bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bevacizumab as a steroid‐sparing agent during immunotherapy for melanoma brain metastases: A case series
Authors: Banks Patricia D. , Lasocki Arian , Lau Peter K. H. , Sandhu Shahneen , McArthur Grant , Shackleton Mark
Published: February 2019

Background

Brain metastases are common in advanced melanoma and often necessitate corticosteroids such as dexamethasone to control symptoms and reduce peritumoral edema. Immunotherapy improves survival in metastatic melanoma, but concomitant treatment with corticosteroids may reduce efficacy. Here, we report the use of bevacizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor, as a steroid‐sparing agent in melanoma patients with brain metastases treated with immunotherapy.

Methods

Medical records and imaging were retrospectively analyzed for melanoma patients with brain metastases who received bevacizumab at our institution between 2012 and 2017.

Results

12 melanoma patients with brain metastases received bevacizumab (5‐7.5 mg/kg Q2‐3 W; median 4 cycles, range 1‐9). Patients were BRAF wild‐type or resistant to BRAF/MEK inhibitor therapy. All had progressive intracranial disease after prior resection, stereotactic radiosurgery and/or whole brain radiotherapy, and up to four lines of previous systemic treatment. Prior to bevacizumab, all patients had radiologically defined peritumoral edema and nine required dexamethasone for symptom control. In 10 evaluable patients, six reduced their dexamethasone dose by more than 50%, and eight displayed reduced edema 4 weeks after bevacizumab. Seven patients experienced adverse events possibly related to bevacizumab, including intracranial hemorrhage, hypertension, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Ten patients received immunotherapy after bevacizumab. Five patients survived more than 6 months, including one who remained disease‐free after 4 years and without neurological deficit despite being hemiplegic from edematous brain metastases prior to bevacizumab.

Conclusion

In 12 very poor prognosis melanoma patients with brain metastases, bevacizumab was well‐tolerated, associated with improved symptoms and reduced peritumoral edema despite weaning steroids, and facilitated treatment with immunotherapy that provided durable survival in a substantial proportion of cases.
Polyoxovanadate‐Based Metal−Organic Octahedron Based on 1,4‐Naphthalenedicarboxylic Acid
Authors: Tao Yanli , Xu Na , Wang Xinlong , Su Zhongmin
Published: February 2019

A new polyoxovanadate‐based metal−organic octahedron (VMOP‐26) was synthesized from vanadium acetylacetonate and 1,4‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (1,4‐H2NDC) under solvothermal condition and characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The structure of VMOP‐26 was composed of six {V5O9Cl} clusters and twelve 1,4‐NDC ligands with regular octahedral geometry in which the polyoxovanadate clusters act as vertices and 1,4‐NDC as edges. Each octahedron was surrounded by twelve adjacent octahedra with edge‐to‐edge connection modes. The absorption ability toward the dye molecules of VMOP‐26 was investigated because VMOP‐26 was an anionic cage. The results exhibit that only cationic dyes (Methylene blue (MB+), crystal violet (CV+), Rhodamine B (RhB+)) can be absorbed into the crystal lattice of VMOP‐26, which indicates that the cationic dye absorption is an ion‐exchange process. Besides, the fluorescent property of VMOP‐26 was also investigated.
Clinical presentation of pregnant women in isolation units for Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone, 2014
Authors: Mpofu Jonetta J. , Soud Fatma , Lyman Meghan , Koroma Alimamy P. , Morof Diane , Ellington Sascha , Kargbo Samuel S. , Callaghan William
Published: February 2019

Objectives

To examine Ebola virus disease (EVD) symptom prevalence and EVD status among pregnant women in Ebola isolation units in Sierra Leone.

Methods

In an observational study, data were obtained for pregnant women admitted to Ebola isolation units across four districts in Sierra Leone from June 29, 2014, to December 20, 2014. Women were admitted to isolation units if they had suspected EVD exposures or fever (temperature >38°C) and three or more self‐reported symptoms suggestive of EVD. Associations were examined between EVD status and each symptom using χ2 tests and logistic regression adjusting for age/labor status.

Results

Of 176 pregnant women isolated, 55 (32.5%) tested positive for EVD. Using logistic regression models adjusted for age, EVD‐positive women were significantly more likely to have fever, self‐reported fatigue/weakness, nausea/vomiting, headache, muscle/joint pain, chest pain, vaginal bleeding, unexplained bleeding, or sore throat upon admission. In models adjusted for age/labor, only women with fever or vaginal bleeding upon admission were significantly more likely to be EVD‐positive.

