bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Field validation of POCIS for monitoring at underwater munitions sites
Authors: Rosen Gunther , Lotufo Guilherme R. , George Robert D. , Wild Bill , Rabalais Lauren K. , Morrison Shane , Belden Jason B.
Published: April 2018

The present study evaluated polar organic chemical integrative samplers (POCIS) for quantification of conventional munitions constituents, including trinitrotoluene (TNT), aminodinitrotoluenes, diaminonitrotoluenes, dinitrotoluene, and hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) in a field setting. The POCIS were deployed at varying distances from the commonly used explosive formulation composition B (39.5% TNT, 59.5% RDX, 1% wax) in an embayment of Santa Rosa Sound (Pensacola, FL, USA). Time-weighted averaged water concentrations from a 13-d deployment ranged from 9 to 103 ng/L for TNT and RDX, respectively, approximately 0.3 to 2 m from the source. Concentrations decreased with increasing distance from the source to below quantitation limits (5–7 ng/L) at stations greater than 2 m away. Moderate biofouling of POCIS membranes after 13 d led to a subsequent effort to quantify potential effects of biofouling on the sampling rate for munitions constituents. After biofouling was allowed to occur for periods of 0, 7, 14, or 28 d at the field site, POCIS were transferred to aquaria spiked with munitions constituents. No significant differences in uptake of TNT or RDX were observed across a gradient of biofouling presence, although the mass of fouling organisms on the membranes was statistically greater for the 28-d field exposure. The present study verified the high sensitivity and integrative nature of POCIS for relevant munitions constituents potentially present in aquatic environments, indicating that application at underwater military munitions sites may be useful for ecological risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2257–2267. Published 2018 Wiley Periodicals Inc. on behalf of SETAC. This article is a US government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Efficacy and Safety of Peginterferon Alfa‐2a (40KD) in Children With Chronic Hepatitis B: The PEG‐B‐ACTIVE Study
Authors: Wirth Stefan , Zhang Hongfei , Hardikar Winita , Schwarz Kathleen B. , Sokal Etienne , Yang Weibo , Fan Huimin , Morozov Vyacheslav , Mao Qing , Deng Hong , Huang Yang , Yang Lei , Frey Nicolas , Nasmyth‐Miller Clare , Pavlovic Vedran , Wat Cynthia
Published: April 2018

Children with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) represent an area of unmet medical need, attributed to increased lifetime risk of CHB sequelae and limited therapeutic options compared with adult CHB patients. The PEG‐B‐ACTIVE (NCT01519960) phase III study evaluated peginterferon (PegIFN) alfa‐2a treatment in children aged 3 to <18 years with CHB. A total of 161 hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)‐positive immune‐active patients without advanced fibrosis (AF)/cirrhosis were randomized (2:1) to PegIFN alfa‐2a (Group A, n = 101) or no treatment (Group B, n = 50); patients with AF were assigned to PegIFN alfa‐2a (Group C, n = 10). PegIFN alfa‐2a was administered for 48 weeks by body surface area (BSA) category, based on 180 μg/1.73 m2. HBeAg seroconversion rates at 24 weeks posttreatment were significantly higher in Group A (25.7% vs. 6%; P = 0.0043), as were the rates of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) clearance (8.9% vs. 0%; P = 0.03), hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA <2,000 IU/mL (28.7% vs. 2.0%; P < 0.001) or undetectable (16.8% vs. 2.0%; P = 0.0069), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization (51.5% vs. 12%; P < 0.001). Safety, including incidence of ALT flares and neutropenia, was comparable to the established PegIFN alfa‐2a profile in HBV‐infected adults or hepatitis C virus‐infected children. Changes in growth parameters were minimal during treatment and comparable to those in untreated patients. Safety and efficacy outcomes in Group C were in line with Group A. Conclusion: PegIFN alfa‐2a treatment of children in the immune‐active phase of CHB was efficacious and well tolerated, and associated with higher incidence of HBsAg clearance than in adults. This represents an important advance to the treatment options for children with CHB.
HIV knowledge and use of health services among people from South‐East Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa living in Western Australia
Authors: Gray Corie , Crawford Gemma , Reid Alison , Lobo Roanna
Published: April 2018

Background

HIV notifications among people born in sub‐Saharan Africa and South‐East Asia have increased in Australia in the last decade. People born in these regions have the highest rates of HIV diagnosis by region of birth and are overrepresented in late or advanced presentation of HIV infection.

Methods

This study developed and tested a questionnaire for reliability through test‐retest. A cross‐sectional survey using intercept and online recruitment of HIV knowledge and use of health services was then undertaken among people born in sub‐Saharan Africa and South‐East Asia, who had arrived in Australia less than 10 years ago and were living in Western Australia (n = 209). Results were reported on by gender and length of time in Australia.

Results

Participants had a reasonable knowledge of HIV transmission, but held a number of incorrect beliefs. Two‐thirds (65%) of participants reported a barrier to accessing health services in Australia. Just over a third (34%) of participants had ever tested for HIV, despite indicating that they believed HIV testing was important.

Conclusions

This project indicates a very low rate of HIV testing among this priority population. Further action is required to improve early diagnosis of HIV and reduce onward transmission of HIV infection within these communities.

So what?

