bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Teriparatide Compared with Risedronate on the Risk of Fractures in Subgroups of Postmenopausal Women with Severe Osteoporosis: The VERO Trial
Authors: Geusens Piet , Marin Fernando , Kendler David L , Russo Luis A , Zerbini Cristiano AF , Minisola Salvatore , Body Jean Jacques , Lespessailles Eric , Greenspan Susan L , Bagur Alicia , Stepan Jan J , Lakatos Péter , Casado Enrique , Moericke Rüdiger , López-Romero Pedro , Fahrleitner-Pammer Astrid
Published: January 2018

The 2-year, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled fracture endpoint VERO study included postmenopausal women with established osteoporosis, who had at least 2 moderate or 1 severe baseline vertebral fractures (VFx), and bone mineral density (BMD) T-score ≤–1.5. Patients were treated with either s.c. daily teriparatide 20 μg or oral weekly risedronate 35 mg. As previously reported, the risk of new VFx and clinical fractures (a composite of clinical VFx and nonvertebral fragility fractures [NVFFx]) was statistically significantly reduced with teriparatide compared with risedronate. Here we present the prospectively planned subgroup analyses of fracture data across subgroups, which were predefined by the following baseline characteristics: age, number and severity of prevalent VFx, prevalent nonvertebral fractures (NVFx), glucocorticoid use, prior osteoporosis drugs, recent bisphosphonate use, clinical VFx in the year before study entry, and baseline BMD. Heterogeneity of the treatment effect on the primary endpoint (new VFx), and the four key secondary endpoints (including clinical fractures and NVFFx) were investigated by logistic and Cox proportional hazards regression models. A total of 1360 women were randomized and treated (680 per group). Mean age was 72.1 years, mean (SD) number of prevalent VFx was 2.7 (2.1), 55.4% had a BMD T-score <–2.5, 36.5% had a recent clinical VFx, 28.3% had a prior major NVFx, 43.2% were osteoporosis drug-naïve, 39.3% were recent bisphosphonate users, and 9.3% were taking glucocorticoids at a prednisone-equivalent dose of >5 mg/d. For most fracture endpoints, the risk reduction of teriparatide versus risedronate did not significantly differ in any of the subgroups analyzed (treatment-by-subgroup interaction p > 0.1), with most subgroups mirroring results from the total study population. In conclusion, in postmenopausal women with severe osteoporosis, the antifracture efficacy of teriparatide compared with risedronate was consistent in a wide range of patient settings, including treatment-naïve and previously treated patients. © 2018 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research Published by Wiley Periodicals Inc.
Positive-Feedback Regulation of Subchondral H-Type Vessel Formation by Chondrocyte Promotes Osteoarthritis Development in Mice
Authors: Lu Jiansen , Zhang Haiyan , Cai Daozhang , Zeng Chun , Lai Pinglin , Shao Yan , Fang Hang , Li Delong , Ouyang Jiayao , Zhao Chang , Xie Denghui , Huang Bin , Yang Jian , Jiang Yu , Bai Xiaochun
Published: January 2018

Vascular-invasion-mediated interactions between activated articular chondrocytes and subchondral bone are essential for osteoarthritis (OA) development. Here, we determined the role of nutrient sensing mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in the crosstalk across the bone cartilage interface and its regulatory mechanisms. Then mice with chondrocyte-specific mTORC1 activation (Tsc1 CKO and Tsc1 CKOER) or inhibition (Raptor CKOER) and their littermate controls were subjected to OA induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) or not. DMM or Tsc1 CKO mice were treated with bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A antibody that blocks angiogenesis. Articular cartilage degeneration was evaluated using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International score. Immunostaining and Western blotting were conducted to detect H-type vessels and protein levels in mice. Primary chondrocytes from mutant mice and ADTC5 cells were treated with interleukin-1β to investigate the role of chondrocyte mTORC1 in VEGF-A secretion and in vitro vascular formation. Clearly, H-type vessels were increased in subchondral bone in DMM-induced OA and aged mice. Cartilage mTORC1 activation stimulated VEGF-A production in articular chondrocyte and H-type vessel formation in subchondral bone. Chondrocyte mTORC1 promoted OA partially through formation of VEGF-A–stimulated subchondral H-type vessels. In particular, vascular-derived nutrients activated chondrocyte mTORC1, and stimulated chondrocyte activation and production of VEGF, resulting in further angiogenesis in subchondral bone. Thus a positive-feedback regulation of H-type vessel formation in subchondral bone by articular chondrocyte nutrient-sensing mTORC1 signaling is essential for the pathogenesis and progression of OA. © 2018 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Jun, Gal, Cd74, and C1qb as potential indicator for neuropathic pain
Authors: Yang Ji‐An , He Jun‐Min , Lu Jing‐Min , Jie Li‐Jian
Published: January 2018