Conclusions

Several EVD symptoms and complications increased the odds of testing EVD‐positive; some of these were also signs and symptoms of labor/pregnancy complications. The study results highlight the need to refine screening for pregnant women with EVD.
3,5‐diiodo‐L‐thyronine increases de novo lipogenesis in liver from hypothyroid rats by SREBP‐1 and ChREBP‐mediated transcriptional mechanisms
Authors: Gnoni Antonio , Siculella Luisa , Paglialonga Giuseppina , Damiano Fabrizio , Giudetti Anna Maria
Published: February 2019

Hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL), the process by which carbohydrates are converted into lipids, is strictly controlled by nutritional and hormonal status. 3,5‐Diiodo‐L‐thyronine (T2), a product of the 3,5,3′‐triiodo‐L‐thyronine (T3) peripheral metabolism, has been shown to mimic some T3 effects on lipid metabolism by a short‐term mechanism independent of protein synthesis. Here, we report that T2, administered for 1 week to hypothyroid rats, increases total fatty acid synthesis from acetate in isolated hepatocytes. Studies carried out on liver subcellular fractions demonstrated that T2 not only increases the activity and the expression of acetyl‐CoA carboxylase and fatty acid synthase but also of other proteins linked to DNL such as the mitochondrial citrate carrier and the cytosolic ATP citrate lyase. Parallelly, T2 stimulates the activities of enzymes supplying cytosolic NADPH needed for the reductive steps of DNL. With respect to both euthyroid and hypothyroid rats, T2 administration decreases the hepatic mRNA level of SREBP‐1, a transcription factor which represents a master regulator of DNL. However, when compared to hypothyroid rats T2 significantly increases, without bringing to the euthyroid value, the content of both mature (nSREBP‐1), and precursor (pSREBP‐1) forms of the SREBP‐1 protein as well as their ratio. Moreover, T2 administration strongly augmented the nuclear content of ChREBP, another crucial transcription factor involved in the regulation of lipogenic genes. Based on these results, we can conclude that in the liver of hypothyroid rats the transcriptional activation by T2 of DNL genes could depend, at least in part, on SREBP‐1‐ and ChREBP‐dependent mechanisms. © 2019 IUBMB Life, 2019
Effect of dual‐drug‐releasing micelle–hydrogel composite on wound healing in vivo in full‐thickness excision wound rat model
Authors: Patel Monika , Nakaji‐Hirabayashi Tadashi , Matsumura Kazuaki
Published: February 2019

Wound healing is a complex process involving an intricate cascade of body responses. A composite dressing that would effectively target different stages of wound healing and regeneration is urgently needed. In the current study, we tested the efficacy of a previously prepared micelle–hydrogel composite loaded with two drugs, in full‐thickness excision wound model in rat. We found that the composite elicited almost no inflammation and effectively enhanced healing at all stages of the healing process. An initial burst of the first drug, amphotericin B, eliminated any preliminary infection. This burst was followed by a gradual release of curcumin as the healing and anti‐inflammatory agent. Better healing was observed in rats treated with the drug‐loaded composites than in blank and control groups. Wounds showed up to 80% closure in the treated group, with high collagen deposition. Re‐epithelialization and granulation were also better in the treated group than in the non‐treated control and blank groups. Histopathological examination revealed that drug‐loaded composites improved cutaneous wound healing and regeneration. In conclusion, the micelle–hydrogel composite is an effective dressing and might have major applications in wound healing. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1094–1106, 2019.
Effect of cyclic compression on bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells in tissue engineered cartilage scaffold
Authors: Wang Wei , Wan Ying , Fu Tao , Zhou Ting , Tang Xiangyu , Wu Hua , Liu Chaoxu , Jagodzinski Michael
Published: February 2019

In this current study, a novel multilayer porous composite scaffold was fabricated with chitosan (CS), silk fibrin (SF) and nano‐hydroxyapatite (n‐HA). Scanning electron microscope was utilized to detect the characteristics of the composed scaffold. Rat bone marrow stromal cells (rBMSC) were loaded onto the CS/SF/n‐HA scaffold and cultured in a bioreactor under an on–off dynamic compression (10% compressive strain, 0.5 Hz, [2 h action + 4 h pause]/cycle, 4 cycles/day). Metabolism of the loaded rBMSC was assessed through CCK‐8 test. Qualitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot were applied to assess the chondrogenic differentiation of the seeded cells. Compressive modulus of the cell/scaffold constructs was analyzed. Additionally, a pig model was employed to evaluate the effect of the tissue‐engineered cartilage on repairing of cartilage defect. Results showed that the four layers within the scaffold were tightly connected without gaps between porous interfaces of the layers. Scaffold porosity was 92.20% ± 1.30%. The cyclic compression upregulated chondrogenesis markers (Aggrecan, Sox‐9, and collagen II). Increased compressive modulus of the cell/scaffold complex was detected after dynamic compression. The pig bone marrow stromal cells/scaffold complex exposed to cyclic compression presented most favorable reparative effect on the mini pig femoral condyle cartilage defects. Our study suggested that the on–off dynamic compression might be a promising approach to fabricate tissue‐engineered cartilage in vitro. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1294–1302, 2019.
Modification of honeycomb bioceramic scaffolds for bone regeneration under the condition of excessive bone resorption
Authors: He Fupo , Lu Teliang , Fang Xibo , Tian Ye , Li Yanhui , Zuo Fei , Ye Jiandong
Published: February 2019

