bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simulations reveal the power and peril of artificial breeding sites for monitoring and managing animals
Authors: McClure Christopher J. W. , Pauli Benjamin P. , Heath Julie A.
Published: January 2017

Despite common use, the efficacy of artificial breeding sites (e.g., nest boxes, bat houses, artificial burrows) as tools for monitoring and managing animals depends on the demography of target populations and availability of natural sites. Yet, the conditions enabling artificial breeding sites to be useful or informative have yet to be articulated. We use a stochastic simulation model to determine situations where artificial breeding sites are either useful or disadvantageous for monitoring and managing animals. Artificial breeding sites are a convenient tool for monitoring animals and therefore occupancy of artificial breeding sites is often used as an index of population levels. However, systematic changes in availability of sites that are not monitored might induce trends in occupancy of monitored sites, a situation rarely considered by monitoring programs. We therefore examine how systematic changes in unmonitored sites could bias inference from trends in the occupancy of monitored sites. Our model also allows us to examine effects on population levels if artificial breeding sites either increase or decrease population vital rates (survival and fecundity). We demonstrate that trends in occupancy of monitored sites are misleading if the number of unmonitored sites changes over time. Further, breeding site fidelity can cause an initial lag in occupancy of newly installed sites that could be misinterpreted as an increasing population, even when the population has been continuously declining. Importantly, provisioning of artificial breeding sites only benefits populations if breeding sites are limiting or if artificial sites increase vital rates. There are many situations where installation of artificial breeding sites, and their use in monitoring, can have unintended consequences. Managers should therefore not assume that provision of artificial breeding sites will necessarily benefit populations. Further, trends in occupancy of artificial breeding sites should be interpreted in light of potential changes in the availability of unmonitored sites and the potential of lags in occupancy owing to site fidelity.
(Pentamethylcyclopentadienato)rhodium Complexes for Delivery of the Curcumin Anticancer Drug
Authors: Markham Jack , Liang Jun , Levina Aviva , Mak Rachel , Johannessen Bernt , Kappen Peter , Glover Chris J. , Lai Barry , Vogt Stefan , Lay Peter A.
Published: January 2017

[RhIII(*Cp)Cl(X,Y)]n+ complexes {X, Y = Cl, PTA, n = 0 (2); X, Y = en, n = 1 (3, Cl– salt; 4, PF6– salt); X, Y = acac, n = 0 (5); X, Y = cur, n = 0 (6), where *Cp = pentamethylcyclopentadienato, curH = curcumin; PTA = 1,3,5‐triaza‐7‐phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1]decane; en = 1,2‐ethanediamine; acac = acetylacetonato = 2,4‐pentanedionato(1–)} were synthesized from [Rh(*Cp)(µ‐Cl)Cl]2 (1). While 2–5 were inactive against human epithelial A549 lung‐cancer cells in assays of cytotoxicity, and antimetastatic and proapoptotic behaviors, 6 had a cytotoxic activity similar to that of curH over 72 h, but at 24 h in real‐time cell migration assays, it was less active, showing slow release of curH. All complexes underwent ligand‐exchange reactions with biomolecules and cells within the timeframes of the assays (X‐ray absorption spectroscopy). Intracellular elemental distributions (X‐ray fluorescence microscopy) showed that 6 effectively delivered curH to cells, where it was released. Other elemental distributions and caspase activities were consistent with preapoptotic activities. As such, 6 is a promising delivery agent for bioactive ligands, such as curH. However, pure curcumin itself showed a previously unrecognized ability to promote migration of A549 cells at subtoxic concentrations in the presence of endothelial growth factor, which may be a concern for its widespread use as a nutritional supplement and as a potential drug. This aspect warrants further research.
Visible‐Light‐Mediated 5‐exo‐dig Cyclizations of Amidyl Radicals
Authors: Reina Daniel Fernandez , Dauncey Elizabeth M. , Morcillo Sara P. , Svejstrup Thomas D. , Popescu Mihai V. , Douglas James J. , Sheikh Nadeem S. , Leonori Daniele
Published: January 2017

A visible‐light‐mediated synthesis of 5‐methylene‐pyrrolidinones is reported. This constitutes to the first reported example of a 5‐exo‐dig hydroamination reaction involving a nitrogen‐centered radical.
A longitudinal study of atrazine and 2,4‐D exposure and oxidative stress markers among iowa corn farmers
Authors: Lerro Catherine C. , Beane Freeman Laura E. , Portengen Lützen , Kang Daehee , Lee Kyoungho , Blair Aaron , Lynch Charles F. , Bakke Berit , De Roos Anneclaire J. , Vermeulen Roel C.H.
Published: January 2017

