bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of starch nanoparticles on phase inversion of Pickering emulsions
Authors: Ogunlaja Sileola B. , Pal Rajinder , Sarikhani Kaveh
Published: November 2017

Understanding the effects of interfacial additives such as surface‐active nanoparticles on phase inversion of Pickering emulsions is important from a practical point of view. In this work, we studied the effects of surface‐active starch nanoparticles on catastrophic phase inversion of Pickering emulsions by continuous addition of a dispersed phase. Two types of experimental‐grade starch nanoparticles were used: hydrophilic starch nanoparticles (HSNP) and hydrophobic starch nanoparticles (HOSNP). The dynamic oil‐water interfacial tension was measured using the pendant drop method at varying starch concentrations in the aqueous phase while the contact angles were measured using the sessile drop method of the Axisymmetric Drop Shape Analysis‐Profile (ADSA‐P). Both types of starch nanoparticles (HSNP and HOSNP) were effective in delaying the phase inversion of emulsions from water‐in‐oil (W/O) type to oil‐in‐water (O/W) type. This delay in phase inversion was directly correlated with the concentration of starch nanoparticles. The interfacial tension decreased as the drop aged at a given starch nanoparticle concentration. The contact angles for both types of starch nanoparticles were within the intermediate wettability range that confirmed the irreversible adsorption of starch nanoparticles at the oil/water interface leading to an increased stability of emulsions.
Testing the heteroscedastic error structure in quantile varying coefficient models
Authors: Gijbels Irène , Ibrahim Mohammed A. , Verhasselt Anneleen
Published: November 2017

In mean regression the characteristic of interest is the conditional mean of the response given the covariates. In quantile regression the aim is to estimate any quantile of the conditional distribution function. For given covariates, the conditional quantile function fully characterizes the entire conditional distribution function, in contrast to the mean which is just one of its characteristic quantities. Regression quantiles substantially out‐perform the least‐squares estimator for a wide class of non‐Gaussian error distributions. In this article we consider quantile varying coefficient models (VCMs) that are an extension of classical quantile linear regression models, in which one allows the coefficients to depend on other variables. We consider VCMs with various structures for the variance of the errors (the variability function) in order to allow for heteroscedasticity. For longitudinal data, the time (T) dependent coefficient functions in the signal and the variability functions are estimated with P‐splines (Penalized B‐splines). Consistency of the proposed estimators is proved. Further, likelihood‐ratio‐type tests are considered for comparing the variability functions. The performance of the testing procedure is illustrated on simulated and real data.The Canadian Journal of Statistics46: 246–264; 2018 © 2017 Statistical Society of Canada
Probing nitrite ion dynamics in NaNO2 crystals by solid‐state 17O NMR
Authors: Dai Yizhe , Hung Ivan , Gan Zhehong , Wu Gang
Published: November 2017

We report a solid‐state 17O (I = 5/2) NMR study of the nitrite ion dynamics in crystalline NaNO2. Variable temperature (VT) 17O NMR spectra were recorded at 3 magnetic fields, 11.7, 14.1, and 21.1 T. The VT 17O NMR data suggest that the ion in the ferroelectric phase of NaNO2 undergoes 2‐fold flip motion about the crystallographic b axis and the corresponding rotational barrier is 68 ± 5 kJ mol−1. We also obtained a 2D 17O EXSY spectrum for a stationary sample of NaNO2 at 250 K, which, in combination with 1D 17O NMR spectral analyses, allowed precise determination of the relative orientation between the 17O quadrupolar coupling and chemical shift tensors in the molecular frame of reference. The experimentally determined 17O NMR tensors for NaNO2 were in agreement with quantum chemical calculations produced by a periodic DFT code BAND.
Sexual functioning among young adult cancer patients: A 2‐year longitudinal study
Authors: Acquati Chiara , Zebrack Brad J. , Faul Anna C. , Embry Leanne , Aguilar Christine , Block Rebecca , Hayes‐Lattin Brandon , Freyer David R. , Cole Steve
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Cancer‐related sexual dysfunction has been reported among adolescents and young adults (AYAs); however, its prevalence over time has not been examined. This longitudinal study investigated sexual dysfunction in AYAs over the course of 2 years after the initial diagnosis.

METHODS

Young adult patients (18‐39 years old) completed the Medical Outcomes Study Sexual Functioning Scale within the first 4 months of their diagnosis (n = 123) and again 6 (n = 107) and 24 months later (n = 95). An ordered multinomial response model analyzed changes in the probability of reporting sexual dysfunction over time and the independent effects of demographic, clinical, and psychosocial variables.

RESULTS

More than half of the participants reported sexual functioning to be problematic at each assessment. The probability of reporting sexual dysfunction increased over time (P < .01) and was greater for cancer patients who were female (P < .001), older (P < .01), married or in a committed relationship (P < .001), treated with chemotherapy (P < .05), and reporting comorbid psychological distress (P < .001) and lower social support (P < .05). For women, being in a relationship increased the likelihood of reporting sexual problems over time; for men, the likelihood of reporting sexual problems increased regardless of their relationship status.

