bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cetuximab plus irinotecan versus panitumumab in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal cancer in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Jerzak Katarzyna J. , Berry Scott , Ko Yoo‐Joung , Earle Craig , Chan Kelvin K. W.
Published: February 2017

The addition of irinotecan to an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody has previously been shown to improve tumor response rate and time to progression but not overall survival (OS) for refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). We assessed the “real‐world” effectiveness and toxicity of the combination versus monotherapy. In Ontario, Canada, universal public funding is available for either cetuximab plus irinotecan (Cmab + I) combination therapy or panitumumab (Pmab) monotherapy, only in patients with refractory nonmutated RAS mCRC. All patients diagnosed before December 2012 and treated with an EGFR antibody for mCRC were identified from the Ontario drug database and linked to the Ontario Cancer Registry and other administrative databases to ascertain baseline characteristics, health services utilization, and outcomes. Multivariable Cox and logistic models were constructed to compare the time to treatment discontinuation (TTD), OS, emergency department (ED) or hospital visits between Cmab + I and Pmab. Observable confounders were adjusted for using propensity score methods. One thousand and eighty‐one patients were identified (Cmab + I: 278, Pmab: 803). Patients receiving Cmab + I were younger (mean age 61 vs 64 years) and had a longer duration of prior irinotecan treatment. The use of Cmab + I as compared to Pmab alone was associated with a prolonged TTD [median: 3.8 months vs 2.8 months] and an improved OS [median: 8.8 months vs. 5.9 months] with an adjusted HR of 0.62 [95% CI 0.53–0.73, p < 0.001]. Both treatment regimens afforded similar 14‐day mortality and incidence of ED or hospital visits. The findings for patients over and below the age of 65 were similar.
IGF‐1 Receptor Expression on Circulating Osteoblast Progenitor Cells Predicts Tissue‐Based Bone Formation Rate and Response to Teriparatide in Premenopausal Women With Idiopathic Osteoporosis
Authors: Cohen Adi , Kousteni Stavroula , Bisikirska Brygida , Shah Jayesh G , Manavalan J Sanil , Recker Robert R , Lappe Joan , Dempster David W , Zhou Hua , McMahon Donald J , Bucovsky Mariana , Kamanda‐Kosseh Mafo , Stubby Julie , Shane Elizabeth
Published: February 2017

We have previously reported that premenopausal women with idiopathic osteoporosis (IOP) have profound microarchitectural deficiencies and heterogeneous bone remodeling. Those with the lowest bone formation rate have higher baseline serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) levels and less robust response to teriparatide. Because IGF‐1 stimulates bone formation and is critical for teriparatide action on osteoblasts, these findings suggest a state of IGF‐1 resistance in some IOP women. To further investigate the hypothesis that osteoblast and IGF‐1‐related mechanisms mediate differential responsiveness to teriparatide in IOP, we studied circulating osteoblast progenitor (COP) cells and their IGF‐1 receptor (IGF‐1R) expression. In premenopausal women with IOP, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were obtained at baseline (n = 25) and over 24 months of teriparatide treatment (n = 11). Flow cytometry was used to identify and quantify COPs (non‐hematopoetic lineage cells expressing osteocalcin and RUNX2) and to quantify IGF‐1R expression levels. At baseline, both the percent of PBMCs that were COPs (%COP) and COP cell‐surface IGF‐1R expression correlated directly with several histomorphometric indices of bone formation in tetracycline‐labeled transiliac biopsies. In treated subjects, both %COP and IGF‐1R expression increased promptly after teriparatide, returning toward baseline by 18 months. Although neither baseline %COP nor increase in %COP after 3 months predicted the bone mineral density (BMD) response to teriparatide, the percent increase in IGF‐1R expression on COPs at 3 months correlated directly with the BMD response to teriparatide. Additionally, lower IGF‐1R expression after teriparatide was associated with higher body fat, suggesting links between teriparatide resistance, body composition, and the GH/IGF‐1 axis. In conclusion, these assays may be useful to characterize bone remodeling noninvasively and may serve to predict early response to teriparatide and possibly other bone formation–stimulating medications. These new tools may also have utility in the mechanistic investigation of teriparatide resistance in premenopausal IOP and perhaps in other populations. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Endothelial Cells Inhibit the Angiotensin II Induced Phenotypic Modulation of Rat Vascular Adventitial Fibroblasts
Authors: Xu Jia‐Ying , Chang Neng‐Bin , Li Tao , Jiang Rui , Sun Xiao‐Lei , He Yan‐Zheng , Jiang Jun
Published: February 2017