Reactive oxygen species, potentially formed through environmental exposures, can overwhelm an organism's antioxidant capabilities resulting in oxidative stress. Long‐term oxidative stress is linked with chronic diseases. Pesticide exposures have been shown to cause oxidative stress in vivo. We utilized a longitudinal study of corn farmers and non‐farming controls in Iowa to examine the impact of exposure to the widely used herbicides atrazine and 2,4‐dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4‐D) on markers of oxidative stress. 225 urine samples were collected during five agricultural time periods (pre‐planting, planting, growing, harvest, off‐season) for 30 farmers who applied pesticides occupationally and 10 controls who did not; all were non‐smoking men ages 40–60. Atrazine mercapturate (atrazine metabolite), 2,4‐D, and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde [MDA], 8‐hydroxy‐2′‐deoxyguanosine [8‐OHdG], and 8‐isoprostaglandin‐F2α [8‐isoPGF]) were measured in urine. We calculated β estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for each pesticide‐oxidative stress marker combination using multivariate linear mixed‐effect models for repeated measures. Farmers had higher urinary atrazine mercapturate and 2,4‐D levels compared with controls. In regression models, after natural log transformation, 2,4‐D was associated with elevated levels of 8‐OHdG (β = 0.066, 95%CI = 0.008–0.124) and 8‐isoPGF (β = 0.088, 95%CI = 0.004–0.172). 2,4‐D may be associated with oxidative stress because of modest increases in 8‐OHdG, a marker of oxidative DNA damage, and 8‐isoPGF, a product of lipoprotein peroxidation, with recent 2,4‐D exposure. Future studies should investigate the role of 2,4‐D‐induced oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of human diseases. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 58:30–38, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Forecast Combination for Euro Area Inflation: A Cure in Times of Crisis?
Authors: Hubrich Kirstin , Skudelny Frauke
Published: January 2017

The period of extraordinary volatility in euro area headline inflation starting in 2007 raised the question whether forecast combination methods can be used to hedge against bad forecast performance of single models during such periods and provide more robust forecasts. We investigate this issue for forecasts from a range of short‐term forecasting models. Our analysis shows that there is considerable variation of the relative performance of the different models over time. To take that into account we suggest employing performance‐based forecast combination methods—in particular, one with more weight on the recent forecast performance. We compare such an approach with equal forecast combination that has been found to outperform more sophisticated forecast combination methods in the past, and investigate whether it can improve forecast accuracy over the single best model. The time‐varying weights assign weights to the economic interpretations of the forecast stemming from different models. We also include a number of benchmark models in our analysis. The combination methods are evaluated for HICP headline inflation and HICP excluding food and energy. We investigate how forecast accuracy of the combination methods differs between pre‐crisis times, the period after the global financial crisis and the full evaluation period, including the global financial crisis with its extraordinary volatility in inflation. Overall, we find that forecast combination helps hedge against bad forecast performance and that performance‐based weighting outperforms simple averaging. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cognitive impairment and Charles Bonnet syndrome: a prospective study
Authors: Russell Gregor , Harper Robert , Allen Harry , Baldwin Robert , Burns Alistair
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Charles Bonnet syndrome (CBS) is a common cause of visual hallucinations in older people. The relationship between CBS and cognitive impairment is unclear, but anecdotal reports exist of dementia emerging in patients diagnosed with CBS. This work set out to determine if there is an increased incidence of dementia, and increased severity of cognitive impairment, in people with CBS compared to controls from the same clinical setting.

Method

People over 65 attending low‐vision and glaucoma clinics, and a cohort of age‐matched controls, underwent a psychiatric assessment. The cohorts were followed up after one year.

Results

Mild cognitive impairment was present in 2/12 CBS participants and 2/10 controls. Partial insight was seen in nine CBS participants. Two participants with CBS, and no controls, developed dementia at follow‐up. No significant differences in performance on the ACE‐R were found between the groups. Both participants who developed dementia had partial insight and hallucinations of familiar figures at diagnosis of CBS, and one had mild cognitive impairment.

Conclusions

Reassurance that CBS is universally benign may be misplaced. Some people given this diagnosis go on to develop dementia. Cognitive testing at the point of diagnosis was unable to identify those at risk of this outcome. Partial insight, the presence of Mild Cognitive Impairment, and hallucinations of familiar figures at diagnosis of CBS may confer an increased risk of subsequent dementia diagnosis. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of Tetraoxygenated Terephthalates via a Dichloroquinone Route: Characterization of Cross‐Conjugated Liebermann Betaine Intermediates
Authors: Hintermann Lukas , Altmann Philipp J. , Naumov Panče , Suzuki Keisuke
Published: January 2017

Cross‐conjugated quinoid betaines 4 (2,5‐bis(alkoxycarbonyl)‐3,6‐dioxo‐4‐(1‐pyridinium‐1‐yl)cyclohexa‐1,4‐dien‐1‐olates; Liebermann betaines) were synthesized from 2,5‐dichloro‐3,6‐dioxocyclohexa‐1,4‐diene‐1,4‐dicarboxylates (2) and pyridines in acetone containing H2O. Their structure was secured by NMR spectroscopy and by X‐ray diffraction analysis of 4f (alkoxy = EtO, pyridine = 4‐Me2N–C5H4N). Betaines 4 show comparatively high reactivity towards nucleophiles as a consequence of their cross‐conjugated character. Betaine 4a and hydroxy‐3,4‐methylenedioxybenzene (sesamol) condense to give a pyridinium quinolate salt 14 which has a bifurcate H‐bond from a pyridinium N+–H donor to both carbonyl (C=O) and olate (C–O−) acceptors in the solid state. Betaine 4b hydrolyzes in aqueous solution to give diethyl 2,5‐dihydroxy‐3,6‐dioxocyclohexa‐1,4‐diene‐1,4‐dicarboxylate (11) as a pyridinium salt, or as polymeric zinc(II) complex of the dianion of 11 in the presence of ZnCl2. Dihydroxyquinone 11 was analytically differentiated from its independently prepared hydroquinone form, diethyl 2,3,5,6‐tetrahydroxyterephthalate (12), by NMR analysis in solution and X‐ray crystal structure determination of both compounds.
Urinary exosomes as a novel biomarker for evaluation of α‐lipoic acid's protective effect in early diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Sun Hanxiao , Yao Weifeng , Tang Yubin , Zhuang Wenfang , Wu Dan , Huang Shan , Sheng Huiming
Published: January 2017

