bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Meaningful and Expansive: Literacy Learning Through Technology‐Mediated Productions
Authors: Crampton Anne E. , Scharber Cassandra , Lewis Cynthia J. , Majors Yolanda J.
Published: February 2018

Most people have struggled with reading in one situation or another, depending on their appreciation for the content, their prior experiences, and the texts. This department column shares ways for educators to help literacy learners unlock their potential with instruction anchored in their skills, knowledge, ways of learning, interests, and attitudes.
The Optimism of Uncertainty: A Call to Action
Authors: Alvermann Donna E.
Published: February 2018

This department column is a venue for thoughtful discussions of contemporary issues dealing with policy and practice, remixed in ways that generate new insights into enduring dilemmas, debates, and controversies.
Alteration of renal excretion pathways in gentamicin‐induced renal injury in rats
Authors: Ma Yan‐rong , Luo Xuan , Wu Yan‐fang , Zhang Tiffany , Zhang Fan , Zhang Guo‐qiang , Wu Xin‐an
Published: February 2018

The kidney plays a major part in the elimination of many drugs and their metabolites, and drug‐induced kidney injury commonly alters either glomerular filtration or tubular transport, or both. However, the renal excretion pathway of drugs has not been fully elucidated at different stages of renal injury. This study aimed to evaluate the alteration of renal excretion pathways in gentamicin (GEN)‐induced renal injury in rats. Results showed that serum cystatin C, creatinine and urea nitrogen levels were greatly increased by the exposure of GEN (100 mg kg–1), and creatinine concentration was increased by 39.7% by GEN (50 mg kg–1). GEN dose‐dependently upregulated the protein expression of rOCT1, downregulated rOCT2 and rOAT1, but not affected rOAT2. Efflux transporters, rMRP2, rMRP4 and rBCRP expressions were significantly increased by GEN(100), and the rMATE1 level was markedly increased by GEN(50) but decreased by GEN(100). GEN(50) did not alter the urinary excretion of inulin, but increased metformin and furosemide excretion. However, GEN(100) resulted in a significant decrease of the urinary excretion of inulin, metformin and p‐aminohippurate. In addition, urinary metformin excretions in vivo were significantly decreased by GEN(100), but slightly increased by GEN(50). These results suggested that GEN(50) resulted in the induction of rOCTs‐rMATE1 and rOAT3‐rMRPs pathway, but not changed the glomerular filtration rate, and GEN(100)‐induced acute kidney injury caused the downregulated function of glomerular filtration ‐rOCTs‐rMATE1 and ‐rOAT1‐rMRPs pathway.
Evaluation of chalcones as inhibitors of glutathione S‐transferase
Authors: Özaslan Muhammet Serhat , Demir Yeliz , Aslan Hatice Esra , Beydemir Şükrü , Küfrevioğlu Ömer İrfan
Published: February 2018

Glutathione S‐transferases (GSTs) are the superfamily of multifunctional detoxification isoenzymes and play an important role in cellular signaling. In the present study, potential inhibition effects of chalcones were tested against human GST. For this purpose, GST was purified from human erythrocytes with 5.381 EU⋅mg−1 specific activity and 51.95% yield using a GSH–agarose affinity chromatographic method. The effects of chalcones on in vitro GST activity were tested at various concentrations. Ki constants of chalcones were found in the range of 7.76–41.93 μM. According to the results, 4‐fluorochalcone showed a better inhibitory effect compared with the other compounds. The inhibition mechanisms of 2'‐hydroxy‐4‐methoxychalcone and 4‐methoxychalcone were noncompetitive, whereas the inhibition mechanisms of 4'‐ hydroxychalcone, 4‐ fluorochalcone, and 4,4'‐ diflurochalcone were competitive.
The Extent and Determinants of Tax Gap in the Informal Sector: Evidence from Ghana
Authors: Danquah Michael , Osei‐Assibey Eric
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we attempt to estimate the tax gap in the informal sector as well as the contributing factors of the tax losses in SSA countries using Ghana as a case study. Using micro data on non‐farm household enterprises obtained from the sixth round of the Ghana Living Standards Survey as well as data on quarterly tax payable by specified small scale enterprises derived from the Small Tax Payer office of the Ghana Revenue Authority, the findings show that the national potential and actual taxes in the informal sector are US$ 81 974 846 and US$ 25 023 273, respectively, reflecting an estimated national tax gap or loss of approximately US$ 56 951 573. Firm level variables such as type of business, urban location and experience of the firm significantly increase the propensity to pay tax and reduce the tax gap. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tarsal attachment devices of the southern green stink bug Nezara viridula (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Rebora Manuela , Michels Jan , Salerno Gianandrea , Heepe Lars , Gorb Elena , Gorb Stanislav
Published: February 2018