CONCLUSIONS

A substantial proportion of young adults report ongoing problems with sexual functioning in the first 2 years after their cancer diagnosis. These findings justify the need to evaluate and monitor sexual functioning throughout a continuum of care. Cancer 2018;124:398‐405. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Impact of chronic hepatitis C virus infection on the survival of patients with oropharyngeal cancer
Authors: Economides Minas P. , Amit Moran , Mahale Parag S. , Hosry Jeff J. , Jiang Ying , Bharadwaj Uddalak , Sturgis Erich M. , Torres Harrys A.
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

Although an association between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and oropharyngeal cancers (OPCs) has been reported, to the authors' knowledge the clinical significance of this epidemiological finding remains unknown. Therefore, the authors analyzed the oncologic outcomes of HCV‐infected patients with OPCs.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort study, all patients with OPCs who were seen at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between January 2004 and December 2015 were reviewed. HCV infection was defined as detectable HCV RNA in the serum. Five‐year overall survival and progression‐free survival rates were compared between patients infected with HCV and those not infected.

RESULTS

A total of 161 patients were examined. The majority of the patients were white (141 patients; 88%) and male (132 patients; 82%) and had TNM stage III or IV disease (147 patients; 91%). The OPC involved the tonsils (83 patients; 52%), base of the tongue (67patients; 42%), or the soft palate (11 patients; 7%). The median follow‐up after an OPC diagnosis was 3 years (range, 1‐13 years). HCV‐infected patients (25 patients) and HCV‐uninfected patients (136 patients) were comparable with regard to smoking and alcohol status. In multivariate analysis, HCV was associated with increased cancer‐specific mortality (hazard ratio, 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.08‐6.85 [P = .02]) and risk of OPC progression (hazard ratio, 5.42; 95% confidence interval, 2.64‐11.14 [P = .0008]) independent of age and cirrhosis status. Antivirals were administered after the diagnosis of OPC in 8 of the 25 HCV‐infected patients (32%). HCV‐infected patients who received antivirals were found to have better 5‐year overall survival (70% vs 12%; P = .005) and progression‐free survival (72% vs 19%; P = .005) compared with patients who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

The early detection of HCV is important in patients with OPC because this infection may affect their oncologic outcomes. Cancer 2018;124:960‐5. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Microsecond Timescale Protein Dynamics: a Combined Solid‐State NMR Approach
Authors: Rovó Petra , Linser Rasmus
Published: November 2017

Conformational exchange in proteins is a major determinant in protein functionality. In particular, the μs–ms timescale is associated with enzymatic activity and interactions between biological molecules. We show here that a comprehensive data set of R1ρ relaxation dispersion profiles employing multiple effective fields and tilt angles can be easily obtained in perdeuterated, partly back‐exchanged proteins at fast magic‐angle spinning and further complemented with chemical‐exchange saturation transfer NMR experiments. The approach exploits complementary sources of information and enables the extraction of multiple exchange parameters for μs–ms timescale conformational exchange, most notably including the sign of the chemical shift differences between the ground and excited states.
Effects of the methacrylate/acrylate monomers HEMA, TEGDMA, DEGDA, and EMA on the immune system
Authors: Alizadehgharib Sara , Östberg Anna‐Karin , Dahlgren Ulf
Published: November 2017

Incomplete curing of dental fillings may lead to leakage of methacrylate/acrylate monomers, which may come in contact with different cells of the immune system in oral tissues. Very little is known about the different immunologic effects caused by these methacrylates/acrylates. The objective of the present study was to study if and how the methacrylate/acrylate monomers ethyl methacrylate (EMA) and diethylene glycol diacrylate (DEGDA) affect the immune system in vivo and in vitro in comparison to 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA). Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells were exposed to the different monomers (500 and 1000 μM) for 24 hr in vitro. BioPlex Pro™ assays were used for cytokine analysis. In vivo, BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously at the base of the tail with HEMA, TEGDMA, EMA, or DEGDA in combination with ovalbumin (OVA) in order to study adjuvant properties of the 4 monomers. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells exposed to DEGDA had viability less than 50% of the cells. A pattern was observed where the levels of most cytokines were elevated after exposure to HEMA or TEGDMA. Since that, many cells died after DEGDA‐exposure, the only observed cytokine secretion was a significantly increased production of interleukin‐18. In the in vivo experiments, all mice immunized with DEGDA died after the booster injection. Mice receiving OVA in combination with HEMA, TEGDMA, or EMA developed a higher immunoglobulin G anti‐OVA antibody levels compared to the group immunized with OVA alone. We could not demonstrate any significant difference in antibody levels among the mice receiving the various methacrylate/acrylate monomers. The different monomers affected the production, increase and decrease, of different cytokines in vitro but resulted also in vivo in increased antibody production and T‐cell activity.
Nonlinear ion‐acoustic cnoidal wave in electron‐positron‐ion plasma with nonextensive electrons
Authors: Farhadkiyaei Forough , Dorranian Davoud
Published: November 2017