Gallium (Ga) ions have been clinically approved for treating the diseases caused by the excessive bone resorption through the systemic administration. Nevertheless, little attention has been given to the Ga‐containing biomaterials for repairing bone defects under the pathological condition of excessive bone resorption. In the current study, for the first time the Ga‐containing phosphate glasses (GPGs) were introduced to modify the honeycomb β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP) bioceramic scaffolds, which were prepared by an extrusion method. The results indicated that the scaffolds were characterized by uniform pore structure and channel‐like macropores. The addition of GPGs promoted densification of strut of scaffolds by achieving liquid‐sintering of β‐TCP, thereby tremendously increasing the compressive strength. The ions released from scaffolds pronouncedly inhibited osteoclastogenesis‐related gene expressions and multinuclearity of RAW264.7 murine monocyte cells, as well as expressions of early osteogenic makers of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs). However, the scaffolds with lower amount of Ga increased cell proliferation and upregulated expression of late osteogenic maker of mBMSCs. This study offers a novel approach to modify the bioceramic scaffolds for bone regeneration under the condition of accelerated bone resorption. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1314–1323, 2019.
Cerebrospinal fluid biogenic amines depletion and brain atrophy in adult patients with phenylketonuria
Authors: Pilotto Andrea , Blau Nenad , Leks Edytha , Schulte Claudia , Deuschl Christian , Zipser Carl , Piel David , Freisinger Peter , Gramer Gwendolyn , Kölker Stefan , Haas Dorothea , Burgard Peter , Nawroth Peter , Georg Hoffmann , Scheffler Klaus , Berg Daniela , Trefz Friedrich
Published: February 2019

Biogenic amines synthesis in phenylketonuria (PKU) patients with high phenylalanine (Phe) concentration is thought to be impaired due to inhibition of tyrosine and tryptophan hydroxylases and competition with amino acids at the blood‐brain barrier. Dopamine and serotonin deficits might explain brain damage and progressive neuropsychiatric impairment in adult PKU patients. Ten early treated adult PKU patients (mean age 38.2 years) and 15 age‐matched controls entered the study. Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Phe, 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA), 5‐hydroxytryptophan (5‐HTP), 3,4‐dihydroxy‐l‐phenylalanine (l‐DOPA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) were analyzed. Voxel‐based morphometry statistical nonparametric mapping was used to test the age‐corrected correlation between gray matter atrophy and CSF biogenic amines levels. 5‐HIAA and 5‐HTP were significantly reduced in PKU patients compared to controls. Significant negative correlations were found between CSF 5‐HIAA, HVA, and 5‐HTP and Phe levels. A decrease in 5‐HIAA and 5‐HTP concentrations correlated with precuneus and frontal atrophy, respectively. Lower HVA levels correlated with occipital atrophy. Biogenic amines deficits correlate with specific brain atrophy patterns in adult PKU patients, in line with serotonin and dopamine projections. These findings may support a more rigorous Phe control in adult PKU to prevent neurotransmitter depletion and accelerated brain damage due to aging.
Dose reduction in CT imaging for facial bone trauma in adults: A narrative literature review
Authors: Hooper Tayla , Eccles Grace , Milliken Talia , Mathieu‐Burry Josephine R. , Reed Warren
Published: February 2019

Trauma to the facial area accounts for a significant number of admissions to the emergency department. Diagnostic imaging is almost always required, and is critical in determining patient management. Multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT) appears consistently in the literature as the gold‐standard imaging modality for facial bones, but results in a high radiation dose to the patient. This makes the application and advancement of dose reduction and dose optimisation methods vital. This narrative review presents a critical analysis of the literature concerning diagnostic imaging of facial bone trauma, with an emphasis on dose reduction methods for MDCT. Databases including Pubmed, Medline, Web of Science and Scopus were used to investigate this topic, with the key words: facial bone trauma, computed tomography (CT) imaging and dose reduction. Exclusion criteria included studies on nasal bone fracturing, dental imaging, elective surgeries and paediatric imaging. The literature shows overwhelming support for MDCT, given its accuracy, efficiency and ease of operation. Noise reducing reconstruction algorithms show promise as a successful method of dose reduction in facial bone imaging. Investigations of more innovative techniques also appear within the literature, including diagnostic cone‐beam CT (CBCT), intraoperative CBCT and dual‐source CT (DSCT), but further research is required to confirm their clinical value.
Sound levels and safety in cosmetic laser surgery
Authors: Callaghan Daniel J. , Bonati Lauren M. , Alam Murad , Jerdan Kimberly , Taylor Mark B. , Dover Jeffrey S.
Published: February 2019

Objectives

Measure the sound levels produced by various lasers commonly used during routine outpatient cosmetic surgery to determine whether or not their use exceeds exposure levels set forth by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Materials and Methods

Using two different meters, the sound levels of lasers commonly used in cosmetic surgery were recorded during various procedures for several indications: tattoo removal, treatment of lentigines and pigmented lesions, facial erythema and vascular lesions, hair removal and resurfacing of acne scars, and photoaging.

Results

All but five lasers had a maximum sound level below 85 dBA, the limit proposed by NIOSH. The loudest laser examined was a fully ablative 2,940 nm Er:YAG during facial resurfacing, with an average maximum sound level of 101.5 decibels (dBA). Two other lasers used for resurfacing exceeded 85 dBA including a fractional ablative 1064 Nd:YAG with an average maximum of 97.8 and a different fully ablative 2,940 nm Er:YAG which had an average maximum of 96.3 nm. The two other lasers that exceeded 85 dBA were picosecond lasers used to treat black tattoos, including a 1,064 nm Nd:YAG with an average maximum of 93.7 dBA and a 755 nm alexandrite with an average maximum of 93.6 dBA.

