bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Mitigating Effect of Jatropha curcas L. Latex against Genotoxicity Induced by Doxorubicin
Authors: Bailão Elisa Flávia Luiz Cardoso , Pereira Illana Reis , Silva Jeniffer Gabrielle Vieira , Sousa Maria Alice Montes de , Matos Fábio Santos , Borges Leonardo Luiz , Gonçalves Pablo José , Melo-Reis Paulo Roberto de , Almeida Luciane Madureira
Published: November 2019

Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) is a multiple purpose lacticiferous plant with potential for biodiesel production and medicinal uses. There is in the literature different analyses about the toxic and cytogenotoxic effects of J. curcas extracts, but few information about latex toxicity. In addition, few models were employed to evaluate the toxicity response to J. curcas latex, and the toxicity in in vivo mammal’s model has not been tested yet. The cytotoxic, mutagenic and antimutagenic potential of J. curcas latex were investigated using mouse bone marrow erythrocytes. The results indicated a cytotoxic and mutagenic potential of this latex to mammalian cells. But, when J. curcas latex was co-administrated with doxorubicin (DXR – chemotherapy medication), a reduction in the number of micronuclei was observed, indicating an interaction between J. curcas latex and DXR. The interaction of latex with DXR can cause a reduction in the activity of this drug and impair the treatment of its users. Moreover, there is a lack of data on herb–drug interactions, what should be more investigated to safeguard the wellbeing of patients.
The Mediation Role of Psychological Hardiness between Emotional Self-regulation and Stress Management in Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Abadi Mahshid Shah , Mohammadi Masoud , Hashemipour Seyed Mohammad Amin
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in both developed and developing countries. It may cause several problems regarding physical, psychological, and social aspects. Cognitive emotion self-regulation is key factor in coping with these issues. This study is aimed to assess the mediating role of psychological hardiness between emotional self-regulation and stress management in breast cancer patients.

Method: Current study is a cross-sectional study. Study society included women with breast cancer referring to shiraz governmental hospitals including Namazi, Shahid Faghihi and Bualisina Hospitals from which 120 individuals fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled in this study. This investigation is a descriptive-correlation study in which three questionnaires (psychological hardiness, emotional self-regulation and stress management) were used for data collection. Data was analyzed using statistical methods such as Pearson correlation coefficient and regression using SPSS ver. 24 software.

Results: Mean age of participants was 45 years in this study (81.7%). Results of regression test revealed a significant relationship between cognitive emotional self-regulation with stress management and cognitive hardiness (P<0.001). Regression results showed that cognitive emotional self-regulation explains 17% and 15% of all changes in cognitive hardiness and stress management.

Conclusion: Results of this study showed that emotional regulation (disorder in emotional regulation) can directly affect stress management ability. Moreover, increased emotional regulation disorder, reduced psychologic hardiness. Thus, emotional self-regulation can affect quality of life of these patients and improve their ability to cope with cancer-derived challenges.
Effect of Abstinence Time on Semen Parameters among Male Patients Referring to Urology Clinic
Authors: Moghaddam Farshad Sheybaee , Hosseini Hojjat , Mohammadi Sassan , Amirahmadi Mozhdeh , Hosseini Mehrshad Salar
Published: November 2019

Introduction: Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the most common disorders in sexual intercourses among men and may occur for any man in any period of his life. PE results in some mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and marital disaffection and can have psychological impacts. The present study is aimed to investigate the effect of the abstinence time on the semen analysis parameters among men.

Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted on a statistical population including 100 male patients referring to the urology clinic in Ali-Ibn-Abitaleb Hospital. Once included in the study, these individuals are divided into three groups with short-term abstinence (less than 2 days), mid-term abstinence (2-9 days), and long-term abstinence (more than 9 days). The patients, depending on the group to which they belonged, were asked to deliver their semen at the specified time to the laboratory in less than an hour. The obtained data were statistically analyzed in SPSS-22 software.

Findings: The results of Pearson correlation and Spearman tests indicated a direct positive relationship between the abstinence time and the total number of sperms in the seminal fluid, concentration of the sperms in the seminal fluid, volume of the seminal fluid, sperm DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species in the seminal fluid, and pH of the seminal fluid.accordingly, the longer the abstinence time, the more the occurrence of these disorders. Also, the correlation test results showed that the abstinence time had an inverse relationship with motility and morphology of the sperms in the seminal fluid; accordingly, with elongation of the abstinence time, the motility (mobility) and morphology of the sperms in the seminal fluid were reduced.

Conclusion: The researchers in the present work concluded the presence of a relationship between the abstinence time and the quality of the sperm parameters. Results of the present study showed that the abstinence time is significantly associated with the total sperm count, sperm concentration seminal fluid volume and pH.
ESTUDO DO USUÁRIO NAS BIBLIOTECAS DA UNIVERSIDADE DE CAXIAS DO SULl
Authors: Baptista Michele Marques , Gonçalves Márcia
Published: November 2019