Effects of plasma nonextensivity on the nonlinear cnoidal ion‐acoustic wave in unmagnetized electron‐positron‐ion plasma have been investigated theoretically. Plasma positrons are taken to be Maxwellian, while the nonextensivity distribution function was used to describe the plasma electrons. The known reductive perturbation method was employed to extract the KdV equation from the basic equations of the model. Sagdeev potential, as well as the cnoidal wave solution of the KdV equation, has been discussed in detail. We have shown that the ion‐acoustic periodic (cnoidal) wave is formed only for values of the strength of nonextensivity (q). The q allowable range is shifted by changing the positron concentration (p) and the temperature ratio of electron to positron (σ). For all of the acceptable values of q, the cnoidal ion‐acoustic wave is compressive. Results show that ion‐acoustic wave is strongly influenced by the electron nonextensivity, the positron concentration, and the temperature ratio of electron to positron. In this work, we have investigated the effects of q, p, and σ on the characteristics of the ion‐acoustic periodic (cnoidal) wave, such as the amplitude, wavelength, and frequency.
Ab initio results for the static structure factor of the warm dense electron gas
Authors: Dornheim Tobias , Groth Simon , Bonitz Michael
Published: November 2017

The uniform electron gas at finite temperature is of high current interest for warm dense matter research. The complicated interplay of quantum degeneracy and Coulomb coupling effects is fully contained in the pair distribution function or, equivalently, the static structure factor. By combining exact quantum Monte Carlo results for large wave vectors with the long‐range behaviour from the Singwi‐Tosi‐Land‐Sjölander approximation, we are able to obtain highly accurate data for the static structure factor over the entire k‐range. This allows us to gauge the accuracy of previous approximations and discuss their respective shortcomings. Further, our new data will serve as valuable input for the computation of other quantities.
Long‐term outcomes for different surgical strategies to treat left ventricular outflow tract obstruction in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Collis Richard , Watkinson Oliver , O'Mahony Constantinos , Guttmann Oliver P. , Pantazis Antonis , Tome‐Esteban Maria , Tsang Victor , Chandrasekaran Venkatachalam , McGregor Christopher G.A. , Elliott Perry M.
Published: November 2017

Aims

Surgical intervention is used to treat dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This study assesses the effect of different surgical strategies on long‐term mortality and morbidity.

Methods and results

In total, 347 patients underwent surgical intervention for LVOTO (1988–2015). Group A (n = 272) underwent septal myectomy; Group B (n = 33), septal myectomy and mitral valve (MV) repair; Group C (n = 22), myectomy and MV replacement; and Group D (n = 20), MV replacement alone. Median follow‐up was 5.2 years (interquartile range 1.9–7.9). The mean resting LVOT gradient improved post‐operatively from 71.9 ± 39.6 mmHg to 13.4 ± 18.5 mmHg (P < 0.05). Overall, 72.4% of patients improved by >1 New York Heart Association (NYHA) class; 58.9% of patients undergoing MV replacement alone did not improve their NYHA class. There were 5 perioperative deaths and 20 late deaths (>30 days). Survival rates at 1, 5 and 10 years respectively were 98.4, 96.9, 91.9% in Group A; 97.0, 92.4, 61.6% in Group B; 100.0, 100.0, 55.6% in Group C; and 94.7, 85.3, 85.3% in Group D (log‐rank, P < 0.05). Long‐term (>30 days) complications included atrial fibrillation (29.6%), transient ischaemic attack/stroke (2.4%) and heart failure hospitalisation (3.2%). There were 16 repeat surgical interventions at 3.0 years.

Conclusion

Septal myectomy is a safe procedure resulting in symptomatic improvement in the majority of patients. The annual incidence of non‐fatal disease‐related complications after surgical treatment of LVOTO is relatively high. Patients who underwent MV replacements had poorer outcomes with less symptomatic benefit in spite of a similar reduction in LVOT gradients.
Comparison of long‐term outcome in anthracycline‐related versus idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: a single centre experience
Authors: Fornaro Alessandra , Olivotto Iacopo , Rigacci Luigi , Ciaccheri Mauro , Tomberli Benedetta , Ferrantini Cecilia , Coppini Raffaele , Girolami Francesca , Mazzarotto Francesco , Chiostri Marco , Milli Massimo , Marchionni Niccolò , Castelli Gabriele
Published: November 2017

Aims

Cardiac dysfunction is a severe complication of anthracycline‐containing anticancer therapy. The outcome of anthracycline‐induced cardiomyopathy (AICM) compared with other non‐ischaemic causes of heart failure (HF), such as idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM), is unresolved. The aim of this study was to compare the survival of AICM patients with an IDCM cohort followed at our centre from 1990 to 2016.

