bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reward learning modulates the attentional processing of faces in children with and without autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Li Tianbi , Wang Xueqin , Pan Junhao , Feng Shuyuan , Gong Mengyuan , Wu Yaxue , Li Guoxiang , Li Sheng , Yi Li
Published: June 2017

The processing of social stimuli, such as human faces, is impaired in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which could be accounted for by their lack of social motivation. The current study examined how the attentional processing of faces in children with ASD could be modulated by the learning of face‐reward associations. Sixteen high‐functioning children with ASD and 20 age‐ and ability‐matched typically developing peers participated in the experiments. All children started with a reward learning task, in which the children were presented with three female faces that were attributed with positive, negative, and neutral values, and were required to remember the faces and their associated values. After this, they were tested on the recognition of the learned faces and a visual search task in which the learned faces served as the distractor. We found a modulatory effect of the face‐reward associations on the visual search but not the recognition performance in both groups despite the lower efficacy among children with ASD in learning the face‐reward associations. Specifically, both groups responded faster when one of the distractor faces was associated with positive or negative values than when the distractor face was neutral, suggesting an efficient attentional processing of these reward‐associated faces. Our findings provide direct evidence for the perceptual‐level modulatory effect of reward learning on the attentional processing of faces in individuals with ASD. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1797–1807. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

In our study, we tested whether the face processing of individuals with ASD could be changed when the faces were associated with different social meanings. We found no effect of social meanings on face recognition, but both groups responded faster in the visual search task when one of the distractor faces was associated with positive or negative values than when the neutral face. The findings suggest that children with ASD could efficiently process faces associated with different values like typical children.
Ezrin as a possible diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker in mice lymphatic metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo
Authors: Bakheet Ahmed Musa Hago , Mahmoud Salma Abdi , Huang Yuhong , Zhang Jun , Wang Jingwen , Wei Yuanyi , Gamallat Yaser , Awadasseid Annoor , Owusu Lawrence , Khidir Yousra , Wang Li , Zhou Shuting , Seewooruttun Pawan Kumar , Xin Boyi , Xuan Wei , Su Zhen , Tang Jianwu
Published: June 2017

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ranks in the top of cancers leading to death. Early diagnosis is the big challenge in the case of HCC. Our in vitro study showed that Ezrin expression in lymphatic metastasis hepatocellular carcinoma (LNM‐HCC) was associated with the metastatic rate. Here we aim to evaluate Ezrin expression as diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker of LNM‐HCC in mice. Chinese inbred 615 mice, Hca‐F and Hca‐P cell lines were used in the study. Histological changes were determined by Hematoxylin and Eosin, while Ezrin expression was assessed by qRT‐PCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Ezrin expression in this study gives credit to our in vitro study which Ezrin expression was positively correlated with LNM‐HCC and negatively with Annexin7 (A7) expression. The highest histological changes were observed in high metastatic primary/secondary tumors combined with high Ezrin expression. Ezrin and A7 are higher in total primary tumors than in total secondary tumors (P = 0.0001, P = 0.021), respectively. Ezrin expression was enhanced in Hca‐P A7 down‐regulated primary/secondary tumors (P = 0.004), whereas, Ezrin expression was suppressed in Hca‐F A7 upregulated primary/secondary tumors. Serum ELISA indicated differential expression of Ezrin among the study groups (P ≤ 0.0001). Ezrin expression was higher in NC‐Hca‐F than NC‐Hca‐P (P ≤ 0.0001), suppressed in Hca‐F A7 upregulation (P ≤ 0.0001) and in enhanced in Hca‐P A7 down‐regulation (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, Ezrin level may serve as a differential diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarker for high and low LNM‐HCC and may be beneficial in the diagnosis of HCC disease. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(5):662–672, 2017
Melatonin ameliorates anxiety and depression‐like behaviors and modulates proteomic changes in triple transgenic mice of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Nie Lulin , Wei Gang , Peng Shengming , Qu Zhongsen , Yang Ying , Yang Qian , Huang Xinfeng , Liu Jianjun , Zhuang Zhixiong , Yang Xifei
Published: June 2017

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease accompanied by neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as anxiety and depression. The levels of melatonin decrease in brains of AD patients. The potential effect of melatonin on anxiety and depression behaviors in AD and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we treated 10‐month‐old triple transgenic mice of AD (3xTg‐AD) with melatonin (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 1 month and explored the effects of melatonin on anxiety and depression‐like behaviors in 3xTg‐AD mice and the protein expression of hippocampal tissues. The behavioral test showed that melatonin ameliorated anxiety and depression‐like behaviors of 3xTg‐AD mice as measured by open field test, elevated plus maze test, forced swimming test, and tail suspension test. By carrying out two‐dimensional fluorescence difference gel electrophoresis (2D‐DIGE) coupled with mass spectrometry, we revealed a total of 46 differentially expressed proteins in hippocampus between the wild‐type (WT) mice and non‐treated 3xTg‐AD mice. A total of 21 differentially expressed proteins were revealed in hippocampus between melatonin‐treated and non‐treated 3xTg‐AD mice. Among these differentially expressed proteins, glutathione S‐transferase P 1 (GSTP1) (an anxiety‐associated protein) and complexin‐1 (CPLX1) (a depression‐associated protein) were significantly down‐regulated in hippocampus of 3xTg‐AD mice compared with the WT mice. The expression of these two proteins was modulated by melatonin treatment. Our study suggested that melatonin could be used as a potential candidate drug to improve the neuropsychiatric behaviors in AD via modulating the expression of the proteins (i.e. GSTP1 and CPLX1) involved in anxiety and depression behaviors. © 2017 BioFactors, 43(4):593–611, 2017
Fusion of plectasin derivative NZ2114 with hydrophilic random coil polypeptide: Recombinant production in Pichia pastoris and antimicrobial activity against clinical strain MRSA
Authors: Lima L. A. , de Vries R. , Biswaro L. S. , Vasconcelos I. M. , Franco O. L. , Dias S. C.
Published: June 2017