Neuropathic pain is a kind of pain caused by primary or secondary impairment or dysfunction of peripheral or central nervous system. Patients with neuropathic pain were often with poor clinical outcome. We screened the differentially expressed genes between sciatic nerve injury and dorsal root ganglion gene in the sham operation model. Microarray and the spared nerve injury module were used to explore the molecular mechanism of neuropathic pain by injuries and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified out. Besides, the bioinformatics methods were used to figure out the signaling pathways and expression regulation pattern these DEGs were enriched in, which may provide a basis for the molecular research and medicine target of therapy. Besides, protein‐protein interaction network analysis was performed on these selected intersection genes. A total of 40 DEGs were screened out and only pctp gene was down‐regulated, the left 39 genes were all up‐regulated. Then, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed on these intersection genes by DAVID software. Furthermore, protein‐protein interaction network analysis was used to analyze the critical genes of neuropathic pain. Finally, four genes, that is, Jun, Gal, Cd74, and C1qb were identified to have strong interactions with other genes, which may function as the prognostic and predictive genes of neuropathic pain caused by peripheral injuries. Our results suggested that four differentially expressed genes, Jun, Gal, Cd74, and C1qb, had the potential to serve as prognostic or predictive markers for neuropathic pain, suggesting a potential application in the improvement of prognostic tools and treatments.
Role of miR‐203 in estrogen receptor‐mediated signaling in the rat uterus and endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Zierau Oliver , Helle Janina , Schadyew Sabina , Morgenroth Yanni , Bentler Martin , Hennig Alexander , Chittur Sridar , Tenniswood Martin , Kretzschmar Georg
Published: January 2018

The role of microRNAs (miRNA) in estrogen receptor (ER) signaling in the uterus and in endometrial cancer is not well understood. We therefore analyzed miRNA expression in uterine samples from a standard 3‐day uterotrophic assay using young female adult rats to identify E2‐regulated miRNAs. Microarray analysis identified 47 E2 down‐regulated miRNAs including miR‐30a, and 25 E2up‐regulated miRNAs including miR‐672, miR‐203, and miR‐146b. The strongly E2‐upregulated miR‐203 was selected for further analysis. miR‐203 was deleted in the rat endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line, RUCA‐I, using CRISPR/CAS9. Five clones devoid of miR‐203 expression were generated. Proliferation was reduced and G2‐arrest was observed in all miR‐203 deficient RUCA‐I clones. Transfection with a miR‐203‐3p mimic partially rescues this effect. Comparison of mRNA expression in three miR‐203 knockout clones to wild type RUCA‐I cells reveals 566 miR‐203‐upregulated and 592 miR‐203‐downregulated genes. 43 of the genes that are upregulated by miR‐203 knockout in vitro are downregulated in the uterus by E2. Of these Acer2, Zbtb20, Ptn, Rcbtb2, Mum1l1, Hmgn3, and Nfat5 possess one or more seed sequence matches in their 3′‐UTR that are predicted to be targets of miR‐203. These data demonstrate the importance of E2 regulated miRNAs in general, and miR‐203 in particular, for E2 regulated gene expression and physiological processes including proliferation and cell migration, in the uterus as well as in the etiology of endometrial carcinomas.
RETRACTED: MiR‐137 functions as a tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer by targeting MRGBP
Authors: Ding Feng , Zhang Shuang , Gao Shaoyang , Shang Jian , Li Yanxia , Cui Ning , Zhao Qiu
Published: January 2018

miRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that act as critical epigenetic regulators in tumor carcinogenesis. In this study, our data showed that miR‐137 was significantly downregulated in 58 pairs of human pancreatic cancer (PanCa) tissues and PanCa cell lines. Furthermore, the deregulated miR‐137 was correlated with increased tumor size, higher TNM stage, and worse prognosis in pancreatic cancer. Functional studies demonstrated that overexpression of miR‐137 dramatically suppressed cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis in vitro. Meanwhile, upregulated miR‐137 remarkably inhibited migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells. Further studies indicated that MRGBP was identified as the direct downstream target gene of miR‐137. In addition, MRGBP expression is significantly downregulated in miR‐137‐transfected cells. Our previous study revealed that silencing of MRGBP suppressed the growth of PanCa cells in vitro and in vivo and also promoted apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion of PanCa cells, which are consistent with the effects of miR‐137 overexpression. Taken together, our findings suggest that miR‐137 may function as a novel tumor promoter through directly targeting MRGBP in PanCa.
Cover Image, Volume 93, Issue 2
Authors: Li Jianfeng , Liu Xinyuan , Wang Shujun , Du Zhiping , Guo Yimin , Cheng Fangqin
Published: January 2018

The cover image, by Jianfeng Li et al., is based on the Research Article Synthesis and optimization of a novel poly‐silicic metal coagulant from coal gangue for tertiary‐treatment of coking wastewater, DOI: 10.1002/jctb.5362.

image
Responses of flocculent and granular sludge in anaerobic sequencing batch reactors (ASBRs) to azithromycin wastewater and its impact on microbial communities
Authors: Liu Peng‐yu , Chen Jia‐rong , Shao Lei , Tan Jun , Chen Dai‐jie
Published: January 2018

BACKGROUND

Azithromycin (AZM), a 15‐member macrolide antibiotic, has caused widespread pollution in China, where anaerobic digestion is the predominant wastewater treatment technology. However, the type of anaerobic sludge most suitable for treating antibiotic wastewater is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the response of anaerobic flocculent and granular sludge to AZM wastewater, and, using a high‐throughput sequencing technique, to explain the diverse microbial community structures.

RESULTS

Anaerobic granular sludge provided better resistance to the decline of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal caused by AZM and greater biodegradation efficiency than flocculent sludge. Furthermore, there was stronger resistance to AZM‐induced reactive oxygen species in the granular sludge than in the flocculent sludge. The granular sludge exhibited richer microbial communities than the flocculent sludge after AZM exposure to the phylum Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes.