We need targeted interventions that extend beyond knowledge to increase HIV testing rates among this population.
Effect of low‐cost interventions on the retention of knowledge and skills following Helping Babies Breathe training
Authors: Cordova Erika , Al‐Rousan Tala , Castillo‐Angeles Manuel , Aftab Saima , Nelson Brett D.
Published: April 2018

Objective

To evaluate the impact of a post‐Helping Babies Breathe bundle of interventions on the retention of provider‐level knowledge and skills.

Method

The present prospective pre–post study following a 1‐day Helping Babies Breathe training of professional midwives, physicians, and nurses was conducted in Cajamarca Province, Peru between January 1 and July 31, 2017. The interventions to improve retention included structured worksite practice before every shift, weekly in‐service simulated scenarios, and monthly supervised peer‐to‐peer abbreviated refresher trainings. Knowledge and skills were assessed before, immediately after, and 6 months after training using two validated multiple‐choice knowledge test and objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs; OSCE A and OSCE B). Data were analyzed for changes in knowledge and skills over time and to identify predictors of performance.

Results

There were 60 learners included. No significant differences were observed between assessments immediately after training and at 6‐month follow‐up for knowledge scores or time‐to‐effective‐ventilation. Pass rates for OSCE B increased from 83% immediately after training to 95% at follow‐up (P=0.007). The only factor associated with a reduced time to effective ventilation at 6‐month follow‐up was working in a hospital (P<0.001), accounting for years of training and experience.

Conclusion

Helping Babies Breathe knowledge and skills can be retained and even improved with simple, inexpensive interventions, including supervised on‐the‐job and peer‐to‐peer training.
Cobalt nanoparticles anchored to porous silicon as a novel modifier for the construction of enzyme‐free hydrogen peroxide screen‐printed sensor
Authors: Allahnouri Farzad , Farhadi Khalil , Eskandari Habibollah , Abarghoui Mehdi Mokhtari , Molaei Rahim
Published: April 2018

In this work, a screen‐printed carbon electrode (SPCE) was modified with a cobalt/porous silicon (Co@PSi) nanocomposite powder to develop a nonenzymatic sensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide. The Co@PSi nanocomposite was synthesized through the chemical reaction between silicon powder in a HF/HNO3 solution and cobalt cations. In this process, cobalt nanoparticles were anchored on the porous silicon. The structure and morphology of the synthesized nanocomposite were investigated by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray photoemission spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and field‐emission scanning electron microscopy. The constructed nonenzymatic, screen‐printed sensors based on the Co@PSi nanocomposite showed perfect electrocatalytic oxidation response to hydrogen peroxide over the range 1–170 and 170–3,770 μmol/L with the limit of detection of 0.8 μmol/L. In addition, the Co@PSi‐SPCE sensor exhibited good selectivity for the determination of H2O2 in the presence of common interfering species including glucose, ascorbic acid, uric acid, dopamine, nitrate, and nitrite ions. The constructed electrochemical sensor was successfully used for the determination of H2O2 in real samples.
An industrial perspective on membrane distillation processes
Authors: Kiss Anton A , Kattan Readi Olga M
Published: April 2018

Process intensification has led to significant developments in both distillation and membrane technology. Membrane distillation (MD) is an emerging technology for fluid separations that are typically performed by conventional separation processes, such as distillation or reverse osmosis (e.g. water desalination, or water removal). Compared with other membrane technologies, the driving force in MD is the difference in vapor pressure across the hydrophobic membrane, rather than the total pressure. MD can be a cost effective separation process, especially when more sustainable alternative sources of energy (e.g. geothermal and solar) or waste heat sources are used. Many review papers on MD are available in the open literature, but most of them focus on the membrane characteristics (e.g. material aspects).

This industrial perspective paper assesses the MD technology and reports on relevant issues by offering a concise overview of MD technology, addressing different MD configurations, current major applications, operating parameters and their effect on the MD process, commercially available membranes, as well as cost estimations to determine the feasibility of MD processes. While successfully applied in desalination and a few other niche applications, MD has failed to make a strong industrial impact in other areas still dominated by distillation. A key message is that membrane distillation is still a growing technology for separation and purification processes, but it needs further exploration and optimization to become a mature technology applicable to more industrial processes in the chemical process industry. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Towards optimal substrate feeding for heterologous protein production in Pichia pastoris (Komagataella spp) fed‐batch processes under PAOX1 control: a modeling aided approach
Authors: Ponte Xavier , Barrigón José Manuel , Maurer Michael , Mattanovich Diethard , Valero Francisco , Montesinos‐Seguí José Luis
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

To improve the efficiency of a bioprocess, key parameters, such as yield, titer and productivity, must be considered. They are mainly dependent on the specific rates for product (qP) and cell growth (μ), and their correlation determines the most suitable feeding polices that should be applied.

RESULTS

The mathematical description of the Pichia pastoris (Komagataella spp) PAOX1‐based system (Mut+) expressing recombinant Rhizopus oryzae lipase (ROL), which includes cell growth, substrate consumption and product formation kinetics, was used to define the optimal profiles regarding methanol feeding‐rate (F), residual methanol concentration (S) and specific growth rate (μ). Optimal trajectories obtained using numerical optimization and algorithms based on S‐profile determination were first applied to manage the multiplicity of S‐states with both μ and qP. Once the S‐profile was determined, the F and μ profiles were obtained in a straightforward manner from mass balances and growth kinetics. From experimental results, the bioprocess efficiency improvement was confirmed in terms of a 2.2‐fold higher final titer and 3.4‐fold higher productivity compared with the best standard pre‐programmed exponential substrate feeding strategy. Additionally, 1.2‐fold higher productivity and 1.1‐fold higher final titer relative to the most promising feedback control of the methanol concentration strategy were obtained.