Based on analyses with cryo‐scanning and transmission electron microscopy, the present study reports on the morphology and ultrastructure of the attachment structures of the green stinkbug Nezara viridula L. (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), a cosmopolitan pest of different crops in most areas of the world. In addition, the presence and distribution of large proportions of the elastic protein resilin in these structures was revealed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The attachment structures of each leg comprise two sclerotised claws, a pair of smooth flexible pulvilli and a hairy adhesive pad located at the ventral side of the basitarsus. No sexual dimorphism is evident. Contact areas of resting individuals on a smooth surface show that N. viridula creates contact to the substrate with the ventral surface of (a) the distal portions of the pulvilli, (b) the setae of the hairy adhesive pad, (c) the two paraempodia representing mechanosensory setae, and (d) the tips of the claws. Each pulvillus is a sac‐like structure formed by complex cuticular layers that vary in their structure and resilin content. The dorsal side consists of sclerotised chitinous material, while the ventral cuticle consists mainly of resilin and shows a very thin epicuticle and a thick exocuticle. The setae of the hairy adhesive pad are pointed and socketed. They exhibit a pronounced longitudinal gradient in the material composition, with large proportions of resilin being present in the setal tips. In most of these setae, especially in those of the distal‐most part of the pad, also a transverse gradient in the material composition is visible.
Low‐dose T1W DCE‐MRI for early time points perfusion measurement in patients with intracranial tumors: A pilot study applying the microsphere model to measure absolute cerebral blood flow
Authors: Li Ka‐Loh , Lewis Daniel , Jackson Alan , Zhao Sha , Zhu Xiaoping
Published: February 2018

BACKGROUND

Previous studies have measured cerebral blood flow (CBF) with DSC‐MRI using an “early time points” (ET) method based on microsphere theory.

PURPOSE

To develop and assess a new ET method for absolute CBF estimation using low‐dose high‐temporal (LDHT) T1W‐DCE‐MRI.

STUDY TYPE

Retrospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

Seven patients with sporadic vestibular schwannoma (VS) who underwent test–retest imaging; one patient with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) imaged pretreatment; and 12 neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients undergoing bevacizumab treatment, imaged pre‐ and 90 days posttreatment.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

LDHT‐DCE‐MRI was performed at 1.5 and 3.0T, using 3D spoiled gradient echo with phase cycling. DSC‐MRI performed in one patient, using 3D echo‐shifted multi‐shot echo‐planar imaging (PRESTO) at 3T.

ASSESSMENT

Through Monte Carlo simulations, CBF estimation using three newly developed average contrast agent concentration (AC) ‐based methods (ACrPK, ACrMG, ACcomb), was compared against conventional maximum gradient (MG) approaches, at varying Rician noise levels. Reproducibility and applicability of the ACcomb method was assessed in our sporadic‐VS/GBM/NF2 patient cohort, respectively.

STATISTICAL TESTS

Reproducibility was measured using test–retest coefficient of variation (CoV). Pre‐ and posttreatment CBF values were compared using paired t‐test with Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS

Monte Carlo stimulations demonstrated that AC‐based methods, particularly ACcomb, offered superior accuracy to conventional MG approaches. Overall test–retest CoV using the ACcomb method was 5.76 in normal‐appearing white matter (NAWM). The new ACcomb method produced gray matter/white matter CBF estimates in the NF2 patient cohort of 55.9 ± 13.9/25.8 ± 3.5 on day 0; compared with 155.6 ± 17.2/128.4 ± 29.1 for the classical MG method. There was a moderate (10% using ACcomb and ACrPK) increase in CBF of NAWM 90 days post therapy (P = 0.03 and 0.005).

DATA CONCLUSION

Our new AC‐based method of CBF estimation offers excellent reproducibility, and displays more accuracy in both Monte Carlo analysis and clinical data application, than conventional MG‐based approaches.

Level of Evidence: 1

Technical Efficacy: Stage 4

J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2018;48:543–557.
From being diverse to becoming diverse: A dynamic team diversity theory
Authors: Li Jia , Meyer Bertolt , Shemla Meir , Wegge Jürgen
Published: February 2018

On the basis of the literature of open systems and team diversity, we present a new dynamic team diversity theory that explains the effect of change in team diversity on team functioning and performance in the context of dynamic team composition. Building upon the conceptualization of teams as open systems, we describe the enlargement and decline of team variety, separation, and disparity through member addition, subtraction, and substitution. Then, focusing on diversity enlargement, we theorize the contemporaneous and lasting effects of team diversity change on team performance change and on team processes and states leading to them. Dynamic team diversity theory expands the focus of team diversity research from teams' being more diverse than others to teams' becoming more diverse than before. It aims to advance team diversity research to be better aligned with the organizational reality of dynamic team composition. We also discuss methodological considerations in subsequent empirical testing of the theory and highlight how the theory and future research may help to guide organizational practice in recomposing work teams.
Association of marijuana use with oral HPV infection and periodontitis among Hispanic adults: Implications for oral cancer prevention
Authors: Ortiz Ana P. , González Daisy , Ramos Jeslie , Muñoz Cristina , Reyes Juan Carlos , Pérez Cynthia M.
Published: February 2018

Background

Despite limited data, research suggests that marijuana use is associated with oral HPV infection and periodontitis, two potential oropharyngeal cancer risk factors. We assessed these associations in a Hispanic adult population in Puerto Rico.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study of 735 adults assessed marijuana use, determined through an audio computer‐assisted self‐interview, and periodontitis and self‐collection of oral HPV samples following the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey methodology. The Centers of Disease Control and Prevention/American Academy of Periodontology definition was used for periodontitis. HPV typing was performed using polymerase chain reaction with modified L1 consensus primers (MY09/MY11).

