bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro and in vivo phasor analysis of stoichiometry and pharmacokinetics using short‐lifetime near‐infrared dyes and time‐gated imaging
Authors: Chen Sez‐Jade , Sinsuebphon Nattawut , Rudkouskaya Alena , Barroso Margarida , Intes Xavier , Michalet Xavier
Published: November 2018

We introduce a simple new approach for time‐resolved multiplexed analysis of complex systems using near‐infrared (NIR) dyes, applicable to in vitro and in vivo studies. We show that fast and precise in vitro quantification of NIR fluorophores' short (subnanosecond) lifetime and stoichiometry can be done using phasor analysis, a computationally efficient and user‐friendly representation of complex fluorescence intensity decays obtained with pulsed laser excitation and time‐gated camera imaging. We apply this approach to the study of binding equilibria by Förster resonant energy transfer using two different model systems: primary/secondary antibody binding in vitro and ligand/receptor binding in cell cultures. We then extend it to dynamic imaging of the pharmacokinetics of transferrin engagement with the transferrin receptor in live mice, elucidating the kinetics of differential transferrin accumulation in specific organs, straightforwardly differentiating specific from nonspecific binding. Our method, implemented in a freely‐available software, has the advantage of time‐resolved NIR imaging, including better tissue penetration and background‐free imaging, but simplifies and considerably speeds up data processing and interpretation, while remaining quantitative. These advances make this method attractive and of broad applicability for in vitro and in vivo molecular imaging and could be extended to applications as diverse as image‐guided surgery or optical tomography.
Aflatoxin biotransformation by commercial peroxidase and its application in contaminated food
Authors: Marimón Sibaja Karen Vanessa , de Oliveira Garcia Sabrina , Feltrin Ana Carla Penteado , Diaz Remedi Rafael , Cerqueira Maristela Barnes Rodrigues , Badiale‐Furlong Eliana , Garda‐Buffon Jaqueline
Published: November 2018

BACKGROUND

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the most commonly occurring and the most toxic of all aflatoxins (AFs). It is responsible for liver cancer in animals and it is listed as a Group I carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Thus, it is necessary to find decontamination methods that show efficiency, specificity, low cost, and that allow the disposal of contaminated raw materials into the environment. This study evaluated the effects of enzyme concentration, pH, temperature and reaction time on AFB1 biotransformation by commercial peroxidase (POD) in a model solution (100 mmol L−1 phosphate buffer).

RESULTS

When 0.015 U mL−1 was used to treat 0.5 µg L−1 of AFB1, at pH 7.0–8.0 and 30–40 °C, for 8.0 h, the AFB1 biotransformation reached its maximum (97%). KM value of POD for the biotransformation of AFB1 was 0.0160 µmol L−1 (5 µg L−1) with a VMAX of 6.4 µmol L−1 min−1, which were determined based on Lineweaver‐Burk's plot. POD (0.015 U mL−1) effectively reduces AFB1 (97%) and M1 (65%) in UHT milk and AFB1 (24%) in lager beer samples acquired in markets of Rio Grande‐RS (Brazil).

CONCLUSION

The use of POD may be a strategy to mitigate the impact of AFs found in food to reduce the risk of consumer exposure. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxicity Activity of N‐tert‐butyl‐3‐{[2‐(arylamino)pyrimidin‐4‐yl]amino} Benzenesulfonamides
Authors: Patwari Shivaji B. , Murali Medari S. , Jadhav Vivekanand B.
Published: November 2018

A novel synthetic method has been developed with palladium‐catalyzed Buchwald–Hartwig‐type reaction for the synthesis of N‐tert‐butyl‐3‐{[2‐(arylamino)pyrimidin‐4‐yl]amino} benzenesulfonamide 5 by the treatment of N‐tert‐butyl‐3‐[(2‐chloropyrimidin‐4‐yl)amino] benzenesulfonamide 4 with different aromatic amines in the presence of Cs2CO3 and in DMF under microwave conditions. All the eight compounds 5a–h were evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic activities. Among the title compounds, 5c and 5d showed potent activity towards both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria. Compounds 5c and 5d displayed good antifungal activity, and the compounds 5c, 5d, and 5f exhibited significant cytotoxicity activity.
Detergent‐compatible bacterial cellulases
Authors: Niyonzima Francois N.
Published: November 2018

Cellulases, lipases, proteases, and amylases are employed in the detergent preparation to speed up the detergency process. Microbial cellulases are now commercially manufactured and are being used by various industries like detergent industry. Currently, the supplementation of detergent‐compatible enzymes is a new trend followed by most of the detergent industries. The cellulases are supplemented to the detergents to improve the fabric smoothness and soil removal without damaging them. They act by passing through the textile interfibril spaces and thus the fabric quality is preserved. The process is environment friendly, and the use of cellulases and other detergent‐compatible enzymes diminishes the utilization of toxic detergent constituents that are hazardous to humans. Alkaline cellulases active at ambient and low temperature are now preferred to maintain the fabric quality and use of low energy. The review reports on the production, purification, and properties studies of detergent‐compatible proteases, amylases, and lipases are available. However, there is no report on detergent‐compatible bacterial cellulases. In the present review, an overview on the production, purification, and characterization of detergent bacterial cellulases is presented. The stability and compatibility of the alkaline bacterial cellulases in the presence of the detergents and the detergent constituents are also discussed.
Asymmetric relationships between El Niño–Southern Oscillation and entrance tropical cyclones in the South China Sea during fall
Authors: Tan Pei‐Hua , Tu Jien‐Yi , Wu Liang , Chen Hui‐Shan , Chen Jau‐Ming
Published: November 2018

