due to the lack of head‐to‐head data. We performed a Bayesian network meta‐analysis (NMA) to address this important issue. Data of 8,548 patients from 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) receiving six treatments, including taxane–platinum (Taxane–Pt), gemcitabine–platinum (Gem–Pt), pemetrexed–platinum (Pem–Pt), taxane–platinum + bevacizumab (Taxane–Pt + B), gemcitabine–platinum + bevacizumab (Gem–Pt + B) and pemetrexed–platinum + bevacizumab (Pem–Pt + B), were incorporated into the analyses. Direct and indirect evidence of overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were synthesized at the hazard ratio (HR) scale and evidence of objective response rate (ORR) and serious adverse events (SAE) were synthesized at the odds ratio (OR) scale. Taxane–Pt + B showed significant advantages in OS (HR = 0.79, p < 0.001), PFS (HR = 0.54, p < 0.001) and ORR (OR = 2.7, p < 0.001) over Taxane–Pt with comparable tolerability (OR = 3.1, p = 0.08). Gem–Pt + B showed no OS benefit compared to any other treatment. No significant differences were detected between Pem–Pt + B and Pem–Pt in four outcomes. In terms of the benefit‐risk ratio, Pem–Pt and Taxane–Pt + B were ranked the first and second, respectively. In conclusion, in the first‐line treatment for advanced NS‐NSCLC, Taxane–Pt and Gem–Pt are the most and least preferable regimens to be used with bevacizumab, respectively. Adding bevacizumab to Pem–Pt remains unjustified because it fails to improve efficacy or tolerability. In terms of the benefit‐risk ratio, Pem–Pt and Taxane–Pt + B are the best and second‐best treatment for this population.
Bank profitability and risk‐taking under low interest rates
Authors: Bikker Jacob A. , Vervliet Tobias M.
Published: November 2017

The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of the unusually low interest rate environment on the soundness of the United States banking sector in terms of profitability and risk‐taking. Using both dynamic and static modelling approaches and various estimation techniques, we find that the low interest rate environment indeed impairs bank performance and compresses net interest margins. Nonetheless, banks have been able to maintain their overall level of profits, due to lower provisioning, which in turn may endanger financial stability. Banks did not compensate for their lower interest income by expanding operations to include trading activities with a higher risk exposure.
miR‐19b‐3p induces cell proliferation and reduces heterochromatin‐mediated senescence through PLZF in goat male germline stem cells
Authors: Daguia Zambe John Clotaire , Zhai Yuanxin , Zhou Zhe , Du Xiaomi , Wei Yudong , Ma Fanglin , Hua Jinlian
Published: November 2017

Promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger PLZF, known as ZBTB16 or ZFP145 is a critical zinc finger protein of male germline stem cells (mGSCs), it's an essential transcriptional factor for goat testis development and spermatogenesis. Loss of PLZF results in progressive depletion of SSCs after the first wave of spermatogenesis leading to eventual spermatogenic arrest, apparently the result of a shift in the balance in SSC fate away from self‐renewal and toward differentiation. Cumulating evidences have demonstrated that microRNAs are expressed in a cell‐specific or stage‐specific manner during spermatogenesis and acts as regulators on specific makers such as Stra8, ETV5, and PLZF. However, the post transcriptional function of PLZF still poorly elucidate in mGSCs. Bioinformatic analysis and dual luciferase reporter assay showed that miR‐19b‐3p binds the 3′UTR of PLZF, suggesting that PLZF is a direct target of miR‐19b‐3p. The profile of miR‐19b‐3p and PLZF analyzed in dairy goat testis at different age showed that miR‐19b‐3p was significantly up‐regulated in goat testis at 1, 3, 6 months and downregulated at 12, 18, and 24 months which was inversely correlated with PLZF in the same testis. Focusing on the role of miR‐19b‐3p, we found that miR‐19b‐3p changes c‐KIT and mTOR signaling through PLZF to promote proliferation in goat nGSCs and infertile mice testes. Over‐expression of PLZF significantly reversed miR‐19b‐3p‐mediated proliferation in mice testes. We found also that miR‐19b‐3p reduced heterochromatin‐mediated senescence through PLZF localized on HP1α. Taken together, our findings indicate that miR‐19b‐3p promotes proliferation and reduces heterochromatin‐mediated senescence through PLZF in mGSCs.
Transcription factor HMG box‐containing protein 1 (HBP1) modulates mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) during adipocyte differentiation
Authors: Chan Chien‐Yi , Yu Ping , Chang Feng‐Tzu , Chen Zih‐Hua , Lee Ming‐Fen , Huang Chun‐Yin
Published: November 2017