O artigo apresenta os resultados do estudo de usuário realizado pelo Sistema de Bibliotecas da Universidade de Caxias do Sul – SiBUCS1 através do método de pesquisa quantitativa aplicada à comunidade acadêmica da instituição. Esse estudo teve como objetivo mensurar o grau de satisfação dos usuários das bibliotecas que fazem parte do SiBUCS, bem como analisar e suprir suas reais necessidades na utilização do espaço físico e serviços oferecidos. Também, por meio dos resultados obtidos, pode-se traçar um perfil do usuário, verificando alguns hábitos para a recuperação da informação, além de identificar e compreender suas necessidades. Quanto à metodologia aplicada, esse estudo baseou-se na elaboração de um questionário eletrônico contendo 18 questões de múltipla escolha. Após, esse questionário foi disponibilizado por meio de um link gerado pelo Google Formulários e enviado por e-mail para a comunidade acadêmica da instituição. Quanto ao fechamento do questionário, houve um espaço de sugestões para servir como melhoria aos serviços oferecidos. A maior parte dos usuários declarou que encontra, na maioria das vezes, o material que procura e qualifica os serviços da biblioteca de forma positiva. Estudo de usuários como esse em bibliotecas são relevantes para mensurar o grau de satisfação e conhecer o perfil do público a quem se destina.
APLICAÇÃO DO BALANCED SCORECARD NO SETOR PÚBLICO: Estudo de Caso em uma Assessoria Jurídica da Administração Pública
Authors: Cervi Ana Paula , Candido Ana Clara
Published: November 2019

O Balanced Scorecard constitui importante ferramenta para o planejamento estratégico. Embora tenha sido originalmente desenvolvido para a iniciativa privada, seu uso não é restrito a empresas, podendo ser utilizado na Administração Pública desde que seja adaptado às peculiaridades do caso. O objetivo deste estudo é fazer um exercício de aplicação da ferramenta Balanced Scorecard para uma Assessoria Jurídica da Administração Pública. Dos procedimentos metodológicos, trata-se de um estudo de caso realizado mediante observação participante para a coleta de dados. O estudo inicia com a aplicação da análise SWOT (forças, fraquezas, oportunidades e ameaças), somo suporte de diagnóstico organizacional para a aplicação do Balanced Scorecard. A aplicação desta ferramenta é adaptada com a priorização da perspectiva do cidadão, apresentando o desenvolvimento de metas para o setor e as iniciativas necessárias para alcance dos objetivos. O estudo contribui para a análise de um caso específico e com o encorajamento de aplicações futuras do Balanced Scorecard em instituições públicas, bem como unidades de informação (bibliotecas, arquivos e museus).
Process noise covariance estimation via stochastic approximation
Authors: Bianchi Federico , Formentin Simone , Piroddi Luigi
Published: November 2019

Kalman filtering for linear systems is known to provide the minimum variance estimation error, under the assumption that the model dynamics is known. While many system identification tools are available for computing the system matrices from experimental data, estimating the statistics of the output and process noises is still an open problem. Correlation‐based approaches are very fast and sufficiently accurate, but there are typically restrictions on the number of noise covariance elements that can be estimated. On the other hand, maximum likelihood methods estimate all elements with high accuracy, but they are computationally expensive, and they require the use of external optimization solvers. In this paper, we propose an alternative solution, tailored for process noise covariance estimation and based on stochastic approximation and gradient‐free optimization, that provides a good trade‐off in terms of performance and computational load, and is also easy to implement. The effectiveness of the method as compared to the state of the art is shown on a number of recently proposed benchmark examples.
Former CSAT director to SAMHSA: Withdraw 42 CFR Part 2 proposal
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: November 2019

H. Westley Clark, M.D., J.D., is the former director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the federal agency that has proposed to amend 42 CFR Part 2, the regulation protecting the confidentiality of alcohol and drug abuse treatment patient records. In a massive notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published Aug. 26 (see ADAW, Sept. 9), SAMHSA proposed to remove the ban against giving opioid treatment program (OTP) patient data — methadone being the key medication — to prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs). That ban was instituted by Clark himself when, as CSAT director, he issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” to OTPs telling them they should not give patient medication data to the PDMP, but rather should check the PDMP to see what medications their patients are on. The rationale for the letter was the same as the rationale for opposition to SAMHSA's NPRM: Patients would not want to go to treatment if they knew their methadone information could be shared without their consent.
Multi‐“Color” Delineation of Bone Microdamages Using Ligand‐Directed Sub‐5 nm Hafnia Nanodots and Photon Counting CT Imaging
Authors: Ostadhossein Fatemeh , Tripathi Indu , Benig Lily , LoBato Denae , Moghiseh Mahdieh , Lowe Chiara , Raja Aamir , Butler Anthony , Panta Raj , Anjomrouz Marzieh , Chernoglazov Alex , Pan Dipanjan
Published: November 2019

The early detection of bone microdamages is crucial to make informed decisions about the therapy and taking precautionary treatments to avoid catastrophic fractures. Conventional computed tomography (CT) imaging faces obstacles in detecting bone microdamages due to the strong self‐attenuation of photons from bone and poor spatial resolution. Recent advances in CT technology as well as novel imaging probes can address this problem effectively. Herein, the bone microdamage imaging is demonstrated using ligand‐directed nanoparticles in conjunction with photon counting spectral CT. For the first time, Gram‐scale synthesis of hafnia (HfO2) nanoparticles is reported with surface modification by a chelator moiety. The feasibility of delineating these nanoparticles from bone and soft tissue of muscle is demonstrated with photon counting spectral CT equipped with advanced detector technology. The ex vivo and in vivo studies point to the accumulation of hafnia nanoparticles at microdamage site featuring distinct spectral signal. Due to their small sub‐5 nm size, hafnia nanoparticles are excreted through reticuloendothelial system organs without noticeable aggregation while not triggering any adverse side effects based on histological and liver enzyme function assessments. These preclinical studies highlight the potential of HfO2‐based nanoparticle contrast agents for skeletal system diseases due to their well‐placed K‐edge binding energy.
Aqueously Cathodic Deposition of ZIF‐8 Membranes for Superior Propylene/Propane Separation
Authors: Wei Ruicong , Chi Heng‐Yu , Li Xiang , Lu Dongwei , Wan Yi , Yang Chih‐Wen , Lai Zhiping
Published: November 2019

