bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thriving of employees with disabilities: The roles of job self‐efficacy, inclusion, and team‐learning climate
Authors: Zhu Xiji , Law Kenneth S. , Sun Cong (Timothy) , Yang Dan
Published: May 2018

With the growing global emphasis on welfare‐to‐work policies, an increasing number of people with disabilities (PWD) have entered the workforce. However, studies on PWD have focused primarily on company practices to accommodate PWD, with a limited understanding of factors affecting psychological integration of PWD into the workplace. This scarcity in research makes it difficult for managers to utilize the full work potential of PWD. To fill this research gap, the current study focuses on the job self‐efficacy of PWD and investigates how employee disability interacts with inclusion and team‐learning climate to affect job self‐efficacy, and in turn thriving at work. Using a sample of 485 employees in 114 teams, surveys found job self‐efficacy was a key intervening mechanism linking employee disability to thriving at work. These results suggest high workplace inclusion can buffer potential negative effects of disability at the individual level, strengthened further by a high team‐learning climate. The data supported a three‐way cross‐level interaction effect of disability, inclusion, and team‐learning climate on the thriving of employees with disabilities, through job self‐efficacy. Our results demonstrate the importance of inclusion and team‐learning climate to foster employee thriving in a diverse workforce.
One‐carbon metabolite ratios as functional B‐vitamin markers and in relation to colorectal cancer risk
Authors: Gylling Björn , Myte Robin , Ulvik Arve , Ueland Per M. , Midttun Øivind , Schneede Jörn , Hallmans Göran , Häggström Jenny , Johansson Ingegerd , Van Guelpen Bethany , Palmqvist Richard
Published: May 2018

One‐carbon metabolism biomarkers are easily measured in plasma, but analyzing them one at a time in relation to disease does not take into account the interdependence of the many factors involved. The relative dynamics of major one‐carbon metabolism branches can be assessed by relating the functional B‐vitamin marker total homocysteine (tHcy) to transsulfuration (total cysteine) and methylation (creatinine) outputs. We validated the ratios of tHcy to total cysteine (Hcy:Cys), tHcy to creatinine (Hcy:Cre) and tHcy to cysteine to creatinine (Hcy:Cys:Cre) as functional markers of B‐vitamin status. We also calculated the associations of these ratios to colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Furthermore, the relative contribution of potential confounders to the variance of the ratio‐based B‐vitamin markers was calculated by linear regression in a nested case–control study of 613 CRC cases and 1,190 matched controls. Total B‐vitamin status was represented by a summary score comprising Z‐standardized plasma concentrations of folate, cobalamin, betaine, pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate and riboflavin. Associations with CRC risk were estimated using conditional logistic regression. We found that the ratio‐based B‐vitamin markers all outperformed tHcy as markers of total B‐vitamin status, in both CRC cases and controls. In addition, associations with CRC risk were similar for the ratio‐based B‐vitamin markers and total B‐vitamin status (approximately 25% lower risk for high vs. low B‐vitamin status). In conclusion, ratio‐based B‐vitamin markers were good predictors of total B‐vitamin status and displayed similar associations as total B‐vitamin status with CRC risk. Since tHcy and creatinine are routinely clinically analyzed, Hcy:Cre could be easily implemented in clinical practice.
Temporal trends in the epidemiology of cervical cancer in South Africa (1994–2012)
Authors: Olorunfemi Gbenga , Ndlovu Ntombizodwa , Masukume Gwinyai , Chikandiwa Admire , Pisa Pedro T. , Singh Elvira
Published: May 2018

Cervical cancer (CC) is the leading cause of cancer death among female South Africans (SA). Improved access to reproductive health services following multi‐ethnic democracy in 1994, HIV epidemic, and the initiation of CC population‐based screening in early 2000s have influenced the epidemiology of CC in SA. We therefore evaluated the trends in CC age‐standardised incidence (ASIR) (1994–2009) and mortality rates (ASMR) (2004–2012) using data from the South African National Cancer Registry and the Statistics South Africa, respectively. Five‐year relative survival rates and average per cent change (AAPC) stratified by ethnicity and age‐groups was determined. The average annual CC cases and mortalities were 4,694 (75,099 cases/16 years) and 2,789 (25,101 deaths/9 years), respectively. The ASIR was 22.1/100,000 in 1994 and 23.3/100,000 in 2009, with an average annual decline in incidence of 0.9% per annum (AAPC = −0.9%, p‐value < 0.001). The ASMR decreased slightly by 0.6% per annum from 13.9/100,000 in 2004 to 13.1/100,000 in 2012 (AAPC = −0.6%, p‐value < 0.001). In 2012, ASMR was 5.8‐fold higher in Blacks than in Whites. The 5‐year survival rates were higher in Whites and Indians/Asians (60–80%) than in Blacks and Coloureds (40–50%). The incidence rate increased (AAPC range: 1.1–3.1%, p‐value < 0.001) among young women (25–34 years) from 2000 to 2009. Despite interventions, there were minimal changes in overall epidemiology of CC in SA but there were increased CC rates among young women and ethnic disparities in CC burden. A review of the CC national policy and directed CC prevention and treatment are required to positively impact the burden of CC in SA.
Exploring photoinactivation of microbial biofilms using laser scanning microscopy and confined 2‐photon excitation
Authors: Thomsen Hanna , Graf Fabrice E. , Farewell Anne , Ericson Marica B.
Published: May 2018