The phenotypic modulation of vascular adventitial fibroblasts plays an important role in vascular remodeling. Evidence have shown that endothelial cells and adventitial fibroblasts interact under certain conditions. In this study, we investigated the influence of endothelial cells on the phenotypic modulation of adventitial fibroblasts. Endothelial cells and adventitial fibroblasts from rat thoracic aorta were cultivated in a co‐culture system and adventitial fibroblasts were induced with angiotensin II (Ang II). Collagen I and alpha smooth muscle actin (α‐SMA) expression and migration of adventitial fibroblasts were analyzed. Ang II upregulated the expression of collagen I and α‐SMA and the migration of adventitial fibroblasts. Adventitial fibroblasts–endothelial cells co‐culturing attenuated the effects of Ang II. Homocysteine‐treated endothelial cells, which are functionally impaired, were less inhibitory of the phenotypic modulation of adventitial fibroblasts. Supplementation of endothelial cells with L‐arginine (L‐Arg) or 8‐bromoguanosine 3′,5′‐cyclic monophosphate (8‐BrcGMP) enhanced the trends, while with L‐NG‐nitroarginine methyl ester (L‐NAME) or 1H‐[1,2,4]Oxadiazolo[4,3‐a]quinoxalin‐1‐one (ODQ) the opposite effect was observed. Under the influence of Ang II, adventitial fibroblasts were prone to undergo phenotypic modulation, which was closely related to vascular remodeling. Our study showed that endothelial cells influenced fibroblast phenotypic transformation and such effect would be mediated through the nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP signaling pathway. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 1921–1927, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of a new hemoglobin A1c analyzer for point‐of‐care testing
Authors: Zhou Rui , Wang Wei , Song Zhi‐Xin , Tong Qing , Wang Qing‐Tao
Published: February 2017

Background

There has been an increasing desire for the use of point‐of‐care testing (POCT) by both primary care clinicians and patients. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of a new POCT analyzer for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing.

Methods

We assessed the accuracy, precision, and linearity of the POCT HbA1c analyzer (A1C EZ 2.0) with the Tosoh G8 Analyzer as comparative instrument, following the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) protocols. We evaluated sensitivity and specificity of the A1C EZ 2.0 in the clinical diagnosis of diabetes among 842 subjects from 79 communities in Beijing, China.

Results

Using regression analysis, the slope of the A1C EZ 2.0 vs the Tosoh G8 Analyzer was 0.9938, with an intercept of 0.0964 and a concordance correlation coefficient of 0.978. For precision, the reproducibility of CV (CVT) were 3.7% and 2.7% at a lower (36 mmol/mol (5.4%)) and higher (107 mmol/mol (11.9%)) level of HbA1c respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for clinical diagnosis of diabetes was 0.911 with the HbA1c cut‐off value of 44 mmol/mol (6.14%). At the HbA1c level of 48 mmol/mol (6.5%), the sensitivity and specificity were76.1% and 86.6%.

Conclusion

The A1C EZ 2.0 has a high accuracy and precision, with a wide range of linearity, compared to a comparative laboratory instrument. It met analytical quality specifications and could be suitable for the clinical management of diabetes mellitus.
An investigation of the levels of vitamins A, D, and E in the serum of Chinese pregnant women
Authors: Chen Yu‐juan , Li Zhan‐dong , Mao Cui‐ying , Kang Xu , Zhang Shu‐hua
Published: February 2017

Background

Vitamins A, D (Vitamin D2 and vitamin D3) and E, play an important role during pregnancy.

Methods

Sera were collected from 1056 normal pregnant women, who were between 18 and 40 years old, at seven different hospitals in northeastern China. The levels of Vitamin A and E in the sera samples were detected using HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography), and the level of vitamin D was measured by LC‐MS (Liquid Chromatography‐Mass Spectrometry). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 21.

Results

The mean levels of vitamin A, D and E in the 1056 sera samples were 0.39 mg/L (0.38‐0.39), 20.44 μg/L (19.86‐21.08) and 12.96 mg/L (12.70‐13.25), respectively. The levels of vitamin A, D, and E deficiency were 17.05%, 0.19%, and 56.44%, respectively. The levels of vitamin A, D, and E of those between age 21 and 31 among the 1056 pregnant women were similar. The correlation of vitamin E and D was significant at the .01 level (two‐tailed), and the correlation of vitamin A and age was significant at the .05 level (2‐tailed).

Conclusion

According to our finding, the levels of vitamin A, D, and E in the sera of pregnant women in northeastern China were affected by where they live and their age. Vitamin D deficiency was very serious, vitamin A deficiency was common, while vitamin E seems to be sufficient.
More significance of TB‐IGRA except for the diagnose of tuberculosis
Authors: Xu Jun‐Chi , Li Ze‐Yi , Chen Xin‐Nian , Shi Cui‐Lin , Wu Mei‐Ying , Chen Hui , Zhu Xiao‐Yan , Song Hua‐Feng , Wu Min‐Juan , Xu Ping
Published: February 2017

Objective

Tuberculosis (TB)‐interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) test has the characteristics of short time, high specificity, and high sensitivity, but it lacks the correlation research between TB‐IGRA test results and body's immune cells, disease progression and prognosis, which is explored in this study.

Design

A retrospective study was carried out on positive TB‐IGRA patients who were infected with TB and diagnosed at our hospital from January 2014 to June 2015. The TB‐IGRA, routine blood test, T‐cell subgroup data were collected for statistical analysis.

Results

TB‐IGRA results were in positive proportion to the lymphocytes, CD4+T cells and CD4+CD28+T cells, whereas negative to the Treg cells. Patient with unilateral pulmonary lesion had higher TB‐IGRA than those with bilateral pulmonary lesions. After the stimulation of TB‐specific antigen, the proportion of CD4+IFN‐γ+ and CD8+IFN‐γ+T Tcells were both increased and the CD4+IFN‐γ+T had positive correlation with the value of TB‐IGRA.