One of the roadblocks towards the practical use of antimicrobial peptides for medical use is their relatively high cost when synthesized chemically. Effective recombinant production has only been successful in some cases, such as the previously reported production in Pichia pastoris of the antimicrobial plectasin derivative peptide NZ2114. The same production host has also been used extensively to produce so‐called protein‐polymers: sequences that consist of repetitions of simple amino acid motifs found in structural proteins such as collagen and elastin, and that can be designed to self‐assemble in micelles, fibers and hydrogels. With the eventual goal of producing recombinant biomaterials such as antimicrobial protein polymer, we here explore the secreted production in Pichia pastoris of a fusion of NZ2114 with a hydrophilic random coil protein polymer
. The intact NZ2114‐
fusion copolymer was produced with a yield of purified protein in the order of 1 g L−1 supernatant. We find that purified NZ2114‐
has an activity against clinical strain MRSA, but very much lower than activity of chemically synthesized NZ2114. We conclude that possibly, the activity of NZ2114 is impaired by the C‐terminal attachment to the protein polymer chain, but other reasons for the low activity cannot yet be excluded either.
Meta-analysis of hybrid natural-orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery versus laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Steinemann D C , Müller P C , Probst P , Schwarz A-C , Büchler M W , Müller-Stich B P , Linke G R
Published: June 2017

Background

Hybrid natural-orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES), combining access through a natural orifice with small-sized abdominal trocars, aims to reduce pain and enhance recovery. The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare pain and morbidity in hybrid NOTES and standard laparoscopy.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed to identify RCTs and non- RCTs comparing hybrid NOTES and standard laparoscopy. The main outcome was pain on postoperative day (POD) 1. Secondary outcomes were pain during the further postsurgical course, rescue analgesia, complications, and satisfaction with the cosmetic result. The results of meta-analysis in a random-effects model were presented as odds ratio (ORs) or standard mean differences (MDs) with 95 per cent confidence intervals.

Results

Six RCTs and 21 non-randomized trials including 2186 patients were identified. In hybrid NOTES the score on the numerical pain scale was lower on POD 1 (−0·75, 95 per cent c.i. −1·09 to −0·42; P = 0·001) and on POD 2–4 (−0·58, −0·91 to −0·26; P < 0·001) than that for standard laparoscopy. The need for rescue analgesia was reduced in hybrid NOTES (OR 0·36, 0·24 to 0·54; P < 0·001). The reduction in complications found for hybrid NOTES compared with standard laparoscopy (OR 0·52, 0·38 to 0·71; P < 0·001) was not significant when only RCTs were considered (OR 0·83, 0·43 to 1·60; P = 0·570). The score for cosmetic satisfaction was higher after NOTES (MD 1·14, 0·57 to 1·71; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

Hybrid NOTES reduces postoperative pain and is associated with greater cosmetic satisfaction in selected patients.
Systematic review of mortality risk prediction models in the era of endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery
Authors: Lijftogt N , Luijnenburg T W F , Vahl A C , Wilschut E D , Leijdekkers V J , Fiocco M F , Wouters M W J M , Hamming J F
Published: June 2017

Background

The introduction of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has reduced perioperative mortality after abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. The objective of this systematic review was to assess existing mortality risk prediction models, and identify which are most useful for patients undergoing AAA repair by either EVAR or open surgical repair.

Methods

A systematic search of the literature was conducted for perioperative mortality risk prediction models for patients with AAA published since 2006. PRISMA guidelines were used; quality was appraised, and data were extracted and interpreted following the CHARMS guidelines.

Results

Some 3903 studies were identified, of which 27 were selected. A total of 13 risk prediction models have been developed and directly validated. Most models were based on a UK or US population. The best performing models regarding both applicability and discrimination were the perioperative British Aneurysm Repair score (C-statistic 0·83) and the preoperative Vascular Biochemistry and Haematology Outcome Model (C-statistic 0·85), but both lacked substantial external validation.