Tropical cyclones (TCs) initially forming in the western North Pacific (WNP) and later moving into the South China Sea (SCS) are defined as entrance TCs. El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and inter‐annual variability of entrance TCs during fall exhibit four types of asymmetric relationships: La Niña‐more, La Niña‐less, El Niño‐more, and El Niño‐less. Large‐scale modulation of the La Niña‐more (La Niña‐less) type features negative sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical central‐eastern Pacific with a maximum centre in the eastern (central) Pacific. The responding circulation pair extends northwestwards (northwards) with a cyclonic anomaly in the SCS and an anticyclonic anomaly in the North Pacific (NP). Above‐normal TCs forming to the east/northeast of the Philippines are steered by anomalous southeasterly (southerly) flows to enter the SCS (NP), leading to more (less) entrance TCs. For the El Niño‐less (El Niño‐more) type, positive SST anomalies over the tropical Pacific exhibit a centre in the eastern (central) Pacific. A circulation pair characterizes an anticyclonic anomaly over the entire (southwestern) SCS and a cyclonic anomaly within the NP (displacing westwards into the northern SCS) inducing anomalous flows from the northern (central and southern) SCS into the tropical WNP. TC entrance in both El Niño‐less and El Niño‐more types is hindered by inter‐annual flows. More entrance TCs in the El Niño‐more type are facilitated by the intra‐seasonal oscillation (ISO). Entrance TCs move into the SCS along a favourable environment provided by a northwest–southeasterly elongated 30–60‐day cyclonic anomaly. Regarding the relative role of the inter‐annual and intra‐seasonal modes, ISO (ENSO) exerts major modulatory effects on entrance TCs in the El Niño‐more (El Niño‐less) type. Both ISO and ENSO jointly facilitate (suppress) entrance TCs in the La Niña‐more (La Niña‐less) type.
Drought characterization over India under projected climate scenario
Authors: Bisht Deepak Singh , Sridhar Venkataramana , Mishra Ashok , Chatterjee Chandranath , Raghuwanshi Narendra Singh
Published: November 2018

The study evaluates the drought characteristics in India over projected climatic scenarios in different time frames, that is, near‐future (2010–2039), mid‐future (2040–2069), and far‐future (2070–2099) in comparison with reference period (1976–2005). Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), a multi‐scalar drought index was used owing to its robustness in capturing drought conditions while accounting the temperature. Gridded rainfall and temperature data provided by India Meteorological Department (IMD) was used to perform bias correction of nine Global Climate Models (GCMs) from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) project. Quantile mapping was used to correct the daily rainfall data at seasonal scale whereas daily temperature data was corrected at monthly scale. Multi‐Model Ensemble (MME) was prepared for different homogeneous monsoon regions of India, namely Hilly Regions (HR), Central Northeast (CNE), Northeast (NE), Northwest (NW), West Central (WC), and Peninsula (PS). Taylor diagram statistics were used for the preparation of MME. The regional climate cycle obtained from MME was found to be in good agreement with observed cycle derived from IMD data. The Mann–Kendal trend test was employed to detect the trend in drought severity and magnitude whereas L‐moments based frequency analysis was used to assess the magnitude of extreme drought severity under different time frames. The study reveals an increasing trend in drought severity, duration, occurrences, and the average length of drought under warming climate scenarios. Furthermore, the area under “above moderate drought” (i.e., severe and extreme drought combined) condition was also found to be increasing in projected climate.
Spatial and temporal patterns, trends and teleconnection of cumulative rainfall deficits across Central America
Authors: Muñoz‐Jiménez Rudy , Giraldo‐Osorio Juan Diego , Brenes‐Torres Alonso , Avendaño‐Flores Isabel , Nauditt Alexandra , Hidalgo‐León Hugo G. , Birkel Christian
Published: November 2018

Central America is a region vulnerable to hydrometeorological threats. Recently, the impacts of droughts caused higher economic losses in comparison to, for example, floods and landslides. This study focuses on the spatio‐temporal behaviour of cumulative rainfall deficits across Central America attempting to provide an historical context to the most recent drought episodes. We developed a long‐term (1950–2014), monthly rainfall data set that merged large‐scale interpolated products with a station observation network to spatially and temporally evaluate the 12‐month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI12) across the region. We found that El Niño cannot always be associated with drier conditions and that severe droughts are likely to spatially develop from localized phenomena to cover the entire region beyond the Central American drought corridor (CADC). Furthermore, there is not always a clear separation into the Pacific and Caribbean domain in terms of drought behaviour, but generally El Niño episodes can be associated with drier conditions on the Pacific slope and wetter conditions in the Caribbean. We could also show that trends in the SPI series are spatially variable and that more localized significant positive and negative trends exist throughout Central America. For example, central pacific Nicaragua was identified as a hot spot for significant drying conditions related to El Niño. We aim at developing this effort into a near‐real time and publicly available drought monitor in the near future to increase resilience and adaption efforts in the region.
Biomodification of compromised extraction sockets using hyaluronic acid and rhBMP‐2: An experimental study in dogs
Authors: Kim Jung‐Ju , Ben Amara Heithem , Park Jung‐chul , Kim Sungtae , Kim Tae‐Il , Seol Yang‐Jo , Lee Yong‐Moo , Ku Young , Rhyu In‐Chul , Koo Ki‐Tae
Published: November 2018

Background

This experimental study aims to evaluate the effect of hyaluronic acid on healing of infected extraction sockets compared with recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2).