Conclusions

IFN‐γ was tested with TB‐IGRA in patients with TB by the specific TB T cells and correlated with the lymphocytes, while the lymphocytes also closely related to the host's anti‐TB immunity and disease outcome. Hence the result of TB‐IGRA could reflect the specific anti‐TB immunity ability of the host, disease progression and prognosis. This study further expands the application scope of TB‐IGRA technology in the diagnosis of TB and lays a foundation for clinical practice to understand the immunity state of the patients with TB and the application of auxiliary clinical immunity regulators.
MAPK3/1 participates in the activation of primordial follicles through mTORC1‐KITL signaling
Authors: Zhao Yu , Zhang Yu , Li Jia , Zheng Nana , Xu Xiaoting , Yang Jing , Xia Guoliang , Zhang Meijia
Published: February 2017

The majority of ovarian primordial follicles are preserved in a dormant state to maintain the female reproductive lifespan, and only a few primordial follicles are activated to enter the growing follicle pool in each wave. Recent studies have shown that primordial follicular activation depends on mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)‐KIT ligand (KITL) signaling in pre‐granulosa cells and its receptor (KIT)‐phosphoinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) signaling in oocytes. However, the upstream regulator of mTORC1 signaling is unclear. The results of the present study showed that the phosphorylated mitogen‐activated protein kinase3/1 (MAPK3/1) protein is expressed in some primordial follicles and all growing follicles. Culture of 3 days post‐parturition (dpp) ovaries with the MAPK3/1 signaling inhibitor U0126 significantly reduced the number of activated follicles and was accompanied by dramatically reduced granulosa cell proliferation and increased oocyte apoptosis. Western blot and immunofluorescence analyses showed that U0126 significantly decreased the phosphorylation levels of Tsc2, S6K1, and rpS6 and the expression of KITL, indicating that U0126 inhibits mTORC1‐KITL signaling. Furthermore, U0126 decreased the phosphorylation levels of Akt, resulting in a decreased number of oocytes with Foxo3 nuclear export. To further investigate MAPK3/1 signaling in primordial follicle activation, we used phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted on chromosome 10 (PTEN) inhibitor bpV(HOpic) to promote primordial follicle activation. In this model, U0126 also inhibited the activation of primordial follicles and mTORC1 signaling. Thus, these results suggest that MAPK3/1 participates in primordial follicle activation through mTORC1‐KITL signaling.
PID control system for biogas desulfurization under anoxic conditions
Authors: Brito Javier , Almenglo Fernando , Ramírez Martín , Gómez José M , Cantero Domingo
Published: February 2017

BACKGROUND

A high H2S elimination capacity has been achieved by anoxic biotrickling filters but accurate control of the nitrate dosage is required. Different control strategies have been used in biotrickling filters but proportional‐integral‐derivative (PID) control studies have not been reported to date. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the stability and robustness of PID control in an anoxic biotrickling filter.

RESULTS

Three PID tuning methods were tested: Ziegler–Nichols, Approximate M‐constrained integral gain optimization (AMIGO), and maintained oscillation. The best results were obtained using PID control by the maintained oscillation method, where the system reached stabilization 0.41 h after the H2S inlet step. Moreover, the nitrate consumption was 15.4% lower than that without control.

CONCLUSION

The biotrickling filter operated with a PID control strategy proved to be highly stable and robust against the perturbations and disturbances evaluated. The control system was able to operate satisfactorily to a change in the set‐point of the outlet H2S concentrations from 25 to 200 ppmV. The desulfurized biogas could be fed directly to an internal combustion engine or solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) equipped with a zeolite clean unit. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploring the feasibility of empirical, dynamical and combined probabilistic rainy season onset forecasts for São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Coelho Caio A. S. , Firpo Mári A. F. , Maia Aline H. N. , MacLachlan Craig
Published: February 2017

This study investigates the feasibility and presents an assessment of probabilistic rainy season onset forecasts for São Paulo, Brazil, located in a region with a well‐defined wet season from mid‐austral spring (October) to austral autumn (March/April). The probabilistic forecasts were produced with (1) a simple empirical Cox‐regression model using July Niño‐3 index as predictor, (2) the dynamical coupled atmosphere‐land‐surface‐ocean‐sea‐ice model used in theUKMet Office Global Seasonal Forecast System (GloSea5) and (3) a procedure that combines the empirical and dynamical model onset probabilistic forecasts. The probabilistic forecast assessment was performed over the 1996–2009 retrospective forecast period for the event rainy season onset earlier (or later) than the historical (mean) onset date. The three investigated approaches resulted in similar discrimination ability of around 80%, which represents the probability of the probabilistic forecasts correctly distinguishing earlier from a later than mean onsets, suggesting good potential for rainy season onset forecasts for São Paulo. The robustness of this assessment for an extended period (longer than 1996–2009) and for a region (20°S, 25°S, 45°W, 55°W) that includes the city of São Paulo was checked, reinforcing the validity of the obtained results at both local and regional scales.
Spatial characteristics of storm‐total rainfall swaths associated with tropical cyclones over the Eastern United States
Authors: Zhou Yao , Matyas Corene J.
Published: February 2017