Results

26.5% of adults reported lifetime use of marijuana, 2.7% were frequent users (lifetime use ≥ 26 times, past year use ≥ 6 times, and past 30‐day use ≥2 times), 5.7% had oral HPV infection, and 20.1% had severe periodontitis. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that frequent marijuana users were more likely to have severe periodontitis (OR = (2.93, 95%: 1.08–7.96)) than never/once lifetime users after adjusting for age, sex, healthcare coverage, smoking, binge drinking, number of oral sex partners, and oral HPV infection. However, frequent marijuana use was not associated with oral HPV infection.

Conclusion

Marijuana use was associated with periodontitis, but not with oral HPV infection. Further evaluation of the role of marijuana use in oral HPV infection and periodontitis may inform novel preventive public health strategies, as marijuana users could be at increased risk of oral cancer.
Reconstruction using a constrained‐type hip tumor prosthesis after resection of malignant periacetabular tumors: A study by the Japanese Musculoskeletal Oncology Group (JMOG)
Authors: Ogura Koichi , Susa Michiro , Morioka Hideo , Matsumine Akihiko , Ishii Takeshi , Hamada Kenichiro , Ueda Takafumi , Kawai Akira
Published: February 2018

Background

We conducted a nationwide survey of prosthetic reconstruction using a constrained‐type hip tumor prosthesis (C‐THA) following resection of periacetabular tumors.

Methods

Eighty patients with periacetabular tumors underwent wide resection and prosthetic reconstruction using C‐THA at JMOG‐affiliated institutions (39 males and 41 females; mean age, 46.7 years; mean follow‐up period, 65 months). Primary bone or soft tissue sarcoma accounted for 75% of the cases. Adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy were performed for 12 and 37 patients, respectively.

Results

There were 21 local recurrences (26%), necessitating amputation in 2 patients. Other postoperative complications included deep infection in 31 patients (39%), delayed wound healing in 25 (31%), and prosthesis‐related complications requiring surgery in 7 (9%). Removal of the prosthesis was required in 23 patients (29%) (deep infection (n = 20), local recurrence resulting in amputation (n = 2), and outer cup displacement (n = 1). Patients whose abductor muscle was conserved or who underwent functional abductor muscle reconstruction showed significantly longer prosthesis survival. No postoperative wound complications occurred in three recent patients undergoing wound management with a RAM flap. The mean MSTS score was 43%.

Conclusions

We analyzed the outcome of 80 patients with periacetabular tumors undergoing C‐THA reconstruction. The rates of postoperative complication were still high, but comparable to those in previous studies. Our results suggest wound management using a RAM flap is useful for reducing wound complications.
Journal design
Authors: Charlesworth Neil , Penfold David
Published: February 2018

Considers all aspects of journal design, in the light of the comments and observations made by the judges for the first three years of the Charlesworth Group Award for Typographical Excellence in Journal and Serial Publishing.
Journal marketing in North America
Authors: Cameron Jamie
Published: February 2018

Considers how, with the currently accelerating pace of change, publishers must adjust their attitudes and practices to stay in business and maximize the revenue from published journals; the particular difficulties of the North American market; and the nature of the economic, technological, behavioural and funding changes occurring.
The future for licensing: an academic publisher’s viewpoint
Authors: Owen Lynette
Published: February 2018

Considers the factors affecting licensing policy, both for translations and for English–language reprints, and the copyright implications, in various countries.
Electronic publishing: fears, myths, and scenarios
Authors: Barden Phil
Published: February 2018

Offers a fresh perspective on recent and future technological developments in publishing, from an information scientist’s viewpoint.
Protection of intellectual property and copyright: The rôle of the World Intellectual Property Organization
Authors: Gervais Daniel
Published: February 2018

This paper describes the activities of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and presents its programme for the next few years in the field of copyright, with particular emphasis on aspects of interest to publishers.
Indexing the Internet
Authors: McFadden T. G.
Published: February 2018

Describes some of the historical problems and technological advances that make electronic publishing so attractive as an alternative to print. But while the future may be now, it is not without complication. Indexes and the texts to which they point have traditionally been print products; many of the same problems plague both as electronic products. While many of the issues are still unclear, and many of the solutions only tentative, the pattern is unavoidable: electronic publishing is a growth industry and an expanding market; indexers need to adapt their practices to survive.
The East and Central Europe Journal Donation Project
Authors: Mack Arien
Published: February 2018

The East and Central Europe Journal Donation Project was begun in 1991 in response to the great need of academic, research and national libraries in all the former Soviet dominated countries. It aims to create current journal archives for as many libraries in the region as possible through donated subscriptions by publishers. In the past year over 21,000 journals were given to approximately 200 recipient libraries. The project welcomes new participants.
The ballasting effect of Saharan dust deposition on aggregate dynamics and carbon export: Aggregation, settling, and scavenging potential of marine snow
Authors: van der Jagt Helga , Friese Carmen , Stuut Jan‐Berend W. , Fischer Gerhard , Iversen Morten H.
Published: February 2018