Background

Long‐term administration of α‐lipoic acid (α‐LA) is proved to ameliorate renal impairment. Herein we assessed serum, urinary biomarkers and vascular endothelium function to evaluate its short‐period therapeutic effect and identify novel biomarkers for diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods

Sixty‐two microalbuminuria‐stage DN patients were randomly divided into two groups and received the following treatment for 8 weeks: (1) routine treatment(DM group); (2) routine treatment with 600 mg/d α‐lipoic acid intravenously (α‐LA group). Another total of 21 patients were recruited for the second‐stage study and randomly divided into two groups: normoalbuminuria (UAER <30 mg/24 h) and microalbuminuria (UAER from 30‐300 mg/24 h).

Results

With α‐LA treatment, urinary albumin excretion rates (UAER), serum creatinine (SCr) and malonaldehyde (MDA) declined significantly, whereas plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD)activity increased and endothelium‐dependent flow mediated vasodilation (FMD) flexibility improved dramatically. Furthermore, the improvement of FMD showed positive correlation with the variation in MDA and SOD as well (r values are .516 and .435, P<.01 and P<.05, respectively). In contrast, these markers have no significant difference in the DM group with routine treatment. Notably, the CD63 expressing of exosomes in urine was found higher in the normoalbuminuria patients compared with those in microalbuminuria, parallelly only declined markedly after α‐LA administration in normoalbuminuria patients.

Conclusion

In summary, we emphasize short‐term α‐LA could protect the kidney in the early DN against general oxidative stress, particularly the urinary CD63‐positive exosome could be a potential sensitive and therapeutic indicator.
The association of NLRP3 and TNFRSF1A polymorphisms with risk of ankylosing spondylitis and treatment efficacy of etanercept
Authors: Zhao Shengchun , Chen Hongwei , Wu Guolin , Zhao Chen
Published: January 2017

Background

To discover how NLRP3 and TNFRSF1A polymorphisms affect the efficacy of traditional medicine and etanercept for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients.

Methods

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and haplotype analyses were conducted based on determined NLRP3 and TNFRSF1A among AS patients. We subsequently analyzed the relationship between relevant clinical indexes and polymorphisms of NLRP3 and TNFRSF1A.

Results

The 4 SNP loci on NLRP3 and 3 SNP loci on TNFRSF1A showed significant linkage disequilibrium, respectively. The T allele of NLRP3 rs4612666 and the T allele of TFRSF1A rs4149570 are both associated with AS (P<.05). The T‐A‐C‐T haplotype of NLRP3 as well as the G‐C‐C, T‐C‐C, T‐C‐T, and T‐T‐T haplotypes of TFRSF1A are associated with AS (P<.05). The morning stiffness time, BASDAI scoring, and ESR of patients receiving etanercept were significantly higher than those receiving traditional medicine. T allele of NLRP3 rs4612666 had a significantly greater negative impact on the ASAS20 improvement than C allele. Whereas the A allele of NLRP3 rs3806268 had a significantly greater positive impact on the ASAS20 improvement than G allele. There is no significant association between SNP and efficacy of traditional medicine in the treatment of AS.

Conclusion

NLRP3 and TFRSF1A (rs4149570) are associated with AS susceptibility. There is a significant association between NLRP3 polymorphisms and treatment of etanercept.
Clinical phenotypes and the biological parameters of Congolese patients suffering from sickle cell anemia: A first report from Central Africa
Authors: Mikobi Tite M. , Lukusa Tshilobo Prosper , Aloni Michel N. , Akilimali Pierre Z. , Mvumbi‐Lelo Georges , Mbuyi‐Muamba Jean Marie
Published: January 2017

Background

The influence of phenotype on the clinical course and laboratory features of sickle cell anemia (SCA) is rarely described in sub‐Saharan Africa.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted in Kinshasa. A clinical phenotype score was built up. The following definitions were applied: asymptomatic clinical phenotype (ACP; score≤5), moderate clinical phenotype (MCP; score between 6 and 15), and severe clinical phenotype (SCP; score≥16). ANOVA test were used to compare differences among categorical variables.

Results

We have studied 140 patients. The mean body mass index (BMI) value of three groups was lower (<25 kg/m2) than the limit defining overweight. BMI of the subjects with ACP was significantly higher than those of other phenotypes (P<.05). Sickle cell patients with ACP have a high mean steady‐state hemoglobin concentration compared to those with MCP and SCP (P<.001). A significant elevated baseline leukocyte count is associated with SCP (P<.001). Fetal Hemoglobin (HbF) was significantly higher in ACP. Significant elevation of alpha 1 and alpha 2 globulins in SCP were observed.

Conclusion

In our study, fetal hemoglobin has an influence on the clinical severity and the biological parameters of SCA. The study provides data concerning the sickle cell anemia clinical and biological variability in our midst.
Elevated adiabatic T1ρ and T2ρ in articular cartilage are associated with cartilage and bone lesions in early osteoarthritis: A preliminary study
Authors: Casula Victor , Nissi Mikko J. , Podlipská Jana , Haapea Marianne , Koski Juhani M. , Saarakkala Simo , Guermazi Ali , Lammentausta Eveliina , Nieminen Miika T.
Published: January 2017

Purpose

To evaluate adiabatic T1ρ and T2ρ of articular cartilage in symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) patients and asymptomatic volunteers, and to determine their association with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐based structural abnormalities in cartilage and bone.