Transcription factor HMG box‐containing protein 1 (HBP1) has been found to be up‐regulated in rat adipose tissue and differentiated preadipocyte; however, how HBP1 is involved in adipocyte formation remains unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that under a standard differentiation protocol HBP1 expression fluctuates with down‐regulation in the mitotic clonal expansion (MCE) stage followed by up‐regulation in the terminal differentiation stage in both 3T3‐L1 and MEF cell models. Also, HBP1 knockdown accelerated cell cycle progression in the MCE stage, but it impaired final adipogenesis. To gain further insight into the role of HBP1 in the MCE stage, we found that the HBP1 expression pattern is reciprocal to that of C/EBPβ, and ectopic expression of HBP1suppresses C/EBPβ expression. These data indicate that HBP1 functions as a negative regulator of MCE. In contrast, when HBP1 expression was gradually elevated along with a concomitant induction of C/EBPα at the end of the MCE, HBP1 knockdown leads to a significant reduction of C/EBPα expression, suggesting that HBP1‐mediated C/EBPα expression may be needed for the termination of the cell cycle at the end of MCE for terminal differentiation. All told, our findings show that HBP1 is a key transcription factor in the already complicated regulatory cascade during adipocyte differentiation.
Long‐term outcomes in unilateral vocal fold paralysis patients
Authors: McLaughlin Conor W. , Swendseid Brian , Courey Mark S. , Schneider Sarah , Gartner‐Schmidt Jackie L. , Yung Katherine C.
Published: November 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

At presentation, unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) patients have different treatment options, including conservative management (CM), injection laryngoplasty (IL) with a temporary agent, or permanent medialization (PM). This study evaluates long‐term outcomes for UVFP patients relative to intervention.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed of UVFP patients who presented to the University of California San Francisco Voice and Swallowing Center. Videolaryngostroboscopy examinations were reviewed. Maximum glottic closure was quantified with the normalized glottic gap area (NGGA). Perceptual voice analysis was performed using the Consensus Auditory‐Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE‐V) at corresponding time points.

Results

Fifty‐three patients met inclusion criteria. Six underwent CM only, 20 went on to require PM, 19 underwent IL only, and eight underwent IL and subsequent PM. NGGA at presentation was similar among groups; however, the CM group was noted to have more favorable CAPE‐V scores for Breathiness (P = .007) and Loudness (P = .018). All groups had similar NGGA and CAPE‐V scores at last follow‐up. When compared to pooled data for patients who underwent PM, the IL group was noted to have similar NGGA and CAPE‐V scores at presentation. Although improvements in both groups were noted following intervention, both groups appeared similar at last follow‐up with the exception of Roughness, for which the IL group retained a slightly improved outcome (13.3 vs. 18.3, P = .03).

Conclusions

At presentation, UVFP patients have similar NGGA. This finding suggests that treatment recommendations cannot be made on the size of the glottic gap alone. Furthermore, in many patients, IL results in long‐term benefit with glottic closure and CAPE‐V scores equivalent to that obtained with PM.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:430–436, 2018
Relationship between degree of obstruction and airflow limitation in subglottic stenosis
Authors: Lin Emily L. , Bock Jonathan M. , Zdanski Carlton J. , Kimbell Julia S. , Garcia Guilherme J. M.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Subglottic stenosis (SGS) is one of the most common airway disorders in pediatric patients. Currently, treatment decisions rely primarily on the Cotton‐Myer scale, which classifies SGS severity based on percentage reduction in airspace cross‐sectional area (CSA). However, the precise relationship between upper airway resistance and subglottic CSA is unknown. We hypothesize that airway resistance can be described by the Bernoulli Obstruction Theory, which predicts that airway resistance is inversely proportional to airspace CSA (
) in cases of severe constriction.

Methods

Computed tomography (CT) scans of six healthy subjects and five SGS patients were used to create three‐dimensional models of the respiratory tract from nostrils to carina. Cylindrical segments of varying lengths and varying diameters were digitally inserted in the subglottis of the healthy subjects to create simulated SGS models. Computational fluid dynamics simulations were run, and airway resistance was computed in the simulated SGS models and actual SGS models.

Results

Constriction diameter had a greater impact in airway resistance than constriction length. In agreement with the Bernoulli Obstruction Theory, airway resistance in the simulated SGS models was well represented by the power law
, where
is a constant and the exponent b ranged from −0.85 to −1.07. The percentage reduction in airflow
at a constant pressure drop was found to be directly proportional to the percentage reduction in CSA
in the limit of severe constrictions, namely
, where
. Airway resistances in the simulated SGS models were similar to resistances in models based on CT scans of actual SGS patients, suggesting that our simulated SGS models were representative of airway resistance in actual SGS patients.

