bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Western organizational change capacity theory and its application to public health organizations in China: A multiple case analysis
Authors: Zhao Xueyin , Goodman Robert M.
Published: September 2018

As health reform becomes a crucial task for both Chinese and United States government, public health organizations are required to adopt changes based on reform policy. Organizational Change Capacity theory is a Western theory that indicates the capacities that organizations should possess when pursuing successful organizational change. This study seeks to understand the applicability of this theory to Chinese public health organizations by contrasting organizations that have achieved success or remained challenged in implementing organizational change to optimize health reform. The research questions are: Is the Organizational Change Capacity theory applicable in Chinese public health organizations? How should it be modified to best fit Chinese public health organizations? Seventy‐two participants from 12 public health organizations in Beijing and Xi'an were recruited for interviews and follow‐up questionnaires that asked for experiences during their organizational changes. During the analysis, a new Chinese Organizational Change Capacity theory with nine main themes emerged. This new framework provides a guideline for Chinese public health organizations to evaluate their change capacity, and offers a theoretical foundation for researchers to design interventions that increase these organizations' capacity in achieving successful change.
Never will I give advice till you please to ask me thrice: Estimating willingness to pay for health insurance using 3 different methods with evidence from Iran
Authors: Moeeni Mayam , Nosratnejad Shirin
Published: September 2018

Objective

The current study was aimed at providing a monetary assessment of households' preferences for basic and complementary health insurance based on willing to pay for health insurance coverage.

Method

The open‐ended (OE), take‐it‐or‐leave‐it (TIOLI), and double‐bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) methods of contingent valuation (CV) were compared in calculating the participants' willingness to pay (WTP) for joining health insurance coverage. The data for the current study were taken from 2 equivalent samples of households.

Results

The (trimmed) mean of monthly WTP per person for basic health insurance coverage elicited by the OE, TIOLI, and DBDC methods was respectively US$ 4.01, US$ 6.2, and US$ 5.5. Moreover, the (trimmed) mean of monthly WTP per person for complementary health insurance elicited by the OE, TIOLI, and DBDC methods was respectively US$ 4.6, US$ 9.8, and US$ 8.

Conclusions

The results indicated a significant value difference in the various CV approaches. The findings suggest that the TIOLI, OE, and DBDC can be used as an upper bounded, a lower bounded, and a median value respectively. The findings also suggest that the choice of different CV approaches is needed to estimate a boundary of WTP for health insurance plans as a more reliable estimate of stated preference of health insurance.
A test of water pouring height and run intermittence effects on single‐ring infiltration rates
Authors: Alagna Vincenzo , Bagarello Vincenzo , Cecere Noemi , Concialdi Paola , Iovino Massimo
Published: September 2018

Assessing how the infiltration process depends on the water impact energy improves interpretation of hydrological processes. Impact energies vary with the height of water pouring; that is, the distance between the water delivery point and the soil surface. The effects of the height of water pouring on infiltration in an initially near saturated soil can be tested in the field by two repeated Beerkan infiltration runs separated by a short pause (30 min) and using both low (non‐perturbing) and high (perturbing) heights of water application. The double two‐stage Beerkan run methodology was applied in two soils. The infiltration rate at the end of the perturbing stage of the experiment was 0.2–0.3 (sandy‐loam soil) and 0.15 (loam soil) times that obtained with the initial, nonperturbing stage whereas, without any perturbing effect, infiltration rates at the end of the second run were 0.5 times those at the end of the first run. Therefore, the methodology distinguished between a decrease in infiltration rate due to water redistribution during the pause and that attributable to soil surface perturbation. Maintaining a small depth of water (10 mm) on the infiltration surface was not an alternative to the classical Beerkan run for the non‐perturbing stage of the experiment since two times higher infiltration rates were measured with a greater hydrostatic pressure. In conclusion, the relationship between infiltration into an initially near saturated soil and the energy of the applied water can be determined directly in the field at any time with a simple and parsimonious experiment. This circumstance could improve soil hydraulic characterization for interpreting and simulating hydrological processes.
Somatic aberrations of BRCA1 gene are associated with ALDH1, EGFR, and tumor progression in prostate cancer
Authors: Omari Aleksandra , Nastały Paulina , Stoupiec Sara , Bałabas Aneta , Dąbrowska Michalina , Bielińska Beata , Huss Sebastian , Pantel Klaus , Semjonow Axel , Eltze Elke , Brandt Burkhard , Bednarz‐Knoll Natalia
Published: September 2018