CONCLUSION

The whole model‐based approach was established as a versatile and simple platform, which would then be transferable to alternative modes of operation and even to produce other proteins of interest. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Impact of impedance decrease during radiofrequency current application for atrial fibrillation ablation on myocardial lesion and gap formation
Authors: Inaba Osamu , Nagata Yasutoshi , Sekigawa Masahiro , Miwa Naoyuki , Yamaguchi Junji , Miyamoto Takamichi , Goya Masahiko , Hirao Kenzo
Published: April 2018

Background

The clinical impact of a decrease in impedance during radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has not been fully clarified. The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of impedance decrease and to determine its optimal cutoff value during RFCA.

Methods

We evaluated 34 consecutive patients (total 3264 lesions, mean age 66 ± 8.7 years, 10 females) who underwent their first ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF). The impedance decrease, average contact force (CF), application time, force‐time integral (FTI), product of impedance decrease and application time (PIT), and the product of impedance decrease and FTI (PIFT) were measured for all lesions. Levels of cardiac troponin I (TrpI) were measured for assessment of myocardial injury. The incidence of intraprocedural pulmonary vein‐left atrium reconnection or dormant conduction (reconnection) was determined. The relationships between the ablation parameters and the increase in TrpI (ΔTrpI) were evaluated. The predictive value of the parameters for reconnection was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.

Results

Reconnection was detected in 18 patients. Average FTI and PIT were significantly correlated with ΔTrpI (FTI: r2 = .19, P = .0090, PIT: r2 = .21, P = .0058). PIFT was correlated with ΔTrpI and was the best of the three indexes (PIFT: r2 = .29, P = .0010). In ROC curve analysis, the area under the curve for predicting reconnection was 0.71 and the optimal cutoff value was 5200 for PIFT (sensitivity 78%, specificity 63%).

Conclusion

The combination of CF and a decrease in impedance could be important in the evaluation of myocardial lesions and reconnection during RFCA.
In vivo bioavailability of polyphenols from grape by‐product extracts, and effect on lipemia of normocholesterolemic Wistar rats
Authors: Olivero‐David Raul , Ruiz‐Roso María B , Caporaso Nicola , Perez‐Olleros Lourdes , De las Heras Natalia , Lahera Vicente , Ruiz‐Roso Baltasar
Published: April 2018

BACKGROUND

The direct use of phenolic extracts from grape by‐products can be useful when formulating functional food to improve consumer health. The use of phenolic extracts instead of pure polyphenols as an ingredient is relevant in this context. The present study investigated the bioavailability and absorption of polyphenols from grape by‐product extracts and their health effect on cholesterolemia, by adding the extract (GE) to Wistar rats diet (50 g kg−1) in vivo.

RESULTS

GE caused the appearance of (+)‐catechin, myricetin and quercetic acid in plasma and liver. (+)‐Catechin was the most abundant compound (6 μg mL−1 in plasma and 0.7 μg mg−1 protein in liver), whereas no phenolic compounds were detected in plasma or liver in the control group. Similarly, 3,4‐hydroxyphenylacetic, a major product of polyphenol digestion, was detected in the plasma, liver and urine of the GE‐group only. GE‐group had significantly lower cholesterol level and lower total cholesterol/high‐density lipoprotein ratio in plasma. Total bile acid content significantly increased in fecal matter after 24 h administration of the GE‐enriched diet.

CONCLUSION

Grape extract polyphenols are partially bioavailable and showed improvement in lipid metabolism. Thus, the results suggest that GE is promising as a functional ingredient in the prevention of hypercholesterolemia. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
A Crossover Comparison of Standard and Telerobotic Approaches to Prenatal Sonography
Authors: Adams Scott J. , Burbridge Brent E. , Badea Andreea , Kanigan Nadine , Bustamante Luis , Babyn Paul , Mendez Ivar
Published: April 2018

Objectives

To determine the feasibility of a telerobotic approach to remotely perform prenatal sonographic examinations.

Methods

Thirty participants were prospectively recruited. Participants underwent a limited examination (assessing biometry, placental location, and amniotic fluid; n = 20) or a detailed examination (biometry, placental location, amniotic fluid, and fetal anatomic survey; n = 10) performed with a conventional ultrasound system. This examination was followed by an equivalent examination performed with a telerobotic ultrasound system, which enabled sonographers to remotely control all ultrasound settings and fine movements of the ultrasound transducer from a distance. Telerobotic images were read independently from conventional images.

Results

The mean gestational age ± SD of the 30 participants was 22.9 ± 5.3 weeks. Paired‐sample t tests showed no statistically significant difference between conventional and telerobotic measurements of fetal head circumference, biparietal diameter, or single deepest vertical pocket of amniotic fluid; however, a small but statistically significant difference was observed in measurements of abdominal circumference and femur length (P < .05). Intraclass correlations showed excellent agreement (>0.90) between telerobotic and conventional measurements of all 4 biometric parameters. Of 21 fetal structures included in the anatomic survey, 80% of the structures attempted across all patients were sufficiently visualized by the telerobotic system (range, 57%–100% per patient). Ninety‐seven percent of patients strongly or somewhat agreed that they would be willing to have another telerobotic examination in the future.