Methods and results

We included 67 patients (67% female, 50 ± 15 years) with AICM, defined as onset of otherwise unexplained left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤50% following anthracycline therapy, and 488 IDCM patients (28% female, 55 ± 12 years). Patients were followed with constantly optimized HF therapy, for 7.6 ± 5.5 and 8.1 ± 5.5 years, respectively. In both cohorts, 25% of patients reached the combined endpoint of death/heart transplantation. Overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years were similar (AICM: 86% and 61%, IDCM: 88% and 75%; P = 0.61), and so was cardiovascular survival (AICM: 91% and 76%, IDCM: 91% and 80%; P = 0.373), also after 1:1 propensity matching (P = 0.27) and adjusting for age, LVEF and left ventricular size. A trend toward higher all‐cause mortality was present in AICM patients [hazard ratio (HR) 1.67, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.95–2.92, P = 0.076]. No differences were observed between AICM and IDCM with regard to pharmacological HF therapy, but AICM patients were less likely to receive devices (13% vs. 41.8% in IDCM, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Cardiovascular mortality in patients with AICM did not differ from that of a matched IDCM cohort, despite cancer‐related morbidity and less prevalent use of devices. These data suggest that patients with AICM should be treated with appropriate guideline‐directed medical therapies similar to other non‐ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathies.
Extra Unsaturated Metal Centers of Zirconium‐Based MOFs: a Facile Approach towards Increasing CO2 Uptake Capacity at Low Pressure
Authors: Li Zhong , Li Xue , Chen Chong , Zhou Lijin , Guo Qirui , Yuan Dashui , Wan Hui , Ding Jing , Guan Guofeng
Published: November 2017

Developing adsorption materials to capture CO2 at low pressure has attracted great attention due to the low CO2 partial pressure in fuel gases. Herein, zirconium‐based metal–organic frameworks (PCN‐X) are successfully synthesized and open metal sites (Fe3+ and Al3+) are incorporated into the PCN‐X MOFs. The results indicate that the CO2 adsorption capability is enhanced through the strong interaction between extra open metal centers and CO2 molecules at low pressure. Meanwhile, the CO2 adsorption capacity of PCN‐X with incorporated Al3+ is higher than with incorporated Fe3+, which can be attributed to the higher isosteric heat of CO2 adsorption. The adsorption kinetics further indicate the faster CO2 transmission on PCN‐X with extra Al3+ than with extra Fe3+. Besides, modified PCN‐X, treated by some inorganic acids, exhibits favorable chemical stability, which is suitable for CO2 capture from acidic fuel gases.
Transition‐Metal‐Catalyst‐Free Cross‐Coupling Reaction of Secondary Propargylic Acetates with Alkenyl‐ and Arylboronic Acids
Authors: Ueda Mitsuhiro , Nakakoji Daiki , Morisaki Takahiro , Ryu Ilhyong
Published: November 2017

A cross‐coupling reaction between secondary propargylic acetates and alkenylboronic acids proceeded to give 1,4‐enynes in good yields without addition of transition metal catalyst and base. This simple protocol was also applicable to arylboronic acids, which gave 3‐arylated alkynes in good yields. The observed induction period suggested that the reaction of propargylic acetates and organoboronic acids was affected by the in‐situ generated AcOH as a catalyst, which was confirmed by a separate experiment.
Which commonly monitored chemical contaminant in the Bohai region and the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers of China poses the greatest threat to aquatic wildlife?
Authors: Johnson Andrew C. , Jürgens Monika D. , Su Chao , Zhang Meng , Zhang Yueqing , Shi Yajuan , Sweetman Andrew , Jin Xiaowei , Lu Yonglong
Published: November 2017

The present study assessed the relative risk of 29 chemical contaminants to aquatic wildlife in the Bohai region and the Yangtze and Pearl Rivers of China. River monitoring data from 2010 to 2015 for metals, pesticides, plasticizers, surfactants, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, flame retardants, and ammonia were collected. For each chemical, ecotoxicity data were compiled for Chinese-relevant aquatic species. The chemicals were ranked by relative risk either by comparing the ratios of the median river concentration divided by the median ecotoxicity concentration or by the percentage of river measurements which exceeded the lower 10th percentile ecotoxicity value. To provide context, these results were compared with the same analysis for rivers in the United Kingdom. From this collection of chemicals in Chinese rivers, the highest risks appear to be from Cu, closely followed by Zn, Fe, and Ni together with linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, nonylphenol, and NH3. This risk, particularly from the metals, can be several times higher than that experienced in UK rivers when using the same analysis. Ammonia median concentrations were notably higher in the Pearl and Yangtze than in UK rivers. The results suggest that China should focus on controlling metal contamination to protect its aquatic wildlife. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1115–1121. © 2017 SETAC

Abstract

Measured chemical concentrations in Chinese rivers were compared with toxicity data to rank the relative risks of dozens of chemicals to wildlife. The top 10 chemicals posing the greatest threat in each study area are shown.
Scalable topological forwarding and routing policies in RINA‐enabled programmable data centers
Authors: Leon Gaixas Sergio , Perelló Jordi , Careglio Davide , Grasa Eduard , López Diego R. , Aranda Pedro A.
Published: November 2017

Given the current expansion of cloud computing, the expected advent of the Internet of Things, and the requirements of future fifth‐generation network infrastructures, significantly larger pools of computational and storage resources will soon be required. This emphasizes the need for more scalable data centers that are capable of providing such an amount of resources in a cost‐effective way. A quick look into today's commercial data centers shows that they tend to rely on variations of well‐defined leaf‐spine/Clos data center network (DCN) topologies, offering low latency, ultrahigh bisectional bandwidth, and enhanced reliability against concurrent failures. However, DCNs are typically restricted by the use of the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite, thus suffering limited routing scalability. In this work, we study the benefits that replacing TCP/IP with the recursive internetwork architecture (RINA) can bring into commercial DCNs, focusing on forwarding and routing scalability. We quantitatively evaluate the benefits that RINA solutions can yield against those based on TCP/IP and highlight how, by deploying RINA, topological routing solutions can improve even more the efficiency of the network. To this goal, we propose a rule‐and‐exception forwarding policy tailored to the characteristics of several DCN variants, enabling fast forwarding decisions with merely neighbors' information. Upon failures, few exceptions are necessary, whose computation can also profit from the known topology. Extensive numerical results show that the proposed policy requirements depend mainly on the number of neighbors and concurrent failures in the DCN rather than its size, dramatically reducing the amount of forwarding and routing information stored at DCN nodes.
Does going global or staying local improve the long‐term survival and performance of IPOs?
Authors: Christophe Stephen E. , Lee Hun
Published: November 2017