Materials and Methods

A total of 24 subjects (age range: 50–68 years; 12 female) were enrolled, including 12 early OA patients and 12 volunteers with normal joint function. Patients and volunteers underwent 3T MRI. T2, adiabatic T1ρ, and T2ρ relaxation times of knee articular cartilage were measured. Proton density (PD)‐ and T1‐weighted MR image series were also obtained and separately evaluated for morphological changes using the MRI OA Knee Scoring (MOAKS) system. Comparisons using the Mann–Whitney nonparametric test were performed after dividing the study participants according to physical symptoms as determined by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score or presence of cartilage lesions, bone marrow lesions, or osteophytes.

Results

Elevated adiabatic T1ρ and T2ρ relaxation times of articular cartilage were associated with cartilage loss (P = 0.024–0.047), physical symptoms (0.0068–0.035), and osteophytes (0.0039–0.027). Elevated adiabatic T1ρ was also associated with bone marrow lesions (0.033).

Conclusion

Preliminary data suggest that elevated adiabatic T1ρ and T2ρ of cartilage are associated with morphological abnormalities of cartilage and bone, and thus may be applicable for in vivo OA research and diagnostics.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 2

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2017;46:678–689
Microstructural and functional correlates of glutamate concentration in the posterior cingulate cortex
Authors: Arrubla Jorge , Farrher Ezequiel , Strippelmann Johanna , Tse Desmond H. Y. , Grinberg Farida , Shah N. Jon , Neuner Irene
Published: January 2017

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the human brain and has a central role in both intrinsic and stimulus‐induced activity. We conducted a study in a cohort of healthy, male volunteers in which glutamate levels were measured in the posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) using 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 3T. The advantages of simultaneous electroencephalography and magnetic resonance imaging (EEG‐MRI) were exploited and the subjects were measured in the same session and under the same physiological conditions. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), functional MRI (fMRI) and EEG were measured in order to investigate the functional and microstructural correlates of glutamate. The concentration of glutamate (institute units) was calculated and those values were tested for correlation with the metrics of resting state fMRI, DTI, and EEG electrical sources. Our results showed that the concentration of glutamate in the PCC had a significant negative correlation with the tissue mean diffusivity in the same area. The analysis of resting state networks did not show any relationship between the concentration of glutamate and the intrinsic activity of the resting state networks. The concentration of glutamate showed a positive correlation with the electrical generators of α–1 frequency and a negative correlation with the generators of α–2 and β–1 electrical generators. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Long‐term analysis of the asynchronicity between temperature and precipitation maxima in the United States Great Plains
Authors: Flanagan Paul X. , Basara Jeffrey B. , Xiao Xiangming
Published: January 2017

Agriculture is a critical industry to the economy of the Great Plains (GP) region of North America and sensitive to change in weather and climate. Thus, improved knowledge of meteorological and climatological conditions during the growing season and associated variability across spatial and temporal scales is important. A distinct climate feature in the GP is the asynchronicity (AS) between the timing of temperature and precipitation maxima. This study investigated a long‐term observational data set to quantify the AS and to address the impacts of climate variability and change. Global Historical Climate Network Daily (GHCN‐Daily) data were utilized for this study; 352 GHCN‐Daily stations were identified based on specific criteria and the dates of the precipitation and temperature maxima for each year were identified at daily and weekly intervals. An asynchronous difference index (ADI) was computed by determining the difference between these dates averaged over each decade. Analysis of daily and weekly ADI revealed two physically distinct regimes of ADI (positive and negative), with comparable shifts in the timing of both the maximum of precipitation and temperature over all six states within the GP examined when comparing the two different regimes. Time series analysis of decadal average ADI yielded moderate shifts (∼5 to 10 days from linear regression analysis) in ADI in several states with increased variability occurring over much of the study region.
Comparison of spatial interpolation techniques to generate high‐resolution climate surfaces for Nigeria
Authors: Arowolo Aisha Olushola , Bhowmik Avit Kumar , Qi Wei , Deng Xiangzheng
Published: January 2017

Climate datagaps are a major challenge for understanding the impacts of climate change on ecosystems, particularly in highly climate vulnerable countries such as Nigeria. The generation of gridded climate data sets in the form of interpolated surfaces may help to fill climate datagaps and in turns enable climate change impact assessments. This article generates climate surfaces of monthly total precipitation and minimum and maximum temperatures for Nigeria at 0.001° spatial resolution by comparing two spatial interpolation techniques, i.e. kriging with external drifts and thin plate splines. Climate data from 43 meteorological stations covering the period of 1960–2012 were used to generate climate surfaces fitting the longitude, latitude, elevation and distance to coastline of the stations as independent variables. Three model error statistics, i.e. root mean square error (RMSE), Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE) and index of agreement (d), were used to evaluate and compare the performances of interpolation techniques. The second‐order and third‐order partial thin plate splines were identified as the optimal models for generating precipitation, and minimum and maximum temperatures surfaces, respectively. The best‐fit surfaces yielded an average RMSE, NSE and d of 14.98, 0.87 and 0.97 for precipitation, 0.42, 0.91 and 0.98 for minimum temperature and 0.52, 0.89 and 0.97 for maximum temperature. Our high‐resolution climate surfaces are freely available from an online repository and widely applicable for climate change analysis as well as for biological, forestry and agricultural studies in Nigeria.
The Management of the Branches of the Italian Banks between 1998 and 2015: A Comparative Analysis
Authors: Catelani Edoardo , Verniani Cristiano
Published: January 2017

Since the beginning of the economic crisis in 2008, the branches of the Italian cooperative banks have had a better trend in comparison with other banks of the same kind.
Neurotological findings after electrical injury at the workplace
Authors: Wuesthoff Carolina , Ilan Ophir , Rutka John Alexander
Published: January 2017

Objectives/Hypothesis

Neurotological findings secondary to electrical injuries have rarely been reported in the world literature. We attempt to characterize the neurotological findings following electrical injury and to determine the role head injury and loss of consciousness play in this population's clinical presentation.