Lithogenic material such as Saharan dust can be incorporated into organic aggregates and act as ballast, potentially enhancing the marine carbon export via increased sinking velocities of aggregates. We studied the ballasting effects of Saharan dust on the aggregate dynamics in the upwelling region off Cape Blanc (Mauritania). Aggregate formation from a natural plankton community exposed to Saharan dust deposition resulted in higher abundance of aggregates with higher sinking velocities compared to aggregate formation with low dust. This higher aggregate abundance and sinking velocities potentially increased the carbon export 10‐fold when the aggregates were ballasted by Saharan dust. After aggregate formation in the surface waters, subsequent sinking through suspended Saharan dust minerals had no influence on aggregate sizes, abundance, and sinking velocities. We found that aggregates formed in the surface ocean off Mauritania were already heavily ballasted with lithogenic material and could therefore not scavenge any additional minerals during their descent. This suggests that carbon export to the deep ocean in regions with high dust deposition is strongly controlled by dust input to the surface ocean while suspended dust particles in deeper water layers do not significantly interact with sinking aggregates.
Beyond respiration: Controls on lateral carbon fluxes across the terrestrial‐aquatic interface
Authors: Tank Suzanne E. , Fellman Jason B. , Hood Eran , Kritzberg Emma S.
Published: February 2018

Understanding what controls the lateral flux of organic and inorganic carbon from landscapes to surface waters is key to fully understanding terrestrial ecosystem carbon balances, the biogeochemistry of freshwaters, and how the hydrologically‐mediated movement of carbon between these ecosystems may be altered by global change. In this paper, we synthesize current knowledge and identify major knowledge gaps in our understanding of land‐to‐water fluxes of dissolved and particulate organic carbon, CO2, and bicarbonate by exploring: (1) how variations in soil carbon stocks affect dissolved and gaseous carbon production in the soil profile and transport via terrestrial‐aquatic flow paths, and (2) the effect of global change on these lateral carbon fluxes. Our aim is to develop a roadmap to guide future research on terrestrial‐aquatic linkages in the carbon cycle within the context of changes in climate, global biogeochemical cycles, and land use.
Response of a fringing reef coastline to the direct impact of a tropical cyclone
Authors: Cuttler M. V. W. , Hansen J. E. , Lowe R. J. , Drost E. J. F.
Published: February 2018

Tropical cyclones generate extreme hazards along coastlines, often leading to losses of life and property. Although coral reefs exist in cyclone‐prone regions globally, few studies have measured the hydrodynamic conditions and morphological responses of reef‐fringed coastlines to tropical cyclones. Here, we examine the impact of Tropical Cyclone Olwyn on a section of Australia's largest fringing reef (Ningaloo Reef) using in situ wave and water level observations, topographic surveys, and numerical modeling. Despite forereef significant wave heights reaching 6 m and local winds of 140 km h−1, average beach volume change was only −3 m3 m−1. The results indicate that this erosion was due to locally generated wind waves within the lagoon rather than the offshore waves that were dissipated on the reef crest. A comparison of these volume changes to observations of tropical cyclone impacts along exposed sandy beaches quantitatively demonstrates the substantial coastal protection reefs can provide against extreme storms.
High Energy Density and Discharging Efficiency Achieved in Chlorinated Polyethylene Films for High Energy‐Storage Applications
Authors: Zhao Yifei , Li Qian , Zhang Xiao , Li Huayi , Lu Junyong , Zhang Zhicheng
Published: February 2018

Polymeric dielectric materials with high energy density (Ue), elevated breakdown strength (Eb), and high discharging efficiency (η) are in demand for high‐pulse metalized film capacitor application. In the present work, a randomly chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) with 71 wt% Cl moiety is fabricated in thin film (8–10 µm). Thanks to the high Cl content, CPE exhibits a rather high glass transition temperature (≈110 °C) and a Young's modulus of 2.6 GPa, which may address its high Eb. The random dispersion of Cl atoms onto the polymer chain is responsible for the well‐maintained medium permittivity (3–4) and low loss at elevated temperature. Both factors result in the rather high Ue (about 12 J cm−3) and high η (about 83%) under an electric field of 700 MV m−1. Its higher energy‐storage capability and operating temperature make CPE a promising polymeric dielectric for high‐pulse metalized film capacitor applications.
The usefulness of oil price forecasts—Evidence from survey predictions
Authors: Kunze Frederik , Spiwoks Markus , Bizer Kilian , Windels Torsten
Published: February 2018

This paper evaluates survey forecasts for crude oil prices and discusses the implications for decision makers. A novel disaggregated data set incorporating individual forecasts for Brent and Western Texas Intermediate is used. We carry out tests for unbiasedness, sign accuracy, and forecast encompassing, followed by the computation of coefficients for topically oriented trend adjustments and the Theil's U measure. We also control for the forecast horizon finding heterogeneous results. Forecasts are more precise for shorter horizons, but less accurate than the naïve prediction. For longer horizons, topically oriented trend adjustments become more pronounced, but forecasters tend to outperform the naïve predictions.
α‐synuclein (SNCA) but not dynamin 3 (DNM3) influences age at onset of leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) Parkinson's disease in Spain
Authors: Fernández‐Santiago Rubén , Garrido Alicia , Infante Jon , González‐Aramburu Isabel , Sierra María , Fernández Manel , Valldeoriola Francesc , Muñoz Esteban , Compta Yaroslau , Martí María‐José , Ríos José , Tolosa Eduardo , Ezquerra Mario ,   the Barcelona LRRK2 Study Group
Published: February 2018

Objectives: A recent study showed that Arab‐Berbers GG homozygous at rs2421947(C/G) in the dynamin 3 gene (DNM3) had 12.5 years earlier age at onset of leucine‐rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2)‐associated Parkinson's disease (PD) (L2PD). We explored whether this variant modulates the L2PD age at onset in Spain.