One pertinent complication in bacterial infection is the growth of biofilms, that is, communities of surface‐adhered bacteria resilient to antibiotics. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) has been proposed as an alternative to antibiotic treatment; however, novel techniques complementing standard efficacy measures are required. Herein, we present an approach employing multiphoton microscopy complemented with Airyscan super‐resolution microscopy, to visualize the distribution of curcumin in Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. The effects of complexation of curcumin with hydroxypropyl‐γ‐cyclodextrin (HPγCD) were studied. It was shown that HPγCD curcumin demonstrated higher bioavailability in the biofilms compared to curcumin, without affecting the subcellular uptake. Spectral quantification following PDI demonstrates a method for monitoring elimination of biofilms in real time using noninvasive 3D imaging. Additionally, spatially confined 2‐photon inactivation was demonstrated for the first time in biofilms. These results support the feasibility of advanced optical microscopy as a sensitive tool for evaluating treatment efficacy in biofilms toward improved mechanistic studies of PDI.
Infrared spectroscopy of cold trapped molecular ions using He‐tagging
Authors: Gerlich Dieter
Published: May 2018

This review summarizes experimental activities to study the structure of molecular ions via He tagging. The method is based on the attachment of a weakly bound helium atom to a cold ion followed by laser‐induced predissociation (LIP). Since my early involvements (it started in 1977 with a letter from Y.T. Lee), radio frequency (rf) ion traps and ion guides have been important elements in instruments dedicated to ion spectroscopy. Accumulating ions in a ring electrode trap (RET) and confining them together with the laser‐induced photofragments in a long octopole has been demonstrated in 1978 in Berkeley via photodissociation of metastable O2+ ions. In the early stage of this instrument, as well as in various further developments, supersonic expansions have been used to create weakly bound complexes. An important step forward for ion spectroscopy was to push the conditions of cryogenic ion traps so far that, finally, He atoms could be attached to almost any mass‐selected ion of interest, including multiply charged ions and C60+. Currently, modern ion storage instruments reach temperatures below 3 K and can be operated at helium densities above 1016 cm−3, opening up many avenues of application in spectroscopy, reaction dynamics, and analytical chemistry. In addition to a personal historical review, I discuss recent progress made with new cryogenic ion traps, especially in the field of He tagging. He‐M+ ions have been formed via ternary association for all kind of M+ ions ranging from atoms such as He+, N+, or Fe+ via molecules N2+, VO+, and H3+ to various polyatomic ions. The in situ synthesis of tagged ions made unique discoveries possible, such as determining the structure of doubly charged benzene, the first identification of a carrier of diffuse interstellar bands, or the characterization of the fundamental 4 electron 4 center system He–H3+. In the conclusions, hints to additional applications will be given, emphasizing on the versatility of temperature‐variable ion traps.
Circular RNA 0068669 as a new biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis
Authors: Yao Ting , Chen Qingqing , Shao Zhouwei , Song Zhihua , Fu Liyun , Xiao Bingxiu
Published: May 2018

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in disease occurrence. However, the roles of circRNAs in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical diagnostic values of hsa_circ_0068669 (Alias: hsa_circ_103561), one of the representative HCC‐associated circRNAs.

Methods

Hsa_circ_0068669 expression levels in HCC tissues, HCC cell lines, and chronic hepatitis tissues were detected by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Its expression levels between HCC tissues and adjacent non‐tumorous tissues were analyzed using paired t test. Independent t test and one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to analyze the relationships between hsa_circ_0068669 expression levels and clinicopathological factors of patients with HCC. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to estimate the value of hsa_circ_0068669 as a biomarker in HCC.

Results

Hsa_circ_0068669 expression was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines compared with paired non‐tumorous tissues and normal hepatic cell line, respectively. Moreover, hsa_circ_0068669 expression in HCC tissues was decreased comparing with chronic hepatitis tissues. Furthermore, hsa_circ_0068669 expression was correlated with microvascular invasion and TNM stages.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that hsa_circ_0068669 might be served as a novel potential biomarker for HCC metastasis.
Electrostatic recognition in substrate binding to serine proteases
Authors: Waldner Birgit J. , Kraml Johannes , Kahler Ursula , Spinn Alexander , Schauperl Michael , Podewitz Maren , Fuchs Julian E. , Cruciani Gabriele , Liedl Klaus R.
Published: May 2018

Serine proteases of the Chymotrypsin family are structurally very similar but have very different substrate preferences. This study investigates a set of 9 different proteases of this family comprising proteases that prefer substrates containing positively charged amino acids, negatively charged amino acids, and uncharged amino acids with varying degree of specificity. Here, we show that differences in electrostatic substrate preferences can be predicted reliably by electrostatic molecular interaction fields employing customized GRID probes. Thus, we are able to directly link protease structures to their electrostatic substrate preferences. Additionally, we present a new metric that measures similarities in substrate preferences focusing only on electrostatics. It efficiently compares these electrostatic substrate preferences between different proteases. This new metric can be interpreted as the electrostatic part of our previously developed substrate similarity metric. Consequently, we suggest, that substrate recognition in terms of electrostatics and shape complementarity are rather orthogonal aspects of substrate recognition. This is in line with a 2‐step mechanism of protein‐protein recognition suggested in the literature.
The primary active components, antioxidant properties, and differential metabolite profiles of radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus L.) upon domestic storage: analysis of nutritional quality
Authors: Li Ru , Zhu Yi
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to analyze the nutritional quality of radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus L.) after domestic short‐term storage. We stored fresh radish sprouts at 25 ± 1 °C and at 4 ± 1 °C for 12 h, and detected phenolic substances, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, vitamin C, and various antioxidant and abiotic stress‐related factors. We investigated nutrient‐related metabolic differences and associated pathways and postharvest treatment effects on nutritional quality using metabolomic analysis.