Study Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods

A database containing 3,438 patients with work‐related injuries was scanned for individuals who sustained and survived electrical injuries at work. Detailed analysis of the frequencies of presenting features and test results was performed. A comparative analysis was made between the subsets of patients with and without loss of consciousness and/or head injury.

Results

A cohort of 42 patients was identified. All patients had multiple symptoms. Dizziness was a significant complaint in all workers with electrical injuries. Other common complaints included tinnitus and imbalance. Characterization of these symptoms is provided in detail according to statistical frequency. In this cohort, 25 workers had a concomitant head injury and 17 workers had an associated loss of consciousness. There was no statistically significant difference when clinical presentation, examination, and balance testing results were compared between the subsets.

Conclusions

Frequency and characterization of symptoms following electrical injury are provided. Dizziness is the most common presenting neurotological feature. Loss of consciousness and/or associated head injury do not affect the clinical presentation in this particular population.

Level of Evidence

2b. Laryngoscope, 127:2126–2131, 2017
Indwelling voice prosthesis insertion after total pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal reconstruction
Authors: Fukushima Hirofumi , Kanazawa Takeharu , Kawabata Kazuyoshi , Mitani Hiroki , Yonekawa Hiroyuki , Sasaki Toru , Shimbashi Wataru , Seto Akira , Kamiyama Ryousuke , Misawa Kiyoshi , Asakage Takahiro
Published: January 2017

Objectives

Total pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal reconstruction is often performed in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma. However, postoperative speechlessness significantly decreases patient quality of life. We investigated whether Provox® insertion could preserve speech after total pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal reconstruction.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

A total of 130 cases of secondary Provox® insertions after total pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal reconstruction were analyzed. Communication outcomes were compared using the Head and Neck Cancer Understandability of Speech Subscale. Outcomes and complications associated with insertion site (jejunal insertion vs. esophageal insertion) and adjuvant irradiation therapy were also evaluated.

Results

Provox® insertion had favorable communication outcomes in 102 cases (78.4%). Neither the insertion site nor irradiation affected the communication outcome. Complications were observed in 20 cases (15.4%). Local infection was the most common complication. Free jejunal insertion, in which the resection range was enlarged, had a lower complication rate than did esophageal insertion, and its complication rate was unaffected by previous irradiation. For all patients, the hospitalization duration and duration of speechlessness were 13.4 days and 14.6 months, respectively. Patients receiving jejunal insertions had a significantly shorter hospitalization duration than did those receiving esophageal insertions. Unlike Provox®2, Provox®Vega significantly reduced the complication rate to zero.

Conclusion

For jejunal inserson of a Provox® prosthetic, a sufficient margin can be maintained during total pharyngolaryngectomy and irradiation can be performed, and satisfactory communication outcomes were observed. Provox® insertion after total pharyngolaryngectomy with free jejunal reconstruction should be considered the standard therapy for voice restoration.

Level of Evidence

4.
A Copolymer Scaffold Functionalized with Nanodiamond Particles Enhances Osteogenic Metabolic Activity and Bone Regeneration
Authors: Yassin Mohammed A. , Mustafa Kamal , Xing Zhe , Sun Yang , Fasmer Kristine Eldevik , Waag Thilo , Krueger Anke , Steinmüller‐Nethl Doris , Finne‐Wistrand Anna , Leknes Knut N.
Published: January 2017

Functionalizing polymer scaffolds with nanodiamond particles (nDPs) has pronounced effect on the surface properties, such as improved wettability, an increased active area and binding sites for cellular attachment and adhesion, and increased ability to immobilize biomolecules by physical adsorption. This study aims to evaluate the effect of poly(l‐lactide‐co‐ε‐caprolactone) (poly(LLA‐co‐CL)) scaffolds, functionalized with nDPs, on bone regeneration in a rat calvarial critical size defect. Poly(LLA‐co‐CL) scaffolds functionalized with nDPs are also compared with pristine scaffolds with reference to albumin adsorption and seeding efficiency of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Compared with pristine scaffolds, the experimental scaffolds exhibit a reduction in albumin adsorption and a significant increase in the seeding efficiency of BMSCs (p = 0.027). In the calvarial defects implanted with BMSC‐seeded poly(LLA‐co‐CL)/nDPs scaffolds, live imaging at 12 weeks discloses a significant increase in osteogenic metabolic activity (p = 0.016). Microcomputed tomography, confirmed by histological data, reveals a substantial increase in bone volume (p = 0.021). The results show that compared with conventional poly(LLA‐co‐CL) scaffolds those functionalized with nDPs promote osteogenic metabolic activity and mineralization capacity. It is concluded that poly(LLA‐co‐CL) composite matrices functionalized with nDPs enhance osteoconductivity and therefore warrant further study as potential scaffolding material for bone tissue engineering.