Conclusion

Our computer simulations suggest that the degree of airflow limitation in SGS patients may be estimated based on anatomic measurements alone. Future studies are recommended to test these predictions in larger cohorts.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 128:1551–1557, 2018
Investigation of the presence of HPV on KTP laser fibers following KTP laser treatment of papilloma
Authors: Dodhia Sonam , Baxter Peter C. , Ye Fei , Pitman Michael J.
Published: November 2017

Objectives

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is often treated with in‐office laser procedures using a potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser transmitted through a laser fiber. Although effective, this procedure has notable downsides, including the possibility of transmitting human papillomavirus (HPV) in the smoke plume and the high cost of these single‐use fibers. The objective of this study is to determine if HPV can be detected on a laser fiber after use, with or without sterilization.

Methods

Twelve patients with laryngeal papillomas were treated with KTP laser energy transmitted via a KTP fiber. Ten fibers were sterilized in CIDEX (ASP, Irvine, California), a glutaraldehyde disinfectant, for 12 minutes, whereas two fibers were left unsterilized. Human papillomavirus DNA amplification was done on all 12 fiber samples with real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using general primer mediated 5+ and 6+. Human papillomavirus genotyping detection was done using type specific probes and/or Sanger sequencing.

Results

Over 27 strains of HPV were not detected on KTP fibers after use, with or without sterilization.

Conclusion

Human papillomavirus was undetectable by PCR on KTP laser fibers that were sterilized or unsterilized after use. Further studies are needed utilizing a transmission model to determine if HPV can be incubated from this fiber after sterilization.

Level of Evidence

NA. Laryngoscope, 128:926–928, 2018
Does the diameter of the stapes prosthesis really matter? A prospective clinical study
Authors: Bernardeschi Daniele , De Seta Daniele , Canu Giuseppina , Russo Francesca Yoshie , Ferrary Evelyne , Lahlou Ghizlene , Sterkers Olivier
Published: November 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

To evaluate the influence of the diameter of stapes prosthesis on functional outcomes in stapes surgery.

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

Fifty consecutive small fenestra stapedotomies performed using a 0.4‐mm‐diameter prosthesis were compared with 50 consecutive small fenestra stapedotomies carried out using a 0.6‐mm‐diameter piston. Audiological assessment following the recommendations of the Committee on Hearing and Equilibrium was performed 1 month after surgery. Postoperative complications between the two groups were noted.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in demographic data between the two groups, and no differences in preoperative bone‐conduction (BC) or air‐conduction (AC) hearing thresholds for all frequencies (analysis of variance [ANOVA] and χ2 tests). No differences were found in the mean preoperative BC and AC pure‐tone average and air‐bone gap (ABG). In the postoperative evaluation, a statistically significant difference was found for the mean AC gain (20 ± 8.7 vs. 24 ± 11.5, P = .042, ANOVA) as well as for the postoperative AC threshold at 0.125 and 0.25 kHz and the postoperative BC threshold at 0.25 kHz (P < .01, ANOVA). A postoperative ABG ≤10 dB was obtained in 90% and 94% of patients in the 0.4‐mm‐ and 0.6‐mm‐diameter piston groups, respectively (difference not significant, χ2 test). No postoperative dead ear and/or sensorineural hearing loss was noted in either group.

Conclusions

The 0.6‐mm piston allowed a statistically significant higher AC gain compared with the 0.4‐mm diameter piston. A larger diameter piston may be preferable if there are no anatomical or technical reasons that would favor a smaller prosthesis.

Level of Evidence

2b Laryngoscope, 1922–1926, 2018
Broadening the Photoresponse to Near‐Infrared Region by Cooperating Fullerene and Nonfullerene Acceptors for High Performance Ternary Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Li Jinyan , Liu Hao , Wang Zhaoyang , Bai Yiming , Liu Lin , Wang Fuzhi , Hayat Tasawar , Alsaedi Ahmed , Tan Zhan'ao
Published: November 2017

Ternary polymer solar cells (PSCs) based on multiple materials with level matching and complementary absorptions are regarded as an efficient way to overcome the light‐harvesting restriction to surpass high‐performance binary PSCs. This study introduces the third component, nonfullerene acceptor IEICO, into binary PSC‐based PBDTBDD:PC71BM to fabricate ternary PSC with one donor and two acceptors. By carefully tuning the third component ratio and cathode engineering, the resulting ternary PSC shows a power conversion efficiency of 10.51%, greatly improved in comparison with binary PSCs‐based PBDTBDD:PC71BM (7.86%) and PBDTBDD:IEICO (5.19%). In addition to extended light absorption, the third component IEICO could accelerate charge‐carrier transfer, decrease charge recombination, and increase electron collection, resulting from cascade energy levels, and ameliorate the device morphology to increase the contact area of the active layer and cathode buffer layer. This work demonstrates that ternary PSC incorporated with IEICO is a promising structure for producing high performance PSCs.
Bounds for the decay of the entries in inverses and Cauchy–Stieltjes functions of certain sparse, normal matrices
Authors: Frommer Andreas , Schimmel Claudia , Schweitzer Marcel
Published: November 2017