RESULTS

Most active substances and antioxidant properties, but not phenolic acids and vitamin C, decreased significantly (P < 0.05) upon domestic storage; this reduction decelerated at low temperatures. Short‐term storage disrupted redox balance; low temperature enhanced stress resistance. Differences were observed in amino acid and vitamin derivatives, phospholipid accumulation, and organic acids. Short‐term storage at ambient temperature promoted lysine, threonine, cysteine, vitamin H, phospholipid, and lauric (dodecanoic) acid accumulation, inhibiting proline, phosphatidic acid (PA) (14:1(9Z)/12:0), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) (O‐18:0/O‐18:0) accumulation; low‐temperature, short‐term storage promoted myristic acid and phospholipid accumulation and reduced methionine synthesis and vitamin H and K accumulation.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the nutritional quality of radish sprout decreased upon short‐term storage, with differences in certain active substances. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of cold plasma on maintaining the quality of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus): biochemical and sensory attributes
Authors: Chen Jing , Wang Sheng‐Zhe , Chen Jun‐Yu , Chen Dong‐Zhi , Deng Shang‐Gui , Xu Bin
Published: May 2018

BACKGROUND

Atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) has emerged as a potential alternative to traditional methods for non‐thermal food decontamination. However, few data are available about ACP treatment for seafood. In this study, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was applied to generate CP, and the aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of DBD‐ACP on improving the quality of chub mackerel on the basis of chemical, microbial and sensory characteristics.

RESULTS

The effect of DBD‐ACP on the quality of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) during storage was examined. Results revealed that the optimal voltage level and exposure time of this treatment were 60 kV and 60 s respectively, and such conditions exhibited excellent inactivation efficacy and weak influence on proximate chemical compositions. Variations in total viable count (TVC), sensory scores and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) indicated that ACP treatment extended the shelf life of chub mackerel to 14 days, whereas samples without this treatment exceeded the limits of the three parameters after 6 days. The slow development rates of peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value implied that lipid oxidation was also effectively retarded by ACP exposure. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that CP could effectively delay the degradation of myofibrillar proteins and enhance the stability of tissue structures.

CONCLUSION

The excellent antimicrobial efficacy of ACP treatment makes it a potential and promising alternative to other seafood preservation technology. This is the first report on the application of ACP to seafood, which is essential to perishable food storage. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Enantioselective micellar electrokinetic chromatography of dl‐amino acids using (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)‐ethyl chloroformate derivatization and UV‐induced fluorescence detection
Authors: Prior Amir , van de Nieuwenhuijzen Erik , de Jong Gerhardus J. , Somsen Govert W.
Published: May 2018

Chiral analysis of dl‐amino acids was achieved by micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupled with UV‐excited fluorescence detection. The fluorescent reagent (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate was employed as chiral amino acid derivatizing agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate served as pseudo‐stationary phase for separating the formed amino acid diastereomers. Sensitive analysis of (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate‐amino acids was achieved applying a xenon‐mercury lamp for ultraviolet excitation, and a spectrograph and charge‐coupled device for wavelength‐resolved emission detection. Applying signal integration over a 30 nm emission wavelength interval, signal‐to‐noise ratios for derivatized amino acids were up to 23 times higher as obtained using a standard photomultiplier for detection. The background electrolyte composition (electrolyte, pH, sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration, and organic solvent) was studied in order to attain optimal chemo‐ and enantioseparation. Enantioseparation of 12 proteinogenic dl‐amino acids was achieved with chiral resolutions between 1.2 and 7.9, and detection limits for most derivatized amino acids in the 13–60 nM range (injected concentration). Linearity (coefficients of determination > 0.985) and peak‐area and migration‐time repeatabilities (relative standard deviations lower than 2.6 and 1.9%, respectively) were satisfactory. The employed fluorescence detection system provided up to 100‐times better signal‐to‐noise ratios for (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate‐amino acids than ultraviolet absorbance detection, showing good potential for d‐amino acid analysis.
Supporting Asylum Seekers: Clinician Experiences of Documenting Human Rights Violations Through Forensic Psychological Evaluation
Authors: Baranowski Kim A. , Moses Melissa H. , Sundri Jasmine
Published: May 2018