Conclusion

Although some lasers in cosmetic surgery may be perceived as being quite loud, they remain safe. Even the loudest laser studied would have to be used for nearly 2 hours before exceeding the OSHA recommended exposure limit. Even physicians who spend a large amount of time using lasers in clinical practice should be reassured that these devices are not likely to produce noise‐induced hearing loss (NIHL) hearing loss. Lasers Surg. Med. 51:491–494, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sonodynamic Therapeutic Effects of Sonosensitizers with Different Intracellular Distribution Delivered by Hollow Nanocapsules Exhibiting Cytosol Specific Release
Authors: Teranishi Ryoma , Matsuda Takayuki , Yuba Eiji , Kono Kenji , Harada Atsushi
Published: February 2019

Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a novel promising noninvasive therapy involving utilization of low‐intensity ultrasound and sonosensitizer, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) by sonication. In SDT, a high therapeutic effect is achieved by intracellular delivery and accumulation at the target sites of sonosensitizer followed by oxidative damage of produced ROS by sonication. Here, pH‐ and redox‐responsive hollow nanocapsules are prepared through the introduction of disulfide cross‐linkages to self‐assembled polymer vesicles formed from polyamidoamine dendron‐poly(l‐lysine) for the efficient delivery of sonosensitizer. As sonosensitizer, doxorubicin (DOX), an anticancer drug accumulating into cell nucleus, is selected. Also, the conjugate of DOX and triphenylphosphonium (TPP‐DOX) is synthesized as sonosensitizer with mitochondrial targeting ability. DOX and TPP‐DOX are delivered to nucleus and mitochondria by nanocapsules. Furthermore, DOX‐ or TPP‐DOX‐loaded nanocapsules exhibit in vitro sonodynamic therapeutic effect to HeLa cells with sonication, which might be through oxidative damage to nucleus and mitochondria.
Convergent end‐to‐end neurorrhaphy: An alternative technique for dual innervation of the gastrocnemius muscle in rats
Authors: Nepomuceno André C. , de Faria José C. , Politani Elisa L. , Silva Eduardo G. , Salomone Raquel , Longo Marco V. , Lima Washington , Salles Alessandra G. , Gemperli Rolf
Published: February 2019

Introduction

Muscle contraction generated by electrical impulses simultaneously originating from two different neural sources may be an interesting treatment alternative for long term facial palsy. An experimental model was designed to compare single and dual innervation of the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) in rats.

Methods

Fifty adult Wistar rats underwent transection of their right peroneal nerve and were divided into five groups (n = 10): control (C), tibial nerve section (TS), tibial nerve primary end‐to‐end neurorrhaphy (PEE), tibial nerve primary repair associated with end‐to‐side peroneal‐to‐tibial nerve transfer (PRES), and tibial nerve repair by convergent end‐to‐end (CEE) neurorrhaphy between the proximal stumps of the tibial and peroneal nerves to the distal stump of the tibial nerve. The outcomes were assessed 12 weeks after the experiment by walking track, electromyography, GM mass index, and histomorphometric analysis of the distal tibial nerve.

Results

The functional recovery of the PRES (−33.77 ± 24.13) and CEE (−42.15 ± 31.14) groups was greater (P < 0.003) than the PEE group (−80.26 ± 17.20). The CEE group (18.35 ± 7.84) showed greater amplitude (P = 0.006) than the PEE group (8.2 ± 4.64). There was no difference in the muscle mass index among the reinnervation groups (P > 0.705). Histologic analysis revealed greater (P < 0.002) axonal density in the CEE group (126.70 ± 15.01) compared to PEE (99.70 ± 12.82) and PRES (92.00 ± 19.17) groups.

Conclusions

The dual innervation techniques showed earlier and greater functional recovery of the GM than did the single innervation technique. The CEE group showed a 40% higher number of regenerated axons in the distal tibial nerve stump.
E‐cigarette smoking with peer pressure
Authors: Straughan Brian
Published: February 2019

A model is presented involving non‐smokers, tobacco cigarette smokers, and those who smoke electronic cigarettes. The transfer from the tobacco smoker class to the e‐cigarette class is via a peer pressure term. It is shown that there are three distinct equilibria. One involves no smokers of any kind. A second has only non‐smokers and smokers of tobacco cigarettes. The third has a steady state with all three categories. Conditions are derived under which each equilibrium state will be stable. Numerical simulations are given that show the convergence to steady state for the third equilibrium. Simulations are also performed for a more general model where the peer pressure term in the tobacco to e‐cigarette transition involves also a conformity bias.
Stability and chaos control of regularized Prabhakar fractional dynamical systems without and with delay
Authors: Eshaghi Shiva , Khoshsiar Ghaziani Reza , Ansari Alireza
Published: February 2019