Electrochemical deposition has emerged as a novel approach to fabricate metal–organic framework (MOF) films. Here, for the first time, an aqueously cathodic deposition (ACD) approach is developed to fabricate ZIF‐8 type of MOF membranes without addition of any supporting electrolyte or modulator. The fabrication process uses 100% water as the sole solvent and a low‐defect density membrane is obtained in only 60 min under room temperature without any pre‐synthesis treatment. The membrane exhibits superior performance in C3H6/C3H8 separation with 182 GPU C3H6 permeance and 142 selectivity, making it sit at the upper bound of permeance versus selectivity graph, outperforming majority of the published data up to 2019. Notably, this approach uses an extremely low current density (0.13 mA cm−2) operated under an ultrafacile apparatus set‐up, enabling an attractive way for environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and easily scalable MOF membrane fabrications. This work demonstrates a great potential of aqueously electrochemical deposition of MOF membrane in the future research.
ROS‐Mediated Apoptosis and Anticancer Effect Achieved by Artesunate and Auxiliary Fe(II) Released from Ferriferous Oxide‐Containing Recombinant Apoferritin
Authors: Ji Peng , Huang Haiqin , Yuan Shirui , Wang Le , Wang Siqi , Chen Yiwei , Feng Na , Veroniaina Hanitrarimalala , Wu Ziheng , Wu Zhenghong , Qi Xiaole
Published: November 2019

Reactive oxygen species (ROS)‐mediated apoptosis is considered a crucial therapeutic mechanisms for artesunate (AS). As an Fe(II)‐dependent drug, the anticancer effect of AS is often limited due to insufficient Fe(II) concentration in targeted cells. To overcome this problem, a recombinant apoferritin nanocarrier containing ferriferous oxide (M‐HFn) is constructed to produce auxiliary exogenous Fe(II) when delivering AS to cancer cells. Here, the newly fabricated AS‐loaded M‐HFn nanoparticles (M‐HFn@AS NPs) can significantly improve the tumor‐specific targeting and intracellular uptake efficiency of AS in human cervical carcinoma cells. After being captured in the acidic cavity of endosomes, M‐HFn@AS NPs can simultaneously release Fe(II) and allow AS to activate satisfactory ROS‐mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, in vivo studies demonstrate that M‐HFn@AS NPs can selectively accumulate in tumors to efficiently inhibit tumor growth. Thus, M‐HFn@AS NPs are a promising system to enhance the therapeutic effect of Fe(II)‐dependent drugs.
Aggregation‐Induced Dual‐Phosphorescence from Organic Molecules for Nondoped Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Wang Tao , Su Xiaoge , Zhang Xuepeng , Nie Xiancheng , Huang Linkun , Zhang Xingyuan , Sun Xiang , Luo Yi , Zhang Guoqing
Published: November 2019

Aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) is a beneficial strategy for generating highly effective solid‐state molecular luminescence without suffering losses in quantum yield. However, the majority of reported AIE‐active molecules exhibit only strong fluorescence, which is not ideal for electrical excitation in organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs). By introducing various substituent groups onto the biscarbazole compound, a series of molecular materials with aggregation‐induced phosphorescence (AIP) is designed, which exhibits two distinctly different phosphorescence bands and an absolute solid‐state room‐temperature phosphorescence quantum yield up to 64%. Taking advantage of the AIE feature, the AIP molecules are fabricated into OLEDs as a homogeneous light‐emitting layer, which allows for relatively small efficiency roll‐off and shows an external electroluminescence quantum yield of up to 5.8%, more than the theoretical limit for purely fluorescent OLED devices. The design showcases a promising strategy for the production of cost‐effective and highly efficient OLED technology.
A Nacre‐Inspired Separator Coating for Impact‐Tolerant Lithium Batteries
Authors: Song Yong‐Hui , Wu Kai‐Jin , Zhang Tian‐Wen , Lu Lei‐Lei , Guan Yong , Zhou Fei , Wang Xiu‐Xia , Yin Yi‐Chen , Tan Yi‐Hong , Li Feng , Tian Te , Ni Yong , Yao Hong‐Bin , Yu Shu‐Hong
Published: November 2019

The commercial ceramic nanoparticle coated microporous polyolefin separators used in lithium batteries are still vulnerable under external impact, which may cause short circuits and consequently severe safety threats, because the protective ceramic nanoparticle coating layers on the separators are intrinsically brittle. Here, a nacre‐inspired coating on the separator to improve the impact tolerance of lithium batteries is reported. Instead of a random structured ceramic nanoparticle layer, ion‐conductive porous multilayers consisting of highly oriented aragonite platelets are coated on the separator. The nacre‐inspired coating can sustain external impact by turning the violent localized stress into lower and more uniform stress due to the platelet sliding. A lithium‐metal pouch cell using the aragonite platelet coated separator exhibits good cycling stability under external shock, which is in sharp contrast to the fast short circuit of a lithium‐metal pouch cell using a commercial ceramic nanoparticle coated separator.
MoN Supported on Graphene as a Bifunctional Interlayer for Advanced Li‐S Batteries
Authors: Tian Da , Song Xueqin , Wang Maoxu , Wu Xian , Qiu Yue , Guan Bin , Xu Xianzhu , Fan Lishuang , Zhang Naiqing , Sun Kening
Published: November 2019