Methods

Both third and fourth mandibular premolars of six beagle dogs were hemisected, and the distal roots were extracted at baseline. Subsequently, combined endodontic‐periodontic lesions were induced at the remaining mesial roots. After 4 months, the mesial roots on both sides of the mandible were removed. Four sockets per dog were randomly allocated to four groups: Group 1, Control; Group 2, only absorbable collagen sponge (ACS: carrier); Group 3, 1% hyaluronic acid (HA) gel + ACS; and Group 4, rhBMP‐2 + ACS. After 3 months of healing, the dogs were euthanized for microcomputed tomography and histologic analysis.

Results

After the lesion induction period (4 months), communication between the periodontal lesion and endodontic periapical lesion was observed at all remaining mesial roots. Alveolar bone overgrowth was observed in groups 3 and 4, but bone volume density was not significantly different among all groups. At the crestal portion, mineralization, and osteocalcin expression were higher in groups 3 and 4 than in groups 1 and 2.

Conclusion

Treatment with HA can promote bone formation and improve the wound healing rate comparable to rhBMP‐2 in infected extraction sockets.
Simultaneous determination of selected estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals and bisphenol A residues in whole milk using fabric phase sorptive extraction coupled to HPLC‐UV detection and LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Mesa Rodolfo , Kabir Abuzar , Samanidou Victoria , Furton Kenneth G.
Published: November 2018

A simple and sensitive analytical methodology is developed for rapid screening and quantification of selected estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals and bisphenol A from intact milk using fabric phase sorptive extraction in combination with high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to ultraviolet detection/tandem mass spectrometry. The new approach eliminates protein precipitation and defatting step from the sample preparation workflow. In addition, the error prone and time‐consuming solvent evaporation and sample reconstitution step used as the sample post‐treatment has been eliminated. Parameters with most significant impact on the extraction efficiency of fabric phase sorptive extraction including sorbent chemistry, sample volume, extraction time have been thoroughly studied and optimized. Separation of the selected estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals including α‐estradiol, hexestrol, estrone, 17α‐ethinyl estradiol, diethylstilboestrol, and bisphenol A were achieved using a Zorbax Extend‐C18 high‐performance liquid chromatography column (15 cm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm particle size). The limit of detection values obtained in fabric phase sorptive extraction with high‐performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection ranged from 25.0 to 50.0 ng/mL. The method repeatability values were 3.6–13.9 (relative standard deviation, %) and intermediate precision values were 4.6–12.7 (relative standard deviation, %). The fabric phase sorptive extraction method was also coupled to liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for identifying each endocrine disrupting chemical at 10 ng/mL.
What's happening with open annotation? Discoverability, engagement, community
Authors: Staines Heather
Published: November 2018

Key points

Standards‐based annotation can be used anywhere on the web across HTML, PDF, EPUB, and data to make public, private, and group notes on top of the version of record.

Publishers can host a branded and moderated annotation layer and determine whether they want it open to anyone or restricted to specific users.

Annotations have unique persistent web addresses that make it possible to link to a paragraph, sentence, or word rather than a page‐level URL.

Interoperable annotation will allow annotators using different annotation clients to interact with annotations made by others.

Open annotation is already being used in peer review, in workflows, to indicate changes and updates, and to add context to content.
The prescribed Ricci curvature problem on three‐dimensional unimodular Lie groups
Authors: Buttsworth Timothy
Published: November 2018

Let G be a three‐dimensional unimodular Lie group, and let T be a left‐invariant symmetric (0,2)‐tensor field on G. We provide the necessary and sufficient conditions on T for the existence of a pair consisting of a left‐invariant Riemannian metric g and a positive constant c such that , where is the Ricci curvature of g. We also discuss the uniqueness of such pairs and show that, in most cases, there exists at most one positive constant c such that is solvable for some left‐invariant Riemannian metric g.
Sensing α‐Synuclein From the Outside via the Prion Protein: Implications for Neurodegeneration
Authors: Brás Inês Caldeira , Lopes Luísa V. , Outeiro Tiago Fleming
Published: November 2018

Parkinson's disease and other synucleinopathies are characterized by the accumulation of aggregated α‐synuclein in intracellular proteinaceous inclusions. The progressive nature of synucleinopathies seems to be related to the cell‐to‐cell spreading of α‐synuclein pathology, and several possible mechanisms have been put forward to explain this phenomenon. In our recent study, we found that α‐synuclein oligomers interact with cellular prion protein in glutamatergic synapses. This interaction triggered a signaling cascade involving phosphorylation of Fyn kinase and activation of the N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate receptor, thereby leading to synaptic dysfunction. Here, we present relevant plasma membrane proteins that have been described to interact with α‐synuclein and discuss the possible pathological implications. We focus primarily on the prion protein and propose a pathological mechanism in which the interaction between α‐synuclein and prion protein leads to the formation of cofilin/actin rods, culminating in long‐term potentiation impairment and cognitive dysfunction. We posit that deciphering the mechanisms involved in sensing specific forms of extracellular α‐synuclein and transducing this information may prove invaluable in our quest to devise novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in PD and other synucleinopathies. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Ratios of proteins in cerebrospinal fluid in Parkinson's disease cognitive decline: prospective study
Authors: Delgado‐Alvarado Manuel , Dacosta‐Aguayo Rosalía , Navalpotro‐Gómez Irene , Gago Belén , Gorostidi Ana , Jiménez‐Urbieta Haritz , Quiroga‐Varela Ana , Ruiz‐Martínez Javier , Bergareche Alberto , Rodríguez‐Oroz María C.
Published: November 2018

Background: There is a need for biomarkers of dementia in PD.