It is known that in many functions of banded and, more generally, sparse Hermitian positive definite matrices, the entries exhibit a rapid decay away from the sparsity pattern. This is particularly true for the inverse, and based on results for the inverse, bounds for Cauchy–Stieltjes functions of Hermitian positive definite matrices have recently been obtained. We add to the known results by considering certain types of normal matrices, for which fewer and typically less satisfactory results exist so far. Starting from a very general estimate based on approximation properties of Chebyshev polynomials on ellipses, we obtain as special cases insightful decay bounds for various classes of normal matrices, including (shifted) skew‐Hermitian and Hermitian indefinite matrices. In addition, some of our results improve over known bounds when applied to the Hermitian positive definite case.
“Hosting” an implantable cardioverter defibrillator: A phenomenological inquiry
Authors: Garrino Lorenza , Borraccino Alberto , Peraudo Enrico , Bobbio Marco , Dimonte Valerio
Published: November 2017

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) can reduce unexpected cardiac mortality, but they also have a dramatic impact on a patient's quality of life. We aimed to explore ICD recipients’ experiences in order to foster improvements in the quality of care. Analyses were done using a descriptive phenomenological method, based on qualitative interview data from a purposive sample of 20 ICD recipients. Four main themes emerged: living with fear; relying on technology; knowing about the ICD and how to live with it; and coping with the effects of the ICD on daily life. ICD recipients lived in a constant state of fear due to the presence of the device and the uncertainty related to the potential electrical shocks it could deliver. This fear was compounded by changes that severely affected the quality of their daily life. ICD recipients felt they were always on the brink of death, and that although they received sufficient technical information they did not feel they received meaningful information to help them accept, live with, and cope with the device. Emotional information and support, rather than technical information, must be provided to ICD recipients to give them the ability to cope with the everyday threats they perceive because of the device. Qualitative evidence may help professionals tackle known threats to patients’ quality of life and increase the quality of care.
Lessons from a crisis: An analysis of Toyota's handling of the recall crisis
Authors: Choi Jinbong , Lee Seohyeon
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this study is to evaluate how Toyota managed the recall crisis through surveying public relations experts. By gathering and analyzing the perspectives of public relations (PR) executives and professors toward the Toyota recall crisis, this study tries to evaluate and measure Toyota's public relations strategies for managing the recall crisis. To collecting data, 34 public relations professors and 92 public relations practitioners were interviewed. According to the findings of this study, PR professionals emphasized that Toyota responded poorly (slowly/dishonestly) and lacked communication with the public. With regard to improvements Toyota may work on, PR experts advised not only to resolve internal corporate problems but also to strengthen the relationships with consumers and obligation to investigate further. In regarding with the lessons from the Toyota's crisis, PR professionals highlighted that it is necessary to take anticipated preventative measures and improve investigative duties and preparation for better dealing with crises.
Pilocytic astrocytoma with leptomeningeal spread in a patient with incontinentia pigmenti presenting with unilateral nystagmus
Authors: Bayart Cheryl B. , Ishak Gisele E. , Finn Laura S. , Lee Amy , Baran Francine , Sun Angela , Gupta Deepti , Vitanza Nicholas A.
Published: November 2017

Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in IKBKG, leading to functional loss of nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐ĸB). We report the case of a 6‐month‐old female child with IP who presented with unilateral nystagmus and was found to have a pilocytic astrocytoma with leptomeningeal spread. Enhanced understanding of the relationship between NF‐ĸB, along with its upstream regulators, and tumorigenesis may shed light on whether a subset of patients with IP may be at increased risk for neoplasia.
Prescription drug use in pregnancy and variations according to prior psychiatric history
Authors: Ingstrup Katja G. , Liu Xiaoqin , Gasse Christiane , Debost Jean‐Christophe P. , Munk‐Olsen Trine
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Prescription drug use during pregnancy has increased during the past decades. However, little is known about prescription drug use for high‐risk pregnancies. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of redeemed prescriptions in Danish pregnant women with and without previous psychiatric history.