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The Kinetics of Surface‐Initiated RAFT Polymerization of Butyl acrylate Mediated by Trithiocarbonates
Authors: Moehrke Julia , Vana Philipp
Published: January 2017

Stationary and time‐resolved electron spin resonance spectroscopy measurements are employed to investigate the kinetics of the surface‐initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of n‐butyl acrylate from silica nanoparticles using both R‐ and Z‐group‐attached trithiocarbonates as RAFT agents. The obtained kinetic parameters reveal that the addition rate coefficient in the main equilibrium of RAFT graft polymerizations is significantly smaller than the one for comparable RAFT polymerizations in solution phase, as translational diffusion of surface‐attached molecules is limited. In comparison to the R‐group approach, the equilibrium constants of the Z‐group approach are about one to two orders of magnitude smaller due to a stronger shielding of the RAFT moieties.

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Nitrogen‐Doped Nanocarbons Derived from Tetrazine Cross‐Linked Poly(4‐cyanostyrene)‐Silica Hybrids
Authors: Lamson Melissa , Chen Luyi , Zhong Mingjiang , Wu Dingcai , Matyjaszewski Krzysztof
Published: January 2017

Nanoporous carbon materials containing heteroatoms are important for various applications. Novel carbon precursors containing cyano groups are grafted from silica particles by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of 4‐cyanostyrene. The poly(4‐cyanostyrene) grafted silica particles are cross‐linked via the Pinner reaction to form tetrazine cross‐linking units. The cross‐linked nanoparticles exhibit intra‐ and interparticle cross‐linking, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscope analysis. Subsequent carbonization and silica etching yield a 3D‐interconnected network of nitrogen‐doped nanocarbons with surface areas exceeding 750 m2 g−1.

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Direct Synthesis of Fractal Polymer Dispersions by Miniemulsion Polymerization
Authors: López Ana B. , de la Cal José C. , Asua José M.
Published: January 2017

Fractal colloids, which find applications in the preparation of advanced materials, are currently synthesized by means of a multistep procedure that yields a low solids content dispersion. This is not well suited for certain applications such as superhydrophobic coatings. In this work, a one‐step method for the synthesis of higher solids content waterborne fractal polymer dispersions is presented and it is shown that the surfaces obtained from the fractal dispersions are superhydrophobic (contact angle, θ > 150°) which is beyond the current waterborne coating technology (θ = 130°–137°). This opens the possibility for the large‐scale production of waterborne superhydrophobic coatings.

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Doubly Dynamic Self‐Healing Materials Based on Oxime Click Chemistry and Boronic Acids
Authors: Collins Joe , Nadgorny Milena , Xiao Zeyun , Connal Luke A.
Published: January 2017

The dynamic covalent characteristics of oxime and boronate ester bonds have been explored. A small excess of a competing aldehyde under acidic conditions resulted in oxime polymer degradation from high molecular weights (30 kDa) to low molecular weight oligomers (2.2 kDa). The dynamic nature of oxime bonds imparts oxime cross‐linked hydrogels with self‐healing properties and the incorporation of phenyl boronic acid groups into the hydrogel network provides a platform for hydrogel functionalization. The addition of a polyphenol (tannic acid) proves a facile means to incorporate a second, dynamic covalent cross‐linking network through boronate ester formation which, owing to the increase in the degree of cross‐linking, is found to be nearly double the hydrogel strength (storage modulus increased from 4.6 to 8.5 kPa). Finally, the tannic acid cross‐linking network is selectively degraded returning the hydrogel storage modulus to its initial value and providing a means for the synthesis of materials with tunable mechanical properties.

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Solution‐processable and electroactive aromatic polyamides with 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)triphenylamine moiety
Authors: Hsiao Sheng‐Huei , Wu Chien‐Nan
Published: January 2017

New fluorine‐containing, triphenylamine‐based diamine and dicarboxylic acid monomers, namely 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)‐4′,4″‐diaminotriphenylamine and 3,5‐bis(trifluoromethyl)‐4′,4″‐dicarboxytriphenylamine, were synthesized and polymerized with commercially available aromatic dicarboxylic acids and diamines, respectively, leading to two series of aromatic polyamides, 5a–h and 7a–e. Most of the polyamides were amorphous and readily soluble in many common organic solvents and could be solution‐cast into transparent, flexible and strong films with good mechanical properties. The polyamides had useful levels of thermal stability associated with high glass transition temperatures of 273–305 °C and 10% weight‐loss temperatures in excess of 500 °C. Cyclic voltammograms of films of polymers 5a–h on indium–tin oxide‐coated glass substrates exhibited reversible oxidation redox couples with E1/2 around 1.15 V versus Ag/AgCl in tetrabutylammonium perchlorate/acetonitrile solution, accompanied by a color change from colorless neutral state to reddish brown oxidized state. The 7 series polymers displayed a higher oxidation potential and less electrochemical stability as compared to the 5 series analogues. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Simple and easy recycling of poly(amic acid) gels through microwave irradiation
Authors: Yu Hwan‐Chul , Choi Ju‐Young , Jeong Jin‐Won , Kim Beom‐Jun , Chung Chan‐Moon
Published: January 2017