Research Summary: This empirical study investigates the impact of internationalization on the long‐term performance of U.S. IPOs (initial public offerings). We find that internationalized IPOs exhibit higher survival rates, and if an internationalized IPO is subsequently delisted, that delisting is significantly more likely to result in a positive outcome when compared to the delisting outcomes for domestic‐only IPOs. In addition, over 5‐ and 10‐year holding periods following the IPO, a portfolio of the internationalized firms exhibits significantly positive risk‐adjusted abnormal stock returns, whereas the return for a portfolio of the domestic‐only firms was lower and generally not significantly different than zero. In short, we add to the existing literature on factors that influence IPO survival and performance and show that internationalization also is an important firm characteristic.

Managerial Summary: We examine the impact of internationalization on the survival and stock return performance of IPO firms. More specifically, we investigate the performance of two categories of U.S. IPOs: companies that go public and have international operations and companies that are purely domestic firms. Our results suggest that IPO firms that are internationalized have higher survival rates than domestic‐only firms and also enjoy superior subsequent stock performance. This study provides novel insights and additional descriptive evidence that going global is better for the survival and performance of IPOs.
Predictive factors for osteoradionecrosis of the jaws: A retrospective study
Authors: Sathasivam Hans P. , Davies Gareth R. , Boyd Nicholas M.
Published: November 2017

Background

Osteoradionecrosis of the jaw (ORNJ) is a well‐recognized complication of radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to assess predictive factors for the development of ORNJ.

Methods

A retrospective study of 325 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated at one institution between January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2008, was conducted. Outcome measure was the presence/absence of ORNJ. Time to event was recorded and Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was used to determine statistically significant predictive factors.

Results

Fifty‐nine patients had ORNJ. Statistical analysis using Cox regression analysis identified several statistically significant variables: dentoalveolar surgery; peri‐resective surgery of the jaw; continued tobacco usage after radiotherapy, diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2); and total radiation dose.

Conclusion

Patients at greater risk of developing ORNJ can be identified and measures can be instituted to reduce its incidence and expedite management when it does occur.
Top 10 research priorities in head and neck cancer: Results of an Alberta priority setting partnership of patients, caregivers, family members, and clinicians
Authors: Lechelt Leah A. , Rieger Jana M. , Cowan Katherine , Debenham Brock J. , Krewski Bernie , Nayar Suresh , Regunathan Akhila , Seikaly Hadi , Singh Ameeta E. , Laupacis Andreas ,   on behalf of the Alberta Head and Neck Cancer Priority Setting Partnership Steering Committee
Published: November 2017

Background

The epidemiology, etiology, and management of head and neck cancer are evolving. Understanding the perspectives and priorities of nonresearchers regarding treatment uncertainties is important to inform future research.

Methods

Using the James Lind Alliance approach, patients, caregivers, and clinicians responded to a survey regarding their unanswered questions about treating and managing head and neck cancer. Distinct uncertainties were extracted from responses and sorted into themes. Uncertainties already answered in the literature were removed. Those remaining were ranked by patients and clinicians to develop a short list of priorities, which were discussed at a workshop and reduced to the top 10.

Results

One hundred sixty‐one respondents posed 818 uncertainties, culminating in 77 for interim ranking and 27 for discussion at a workshop. Participants reached consensus on the top 10, which included questions on prevention, screening, treatment, and quality of life.

Conclusion

Nonresearchers can effectively collaborate to establish priorities for future research in head and neck cancer.
Anthropometry and classification of auricular concha for the ergonomic design of earphones
Authors: Ji Xiaomin , Zhu Zhaohua , Gao Zhu , Bai Xiaobo , Hu Gang
Published: November 2017

The auricular conchae of 310 young Chinese people (169 men and 141 women) aged 18–28 years were classified into different groups and differentiated in terms of shape as a basis to designing wearable and non‐slip earphones. Seven characteristic distances could be obtained accurately by defining 5 characteristic points and extracting their 3‐dimensional (3D) coordinates from 3D digital models (obtained by scanning 310 ear impressions) automatically. The shape differences of auricular conchae were statistically analyzed. Results show that the average dimensions of auricular conchae for men are generally larger than those for women, and the shapes of auricular conchae significantly differ among the participants. The shapes of auricular concha were classified into 24 groups, depending on the characteristic distances. For each group, the coordinates of 5 common‐characteristic points were determined and the basic shape was summarized. The percentage of the samples in each group was statistically given, and 8 prioritized groups of samples more than 5% were suggested. Finally, the feasibility of the classification method was demonstrated by designing earphone, 3D printing, and wearing verification.
The effects of sleep on the neural correlates of pattern separation
Authors: Doxey Christopher R. , Hodges Cooper B. , Bodily Ty A. , Muncy Nathan M. , Kirwan C. Brock
Published: November 2017