Objectives: To determine if the levels of the main CSF proteins and their ratios are associated with deterioration in cognition and progression to dementia in the short to mid term.

Methods: The Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative database was used as an exploratory cohort, and a center‐based cohort was used as a replication cohort. Amyloid ß1‐42, total tau, threonine‐181 phosphorylated tau, and α‐synuclein in the CSF and the ratios of these proteins were assessed.

Results: In the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative cohort (n = 281), the total tau/amyloid ß1‐42, total tau/α‐synuclein, total tau/amyloid ß1‐42+α‐synuclein, and amyloid ß1‐42/total tau ratios were associated with a risk of progression to dementia over a 3‐year follow‐up. In the replication cohort (n = 40), the total tau/α‐synuclein and total tau/amyloid ß1‐42+α‐synuclein ratios were associated with progression to dementia over a 41‐month follow‐up.

Conclusion: Ratios of the main proteins found in PD patient brain inclusions that can be measured in the CSF appear to have value as short‐ to mid‐term predictors of dementia. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
In vivo range verification in particle therapy
Authors: Parodi Katia , Polf Jerimy C.
Published: November 2018

Exploitation of the full potential offered by ion beams in clinical practice is still hampered by several sources of treatment uncertainties, particularly related to the limitations of our ability to locate the position of the Bragg peak in the tumor. To this end, several efforts are ongoing to improve the characterization of patient position, anatomy, and tissue stopping power properties prior to treatment as well as to enable in vivo verification of the actual dose delivery, or at least beam range, during or shortly after treatment. This contribution critically reviews methods under development or clinical testing for verification of ion therapy, based on pretreatment range and tissue probing as well as the detection of secondary emissions or physiological changes during and after treatment, trying to disentangle approaches of general applicability from those more specific to certain anatomical locations. Moreover, it discusses future directions, which could benefit from an integration of multiple modalities or address novel exploitation of the measurable signals for biologically adapted therapy.
An accurate and fast regularization approach to thermodynamic topology optimization
Authors: Jantos Dustin R. , Hackl Klaus , Junker Philipp
Published: November 2018

In a series of previous works, we established a novel approach to topology optimization for compliance minimization based on thermodynamic principles known from the field of material modeling. Hamilton's principle for dissipative processes directly yields a partial differential equation (referred to as the evolution equation) as an update scheme for the spatial distribution of density mass describing the topology. Consequently, no additional mathematical minimization algorithms are needed. In this article, we introduce a regularization scheme by penalization of the gradient of the spatial distribution of mass density. The parabolic evolution equation (owing to a similar structure to the transient heat‐conduction equation) is solved most efficiently by an explicit time discretization. The Laplace operator is discretized via a Taylor series expansion yielding an operator matrix that is constant for the entire optimization process. This method shares some similarities to meshless methods and allows for an accurate application also on unstructured finite element meshes. The minimal size of the structure member can directly be controlled, a priori, by a numerical parameter introduced along with the regularization, similar to classical filter radii.
Bariatric Surgery Does Not Affect Food Preferences, but Individual Changes in Food Preferences May Predict Weight Loss
Authors: Søndergaard Nielsen Mette , Rasmussen Simone , Just Christensen Bodil , Ritz Christian , le Roux Carel W. , Berg Schmidt Julie , Sjödin Anders
Published: November 2018

Objective

Using an ad libitum buffet meal targeting direct behavior, the authors of the current study previously reported no effect of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG) surgery on food preferences 6 months after surgery. The current study investigated changes in food preferences at 18 months after surgery and whether changes in food preferences at 6 months predicted weight loss.

Methods

Twenty food items separated into the following food categories were served at the buffet meal: high‐fat, low‐fat, sweet, savory, high‐fat savory, high‐fat sweet, low‐fat savory, and low‐fat sweet. Energy intake and intake from each of the food items were registered. Energy intake prior to the meal was standardized.

Results

Thirty‐nine subjects completed visits before surgery and 18 months following RYGB (n = 29) and SG (n = 10) surgery. Energy intake decreased 41% (4,470 ± 209 kJ vs. 2,618 ± 209 kJ, P < 0.001), but no change occurred in relative energy intake from any of the food categories (all P ≥ 0.23), energy density (P = 0.20), or macronutrient intake (all P ≥ 0.28). However, changes in high‐fat food intake, protein intake, energy intake, and energy density at 6 months predicted weight loss at 18 months (P ≤ 0.02).

Conclusions

RYGB surgery and SG surgery do not affect food preferences. However, changes in food preferences seem to be predictive of weight loss.
Association of Obesity Subtypes in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Study and 3‐Year Postoperative Weight Change
Authors: Field Alison E. , Inge Thomas H. , Belle Steven H. , Johnson Geoffrey S. , Wahed Abdus S. , Pories Walter J. , Spaniolas Konstantinos , Mitchell James E. , Pomp Alfons , Dakin Gregory F. , Wolfe Bruce , Courcoulas Anita P.
Published: November 2018

Objective

The study objective was to empirically identify subgroups of patients with obesity and investigate their association with postoperative weight change.