The United States permits foreign nationals to apply for asylum if they have experienced persecution or have a fear of future persecution. In order to meet the criteria for persecution, the harm inflicted upon the asylum seeker does not need to be or have been physical and can include psychological sequelae. In an effort to document persecution, lawyers seek the assistance of health professionals when preparing their clients’ asylum applications. Mental health professionals work to corroborate psychological evidence of the asylum seeker's report of ill treatment through evaluation and presentation of their findings in the form of legal affidavits. This study gathered the experiences of 15 mental health clinicians who conduct forensic psychological evaluations and document the impact of torture and other human rights violations on asylum seekers. We analyzed the resulting interview transcripts using a consensual qualitative research (CQR) approach. The results of the study highlight challenges associated with this work, suggest recommendations for training, and encourage advocacy endeavors by mental health professionals who provide these services.
Association Between Initial Age of Exposure to Childhood Abuse and Cognitive Control: Preliminary Evidence
Authors: Mackiewicz Seghete Kristen L. , DePrince Anne P. , Banich Marie T.
Published: May 2018

Cognitive control, which relies on the protracted development of frontal‐parietal regions into adolescence, is a brain process that may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of childhood abuse. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine associations between the age of onset of childhood abuse and alterations to the neural mechanisms supporting cognitive control in early adulthood, which have not been previously examined. During fMRI scanning, participants completed hybrid block/event‐related versions of a classic color‐word Stroop task as well as emotional Stroop tasks (threat and positive words). Participants were young adult women (N = 15; age range: 23–30 years) who had a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse that began prior to 13 years of age. Results indicated that earlier age of onset of childhood abuse was robustly associated with increased transient (i.e., event‐related) recruitment of medial cognitive control regions in the classic color‐word paradigm as well as with less suppression of medial frontal regions that are part of the default mode network, βs = −.16 to −.87. In comparison, increased activation in dorsolateral prefrontal regions was associated with earlier age of abuse onset under conditions of sustained (i.e., blocked) cognitive control in the emotional Stroop task for blocks of positive distracting words versus fixation, βs = −.50 to −.60. These results provide preliminary evidence that earlier age of exposure to childhood abuse impacts the functional activation of neural systems involved in cognitive control in adulthood.
Recurring surface fires cause soil degradation of forest land: A simulation experiment with the EFIMOD model
Authors: Nadporozhskaya Marina A. , Chertov Oleg G. , Bykhovets Sergey S. , Shaw Cindy H. , Maksimova Ekaterina Yu. , Abakumov Evgeny V.
Published: May 2018

Renewal of pine forests is ecologically dependent on fires, but if fires become too frequent, they can disrupt the equilibrium and sustainability of these ecosystems. Field studies of the effects of fire are challenging because of the heterogeneity of forest ecosystems and because of the heterogeneous effect of fire on recovery of vegetation. As an alternative to complex field studies, mathematical models can be used as a tool to assess the complex dynamics of natural ecosystems as they recover after fire. The aim of this study was to apply the ecosystem model EFIMOD to analyse the effect of surface fires on soil degradation and its feedback on tree productivity in Scots pine forests on different soil types in Russia: Haplic Podzols in the Leningrad region and Psamment Entisols of the fragmented steppe in the Samara region. Simulation of the cumulative effects of fire cycles over 140 years showed that one fire did not affect growing stock but decreased soil organic matter by about 10% at both sites, and that three fires reduced the growing stock by 30% on the Haplic Podzols and 9% on the Psamment Entisols and decreased soil organic matter by about 30% on both sites. Forest fires led to the loss of soil carbon (C), as well as nitrogen (N), which is a principal limiting factor in forest ecosystems of boreal and temperate ecozones. The effect of repeated fire cycles on land degradation is similar to that of soil erosion, through the loss of soil C and N.
Simulation of the Degradation of Cyclic Ketene Acetal and Vinyl‐Based Copolymers Synthesized via a Radical Process: Influence of the Reactivity Ratios on the Degradability Properties
Authors: Gigmes Didier , Van Steenberge Paul H. M. , Siri Didier , D'hooge Dagmar R. , Guillaneuf Yohann , Lefay Catherine
Published: May 2018

The radical copolymerization of vinyl and cyclic ketene acetal (CKA) monomers is a promising way to prepare degradable vinyl polymers. The reactivity of the comonomer pair is known to be dependent of the vinyl monomer structure that requires to play with experimental conditions (feed ratio, overall monomer conversion, etc.) to target a desired cumulative (average) copolymer composition. Even if the materials are completely degradable, there is no information about the homogeneity of the degraded products. This theoretical study, using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, allows simulating degradation at the molecular level. It is shown that disparate reactivity ratios (styrene/CKA, etc.) and also a composition drift at high conversion can lead to an inhomogeneous degraded product compared to systems with similar reactivity ratios (vinyl ether/CKA, etc.). The use of reversible deactivation radical polymerization techniques does not influence the final degraded products and is only useful for the design of advanced macromolecular architectures before degradation.
Air Activated Self‐Decontaminating Polydicyclopentadiene PolyHIPE Foams for Rapid Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents
Authors: McGann Christopher L. , Daniels Grant C. , Giles Spencer L. , Balow Robert B. , Miranda‐Zayas Jorge L. , Lundin Jeffrey G. , Wynne James H.
Published: May 2018