Methods: We genotyped rs2421947 in 329 participants (210 L2PD patients, 119 L2PD nonmanifesting p.G2019S carriers), and marker rs356219 (A/G) in the α‐synuclein gene (SNCA).

Results: By Kaplan Meier and Cox regression analyses, we did not find an association of the DNM3 polymorphism with L2PD age at onset. However, we found an association of the SNCA marker with up to an 11 years difference in the L2PD median age at onset (58 years for GG carriers vs 69 years for AA).

Conclusion: Our results indicate that SNCA rs356219 but not dynamin 3 DNM3 rs2421947 modifies the penetrance of the mutation G2019S in the Spanish population by influencing the L2PD age at onset. These findings suggest that different genetic modifiers may influence the L2PD age at onset in different populations. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Facial emotion recognition in Parkinson's disease: A review and new hypotheses
Authors: Argaud Soizic , Vérin Marc , Sauleau Paul , Grandjean Didier
Published: February 2018

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder classically characterized by motor symptoms. Among them, hypomimia affects facial expressiveness and social communication and has a highly negative impact on patients' and relatives' quality of life. Patients also frequently experience nonmotor symptoms, including emotional‐processing impairments, leading to difficulty in recognizing emotions from faces. Aside from its theoretical importance, understanding the disruption of facial emotion recognition in PD is crucial for improving quality of life for both patients and caregivers, as this impairment is associated with heightened interpersonal difficulties. However, studies assessing abilities in recognizing facial emotions in PD still report contradictory outcomes. The origins of this inconsistency are unclear, and several questions (regarding the role of dopamine replacement therapy or the possible consequences of hypomimia) remain unanswered. We therefore undertook a fresh review of relevant articles focusing on facial emotion recognition in PD to deepen current understanding of this nonmotor feature, exploring multiple significant potential confounding factors, both clinical and methodological, and discussing probable pathophysiological mechanisms. This led us to examine recent proposals about the role of basal ganglia‐based circuits in emotion and to consider the involvement of facial mimicry in this deficit from the perspective of embodied simulation theory. We believe our findings will inform clinical practice and increase fundamental knowledge, particularly in relation to potential embodied emotion impairment in PD. © 2018 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Symmetry analysis for a Fisher equation with exponential diffusion
Authors: Gandarias M. L. , Rosa M. , Tracinà R.
Published: February 2018

In this paper, we consider a generalized Fisher equation with exponential diffusion from the point of view of the theory of symmetry reductions in partial differential equations. The generalized Fisher‐type equation arises in the theory of population dynamics. These types of equations have appeared in many fields of study such as in the reaction‐diffusion equations, in heat transfer problems, in biology, and in chemical kinetics. By using the symmetry classification, simplified by equivalence transformations, for a special family of Fisher equations, all the reductions are derived from the optimal system of subalgebras and symmetry reductions are used to obtain exact solutions.
Voluntary wheel running attenuates urinary bladder hypersensitivity and dysfunction following neonatal maternal separation in female mice
Authors: Pierce Angela N. , Eller‐Smith Olivia C. , Christianson Julie A.
Published: February 2018

Aims

Patients with interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) commonly suffer from widespread pain and mood disorder, which has been attributed to improper functioning of the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis. Voluntary exercise has been shown to improve HPA axis function, therefore we are determining whether voluntary wheel running can attenuate urological pain and dysfunction following neonatal maternal separation (NMS) in female mice.

Methods

Mice underwent NMS for 3 h/day from postnatal Day 1‐21, were caged with free access to running wheels at 4 weeks of age, and assessed 4 weeks later for bladder sensitivity, micturition, reward behavior, mast cell degranulation, and HPA axis‐related in vitro analysis.

Results

Increased bladder sensitivity, void frequency, and mast cell degranulation was observed in adult sedentary (‐Sed) NMS mice, compared to naïve‐Sed controls. Sucrose preference was increased in NMS‐Sed mice and corticotropin‐releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1) and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA levels were significantly reduced in the hippocampus. Exercise normalized bladder sensitivity, micturition output, and increased brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA levels in the hippocampus of NMS mice. Mast cell degranulation was also normalized in NMS bladders following exercise.