Methods

A longitudinal analysis of 2,458 adults in the Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery (LABS) study was used. Baseline data were used to identify subgroups. The outcome was 3‐year weight change after bariatric surgery.

Results

We identified four classes (subtypes) of obesity, which could be characterized as diabetes with low rates of high‐density lipoprotein (Class 1), disordered eating (Class 2), mixed (Class 3), and extreme obesity with early onset (Class 4). Approximately 98% of participants in Class 1 had diabetes compared with < 40% in the other classes. There were high rates of binge eating in Class 2, and more than 92% of those in this class reported eating when not hungry. Class 4 was characterized by a higher BMI at baseline. Adults in Class 4 lost an average of 25.0% (males) and 30.3% (females) of their baseline weight over 3 years. In contrast with participants in Class 1, those in Classes 2 and 3 had significantly larger 3‐year weight losses than their peers in Class 4.

Conclusions

Obesity is a heterogeneous disease. Bariatric surgery may be most beneficial for adults with disordered eating.
Alcohol Intake and Weight Loss During Intensive Lifestyle Intervention for Adults with Overweight or Obesity and Diabetes
Authors: Chao Ariana M. , Wadden Thomas A. , Tronieri Jena Shaw , Berkowitz Robert I.
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study aimed to assess whether alcohol consumption decreases during an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) and whether alcohol consumption is associated with weight loss among participants with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Participants (n = 4,901) were from the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) study, a randomized controlled trial that compared an ILI with a diabetes support and education (DSE) control. Mixed‐effects models were used to estimate the effect of the ILI on alcohol consumption and the influence of alcohol consumption on weight loss at year 4.

Results

ILI and DSE participants did not differ in changes in alcohol consumption. Alcohol intake was not associated with weight loss at year 1 of the ILI. ILI participants who abstained from alcohol lost 5.1% ± 0.3% of initial weight at year 4 compared with a significantly (P = 0.04) smaller 2.4% ± 1.3% for consistent heavy drinkers. ILI participants who abstained from alcohol consumption over the 4 years lost 1.6% ± 0.5% more weight relative to individuals who drank alcohol at any time during the intervention (P = 0.003). DSE participants did not differ in weight loss by alcohol consumption.

Conclusions

Heavy alcohol drinkers are at risk for suboptimal long‐term weight loss. Decreasing alcohol consumption may improve weight management among individuals with diabetes.
Geographic Variation in Obesity, Behavioral Treatment, and Bariatric Surgery for Veterans
Authors: Maciejewski Matthew L. , Arterburn David E. , Berkowitz Theodore S.Z. , Weidenbacher Hollis J. , Liu Chuan‐Fen , Olsen Maren K. , Funk Luke M. , Mitchell James E. , Smith Valerie A.
Published: November 2018

Objective

This study aims to describe geographic variation in veterans’ prevalence of obesity, participation in Veterans Health Administration’s behavioral weight management program (MOVE!), and receipt of bariatric surgery in fiscal year (FY) 2016.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study of veterans with obesity who received Veterans Health Administration care in FY2016, electronic health record data were obtained on weight, height, outpatient visits to the MOVE! program, and bariatric surgeries. For each Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) region, the prevalence rate of veterans with obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2), MOVE! participation rates, and bariatric surgery rates are presented.

Results

The prevalence of obesity in veterans ranged from 30.5% to 40.5% across VISNs in FY2016. MOVE! participation among veterans with obesity was low (2.8%‐6.9%) across all VISNs, but veterans with class II and III obesity (BMI ≥ 35) had higher MOVE! participation rates (4.3%‐10.8%) than veterans with class I obesity. There was 20‐fold variation across VISNs in receipt of bariatric surgery among veterans with BMI ≥ 35, ranging from 0.01% to 0.2%. Among veterans with BMI ≥ 35 participating in MOVE!, there was 46‐fold variation in bariatric surgery provision, ranging from 0.07% to 3.27%.

Conclusions

Despite veterans’ high prevalence of obesity, behavioral and surgical weight management participation is low and varies across regions.
Does Partial Meal Replacement During Pregnancy Reduce 12‐Month Postpartum Weight Retention?
Authors: Phelan Suzanne , Wing Rena R. , Brannen Anna , McHugh Angelica , Hagobian Todd , Schaffner Andrew , Jelalian Elissa , Hart Chantelle N. , Scholl Theresa O. , Muñoz‐Christian Karen , Yin Elaine , Phipps Maureen G. , Keadle Sarah , Abrams Barbara
Published: November 2018

Objective

This randomized trial tested whether a behavioral intervention with meal replacements in pregnancy could increase the proportion of women who returned to prepregnancy weight and reduce postpartum weight retention by 12 months after delivery.

Methods

Women (N = 264; 13.7 weeks’ gestation) with overweight or obesity were randomly assigned to usual care or intervention. The intervention reduced excess gestational weight gain and was discontinued at delivery. At follow‐up, 83.7% completed the 12‐month assessment.