Effective memory representations must be specific to prevent interference between episodes that may overlap in terms of place, time, or items present. Pattern separation, a computational process performed by the hippocampus, overcomes this interference by establishing nonoverlapping memory representations. Although it is widely accepted that declarative memories are consolidated during sleep, the effects of sleep on pattern separation have yet to be elucidated. We used whole‐brain, high‐resolution functional neuroimaging to investigate the effects of sleep on a task that places high demands on pattern separation. Sleep had a selective effect on memory specificity and not general recognition memory. Activity in brain regions related to memory retrieval and cognitive control demonstrated an interaction between sleep and delay. Surprisingly, there was no effect of sleep on hippocampal activity using a group‐level analysis. To further understand the role of the hippocampus on our task, we performed a representational similarity analysis, which showed that hippocampal activation was biased toward pattern separation relative to cortical activation and that this bias increased following a delay (regardless of sleep). Cortical activation, conversely, was biased toward pattern completion and this bias was preferentially enhanced by sleep.
Diagnostic accuracy of serum miR‐122 and miR‐199a in women with endometriosis
Authors: Maged Ahmed M. , Deeb Wesam S. , El Amir Azza , Zaki Sherif S. , El Sawah Heba , Al Mohamady Maged , Metwally Ahmed A. , Katta Maha A.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To evaluate the value of serum microRNA‐122 (miR‐122) and miR‐199a as reliable noninvasive biomarkers in the diagnosis of endometriosis.

Methods

During 2015–2016, at a teaching hospital in Egypt, a prospective cohort study was conducted on 45 women with pelvic endometriosis and 35 women who underwent laparoscopy for pelvic pain but were not diagnosed with endometriosis. Blood and peritoneal fluid (PF) samples were collected; interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) was detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and miR‐122 and miR‐199a expression was measured by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The serum and PF levels of IL‐6, miR‐122, and miR‐199a were significantly higher in women with endometriosis than in controls (P<0.001 for all comparisons). Serum miR‐122 expression was positively correlated with serum IL‐6 (r=0.597), PF IL‐6 (r=0.603), PF miR‐122 (r=0.934), serum miR‐199a (r=0.727), and PF miR‐199a (r=0.653). Serum miR‐199a expression was positively correlated with serum IL‐6 (r=0.677), PF IL‐6 (r=0.678), PF miR‐122 (r=0.744), and PF miR‐199a (r=0.932). Serum miR‐122 and miR‐199a had a sensitivity of 95.6% and 100.0%, and a specificity of 91.4% and 100%, respectively, for the detection of endometriosis.

Conclusion

Serum miR‐122 and miR‐199a were significantly increased in endometriosis, indicating that these microRNAs might serve as biomarkers for the diagnosis of endometriosis.
Psychologic intimate partner violence and the risk of intrauterine growth restriction in Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Lobato Gustavo , Reichenheim Michael E. , Moraes Claudia L. , Peixoto‐Filho Fernando M. , Migowski Lívia S.
Published: November 2017

Objective

To evaluate whether psychologic intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a risk factor for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Methods

The cross‐sectional study enrolled randomly selected mothers of infants younger than 5 months attending basic health services in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from January to July 2007. Psychologic and physical IPV were evaluated by the Revised Conflict Tactics Scale; IUGR was defined as below the 10th percentile of the Alexander curve. Socioeconomic status, housing conditions, stressful events, life habits, social support, and medical information were obtained by interview or from medical records. Multivariate hierarchical logistic regression models, taking into account potential confounders, were used to evaluate the relationship between mounting acts of psychologic IPV and IUGR.

Results

There were 810 women included in the study. Psychologic IPV during pregnancy was reported by 665 women (82.1%) and 126 newborns (15.6%) showed growth restriction. In the final model, each 1‐unit increase in psychologic IPV score during pregnancy led to a 15% higher risk of IUGR at birth (odds ratio 1.15; P<0.001).

Conclusion

Psychologic IPV during pregnancy seems to be a significant and independent risk factor for IUGR. This finding reinforces the importance of preventive and intervention procedures for IPV to reduce adverse perinatal outcomes.
A systematic review and meta‐analysis of fetal outcomes following the administration of influenza A/H1N1 vaccination during pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Chuan , Wang Xiaodong , Liu Dan , Zhang Lingli , Sun Xin
Published: November 2017

Background

Pregnant women were identified as a population of priority for vaccination during the H1N1 influenza pandemic outbreak in 2009.

Objectives

To assess adverse fetal outcomes following the administration of H1N1 pandemic vaccination during pregnancy.

Search strategy

PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched up to January 2017.

Selection criteria

Cohort studies investigating fetal outcomes after H1N1 influenza vaccination during pregnancy were eligible. The language was limited to English.

Data collection and analysis

Pairs of reviewers independently screened studies for eligibility, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted data from the included studies.