Conclusions

Voluntary exercise normalized behavioral outcomes resulting from NMS in female mice, increased hippocampal BDNF mRNA levels, and decreased mast cell degranulation in the bladder. Together these results provide novel insight into the efficacy of voluntary exercise to attenuate comorbid outcomes resulting from exposure to early life stress.
Propel student‐veterans to degree with framework to articulate military credit
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: February 2018

SAN DIEGO — If your institution is unable to successfully articulate your student‐veterans' military credit to course credit that applies to their degree, your students are losing time and money. That was the message from Danny Gourley, director of the Center for Adult Learners and Veterans at the University of West Georgia, during his presentation at the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning annual meeting on how UWG has successfully articulated military credit into credit for prior learning. “Elective credit does you no good; we want you to graduate,” Gourley said.
Provide practical on‐the‐job experience alongside education for student success
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: February 2018

Student Speaks

Provide practical on‐the‐job experience alongside education for student success

On‐campus work opportunities lead to long‐term employment

Resources

Doctoral grads happiest outside academia

Women are majority in med school
Cultivate a culture of professional development with a real‐world framework
Authors: Sutton Halley
Published: February 2018

PHOENIX — Encouraging professional growth for the staff in your office not only makes your office run more efficiently, but also leads to greater employee satisfaction and retention. But how do you efficiently encourage and foster professional growth while also getting everything done during your 40‐hour workweek?
Capillary morphogenesis protein 2 is a novel prognostic biomarker and plays oncogenic roles in glioma
Authors: Tan Juan , Liu Mei , Zhang Jun‐Ying , Yao Yue‐Liang , Wang Yan‐Xia , Lin Yong , Song Kang , Tan Jiao , Wu Jin‐Rong , Cui You‐Hong , Wang Yan , Bian Xiu‐Wu
Published: February 2018

Capillary morphogenesis protein 2 (CMG2) was originally identified through its participation in capillary morphogenesis, and subsequently identified as the second receptor for anthrax toxin (ANTXR2). Although tumor‐associated functions of CMG2 have also been reported, the clinical significance and functional mechanism of CMG2 in glioma remain to be elucidated. We assessed the clinicopathological relevance of CMG2 in a cohort of 48 glioma patients as well as through public glioma databases, and explored the function of CMG2 using glioblastoma (GBM) models in vitro and in vivo. CMG2 overexpression was associated with increased tumor grade and poor patient survival. CMG2 promoted G2/M‐phase transition during the cell cycle of GBM cells in vitro and contributed to tumor growth in vivo. We also observed that CMG2 is implicated in the activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases (ERKs), epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and invasion in GBM cells. Transcriptomic analysis of GBM cells with or without CMG2 overexpression indicated that a panel of oncogenic signaling pathways was altered with CMG2 upregulation, implying that CMG2 might orchestrate these signaling pathways to regulate the growth of GBM cells. Yes‐associated protein 1 (YAP1) activity was enhanced by CMG2 overexpression but suppressed with CMG2 deficiency. Since YAP1 is critically implicated in GBM, the oncogenic roles of CMG2 in GBM cells might thus be mediated, at least partially, by YAP1. Altogether, CMG2 functioned as an oncogene in glioma cells and is a potential prognostic biomarker or therapeutic target for the clinical treatment of glioma. Copyright © 2018 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Severe intestinal malabsorption associated with ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker treatment. An observational cohort study in Germany and Italy
Authors: Malfertheiner Peter , Ripellino Claudio , Cataldo Nazarena
Published: February 2018

Purpose

The angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) olmesartan has been recently associated with sprue‐like enteropathy (SLE), a gastrointestinal condition characterized by intestinal malabsorption (IM) and severe diarrhea. Whether the increased risk of SLE is substance‐specific or a class effect involving all ARBs is uncertain. The aim of this study is to assess the risk of enteropathy associated with ARBs and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE‐i) by using data from large administrative and claim databases.

Methods

We obtained data from Italian local health‐care units and a large German claim database and included patients treated with olmesartan, other ARBs, and ACE‐i. In the absence of a specific diagnosis code for SLE, International Classification of Diseases codes for IM were used. Analysis implemented a Poisson regression with robust error variance procedure, which allowed accounting for different clusters (local health‐care units and countries) and correctly estimating the standard error for the relative risk of rare event occurrence.

Results

Patients were divided into 3 groups: olmesartan (25.591, 5.5%), other ARBs (104.901, 22.5%), and ACE‐i patients (334.951, 72.0%). Baseline characteristics were similar overall. The incidence of unspecified IM in ACE‐i patients was not different compared with that of olmesartan, whereas a higher rate ratio was observed when comparing ARB patients with the olmesartan group (RR: 2.50, 95% CI 1.21 to 5.19, P .01). When International Classification of Diseases codes for coeliac disease were included, no differences were observed.