The eastern United States is extremely vulnerable to Atlantic basin tropical cyclones (TCs) and their associated precipitation. While many studies have focused on the magnitude or contribution of tropical cyclone precipitation (TCP) to overall rainfall, there is a need for a detailed climatology of spatial characteristics of inland TCP extent for this region. In this study, we develop a Geographic Information System method to delineate rainfall swaths for 257 US landfalling TCs during 1948 to 2014 using a daily gridded dataset. We then describe spatial patterns of TCP using three methods. First, we measure the rainfall swath areas and average widths over land, and find that TCs that spend longer periods over land have wider average widths so that rainfall swaths cover larger areas. Second, trends in the change of left extent of TCP swaths are analysed and TC attributes related to these trends are explored. Seventy of 85 TCs have rain swaths that expand on the left side at some points as they move inland. The TCs exhibiting expansion were hurricanes at landfall, re‐intensifying over land, undergoing extratropical transition, and/or moving near the coastline. Last, we construct a series of maps with return intervals and frequency distributions for inland TCP and tropical storm‐force winds. The results show that 94% of 2435 counties over the eastern United States are more frequently exposed to rainfall than wind from TCs. While cumulative rainfall shows a gradual decrease from southeastern coast inland, many inland regions have received five to six TCP events in a single season, which confirms that TCP should be a concern for people living inland as well as near the coast. This study's analysis of the spatial characteristics of TCP inland extent from a climatological perspective should benefit forecasting, hazard mitigation, and risk analysis of TC hazards.
Qualitative Approaches to the Phenomenology of VFR Travel: The use of Literary and Cultural Texts as Resources
Authors: Seaton Tony
Published: February 2017

A paradox about visiting friends and relatives (VFR) travel is that, although a marginalized category by tourism planners and academics until recently, it has always been, as a domain of behaviour, more central to human experience than leisure tourism. Relationships between relatives and friends have, at all places and times, been forged and sustained by reciprocal visits, a reality borne out by reflection, and one that has been documented widely in cultural texts. This paper explores what these texts tell us about the subjective meaning and significance of VFR travel that is not necessarily disclosed by the quantitative, problem‐centred approaches used in managerial research. The first part examines a sample of, mainly, literary texts from the past and present and identifies some of the diverse scenes and scenarios within them. The paper then moves from the texts to offer a theoretical framework for understanding the phenomenology of VFR travel, derived from the sociological insights of Georg Simmel into social gatherings and informal associations. This qualitative framework, it is proposed, augments the quantitative methodologies that currently dominate VFR research, as a way of exploring the existential features of VFR behaviour. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Emotional Intelligence and Career Outcomes: Evidence from Lebanese Banks
Authors: Ahmad Sherine Al , Seleim Ahmed , Bontis Nick , Mostapha Nehale
Published: February 2017

The purpose of this research study is to investigate the relationship among emotional intelligence components with career commitment and turnover intention. Several hypotheses were tested based on a sample set of 273 senior managers working in Lebanese banks. The findings show that there is a positive and significant relationship between self‐emotion appraisal, others' emotion appraisal, regulation of emotions, use of emotion and career commitment. There is negative and significant relationship between self‐emotion appraisal, others' emotion appraisal, regulation of emotions, use of emotion and turnover intention. The main implication of the study highlights that self‐emotion appraisal is the most important predictor of career commitment and turnover intention followed by other's emotional appraisal, regulation of emotions, and use of emotions, respectively. Ultimately, all emotional intelligence components are important in determining career commitment and turnover intention within this research setting. Implications for practitioners and researchers are also offered. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Imaging Cell–Matrix Interactions in 3D Collagen Hydrogel Culture Systems
Authors: Short Aaron R. , Czeisler Catherine , Stocker Benjamin , Cole Sara , Otero José Javier , Winter Jessica O.
Published: February 2017

3D hydrogels better replicate in vivo conditions, and yield different results from 2D substrates. However, imaging interactions between cells and the hydrogel microenvironment is challenging because of light diffraction and poor focal depth. Here, cryosectioning and vibrating microtomy methods and fixation protocols are compared. Collagen I/III hydrogel sections (20–100 µm) are fixed with paraformaldehyde (2%–4%) and structurally evaluated. Cryosectioning damaged hydrogels, and vibrating microtomy (100 µm, 2%) yielded the best preservation of microstructure and cell integrity. These results demonstrate a potential processing method that preserves hydrogel and cell integrity, permitting imaging of cell interactions with the microenvironment.

image
Tailoring the Electrochemical and Mechanical Properties of PEDOT:PSS Films for Bioelectronics
Authors: ElMahmoudy Mohammed , Inal Sahika , Charrier Anne , Uguz Ilke , Malliaras George G. , Sanaur Sébastien
Published: February 2017

The effect of 3‐glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GOPS) content in poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) dispersions on the properties of films spun cast from these formulations is investigated. It has been found out that the concentration of GOPS has a tremendous, yet gradual impact on the electrical, electrochemical, and mechanical properties of the PEDOT:PSS/GOPS films and that there is an optimum concentration which maximizes a particular feature of the film such as its water uptake or elasticity. The benefits of aqueous stability and mechanical strength with GOPS are to be compensated by an increase in the electrochemical impedance. GOPS aids obtaining excellent mechanical integrity in aqueous media with still highly conducting properties. Moreover, active devices like organic electrochemical transistors that contain 1 wt% GOPS, which is a concentration that leads to film with high electrical conductivity with sufficient mechanical stability and softness, exhibit steady performance over three weeks. These results suggest that variations in the concentration of such an additive like GOPS can enable a facile co‐optimization of electrical and mechanical properties of a conducting polymer film for in vivo bioelectronics application.