Conclusions

A telerobotic approach is feasible for remotely performing prenatal sonographic examinations. Telerobotic sonography (robotic telesonography) may allow for the development of satellite ultrasound clinics in rural, remote, or low‐volume communities, thereby increasing access to prenatal imaging in underserved communities.
Correlation of Point Shear Wave Velocity and Kidney Function in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Grosu Iulia , Bob Flaviu , Sporea Ioan , Popescu Alina , Şirli Roxana , Schiller Adalbert
Published: April 2018

Objectives

Point shear wave elastography is a quantitative ultrasound‐based imaging method used in the assessment of renal disease. Among point shear wave elastographic options, 2 techniques have been studied considerably: Virtual Touch quantification (VTQ; Siemens AG, Erlangen, Germany) and ElastPQ (EPQ; Philips Healthcare, Bothell, WA). Both rely on the tissue response to an acoustic beam generated by the ultrasound transducer. The data on renal VTQ are more extensive, whereas EPQ has been used less thus far in the assessment of the kidneys. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of EPQ in the kidney and compare it with VTQ.

Methods

We studied 124 participants using EPQ: 22 with no renal disease and 102 with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ninety‐one were studied with both the EPQ and VTQ methods. We obtained 5 valid measurements in each kidney, expressed in meters per second.

Results

The mean kidney stiffness measurements ± SD obtained with EPQ in the healthy control group were as follows: right kidney, 1.23 ± 0.33 m/s; and left kidney, 1.26 ± 0.32 m/s (P = .6). In the patients with CKD (all stages), the mean kidney stiffness measurements obtained were significantly lower: right kidney, 1.09 ± 0.39 m/s; and left kidney, 1.04 ± 0.38 m/s (P = .4). We observed that, similar to VTQ, EPQ values decreased with CKD progression, based on analysis of variance results using different CKD stages. From a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the cutoff value for an estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 45 mL/min was 1.24 m/s, and the value for an estimated glomerular filtration rate of less than 30 mL/min was 1.07 m/s.

Conclusions

When using EPQ, the kidney shear wave velocity is decreased in patients with CKD, an observation similar to that obtained by using the VTQ method.
Does the Addition of M‐Mode to B‐Mode Ultrasound Increase the Accuracy of Identification of Lung Sliding in Traumatic Pneumothoraces?
Authors: Avila Jacob , Smith Ben , Mead Therese , Jurma Duane , Dawson Matthew , Mallin Michael , Dugan Adam
Published: April 2018

Objectives

It is unknown whether the addition of M‐mode to B‐mode ultrasound (US) has any effect on the overall accuracy of interpretation of lung sliding in the evaluation of a pneumothorax by emergency physicians. This study aimed to determine what effect, if any, this addition has on US interpretation by emergency physicians of varying training levels.

Methods

One hundred forty emergency physicians were randomized via online software to receive a quiz with B‐mode clips alone or B‐mode with corresponding M‐mode images and asked to identify the presence or absence of lung sliding.

Results

The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the diagnosis of lung sliding with and without M‐mode US were compared. Overall, the sensitivities, specificities, and accuracies of B‐mode + M‐mode US versus B‐mode US alone were 93.1% and 93.2% (P = .8), 96.0% and 89.8% (P < .0001), and 91.5% and 94.5% (P = .0091), respectively. A subgroup analysis showed that in those providers with fewer than 250 total US scans done previously, M‐mode US increased accuracy from 88.2% (95% confidence interval, 86.2%–90.2%) to 94.4% (92.8%–96.0%; P = .001) and increased the specificity from 87.0% (84.5%–89.5%) to 97.2% (95.4%–99.0%; P < .0001) compared with B‐mode US alone. There was no statistically significant difference observed in the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of B‐mode + M‐mode US compared with B‐mode US alone in those with more than 250 scans.

Conclusions

The addition of M‐mode images to B‐mode clips aids in the accurate diagnosis of lung sliding by emergency physicians. The subgroup analysis showed that the benefit of M‐mode US disappears after emergency physicians have performed more than 250 US examinations.
Clinical Usefulness of the Microbubble Contrast Agent SonoVue in Enhancing the Effects of High‐Intensity Focused Ultrasound for the Treatment of Adenomyosis
Authors: Jingqi Wang , Lu Zhang , Jun Zhang , Yuhong Ma , Wei Yang , Lifeng Ran , Chengbing Jin , Dobromir Dimitrov Dimitrov , Hui Zhu , Kun Zhou
Published: April 2018

Objective

To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the microbubble contrast agent SonoVue in enhancing high‐intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for the treatment of adenomyosis.

Methods

A total of 102 patients with adenomyosis, assessed from August 2015 to April 2017, were randomly divided into 1‐minute (A) and 10‐minute (B) groups, respectively. In groups A and B, HIFU started 1 minute and 10 minutes, respectively, after SonoVue injection. All patients underwent a magnetic resonance imaging scan before and after HIFU treatment.