Conclusions

We could not confirm previous findings of a higher risk of malabsorption in olmesartan‐only patients, and drug‐induced enteropathy should be considered the result of exposure to the class of ARBs rather than a specific drug‐related effect.
Amyloid aggregation and membrane activity of the antimicrobial peptide uperin 3.5
Authors: Martin Lisandra L. , Kubeil Clemens , Piantavigna Stefania , Tikkoo Tarun , Gray Nicholas P. , John Torsten , Calabrese Antonio N. , Liu Yanqin , Hong Yuning , Hossain Mohammed A. , Patil Nitin , Abel Bernd , Hoffmann Ralf , Bowie John H. , Carver John A.
Published: February 2018

Amyloid fibrils are highly ordered, β‐sheet rich forms of aggregated peptides and proteins that are associated with a variety of pathological human disorders, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Amyloid fibril‐forming peptides may be functionally related to antimicrobial peptides, despite differing significantly in sequence and structure. Specifically, their interaction with lipid membranes has mechanistic similarities. The 17‐amino acid peptide uperin 3.5 (U3.5) from an Australian amphibian is antimicrobial and amyloidogenic. Using a quartz crystal microbalance, we investigated the interaction of U3.5 with artificial membranes and found that (i) the membrane interaction of U3.5 is independent of the peptide's aggregation state, (ii) the presence of cholesterol in the membrane dramatically alters peptide–membrane interaction leading to a transmembrane pore‐like arrangement of U3.5, and (iii) electrostatic interaction is important for the membrane activity of U3.5 whereby removal of the positive charge at position 7 of U3.5 enhanced its fibrillar aggregation and ablated its membrane interaction, i.e. there is an inverse relationship between the antimicrobial and amyloidogenic properties of U3.5.
Psychobiotics: bacterial hope for depression?
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: February 2018

Increasing evidence links the microbiome's composition with several psychiatric and neurological diseases, including autism, schizophrenia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis – Mark Greener investigates.
Limbic encephalitis and bipolar affective disorder: a slow awakening
Authors: Lilford Philippa , Morrison Hamish , Morgan Elsa , Ward Rosalind
Published: February 2018

There is increasing evidence for the role of autoimmune encephalitis in the aetiology of psychosis. Here, Dr Lilford and colleagues describe the case of a 74‐year‐old lady who presented as hypomanic almost a year previously and then developed bizarre stereotyped movements, periods of absences and became confused. She was admitted to an old age psychiatric ward and was then subsequently diagnosed with non‐paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis with high levels of voltage‐gated potassium channel complex antibodies. The authors discuss her treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, which resulted in significant clinical improvement.
Autonomic dysreflexia in syringomyelia secondary to Chiari malformation
Authors: Gaber Tarek , Ringrose Hollie
Published: February 2018

Autonomic dysreflexia is a serious complication of high level spinal cord injury. Here, the authors present a case of autonomic dysreflexia in a patient with non‐traumatic spinal cord pathology and review the incidence of such potentially fatal complications in other neurological conditions involving the high level spinal cord.
Pharmacological alternatives to antipsychotics to manage BPSD
Authors: Mishriky Raafat Samir Labib , Reyad Ayman Antoun
Published: February 2018

Non‐pharmacological management remains the initial approach for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). However, pharmacological management has a role in specific situations. Here, the authors examine the pharmacological management of elderly patients with dementia and challenging behaviour and aim to raise awareness of the risk of complications associated with first‐ and second‐generation antipsychotic medications.
Theoretical insight into the excited‐state behavior of a novel Compound 1: A TDDFT investigation
Authors: Yang Dapeng , Yang Guang , Jia Min , Song Xiaoyan , Zhang Qiaoli
Published: February 2018

In the present work, using density functional theory and time‐dependent density functional theory methods, we investigated and presented the excited‐state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) mechanisms of a novel Compound 1 theoretically. Analyses of electrostatic potential surfaces and reduced density gradient (RDG) versus sign(λ2)ρ, we confirm the existence of intramolecular hydrogen bond O1‐H2···N3 for Compound 1 in the S0 state. Comparing the primary structural variations of Compound 1 involved in the intramolecular hydrogen bond, we find that O1‐H2···N3 should be strengthened in the S1 state, which may facilitate the ESIPT process. Concomitantly, infrared (IR) vibrational spectra analyses further verify the stability of hydrogen bond. In addition, the role of charge transfer interaction has been addressed under the frontier molecular orbitals, which depicts the nature of electronical excited state and supports the ESIPT reaction. The theoretically scanned and optimized potential energy curves according to variational O1‐H2 coordinate demonstrate that the proton transfer process should occur spontaneously in the S1 state. It further explains why the emission peak of Compound 1‐enol was not reported in previous experiment. This work not only presents the ESIPT mechanism of Compound 1 but also promotes the understanding of this kind of molecules for further applications in future.
The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD‐7) and the anxiety module of the Hospital and Depression Scale (HADS‐A) as screening tools for generalized anxiety disorder among cancer patients
Authors: Esser Peter , Hartung Tim J. , Friedrich Michael , Johansen Christoffer , Wittchen Hans‐Ulrich , Faller Hermann , Koch Uwe , Härter Martin , Keller Monika , Schulz Holger , Wegscheider Karl , Weis Joachim , Mehnert Anja
Published: February 2018

Objective

Anxiety in cancer patients may represent a normal psychological reaction. To detect patients with pathological levels, appropriate screeners with established cut‐offs are needed. Given that previous research is sparse, we investigated the diagnostic accuracy of 2 frequently used screening tools in detecting generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

Methods

We used data of a multicenter study including 2141 cancer patients. Diagnostic accuracy was investigated for the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD‐7) and the anxiety module of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS‐A). GAD, assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview for Oncology, served as a reference standard. Overall accuracy was measured with the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). The AUC of the 2 screeners were statistically compared. We also calculated accuracy measures for selected cut‐offs.