image
Preliminary Study on Photochemical Degradation of Natural Rubber Latex
Authors: Ibrahim Suhawati , Othman Nadras , Mohd Nor Zairossani , Ismail Hanafi
Published: February 2017

Liquid natural rubber (LNR) is considered as a new material which can be obtained from degradation of natural rubber (NR). In this work, the degradation of NR latex using photochemical degradation under UV light has been studied. In this preliminary result, the degradation degree was found to depend on parameters such as dry rubber content (DRC) of latex and reaction temperature. At the optimized parameters, the molecular weight (Mn) of NR was able to reduce from about 500 kg/mol to as low as 13 kg/mol. The molecular structure of LNR obtained was similar to that the NR, however, the presence carbonyl and hydroxyl groups were observed on the LNR chain as a result of the chain cleavage.
Epigenetic silencing of diacylglycerol kinase gamma in colorectal cancer
Authors: Kai Masahiro , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Sato Akiko , Yamano Hiro‐o , Niinuma Takeshi , Kitajima Hiroshi , Harada Taku , Aoki Hironori , Maruyama Reo , Toyota Mutsumi , Hatahira Tomo , Nakase Hiroshi , Sugai Tamotsu , Yamashita Toshiharu , Toyota Minoru , Suzuki Hiromu
Published: February 2017

Diacylglycerol kinases (DGKs) are important regulators of cell signaling and have been implicated in human malignancies. Whether epigenetic alterations are involved in the dysregulation of DGKs in cancer is unknown, however. We therefore analyzed methylation of the promoter CpG islands of DGK genes in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. We found that DGKG, which encodes DGKγ, was hypermethylated in all CRC cell lines tested (n = 9), but was not methylated in normal colonic tissue. Correspondingly, DGKG expression was suppressed in CRC cell lines but not in normal colonic tissue, and was restored in CRC cells by treatment with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐aza‐dC). DGKG methylation was frequently observed in primary CRCs (73/141, 51.8%) and was positively associated with KRAS and BRAF mutations and with the CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). DGKG methylation was also frequently detected in colorectal adenomas (89 of 177, 50.3%), which suggests it is an early event during colorectal tumorigenesis. Ectopic expression of wild‐type DGKγ did not suppress CRC cell proliferation, but did suppress cell migration and invasion. Notably, both constitutively active and kinase‐dead DGKγ mutants exerted inhibitory effects on CRC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and the wild‐type and mutant forms of DGKγ all suppressed Rac1 activity in CRC cells. These data suggest DGKG may play a tumor suppressor role in CRC.
Tungsten exposure causes a selective loss of histone demethylase protein
Authors: Laulicht‐Glick Freda , Wu Feng , Zhang Xiaoru , Jordan Ashley , Brocato Jason , Kluz Thomas , Sun Hong , Costa Max
Published: February 2017

In the course of our investigations into the toxicity of tungstate, we discovered that cellular exposure resulted in the loss of the histone demethylase protein. We specifically investigated the loss of two histone demethylase dioxygenases, JARID1A and JMJD1A. Both of these proteins were degraded in the presence of tungstate and this resulted in increased global levels of H3K4me3 and H3K9me2, the substrates of JARID1A and JMJD1A, respectively. Treatment with MG132 completely inhibited the loss of the demethylase proteins induced by tungstate treatment, suggesting that tungstate activated the proteasomal degradation of these proteins. The changes in global histone marks and loss of histone demethylase protein persisted for at least 48 h after removing sodium tungstate from the culture. The increase in global histone methylation remained when cells were cultured in methionine‐free media, indicating that the increased histone methylation did not depend upon any de novo methylation process, but rather was due to the loss of the demethylase protein. Similar increases of H3K4me3 and H3K9me2 were observed in the livers of the mice that were acutely exposed to tungstate via their drinking water. Taken together, our results indicated that tungstate exposure specifically reduced histone demethylase JARID1A and JMJD1A via proteasomal degradation, leading to increased histone methylation.
Somatic, psychological, and sexual triggers for overactive bladder syndrome in women
Authors: Zilberlicht Ariel , Haya Nir , Feferkorn Ido , Goldschmidt Eyal , Kaldawy Anis , Abramov Yoram
Published: February 2017

Aims

Patients with overactive bladder (OAB) often describe somatic, psychological, and sexual triggers for their symptoms. The aim of this study was to characterize these triggers and assess their impact on patients’ symptoms and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

Patients who visited our urogynecologic clinic between August 2015 and March 2016 and diagnosed with OAB syndrome were asked to fill a questionnaire comprising 34 statements regarding SOmatic, Psychological, and Sexual Triggers for OAB (SOPSETO). Patients additionaly completed the UDI‐6 and IIQ‐7 questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of each trigger and its correlation with the UDI‐6 and IIQ‐7 scores.