Rational design of effective polysulfide barriers is highly important for high‐performance lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries. A variety of adsorbents have been applied as interlayers to alleviate the shuttle effect. Nevertheless, the unsuccessful oxidation of Li2S on interlayers leads to loss of active materials and blocks Li ion transport. In this work, a MoN‐based interlayer sandwiched between the C‐S cathode and the separator is developed. Such an interlayer not only strongly binds lithium polysulfides via Mo‐S bonding but also efficiently accelerates the decomposition of Li2S. The acceleration mechanism toward Li2S decomposition is determined to be a combination of contributions of catalytic cleavage of Li‐S bond in Li2S based on the proposed covalence‐activation mechanism and rapid migration of the produced Li ions. As a result, the C–S cathodes with the as‐developed interlayer manifest a negligible charging potential barrier and outstanding cycling stability with a very low capacity fading rate of 0.023% per cycle during 1500 cycles at 1 C. High areal capacity of 6.02 mAh cm−2 is achieved for high sulfur loading of 7.0 mg cm−2 after cycling at 0.1 C. The material and strategy demonstrated in this work can open the door toward developing shuttle suppression interlayers without impairing cathode performance.
Exosomal microRNA in peritoneal fluid as a biomarker of peritoneal metastases from gastric cancer
Authors: Ohzawa Hideyuki , Kumagai Yuko , Yamaguchi Hironori , Miyato Hideyo , Sakuma Yasunaru , Horie Hisanaga , Hosoya Yoshinori , Kawarai Lefor Alan , Sata Naohiro , Kitayama Joji
Published: November 2019

Aim

Peritoneal metastases (PM) frequently occur in patients with gastric cancer and result in a poor prognosis. Exosomes play pivotal roles in tumor metastasis through the transfer of microRNAs (miRNAs). We examined the exosomal miRNA profile in peritoneal fluids to identify novel biomarkers to reflect tumor burden in the peritoneum.

Methods

Exosomes were isolated from peritoneal fluids of patients of gastric cancer with macroscopic (P1) or microscopic (P0CY1) peritoneal metastasis (PM) and comprehensive miRNA expression analysis was carried out. Expressions of candidate miRNAs were then validated in all 58 samples using TaqMan Advanced miRNA Assays.

Results

In initial screening, we carried out comprehensive analysis of exosomal miRNA using peritoneal fluids from 11 and 14 patients with or without PM, respectively, and identified 11 dysregulated miRNAs in PM (+) samples. Validation analysis showed that four miRNAs (miR‐21‐5p, miR‐92a‐3p, miR‐223‐3p, and miR‐342‐3p) were significantly upregulated in 12 PM (+) samples, and their expression levels showed positive correlation with peritoneal cancer index. In contrast, miR‐29 family were all downregulated in patients with PM (+) samples. Moreover, in 24 patients with pT4 tumor, miR‐29 at gastrectomy tended to be lower in six patients with peritoneal recurrence with significant differences in miR‐29b‐3p (P = .012).

Conclusion

Expression pattern of miRNAs in peritoneal exosomes well reflects the tumor burden in the peritoneal cavity and could be a useful biomarker in the treatment of PM.
High expression of toxic Streptomyces phospholipase D in Escherichia coli under salt stress and its mechanism
Authors: Xiong Weide , Luo Weiyi , Zhang Xueliang , Pan Xueshan , Zeng Xianhai , Yao Chuanyi , Jing Keju , Shen Liang , Chen Cuixue , Ling Xueping , Lu Yinghua
Published: November 2019

Phospholipase D (PLD) cytotoxicity limits its high heterologous expression and further application in the food industry. The specific physiological consequences of highly expressed PLD in vivo are unclear. In this study, we observed that PLD expression by Escherichia coli caused phosphatidic acid accumulation and membrane permeability enhancement, characterized by the disruption of ionic homeostasis with enhanced K+ efflux and Na+ influx, which eventually may result in cell injury or death. Moreover, we found that cations (Na+, K+, Li+, or Mg2+) stress alleviated cell growth inhibition and profoundly increased PLD production. A large quantity of PLD (1.1 × 106 U/L) was obtained in a bioreactor. The mechanism for Na+/K+‐induced protection may be the improvement of oxidative phosphorylation through positive changes in membrane potential via redistribution of Na+/K+ inside and outside the cell, which was accompanied by enhanced Na+ efflux. Combined, these findings provided novel insights for PLD function and PLD production.
A 30‐Year Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Observational Study of Multiple Sclerosis and Clinically Isolated Syndromes
Authors: Chung Karen K. , Altmann Daniel , Barkhof Frederik , Miszkiel Katherine , Brex Peter A. , O'Riordan Jonathan , Ebner Michael , Prados Ferran , Cardoso M. Jorge , Vercauteren Tom , Ourselin Sebastien , Thompson Alan , Ciccarelli Olga , Chard Declan T.
Published: November 2019

Objective

Clinical outcomes in multiple sclerosis (MS) are highly variable. We aim to determine the long‐term clinical outcomes in MS, and to identify early prognostic features of these outcomes.

Methods

One hundred thirty‐two people presenting with a clinically isolated syndrome were prospectively recruited between 1984 and 1987, and followed up clinically and radiologically 1, 5, 10, 14, 20, and now 30 years later. All available notes and magnetic resonance imaging scans were reviewed, and MS was defined according to the 2010 McDonald criteria.