Results

The occurrence rates of massive gray scale change, nonperfused volume, and fractional ablation were similar in both groups (P > .05). Meanwhile, sonication time to massive gray scale change was reduced in group A compared with group B (P < .05). In addition, mean power, total energy, and energy efficiency factor were lower in group A than group B (all P < .05). The incidence rates of most perioperative and all postoperative adverse events were similar in both groups (P > .05). The incidence rates of pain in the treated region, leg pain, and sciatic or buttock pain during HIFU were substantially lower in group A than group B (P < .05).

Conclusions

Overall, starting HIFU sonication at 1 minute after SonoVue injection enhances HIFU ablation by cavitation and heating and is safe. Early massive gray scale change, lower total energy, and reduced mean power are potential safety factors.
3D Bioprinting of Artificial Tissues: Construction of Biomimetic Microstructures
Authors: Luo Yongxiang , Lin Xin , Huang Peng
Published: April 2018

It is promising that artificial tissues/organs for clinical application can be produced via 3D bioprinting of living cells and biomaterials. The construction of microstructures biomimicking native tissues is crucially important to create artificial tissues with biological functions. For instance, the fabrication of vessel‐like networks to supply cells with initial nutrient and oxygen, and the arrangement of multiple types of cells for creating lamellar/complex tissues through 3D bioprinting are widely reported. The current advances in 3D bioprinting of artificial tissues from the view of construction of biomimetic microstructures, especially the fabrication of lamellar, vascular, and complex structures are summarized. In the end, the conclusion and perspective of 3D bioprinting for clinical applications are elaborated.
Shape Memory Properties and Enzymatic Degradability of Poly(ε‐caprolactone)‐Based Polyurethane Urea Containing Phenylalanine‐Derived Chain Extender
Authors: Wang Rong , Zhang Fanjun , Lin Weiwei , Liu Wenkai , Li Jiehua , Luo Feng , Wang Yaning , Tan Hong
Published: April 2018

Biodegradable shape memory polymers are promising biomaterials for minimally invasive surgical procedures. Herein, a series of linear biodegradable shape memory poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL)‐based polyurethane ureas (PUUs) containing a novel phenylalanine‐derived chain extender is synthesized. The phenylalanine‐derived chain extender, phenylalanine‐hexamethylenediamine‐phenylalanine (PHP), contains two chymotrypsin cleaving sites to enhance the enzymatic degradation of PUUs. The degradation rate, the crystallinity, and mechanical properties of PUUs are tailored by the content of PHP. Meanwhile, semicrystalline PCL is not only hydrolytically degradable but also vital for shape memory. Good shape memory ability under body temperature is achieved for PUUs due to the strong interactions in hard segments for permanent crosslinking and the crystallization‐melt transition of PCL to switch temporary shape. The PUUs would have a great potential in application as implanting stent.
Advertising archetypes’ impact on physician engagement and behavior in the context of healthcare products
Authors: Woodside Arch G. , Persing Adam , Ward Brendan , DeCotiis Allen R.
Published: April 2018

The pharmaceutical industry spends billions annually on marketing to physicians (over $4.3 billion in 2014). The industry as a whole has a lot of experience in determining what to say to physicians, but it is less confident when it comes to how to say it—sometimes leading to advertising that does not engage, thereby costing sales. In an effort to define a set of rule‐based guidelines for effective pharma branding, the study adapts the primary Jungian archetypes to develop the first collection of archetypal tones of voice for healthcare products. The study here demonstrates, via a series of fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analyses that well executed ads following an archetype consistently connect with physician audiences, while nonarchetypal healthcare ads demonstrate an inconsistent performance. Such an analysis would traditionally take the form of null hypothesis significance testing (NHST), but NHST provides substantially less insights than algorithm modeling and the use of fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis as this study describes.
Beyond window signs: Understanding the affect‐based effects of window signs on store patronage intentions
Authors: Velasco Vizcaíno Franklin
Published: April 2018

Store managers commonly use window signs to decorate their stores and, more importantly, to communicate store‐related information to their customers. This research investigates the role window signs play in influencing consumers’ attitudes and store patronage intentions. Empirical evidence from two studies (data from a real‐life store environment and from an experimental setting) indicates that window signs generate positive inferences to consumers about the store image and the store promotion value, which ultimately influence consumers’ patronage intentions. Furthermore, this study proposes and tests a model suggesting that window signs represent a diagnostic cue from which consumers infer a sense of place identity. The results show that place identity partially mediates the relationship between consumers’ attitude toward window signs and consumers’ store patronage intentions. Moreover, this study includes the store manager's perspective and finds evidence that retail managers have positive attitudes toward window signs, which encourage them to rely on this promotional tool to announce store promotions. Implications of the findings for the role of window signs are discussed.
Se‐Methylselenocysteine Ameliorates Neuropathology and Cognitive Deficits by Attenuating Oxidative Stress and Metal Dyshomeostasis in Alzheimer Model Mice
Authors: Xie Yongli , Liu Qiong , Zheng Lin , Wang BingTao , Qu Xiaogang , Ni Jiazuan , Zhang Yan , Du Xiubo
Published: April 2018

Scope

Se‐methylselenocysteine (SMC) is a major selenocompound in selenium (Se)‐enriched plants. Se is vital for proper brain function, and Se‐deficient is considered to be related with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease (AD). The potential of SMC in intervening cognitive deficits and neuropathology of triple transgenic AD (3 × Tg‐AD) mice is evaluated for the first time.