The threat of chemical warfare agents (CWA) compels research into novel self‐decontaminating materials (SDM) for the continued safety of first‐responders, civilians, and active service personnel. The capacity to actively detoxify, as opposed to merely sequester, offending agents under typical environmental conditions defines the added value of SDMs in comparison to traditional adsorptive materials. Porous polymers, synthesized via the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating, provide a facile fabrication method for materials with permeable open cellular structures that may serve in air filtration applications. PolyHIPEs comprising polydicyclopentadiene (polyDCPD) networks form stable hydroperoxide species following activation in air under ambient conditions. The hydroperoxide‐containing polyDCPD materials react quickly with CWA simulants, Demeton‐S and 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, forming oxidation products as confirmed via gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The simplicity of the detoxification chemistry paired with the porous foam form factor presents an exciting opportunity for the development of self‐decontaminating filter media.
Relationship between incidence and prevalence in psychotic disorders: An incidence–prevalence–mortality model
Authors: Pignon Baptiste , Schürhoff Franck , Baudin Grégoire , Tortelli Andrea , Ferchiou Aziz , Saba Ghassen , Richard Jean‐Romain , Pelissolo Antoine , Leboyer Marion , Szöke Andrei
Published: May 2018

Objectives

Incidence–prevalence–mortality (IPM) models have been developped to estimate incidence or prevalence when one of these two measures is unavailable. We aimed to test the consistency of an IPM model of psychotic disorders on a recent incidence–prevalence couple dataset and to identify potential causes of inconsistency by applying the model to (a) the whole population, (b) female and male subgroups, (c) migrant subgroups, and (d) psychotic disorders with age at onset (AAO) between 18 and 24 (18–24 AAO).

Methods

We modelled prevalence (MP) using incidence data and the expected mortality and remission values. We then compared the MP to the observed prevalence (OP).

Results

In the whole population, the model significantly underestimated the prevalence (MP = 3.30, 95% CI [2.97, 3.66]; OP = 4.98, 95% CI [4.58, 5.41]). The results were similar for the two genders. In the migrants group, results were in the opposite direction, the model significantly overestimating the prevalence. Finally, in the 18–24 AAO subgroup, the model performed well, with OP and MP not significantly different.

Conclusion

These results suggest that standard IPM models do not perform well for psychotic disorders and more complex models taking into account the heterogeneity of the sample (in terms of remission, mortality, population movements, etc.) need to be developed.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis Parameters for the Evaluation of Malnutrition in Patients Receiving Hemodialysis
Authors: da Silva Angela Teodósio , Hauschild Daniela Barbieri , Moreno Yara Maria Franco , Bastos João Luiz Dornelles , Wazlawik Elisabeth
Published: May 2018

Background

In the absence of a gold standard technique for assessing nutrition status in patients receiving hemodialysis (HD), we aimed to determine the diagnostic accuracy of single‐frequency (50 kHz) bioelectrical impedance analysis parameters, resistance/height (R/H), reactance/height (Xc/H), and impedance/height (Z/H), and their cutoff points for malnutrition.

Methods

The reference standards, Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), Malnutrition Inflammation Score, and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002, were performed at baseline and then once a year for 2 years. At least 2 assessments for each reference standard were performed during the monitoring period, and those patients who were assessed as malnourished on at least 2 consecutive occasions were classified as malnourished.

Results

A total 101 patients receiving HD were evaluated. R/H and Z/H demonstrated low to moderate accuracy to diagnose malnutrition in men and low accuracy in women, whereas the accuracy of Xc/H was uncertain. The cutoff points of bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) parameters, determined based on the SGA to maximize sensitivity and specificity simultaneously, were: R/H ≥330.05 and ≥420.92 ohms/m for men and women, respectively; Z/H ≥332.71 and ≥423.19 ohms/m for men and women, respectively. In men, sensitivity based on the cutoff points of R/H and Z/H together ranged from 73% to 89% and specificity ranged from 49% to 50%. In women, sensitivity ranged from 58% to 80% and specificity from 48% to 55%.

Conclusion

BIVA parameters demonstrated low to moderate accuracy in men and low accuracy in women for the diagnosis of malnutrition.
Lectin Microarray Combined with Mass Spectrometry Identifies Haptoglobin‐Related Protein (HPR) as a Potential Serologic Biomarker for Separating Nonbacterial Pneumonia from Bacterial Pneumonia in Childhood
Authors: Yang Lin , Yang Zhou , Cheng Lei , Cheng Juan , Cheng Li , Sun Yangyang , Li Wenting , Song Kai , Huang Weichun , Yin Yong , Tao Shengce , Zhang Qinghua
Published: May 2018

Purpose

Etiological diagnosis of pediatric patients with community‐acquired pneumonia is difficult. For therapy, one of the major problems is the difficulty in separating bacterial pneumonia which would benefit from antibiotics from nonbacterial pneumonia. Therefore, to identify potential biomarkers for distinguishing nonbacterial pneumonia from bacterial pneumonia are sought
.

Experimental design

Lectin microarray containing 91 lectins is used to screen serums from pediatric patients with pneumonia. Lectin‐based pull‐down assay combined with LC‐MS/MS is used to identify the potential biomarkers.