CONCLUSION

At high AZM concentration, anaerobic granular sludge was superior to flocculent sludge in COD removal and AZM degradation. This is attributed to less cell death and greater microbial diversity and richness in the granular sludge than in the flocculent sludge following exposure to AZM. Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes contributed to the resistance to AZM in the granular sludge. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Transplantation or rurality? Migration and HIV risk among Chinese men who have sex with men in the urban areas
Authors: Liu Chuncheng , Fu Rong , Tang Weiming , Cao Bolin , Pan Stephen W , Wei Chongyi , Tucker Joseph D , Kumi Smith M.
Published: January 2018

Introduction

Migration of men who have sex with men (MSM) from rural to urban areas is common across low‐ and middle‐income countries and is widely believed to contribute to elevated HIV risk among migrant MSM in urban areas. Little consensus exists on whether their risk is due to their transplantation or their being from resource‐constrained rural areas. This study seeks to clarify the relationship between migration and HIV risks by comparing differences in HIV‐related risky sexual behaviours and healthcare utilization across competing conceptualizations of migratory statuses.

Methods

In July 2016, MSM ≥16 years old currently residing in one of eight urban cities in China were recruited for an online cross‐sectional survey, which collected information on socio‐demographics, sexual behaviours, HIV care‐seeking behaviours, and healthcare utilization. Based on a question about residency status, each participant was classified as an urban local resident, urban transplant, or rural transplant. Multivariable multinomial logistic regression was used to examine the associations between risky behaviours and healthcare utilization among these three groups.

Results

Among 2007 MSM, the proportion of local, urban transplant and rural transplant were 32% (648/2007), 24% (478/2007), and 44% (881/2007), respectively. Compared with urban local resident MSM, urban transplant MSM were more likely to have ever tested for HIV (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.39, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08 to 1.80). Compared with urban transplant MSM, rural transplant MSM were less likely to have utilized any governmental sexual health services in the past three months (aOR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.60 to 0.93), ever tested for HIV (aOR = 0.77, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.96), ever initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) (aOR = 0.16, 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.52), and ever purchased sex (aOR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.85). No other significant differences were found in sexual behaviours among three groups.

Conclusions

The widely used local/migrant categorization obscures important differences in HIV risk present between urban/rural subgroups among them. Previous studies of HIV risks in Chinese “migrant” may have failed to consider the role of structural factors such as discrimination or barriers to healthcare when interpreting their findings of higher HIV prevalence in this population. Low ART uptake among rural transplant MSM in this study is particularly concerning and underscore the need for HIV‐related interventions tailored for this group.
REnal Flow and Microstructure AnisotroPy (REFMAP) MRI in Normal and Peritumoral Renal Tissue
Authors: Liu Andrea L. , Mikheev Artem , Rusinek Henry , Huang William C. , Wysock James S. , Babb James S. , Feiweier Thorsten , Stoffel David , Chandarana Hersh , Sigmund Eric E.
Published: January 2018

Background

Diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) provides insight into the pathophysiology underlying renal dysfunction. Variants of DWI include intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM), which differentiates between microstructural diffusion and vascular or tubular flow, and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), which quantifies diffusion directionality.

Purpose

To investigate the reproducibility of joint IVIM‐DTI and compare controls to presurgical renal mass patients.

Study Type

Prospective cross‐sectional.

Subjects

Thirteen healthy controls and ten presurgical renal mass patients were scanned. Ten controls were scanned twice to investigate reproducibility.

Field Strength/Sequence

Subjects were scanned on a 3T system using 10 b‐values and 20 diffusion directions for IVIM‐DTI in a study approved by the local Institutional Review Board.

Assessment

Retrospective coregistration and measurement of joint IVIM‐DTI parameters were performed.

Statistical Analysis

Parameter reproducibility was defined as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) >0.7 and coefficient of variation (CV) <30%. Patient data were stratified by lesion side (contralateral/ipsilateral) for comparison with controls. Corticomedullary differentiation was evaluated.

Results

In controls, the reproducible subset of REnal Flow and Microstructure AnisotroPy (REFMAP) parameters had average ICC = 0.82 and CV = 7.5%. In renal mass patients, medullary fractional anisotropy (FA) was significantly lower than in controls (0.227 ± 0.072 vs. 0.291 ± 0.044, P = 0.016 for the kidney contralateral to the mass and 0.228 ± 0.070 vs. 0.291 ± 0.044, P = 0.018 for the kidney ipsilateral). In the kidney ipsilateral to the mass, cortical Dp,radial was significantly higher than in controls (P = 0.012). Conversely, medullary Dp,axial was significantly lower in contralateral than ipsilateral kidneys (P = 0.027) and normal controls (P = 0.044).

Data Conclusion

REFMAP‐MRI parameters provide unique information regarding renal dysfunction. In presurgical renal mass patients, directional flow changes were noted that were not identified with IVIM analysis alone. Both contralateral and ipsilateral kidneys in patients show reductions in structural diffusivities and anisotropy, while flow metrics showed opposing changes in contralateral vs. ipsilateral kidneys.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.
Simultaneous pharmacokinetics and stability studies of physalins in rat plasma and intestinal bacteria culture media using liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry
Authors: Zheng Yunliang , Lin Meihua , Hu Xingjiang , Zhai You , Zhang Qiao , Lou Yan , ShenTu Jianzhong , Wu Lihua
Published: January 2018