Results

Sixty four women enrolled in this study. The SOPSETO questionnaire was found to be relaiable with Cronbach's alpha of 0.73‐0.88. Construct validity was high with good correlation between the SOPSETO and the UDI‐6 and IIQ‐7 questionnaires. The triggers which had the highest correlation with the total UDI‐6 scores were: Being far from toilets (r = 0.32, P = 0.004), swimming (r = 0.44, P = 0.02), taking a shower/bath (r = 0.36, P = 0.004), touching water (r = 0.35, P = 0.004), stepping out of a car (r = 0.32, P = 0.014), and experiencing an orgasm (r = 0.59, P = 0.001). The triggers: Experiencing an orgasm (r = 0.4, P = 0.033), having intercourse (r = 0.53, P = 0.002), stepping out of a car (r = 0.45, P = 0.001), and touching water (r = 0.28, P = 0.03) most significantly correlated with the total IIQ‐7 scores.

Conclusions

Certain somatic, psychological, and sexual factors may trigger OAB symptoms and are therefore potential targets for behavioral therapy of this disorder, and for further research regarding its pathophysiological mechanisms.
The long term predictive value of preoperative pressure flow studies in the resolution of overactive bladder after insertion of a retropubic midurethral sling
Authors: Duckett Jonathan , Balachandran Aswini
Published: February 2017

AIMS

To identify if the short term association of pressure flow rates with resolution of overactive bladder (OAB) is maintained in the long term in patients with mixed urodynamic incontinence treated with a retropubic midurethral sling. To assess if other demographic factors are associated with the long term resolution of OAB.

METHODS

This was follow up study of a consecutive case series of 100 patients treated with a MUS at a single center followed up with questionnaires. Preoperative pressure flow studies were compared to the resolution of urgency and urgency incontinence after surgery.

RESULTS

A total of 6.25 years after surgery, resolution of urgency and urgency incontinence was associated with a higher preoperative flow rate (26.7 mL/s vs 19.1 mL/s P = 0.02) and a higher flow rate centile (33.1 vs 14.0 P = 0.01). No other demographic parameters were associated with resolution of OAB.

CONCLUSIONS

The long term outcome and resolution of urgency and urgency incontinence can be predicted by preoperative pressure flow studies over 6 years after surgery.
Tensor and its tucker core: The invariance relationships
Authors: Jiang Bo , Yang Fan , Zhang Shuzhong
Published: February 2017

In one study, Hillar and Lim famously demonstrated that “multilinear (tensor) analogues of many efficiently computable problems in numerical linear algebra are nondeterministic polynomial‐time hard.” Despite many recent advancements, the state‐of‐the‐art methods for computing such “tensor analogues” still suffer severely from the curse of dimensionality. In this paper, we show that the Tucker core of a tensor, however, retains many properties of the original tensor, including the CANDECOMP/PARAFAC (CP) rank, the border rank, the tensor Schatten quasi norms, and the Z‐eigenvalues. When the core tensor is smaller than the original tensor, this property leads to considerable computational advantages as confirmed by our numerical experiments. In our analysis, we in fact work with a generalized Tucker‐like decomposition that can accommodate any full column‐rank factor matrices.
Network Structure of Perinatal Depressive Symptoms in Latinas: Relationship to Stress and Reproductive Biomarkers
Authors: Santos Hudson , Fried Eiko I. , Asafu‐Adjei Josephine , Ruiz R. Jeanne
Published: February 2017

Based on emerging evidence, mood disorders can be plausibly conceptualized as networks of causally interacting symptoms, rather than as latent variables of which symptoms are passive indicators. In an innovative approach in nursing research, we used network analysis to estimate the network structure of 20 perinatal depressive (PND) symptoms. Then, two proof‐of‐principle analyses are presented: Incorporating stress and reproductive biomarkers into the network, and comparing the network structure of PND symptoms between non‐depressed and depressed women. We analyzed data from a cross‐sectional sample of 515 Latina women at the second trimester of pregnancy and estimated networks using regularized partial correlation network models. The main analysis yielded five strong symptom‐to‐symptom associations (e.g., cry—sadness), and five symptoms of potential clinical importance (i.e., high centrality) in the network. In exploring the relationship of PND symptoms to stress and reproductive biomarkers (proof‐of‐principle analysis 1), a few weak relationships were found. In a comparison of non‐depressed and depressed women's networks (proof‐of‐principle analysis 2), depressed participants had a more connected network of symptoms overall, but the networks did not differ in types of relationships (the network structures). We hope this first report of PND symptoms as a network of interacting symptoms will encourage future network studies in the realm of PND research, including investigations of symptom‐to‐biomarker mechanisms and interactions related to PND. Future directions and challenges are discussed. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
African‐American Fathers' Perspectives on Facilitators and Barriers to Father–Son Sexual Health Communication
Authors: Randolph Schenita D. , Coakley Tanya , Shears Jeffrey , Thorpe Roland J.
Published: February 2017