Results

SNA‐I, a lectin binding preferentially to α2‐6 linked sialic acid residues, shows higher binding signals (near 42 kDa) in the mycoplasma pneumonia group, when compared with the other groups. A total of 18 proteins are identified with LC‐MS/MS. By western blot analysis, the authors confirm that the expression of haptoglobin‐related protein (HPR) is elevated in pediatric patients with pneumonia compared with normal children (p < 0.001). Furthermore, HPR is higher in the mycoplasma pneumonia group (p < 0.01) and the viral pneumonia group (p < 0.05), when compared with the bacterial pneumonia group.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

These results indicate that HPR is a potential serologic biomarker which can differentiate between bacterial pneumonia and nonbacterial pneumonia. Detection of serum HPR might be useful for clinical diagnosis.
Determination of radiotherapy target volume for esophageal cancer
Authors: Liu Chaoxing , Gao Xianshu
Published: May 2018

Esophageal carcinoma is a lethal disease that is endemic to many parts of the world, particularly in the Taihang Mountains of China. Radiotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of advanced esophageal carcinomas. Although the radiotherapy technology for esophageal carcinoma has progressed recently, after a long history, there still remain issues and concerns about determining the appropriate target volumes. The target volumes influence precise dose delivery, clinical results, and radiotherapy complications. In this article, we review current target volume determination approaches and our experiences.
Structural and Luminescence Properties of Ga2O3:Zn Micro‐ and Nanostructures
Authors: López Iñaki , Alonso‐Orts Manuel , Nogales Emilio , Méndez Bianchi
Published: May 2018

High quality Zn‐doped monoclinic gallium oxide micro‐ and nanostructures are obtained by a thermal treatment based on vapor–solid (VS) growth mechanism. Nanowires and ribbons are formed, the latter being the more abundant. The microstructural features are assessed by micro‐Raman and transmission electron microscopy revealing their crystal structure properties, such as the [‐110] growth direction for ribbons and being single crystals. In particular, a strong‐scattered light polarization dependence is reflected in the detected Raman modes. Luminescence of both Zn doped and undoped Ga2O3 samples is thoroughly studied by several techniques, exciting light with electrons or photons. Cathodoluminescence (CL) at a wide temperature range reveals that a band centered at around 2.7 eV, assigned to Zn doping in monoclinic Ga2O3, is thermally activated at temperatures above 200 K and dominates at room temperature. Besides, the characteristic bands at 3.4 and 3.0 eV of undoped Ga2O3 are obtained as well but with less relative intensity. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis at room temperature shows a similar set of bands, but slightly redshifted with respect to CL. Their relative intensities are strongly dependent on the excitation conditions and their time decays are studied by time‐resolved PL (TRPL).
From phase space to integrable representations and level-rank duality
Authors: Chattopadhyay Arghya , Dutta Parikshit , Dutta Suvankar
Published: May 2018

Abstract

We explicitly find representations for different large N phases of Chern-Simons matter theory on S
2 × S
1. These representations are characterised by Young diagrams. We show that no-gap and lower-gap phase of Chern-Simons-matter theory correspond to integrable representations of SU(N)
k
affine Lie algebra, where as upper-cap phase corresponds to integrable representations of SU(k − N)
k
affine Lie algebra. We use phase space description of [1] to obtain these representations and argue how putting a cap on eigenvalue distribution forces corresponding representations to be integrable. We also prove that the Young diagrams corresponding to lower-gap and upper-cap representations are related to each other by transposition under level-rank duality. Finally we draw phase space droplets for these phases and show how information about eigenvalue and Young diagram descriptions can be captured in topologies of these droplets in a unified way.
A note on the entropy of rotating BPS AdS7 × S4 black holes
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Morteza , Hristov Kiril , Zaffaroni Alberto
Published: May 2018

Abstract

In this note we show that the entropy of BPS, rotating, electrically charged AdS7 × S
4 black holes can be obtained by an extremization principle involving a particular combination of anomaly coefficients of the six-dimensional

$$ \mathcal{N}=\left(2,0\right) $$

N
=

2
0

theory. This result extends our previous finding for BPS, rotating AdS5 × S
5 black holes.
Holographic heat engine within the framework of massive gravity
Authors: Mo Jie-Xiong , Li Gu-Qiang
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Heat engine models are constructed within the framework of massive gravity in this paper. For the four-dimensional charged black holes in massive gravity, it is shown that the existence of graviton mass improves the heat engine efficiency significantly. The situation is more complicated for the five-dimensional neutral black holes since the constant which corresponds to the third massive potential also contributes to the efficiency. It is also shown that the existence of graviton mass can improve the heat engine efficiency. Moreover, we probe how the massive gravity influences the behavior of the heat engine efficiency approaching the Carnot efficiency.
Adiposity and Cortisol Response to Stress in Indian Adolescents
Authors: Krishnaveni G. V. , Jones A. , Veena S. R. , Somashekara R. , Karat S. C. , Fall C. H. D.
Published: May 2018

Objective

We examined associations of different adiposity measures with cortisol responses during the Trier Social Stress Test for children (TSST-C).

Design

Descriptive study.

Setting

Holdsworth Memorial Hospital, Mysore, India.

Participants

Adolescents aged 13.5y from a birth cohort were recruited (N=269, 133 boys).