Physalins are the major steroidal constituent of Physalis plants and display a range of biological activities. For this study, a rapid and sensitive high‐performance liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole mass spectrometry method was developed for the simultaneous quantification of six physalins. Specifically, it was for the quantification of physalin A, physalin B, physalin D, physalin G, 4,7‐didehydroneophysalin B, and isophysalin B in rat plasma and rat intestinal bacteria. After a solid‐phase extraction, analytes and internal standards (prednisolone) were separated on a Shield reverse‐phase C18 column (measuring 3 mm × 150 mm with an internal diameter of 3.5 μm) and determined using multiple reactions in a monitoring mode with a positive‐ion electrospray ionization source. The mobile phase was a mixture of 0.1% formic acid in water (A) and acetonitrile (B) and was used at a flow rate of 0.6 mL/min. The intra‐ and interday precisions were within 15% with accuracies ranging from 86.2 to 114%. The method was validated and successfully applied to pharmacokinetics and stability studies of six physalins in rat plasma and rat intestinal bacteria, respectively. The results showed that physalin B and isophysalin B could not be absorbed by rats, and rat intestinal bacteria could quickly transform physalins.
LMOD3‐Associated Nemaline Myopathy: Prenatal Ultrasonographic, Pathologic, and Molecular Findings
Authors: Berkenstadt Michal , Pode‐Shakked Ben , Barel Ortal , Barash Hila , Achiron Reuven , Gilboa Yinon , Kidron Dvora , Raas‐Rothschild Annick
Published: January 2018

To describe the prenatal presentation, including ultrasonographic, histologic, and molecular findings, in 2 fetuses affected with LMOD3‐related nemaline myopathy. Prenatal ultrasonographic examinations and histopathologic studies were performed on 2 fetuses with evidence of nemaline myopathy. To establish a molecular diagnosis, whole‐exome sequencing was pursued for the affected fetuses. Nemaline myopathy is a common form of congenital myopathy manifesting with nonprogressive generalized muscle weakness, hypotonia, and electron‐dense protein inclusions in skeletal myofibers. Although clinically, nemaline myopathy can be viewed as a common pathway phenotype, its molecular basis is heterogeneous, with mutations in 11 identified genes implicated in its pathogenesis so far. Whole‐exome sequencing revealed that the affected fetuses were compound heterozygous for 2 newly reported pathogenic variants in the LMOD3 gene, which encodes leiomodin 3. To our knowledge, this article is the first report of LMOD3‐related nemaline myopathy since the original reported cohort. We provide a detailed description of the prenatal imaging of these affected fetuses, which we hope, in combination with next‐generation sequencing, may contribute to further diagnosis in additional families.
Long‐term outcomes of cochlear implantation in patients with high‐frequency hearing loss
Authors: Roland J. Thomas , Gantz Bruce J. , Waltzman Susan B. , Parkinson Aaron J.
Published: January 2018

Objective

To demonstrate the long‐term benefits of implantation in patients with high‐frequency sensorineural hearing loss, this report provides 5‐year follow‐up on a group of implant recipients who were subjects of the Cochlear™ Nucleus® Hybrid™ L24 Implant System pivotal clinical study.

Methods

The results of three related clinical studies were compiled to provide outcome data after 1, 3, and 5 years of implant use in a group of subjects who presented with preoperative high‐frequency hearing loss and were implanted with a Nucleus Hybrid L24 (Cochlear Ltd., Sydney, Australia) cochlear implant. A subset of the 50 adult subjects (N = 32) who participated in the Hybrid L24 pivotal Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) completed comprehensive evaluations at 12 months postactivation, 3 years postactivation, and then as part of a postapproval study at 5 years postactivation. Testing included audiometric, speech perception, and subjective satisfaction measures.

Results

Mean unilateral speech perception performance was significantly improved at all postoperative intervals compared to preoperative best‐aided results and has remained stable to 5 years postactivation. Ninety‐four percent of subjects had measurable hearing, and 72% continued to use electric‐acoustic stimulation in the implanted ear after 5 years of implant use. Subjective satisfaction results support objective performance improvements.

Conclusion

Results demonstrate long‐term success of patients with high‐frequency hearing loss following Hybrid L24 (Cochlear) cochlear implantation. Benefits include speech perception abilities significantly better than those in the preoperative best‐aided condition, with additional benefit in those using electric‐acoustic stimulation in the implanted ear.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 1939–1945, 2018
Cleaner Cuts for Semiconductor Packaging
Authors: Thibault Florent , van Nunen Joris
Published: January 2018

The semiconductor packaging industry faces numerous manufacturing challenges in the production of next generation designs for advanced, miniaturized, microelectronic devices. The singulation of multiple circuits produced on a single substrate into individual devices is a standout example of this. In many instances, the cutting requirements for singulation already surpass the capabilities of mechanical cutting. Specific examples are system‐in‐package (SiP) circuitry used in wrist‐worn devices and the fingerprint sensors found in many phones, tablets or even smart watches. This leaves laser cutting as the only viable method, and both nanosecond and picosecond lasers are currently employed for these processes. This article compares these two approaches, and provides some detail on the characteristics and implementation of USP picosecond lasers for both SiP and fingerprint sensor singulation.
Why Beam Analysis is Crucial for Additive Manufacturing
Authors: Dini Christian
Published: January 2018

Workpieces that are lightweight, easy building of complicated structures, fast production cycles – the advantages of additive manufacturing are many and appealing. But what started out as an approach for rapid prototyping will soon be used even to produce critical parts for airplanes or space shuttles. As the number of applications grows, so do the technological requirements. This is why it is so important for the parameters of the laser beam always to be reproducible – and not only on one machine over time, but also from one machine to the next.
Noninvasive optical spectroscopy for identification of non‐melanoma skin cancer: Pilot study
Authors: Carpenter David J. , Sajisevi Mirabelle B. , Chapurin Nikita , Brown Clifford Scott , Cheng Tracy , Palmer Gregory M. , Stevenson Daniel S. , Rao Caroline L. , Hall Russell P. , Woodard Charles R.
Published: January 2018

Objective

Optical spectroscopy offers a noninvasive alternative to biopsy as a first‐line screening tool for suspicious skin lesions. This study sought to define several optical parameters across malignant and benign tissue types.