Methods and results

AD mice are treated with SMC (0.75 mg kg−1 BW per day) in their drinking water for 10 months. Results reveal that SMC 1) reduces oxidative stress and neuro‐inflammation; 2) modulates the distribution and levels of several metal ions; 3) decreases amyloid‐β peptide (Aβ) generation by inhibiting the expression of its precursor protein APP and β‐secretase (BACE1); and 4) attenuates tau hyperphosphorylation and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) formation via promoting protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) activity, thereby preserving synaptic proteins and neuron activities and finally improving spatial learning and memory deficits in AD model mice. The authors suggest that the inhibitory effect of SMC on MEK/ERK activation may play a critical role in intervening AD progression.

Conclusions

These results reveal that SMC is powerful in ameliorating AD‐related neuropathology and cognitive deficits via modulating oxidative stress, metal homeostasis, and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) activation.
Estimation of Reactivity Ratios in the RAFT Copolymerization of Styrene and Glycidyl Methacrylate
Authors: Benvenuta‐Tapia Juan José , Tenorio‐López José Alfredo , Vivaldo‐Lima Eduardo
Published: April 2018

The bulk reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) copolymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and styrene (S) at several GMA molar feed fractions in the presence of 2‐cyano isopropyl dodecyl trithiocarbonate as RAFT agent and 1,10‐azobis(cyclohexane carbonitrile) as initiator is reported. The reaction conditions are similar to those used in the industrial production of crystal and high‐impact polystyrene by free radical polymerization with the purpose of synthesizing well‐defined copolymers in current industrial processes with only minor changes. Reactivity ratios calculated with linear Kelen–Tüdos, extended Kelen–Tüdos, and nonlinear regression (error in all variables) methods are reported. The results obtained suggest that the RAFT process modifies copolymer composition development. Increased preference for the monomer with the higher reactivity ratio is observed.
Single‐shot T2 mapping using overlapping‐echo detachment planar imaging and a deep convolutional neural network
Authors: Cai Congbo , Wang Chao , Zeng Yiqing , Cai Shuhui , Liang Dong , Wu Yawen , Chen Zhong , Ding Xinghao , Zhong Jianhui
Published: April 2018

Purpose

An end‐to‐end deep convolutional neural network (CNN) based on deep residual network (ResNet) was proposed to efficiently reconstruct reliable T2 mapping from single‐shot overlapping‐echo detachment (OLED) planar imaging.

Methods

The training dataset was obtained from simulations that were carried out on SPROM (Simulation with PRoduct Operator Matrix) software developed by our group. The relationship between the original OLED image containing two echo signals and the corresponding T2 mapping was learned by ResNet training. After the ResNet was trained, it was applied to reconstruct the T2 mapping from simulation and in vivo human brain data.

Results

Although the ResNet was trained entirely on simulated data, the trained network was generalized well to real human brain data. The results from simulation and in vivo human brain experiments show that the proposed method significantly outperforms the echo‐detachment‐based method. Reliable T2 mapping with higher accuracy is achieved within 30 ms after the network has been trained, while the echo‐detachment‐based OLED reconstruction method took approximately 2 min.

Conclusion

The proposed method will facilitate real‐time dynamic and quantitative MR imaging via OLED sequence, and deep convolutional neural network has the potential to reconstruct maps from complex MRI sequences efficiently.
Neuromuscular fatigue after low‐ and medium‐frequency electrical stimulation in healthy adults
Authors: De Oliveira Pedro Ferreira Alves , Durigan João Luiz Quagliotti , Modesto Karenina Arrais Guida , Bottaro Martim , Babault Nicolas
Published: April 2018

Introduction: In this study we investigated fatigue origins induced by low‐frequency pulsed current (PC) and medium‐frequency current (MF) neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) after a clinical‐like session. Methods: Eleven healthy men randomly underwent 2 NMES sessions, PC and MF, on quadriceps muscle (15‐minute duration, 6 seconds on and 18 seconds off). Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), central activation ratio (CAR), vastus lateralis electromyographic activity (EMG), and evoked contractile properties were determined before and after the sessions. Evoked torque and discomfort during the sessions were also measured. Results: Both currents produced decreases in MVC, EMG, and evoked contractile properties after the sessions. No difference was found between currents for all variables (P > 0.05). Evoked torque during sessions decreased (P < 0.05). No difference was observed in mean evoked torque and discomfort (P > 0.05). Discussion: Both currents induced similar neuromuscular fatigue. Clinicians can choose either PC or MF and expect similar treatment effects when the goal is to generate gains in muscle strength. Muscle Nerve 58: 293–299, 2018
Effect of Protein Supplementation During Diet‐Induced Weight Loss on Muscle Mass and Strength: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Smith Gordon I. , Commean Paul K. , Reeds Dominic N. , Klein Samuel , Mittendorfer Bettina
Published: April 2018

Objective

High protein (particularly leucine‐rich whey protein) intake is recommended to mitigate the adverse effect of weight loss on muscle mass. The effectiveness of this approach is unknown.