Conclusion

Mortality risk prediction in AAA surgery has been modelled extensively, but many of these models are weak methodologically and have highly variable performance across different populations. New models are unlikely to be helpful; instead case-mix correction should be modelled and adapted to the population of interest using the relevant mortality predictors.
Seven keys to success in academic surgery
Authors: Vauthey J-N
Published: June 2017

Sage advice
Superior Effect of Ultrasonic Homogenization to Mechanical Agitation on Accelerating Reaction Rates in Asymmetric Ring Opening of Epoxides
Authors: Lee Yehwon , Yu Jihye , Park Kyujoon , Kim Geon Joong
Published: June 2017

Double‐layered mesoporous silica was prepared for use as an efficient support for the encapsulation of chiral salen Co‐BF3 complexes in the pore channels. The heterogenized chiral salen complex was applied successfully to the asymmetric ring opening (ARO) of terminal epoxides using water, alcohols, and carboxylic acids as nucleophiles. Although the homogeneous salen catalyst exhibited higher catalytic activity than the heterogenized catalyst in ARO reactions as expected, the heterogeneous salen catalysts exhibited high catalytic activities that were sufficient for practical applications. This study evaluated the unique contribution of ultrasonic irradiation as a powerful mixing medium to improve the kinetics in comparison to conventional mechanical agitation during the ARO reactions. Both the homogeneous and heterogeneous chiral salen complexes catalyzed enantioselectively the racemic or chiral epoxides under ultrasonication. The adoption of ultrasonic irradiation in the catalysis resulted in a superior mixing effect to vigorous mechanical stirring. The reaction time was shortened to obtain the highest enantiomeric excess (%ee) when ultrasonic irradiation was applied to the reaction system. Through the ARO reaction of epoxide by phenol derivatives, the highly enantio‐enriched β‐blockers could be synthesized easily from racemic terminal epoxides or chiral ones using chiral cobalt–salen catalysts. The regioselective ARO reaction of (R)‐ECH with propionic or butyric acid proceeded smoothly at room temperature under ultrasonic exposure in the presence of the heterogenized catalyst. The corresponding glycidyl alkylates were produced with excellent optical purity of up to 98%ee. The chiral cobalt–salen complexes encapsulated in MCM‐41 retained its catalytic activity and enantioselectivity for three recycles. Consequently, the heterogeneous chiral catalysts anchored in MCM‐41 offered the practical advantages of facile reuse through simple recovery from the reactant and products.
The use and analysis of anti‐plagiarism software: Turnitin tool for formative assessment and feedback
Authors: Halgamuge Malka N.
Published: June 2017

This analysis investigates the efficiency of the Turnitin software as a formative writing tool. The inquiry is especially looking into undergraduate and postgraduate students’ experiences while using Turnitin. The perceptions and experiences of students will be prioritized in the study with the purpose of determining ways to improve Turnitin from students’ point of view. Turnitin obtains text matches or similarity index values of 3,173 assignments submitted on subjects uploaded between 2012 and 2014 by university students. We statistically analyzed the similarity index values or levels of plagiarism percentage between the first and the last assignments, using the two‐sample Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, and we found that there was a significant improvement (p = 0.002). Hence, our results demonstrated that using Turnitin as a formative writing tool, allows students to prepare an assignment in an academically acceptable way, during the second half of the semester, with less plagiarism. The results found in this study suggests an insignificant difference between the draft version and final version of the same assignment (p = 0.192). Similarity index values are also different for different courses, such as writing based project subject and mathematics based engineering subject have different values (p < 0.0001). We also observed that students seem to be able to fool Turnitin tool by uploading images of the assignments instead of the text. Nevertheless, the nature of the subject, individual talent, learning approach, time contribution, and the exclusion of consecutive word count may affect the plagiarism percentage. Our results also indicate that there is a substantial benefit in using Turnitin as an educational writing tool rather than a punitive tool, as the use of Turnitin, promotes student learning outcomes with significantly improved academic skills. Thus, this paper provides an insight into avoiding high levels of plagiarism by using Turnitin as a preemptive tool.
Dual addressing of thymidine synthesis pathways for effective targeting of proliferating melanoma
Authors: Miran Tara , Vogg Andreas T. J. , El Moussaoui Laila , Kaiser Hans‐Jürgen , Drude Natascha , von Felbert Verena , Mottaghy Felix M. , Morgenroth Agnieszka
Published: June 2017

Here, we examined the potential of blocking the thymidine de novo synthesis pathways for sensitizing melanoma cells to the nucleoside salvage pathway targeting endogenous DNA irradiation. Expression of key nucleotide synthesis and proliferation enzymes thymidylate synthase (TS) and thymidine kinase 1 (TK1) was evaluated in differentiated (MITFhigh [microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor] IGR1) and invasive (MITFmedium IGR37) melanoma cells. For inhibition of de novo pathways cells were incubated either with an irreversible TS inhibitor 5‐fluoro‐2′‐deoxyuridine (FdUrd) or with a competitive dihydrofolate‐reductase (DHFR) inhibitor methotrexate (MTX). Salvage pathway was addressed by irradiation‐emitting thymidine analog [123/125I]‐5‐iodo‐4′‐thio‐2′‐deoxyuridine (123/125I‐ITdU). The in vivo targeting efficiency was visualized by single‐photon emission computed tomography. Pretreatment with FdUrd strongly increased the cellular uptake and the DNA incorporation of 125I‐ITdU into the mitotically active IGR37 cells. This effect was less pronounced in the differentiated IGR1 cells. In vivo, inhibition of TS led to a high and preferential accumulation of 123I‐ITdU in tumor tissue. This preclinical study presents profound rationale for development of therapeutic approach by highly efficient and selective radioactive targeting one of the crucial salvage pathways in melanomas.
Build relationships by offering expertise, services
Authors: Hope Joan
Published: June 2017