Study Design

Prospective pilot trial utilizing the Zenalux IM1 optical spectroscopy device from April 2016 to February 2017. For each skin lesion, provider pre‐biopsy probability of malignancy was compared to histolopathologic diagnosis. Optical data were characterized across basal cell carcinoma (BCC; n = 9), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC; n = 5), actinic keratosis (AK; n = 4), scar tissue (n = 6), nevus (n = 2), and neurofibroma (NF; n = 1). Across all patients, agreement was determined between control measurements collected adjacent to the lesion and from the upper extremity.

Methods

Prospective single center pilot study. The optical properties of 27 cutaneous lesions were collected from 18 adult patients presenting to Otolaryngology and Dermatology clinics with suspicious skin lesions warranting biopsy. Spectroscopy measurements were recorded for each lesion: two at the lesion site, two at an adjacent site (internal control), and one at the central medial upper extremity (arm control). Variables of interest included absolute oxygenated hemoglobin (Hb), Hb saturation, total Hb concentration, and Eumelanin concentration. For each lesion, internal control averages were subtracted from lesion averages to provide delta parameter values, and lesion averages were divided by internal control averages to provide ratio parameter values.

Results

Mean percent difference between pre‐biopsy probability of malignancy and histology was 29%, with a difference of 75% or greater seen in 5 of 25 lesions. Mean values for BCC, SCC, AK, and scar tissue varied most between extracted mean reduced scatter estimate (; cm−) delta values (BCC: −2.2 ± 3.8; SCC: −3.9 ± 2.0; AK: −3.3 ± 4.2, Scar: −1.7 ± 1.2) and total Hb (µM) ratio (BCC: 2.0 ± 3.3; SCC: 3.0 ± 1.3; AK: 1.1 ± 0.6; Scar: 1.4 ± 1.1). Agreement between local and arm controls was poor.

Conclusion

This pilot trial utilizes optical spectroscopy as a noninvasive method for determining cutaneous lesion histology. Effect sizes observed across optical parameters for benign and malignant tissue types will guide larger prospective studies that may ultimately lead to prediction of lesional histology without need for invasive biopsy. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:246–252, 2018. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New insights into emotion valence and loyalty intentions in relational exchanges
Authors: McKechnie Sally , Nath Prithwiraj , Xun Jiyao
Published: January 2018

This research examines how emotion valence and future intentions arising from relational exchanges with a service firm depend on a consumer's level of goal attainment and locus of causality (firm vs. self) of relational outcomes. Drawing on the theories of goal‐directed behavior and agency of causation, this study hypothesizes that levels of goal attainment and locus of causality influence the generation of positive emotions (gratitude), negative emotions (grudge and guilt), relational mediators (trust and commitment), and subsequent future intentions to remain loyal to the firm. Based on a controlled experiment with 284 subjects in a consumer‐determined relationship setting, the research finds that emotion valence and future loyalty intentions are contingent upon the fulfillment of relational objectives of individual consumers and the agency of causation for the outcome of the relational exchanges. In doing so, this study delineates the conditioning mechanism that directs how emotion valence influences behavioral intentions. The study contributes to the consumer behavior and services marketing literatures on consumption‐based emotions and has significant practice implications for relational behaviors.
NLRB Restores Joint Employer Test to Pre‐Obama Rules
Authors: DeMaria Alfred T.
Published: January 2018

There are numerous National Labor Relations Board decisions from the pro‐labor Obama era that management expects the Trump Board to reverse. Browning‐Ferris has been near the top of that list because of its potential to wreak havoc by making two employers jointly liable for labor law compliance, as if the two were a single employer. On December 14, 2017, the Board cast Browning‐Ferris into the dustbin of history.
Novel discretization methods for improved simulation precision in injection molding
Authors: Karyofylli V. , Behr M. , Schmitz M. , Hopmann C.
Published: January 2018

Mold filling is an important stage of injection molding, which is one of the most commonly used manufacturing processes for the production of thermoplastic components in high volumes. As a consequence, the numerical simulation of this process based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is of great significance for production engineering [1, 2]. However, modeling of the mold filling is a tremendously demanding process, when considering interfacial physical phenomena, such as two‐phase flows, building a sharp interface between the molten plastics and the present air in the cavity or the dynamic wetting contact line at the cavity surface. A method for dealing with these phenomena is a local mesh refinement both in space and time. In this paper, the numerical solution of a mold filling problem using simplex‐type space‐time finite elements is presented and compared with experiments. These elements can be suited to increase efficiency, when used for the aforementioned refinement. In addition, a Navier's slip boundary condition is applied to the solid boundaries of the mold allowing the contact line to evolve along the boundary, while enabling a better prediction of the pressure distribution. The presented work was performed in collaboration of the subprojects B3 and B5 of the collaborative research center 1120 “Precision Melt Engineering”.
Hybrid simulation of laser deep penetration welding
Authors: Schöler C. , Haeusler A. , Karyofylli V. , Behr M. , Schulz W. , Gillner A. , Niessen M.
Published: January 2018