Methods

Seventy middle‐aged (50‐65 years old) postmenopausal women with obesity were randomized to (1) weight maintenance (WM), (2) weight loss and the recommended daily allowance for protein (0.8 g/kg/d) (WL group), or (3) weight loss plus whey protein supplementation (total protein: 1.2 g/kg/d) (WL‐PS group). Thigh muscle volume and strength were assessed at baseline and after 5% and 10% weight loss in the weight‐loss groups and after matched time periods (∼3 and 6 months, respectively) in the WM group.

Results

A 5% weight loss caused a greater decrease in thigh muscle volume in the WL group than the WL‐PS group (4.7% ± 0.7% vs. 2.8% ± 0.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). After 10% weight loss, there was no statistically significant difference in muscle mass loss in the two groups, and the total loss was small in both groups (5.5% ± 0.8% and 4.5% ± 0.7%, respectively). The dietary interventions did not affect muscle strength.

Conclusions

Whey protein supplementation during diet‐induced weight loss does not have clinically important therapeutic effects on muscle mass or strength in middle‐aged postmenopausal women with obesity.
Long‐Term Weight Gain and Risk of Overweight in Parous and Nulliparous Women
Authors: Davis Deborah , Brown Wendy J. , Foureur Maralyn , Nohr Ellen A. , Xu Fenglian
Published: April 2018

Objective

In longitudinal studies, women gain significant amounts of weight during young adulthood, pointing to pregnancy as an important trigger for weight gain. Studies examining the effect of parity vary in their findings and are complicated by multiple potential confounders. This study examines the association between parity and long‐term weight gain in a cohort of young women participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH).

Methods

A sample of 8,009 parous and nulliparous women was drawn from this cohort and allocated to one of six parity groups (0‐5+). Weight gain and factors associated with BMI ≥ 25 over a 16‐year period were identified by using generalized linear equations.

Results

Median BMI increased by between 2.95 and 4.9 units over 16 years, with women of parity 5 + showing the biggest gain. Associations between several variables and a BMI ≥ 25 (controlling for multiple demographic and behavioral factors) demonstrated no effect for parity but significant effects for survey year, no paid job, and depression. University education and high levels of physical activity were protective.

Conclusions

In this sample, parity was not associated with a BMI ≥ 25 over a 16‐year period.
Gut Microbes and Health: A Focus on the Mechanisms Linking Microbes, Obesity, and Related Disorders
Authors: Rastelli Marialetizia , Knauf Claude , Cani Patrice D.
Published: April 2018

The past decade has been characterized by tremendous progress in the field of the gut microbiota and its impact on host metabolism. Although numerous studies show a strong relationship between the composition of gut microbiota and specific metabolic disorders associated with obesity, the key mechanisms are still being studied. The present review focuses on specific complex pathways as well as key interactions. For instance, the nervous routes are explored by examining the enteric nervous system, the vagus nerve, and the brain, as well as the endocrine routes (i.e., glucagon‐like peptide‐1, peptide YY, endocannabinoids) by which gut microbes communicate with the host. Moreover, the key metabolites involved in such specific interactions (e.g., short chain fatty acids, bile acids, neurotransmitters) as well as their targets (i.e., receptors, cell types, and organs) are briefly discussed. Finally, the review highlights the role of metabolic endotoxemia in the onset of metabolic disorders and the implications for alterations in gut microbiota‐host interactions and ultimately the onset of diseases.
Gut Microbiota: From Microorganisms to Metabolic Organ Influencing Obesity
Authors: Stephens Richard W. , Arhire Lidia , Covasa Mihai
Published: April 2018

Objective

This review summarizes the current understanding of the relationship between gut microbiota and the host as it pertains to the regulation of energy balance and obesity.

Methods

The paper begins with a brief description of the gut microbiota environment, distribution, and its unique symbiotic relationship with the host. The way that enviromental factors influence microbiota composition and subsequent impact on the host are then described. Next, the mechanisms linking gut dysbiosis with obesity are discussed, and finally current challenges and limitations in understanding the role of gut microbiota in control of obesity are presented.

Results

Gut microbiota has been implicated in regulation of fat storage, as well as gut dysbiosis, thus contributing to the development of obesity, insulin resistance, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia. However, the underlying mechanisms of these processes are far from being clear and will require complex preclinical and clinical interdisciplinary studies of bacteria and host cell‐to‐cell interactions.

Conclusions

There is a need for a better understanding of how changes in gut microbiota composition can impact energy balance and thus control weight gain. This may represent a promising avenue in the race to develop nonsurgical treatments for obesity.
Design and development of thermally conductive hybrid nano‐composites in polysulfone matrix
Authors: Raza Kabeer , Siddiqui Muhammad Usama , Arif Abul Fazal M. , Akhtar Syed Sohail , Hakeem Abbas Saeed
Published: April 2018