Main results

A total of 19 cohort studies were eligible. The use of vaccines during any period of pregnancy was associated with lower risk of stillbirth (adjusted hazard ratio 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.69–0.92). No significant differences were found between the vaccinated versus unvaccinated groups in terms of the risks of spontaneous abortion, premature birth, and small for gestational age.

Conclusions

The administration of H1N1 vaccines during pregnancy might reduce the risk of stillbirth, a complication associated with H1N1 infection. The quality of evidence was, however, not adequate to reach a definitive conclusion.
Arsenite downregulates H3K4 trimethylation and H3K9 dimethylation during transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Tu Wei , Liu Yin , Xie Chengfeng , Zhou Xue
Published: November 2017

Arsenic is an established human carcinogen but with weak mutagenic activity. The mechanisms of arsenic‐induced carcinogenesis are not well understood. In the present study, we investigated the role of histone methylation in transformation of human bronchial epithelial (BEAS‐2B) cells. After 16 weeks’ exposure, cells were transformed by 0.1, 0.5 and 1 μm arsenite. Global trimethylated H3K4 (H3K4me3) was decreased by 0.1 μm arsenite at 12 weeks, and 0.5 and 1 μm arsenite at 8, 12 and 16 weeks, which could be attributed to reduced histone methyltransferase activities, increased histone demethylase (HDM) activities as well as increased protein levels of H3K4 demethylase KDM5A. Global dimethylated H3K9 (H3K9me2) was also decreased after exposure to 0.5 μm arsenite for 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks and 1.0 μm arsenite for 8 and 12 weeks, which was associated with an increase of HDM activities. Our findings indicated that arsenite decreased global H3K4me3 and H3K9me2 levels during cell transformation by modulating the enzymatic activities of histone methyltransferases and/or HDMs, and by upregulation of KDM5A protein levels for H3K4me3.
Effects of bergenin on methylglyoxal‐induced damage in osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells
Authors: Lee Kyung Hee , Choi Eun Mi
Published: November 2017

Bergenin is the main chemical constituent of plants in the genus Bergenia, which are used in traditional medicines. Methylglyoxal (MG), a highly reactive dicarbonyl compound, is the major precursor for forming advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Pretreating MC3T3‐E1 cells with bergenin prevented MG‐induced protein adduct formation. Bergenin inhibited the MG‐induced soluble receptor for AGE (sRAGE), interleukin, reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial superoxide production. Additionally bergenin increased glyoxalase I activity, glutathione, heme oxygenase‐1 and nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 levels in the presence of MG. Pretreatment with bergenin before MG exposure reduced MG‐induced mitochondrial dysfunction by preventing mitochondrial membrane potential dissipation, loss of adenosine triphosphate and reduced adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase. These results demonstrate that bergenin may prevent the development of diabetic osteopathy.
Fabrication of chelate‐setting α‐tricalcium phosphate cement using sodium citrate and sodium alginate as mixing solution and its in vivo osteoconductivity
Authors: Konishi Toshiisa , Lim Poon Nian , Honda Michiyo , Nagaya Masaki , Nagashima Hiroshi , Thian Eng San , Aizawa Mamoru
Published: November 2017

Moldable and injectable calcium‐phosphate cements (CPCs) are material candidates for bone replacement applications. In the present study, we examined the effectiveness of sodium alginate and sodium citrate additives to the liquid phase of CPC, in improving its handling property as well as mechanical strength. The use of these additives enhanced the handling property significantly, in terms of consistency as compared to CPC without additives due to the liquefying effect caused by the adsorption of citrate ions on the cement particles. Sodium alginate and sodium citrate were added to CPC, which was set by the chelate‐bonding capability of inositol phosphate, and was composed of mainly α‐tricalcium phosphate (α‐TCP) phase (>90%). The compressive strength of the CPC containing sodium alginate and sodium citrate was 3.4 ± 0.3 MPa, which was significantly higher than cement without additives. Furthermore, this cement exhibited favorable osteoconductivity and bioresorbability, and remained the α‐TCP phase after 4‐week implantation in a pig tibiae model. These results suggested that the cement is a potential candidate as a bioresorbable paste‐like artificial bone. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2361–2370, 2018.
Novel N‐propylphthalimide‐ and 4‐vinylbenzyl‐substituted benzimidazole salts: Synthesis, characterization, and determination of their metal chelating effects and inhibition profiles against acetylcholinesterase and carbonic anhydrase enzymes
Authors: Sarı Yakup , Aktaş Aydın , Taslimi Parham , Gök Yetkin , Gulçin İlhami
Published: November 2017

The novel N‐propylphthalimide‐substituted and 4‐vinylbenzyl‐substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors were synthesized by N‐substituted benzimidazolium with aryl halides. The novel N‐propylphthalimide‐substituted and 4‐vinylbenzyl‐substituted NHC precursors have been characterized by using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, FTIR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis techniques. They were tested for the inhibition of AChE and hCA enzymes and demonstrated efficient inhibition profiles with Ki values in the range of 351.0–1269.9 nM against hCA I, 346.6–1193.1 nM against hCA II, and 19.0–76.3 nM against AChE. On the other hand, acetazolamide, a clinically used molecule, utilized as CA inhibitor, obtained a Ki value of 1246.7 nM against hCA I and 1407.6 nM against hCA II. Additionally, tacrine inhibited AChE and obtained a Ki value of 174.6 nM.
Co‐production of 2,3‐BDO and succinic acid using xylose by Enterobacter cloacae
Authors: Wu Jing , Liu Hong‐Juan , Yan Xiang , Zhou Yu‐Jie , Lin Zhang‐Nan , Cheng Ke‐Ke , Zhang Jian‐An
Published: November 2017