Results

Clinical outcome data were obtained in 120 participants at 30 years. Eighty were known to have developed MS by 30 years. Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores were available in 107 participants, of whom 77 had MS; 32 (42%) remained fully ambulatory (EDSS scores ≤3.5), all of whom had relapsing–remitting MS (RRMS), 3 (4%) had RRMS and EDSS scores >3.5, 26 (34%) had secondary progressive MS (all had EDSS scores >3.5), and MS contributed to death in 16 (20%). Of those with MS, 11 received disease‐modifying therapy. The strongest early predictors (within 5 years of presentation) of secondary progressive MS at 30 years were presence of baseline infratentorial lesions and deep white matter lesions at 1 year.

Interpretation

Thirty years after onset, in a largely untreated cohort, there was a divergence of MS outcomes; some people accrued substantial disability early on, whereas others ran a more favorable long‐term course. These outcomes could, in part, be predicted by radiological findings from within 1 year of first presentation. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:63–74
Self‐Reported Head Trauma Predicts Poor Dual Task Gait in Retired National Football League Players
Authors: Manor Brad , Zhou Junhong , Lo On‐Yee , Zhu Hao , Gouskova Natalia A. , Yu Wanting , Zafonte Ross , Lipsitz Lewis A. , Travison Thomas G. , Pascual‐Leone Alvaro
Published: November 2019

Objective

Symptomatic head trauma associated with American‐style football (ASF) has been linked to brain pathology, along with physical and mental distress in later life. However, the longer‐term effects of such trauma on objective metrics of cognitive–motor function remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that ASF‐related symptomatic head trauma would predict worse gait performance, particularly during dual task conditions (ie, walking while performing an additional cognitive task), in later life.

Methods

Sixty‐six retired professional ASF players aged 29 to 75 years completed a health and wellness questionnaire. They also completed a validated smartphone‐based assessment in their own homes, during which gait was monitored while they walked normally and while they performed a verbalized serial‐subtraction cognitive task.

Results

Participants who reported more symptomatic head trauma, defined as the total number of impacts to the head or neck followed by concussion‐related symptoms, exhibited greater dual task cost (ie, percentage increase) to stride time variability (ie, the coefficient of variation of mean stride time). Those who reported ≥1 hit followed by loss of consciousness, compared to those who did not, also exhibited greater dual task costs to this metric. Relationships between reported trauma and dual task costs were independent of age, body mass index, National Football League career duration, and history of musculoskeletal surgery. Symptomatic head trauma was not correlated with average stride times in either walking condition.

Interpretation

Remote, smartphone‐based assessments of dual task walking may be utilized to capture meaningful data sensitive to the long‐term impact of symptomatic head trauma in former professional ASF players and other contact sport athletes. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:75–83
RETRACTED: Huaier extract suppresses non‐small cell lung cancer progression through activating NLRP3‐dependent pyroptosis
Authors: Xie Jun , Zhuan Bing , Wang Haixia , Wang Yan , Wang Xi , Yuan Qun , Yang Zhao
Published: November 2019

Recent studies have reported the anticancer activity of huaier extract in various human malignancies. However, little is known about the effect of huaier extract in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its underlying mechanism. The current study aimed to investigate whether huaier extract affects the progression of NSCLC. mRNA and proteins expression of pyroptotic‐related genes (NLRP3, caspase‐1, IL‐1β, and IL‐18) in NSCLC tissues and cells were, respectively, detected by qRT‐PCR and western blot. The effects of huaier extract on NSCLC cell viability and cytotoxicity were evaluated by CCK‐8 assay, colony formation assay, and LDH detection kit. Besides, we established a xenograft model to assess the antitumor effect of huaier extract on tumor growth in vivo. Our results showed that the expression of pyroptotic‐related genes was downregulated in NSCLC tissues and cell lines. Huaier extract pretreatment inhibited cell viability and the percentage of colony formation of H520 and H358 cells, and upregulated the expression of pyroptotic‐related genes. Mechanistically, huaier extract exhibited antitumor effect in NSCLC via inducing NLRP3‐dependent pyroptosis in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, our finding confirmed that huaier extract played an antitumor role in NSCLC progression through promoting pyroptotic cell death, which provided a new potential strategy for NSCLC clinical treatment.
Combination mode of antimalarial drug mefloquine and human serum albumin: Insights from spectroscopic and docking approaches
Authors: Musa Kabiru A. , Ridzwan Nor F. W. , Mohamad Saharuddin B. , Tayyab Saad
Published: November 2019

The interaction between mefloquine (MEF), the antimalarial drug, and human serum albumin (HSA), the main carrier protein in blood circulation, was explored using fluorescence, absorption, and circular dichroism spectroscopic techniques. Quenching of HSA fluorescence with MEF was characterized as static quenching and thus confirmed the complex formation between MEF and HSA. Association constant values for MEF‐HSA interaction were found to fall within the range of 3.79‐5.73 × 104 M˗1 at various temperatures (288, 298, and 308 K), which revealed moderate binding affinity. Hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic interactions were predicted to connect MEF and HSA together in the MEF‐HSA complex, as deduced from the thermodynamic data (ΔS = +133.52 J mol−1 K−1 and ΔH = +13.09 kJ mol−1) of the binding reaction and molecular docking analysis. Three‐dimensional fluorescence spectral analysis pointed out alterations in the microenvironment around aromatic amino acid (tryptophan and tyrosine) residues of HSA consequent to the addition of MEF. Circular dichroic spectra of HSA in the wavelength ranges of 200‐250 and 250‐300 nm hinted smaller changes in the protein's secondary and tertiary structures, respectively, induced by MEF binding. Noncovalent conjugation of MEF to HSA bettered protein thermostability. Site marker competitive drug displacement results suggested HSA Sudlow's site I as the MEF binding site, which was also supported by molecular docking analysis.
Can sustainable investments outperform traditional benchmarks? Evidence from global stock markets
Authors: Cunha Felipe Arias Fogliano de Souza , de Oliveira Erick Meira , Orsato Renato J. , Klotzle Marcelo Cabus , Cyrino Oliveira Fernando Luiz , Caiado Rodrigo Goyannes Gusmão
Published: November 2019