Methods

The stressor (TSST-C) was 5-minutes each of public speaking and mental arithmetic tasks in front of two unfamiliar ‘judges’. Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured at baseline and at regular intervals after TSST-C. Weight, height, sub scapular and triceps skinfold thickness, and waist and hip circumference were measured, and percentage body fat was estimated (fat%; bioimpedance). Body mass index (BMI) and Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. All variables were converted into within-cohort SD scores before analysis. Stressinduced change in cortisol concentrations from baseline (cortisol response) was examined in relation to adiposity.

Results

Stress increased cortisol concentrations significantly from baseline (mean (SD): 5.5 (6.4) ng/mL; P<0.001). Higher WHR was associated with lower cortisol response at 20 and 30-minutes after stress (~0.13 SD decrease in cortisol response per SD higher WHR, P<0.05). Higher fat% was also associated with lower cortisol response only in girls 20-minutes post-stress (0.23 SD lower response per SD higher fat%, P=0.004). Sum of skinfold thickness and BMI were not associated with cortisol responses.

Conclusions

Abdominal adiposity is associated with reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis reactivity to stress in this adolescent population.
HLA-B*5701 Allele in HIV-infected Indian Children and its Association with Abacavir Hypersensitivity
Authors: Manglani Mamta V. , Gabhale Yashwant R. , Lala Mamatha M. , Sekhar Rohini , More Dipti
Published: May 2018

Objective

To determine the prevalence of HLA-B*5701 allele in HIV-infected children, and to find its association with Abacavir hypersensitivity.

Methods

Children (2 to 18 y) already on, or to be initiated on Abacavir were included for PCR sequencing to detect HLA-B*5701. Outcome measures were: proportion with HLA B*5701 allele and hypersensitivity with Abacavir. Abacavir was stopped if patient tested positive for HLA-B*5701 allele.

Results

100 children (median age 11 y) were enrolled; 10 were already on Abacavir. HLA-B*5701 positivity was observed in 11 (11%) children. Two of these 11 children developed hypersensitivity after initiation of Abacavir. Abacavir was thereafter stopped in all who tested HLA-B*5701 positive, irrespective of the development of hypersensitivity reaction.

Conclusions

HLA-B*5701 allele was present in 11 (11%) of HIV-infected children, of which two developed Abacavir hypersensitivity. None of the patients without the allele developed hypersensitivity.
Diagnosis and Management of Gaucher Disease in India – Consensus Guidelines of the Gaucher Disease Task Force of the Society for Indian Academy of Medical Genetics and the Indian Academy of Pediatrics
Authors: Puri Ratna Dua , Kapoor Seema , Kishnani Priya S. , Dalal Ashwin , Gupta Neerja , Muranjan Mamta , Phadke Shubha R. , Sachdeva Anupam , Verma Ishwar C. , Mistry Pramod K. ,   Gaucher Disease Task Force
Published: May 2018

Justification

Gaucher disease (GD) is amongst the most frequently occurring lysosomal storage disorder in all ethnicities. The clinical manifestations and natural history of GD is highly heterogeneous with extreme geographic and ethnic variations. The literature on GD has paucity of information and optimal management guidelines for Indian patients.

Process

Gaucher Disease Task Force was formed under the auspices of the Society for Indian Academy of Medical Genetics. Invited experts from various specialties formulated guidelines for the management of patients with GD. A writing committee was formed and the draft guidelines were circulated by email to all members for comments and inputs. The guidelines were finalized in December 2016 at the annual meeting of the Indian Academy of Medical Genetics.

Objectives

These guidelines are intended to serve as a standard framework for treating physicians and the health care systems for optimal management of Gaucher disease in India and to define unique needs of this patient population.

Recommendations

Manifestations of GD are protean and a high index of suspicion is essential for timely diagnosis. Patients frequently experience diagnostic delays during which severe irreversible complications occur. Leucocyte acid β-glucosidase activity is mandatory for establishing the diagnosis of Gaucher disease; molecular testing can help identify patients at risk of neuronopathic disease. Enzyme replacement therapy for type 1 and type 3 Gaucher disease is the standard of care. Best outcomes are achieved by early initiation of therapy before onset of irreversible complications. However, in setting of progressive neurological symptoms such as seizures and or/neuroregression, ERT is not recommended, as it cannot cross the blood brain barrier. The recommendations herein are for diagnosis, for initiation of therapy, therapeutic goals, monitoring and follow up of patients. We highlight that prevention of recurrence of the disease through genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis is essential in India, due to uniformly severe phenotypes encountered in our population.
Cytomegalovirus Enterocolitis in a Term Neonate
Authors: Vyasam Siva Prasad , Abiramalatha Thangaraj , Hema Nalapalu Srinivasan , Thomas Niranjan
Published: May 2018

Background

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) enterocolitis is rare in term neonates.

Case characteristics

A term newborn with persistent pneumonia from birth developed enterocolitis on day 18 of life.

Outcome

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for CMV DNA was positive in urine sample. Antiviral therapy for six weeks resulted in successful treatment without any stricture formation.

Message

CMV enterocolitis should be considered as a differential diagnosis in atypical cases of necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates.
Estimation of lifetime risks of Alzheimer's disease dementia using biomarkers for preclinical disease
Authors: Brookmeyer Ron , Abdalla Nada
Published: May 2018

Introduction

Lifetime risks are the probabilities of progressing to Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia during one's lifespan. Here, we report the first estimates of the lifetime and ten‐year risks of AD dementia based on age, gender, and biomarker tests for preclinical disease.