In laser deep penetration welding, the knowledge on the temperature history of the material is of great interest for the assessment of the quality properties of the weld. For this purpose a hybrid process model that enables the fast calculation of temperature distributions as a function of process parameters is applied. The interaction between laser and material is taken into account by a reduced keyhole model, which exploits a hierarchy in the spatial dimensions occurring at high feed rates. The resulting shape of a stationary keyhole is introduced as a Dirichlet boundary into a thermal finite element simulation in which it is moved through the workpiece according to the process control of the laser beam. The boundary is mathematically described by a level set function and immersed in a fixed computational mesh. The Dirichlet boundary condition is imposed using an embedded boundary method. The calculated temperature distributions are evaluated by means of bead on plate welds conducted in 0.9 mm thick sheets of 1.4301 (AISI 304) stainless steel.
An Adult with Episodic Abnormal Limb Posturing
Authors: Santos Mariana , Rebordão Leonor , Leitão Lia , Costa Cristina , Pita Lobo Patrícia
Published: January 2018

View Supplementary Video 1
Wideband circularly polarized sectored conical dielectric resonator antenna excited by S‐shaped slot
Authors: Dash Upali Aparajita , Sahu Sudhakar
Published: January 2018

A conical sectored dielectric resonator antenna (DRA) loaded on S‐shaped slot square patch for wideband circular polarization is investigated. Wideband circular polarization (CP) is achieved by single tab extended at right top corner of the square patch along with the introduction of sectors on the top of DRA and S‐shaped slot on the patch. Calculated size of slot along with optimized height and size of DRA through parametric study helps to get wide impedance bandwidth. In addition, optimized size of single tab gives the wide axial ratio bandwidth. The −10 dB impedance bandwidth is 100.18% (2.1–6.0 GHz) and 3‐dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth is 69.52% (3.0–6.2 GHz). The gain variation is around 3 dBi and radiation efficiency is around 80%–95% within the AR bandwidth. The proposed model is fabricated and measured which agree well with the simulated results.
Liquid metamaterial based microstrip antenna
Authors: Patel Shobhit K. , Kosta Y.
Published: January 2018

The microstrip antenna loaded with liquid metamaterials is presented in the manuscript. Liquid split ring resonator (SRR) is used as metamaterial inclusion in the antenna. Distilled water and sea water are the two liquids used one after another to form liquid SRR. The liquid metamaterial microstrip antenna is also compared with metal (copper) metamaterial microstrip antenna. The design results in the form of return loss, bandwidth and gain are compared. The tuning in the frequency spectrum is achieved by using liquids instead of metal as metamaterial. The gain of the antenna is also improved by loading it with liquid metamaterials. The frequency spectrum is tuned using liquid metamaterial loading compared with metal metamaterial loading.
Dual‐feed U‐slot antenna having low envelope correlation coefficients for the LTE MIMO operation in the metal‐framed smartphone
Authors: Barani Imee Ristika Rahmi , Wong Kin‐Lu
Published: January 2018

A printed dual‐feed U‐shaped open‐slot (U‐slot) antenna disposed close to the top or bottom short edge of the system ground plane in the metal‐framed smartphone for the LTE (long‐term evolution) MIMO (multi‐input multi‐output) operation is presented. The U‐slot is printed in the ground region within 10 mm to the short edge of the system ground plane and its two open ends are disposed at the short edge thereof. The former makes the system ground plane capable of accommodating a large display panel for the smartphone, while the latter decreases the effects of the user's hand holding the smartphone. The U‐slot is short‐circuited at one position therein to provide one longer open slot and one shorter open slot, which are fed separately by two feed networks to form Ant1 and Ant2. Ant1 can cover the LTE low band (LB, 746–960 MHz for Band 13/5/8) and LTE middle/high band (M/HB, 1710–2690 MHz). Ant2 can cover the LTE M/HB in 1710–2690 MHz. In addition, very low envelope correlation coefficients (ECCs) less than 0.1 in the LTE M/HB for Ant1 and Ant2 can be obtained. That is, in addition to the coverage of the LTE LB, the dual‐feed U‐slot antenna can be applied for the 2 × 2 LTE M/HB MIMO operation. The antenna structure and operating principle of the dual‐feed U‐slot antenna are presented, and the antenna performance is verified by the experimental study.
Compact loop‐dipole composite antenna with wideband operation and dual polarization
Authors: Row Jeen‐Sheen , Yang Jhe‐Sheng
Published: January 2018

A design of the antenna with dual diagonal polarizations for 2G/3G/LTE base station applications is first described in this paper. The antenna has a compact size, and its structure is mainly composed of two orthogonally situated dipoles fed with coaxial baluns, a cross strip mounted on the dipoles, and a planar reflector. The cross strip can be regarded as dual orthogonal loop antennas. By embedding thin slots into the loop‐dipole composite antenna, the impedance bandwidth for return loss less than 15 dB can cover the frequency band from 1.7 to 2.7 GHz. Because the adopted balun also serves as an impedance transformer, the cross polarization level at the broadside is lower than −30 dB for all operation frequencies. Then, we found that by varying the dimensions of the slot, the loop‐dipole composite antenna can also deliver a 70% impedance bandwidth for return loss less than 10 dB, and the cross polarization level is lower than −25 dB in whole E‐plane and H‐plane. Antenna prototypes are constructed, and experimental and simulated results have good agreements.
A 60 GHz semi‐distributed power combiner in 65 nm CMOS technology
Authors: Shamsadini Shila , Mousavi Pedram , Moez Kambiz
Published: January 2018