To contribute to overcoming global sustainability challenges, investors have been increasingly interested in making sustainable investments and incorporating environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria into their portfolio selection decisions and managerial activities. However, these investors and other agents interested in sustainable investment need updated and robust information to support their decision making. We analyzed the performance of several Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSIs) and compared them with their respective market benchmarks from 2013 to 2018. The indices comprise the following regions and countries: the world, the Asia‐Pacific, Europe, emerging markets and the US. The analysis was conducted based on both classic and modern portfolio metrics. The results suggest that sustainable investment performance is still heterogeneous worldwide, but there is a promising opportunity for investors to obtain superior risk‐adjusted returns in certain regions while incorporating sustainable investment practices. The findings are of utmost importance to financial market practitioners, business managers, academics and other stakeholders interested in promoting investments, corporate practices and scientific knowledge to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
YAP1 promotes multidrug resistance of small cell lung cancer by CD74‐related signaling pathways
Authors: Song Yongchun , Sun Yanqin , Lei Yingying , Yang Kui , Tang Ruixiang
Published: November 2019

Background

Our previous research found that YAP1 may have a role in multidrug resistance (MDR) in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). However, its underlying mechanism is unknown.

Methods

In this study, we investigated the expression of YAP1 using immunohistochemical staining and assessed the relationship between the expression of YAP1 and overall survival in patients with SCLC. We established H69 stable cell lines that overexpressed constitutively active YAP1 and H446 stable cell lines that dominate negative YAP1. We conducted CCK‐8, flow cytometric analysis, and in vivo chemosensitivity experiments to evaluate the function of YAP1 in drug sensitivity apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

Results

The results indicated that patients with high YAP1 expression have shorter survival rates and more advanced disease stage than those with low YAP1 expression. YAP1 may induce MDR by inhibiting the apoptosis of SCLC. YAP1 induced MDR when YAP1 was hyperactivated, and drug sensitivity increased when YAP1 was inhibited in vitro and in vivo. CD74 was significantly correlated with YAP1 in SCLC samples. Inhibition of CD74 using ISO‐1 increased drug sensitivity significantly.

Conclusions

The expression of YAP1 is significantly correlated with overall survival and disease stage in patients with SCLC. YAP1 may play an important role in these patients. We were the first to report that YAP1 can induce MDR in SCLC in vitro and in vivo. CD74 may be involved in YAP1‐induced MDR.
Reversibility of delirium in Ill‐hospitalized cancer patients: Does underlying etiology matter?
Authors: Matsuda Yoshinobu , Maeda Isseki , Morita Tatsuya , Yamauchi Toshihiro , Sakashita Akihiro , Watanabe Hiroaki , Kaneishi Keisuke , Amano Koji , Iwase Satoru , Ogawa Asao , Yoshiuchi Kazuhiro ,   on behalf of the Phase‐R Delirium Study Group
Published: November 2019

Background

The objective of this study was to explore the underlying etiologies associated with the resolution and improvement of delirium in ill‐hospitalized cancer patients.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of a multicenter, prospective, observational study to estimate the effectiveness of pharmacotherapy for delirium. Participants were cancer patients with delirium. We assessed the Delirium Rating Scale, Revised‐98 (DRS‐R98) severity scale score at baseline and three days after pharmacotherapy initiation. Delirium resolution was defined as a DRS‐R98 severity scale score ≤9, and improvement was defined as ≥50% reduction at Day 3.

Results

We enrolled 566 patients (491 patients had performance status of 3 or 4). The resolution and improvement rates in all patients were 22.6% and 19.3%, respectively. Univariate analysis determined that nonrespiratory infection (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.38‐3.45) was significantly associated with greater resolution, while dehydration (0.40, 0.19‐0.87), organic damage to the central nervous system (CNS) (0.32, 0.43‐0.72), hypoxia (0.25, 0.12‐0.52), and hyponatremia (0.34, 0.12‐0.97) were significantly associated with no resolution. Potential causes associated with delirium improvement were nonrespiratory infection (1.93, 1.19‐3.13), organic damage to the CNS (0.40, 0.18‐1.90), and hypoxia (0.32, 0.16‐0.65). After multivariate analysis, dehydration (0.34, 0.15‐0.76), organic damage to the CNS (0.25, 0.10‐0.60), and hypoxia (0.29, 0.14‐0.61) were significantly associated with no resolution.

Conclusions

Delirium caused by nonrespiratory infection may be reversible, while delirium associated with dehydration, organic damage to the CNS, hypoxia, or hyponatremia seems to be irreversible in ill‐hospitalized cancer patients.
Metastatic patterns and survival outcomes in patients with stage IV colon cancer: A population‐based analysis
Authors: Wang Jiwei , Li Song , Liu Yanna , Zhang Chunquan , Li Honglang , Lai Bin
Published: November 2019

Background

The goal of this study was to delineate the patterns of distant metastasis from colon adenocarcinoma (CAC) and evaluate the survival differences by metastatic patterns.