A percolating network of hybrid fillers can provide significant synergic enhancement of thermal conductivity in polymer matrix composites. Especially, when platelets and fibers of high aspect ratios are mixed to form a percolating network, the percolation thresholds are small. However, the optimum ratio of platelets to fibers must be acquired for the maximum synergic enhancement. In this work, polysulfone (PSU) matrix‐hybrid fillers composite is designed with high thermal conductivity using a computational model. The calibration of computational model with several experimentally measured thermal conductivities of polymer matrix‐hybrid nanocomposites leads to the composition where maximum synergic effect/maximum thermal conductivity is expected. For the specific PSU–Graphene nano‐platelets (GNPs)/Carbon nano‐tubes (CNTs) hybrid composites synthesized in this study, the composition with maximum thermal conductivity as designed by the model is PSU/8.4% GNPs/1.6% CNTs. The samples produced experimentally around this composition have shown close agreement with the predictions of the model. Sensitivity analyses and parametric studies conducted on the model highlight that the dimensional parameters and the interface resistance of the fillers are the most sensitive to enhance the effective thermal conductivity. POLYM. COMPOS., 40:1419–1432, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers
Revealing the Inhibitory Effect of Ginseng on Mitochondrial Respiration through Synaptosomal Proteomics
Authors: Kong Dezhi , Tian Xiaolin , Li Yunshan , Zhang Saihang , Cheng Yiru , Huo Lifang , Ma Huanhuan , Yang Zuxiao , Ren Leiming , Zhang Mingquan , Zhang Wei
Published: April 2018

Ginseng, the active ingredients of which are ginsenosides, is the most popular herbal medicine and has potential merit in the treatment of cerebral disorders. To better understand the function of Ginseng in the cerebral system, we examined changes in the protein expression profiles of synaptosomes extracted from the cerebral cortical and hippocampal tissues of rats administered a high or low dose of Ginseng for 2 weeks. More than 5000 proteins belonging to synaptosomes were simultaneously identified and quantitated by an approach combining tandem mass tags with 2D liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry (LC‐MS). Regarding differentially expressed proteins, downregulated proteins were much more highly induced than upregulators in the cerebral cortical and hippocampal synaptosomes, regardless of the dose of Ginseng. Bioinformatic analysis indicated the majority of the altered proteins to be located in the mitochondria, directly or indirectly affecting mitochondrial oxidative respiration. Further functional experiments using the substrate‐uncoupler inhibitor titration approach confirmed that three representative ginsenosides were able to inhibit oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that Ginseng can regulate the function of mitochondria and alter the energy metabolism of cells, which may be useful for the treatment of central nervous disorders.
Development and validation of a health‐related quality of life questionnaire for pediatric patients with interstitial lung disease
Authors: Niemitz Mandy , Schwerk Nicolaus , Goldbeck Lutz , Griese Matthias
Published: April 2018

Purpose

Children's interstitial lung disease (chILD) is often associated with multiple burdens and chronic impairment of health‐related quality of life. Patient reported outcomes describe the patients’ perspective on medical conditions and their treatments. We aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of a chILD‐specific PRO (chILD‐QoL) as an instrument for monitoring the patients’ health status.

Methods

Items were generated through focus groups with parents, patients, and interviews with pediatric pulmonologists. After a pretest of the German pilot version, the questionnaire was refined and translated into four European languages. Psychometric properties of the questionnaire were analyzed within a multi‐center collaborative throughout Europe involving 180 parents of children with an interstitial lung disease and 65 pediatric patients.

Results

The final instrument is available in different developmentally adapted versions from infancy to adolescence, comprising between 5 and 11 items. The scales showed high internal consistency (Cronbachs’α between 0.85 and 0.94). Convergent validity was indicated by moderate to high correlations (r = 0.43‐0.91) with the Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire (PedsQL™ 4.0 Core module). Lower scores were significantly associated with dyspnoea (tproxy = 3.18, P = 0.002), tachypnoea (tproxy = 2.95, P = 0.002), and with worse clinical course of lung disease (tself = 3.96, P < 0.05) as reported by the physicians.

Conclusions

The results indicate the reliability and validity of the chILD‐QoL for pediatric patients with interstitial lung diseases. It can be used for screening and monitoring subjective health status as perceived by the patients and/or their caregivers, as well as for evaluation of health‐related quality of life in clinical trials and intervention research.
Machine learning of big data in gaining insight into successful treatment of hypertension
Authors: Koren Gideon , Nordon Galia , Radinsky Kira , Shalev Varda
Published: April 2018

Despite effective medications, rates of uncontrolled hypertension remain high. Treatment protocols are largely based on randomized trials and meta‐analyses of these studies. The objective of this study was to test the utility of machine learning of big data in gaining insight into the treatment of hypertension. We applied machine learning techniques such as decision trees and neural networks, to identify determinants that contribute to the success of hypertension drug treatment on a large set of patients. We also identified concomitant drugs not considered to have antihypertensive activity, which may contribute to lowering blood pressure (BP) control. Higher initial BP predicts lower success rates. Among the medication options and their combinations, treatment with beta blockers appears to be more commonly effective, which is not reflected in contemporary guidelines. Among numerous concomitant drugs taken by hypertensive patients, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), and HMG CO‐A reductase inhibitors (statins) significantly improved the success rate of hypertension. In conclusions, machine learning of big data is a novel method to identify effective antihypertensive therapy and for repurposing medications already on the market for new indications. Our results related to beta blockers, stemming from machine learning of a large and diverse set of big data, in contrast to the much narrower criteria for randomized clinic trials (RCTs), should be corroborated and affirmed by other methods, as they hold potential promise for an old class of drugs which may be presently underutilized. These previously unrecognized effects of PPIs and statins have been very recently identified as effective in lowering BP in preliminary clinical observations, lending credibility to our big data results.