In this paper, a novel architecture of power combiner based on a distributed amplifier topology is proposed for 60 GHz phased‐array antenna systems. A multi‐input single‐output power combiner is constructed by removing the input transmission lines of a distributed amplifier, the input signal delays are equalized by adding input delay/matching networks so that the amplified input signals are added constructively at the combiner's output. Fabricated in 65 nm CMOS process, measured results show a maximum insertion loss of 1 dB, and input/output reflections losses of better than 12 dB over the entire band of 57 GHz to 64 GHz while consuming 67 mW (56 mA) from a 1.2V DC supply.
Miniaturized uniplanar triple‐band slot dipole antenna with folded radiator
Authors: Bekasiewicz Adrian , Koziel Slawomir
Published: January 2018

A miniaturized uniplanar slot dipole for triple‐frequency operation is presented. The antenna consists of a folded slot radiator with an increased number of degrees of freedom that allow for efficient size reduction. Rigorous electromagnetic (EM)‐driven design optimization is applied in order to achieve the smallest possible size while maintaining acceptable levels of antenna reflection at the required operating frequencies. The latter is ensured by using suitably defined design constraints. The size of the antenna is 51 mm × 33.4 mm (footprint area of around 1700 mm2) which corresponds to 0.42λ0 × 0.27λ0 for the lowest operating frequency. Experimental validation confirms good electrical and field performance of the structure.
Transmission characteristics of Y‐type optical distributor in triangular lattice photonic crystals with Al2O3 rods
Authors: Wang Yong , Zhang Dengguo , Xu Shixiang , Dong Zheng , Xu Biaogang
Published: January 2018

In this work, a Y‐type optical distributor formed by triangular lattice photonic crystals is numerically and experimentally investigated. The crystals are formed by cylindrical Al2O3 rods array in the air. The band gaps of TE modes for the photonic crystals are calculated by plane wave expansion method. Three photonic band gaps appear numerically within the normalized frequency range 0∼0.8
in the triangular lattice photonic crystals. Based on a Y‐type defect structure, an equal optical distributor is realized within the first photonic band gap of 0.2380
∼0.2823
. The transmission characteristic of the distributor is calculated by finite element method. To validate the numerical results, experiments were performed in the microwave regime. An Agilent E8361C vector network analyzer was used. The measured reflection and transmission characteristics of the photonic crystals sample agree with the numerical results between 9.77 and 9.91 GHz in the first photonic band gap. At the frequency of 9.86 GHz, the isolation of the photonic crystals reaches −39.02 dB and about 95.72% energy reflecting back to the input port. Furthermore, the equal optical distributor is also validated by making a comparison between the numerical and experimental results.
Multi‐band proximity coupled microstrip antenna for wireless applications
Authors: Varma Ruchi , Ghosh Jayanta
Published: January 2018

A novel and simple design of a multi‐band proximity coupled microstrip antenna for operating in the WiFi (2.4–2.48 GHz), WiMAX (3.44–3.53 and 5.25–5.85 GHz), and WLAN (5.15–5.35 GHz and 5.470–5.725 GHz or 5.725–5.825 GHz) bands is proposed. Apart from that, an additional band covering (3.8–4.2 GHz) is achieved, which may be used for fixed satellite communication. The proposed multiband antenna consists of a V‐slotted patch in conjunction with parasitic element, and L‐shaped microstrip line feed structure. Slot in the patch is introduced to reduce the overall size of the antenna and L‐shape feed is used for proper energy coupling to the parasitic element. The simulated gains are 3.47/1.62/0.72/6.22 dBi at 2.44/3.5/3.8/5.5 GHz, respectively, and the antenna shows broadside radiation characteristics. The simulated results are in good accord with the measured results.
A triple‐band highly miniaturized antenna for WiMAX/WLAN applications
Authors: Ali Tanweer , Biradar Rajashekhar C.
Published: January 2018

A novel highly miniaturized triple band antenna for WiMAX and WLAN applications is presented in this letter. The proposed design has an active patch area of only 108 mm2 (9 × 12 mm2), and operates at 2.5 (lower WiMAX), 3.47 (middle WiMAX) and 5.75 GHz (WLAN), respectively. Miniaturization in the proposed design is accomplished by etching 2 novel cascaded E‐type unit cell defected ground structure in conjunction with the F‐shaped slot, and multiband operations are achieved by etching U and H‐type slots in the radiating monopole. The miniaturization process leads to the reduction of about 82.4% and 73.5% in the active patch area and volume of the proposed antenna respectively, as compared with the conventional designed triple band antenna. The antenna has a compact volume of 0.15 λ0 × 0.15 λ0 × 0.01 λ0 at a lower resonance of 2.6 GHz. The proposed structure has S11<–10 dB bandwidth of about 6.45% (2.55–2.72 GHz), 3.03% (3.25–3.35 GHz) and 5.9% (5.75–6.1 GHz) in simulation, and about 4.2% (2.51–2.62 GHz), 2.31% (3.42–3.50 GHz), and 4.81% (5.68–5.96 GHz) under measurement, respectively. Stable radiation characteristics and good impedance matching are observed across the operational bandwidth of the proposed design.
Near field analysis of RDRA loaded with split ring resonators superstrate
Authors: Sinha Manikant , Killamsetty Vinay , Mukherjee Biswajeet
Published: January 2018