When Wayne R. Willcox retired after 37 years at the Piqua Police Department in Ohio, he quickly discovered he didn't like retirement. He found the right job for the next part of his life at the institution that is now called Armstrong State University in Georgia.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated [4+2] Annulation of N‐Cyclobutylanilines with Alkynes Catalyzed by Self‐Doped Ti3+@TiO2
Authors: Wang Jiang , Mao Chengyu , Feng Pingyun , Zheng Nan
Published: June 2017

We herein report a visible‐light‐mediated heterogeneous [4+2] annulation of N‐cyclobutylanilines with alkynes catalyzed by self‐doped Ti3+@TiO2. The self‐doped Ti3+@TiO2 is stable under photooxidation conditions, easy to recycle, and can be used multiple times without appreciable loss of activity. Extensive mechanistic studies suggest that the annulation reaction is mediated by singlet oxygen, which is generated through the photosensitization of oxygen in the air by the self‐doped Ti3+@TiO2. In contrast, the homogeneous variant catalyzed by a far more expensive iridium complex proceeds under an inert atmosphere, which indicates a different mechanism. The substrate scopes of the two processes are comparable.
COMPARISON AND ANALYSIS OF SEVERAL PLANETARY BOUNDARY LAYER SCHEMES IN WRF MODEL BETWEEN CLEAR AND OVERCAST DAYS
Authors: Cheng‐Gang WANG , Ying‐Jie SHEN , Feng LUO , Le CAO , Jia‐De YAN , Hai‐Mei JIANG
Published: June 2017

In the present study, several most commonly used planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization schemes in the WRF model are utilized together with the observational data at Shouxian (from August to December, 2008). The present work is a part of Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) facility supported by the U.S. Department of Energy installed at Shouxian in China. In this study, we compared the simulation effect of meteorological elements and the structure of PBL over typical farmlands underlying surface from different parameterization schemes between clear and overcast days. The observational results revealed that for the simulation of cloud status, non‐local schemes such as ACM2 and YSU are superior to the local schemes. Further, the ACM2 scheme is better in simulating temperature and vapor at a height of 2 m from the surface, and the MYJ scheme has an advantage over other schemes when simulating the wind direction or its speed. Also, for the simulation of potential temperature and vapor profile, non‐local schemes (ACM2 and YSU) are superior to the local schemes both during clear and overcast days. It is depicted that the ACM2 scheme has better advantages when simulating under weak stable conditions and humidity inversion structure during night time. Moreover, for the simulation of wind speed profile, the MYJ and MYNN2.5 schemes are the best respectively during the clear and overcast days, under unstable day time condition. However, when considering weak stable condition, ACM2 scheme has a minimum deviation on clear days and YSU scheme is the best choice on overcast days. From the overall results, ACM2 scheme is superior both on clear and overcast days, when simulation is based on typical farmland underlying surface.
TIME‐VARYING SEISMIC WAVELET ESTIMATION FROM NONSTATIONARY SEISMIC DATA
Authors: Wei FENG , Tian‐Yue HU , Feng‐Chang YAO , Yan ZHANG , Yong‐Fu Cui , Geng‐Xin PENG
Published: June 2017

Seismic wavelet estimation is an important part of seismic data processing and interpretation, whose reliability is directly related to the results of deconvolution and inversion. The methods for seismic wavelet estimation can be classified into two basic types: deterministic and statistical. By combining the deterministic spectral coherence method and the statistical skewness attribute method, the amplitude and phase of the time‐varying wavelet are estimated separately. There is no assumption on the wavelet's time‐independent nature or the phase characteristic. The advantage of this method is the ability to estimate time‐varying phase. Phase‐only corrections can then be applied by means of a time‐varying phase rotation. Alternatively, amplitude and phase deconvolution can be achieved to enhance the resolution and support the fine reservoir prediction and description. We illustrate the method with both synthetic and real data examples. Synthetic examples certify its feasibility while real data example demonstrates the ability to estimate the time‐varying characteristic of wavelets.
APPLICATION OF AN ENHANCED THETA‐BASED FILTER FOR POTENTIAL FIELD EDGE DETECTION: A CASE STUDY OF THE LUZONG ORE DISTRICT
Authors: An‐Guo CHEN , Tao‐Fa ZHOU , Dong‐Jia LIU , Shu ZHANG
Published: June 2017