Poly(amic acid)s (PAAs), which are precursors of polyimides, often undergo gel formation during their synthesis or storage, and these insoluble gels have been discarded. In this work, we discovered that the gels could be converted to homogeneous PAA solutions by fast and simple microwave (MW) irradiation. The PAA gels were placed inside a domestic MW oven, and MW irradiation was carried out with 240 W for 2 min. The recycled PAA solutions afforded polyimide films, coatings, and powders. The polyimides prepared from the recycled PAA solutions exhibited higher glass transition temperatures (Tgs), decomposition temperatures, and char yields than comparison polyimides obtained from ordinary PAA solutions. Flexible free‐standing polyimide films were obtained by drop‐casting of the MW‐treated solutions and subsequent thermal imidization. Mechanical properties and dielectric constants were measured for the polyimide films and coatings, respectively. This new method has significant advantages for the environment, economy, and industry. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 981–987
Periodic extinction bands composed of all flat‐on lamellae in poly(dodecamethylene terephthalate) thin films crystallized at high temperatures
Authors: Lugito Graecia , Woo Eamor M. , Chang Shih‐Min
Published: January 2017

Using in‐house synthesized poly(dodecamethylene terephthalate) (P12T) as a model, periodic extinction‐banded spherulites melt‐crystallized at high Tcs (100–115 °C) are expounded in terms of growth mechanism. The extinction‐banded spherulites wildly differing from the usual blue/orange double ring‐banded spherulites are composed of all flat‐on discrete single‐crystalline lamellae packed like roof shingles (or fish scales) along the circularly curved bands and the lamellae in the extinction bands are flat with a lozenge shape with no continuous twisting at all. For P12T films of more than 10 µm crystallized at Tc = 105–115 °C, no periodic bands were seen, and all spherulites were ringless, where periodic growth precipitation of crystals to extinction does not occur until impingement. Extinction bands in the P12T spherulites with the inter‐ring spacing steadily decrease with decreasing film thickness, because for thinner films (submicrons to 2 µm), draining or depletion of available molten species takes place more frequently, leading to bands of smaller inter‐ring spacing. The petal‐like extinction bands are discussed and analyzed in detail using 3D AFM imaging. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2017, 55, 601–611
Prevalence of oncologists in distress: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Medisauskaite Asta , Kamau Caroline
Published: January 2017

Objective

High mortality from cancer and rising patient numbers can trigger distress among oncologists because of a heavy and emotionally demanding workload. This systematic review and meta‐analysis assesses the prevalence of high levels of distress among oncologists.

Methods

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses protocol is registered at the PROSPERO international prospective register (ref. 2015:CRD42015016325). We categorised data items according to the following distress factors: burnout, psychiatric morbidity, stress, depression, disrupted sleep, stress‐induced physical symptoms, and substance use. We meta‐analysed the prevalence of burnout and psychiatric morbidity using random effects models with MetaXL software.

Results

The meta‐analyses showed that 32% of 4876 oncologists had high burnout (±CI 28%‐36%) and 27% of 2384 had high psychiatric morbidity (±CI 23%‐32%). Studies also showed that 42% to 69% feel stressed at work, >12% of oncologists screen positive for depression, many oncologists suffer from sleep deprivation, up to 30% drink alcohol in a problematic way, and up to 20% of junior oncologists use hypnotic drugs, and some frequently experience stress‐induced complaints such as ulcers, gastric problems, headaches, and arrhythmia.

Conclusions

Occupational distress reduces career satisfaction, affects patient care, and increases the chances of oncologists switching to another area of medicine; therefore, future research should explore appropriate interventions.
Genome‐Wide Measures of Peripheral Blood Dna Methylation and Prostate Cancer Risk in a Prospective Nested Case‐Control Study
Authors: FitzGerald Liesel M. , Naeem Haroon , Makalic Enes , Schmidt Daniel F. , Dowty James G. , Joo Jihoon E. , Jung Chol‐Hee , Bassett Julie K. , Dugue Pierre‐Antoine , Chung Jessica , Lonie Andrew , Milne Roger L. , Wong Ee Ming , Hopper John L. , English Dallas R. , Severi Gianluca , Baglietto Laura , Pedersen John , Giles Graham G. , Southey Melissa C.
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Global measures of peripheral blood DNA methylation have been associated with risk of some malignancies, including breast, bladder, and gastric cancer. Here, we examined genome‐wide measures of peripheral blood DNA methylation in prostate cancer and its non‐aggressive and aggressive disease forms.

METHODS

We used a matched, case‐control study of 687 incident prostate cancer samples, nested within a larger prospective cohort study. DNA methylation was measured in pre‐diagnostic, peripheral blood samples using the Illumina Infinium HM450K BeadChip. Genome‐wide measures of DNA methylation were computed as the median M‐value of all CpG sites and according to CpG site location and regulatory function. We used conditional logistic regression to test for associations between genome‐wide measures of DNA methylation and risk of prostate cancer and its subtypes, and by time between blood draw and diagnosis.

RESULTS

We observed no associations between the genome‐wide measure of DNA methylation based on all CpG sites and risk of prostate cancer or aggressive disease. Risk of non‐aggressive disease was associated with higher methylation of CpG islands (OR = 0.80; 95%CI = 0.68–0.94), promoter regions (OR = 0.79; 95%CI = 0.66–0.93), and high density CpG regions (OR = 0.80; 95%CI = 0.68–0.94). Additionally, higher methylation of all CpGs (OR = 0.66; 95%CI = 0.48–0.89), CpG shores (OR = 0.62; 95%CI = 0.45–0.84), and regulatory regions (OR = 0.68; 95% CI = 0.51–0.91) was associated with a reduced risk of overall prostate cancer within 5 years of blood draw but not thereafter.