In this paper, we studied the stabilization of nonlinear regularized Prabhakar fractional dynamical systems without and with time delay. We establish a Lyapunov stabiliy theorem for these systems and study the asymptotic stability of these systems without design a positive definite function V (without considering the fractional derivative of function V is negative). We design a linear feedback controller to control and stabilize the nonautonomous and autonomous chaotic regularized Prabhakar fractional dynamical systems without and with time delay. By means of the Lyapunov stability, we obtain the control parameters for these type of systems. We further present a numerical method to solve and analyze regularized Prabhakar fractional systems. Furthermore, by employing numerical simulation, we reveal chaotic attractors and asymptotic stability behaviors for four systems to illustrate the presented theorem.
A method for single‐band and multiband filters design based on right trapezoid half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Cheng Jun‐Jie , Guo Ya , Liu Hai , Liu Fa‐Lin
Published: February 2019

In this article, a novel right trapezoid half‐mode substrate integrated waveguide resonator (RTHMSIWR) is firstly proposed. Based on it, a simple filter design method is presented. By controlling the ratio of the upside length to height of RTHMSIWR, the electric field distribution becomes regular and makes the resonant mode easy to generate the passband response, correspondingly. The fundamental and higher‐order modes are available to realize single‐band or multiband responses as the ratio changes, which provides a flexible choice on band allocation. For verification, a tri‐band bandpass filter (BPF) with source‐load coupling is designed. To further achieve a better rejection between the first and second passbands, a pair of complementary split‐ring resonators (CSRRs) is introduced. Total seven transmission zeros (TZs) are produced to improve the out‐band selectivity. The measured results agree well with the simulated ones.
Technique for constructing hemispherical dielectric lens antennas
Authors: dos Santos R. A. , Fré G. L. , Spadoti D. H.
Published: February 2019

Hemispherical dielectric lens antennas can be designed to present multifunctional operation. Simple and efficient mathematical modeling to design these structures is presented. The constructing technique is based on the lens material and the desired operational frequency of the dielectric lens antennas. The analytical developed model was compared with both complete wave numerical simulations and practical experiments. The results indicate that the proposed equations to build hemispherical dielectric lens antennas are adequate for different operational frequencies and also for different dielectric lens materials.
A preliminary study of milk powder hydration using TEDSpiL continuous wave NMR
Authors: Parslow Steven T. , Almazrouei Najlaa K. , Newton Michael I. , Dye Elizabeth R. , Morris Robert H.
Published: February 2019

Moisture content of foodstuffs are typically assessed by Titration or Near Infrared Spectroscopy, which are labour‐intensive as a manual measurement or costly when automated. Magnetic resonance offers a method for moisture evaluation but is also normally costly. In this work, we revisit Look and Locker's “Tone Burst” experiment with a marginal oscillator to evaluate moisture content of powdered–skimmed milk subjected to increased humidity. We refer to this technique as the Transient Effect Determination of Spin–Lattice (TEDSpiL) relaxation times. Moisture content in the samples ranged from 0–12% as determined from the weight gained by the dry powder when re‐suspended in water to reach a concentration of 40% w/v. The relaxation properties of re‐hydrated samples were measured with a CW NMR sensor. Solutions made up from powders with a higher retained moisture content provided lower measured relaxation values providing a method of measuring the moisture content of the powder. This technique provides a moisture measurement in under 5∼s compared with several minutes for the equivalent pulsed method using low‐field hardware.
Twice‐weekly glucocorticosteroids in infants and young boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Connolly Anne M. , Zaidman Craig M. , Golumbek Paul T. , Cradock Mary M. , Flanigan Kevin M. , Kuntz Nancy L. , Finkel Richard S. , McDonald Craig M. , Iannaccone Susan T. , Anand Pallavi , Siener Catherine A. , Florence Julaine M. , Lowes Linda P. , Alfano Lindsay N. , Johnson Linda B. , Nicorici Alina , Nelson Leslie L. , Mendell Jerry R. ,   for the MDA DMD Clinical Research Network
Published: February 2019

Introduction: Glucocorticosteroids (GC) are effective in slowing weakness in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Methods: This is a multisite, 1‐year, open‐label trial of twice‐weekly prednisolone (5 mg/kg/dose) in infants/young boys (0.4–2.4 years) with DMD. We compared changes in Bayley III Scales of Infant Development (Bayley‐III) with untreated boys followed for 1 year (historical control cohort [HCC]). Twenty‐three of 25 participants completed the study. Results: Treated boys gained an average of 0.5 points on the Bayley‐III gross motor scaled score (GMSS) compared with the HCC who, on average, declined 1.3 points (P = 0.03). All boys maintained linear growth, and none developed Cushingoid features. Excessive weight gain occurred in 13 of 23 (56%) boys. Discussion: This study provides evidence that twice‐weekly GC is well tolerated in infants and young boys with DMD and improves GMSS. Excessive weight gain is a potential risk. Longer follow‐up is required to determine whether early GC initiation is feasible in most infants/boys with DMD. Muscle Nerve 59:650–657, 2019
Digital optimieren
Authors: Bulmahn Maren
Published: February 2019

Ein Großteil aller Chemieunternehmen nutzt digitalisierte Prozesse. Beim Mittelstand besteht aber oft Nachholbedarf beim Datenschutz.
Staubsauger und Bergleute
Authors: Süssmuth Lisa
Published: February 2019