Methods

A Danish population‐based descriptive study of 981 392 pregnancies ending in live‐born singletons by 586 988 women aged 15 to 55 years between 1997 and 2012, of which 113 449 (11.6%) pregnancies were by women with a psychiatric history prior to the index pregnancy. All prescription drugs redeemed during pregnancy were identified, and dispensing patterns among the women were reported by therapeutic classes of drugs, calendar year of childbirth, and trimester.

Results

Overall, women with psychiatric history prior to pregnancy were more likely to fill a prescription (75.8%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 75.5‐76.0%), compared with women with no psychiatric history (64.5%; 95% CI, 64.4‐64.6%). The difference was observed even when psychotropic drug use was excluded and in all therapeutic classes except for antineoplastic and immunomodulating drugs. The most commonly prescribed drugs were anti‐infectives. Approximately 44.7% (95% CI, 44.5‐45.0%) of women with psychiatric history and 31.3% (95% CI, 31.2‐31.4%) of women with no psychiatric history redeemed more than one therapeutic class of drugs.

Conclusions

Women with a psychiatric history were more likely to redeem prescriptions during pregnancy across almost all drug classes, especially anti‐infectives. Two thirds of all women redeemed at least one prescription drug during pregnancy and one third more than one drug class.

KEY POINTS

We mapped prescription drug use of almost 600 000 women during almost one million pregnancies with focus on women with a history of psychiatric disorder before conception compared with women with no such history.

Pregnant women with a previous psychiatric disorder were more likely to redeem prescription drugs compared with pregnant women without a previous psychiatric disorder. The observed overall difference was not due to obvious differences in psychotropic drug use.

The difference was evident across calendar years, all trimesters, and almost all drug classes, but to a large extent in anti‐infectives, among those mainly antibiotics.

Two thirds of pregnant women redeemed prescription drugs during pregnancy, and one third redeemed more than one drug class.

Health professionals should be aware of comorbid conditions requiring multiple drug use during pregnancy with the risk of unknown fetal effects.
Risk of acute myocardial infarction with real‐world NSAIDs depends on dose and timing of exposure
Authors: Bally Michèle , Beauchamp Marie‐Eve , Abrahamowicz Michal , Nadeau Lyne , Brophy James M.
Published: November 2017

Purpose

Real‐life use of nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is dynamic. This study aimed to characterize the temporal association between time‐varying NSAID exposure and acute myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods

Nested case‐control analyses were conducted on a Quebec administrative health cohort. NSAID dose, confounders, and outcome status were determined for each day of follow‐up. To better account for dose and timing of past exposures, flexible weighted cumulative exposure models were also fitted.

Results

The cohort consisted of 233 816 older adults including 21 256 acute MI cases. Dose‐related increased risks of MI were found with current use of all NSAIDs. In models not accounting for duration of use, ORs (95%CI) for the most common current daily dose vs. no current exposure were: celecoxib 200 mg: 1.16 (1.10, 1.22), diclofenac 150 mg: 1.59 (1.38, 1.84), ibuprofen 1200 mg: 1.42 (1.17, 1.74), naproxen 750 mg: 1.38 (1.21, 1.58), and rofecoxib 25 mg: 1.54 (1.43, 1.66). Weighted cumulative exposure models confirmed that all NSAIDs—including naproxen—are associated with an increased risk of MI and suggested that doses taken up to 3 weeks ago for rofecoxib, ibuprofen, and naproxen and up to 75 days ago for diclofenac and celecoxib may contribute to the current MI risk. However, the celecoxib risk seems to require continuous use for more than 30 days, whereas for other NSAIDs, a heightened MI risk occurs within 7 days.

Conclusions

Weighted cumulative exposure analysis uncovered NSAID‐specific differences in the immediate MI risk and how this risk seems to accumulate.

KEY POINTS

Accurate assessment of drug safety requires an etiologically correct model encompassing all relevant aspects of exposure.

Weighted cumulative exposure models suggest that the relative importance of past doses on the risk of MI differs among NSAIDs.

All common NSAIDs are associated with an increased MI risk.