African‐American males ages 13 through 24 are disproportionately affected by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), accounting for over half of all HIV infections in this age group in the United States. Clear communication between African‐American parents and their youth about sexual health is associated with higher rates of sexual abstinence, condom use, and intent to delay initiation of sexual intercourse. However, little is known about African‐American fathers' perceptions of what facilitates and inhibits sexual health communication with their preadolescent and adolescent sons. We conducted focus groups with 29 African‐American fathers of sons ages 10–15 to explore perceived facilitators and barriers for father–son communication about sexual health. Participants were recruited from barbershops in metropolitan and rural North Carolina communities highly affected by STIs and HIV, and data were analyzed using content analysis. Three factors facilitated father–son communication: (a) fathers' acceptance of their roles and responsibilities; (b) a positive father–son relationship; and (c) fathers' ability to speak directly to their sons about sex. We also identified three barriers: (a) fathers' difficulty in initiating sexual health discussions with their sons; (b) sons' developmental readiness for sexual health information; and (c) fathers' lack of experience in talking with their own fathers about sex. These findings have implications for father‐focused prevention interventions aimed at reducing risky sexual behaviors in adolescent African‐American males. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An injectable and biomimetic multi‐phase nanocomposite for non‐invasive bone tissue engineering: fabrication and mechanistic evaluation
Authors: Gohil Shalini V. , Kumar Neeraj
Published: February 2017

An injectable, non‐hardening nanocomposite bone graft has been developed using a combination of nanohydroxyapatite as bioactive and osseointegrative material; P‐15 peptide‐modified poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres as biomimetic and osteoinductive agent; and PLGA–poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)–PLGA as a carrier gel. Increase in lactic acid/glycolic acid ratio of PLGA–PEG–PLGA resulted in stronger gels with a wider gelation window. Addition of 2.5‐fold nanohydroxyapatite resulted in significant changes in injectability (3.5‐fold force of injection), swelling characteristics (2.5 times swelling index), rheological (shear viscosity from 2.1 × 101 Pa s for NC3_700 to 1.5 × 106 Pa s for NC3_73.52 and from 3.9 × 102 Pa s for NC8_700 to 3.76 × 106 Pa s for NC8_732; an increase in elasticity at the level of 1–1000 kPa), and thermal properties of the nanocomposites. A mechanistic study showed that nanohydroxyapatite exhibits a high degree of association with the gel and interferes with its gelation owing to changes in hydrogen bonding interactions between C=⃥O of polymer chains and P–OH groups of nanohydroxyapatite with water molecules of the gel. A schematic was developed demonstrating changes in bonding interactions among constituent phases with respect to nanohydroxyapatite content emphasizing the importance of material interactions while fabricating multi‐phase nanocomposites for various biomedical applications. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mechanical and morphological studies of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)s for potential application in fuel cell membrane
Authors: Pirali‐Hamedani Majid , Mehdipour‐Ataei Shahram
Published: February 2017

Two groups of synthesized sulfonated poly(ether sulfone)s with similar structures but different size of repeat units were selected. Investigation of the properties of these copolymers with different sulfonation contents for application as fuel cell membrane was the main aim of this study. These groups of copolymers showed different thermal behavior, mechanical properties, dimensional and oxidative stability, ion exchange capacity, water uptake, and proton conductivity. Structure–property relation was surveyed, and the copolymers showed acceptable results for use as fuel cell membrane. The swelling ratio of the copolymers was in the range of 3.3–6.6%, and the proton conductivity of them was about 0.020–0.077 S/cm at 25°C. These data were comparable with Nafion 115 with 8.15% of swelling ratio and 0.085 S/cm of proton conductivity. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Surface pattern formation on soft polymer substrate through photo‐initiated graft polymerization
Authors: Aikawa Tatsuo , Kudo Hiroaki , Kondo Takeshi , Yuasa Makoto
Published: February 2017

Techniques for large‐area pattern formation on polymeric substrates are important for fabricating a large variety of functional devices, such as flexible electronics, tunable optical devices, adhesives, and so on. The present study demonstrates a method for pattern formation on poly(dimethylsiloxane) that involves grafting methacrylate polymers through photo‐initiated polymerization. The influence of substrate stiffness and monomers type on pattern formation was investigated. Firstly, the stiffness of the substrate was found to affect the topology of the patterns produced. The gap width of convex regions of the pattern was enlarged with decreasing stiffness. It was found that the gap width trended in a manner that was consistent with previous reports, but in this study, relatively large gap widths were observed compared with those from previous studies. Secondly, it was revealed that the solubility of the monomer in the poly(dimethylsiloxane) precursor was the dominant factor in determining whether or not pattern formation occurred. When using insoluble monomers (glycidyl methacrylate and benzyl methacrylate), characteristic patterns were observed. It is speculated that intermolecular attractive forces between the grafted polymers induce lateral aggregation on the substrate, resulting in buckling instability of the grafted polymer layer caused by a mismatch in the equilibrium between the grafted polymer layer and the substrate. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prevalence, timing of diagnosis and pregnancy outcome of abdominal wall defects after the introduction of a national prenatal screening program
Authors: Fleurke‐Rozema Hanneke , van de Kamp Karline , Bakker Marian , Pajkrt Eva , Bilardo Caterina , Snijders Rosalinde
Published: February 2017

Objective

To examine prevalence, time of diagnosis and outcome of fetuses with an exomphalos or gastroschisis, diagnosed since the introduction of a national prenatal screening program in 2007.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was undertaken in two fetal medicine units in the Netherlands. Cases were included if the estimated due date was between 2009 and 2013. Outcome measures were gestational age at diagnosis, presence of additional anomalies and pregnancy outcome.