Bestimmte Pflanzen akkumulieren Schwermetalle. Damit sanieren sie kontaminierte Böden und sammeln gleichzeitig Rohstoffe für die Industrie.
GDCh‐Gehaltsumfrage
Authors: Pereira Jaé Angela
Published: February 2019

Zufrieden mit Ihrer Gehaltsanpassung letztes Jahr? Der Vergleich lohnt sich. In der chemischen Industrie stiegen die Gehälter im Jahr 2017 um 3,6 Prozent.
Association Between Early Life Weight Gain and Abdominal Fat Partitioning at 4.5 Years is Sex, Ethnicity, and Age Dependent
Authors: Sadananthan Suresh Anand , Tint Mya Thway , Michael Navin , Aris Izzuddin M. , Loy See Ling , Lee Kuan Jin , Shek Lynette Pei‐Chi , Yap Fabian Kok Peng , Tan Kok Hian , Godfrey Keith M. , Leow Melvin Khee‐Shing , Lee Yung Seng , Kramer Michael S. , Gluckman Peter D. , Chong Yap Seng , Karnani Neerja , Henry Christiani Jeyakumar , Fortier Marielle Valerie , Velan S. Sendhil
Published: February 2019

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the independent associations between age‐specific annual weight gain from birth to age 4 years and fat deposition in metabolically distinct compartments at age 4.5 years in a South Asian longitudinal birth cohort.

Methods

Volumetric abdominal magnetic resonance imaging with comprehensive segmentation of deep and superficial subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) and visceral adipose tissues (VAT) was performed in 316 children (150 boys and 166 girls in three ethnic groups; 158 Chinese, 94 Malay, and 64 Indian) aged 4.5 years. Associations between fat volumes and annual relative weight gain conditional on past growth were assessed overall and stratified by sex and ethnicity.

Results

Conditional relative weight gain had stronger associations with greater SAT and VAT at age 4.5 years in girls than boys and in Indians compared with Malay and Chinese. Overall, the magnitude of association was the largest during 2 to 3 years for SAT and 1 to 2 years for VAT. Despite similar body weight, Indian children and girls had the highest deep and superficial SAT volumes at age 4.5 years (all interactions P < 0.05). No significant sex or ethnic differences were observed in VAT. With increasing BMI, Indian children had the highest tendency to accumulate VAT, and girls accumulated more fat than boys in all depots (all interactions P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Indian ethnicity and female sex predisposed children to accumulate more fat in the VAT depot with increasing conditional relative weight gain in the second year of life. Thus, 1 to 2 years of age may be a critical window for interventions to reduce visceral fat accumulation.
Utilization of integrative medicine differs by age among pediatric oncology patients
Authors: Yun Hyeongjun , Romero Sally A. D. , Record Benjamin , Kearney Julia , Raghunathan Nirupa Jaya , Sands Stephen , Mao Jun J.
Published: February 2019

Purpose

Coping with symptoms related to cancer treatment is challenging for pediatric patients with cancer and their caregivers. Additionally, caring for pediatric patients requires specialized expertise to incorporate age‐appropriate interventions to improve outcomes. Despite the increase in pediatric inpatient integrative medicine (IM) therapies, there is a paucity of knowledge about whether the utilization of IM therapies differs by patient age.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis on IM utilization among pediatric inpatients between 2008 and 2016 in a tertiary urban cancer center using electronic medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models examined the relationship between age and specific type of IM utilization, adjusting for specific demographic factors.

Results

Between 2008 and 2016, the pediatric inpatient IM service had 20 686 visits and treated 1877 unique patients. A significant age difference (P < 0.001) by modality was noted: dance therapy (mean age ± standard deviation: 5.9 ± 5.3 years), music therapy (8.0±7.0 years), mind–body therapies (13.0 ± 7.7 years), massage (14.5 ± 7.8 years), and acupuncture (20.0 ± 7.9 years). In multivariable analysis, the association between age and use of specific IM therapies remained significant (P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusion

Specific types of inpatient IM therapy usage significantly differed by the age of pediatric patients with cancer; therefore, designing and providing age‐appropriate IM interventions with consideration for developmental stage are needed to ensure that the most appropriate and effective therapies are provided to children with cancer.
Art and everyday information behavior: Sources of understanding
Authors: Gorichanaz Tim
Published: February 2019

In our efforts to design an ethical information future, we must develop a deeper understanding of the information phenomena in everyday lived experience. Based on work in cultural theory and philosophy, art seems to present an illuminating domain for the study of everyday life. This paper presents findings from an exploratory, phenomenology‐of‐practice study of the information behavior of artists. These findings serve as an entryway to information phenomena that have largely gone unexplored in information behavior. The study builds on the literature of everyday information behavior and artists' information behavior, and it draws on a nascent information behavior theory that recognizes understanding as an epistemic aim and conceptualizes understanding as an information constellation. In this study, seven local artists documented their process creating self‐portraits, and semi‐structured follow‐up interviews were conducted. This paper reports on the findings from four of these artists, demonstrating how memories, the lived environment, profound experiences, and online browsing were informative and contributed to the artists' understandings. It closes by discussing the meaning of these findings for the future of information science, suggesting that the information employed by artists might be recognized and appreciated more widely throughout society.
Blocked and chained: Blockchain and the problems of transparency
Authors: Hofman Darra , Novin Alamir
Published: February 2019