Celecoxib MI risk seems to depend on continuously using the drug for more than 30 days, whereas for ibuprofen, rofecoxib, diclofenac, and naproxen, a heightened MI risk occurs within 7 days of use.
The activities of the international precipitation working group
Authors: Levizzani V. , Kidd C. , Aonashi K. , Bennartz R. , Ferraro R. R. , Huffman G. J. , Roca R. , Turk F. J. , Wang N.‐Y.
Published: November 2017

The International Precipitation Working Group (IPWG) is a permanent International Science Working Group (ISWG) of the Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites (CGMS), co‐sponsored by CGMS and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The IPWG provides a focal point and forum for the international scientific community to address the issues and challenges of satellite‐based quantitative precipitation retrievals, and for the operational agencies to access and make use of precipitation products. Through partnerships and biennial meetings, the group supports the exchange of information on techniques for retrieving and measuring precipitation and for enhancing the impact of space‐borne precipitation retrievals in numerical weather and hydrometeorological prediction and climate studies. The group furthers the refinement of current estimation techniques and the development of new methodologies for improved global precipitation measurements, together with the validation of the derived precipitation products with ground‐based precipitation measurements. The IPWG identifies critical issues, provides recommendations to the CGMS and supports upcoming precipitation‐oriented missions. Training activities on precipitation retrieval from space are also part of the IPWG mandate in cooperation with WMO and other bodies.
Ni@Ru and NiCo@Ru Core–Shell Hexagonal Nanosandwiches with a Compositionally Tunable Core and a Regioselectively Grown Shell
Authors: Hwang Hyeyoun , Kwon Taehyun , Kim Ho Young , Park Jongsik , Oh Aram , Kim Byeongyoon , Baik Hionsuck , Joo Sang Hoon , Lee Kwangyeol
Published: November 2017

The development of highly active electrocatalysts is crucial for the advancement of renewable energy conversion devices. The design of core–shell nanoparticle catalysts represents a promising approach to boost catalytic activity as well as save the use of expensive precious metals. Here, a simple, one‐step synthetic route is reported to prepare hexagonal nanosandwich‐shaped Ni@Ru core–shell nanoparticles (Ni@Ru HNS), in which Ru shell layers are overgrown in a regioselective manner on the top and bottom, and around the center section of a hexagonal Ni nanoplate core. Notably, the synthesis can be extended to NiCo@Ru core–shell nanoparticles with tunable core compositions (Ni3Cox@Ru HNS). Core–shell HNS structures show superior electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) to a commercial RuO2 black catalyst, with their OER activity being dependent on their core compositions. The observed trend in OER activity is correlated to the population of Ru oxide (Ru4+) species, which can be modulated by the core compositions.
Growth of Black Phosphorus Nanobelts and Microbelts
Authors: Li Jun , Gao Zhaoshun , Ke Xiaoxing , Lv Yangyang , Zhang Huili , Chen Wei , Tian Wanghao , Sun Hancong , Jiang Sai , Zhou Xianjing , Zuo Tingting , Xiao Liye , Sui Manling , Tong Shengfu , Tang Daiming , Da Bo , Yamaura Kazunari , Tu Xuecou , Li Yun , Shi Yi , Chen Jian , Jin Biaobing , Kang Lin , Xu Weiwei , Wang Huabing , Wu Peiheng
Published: November 2017

Black phosphorus nanobelts are fabricated with a one‐step solid–liquid–solid reaction method under ambient pressure, where red phosphorus is used as the precursor instead of white phosphorus. The thickness of the as‐fabricated nanobelts ranges from micrometers to tens of nanometers as studied by scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy and X‐ray diffraction indicate that the nanobelts have the composition and the structure of black phosphorus, transmission electron microscopy reveals a typical layered structure stacked along the b‐axis, and scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis demonstrates the doping of bismuth into the black phosphorus structure. The nanobelt can be directly measured in scanning tunneling microscopy in ambient conditions.
Wavelength Division Multiplexer Based on Semiconductor Heterostructures Constructed via Nanoarchitectonics
Authors: Yan Yongli , Ye Jian , Wang Kang , Yao Jiannian , Zhao Yong Sheng
Published: November 2017

Obtaining a wavelength division multiplexer (WDM) at the micro/nanometer level is a considerable challenge that holds great potential in optical communication technology owing to the enlarged data‐carrying capacity without laying more fibers. Of the progress that has been made in recent years, one of the most promising methods is to fabricate nanoscale pattern on silicon substrate, forcing signals of different wavelength to enter predesigned channels due to the alternant changes in refractive index. However, it is not an easy task to incorporate light sources into these WDM systems, because of the nonradiative characteristics of silicon itself. This study demonstrates a successful integration of laser signal sources and WDM fully with 1D semiconductor structures. Nanowires from II–VI semiconductor serve as both lasing media and low‐loss waveguides for signal loading and delivering, respectively. On the basis of the distinct size‐dependent cut‐off effect, finely tuning the diameters of homojunctions would result in a controllable filtering of confined signal that light, beyond cut‐off wavelength, cannot transfer within the narrowed segments any longer. These results pave the way for semiconductor photonic components toward integration.
Architecting Graphene Oxide Rolled‐Up Micromotors: A Simple Paper‐Based Manufacturing Technology
Authors: Baptista‐Pires Luis , Orozco Jahir , Guardia Pablo , Merkoçi Arben
Published: November 2017