In this article, split ring resonator (SRR)‐based electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structure is utilized in the near field region of rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (RDRA) to enhance its gain. The investigation is carried out by designing RDRA and SRR EBG, followed by integration of RDRA with SRR as superstrate. RDRA is coaxially fed at offset along Y‐axis to provide fractional bandwidth (BW) of 35.5%. EBG is designed by adopting SRR as unit cell to provide band gap from 3 to 5.85 GHz covering the entire BW of RDRA which is also confirmed by the lumped model extraction of SRR. An array of 5 × 5 unit cells is used as a superstrate above the RDRA. Coupling of SRRs with RDRA in the near field region effectively cancels the transverse fields because of oppositely induced currents in the 2 rings. This helps in improving the radiation characteristics of the RDRA which results in improving the gain of the antenna.
The efficacy and safety comparison of surgical treatments for stress urinary incontinence: A network meta‐analysis
Authors: Song Pan , Wen Yibo , Huang Chuiguo , Wang Wancong , Yuan Naijun , Lu Yinliang , Wang Qingwei , Zhang Tao , Wen Jianguo
Published: January 2018

Aims

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is a common problem worldwide. Mainstream surgical procedures include tension‐free vaginal tape (TVT), transobturator tape (TOT), tension‐free vaginal tape‐obturator (TVT‐O), tension‐free vaginal tape SECUR (TVT‐S), and adjustable single‐incision sling (Ajust). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of these surgical procedures and assess which surgery is most optimal for SUI by adopting a network meta‐analysis (NMA).

Methods

Electronic databases including PubMed, Cochrance Library, and Embase database were researched systematically, until March 21, 2017. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the efficacy and safety of TVT, TOT, TVT‐O, TVT‐S, and Ajust were identified. The studies were included in the analysis when met the predefined inclusion criteria. After demographic and outcome data extraction, a network meta‐analysis was conducted with software R 3.3.2 and STATA 14.0. Objective cure rate, subjective cure rate, postoperative complication rate, bladder perforation, tape erosion, urinary retention, and postoperative pain were considered as outcomes, and the outcomes were displayed as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% credible intervals (CrI). The consistency of direct and indirect evidence was assessed by node splitting. The ranks based on probabilities of intervention for the different endpoints were performed.

Results

Fourty‐five RCTs with 7295 participants were analyzed. The NMA results revealed that, TVT, TOT, and Ajust had a higher objective cure rate than TVT‐O and TVT‐S (TVT‐O: OR = 0.76, 95%CI [0.61, 0.94]; TVT‐S: OR = 0.41, 95%CI [0.28, 0.60]). TVT, TOT, and TVT‐O had a superior subjective cure rate than TVT‐S and Ajust (Ajust: OR = 0.45, 95%CI [0.20, 0.91]; TVT‐S: OR = 0.29, 95%CI [0.15, 0.56]). With TVT as the reference, TVT‐S had a statistically lower postoperative complication rate (TVT‐S: OR = 0.39, 95%CI [0.16, 0.89]). TVT‐O, TVT‐S, and TOT had a significantly lower bladder perforation rate (TOT: OR = 0.076, 95%CI [0.0060, 0.37]; TVT‐O: OR = 4.1e‐17, 95%CI [6.1e‐48, 0.0032]; TVT‐S: OR = 3.8e‐17, 95%CI [1.8e‐48, 0.0052]). There were no obvious differences between the five treatments for tape erosion. TVT‐O exhibited a less postoperative retention (TVT‐O: OR = 0.35, 95%CI [0.16, 0.74]). Probabilities of ranking results indicated that TOT was the treatment with best ranking in efficacy and a relatively high safety.

Conclusions

Our study recommend TOT as the optimal regimen for SUI with high efficacy and moderate safety when compared with TVT, TVT‐O, TVT‐S, and Ajust interventions. However, with the limitation of our study, additional high‐quality studies are needed to further evaluate the outcomes.
Comparative study of efficacy and safety between bladder body and trigonal intravesical onabotulinumtoxina injection in the treatment of interstitial cystitis refractory to conventional treatment—A prospective, randomized, clinical trial
Authors: Jiang Yuan‐Hong , Jhang Jia‐Fong , Lee Cheng‐Ling , Kuo Hann‐Chorng
Published: January 2018

Purpose

Intravesical onabotulinumtoxinA (BoNT‐A) injection can relieve symptoms of interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS). However, the therapeutic efficacy of different injection sites is not well known. This study compared therapeutic efficacy and safety between bladder body and trigonal BoNT‐A injection.

Materials and Methods

Patients were randomly treated with 100U of BoNT‐A in 10 mL saline injected into 20 bladder body sites or 10 trigonal sites. The primary endpoint was changes of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for Pain at 8th week after injection. Secondary endpoint included changes of Global Response Assessment (GRA), urinary frequency episodes, O'Leary‐Sant score (OSS), and urodynamic study.

Results

Thirty‐nine patients (bladder body, N = 20; trigone, N = 19) completed the study visits. Patients in both group had significant improvement in VAS, OSS, and functional bladder capacity after treatment. There was no significant difference in changes of urinary frequency, voided volume, post‐void residual volume, and bladder capacity from baseline to 8 weeks between groups. Thirteen (65.0%) patients in bladder body group and 10 (52.6%) patients in trigone group had decrease of VAS more than 2 points after treatment (P = 0.43). Excellent symptom improvement (GRA ≥ 2) was noted in 9 (45%) patients with bladder body injection and 10 (52.6%) patients with trigonal injection (P = 0.63). Nine (45.0%) patients in bladder body group and 10 (52.6%) in trigonal group experienced dysuria after treatment (P = 0.52).

Conclusion

No significant difference in the improvement of IC symptoms and urodynamic parameters after intravesical BoNT‐A injection in the bladder body or trigone. The rate of adverse events was similar between groups.