Blockchain is frequently claimed to be a democratizing technology. However, its relationship to both law and broader democratic institutions remains uncertain. One claim regarding blockchain's democratic potential is that it is radically transparent and can bring such transparency to existing systems of governance. This paper interrogates that claim in three different ways. Firstly, it examines blockchain technology against broader theories of transparency. Secondly, it examines the relationship between transparency and democracy, questioning how blockchain technologies could mediate that relationship. Finally, it examines how blockchain technologies could impact a particular exercise of transparency, freedom of information requests. This paper finds the relationship of transparency itself to democratic ideals is complex, contested and highly context‐dependent; the “democratizing” technological transparency built into blockchains could easily prove undemocratic in application. Blockchain technology cannot meet broader transparency goals without addressing political gatekeepers and the legal, social, and cultural needs that animate those goals.
How authors cite references? A study of characteristics of in‐text citations
Authors: Hsiao Tsung‐Ming , Chen Kuang‐hua
Published: February 2019

How to differentiate citations is continuously an important research question of citation analysis. Recently, some researchers analyze full‐text academic articles with tools and techniques of natural language processing to find out the characteristics of in‐text citations. In this study, we analyze 4,255 articles published during 2007 to 2016 to explore how authors of library and information science (LIS) cite references in their articles. The pattern of citations shows that LIS authors cite more works on average but the average in‐text citation times per reference in an article only increase slightly in this period. There are more in‐text citations in the first quarter fraction of an article and the number of in‐text citations decrease gradually with text progression. The distribution of POS shows that when LIS authors mention references in text body, they use more noun, verb, and preposition than less adjective and adverb. We also choose the high frequency words of different POS to investigate which words authors prefer in in‐text citations. In these high frequency words, nouns tend to be about research topics. Verbs are neutral or used to describe methods or findings of these cited works. As to adjective and adverb, most of them are positive or neutral. But there are more negative words in adverb.
The current state of data governance in higher education
Authors: Jim Cary K. , Chang Hsia‐Ching
Published: February 2019

Recent developments in big data have heightened the need for data governance in any organization. There has been a growing interest and recognition of the importance of data governance in higher education. While multiple research efforts focus on a literature‐based approach to conceptualize data governance, evidence‐based research on this topic can scarcely be found. Higher education institutes are facing similar challenges in aligning their information technology (IT) efforts with business processes to meet organizational goals. This study aims to address such a research gap and investigates the status quo of data governance practice across tier one universities in the United States. Using Web content analysis, this paper sought to obtain empirical evidence of data governance initiatives, the extent of data governance, and its relationship with IT governance and information governance across a sample of 30 tier one university websites. Results of this study revealed that most of the universities created a new data governance unit with different labels (e.g., data governance, institutional research, or data management/analytics), while some universities extended IT governance or information governance to data governance. These findings shed light on the potential directions of developing data governance initiatives in higher education.
Evaluating the impact of a virtual reality workstation in an academic library: Methodology and preliminary findings
Authors: Lischer‐Katz Zack , Cook Matt , Boulden Kristal
Published: February 2019

Collections of 3D models and the analytic affordances of virtual reality (VR) systems can be integrated to form a “3D digital heritage ecosystem” (Limp, et al., 2011), providing a potentially richer and more intuitive learning environment that enables students to interact with models of artifacts and spaces that are too rare, fragile, or distant to access directly. This paper describes efforts to evaluate the impact of virtual reality on undergraduate instruction in varied disciplines, hosted within an academic library context. Existing research on VR and learning has focused primarily on domain‐specific tasks carried out in controlled lab settings or the social aspects of immersive virtual worlds. This paper describes the methodology and preliminary findings of a mixed‐methods research project currently underway (running from September 2017 to August 2018) that is evaluating how use of virtual reality impacts undergraduate students' self‐efficacy, and seeks to understand students' embodied experiences. The strengths and weaknesses of the methodology, initial findings drawn from the early stages of data analysis, and directions for further research are discussed.
Scholarly resource linking: Building out a “relationship life cycle”
Authors: Mayernik Matthew S.
Published: February 2019

Scholarly resources, including publications, software, data sets, and instruments, are created in an iterative and interrelated fashion. Managing the relationships that exist among and between such resources is a central requirement for information systems. Practically, however, many scholarly resources exist online as discrete entities, divorced from other resources to which they are intimately related. A robust system for linking scholarly resources in a broad and sustainable fashion will have to navigate a set of complex and interrelated requirements. This paper presents results and insights from three different projects that focused on supporting more robust linkages among scholarly resources. The discussion details key technical and institutional challenges looking forward and backward in time across what might be considered to be a “relationship life cycle”: identifying, validating, characterizing, and preserving relationships. The goal of the paper is to help guide new research initiatives and operational services focused on integrating relationship information into the scholarly record.
The interaction between people, information and innovation: Information literacy to underpin innovative work behaviour in a Finnish organisation
Authors: Middleton Lyndsey , Hall Hazel , Muir Laura , Raeside Robert
Published: February 2019