Results

Compared with usual care, prenatal intervention had no significant effect on odds of achieving prepregnancy weight (38/128 [29.7%] vs. 41/129 [31.8%]; P = 0.98) or in reducing the magnitude of weight retained (3.3 vs. 3.1 kg; P = 0.82) at 12 months. After delivery, significant (P < 0.0001) declines in meal replacements, practice of weight control behaviors, and dietary restraint were observed in the intervention group. Independent of group, lower gestational weight gain was the strongest predictor of achieving prepregnancy weight at 12 months (P = 0.0008).

Conclusions

A prenatal behavioral intervention with meal replacements that reduced pregnancy weight gain had no significant effect on 12‐month postpartum weight retention.
Management of oral mucositis in pediatric patients receiving cancer therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mazhari Fatemeh , Shirazi Alireza Sarraf , Shabzendehdar Mahboubeh
Published: November 2018

Background

One of the most common complications of cancer chemotherapy is oral mucositis (OM). OM affects more than 75% of patients undergoing chemotherapy and represents a significant burden to patients and caregivers. We performed a systematic review and meta­analysis of published studies to investigate the effects of agents and techniques in reducing OM.

Procedure

This systematic review investigated, critically appraised, and rated the evidence on agents used to manage OM in children undergoing cancer therapy. A comprehensive search of the relevant literature was performed from January 2006 to December 2017. MEDLINE, Scopus, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, EMBASE, and the Web of Science were searched. Nine eligible studies were identified. Using random­effects models, standardized mean difference was estimated between treated and control groups across all studies. The Cochran test and the I2 index were performed for heterogeneity between studies. The significance level was set at P = 0.05.

Results

Palifermin reduced the incidence (OR = 4.131, P = 0.000), duration (St diff mean = 0.803, P = 0.000), and severity (St diff mean = 0.637, P = 0.000) of OM in pediatric cancer patients significantly. However, the laser did not show significant efficacy in decreasing the incidence rate of OM (OR = 2.870, P = 0.364).

Conclusion

This review provided a comprehensive examination of available options for children who have OM. The results support the possibility of a positive effect of palifermin on reducing OM in children receiving cancer therapy.
Intra‐ and inter‐individual variability of stable strontium isotope ratios in hard and soft body tissues of pigs
Authors: Anders Dominic , Osmanovic Amira , Vohberger Marina
Published: November 2018

Rationale

Stable isotope analysis has become an indispensable tool for the identification of the flow of matter in ecological sciences. Stable strontium isotope ratios are used in several different scientific fields as markers for provenance, mobility, and migration. A crucial prerequisite for such studies is a reliable definition of local ranges and an estimation of expected isotopic variability.

Methods

To study the local variability of stable strontium isotope ratios at a specific place, a farrow of ecologically and locally grown pigs was investigated and strontium was extracted from their hard tissues (tooth enamel, bones and bristles) as well as soft tissues (meat, organs and blood) via dry‐ and wet‐ashing procedures and subsequent column separation. The 87Sr/86Sr ratio was then measured via TIMS (thermal ionization mass spectrometry).

Results

Reliable 87Sr/86Sr data was generated from all tissue types. Both intra‐ and inter‐individual variability was high and tissue‐specific patterns could be identified. High ranges occurred in sample types which were analyzed for animals of different age (pigs as well as piglets): teeth, parietal, mandible, femur, and leg muscle as well as in jaw muscle samples, which were only analyzed in adult pigs. Tooth enamel data showed a tooth‐type‐dependent pattern.

Conclusions

We conclude that a time factor played a role for the observed variability, e.g. a shift in food supply. Furthermore, we presume that local range estimates from the literature only work for tissues which integrate all consumed components over a sufficient amount of time and average fluctuations which can be found in tissues with higher turnover rates.
Intraoperative computer‐assisted prediction of intraarticular contact pressures in the knee during high tibial osteotomy
Authors: Panzica Martin , Westphal Ralf , Citak Musa , Hawi Nael , Liodakis Emmanouil , Goesling Thomas , Krettek Christian , Stuebig Timo , Suero Eduardo M.
Published: November 2018

Objectives

To develop an accurate intraoperative method to estimate changes in intraarticular contact pressures during high tibial osteotomy (HTO).

Methods

Changes in knee alignment and pressure were monitored in real time in seven cadaver specimens that received HTO. Intraarticular contact pressure (N/mm2) in each knee compartment was estimated based on extraarticularly acquired data (leg alignment, correction, and ankle tilt) and based on the application of an axial force of half bodyweight (400‐450 N).

Results

Contact pressure estimation was more accurate in the lateral compartment (R2 = 0.940) than in the medial compartment of the knee (R2 = 0.835). The optimism‐corrected R2 was 0.936 for the lateral compartment and 0.821 for the medial compartment.