Edge detection plays an important role in interpreting potential field data, and is widely used to delineate geologic boundaries and structures. Geologic boundaries can be determined by tracing the enhanced analytical signal, and many filters are developed to detect and enhance the edges. Horizontal and vertical derivatives are commonly used to enhance edge features, but they can only outline the edges of large‐amplitude anomalies. In order to display large and small amplitude anomalies simultaneously, some balanced filters have been proposed. We define new filters based on the Theta map method, using 2nd order horizontal and vertical directional derivatives, and display large and small amplitude edges simultaneously. These methods were tested on synthetic gravity data, and compared with other traditional filters; the results show that the new filters can achieve better results and reveal more details. The method has been applied to gravity‐magnetic data acquired in the Luzong ore district in the Middle‐Lower Yangtze River Valley Metallogenic Belt (MLYB, Eastern China). Based on the relations between lithology, density and magnetic susceptibility, the calculated results were analyzed. The edge detection results accurately depict the location of the Tanlu fault zone. A gravity boundary north of the Yangtze River is interpreted to be part of the Yangtze River fault. The identified boundaries from the magnetic data are consistent with the margins of the Luzong basin, and indicate that the bounding faults dip towards the basin. Some ring‐like closed boundaries occur in the periphery of the Luzong basin. Recent exploration results confirm that there are buried intrusions beneath the gravity‐magnetic anomaly bodies, where Fe‐Cu skarn mineralization is present. The results of this study provide significant insights for regional deep‐level Fe‐Cu exploration.
A Novel Dual Channel Fluorescent Probe for Ca2+ and Zn2+ Based on a Coumarin Schiff Base
Authors: Pan Shengnan , Tang Haoyang , Song Zhanke , Li Jin , Guo Yuan
Published: June 2017

A novel coumarin Schiff base fluorescent probe ethyl 7‐hydroxycoumarin‐3‐carboxylate‐8‐formaldehyde benzoyl hydrazone (EBH) has been designed and synthesized which shows solvent dependent dual sensing, viz., recognition of Ca2+ in DMF‐H2O (9∶1, V/V) solution based on C = N isomerization, photoinduced electron transfer (PET) inhibition and chelation‐enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) mechanism as well as detection of Zn2+ in H2O‐CH3OH (9∶1, V/V) solution by excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and CHEF processes. The structure of the probe EBH has been confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. Meanwhile, the probe was also used to image intracellular Zn2+ ions in MCF‐7 cells with a good performance.
High‐Affinity “Click” RGD Peptidomimetics as Radiolabeled Probes for Imaging αvβ3 Integrin
Authors: Piras Monica , Testa Andrea , Fleming Ian N. , Dall'Angelo Sergio , Andriu Alexandra , Menta Sergio , Mori Mattia , Brown Gavin D. , Forster Duncan , Williams Kaye J. , Zanda Matteo
Published: June 2017

Nonpeptidic Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD)‐mimic ligands were designed and synthesized by click chemistry between an arginine–azide mimic and an aspartic acid–alkyne mimic. Some of these molecules combine excellent in vitro properties (high αvβ3 affinity, selectivity, drug‐like logD, high metabolic stability) with a variety of radiolabeling options (e.g., tritium and fluorine‐18, plus compatibility with radio‐iodination), not requiring the use of chelators or prosthetic groups. The binding mode of the resulting triazole RGD mimics to αvβ3 or αIIbβ3 receptors was investigated by molecular modeling simulations. Lead compound 12 was successfully radiofluorinated and used for in vivo positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) studies in U87 tumor models, which showed only modest tumor uptake and retention, owing to rapid excretion. These results demonstrate that the novel click RGD mimics are excellent radiolabeled probes for in vitro and cell‐based studies on αvβ3 integrin, whereas further optimization of their pharmacokinetic and dynamic profiles is necessary for successful use in in vivo imaging.
Ships that pass in the night: The cancer cytopathologist and the patient – caring and communication
Authors: Gutmann Edward J.
Published: June 2017

This article discusses the caring relationship between the cancer cytopathologist and the patient, as well as the cytopathologist's communication with patients, clinicians, and laypeople.
Measuring and assuring quality performance in cytology: A toolkit
Authors: Heher Yael K. , Chen Yigu , VanderLaan Paul A.
Published: June 2017

The cytology community has long been at the leading edge of quality assurance and quality control in anatomic pathology. However, with the increasing burden of clinical care, daily operations, and regulatory compliance, quality management risks becoming just another box to check on a long list of onerous tasks. To begin to address these issues, this article will focus primarily on “proactive” quality improvement, covering quality metric selection and monitoring, and outlines how to determine when to act on data outliers.
The role of informatics in patient‐centered care and personalized medicine
Authors: Hanna Matthew G. , Pantanowitz Liron
Published: June 2017

The practice of cytopathology has dramatically changed due to advances in genomics and information technology. Cytology laboratories have accordingly become increasingly dependent on pathology informatics support to meet the emerging demands of precision medicine. Pathology informatics deals with information technology in the laboratory, and the impact of this technology on workflow processes and staff who interact with these tools. This article covers the critical role that laboratory information systems, electronic medical records, and digital imaging plays in patient‐centered personalized medicine. The value of integrated diagnostic reports, clinical decision support, and the use of whole‐slide imaging to better evaluate cytology samples destined for molecular testing is discussed. Image analysis that offers more precise and quantitative measurements in cytology is addressed, as well as the role of bioinformatics tools to cope with Big Data from next‐generation sequencing. This article also highlights the barriers to the widespread adoption of these disruptive technologies due to regulatory obstacles, limited commercial solutions, poor interoperability, and lack of standardization. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125(6 suppl):494‐501. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Analytic inquiry: Molecular testing in lung cancer
Authors: Zakowski Maureen F.
Published: June 2017