A graphene oxide rolled‐up tube production process is reported using wax‐printed membranes for the fabrication of on‐demand engineered micromotors at different levels of oxidation, thickness, and lateral dimensions. The resultant graphene oxide rolled‐up tubes can show magnetic and catalytic movement within the addition of magnetic nanoparticles or sputtered platinum in the surface of graphene‐oxide‐modified wax‐printed membranes prior to the scrolling process. As a proof of concept, the as‐prepared catalytic graphene oxide rolled‐up micromotors are successfully exploited for oil removal from water. This micromotor production technology relies on an easy, operator‐friendly, fast, and cost‐efficient wax‐printed paper‐based method and may offer a myriad of hybrid devices and applications.
Extremely Small Pyrrhotite Fe7S8 Nanocrystals with Simultaneous Carbon‐Encapsulation for High‐Performance Na–Ion Batteries
Authors: Choi Min‐Jae , Kim Jongsoon , Yoo Jung‐Keun , Yim Soonmin , Jeon Jaebeom , Jung Yeon Sik
Published: November 2017

Na/FeSx batteries have remarkable potential applicability due to their high theoretical capacity and cost‐effectiveness. However, realization of high power‐capability and long‐term cyclability remains a major challenge. Herein, ultrafine Fe7S8@C nanocrystals (NCs) as a promising anode material for a Na–ion battery that addresses the above two issues simultaneously is reported. An Fe7S8 core with quantum size (≈10 nm) overcomes the kinetic and thermodynamic constraints of the Na‐S conversion reaction. In addition, the high degree of interconnection through carbon shells improves the electronic transport along the structure. As a result, the Fe7S8@C NCs electrode achieves excellent power capability of 550 mA h g−1 (≈79% retention of its theoretical capacity) at a current rate of 2700 mA g−1. Furthermore, a conformal carbon shell acts as a buffer layer to prevent severe volume change, which provides outstanding cyclability of ≈447 mA h g−1 after 1000 cycles (≈71% retention of the initial charge capacity).
Functional Carbon Quantum Dots: A Versatile Platform for Chemosensing and Biosensing
Authors: Feng Hui , Qian Zhaosheng
Published: November 2017

Carbon quantum dot has emerged as a new promising fluorescent nanomaterial due to its excellent optical properties, outstanding biocompatibility and accessible fabrication methods, and has shown huge application perspective in a variety of areas, especially in chemosensing and biosensing applications. In this personal account, we give a brief overview of carbon quantum dots from its origin and preparation methods, present some advance on fluorescence origin of carbon quantum dots, and focus on development of chemosensors and biosensors based on functional carbon quantum dots. Comprehensive advances on functional carbon quantum dots as a versatile platform for sensing from our group are included and summarized as well as some typical examples from the other groups. The biosensing applications of functional carbon quantum dots are highlighted from selective assays of enzyme activity to fluorescent identification of cancer cells and bacteria.
Anomaly detection by robust statistics
Authors: Rousseeuw Peter J. , Hubert Mia
Published: November 2017

Real data often contain anomalous cases, also known as outliers. These may spoil the resulting analysis but they may also contain valuable information. In either case, the ability to detect such anomalies is essential. A useful tool for this purpose is robust statistics, which aims to detect the outliers by first fitting the majority of the data and then flagging data points that deviate from it. We present an overview of several robust methods and the resulting graphical outlier detection tools. We discuss robust procedures for univariate, low‐dimensional, and high‐dimensional data, such as estimating location and scatter, linear regression, principal component analysis, classification, clustering, and functional data analysis. Also the challenging new topic of cellwise outliers is introduced. WIREs Data Mining Knowl Discov 2018, 8:e1236. doi: 10.1002/widm.1236

This article is categorized under:

Algorithmic Development > Spatial and Temporal Data Mining

Technologies > Classification

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering

Technologies > Visualization
Ultrasound classification of traumatic distal biceps brachii tendon injuries
Authors: de la Fuente Javier , Blasi Marc , Martínez Sílvia , Barceló Pablo , Cachán Carlos , Miguel Maribel , Pedret Carles
Published: November 2017

Objective

The present work is aimed at analysing ultrasound findings in patients with distal biceps brachii tendon (DBBT) injuries to assess the sensitivity of ultrasound in detecting the different forms of injury, and to compare ultrasound results with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and surgical results.

Materials and methods

A total of 120 patients with traumatic DBBT injuries examined between 2011 and 2015 were analysed. We compared ultrasound results with MRI results when surgery was not indicated and with MRI and surgical results when surgery was indicated.