Conclusions

We have established a framework for estimating the change in intraarticular contact pressures based on extraarticular data. This research could be helpful in generating appropriate algorithms to estimate joint alignment changes based on applied loads.
Dynamic event‐triggered control for linear time‐invariant systems with ‐gain performance
Authors: Liu Dan , Yang Guang‐Hong
Published: November 2018

In this paper, a novel dynamic event‐triggered control scheme is presented for linear time‐invariant systems. Under this control scheme, criteria that guarantee the asymptotic stability and the
‐stability are derived, by which the triggered parameters and the feedback gain can be codesigned. The stability criteria are derived by using Lyapunov‐based analysis tools, and a new Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional is constructed to further reduce conservatism. Moreover, the projection technique and the mathematical induction are introduced in the stability analysis. Compared with the existing results for static strategies, the proposed dynamic strategy is more flexible and generates fewer events. Finally, simulation examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of this new scheme.
Identification of cancer omics commonality and difference via community fusion
Authors: Sun Yifan , Jiang Yu , Li Yang , Ma Shuangge
Published: November 2018

The analysis of cancer omics data is a “classic” problem; however, it still remains challenging. Advancing from early studies that are mostly focused on a single type of cancer, some recent studies have analyzed data on multiple “related” cancer types/subtypes, examined their commonality and difference, and led to insightful findings. In this article, we consider the analysis of multiple omics datasets, with each dataset on one type/subtype of “related” cancers. A Community Fusion (CoFu) approach is developed, which conducts marker selection and model building using a novel penalization technique, informatively accommodates the network community structure of omics measurements, and automatically identifies the commonality and difference of cancer omics markers. Simulation demonstrates its superiority over direct competitors. The analysis of TCGA lung cancer and melanoma data leads to interesting findings.
Mediation analysis in a case‐control study when the mediator is a censored variable
Authors: Wang Jian , Ning Jing , Shete Sanjay
Published: November 2018

Mediation analysis is an approach for assessing the direct and indirect effects of an initial variable on an outcome through a mediator. In practice, mediation models can involve a censored mediator (eg, a woman's age at menopause). The current research for mediation analysis with a censored mediator focuses on scenarios where outcomes are continuous. However, the outcomes can be binary (eg, type 2 diabetes). Another challenge when analyzing such a mediation model is to use data from a case‐control study, which results in biased estimations for the initial variable‐mediator association if a standard approach is directly applied. In this study, we propose an approach (denoted as MAC‐CC) to analyze the mediation model with a censored mediator given data from a case‐control study, based on the semiparametric accelerated failure time model along with a pseudo‐likelihood function. We adapted the measures for assessing the indirect and direct effects using counterfactual definitions. We conducted simulation studies to investigate the performance of MAC‐CC and compared it to those of the naïve approach and the complete‐case approach. MAC‐CC accurately estimates the coefficients of different paths, the indirect effects, and the proportions of the total effects mediated. We applied the proposed and existing approaches to the mediation study of genetic variants, a woman's age at menopause, and type 2 diabetes based on a case‐control study of type 2 diabetes. Our results indicate that there is no mediating effect from the age at menopause on the association between the genetic variants and type 2 diabetes.
A Nano‐Wrinkled Zn0.92Fe0.08O Thin Film Developed Using a High‐RPM Electro‐Spin Patterning Technique via Sol‐Gel Route For Methane Sensing
Authors: Anchal Brij Bansh Nath , Singh Preetam , Pyare Ram
Published: November 2018

The development of superior methane sensors is important to insure the safety of laborers working in coal field/mine and CNG fuel stations as methane is not only the explosive gas but also act at asphyxiant and the leakage of methane is cause of tragic death of laborers working in coal mines/fields. We reports the development of nano‐wrinkled thin film of 8% iron doped zinc oxide (Zn0.92Fe0.08O) deposited by high rpm electro‐spin patterns technique for superior methane sensing performance. The method of deposition, developed/utilized here is very easy to perform in order to develop the films of same quality repetitively. Our developed Zn0.92Fe0.08O film showed high activity with quick response for methane sensing because of the increased active adsorption sites due to wrinkled structures grown at the surface of the thin films. The Thin film was characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX and AFM. These characterizations confirm the film structures, grain sizes, roughness and its crystal structure. The film showed high sensitivity for methane in the range of 100 to 500 ppm in the temperature range of 75 °C to 200 °C.
A Simple Perceptive Diphenyl‐Imidazole‐Based Dipodal Schiff‐Base Chemosensor for Zn2+ and PPi ions and Its Live‐Cell Imaging Applications
Authors: Gomathi Asaithambi , Vasanthi Mani , Viswanthamurthi Periasamy , Suresh Shanmugan , Nandhakumar Raju
Published: November 2018

2,6‐bis((E)‐(2‐(benzo[d]thiazol‐2‐yl)hydrazono)methyl)‐4‐(4,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)phenol (PIS) conjugate has been designed as a selective fluorescent probe for zinc ion. The PIS exhibits selectivity towards Zn2+ among various ions in DMSO‐H2O (1:9) v/v 50 mM HEPES (4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1‐piperazineethanesulfonic acid) at pH=7.4. Moreover, the detection of PIS towards Zn2+ ion could be realized in “naked eye” with a color conversion from yellow to greenish yellow. The linear relationship between fluorescence intensity and Zn2+ ion concentration indicates that PIS can be used for quantification of Zn2+ ion. The PIS probe can be used in broad pH ranging from 4 to 9. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 0.52 nM for Zn2+ ion. The binding ratio and binding constant of PIS‐Zn2+ complex were determined and calculated as 1:1 and 2.36×106 M−1 according to Job′s plot and Benesi–Hildebrand equation, respectively. Furthermore, the PIS‐Zn2+ complex subsequently acted as a secondary fluorescent turn‐off probe for pyrophosphate (PPi) ion recognition among the other anions. To assess the real‐world efficacy of the PIS and PIS‐Zn2+ complex, they were evaluated by test paper strips. Likewise, the probe PIS and PIS‐Zn2+ complex were used as in vitro cell imaging probe, and successfully demonstrated as feasible bio‐marker as well.
An Efficient Method of Preparation and Comprehensive Properties for Energetic Salts Based on Nitrofurazan‐Functionalized Hydroxytetrazoles
Authors: Guo Tao , Wang Zijun , Huo Huan , Tang Wang , Zhu Yong , Bi Fuqiang , Wang Bozhou , Meng Zihui , Prof. Zhongxue Ge and
Published: November 2018