Results

A total of 141 exomphalos and 44 gastroschisis cases were included in the study, of which, respectively, 96 and 95% were diagnosed prenatally. The majority of the cases are visualized prior to the 20‐week scan. In the exomphalos group, 83% had additional anomalies of which 57% had a chromosomal anomaly. Additional anomalies were present in 11% of the gastroschisis cases of which 40% had a chromosomal anomaly. The pregnancy termination rate was 61% (exomphalos) and 14% (gastroschisis).

Conclusion

Almost all exomphalos and gastroschisis cases are diagnosed prenatally, the majority in the first trimester. Associated anomalies are far more common in exomphalos with a fourfold lower survival rate than gastroschisis. In the exomphalos group, the pregnancy termination rate doubled, while in the gastroschisis group the rate remained low. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antiemetic use among pregnant women in the United States: the escalating use of ondansetron
Authors: Taylor Lockwood G. , Bird Steven T. , Sahin Leyla , Tassinari Melissa S. , Greene Patty , Reichman Marsha E. , Andrade Susan E. , Haffenreffer Katherine , Toh Sengwee
Published: February 2017

Purpose

To examine ondansetron use in pregnancy in the context of other antiemetic use among a large insured United States population of women delivering live births.

Methods

We assessed ondansetron and other antiemetic use among pregnant women delivering live births between 2001 and 2015 in 15 data partners contributing data to the Mini‐Sentinel Distributed Database. We identified live birth pregnancies using a validated algorithm, and all forms of ondansetron and other available antiemetics were identified using National Drug Codes or procedure codes. We assessed the prevalence of antiemetic use by trimester, calendar year, and formulation.

Results

In over 2.3 million pregnancies, the prevalence of ondansetron, promethazine, metoclopramide, or doxylamine/pyridoxine use anytime in pregnancy was 15.2, 10.3, 4.0, and 0.4%, respectively. Ondansetron use increased from <1% of pregnancies in 2001 to 22.2% in 2014, with much of the increase attributable to oral ondansetron beginning in 2006. Promethazine and metoclopramide use increased modestly between 2001 (13.8%, 3.2%) and 2006 (16.0%, 6.0%) but decreased annually through 2014 (8.0%, 3.2%). Doxylamine/pyridoxine, approved for management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy in 2013, was used in 1.8% of pregnancies in 2014. For all antiemetics, use was highest in the first trimester.

Conclusions

We observed a marked increase in ondansetron use by study year, prescribed to nearly one‐quarter of insured pregnant women in 2014, occurring in conjunction with decreased use of promethazine and metoclopramide. Given the widespread use of ondansetron in pregnancy, data establishing product efficacy and methodologically rigorous evaluation of post‐marketing safety are needed. Published 2017. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Effect of lactic acid chain length on thermomechanical properties of star‐LA‐xylitol resins and jute reinforced biocomposites
Authors: Jahandideh Arash , Esmaeili Nima , Muthukumarappan Kasiviswanathan
Published: February 2017

Star‐shaped bio‐based resins were synthesized by direct condensation of lactic acid (LA) with xylitol followed by end‐functionalizing of branches by methacrylic anhydride with three different LA chain lengths (3, 5 and 7). The thermomechanical and structural properties of the resins were characterized by 13C NMR, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, rheometry, DSC, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), TGA and flexural and tensile tests. An evaluation of the effect of chain length on the synthesized resins showed that the resin with five LAs exhibited the most favorable thermomechanical properties. Also, the resin's glass transition temperature (103 °C) was substantially higher than that of the thermoplast PLA (ca 55 °C). The resin had low viscosity at its processing temperature (80 °C). The compatibility of the resin with natural fibers was investigated for biocomposite manufacturing. Finally, composites were produced from the n5‐resin (80 wt% fiber content) using jute fiber. The thermomechanical and morphological properties of the biocomposites were compared with jute‐PLA composites and a hybrid composite made of the impregnated jute fibers with n5 resin and PLA. SEM and DMA showed that the n5‐jute composites had better mechanical properties than the other composites produced. Inexpensive monomers, good thermomechanical properties and good processability of the n5 resin make the resin comparable with commercial unsaturated polyester resins. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
A pilot study evaluation of psychosocial competency training for junior physicians working in oncology and hematology
Authors: Mache Stefanie , Vitzthum Karin , Hauschild Inka , Groneberg David
Published: February 2017

Background

This pilot and feasibility study evaluated a work‐related self‐care competency training in oncology and hematology medicine for junior physicians working in oncology and hematology medicine.

Methods

A pilot study was conducted with 80 physicians working in oncology and hematology hospital departments in Germany. Physicians were distributed to either the intervention group receiving competency training or a comparison group.

The intervention took place in groups over a period of 12 weeks. Training content included work‐related self‐care strategies, problem‐solving techniques solution‐focused counselling. The outcomes studied were changes in work‐related stress, emotional exhaustion, emotion regulation, and job satisfaction. Follow‐up assessments were arranged after 12 weeks (T1), after 24 weeks (T2), and after 36 weeks (T3).

Results

Intervention group reached a decrease in perceived job stress and emotional exhaustion. Self‐perceived improvements were also obvious regarding enhanced emotion regulation skills. Future oncologists valued the intervention with high scores for training design, content, received outcome, and overall training satisfaction.

Conclusions

This study provided first indications that an innovative self‐care competency training might be a supportive approach for junior physicians starting work in oncology and hematology. However, replication studies are needed to verify the results in the medical working context.