Results

For major DBBT injuries (complete tears and high-grade partial tears), the concordance study between exploration methods and surgical results found that ultrasound presented a slight statistically significant advantage over MRI (ultrasound: κ = 0.95—very good—95% CI 0.88 to 1.01, MRI: κ = 0.63—good—95% CI 0.42 to 0.84, kappa difference p < 0.01). Minor injuries, in which most tendon fibres remain intact (tendinopathies, elongations and low-grade partial tears), are the most difficult to interpret, as ultrasound and MRI reports disagreed in 12 out of 39 cases and no surgical confirmation could be obtained.

Conclusions

Based on present results and previous MRI classifications, we establish a traumatic DBBT injury ultrasound classification. The sensitivity and ultrasound–surgery correlation results in the diagnosis of major DBBT injuries obtained in the present study support the recommendation that ultrasound can be used as a first-line imaging modality to evaluate DBBT injuries.
Gagliardo–Nirenberg inequalities and non-inequalities: The full story
Authors: Mironescu Petru , Brezis Haïm
Published: November 2017

We investigate the validity of the Gagliardo–Nirenberg type inequality

\tag{1}
\|f\|_{W^{s,p}(\mathrm{\Omega })}≲\|f\|_{W^{s_{1},p_{1}}(\mathrm{\Omega })}^{\theta }\|f\|_{W^{s_{2},p_{2}}(\mathrm{\Omega })}^{1−\theta },

with

\mathrm{\Omega } \subset \mathbb{R}^{N}

. Here,

0 \leq s_{1} \leq s \leq s_{2}

are non negative numbers (not necessarily integers),

1 \leq p_{1},p,p_{2} \leq \infty

, and we assume the standard relations

s = \theta s_{1} + (1−\theta )s_{2},\:1/ p = \theta / p_{1} + (1−\theta )/ p_{2}\text{ for some }\theta \in (0,1).

By the seminal contributions of E. Gagliardo and L. Nirenberg, (1) holds when

s_{1},s_{2},s

are integers. It turns out that (1) holds for “most” of values of

s_{1},…,p_{2}

, but not for all of them. We present an explicit condition on

s_{1},s_{2},p_{1},p_{2}

which allows to decide whether (1) holds or fails.
Double Jeopardy – 50 Years On. Reviving a Forgotten Tool that Still Predicts Brand Loyalty
Authors: Graham Charles , Bennett Dag , Franke Katrin , Henfrey Cathy Lu , Nagy-Hamada May
Published: November 2017

Scientific knowledge builds by continuously subjecting its known laws to differentiated replications. Empirical generalisations capturing the Law of Double Jeopardy have been extensively tested in this way for decades, and rightly so because they continue to provide a valuable managerial key to the multi-million dollar question of how brands grow. This research continues that work, first by extending knowledge of the operation of Double Jeopardy in the less familiar conditions of long-run continuous buying, emerging markets, capital purchasing and house of brand strategies, and second by validating the rather overlooked w(1- b) approximation as a simple tool to predict behavioural brand loyalty. Observations of competitive brand performance in 32 differentiated replications, some over thirty five years apart, find no boundary condition to the operation of the Double Jeopardy characteristic even in contexts that might initially suggest a challenge to its independence assumptions. We outline the implications for managers in these new findings in terms of insight, planning and brand audit.
Watch Your Tone: How a Brand's Tone of Voice on Social Media Influences Consumer Responses
Authors: Barcelos Renato Hübner , Dantas Danilo C. , Sénécal Sylvain
Published: November 2017

Social media platforms enable firms to communicate directly and often publicly with individual consumers. In this research, comprising four online studies, the authors investigate how the tone of voice used by firms (human vs. corporate) influences purchase intentions on social media. Findings suggest that a human tone of voice is not always the firm's best option. Study 1a (N = 174) shows that using a human voice, instead of the more traditional corporate voice, can increase a consumer's hedonic value on social media and also purchase intentions. However, that influence of a human voice on purchase intentions is stronger when the consumer is looking at a brand page with a hedonic goal in mind (versus a utilitarian one). Study 1b (N = 342) shows that the presence of several negative comments about a brand on social media acts as a boundary condition, nullifying the influence of a human voice on purchase intentions. Studies 2a (N = 154) and 2b (N = 202) show in different settings that using a human voice can even reduce purchase intentions in contexts of high situational involvement, due to perceptions of risk associated with humanness. The results contribute to the literature surrounding the effects of conversational human voice, while also providing managers with a set of guidelines to help inform and identify which tone of voice is best adapted to each communications scenario.