Methods

We used a multistate model for the disease process together with US death rates.

Results

Lifetime risks of AD dementia vary considerably by age, gender, and the preclinical or clinical disease state of the individual. For example, the lifetime risks for a female with only amyloidosis are 8.4% for a 90‐year old and 29.3% for a 65‐year old. Persons younger than 85 years with mild cognitive impairment, amyloidosis, and neurodegeneration have lifetime risks of AD dementia greater than 50%.

Discussion

Most persons with preclinical AD will not develop AD dementia during their lifetimes. Lifetime risks help interpret the clinical significance of biomarker screening tests for AD.
Coloanal intussusception in adults due to lipoma
Authors: Reis Luciano Dias de Oliveira , Matos João Roberto , Soares Paula Nicoli , Mendes Luiz Henrique Bastos , Reis Cassiana Franco Dias dos , Cardoso Filho Celso Augusto Milani , Fernandes Orlando Papi , Costa Alex P.
Published: May 2018

Adult intussusception is a rare condition. But coloanal intussusception is an exception. Malignant lesions are the most common cause of colonic intussusception, and in this aspect, differ from childhood intussusception. We present a case wherein the patient had a lipoma of the sigmoid colon that caused an immense prolapse through the anus. Very few cases of coloanal intussusception are reported in adults, and we discuss the diagnostic tools and the management of this rare surgical entity.
High energy and high brightness laser compton backscattering gamma-ray source at IHEP
Authors: An Guang-Peng , Chi Yun-Long , Dang Yong-Le , Fu Guang-Yong , Guo Bing , Huang Yong-Sheng , He Chuang-Ye , Kong Xiang-Cheng , Lan Xiao-Fei , Li Jia-Cai , Liu Fu-Long , Shi Jin-Shui , Sun Xian-Jing , Wang Yi , Wang Jian-Li , Wang Lin , Wei Yuan-Yuan , Wu Gang , Xu Guang-Lei , Xi Xiao-Feng , Yang Guo-Jun , Zhang Chun-Lei , Zhang Zhuo , Zheng Zhi-Peng , Zhang Xiao-Ding , Zhang Shao-Ping
Published: May 2018

Based on the LINAC of BEPCII, a high-polarized, high bightness, energy-tunable, monoenergetic laser compton backscattering (LCS) gamma-ray source is under construction at IHEP. The gamma-ray energy range is from 1 MeV to 111 MeV. It is a powerful and hopeful research platform to reveal the underlying physics of the nuclear, the basic particles and the vacuum or to check the exist basic physical models, quantum electrodynamic (QED) theories. In the platform, a 1.064 μm Nd:YAG laser system and a 10.6 μm CO2 laser system are employed. All the trigger signals to the laser system and the electron control system are from the only reference clock at the very beginning of the LINAC to make sure the temporal synchronization. Two optical transition radiation (OTR) targets and two charged-couple devices (CCD) are used to monitor and to align the electron beam and the laser beam. With the LCS gamma-ray source, it is proposed to experimentally check the gamma-ray calibrations, the photon-nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics and some basic QED phenomena.
Development of new diagnostics based on LiF detector for pump-probe experiments
Authors: Pikuz T. , Faenov A. , Ozaki N. , Matsuoka T. , Albertazzi B. , Hartley N.J. , Miyanishi K. , Katagiri K. , Matsuyama S. , Yamauchi K. , Habara H. , Inubushi Y. , Togashi T. , Yumoto H. , Ohashi H. , Tange Y. , Yabuuchi T. , Yabashi M. , Grum-Grzhimailo A.N. , Casner A. , Skobelev I. , Makarov S. , Pikuz S. , Rigon G. , Koenig M. , Tanaka K.A. , Ishikawa T. , Kodama R.
Published: May 2018

We present new diagnostics for use in optical laser pump - X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) probe experiments to monitor dimensions, intensity profile and focusability of the XFEL beam and to control initial quality and homogeneity of targets to be driven by optical laser pulse. By developing X-ray imaging, based on the use of an LiF crystal detector, we were able to measure the distribution of energy inside a hard X-ray beam with unprecedented high spatial resolution (∼1 μm) and across a field of view larger than some millimetres. This diagnostic can be used in situ, provides a very high dynamic range, has an extremely limited cost, and is relatively easy to be implemented in pump-probe experiments. The proposed methods were successfully applied in pump-probe experiments at the SPring-8 Angstrom Compact free electron LAser (SACLA) XFEL facility and its potential was demonstrated for current and future High Energy Density Science experiments.
Democracy's Demands
Authors: Gargarella Roberto
Published: May 2018

In a classic article published in 1992, Thomas Franck wrote of an “emerging right to democratic governance” in international law. In his view, such a right implied that the acceptance of a government by other states in the international arena depended on whether the government ruled with the consent of its own people. In a later piece, published in 2000, Franck elaborated, stating that

[w]hile democracy has long been a right of people in some nations, enshrined in their constitutions and traditions and enforced by their judiciary and police, this has not been true universally. That democracy is becoming an entitlement in international law and process is due in part to the very recent political reality of a burgeoning pro-democracy movement within the States that constitute the world community.