BACKGROUND

2,3‐Butanediol and succinic acid are staple chemicals that are widely used in the chemical industry. In this study, a new strategy for the simultaneous fermentation of 2,3‐butanediol and succinic acid by Enterobacter cloacae using xylose was developed. The mechanism by which the succinic acid pathway was enhanced during 2,3‐butanediol fermentation in E. cloacae was studied. In addition, the sodium bicarbonate feeding mode and time, pH, and aeration rate were optimized. Fed‐batch fermentation was performed under the optimal conditions using industrial xylose as a raw material.

RESULTS

The succinic acid pathway was enhanced by the addition of sodium bicarbonate during 2,3‐butanediol fermentation. Interestingly, a simple increase of the initial pH had no effect on the production of succinic acid. The sodium bicarbonate feeding mode and time, pH and aeration rate were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, including a sodium bicarbonate feeding mode of 2 and time of 12 h, a pH of 6.5 and an aeration rate of 0.4 vvm, a maximum of 40.67 g L‐1 of 2,3‐butanediol and 21.79 g L‐1 of succinic acid were obtained after a 72 h fed‐batch fermentation when xylose was used as raw material, with a total 2,3‐butanediol + succinic acid yield of 0.69 mol mol‐1 xylose.

CONCLUSION

2,3‐Butanediol and succinic acid were produced in a single fermentation step using E. cloacae. The production of 2,3‐butanediol and succinic acid was enhanced by controlling the sodium bicarbonate feeding mode and time, pH, and aeration rate. This type of fermentation provides a promising means of lowering the cost of production of these chemicals by reducing the fermentation operating time and fermentation equipment maintenance. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Macroscopic and microscopic analyses in flexor tendons of the tarsometatarso‐phalangeal joint of ostrich (Struthio camelus) foot with energy storage and shock absorption
Authors: Zhang Rui , Han Dianlei , Luo Gang , Ling Lei , Li Guoyu , Ji Qiaoli , Li Jianqiao
Published: November 2017

Flexor tendons function as energy storage and shock absorption structures in the tarsometatarso‐phalangeal joint (TMTPJ) of ostrich feet during high‐speed and heavy‐load locomotion. In this study, mechanisms underlying the energy storage and shock absorption of three flexor tendons of the third toe were studied using histology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Macroscopic and microscopic structures of the flexor tendons in different positions of TMTPJ were analyzed. Histological slices showed collagen fiber bundles of all flexor tendons in the middle TMTPJ were arranged in a linear‐type, but in the proximal and distal TMTPJ, a wavy‐type arrangement was found in the tendon of the M. flexor digitorum longus and tendon of the M. flexor perforans et perforatus digiti III, while no regular‐type was found in the tendon of the M. flexor perforatus digiti III. SEM showed that the collagen fiber bundles of flexor tendons were arranged in a hierarchically staggered way (horizontally linear‐type and vertically linear‐type). Linear‐type and wavy‐type both existed in the proximal TMTPJ for the collagen fiber bundles of the tendon of the M. flexor perforatus digiti III, but only the linear‐type was found in the distal TMTPJ. A number of fibrils were distributed among the collagen fiber bundles, which were likely effective in connection, force transmission and other functions. The morphology and arrangement of collagen fiber bundles were closely related to the tendon functions. We present interpretations of the biological functions in different positions and types of the tendons in the TMTPJ of the ostrich feet.
Ultrastructure of endocrine pancreatic granules during pancreatic differentiation in the grass snake, Natrix natrix L. (Lepidosauria, Serpentes)
Authors: Kowalska Magdalena , Rupik Weronika
Published: November 2017

We used transmission electron microscopy to study the pancreatic main endocrine cell types in the embryos of the grass snake Natrix natrix L. with focus on the morphology of their secretory granules. The embryonic endocrine part of the pancreas in the grass snake contains four main types of cells (A, B, D, and PP), which is similar to other vertebrates. The B granules contained a moderately electron‐dense crystalline‐like core that was polygonal in shape and an electron‐dense outer zone. The A granules had a spherical electron‐dense eccentrically located core and a moderately electron‐dense outer zone. The D granules were filled with a moderately electron‐dense non‐homogeneous content. The PP granules had a spherical electron‐dense core with an electron translucent outer zone. Within the main types of granules (A, B, D, PP), different morphological subtypes were recognized that indicated their maturity, which may be related to the different content of these granules during the process of maturation. The sequence of pancreatic endocrine cell differentiation in grass snake embryos differs from that in many vertebrates. In the grass snake embryos, the B and D cells differentiated earlier than A and PP cells. The different sequence of endocrine cell differentiation in snakes and other vertebrates has been related to phylogenetic position and nutrition during early developmental stages.