Non‐small cell lung cancer is a different disease from what it was a decade ago. The last 10 years were based on remarkable advances in the understanding of key genetic alterations that function as oncogenic drivers and serve as therapeutic targets, thereby defining new molecular subsets. These changes have had an impact on clinical care, patient outcomes, and pathologic diagnosis and present new challenges in the approach of the cytopathologist to this still deadly disease. To meet these new challenges and appropriately train the next generation of cytopathologists, the complex molecular background underlying this disease and the implications that cytologic and histologic diagnoses have on treatment must be understood. Herein, the author reviews the background leading to this new approach and explains how, why, and what cytologists need to know to successfully contribute to the care of the patient with lung cancer. Cancer Cytopathol 2017;125(6 suppl):470‐6. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Statistical performance of image cytometry for DNA, lipids, cytokeratin, & CD45 in a model system for circulation tumor cell detection
Authors: Futia Gregory L. , Schlaepfer Isabel R. , Qamar Lubna , Behbakht Kian , Gibson Emily A.
Published: June 2017

Detection of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in a blood sample is limited by the sensitivity and specificity of the biomarker panel used to identify CTCs over other blood cells. In this work, we present Bayesian theory that shows how test sensitivity and specificity set the rarity of cell that a test can detect. We perform our calculation of sensitivity and specificity on our image cytometry biomarker panel by testing on pure disease positive (D+) populations (MCF7 cells) and pure disease negative populations (D−) (leukocytes). In this system, we performed multi‐channel confocal fluorescence microscopy to image biomarkers of DNA, lipids, CD45, and Cytokeratin. Using custom software, we segmented our confocal images into regions of interest consisting of individual cells and computed the image metrics of total signal, second spatial moment, spatial frequency second moment, and the product of the spatial‐spatial frequency moments. We present our analysis of these 16 features. The best performing of the 16 features produced an average separation of three standard deviations between D+ and D– and an average detectable rarity of ∼1 in 200. We performed multivariable regression and feature selection to combine multiple features for increased performance and showed an average separation of seven standard deviations between the D+ and D– populations making our average detectable rarity of ∼1 in 480. Histograms and receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curves for these features and regressions are presented. We conclude that simple regression analysis holds promise to further improve the separation of rare cells in cytometry applications. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry
The current status of heavy metal in lake sediments from China: Pollution and ecological risk assessment
Authors: Xu Yongfeng , Wu Yi , Han Jiangang , Li Pingping
Published: June 2017

Heavy metal contamination in lake sediments is a serious problem, particularly in developing countries such as China. To evaluate heavy metal pollution and risk of contamination in lake sediments on a national scale in China, we collated available data in the literature of the last 10 years on lake sediments polluted with heavy metals from 24 provinces in China. Based on these data, we used sediment quality guidelines, geoaccumulation index, and potential ecological risk index to assess potential ecological risk levels. The results showed that approximately 20.6% of the lakes studied exceeded grade II level in Chinese soil quality standards for As, 31.3% for Cd, 4.6% for Cu, 20.8% for Ni, 2.8% for Zn, and 11.1% for Hg, respectively. Besides, the mean concentrations for As in 10.3% of lakes, Hg in 11.9% of lakes, and Ni in 31.3% of lakes surpassed the probable effect level. The potential ecological risk for toxic metals decreased in the order of Cd > Hg > As > Cu > Pb > Ni > Cr > Zn, and there were 21.8% of the lakes studied in the state of moderate risk, 10.9% in high risk, and 12.7% in very high risk. It can be concluded that Chinese lake sediments are polluted by heavy metals to varying degrees. In order to provide key management targets for relevant administrative agencies, based on the results of the pollution and ecological risk assessments, Cd, Hg, As, Cu, and Ni were selected as the priority control heavy metals, and the eastern coastal provinces and Hunan province were selected as the priority control provinces. This article, therefore, provides a comprehensive assessment of heavy metal pollution in lake sediments in China, while providing a reference for the development of lake sediment quality standards.
Energetics‐informed behavioral states reveal the drive to kill in African leopards
Authors: Wilmers Christopher C. , Isbell Lynne A. , Suraci Justin P. , Williams Terrie M.
Published: June 2017

The drive to kill prey is central to understanding the population viability and ecological effects of large carnivores. This drive is modulated by behaviorally determined energetic expenditures, yet current methods of estimating the energetics of terrestrial carnivores are too coarse to inform the fine time scale behavioral decisions that incur the energetic costs leading to predation. Here, we use combined GPS and accelerometer collars calibrated to measure energetic outputs at scales of seconds to months on African leopards in Kenya. Fine‐scale data on energetic expenditures and movement allowed us to determine energetically informed behavioral states that accurately identified when animals killed or scavenged prey, and allowed us to visualize novel details concerning the cryptic natural history of these predators. Our results revealed large variation in daily field metabolic rate ranging from 11,000 to 32,000 kJ depending on the animal and the specific behaviors undertaken. Leopards expended 47,470 kJ between kill events on average, but this was increased if meal size from the previous kill was large. Our methods also allowed us to estimate the energetic costs of dispersal, territorial patrol, and parental care, considered important factors in overall energetic balance and thus the drive to kill. Based on this approach, we demonstrate how the cycle of behavior, energetic expenditure, and predatory drive underlies population trajectories of large carnivores as well as their direct and indirect effects on ecosystems.
Utilization of industrial ultra‐fine carbon ash as filler of high‐k composites with high density polyethylene as matrix
Authors: Liu Leipeng , Li Penggang , Ding Ling , Tong Wangshu , Lv Fengzhu , Zhang Yihe
Published: June 2017