Methods

Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we extracted patients diagnosed with stage IV CAC between 2010 and 2016. Kaplan‐Meier survival curves were plotted with log‐rank tests to compare overall survival (OS) of patients with different metastatic patterns. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the effects of different metastatic patterns on survival outcomes in terms of OS and disease‐specific survival (DSS).

Results

A total of 26 170 patients were analyzed. The 3‐ and 5‐year OS were 20.7% and 10.5%, respectively, for patients with stage IV CAC. The most common distant metastatic site was the liver, followed by the lung, bone, and brain, but the frequency differed greatly by histology subtypes. The site of metastasis was a significant prognostic factor for OS and DSS in patients with stage IV CAC, independent of the number of metastatic sites and other clinical and demographic prognostic factors. Using liver‐only metastasis as reference, lung‐only metastasis was associated with better OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71‐0.94) and DSS (HR = 0.75, 95% CI, 0.64‐0.88). Older age, black race, unmarried status, grade III/IV tumors, advanced tumor‐node‐metastasis (TNM) stage, proximal colon, elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), no surgery of the primary site, and no chemotherapy were independent predictors of poor OS.

Conclusions

The site of distant metastasis and number of metastasis site were independent prognostic factors for survival of patients with stage IV CAC. This study highlights the need for diverse treatment strategies for patients with different metastatic patterns.
An evaluation of the effectiveness and acceptability of a new technology system to support psychotherapy helping skills training
Authors: Murphy David , Liao Faith , Slovak Petr , Holle Lisa-Marie , Jackson Dan , Olivier Patrick , Fitzpatrick Geraldine
Published: November 2019

Training counselling and psychotherapy skills using new technology is a relatively unresearched area of study. The findings from a pilot evaluation of the effectiveness and acceptability of a new technology, mPath, using a mixed method design are reported. The study found that progressive integration of the new mPath technology into learning helping skills had the best results on developing competency, as assessed by the Person‐Centred Experiential Psychotherapy Scale Training Version. Qualitative interviews showed the technology was acceptable to users. Further research is needed in this emerging field of deliberate practice.
Ergometrine for postpartum hemorrhage and associated myocardial ischemia: Two case reports and a review of the literature
Authors: Spencer Stuart P. E. , Lowe Sandra A.
Published: November 2019

Ergometrine is recommended for use in the medical treatment of postpartum hemorrhage. Ergometrine can occasionally precipitate myocardial ischemia in the setting of significant anemia in women without preexisting cardiac risk factors, and it is important to recognize and treat myocardial ischemia in affected patients to prevent severe complications.
Experimental and Theoretical Insights of MoS2/Mo3N2 Nanoribbon‐Electrocatalysts for Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Tan Junbin , Mei Yahui , Shen Hangjia , Liu Honghong , Azhagan Tamil , Song Weiyu , Thomas Tiju , Liu Jian , Yang Minghui , Gao Manglai
Published: November 2019

MoS2 is a promising material for electrocatalysis and opens up avenues for the development of non‐precious metal electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction in acidic media. However, the activity of MoS2 has been severely impeded because of its inferior conductivity. Herein, a nanoribbon‐like MoS2/Mo3N2 hybrid is successfully fabricated via partial sulfidation of Mo3N2 in H2S atmosphere. The synergistic effect between the high intrinsic activity of MoS2 and the desirable conductivity of Mo3N2 contributes to the overpotential at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 (η10) of 196 mV towards hydrogen evolution, distinctively lower than Mo3N2 (467 mV) and MoS2 (293 mV). The theoretical simulation discloses that the Gibbs free‐energy for the adsorption of atomic hydrogen (|ΔGH*|) for MoS2/Mo3N2 is less than that of others, and thus facilitating the hydrogen evolution.
Human interaction with automated aids: Implications for robo‐advisors
Authors: Bartlett Megan L. , McCarley Jason S.
Published: November 2019

Robo‐advisors, a type of automated decision aid, offer consumers a cost‐efficient alternative to traditional financial advisory services. Because aids do not always produce correct judgments, however, users may fail to act appropriately on their advice. To anticipate and protect against suboptimal aid use, designers need to understand the variables that influence automation trust and dependence, including the operators' inherent biases, and the characteristics of the automated system itself. This paper reviews the literature on human interaction with decision aids, aiming to inform the design of robo‐advisory platforms.
Der tägliche Triathlon des Betriebsingenieurs
Authors: Woppowa Ljuba
Published: November 2019

Die VDI‐Jahrestreffen der Betriebsingenieure haben sich als strategische Netzwerktreffen zum Austausch über aktuelle Themen und Trends etabliert. Die Jahrestreffen fassen die im laufenden Jahr geleistete Arbeit in den sechs Regionalgruppen des VDI‐Fachber
Ausgezeichnetes Design
Authors: Lang Ursula , Engelke Nils
Published: November 2019

Flottweg SE gehört zu den führenden Herstellern von Dekantern, Separatoren und Bandpressen. Um die Bedienung der Anlagen und Maschinen möglichst benutzerfreundlich zu gestalten, ging das Unternehmen für einen Anlagenbauer ungewöhnliche Wege: Flottweg entw
Düse für Düse
Authors: Nagel Rüdiger
Published: November 2019

Ventilaufbau für die Konditionierung in Dampfnetzen Einspritzkühler mit Segmentplattenventil regelt Düse für Düse.
Overlapping morphological and functional properties between M4 and M5 intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Sonoda Takuma , Okabe Yudai , Schmidt Tiffany M.
Published: November 2019