Results

Diagnostic accuracy could be interpreted as adequate for both screeners, with an identical AUC of .81 (95% CI: .79‐.82). Consequently, the 2 screeners did not differ in their performance (P = .86). The best balance between sensitivity and specificity was found for cut‐offs ≥7 (GAD‐7) and ≥8 (HADS‐A). The officially recommended thresholds for the GAD‐7 (≥ 10) and the HADS‐A (≥11) showed low sensitivities of 55% and 48%, respectively.

Conclusions

The GAD‐7 and HADS‐A showed AUC of adequate diagnostic accuracy and hence are applicable for GAD screening in cancer patients. Nevertheless, the choice of optimal cut‐offs should be carefully evaluated.
Impact of home spirometry on medication adherence among adolescents with cystic fibrosis
Authors: Shakkottai Aarti , Kaciroti Niko , Kasmikha Lauren , Nasr Samya Z.
Published: February 2018

Objective

Medication adherence among adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) is often suboptimal and this has significant impact on their health and quality of life. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of frequent home pulmonary function (PFT) monitoring on medication adherence among adolescents with CF.

Hypothesis

We hypothesized that weekly home PFT monitoring will improve adherence while not significantly adding to the treatment burden.

Methods

Individuals aged 12‐21 years with CF were provided a spirometer to measure PFTs weekly for 1 year. Results were reviewed weekly via telephone. PFT data were downloaded from the device during quarterly clinic visits. Adherence was calculated from prescription refill data and compared to the previous year. Perceptions of treatment burden were assessed using the CF questionnaire‐revised (CFQ‐R) quality of life measure. Health outcome measures including nutritional status and PFTs from clinic were collected for the study period and the year prior.

Results

Thirty‐nine subjects participated in the study. Mean age was 15.89 ± 2.18 years and 54% were female. Mean adherence to weekly spirometry monitoring was 59.47 ± 24.60%. Values generated on the device showed good correlation with those obtained in clinic. Mean medication possession ratio (MPR) was 60% in the previous year and 65% during the study (P = 0.04). Mean treatment burden scaled score on the CFQ‐R was 68 at enrollment and 66 at study completion (P = 0.14).

Conclusions

Frequent home PFT monitoring is feasible in CF adolescents and could successfully improve medication adherence without significantly impacting treatment burden.
Prescribing and monitoring non‐biological DMARDs
Authors: Chaplin Steve
Published: February 2018

The British Society for Rheumatology and British Health Professionals in Rheumatology (BSR/BHPR) recently updated their guidance on prescribing and monitoring non‐biological disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for patients with rheumatic disease. This article provides an overview of the main recommendations of the new guideline.
New ways of dealing with new psychoactive substances
Authors: Greener Mark
Published: February 2018

In 2016, the Psychoactive Substances Act came into force to address increasing concerns about the use of new psychoactive substances (NPS), also known as designer drugs or ‘legal highs’. But how big is the problem, and what impact is the new Act likely to have?
Hydrophobic Properties of Al2O3 Doped with Rare‐Earth Metals: Ab Initio Modeling Studies
Authors: Zemła Marcin R. , Śpiewak Piotr , Wejrzanowski Tomasz , Kurzydłowski Krzysztof J.
Published: February 2018

Polymer‐based hydrophobic coatings degrade in response to high temperatures or abrasion. Rare‐earth oxides (REOs) as a ceramic material may provide more robust surfaces whose hydrophobicity is maintained due to their specific electron configuration. It has been also shown that REO thin films are stable on the surface of bare materials used in the aerospace industry (i.e., aluminum and titanium alloys). Hence, coating or doping of Al2O3 and TiO2 surfaces with REO might be promising both theoretically and practically. Following our previous studies on cerium‐doped Al2O3 and TiO2, in this work, the density functional theory (DFT) method is applied to investigate the possibility of tuning the wettability of commonly used hydrophilic Al2O3 by surface doping with neodymium (Nd) and europium (Eu). The results indicate that Nd and Eu segregate to the (0001) surface of Al2O3 and thermodynamically stable oxygen termination of dopant is formed. A significant increase in the static water contact angle provide a valuable opportunity for the RE element surface modification of Al2O3, in order to achieve hydrophobicity.
Multilevel moderated mediation model with ordinal outcome
Authors: Rusá Šárka , Komárek Arnošt , Lesaffre Emmanuel , Bruyneel Luk
Published: February 2018

Although increasingly complex models have been proposed in mediation literature, there is no model nor software that incorporates the multiple possible generalizations of the simple mediation model jointly. We propose a flexible moderated mediation model allowing for (1) a hierarchical structure of clustered data, (2) more and possibly correlated mediators, and (3) an ordinal outcome. The motivating data set is obtained from a European study in nursing research. Patients' willingness to recommend their treating hospital was recorded in an ordinal way. The research question is whether such recommendation directly depends on system‐level features in the organization of nursing care, or whether these associations are mediated by 2 measurements of nursing care left undone and possibly moderated by nurse education. We have developed a Bayesian approach and accompanying program that takes all the above generalizations into account.