As a kind of industry dust and one source of PM2.5, carbon ash, mainly composed of amorphous carbon and ZnO, is urgently to be utilized. In this work, carbon ash and acid treated carbon ash were used as novel conductive filler to prepare high‐k composites with high density polyethylene (HDPE). When the content of carbon ash was up to 20 wt %, carbon ash/HDPE composite possessed of a high dielectric constant of 83 at l000 Hz, which was about 36 times of pure HDPE. Using acid treated carbon ash as filler, the composite would have an enhanced dielectric constant of 458, when the filler content was 20 wt %. This was caused by the different conductivity of fillers before and after treated by acid. Besides, 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane was employed to decrease the dielectric loss of the composites through modifying those fillers. The results showed that carbon ash was good candidate to prepare high‐k composites. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 1719–1724, 2017
Lysinibacillus sphaericus plant growth promoter bacteria and lead phytoremediation enhancer with Canavalia ensiformis
Authors: Martínez Sergio A. , Dussán Jenny
Published: June 2017

Lysinibacillus sphaericus is known for its great larvicidal activity against mosquito larvae and toxic metal resistance, but knowledge about its possible activity in soil is scarce and poor. Nevertheless, in the genome of some strains have been reported genes of nitrogen cycle. Seven L. sphaericus strains were tested as nitrogen fixing bacteria, nitrifying bacteria, and indoleacetic acid producer. Subsequently a consortium was formulated using the best strains (CBAM5, III(3)7, OT4b.31, and OT4b.49) to evaluate its effect in Canavalia ensiformis growth and lead phytoremediation. All L. sphaericus strains were able to fix nitrogen (0.61–1.47 mg/L of ammonium), nitrify (0.26–0.7 mg/L of nitrate), and produce IAA (3.3–5.5 µg/mL in L‐tryptophan media and 0.3–1.1 µg/mL in trypticase broth). They also promoted shoot length, root length, foliar area, and leaf number in C. ensiformis, enhanced lead bioaccumulation in the root reaching a removal of 40% of lead in greenhouse experiment, and increased nitrate content in soil twofold in contrast to the control in field experiment. Therefore, L. sphaericus could be a key organism in the formulation of biofertilizers, as it shows potential in the phytoremediation processes, in crop plant nutrition, and growth in low nutrient polluted soils, then is a plant growth promoter bacteria (PGPB). © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 37: 276–282, 2018
Inequities and Evaluation Influence
Authors: Mark Melvin M.
Published: June 2017

Inspired by a set of evaluators building evaluation capacity in China, India, and Chile, this paper applies a conceptualization of evaluation influence to evaluations and evaluation capacity building related to inequities.
The Challenge of Evaluating Equity in Health: Experiences from India's Maternal Health Program
Authors: Das Abhijit
Published: June 2017

This paper raises questions about the impacts of one of India's most ambitious cash conditional transfer programs, Janani Suraksha Yojana. It incorporates the perspectives of a practitioner working on maternal health issues and discusses the importance of considering alternative explanations as part of any patterns of observed results. It argues for exploring the impacts of interventions on the most vulnerable and marginalized as an essential aspect of an equity evaluation and for exploring impacts on inequities from a human rights lens. It also discusses some of the core competencies that might be needed for evaluations of equity initiatives.
Contributions to Types of Professional Knowledge by Higher Education Journals
Authors: Kramer Jenna W. , Braxton John M.
Published: June 2017

The scholarship of practice consists of three levels. This chapter describes progress toward the attainment of these levels using the types of professional knowledge published in the core journals of higher education.
The Scholarship of Practice in Applied Disciplines
Authors: Lyken‐Segosebe Dawn
Published: June 2017

This chapter examines how the scholarship of practice is being used within applied disciplines and offers recommendations for colleges and universities regarding the implementation of the scholarship of practice for the discipline of higher education.
The Use of Student Engagement Findings as a Case of Evidence‐Based Practice
Authors: Kinzie Jillian
Published: June 2017

The chapter considers student engagement to discuss the use of assessment evidence to advance evidence‐based practice and to illustrate a scholarship of practice.
The Scholars We Need: Preparing Transdisciplinary Professionals by Leveraging the Scholarship of Practice
Authors: McDaniels Melissa , Skogsberg Erik
Published: June 2017

In this chapter we call for immediate action to prepare more dynamic transdisciplinary professionals by leveraging the scholarship of practice. Transdisciplinary refers to contexts both inside and outside of the academy where today's doctoral students will work.
Student Affairs and the Scholarship of Practice
Authors: Hirschy Amy S. , Wilson Maureen E.
Published: June 2017

Through professional associations and graduate preparation programs, members of the student affairs profession identify, communicate, and reinforce professional standards to promote the scholarship of practice.
High hepatitis C cure rates among black and nonblack human immunodeficiency virus–infected adults in an urban center
Authors: Falade‐Nwulia Oluwaseun , Sutcliffe Catherine , Moon Juhi , Chander Geetanjali , Wansom Tanyaporn , Keruly Jeanne , Katzianer Jennifer , Nathanson Amy , Marks Jillian , Mehta Shruti , Thomas David , Moore Richard , Sulkowski Mark
Published: June 2017