Workplace learning and employee‐led innovation are related. For example, mistakes made when learning may spur innovation. Investigated in this paper is the role of information literacy in the learning of innovative work behaviour in the workplace, and the associated information behaviours that allow for innovative work behaviour to develop. Thus, interactions between people, information and innovation are a main focus. The findings derive from analysis of data generated in twelve semi‐structured interviews conducted within a Finnish organisation. Employee perceptions on the role of information in the workplace, and its role in supporting the learning of innovative work behaviour, are explored. The analysis reveals that: (1) information literacy skills serve as a prerequisite for workplace learning; (2) information behaviours support the learning of innovative work behaviour and; (3) a variety of information sources support employees as they learn to behave innovatively.
Supporting the long‐term curation and migration of natural history museum collections databases
Authors: Thomer Andrea K. , Weber Nicholas M. , Twidale Michael B.
Published: February 2019

Migration of data collections from one platform to another is an important component of data curation – yet, there is surprisingly little guidance for information professionals faced with this task. Data migration may be particularly challenging when these data collections are housed in relational databases, due to the complex ways that data, data schemas, and relational database management software become intertwined over time. Here we present results from a study of the maintenance, evolution and migration of research databases housed in Natural History Museums. We find that database migration is an on‐going – rather than occasional – process for many Collection managers, and that they creatively appropriate and innovate on many existing technologies in their migration work. This paper contributes descriptions of a preliminary set of common adaptations and “migration patterns” in the practices of database curators. It also outlines the strategies they use when facing collection‐level data migration and describes the limitations of existing tools in supporting LAM and “small science” research database migration. We conclude by outlining future research directions for the maintenance and migration of collections and complex digital objects.
Investigating metadata adoptions for open government data portals in US cities
Authors: Xiao Fanghui , Jeng Wei , He Daqing
Published: February 2019

Open government data (OGD) is a valuable resource for both policy transparency and government accountability. All levels of the United States government are working hard to promote open data and its portals. However, there is still a lack of studies on local‐level OGD portals in the United States, particularly on the quality of metadata adopted by these portals. By examining 200 US cities, a list of 112 local‐level portals is sampled and we investigate the current usages of open data platforms for building local‐level OGD portals. This study further investigates and discusses the adoption and potential issues of metadata on those OGD portals. Our result findings discuss the platform distributions among US local‐level OGD portals, and also highlight several critical issues associated with metadata on the portals. We anticipate the results will inspire further studies on identifying solutions to improve the metadata and enhance the usability of open government data portals.
The end of ownership?: An investigation of users' preferences and perceptions of ownership configurations
Authors: Zhu Xiaohua , Cho Moonhee
Published: February 2019

The notion of ownership of digital media content is complicated and fragmented, because of the interplay of intellectual property law, personal property rights, and contractual arrangements. Drawing from the existing literature on theoretical analysis of ownership, we present a framework with multiple ownership configurations of digital content. Using the online survey method, we investigated US users' perceptions of ownership of digital content, users' perceptions of the importance of various digital rights, and their preferences for different ways of obtaining media content. The results of this study show that downloadability and the continuity of rights together determine users' sense of ownership, and digital rights management (DRM) restrictions play a minor role in users' perceptions of ownership. Ownership, especially owning something physically, is still important to users with regard to books. With music, ownership is also important, but access, especially through the subscription model, is gaining in importance. Movie content shows a different pattern where users generally favor the access model over ownership. The study also found that users' perceived importance of digital rights varies with their preferences for obtaining different types of content.
Evaluating interactive bibliographic information retrieval systems: A user‐centered approach
Authors: Zhu Yongjun , Kim Meen Chul , Yan Erjia
Published: February 2019

As an integral part of research activities, scholars frequently interact with bibliographic information retrieval systems to acquire scholarly information. With the dramatic increase of scientific literature, there is the pressing need of building effective and efficient bibliographic information retrieval systems that support more granular and complex bibliographic information needs. Investigating users' interaction with these systems plays an important role in understanding the systems' features and usability issues, which contributes to better system design and implementation. In this paper, we evaluate three interactive bibliographic information retrieval systems proposed in our previous studies using a user‐centered approach, including form‐, natural language‐, and visual graph‐based systems. This study recruits 20 participants to evaluate the three systems from the aspects of success rate, search time, query size, usefulness, ease of use, ease of learning, and satisfaction. Results showed that: the form‐based system needed the least time to formulate simple bibliographic queries and allowed the participants to make the least mistakes; the natural language‐based system needed the least time to formulate high‐complexity bibliographic queries and was rated as the most useful, easy‐to‐use, and easy‐to‐learn system; and the visual graph‐based system's strengths lie in the support of complex queries as shown that it got better ratings of usefulness and satisfaction by the high‐complexity task group.
Embodied information practices
Authors: Olsson Michael , Lloyd Annemaree , Lueg Christopher , McKenzie Pamela
Published: February 2019

Information Science researchers have been relatively slow to consider the role of the body in understanding the relationship between people, information and technology. This panel will discuss how a consideration of the body can enrich information researchers' understanding of the complex relationship between people, information and technologies, old and new. Each panel member will briefly describe their own theoretical and methodological approach and how they have informed their understanding. This will be followed by a moderated discussion between the panel and audience members.