CONCLUSIONS

A reduced risk of overall prostate cancer within 5 years of blood draw and non‐aggressive prostate cancer was associated with higher genome‐wide methylation of peripheral blood DNA. While these data have no immediate clinical utility, with further work they may provide insight into the early events of prostate carcinogenesis. Prostate 77:471–478, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Non‐Adrenergic, Tamsulosin‐Insensitive Smooth Muscle Contraction is Sufficient to Replace α1‐Adrenergic Tension in the Human Prostate
Authors: Hennenberg Martin , Acevedo Alice , Wiemer Nicolas , Kan Aysenur , Tamalunas Alexander , Wang Yiming , Yu Qingfeng , Rutz Beata , Ciotkowska Anna , Herlemann Annika , Strittmatter Frank , Stief Christian G. , Gratzke Christian
Published: January 2017

BACKGROUND

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia may be caused by prostate smooth muscle contraction. Although α1‐blockers may improve symptoms by prostate smooth muscle relaxation, their efficacy is limited. This may be explained by non‐adrenergic mediators causing contraction in parallel to α1‐adrenoceptors. However, little is known about the relevance and cooperative actions of non‐adrenergic mediators in the prostate.

METHODS

Prostate tissues were obtained from radical prostatectomy (n = 127 patients). Contractile responses were studied in an organ bath.

RESULTS

Endothelin‐1 and noradrenaline induced contractions of similar magnitude (116 ± 23 and 117 ± 18% of KCl‐induced contractions). Endothelin‐2‐ and ‐3‐induced maximum contractions of 63 ± 8.6 and 71 ± 19% of KCl, while contractions by the thromboxane analog U46619 amounted up to 63 ± 9.4%. Dopamine‐induced contractions averaged to 22 ± 4.5% of KCl, while maximum contractions by serotonin, histamine, and carbachol stayed below 10% of KCl‐induced. While noradrenaline‐induced contractions were inhibited by tamsulosin (300 nM), endothelin‐1‐, ‐2‐, or ‐3‐induced contraction were not. No additive effects were observed if endothelins and noradrenaline were applied consecutively to the same samples. If endothelin‐1 was applied after U46619, resulting tension (172 ± 43% of KCl) significantly exceeded noradrenaline‐induced contraction. Tensions following combined application of endothelin‐2 or ‐3 with U46619 stayed below noradrenaline‐induced contractions. Tension following combined application of all three endothelins with U46619 resembled maximum noradrenaline‐induced tone.

CONCLUSIONS

Contractions following concomitant confrontation of human prostate tissue with noradrenaline and endothelin‐1 are not additive. Endothelin‐1 is sufficient to induce a smooth muscle tone resembling that of noradrenaline. This may replace lacking α1‐adrenergic tone under therapy with α1‐blockers, explaining the limited efficacy of α1‐blockers in LUTS treatment. Contractions by thromboxane and endothelin‐1 may be additive, and may exceed α1‐adrenergic tone. Prostate 77:697–707, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Single interval longwave radiation scheme based on the net exchanged rate decomposition with bracketing
Authors: Geleyn J.‐F. , Mašek J. , Brožková R. , Kuma P. , Degrauwe D. , Hello G. , Pristov N.
Published: January 2017

The main obstacle to efficient calculation of longwave radiative transfer is the existence of multiple radiative sources, each with its own emission spectrum. The work presented here overcomes this problem by combining the full spectrum broadband approach with the net exchanged rate decomposition. The idea is worked out to suit the needs of numerical weather prediction, where the most costly contribution representing the sum of internal exchanges is interpolated between cheap minimum and maximum estimates, while exchange with the surface and dominant cooling to space contributions are calculated accurately. The broad‐band approach must address the additional problems related to spectral integration and many ideas developed previously for the solar spectrum are reused. Specific issues appear, the dependence of broadband gaseous transmissions on the temperature of the emitting body being the most important one. The thermal spectrum also brings some simplifications—aerosols, clouds and the Earth's surface can safely be treated as grey bodies. The optical saturation of gaseous absorption remains the main complication and non‐random spectral overlaps between gases become much more significant than in the solar spectrum. The broadband character of the proposed scheme enables the use of an unreduced spatial resolution with an intermittent update of gaseous transmissions and interpolation weights, thus ensuring a full response of longwave radiation to rapidly varying cloudiness and temperature fields. This is in contrast to the mainstream strategy, where very accurate and expensive radiative transfer calculations are performed infrequently, often with reduced spatial resolution. The approach proposed here provides a much better balance between errors coming from the radiation scheme itself and from the intermittency strategy. The key achievement, ensuring a good scalability of the scheme, is a computational cost essentially linear in the number of layers, with straightforward inclusion of scattering as an additional bonus.
On the Selection of the Bandwidth Parameter for the k‐Chart
Authors: Weese Maria L. , Martinez Waldyn G. , Jones‐Farmer L. Allison
Published: January 2017

The k‐chart, based on support vector data description, has received recent attention in the literature. We review four different methods for choosing the bandwidth parameter, s, when the k‐chart is designed using the Gaussian kernel. We provide results of extensive Phase I and Phase II simulation studies varying the method of choosing the bandwidth parameter along with the size and distribution of sample data. In very limited cases, the k‐chart performed as desired. In general, we are unable to recommend the k‐chart for use in a Phase I or Phase II process monitoring study in its current form. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.