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) cure rates have been similar in patients with and without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection; however, in the ION‐4 study, black patients treated with ledipasvir/sofosbuvir (LDV/SOF) were significantly less likely to achieve cure (90%) compared to nonblack patients (99%). There are limited real‐world data on the effectiveness of oral direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) in predominantly minority HIV/HCV coinfected populations. We analyzed HCV treatment outcomes among 255 HCV coinfected patients initiating DAAs between February 2014 and March 2016 in an urban clinic in Baltimore, Maryland. To facilitate adherence, patients received standardized HIV nurse/pharmacist support, which included nurse visits and telephone calls. Median age was 43 years, 88% were black, 73% male, 69% had a history of injection drug use, 45% a history of hazardous alcohol use, and 57% a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis. Median CD4 count was 577 (interquartile range, 397‐820) cells/mm3; most (97%) were on antiretroviral therapy, had HIV RNA <20 copies/mL (87%), and were infected with HCV genotype 1 (98%). Over 60% had significant fibrosis (Fibrosis‐4 Index score 1.45‐3.25 [44%] and >3.25 [17%, cirrhosis]) and 30% were HCV treatment experienced. The majority of patients received LDV/SOF with or without ribavirin (91%) and were treated for 12 weeks. Overall, the sustained virological response rate was 97% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93‐98) and did not vary by race (black, 96% [95% CI, 93‐98]; nonblack, 97%, [95% CI, 83‐99]), history of injection drug use, alcohol use, or psychiatric diagnosis. Conclusion: HCV treatment was highly effective among HIV‐infected patients who received care within an integrated nurse/pharmacist adherence support program. These results suggest that race and psychosocial comorbidity may not be barriers to HCV elimination. (Hepatology 2017;66:1402–1412).
Space, time, and episodic memory: The hippocampus is all over the cognitive map
Authors: Ekstrom Arne D. , Ranganath Charan
Published: June 2017

In recent years, the field has reached an impasse between models suggesting that the hippocampus is fundamentally involved in spatial processing and models suggesting that the hippocampus automatically encodes all dimensions of experience in the service of memory. Here, we consider key conceptual issues that have impeded progress in our understanding of hippocampal function, and we review findings that establish the scope and limits of hippocampal involvement in navigation and memory. We argue that space and time serve as a primary scaffold to break up experiences into specific contexts, and to organize multimodal input that is to be associated within a context. However, the hippocampus is clearly capable of incorporating additional dimensions into the scaffold if they are determined to be relevant in the event‐defined context. Conceiving of the hippocampal representation as constrained by immediate task demands—yet preferring axes that involve space and time—helps to reconcile an otherwise disparate set of findings on the core function of the hippocampus.
Progress toward quantitative in vivo chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI
Authors: Ji Yang , Zhou Iris Yuwen , Qiu Bensheng , Sun Phillip Zhe
Published: June 2017

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI provides a sensitive detection mechanism for imaging dilute labile protons, complementing the routine radiological exams. Enormous progress has been achieved in CEST MRI and image analysis, from the mathematical modeling, CEST agent design, and most importantly, increasing adoption of CEST imaging in the clinical setting. Therefore, CEST imaging represents an emerging field that involves multiple disciplines and together made a remarkable transition from the simplistic CEST‐weighted MRI to quantitative CEST (qCEST) analysis. This review focuses on the recent advancements in CEST quantification techniques and findings of in vivo CEST imaging in representative disorders of ischemia, tumor, and epilepsy. In addition, limitations of current CEST methodologies are examined that should help guide future development of more sensitive and quantitative CEST imaging techniques and ultimately, facilitate their adoption in the clinical setting.
Polydopamine mediated assembly of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and bone morphogenetic protein‐2 on magnesium alloys for enhanced corrosion resistance and bone regeneration
Authors: Jiang Yanan , Wang Bi , Jia Zhanrong , Lu Xiong , Fang Liming , Wang Kefeng , Ren Fuzeng
Published: June 2017

Magnesium alloys have the great potential to be used as orthopedic implants due to their biodegradability and mechanical resemblance to human cortical bone. However, the rapid degradation in physiological environment with the evolution of hydrogen gas release hinders their clinical applications. In this study, we developed a novel functional and biocompatible coating strategy through polydopamine mediated assembly of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and growth factor, bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2), onto the surface of AZ31 Mg alloys. Such functional coating has strong bonding with the substrate and can increase surface hydrophilicity of magnesium alloys. In vitro electrochemical corrosion and hydrogen evolution tests demonstrate that the coating can significantly enhance the corrosion resistance and therefore slow down the degradation of AZ31 Mg alloys. In vitro cell culture reveals that immobilization of HA nanoparticles and BMP‐2 can obviously promote cell adhesion and proliferation. Furthermore, in vivo implantation tests indicate that with the synergistic effects of HA nanoparticles and BMP‐2, the coating does not cause obvious inflammatory response and can significantly reduce the biodegradation rate of the magnesium alloys and induce the new bone formation adjacent to the implants. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2750–2761, 2017.