Multiple retinal ganglion cell (RGC) types in the mouse retina mediate pattern vision by responding to specific features of the visual scene. The M4 and M5 melanopsin‐expressing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cell (ipRGC) subtypes are two RGC types that are thought to play major roles in pattern vision. The M4 ipRGCs overlap in population with ON‐alpha RGCs, while M5 ipRGCs were recently reported to exhibit opponent responses to different wavelengths of light (color opponency). Despite their seemingly distinct roles in visual processing, previous reports have suggested that these two populations may exhibit overlap in their morphological and functional properties, which calls into question whether these are in fact distinct RGC types. Here, we show that M4 and M5 ipRGCs are distinct morphological classes of ipRGCs, but they cannot be exclusively differentiated based on color opponency and dendritic morphology as previously reported. Instead, we find that M4 and M5 ipRGCs can only be distinguished based on soma size and the number of dendritic branch points in combination with SMI‐32 immunoreactivity. These results have important implications for clearly defining RGC types and their roles in visual behavior.
Proposed Therapeutic Range of Treosulfan in Reduced Toxicity Pediatric Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Conditioning: Results From a Prospective Trial
Authors: Chiesa Robert , Standing Joseph F. , Winter Robert , Nademi Zohreh , Chu Jan , Pinner Danielle , Kloprogge Frank , McLellen Susan , Amrolia Persis J. , Rao Kanchan , Lucchini Giovanna , Silva Juliana , Ciocarlie Oana , Lazareva Arina , Gennery Andrew R. , Doncheva Bilyana , Cant Andrew J. , Hambleton Sophie , Flood Terence , Rogerson Elizabeth , Devine Kirsty , Prunty Helen , Heales Simon , Veys Paul , Slatter Mary
Published: November 2019

Treosulfan is given off‐label in pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant. This study investigated treosulfan's pharmacokinetics (PKs), efficacy, and safety in a prospective trial. Pediatric patients (n = 87) receiving treosulfan‐fludarabine conditioning were followed for at least 1 year posttransplant. PKs were described with a two‐compartment model. During follow‐up, 11 of 87 patients died and 12 of 87 patients had low engraftment (≤ 20% myeloid chimerism). For each increase in treosulfan area under the curve from zero to infinity (AUC(0‐∞)) of 1,000 mg hour/L the hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) for mortality increase was 1.46 (1.23–1.74), and the hazard ratio for low engraftment was 0.61 (0.36–1.04). A cumulative AUC(0‐∞) of 4,800 mg hour/L maximized the probability of success (> 20% engraftment and no mortality) at 82%. Probability of success with AUC(0‐∞) between 80% and 125% of this target were 78% and 79%. Measuring PK at the first dose and individualizing the third dose may be required in nonmalignant disease.
Output current ripple reduction of LED driver using ceramic‐capacitor‐input circuit and buck‐boost converter
Authors: Kadota Mitsuhiro , Shoji Hiroyuki , Hatakeyama Atsushi , Wada Keiji
Published: November 2019

This article proposes an LED driver that consists of a ceramic‐capacitor‐input rectifier and a buck‐boost converter. The LED driver has an advantage of long life because it does not contain any electrolytic capacitors. However, the issue with electrolytic capacitor‐less LED driver is that the ripple of the smoothed voltage becomes large due to insufficient capacitance of the smoothing capacitor. The proposed method, which uses the discontinuous current mode of a buck‐boost converter, reduces the output current ripple under such conditions. Experimental results using a 5.7 W LED driver prototype demonstrate that the proposed method reduces the output current ripple and that the percent flicker becomes 4.4%, which is smaller than the recommended upper limit of 8%.
Enhanced pain modulation capacity among individuals with borderline personality disorder: A possible mechanism underlying their hypoalgesia
Authors: Defrin Ruth , Cohen Sagy Nitzan , Biran Iftah , Goor‐Aryeh Itay , Shai Roni , Ginzburg Karni
Published: November 2019

Background

Ample evidence suggests that individuals with borderline personality disorder (BPD) exhibit hyposensitivity to pain. Since the underlying mechanism of the pain hyposensitivity is unknown, we tested here for the first time whether this hyposensitivity is pain specific or exists also for innocuous sensation, and whether it is associated with enhanced descending pain modulation capabilities.

Methods

Participants were 55 women; 22 patients with BPD and 33 matched healthy controls. Testing included the measurement of warmth sensation threshold (WST), heat‐pain threshold (HPT), pain adaptation, conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and temporal summation of heat‐pain (TSP). The level of dissociation was also evaluated.

Results

Women with BPD had higher WST and HPT compared with healthy controls. Moreover, women with BPD had greater magnitude of pain adaptation and CPM as well as higher dissociation level compared to controls. In neither the BPD nor the control group did WST and HPT correlate with pain adaptation, CPM or dissociation. In the BPD group only, HPT inversely correlated with the magnitude of TSP.

Conclusions

Women with BPD present generalized hyposensitivity to both innocuous and noxious stimuli. Furthermore, women with BPD exhibit more efficient pain inhibition capabilities than healthy controls. While efficient pain modulation may underlie pain hyposensitivity in BPD, both traits may exist independently from each other, or may be moderated by another factor such as dissociation.

Significance

On the basis of testing pronociceptive and antinociceptive components among individuals with BPD and healthy controls, this study reveals enhanced ability to inhibit pain among woman with borderline personality disorder (BPD) which may underlie hyposensitivity to both noxious and innocuous stimuli and perhaps also self‐injurious behaviour among these individuals. The study contributes novel information on possible mechanisms involved in BPD manifestations.