Based on the advantages of the furazan and tetrazole ring, the nitro and N‐oxide groups were introduced into furazan‐tetrazole backbone to four kinds of novel nitrofurazan‐functionalized hydroxytetrazole energetic salts. Various method have been employed to confirm their structures, such as multinuclear NMR, FTIR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Salt guanidinium 5‐(4‐nitro‐furazan‐3‐yl)‐tetrazole‐1‐olate (5) and salt potassium 5‐(4‐hydroxyamino‐furazan‐3‐yl)‐tetrazole‐1‐olate (6) has been further elucidated by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction. The non‐isothermal decomposition kinetics and thermodynamics for different salts were investigated by using TG‐DSC with different heating rate. The physico‐chemical properties and detonation performance were also studied and calculated by EXPLO5 program, in which salt hydroxylammonium 5‐(4‐nitro‐furazan‐3‐yl)‐tetrazole‐1‐olate (3) have a relatively high density of 1.839 g⋅cm−3 at 296 K and good detonation properties (vD = 9228 m⋅s‐1, P = 38.0 GPa), which is superior to that of RDX. The sensitivities towards impact and friction were also determined by BAM method (BAM Fallhammer Test for IS; BAM Friction Test for FS), in which the salt 5 showed very insensitive property (IS>60 J, FS>360 N) and can be comparable to that of TATB. Furthermore, the specific impulse of salt 3 (281 s) was even better than that of ammonium perchlorate (AP) (157 s) as neat compounds.
Ni‐based Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from Ammonia Decomposition: Effect of Dopants and Urine Application
Authors: Henpraserttae Suparoek , Charojrochkul Sumittra , Lawtrakul Luckhana , Toochinda Pisanu
Published: November 2018

An enhancement of catalytic activities for ammonia decomposition was achieved using partial doping of Sr, Y, Zr, or Ce in Al2O3 frameworks. Improvements of the catalytic properties, including Ni dispersion, acidic sites, and basic sites have been studied. In this study, the Ni/doped Al2O3 catalysts exhibit a great improvement of Ni dispersion, which results in higher catalytic activities, relative to Ni/undoped Al2O3. Among the studied catalysts, Ni/Ce‐doped Al2O3 exhibits the highest NH3 conversion, and Ni/Y‐doped Al2O3 exhibits the best catalytic stability. The results of N2 formation from NH3‐TPRx imply that the recombination of nitrogen in the NH3 decomposition mechanism could be the rate‐determining step in this study. Decomposition of NH3 from urine was further evaluated over active Ni/Ce‐doped Al2O3. The catalyst can produce H2 in the range of 169‐188 μmol⋅min‐1⋅gcat‐1 with 72.1% NH3 conversion. The role of dopants in the Al2O3 frameworks for the catalytic activities was also discussed, to understand the NH3 decomposition mechanism.
Iodine Induced PbI2 Porous Morphology Manipulation for High‐Performance Planar Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Liu Zhongze , Deng Kaimo , Zhu Yayun , Wang Meng , Li Liang
Published: November 2018

The quality of the perovskite film has a vital influence on the performance of perovskite solar cells and it is quite desirable to simultaneously manipulate the crystallization and morphology of the perovskite film. In this study, conventional PbI2 is replaced with a PbI2/I2 mixed precursor during the first step of sequential deposition, causing the formation of a PbI2 porous nanostructure. By changing the content of I2 in the precursor, the morphology of the PbI2 film as well as the resulting perovskite film can be successfully modulated. With an optimal content of I2, a high‐quality perovskite film with a pure phase and smooth surface can be achieved. As a result, the conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells using a PbI2/I2 mixed precursor can be as high as 18.63%, compared to 16.89% for the reference device through traditional sequential deposition with a pure PbI2 precursor.
Analysis of {100} Texture Formation in Vacuum Annealed Electrical Steel Based on Elastic Anisotropy and Surface Energy Anisotropy
Authors: Wang Jinhua , Yang Ping , Mao Weimin
Published: November 2018

In the present work, columnar grains with strong {100}<0vw> texture in the surface layer are obtained by controlling cold rolling reduction and vacuum annealing with α → γ → α transformation in a Fe–3%Si steel sheet containing Mn and C. The formation of the {100}<0vw> texture during vacuum annealing is related to cold rolling reduction. The {100}<0uv> seeds are retained during a low cold rolling reduction and recrystallization process. The annealed {100}<001> and {100}<012> originate mainly from the nucleation of recrystallization in deformed microstructures. The {100}<011> texture, that is, formed during vacuum annealing originates from the deformed {100}<011>. The development of sharp {100} texture is caused by α → γ → α transformation during vacuum annealing. In the process of γ to α transformation, the values of elastic strain energy for α grains with different orientations on the surface are estimated. By combining the surface energies of various crystallographic planes, it is reasonable to conclude that the elastic strain energy anisotropy plays a significant role in the formation of a sharp {100}<0vw> texture during γ → α transformation. The {100}<0vw> grains prefer to grow in the surface layer columnar grains by minimizing elastic strain energy during γ → α transformation.