BRCA1 is a pivotal tumor suppressor. Its dysfunction is known to play a role in different tumors. Among others, BRCA1 germline mutations account for higher risk and more aggressive course of prostate cancer (PCa). In addition, somatic BRCA1 gene loss was demonstrated to be a signature of PCa dissemination to lymph nodes and peripheral blood, and indicate worse clinical outcome. In order to substantiate the data for BRCA1 gene loss in PCa and reveal its phenotypical background, BRCA1 gene status was assessed in a large cohort of PCa patients and compared to different molecular factors. BRCA1 gene dosage was assessed in 2398 tumor samples from 1,199 PCa patients using fluorescent in situ hybridization. It was compared to clinico‐pathological parameters, patients’ outcome as well as selected proteins (Ki‐67, apoptosis marker, cytokeratins, vimentin, E‐ and N‐cadherin, ALDH1 and EGFR) examined immunohistochemically. BRCA1 losses were found in 10%, whereas gains appeared in 7% of 603 informative PCa patients. BRCA1 losses correlated to higher T stage (p = 0.027), Gleason score (p = 0.039), shorter time to biochemical recurrence in patients with Gleason score > 7 independently of other factors (multivariate analysis, p = 0.005) as well as expression of proteins regulating stemness and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, that is, ALDH1 (p = 0.021) and EGFR (p = 0.011), respectively. BRCA1 gains correlated to shorter time to metastasis (p = 0.012) and expression of ALDH1 (p = 0.014). These results support the assumption that BRCA1 gene losses contribute to a progressive and stem cell‐like phenotype of PCa. Furthermore, they reveal that also BRCA1 gain conceivably representing loss‐of‐function might mark more invasive tumors.
Hf‐based Metal‐Organic Frameworks in Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: García‐García Pilar , Corma Avelino
Published: September 2018

Among the large family of metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), Hf‐based MOFs are foreseen as promising materials for practical applications due to their exceptional characteristics such as rich structure versatility and outstanding stability. This review discusses catalytic applications of Hf‐MOFs since their development in 2012, and are summarized according to the location of the active site: at the hafnium node, at the linker or as a single‐site chemical entity located at the hafnium node after post‐synthetic functionalization. Special emphasis is made to synthetic preparation methods and catalytic performance.
The dynamic capabilities of small and medium‐scale enterprises using mobile apps in Lagos, Nigeria
Authors: Owoseni Adebowale , Twinomurinzi Hossana
Published: September 2018

This paper draws on the framework of dynamic capabilities (DC) to make sense of how small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos use mobile apps as a means of survival in a developing economy. The framework of DC asserts that organisations could compete favourably despite unpredictable environments; it also suggests that organisations develop DCs independently and differently. The study adopts a qualitative approach to identify the absorptive, adaptive, and innovative capabilities of SMEs in Lagos with a view to make sense of how mobile apps are used to enhance the different capabilities. The findings from 20 SMEs revealed a significant use of social media apps, productivity apps, and mobile banking apps. Further investigations identified 15 DC constructs whose impact on SMEs could be enhanced using appropriated mobile apps. The paper makes recommendations on how SMEs can better satisfice through contextually designed mobile apps that meet the unique needs of the SMEs. The study also contributes to information system and DC framework by identifying mobile apps used by SMEs, revealing the DC constructs of SMEs, and understanding how SMEs use mobile apps to enhance DCs in a developing country economy and African context.
Proinflammatory macrophages impair skeletal muscle differentiation in obesity through secretion of tumor necrosis factor‐α via sustained activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase
Authors: Wang Xueqiang , Zhao Daina , Cui Yajuan , Lu Shemin , Gao Dan , Liu Jiankang
Published: September 2018

Obesity is associated with skeletal muscle loss and impaired myogenesis. Increased infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages in skeletal muscle is noted in obesity and is associated with muscle insulin resistance. However, whether the infiltrated macrophages can contribute to obesity‐induced muscle loss is unclear. In this study, we investigate macrophage and muscle differentiation markers in the quadriceps (QC), gastrocnemius, tibia anterior, and soleus muscles from obese mice that were fed a high‐fat diet for 16 weeks. Then, we examined the effect and mediator of macrophage‐secreted factors on myoblast differentiation in vitro. We found markedly increased levels of proinflammatory macrophage markers (F4/80 and CD11c) in the QC muscle compared with the other three muscle groups. Consistent with the increased levels of proinflammatory macrophage infiltration, the QC muscle also showed a significant reduction in the expression of muscle differentiation makers MYOD1 and myosin heavy chain. In in vitro studies, treatment of C2C12 myoblasts with Raw 264.7 macrophage‐conditioned medium (CM) significantly promoted cell proliferation and inhibited myoblast differentiation. Neutralization of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) in Raw 264.7 macrophage CM reversed the reduction of myoblast differentiation. Finally, we found that both macrophage CM and TNF‐α induced sustained activation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) in C2C12 myoblasts. Together, our findings suggest that the increased infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages could contribute toward obesity‐induced muscle loss by secreting inflammatory cytokine TNF‐α via the p38 MAPK signaling pathway.
Single and joint effects of Zn and Cu to ATP pool and microbial recovery in continuous growth systems
Authors: Şengör Sema Sevinç , Gikas Petros , Moberly James G
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Four parallel continuous stirred tank reactors were used to investigate the single and joint exposure of Zn and Cu to Arthrobacter sp. JM018, in terms of the impact on the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) pool and microbial tolerance.

RESULTS

ATP, optical density (OD), and substrate concentration measurements indicated that Cu was more toxic than Zn under all conditions studied. The results showed that although both OD and ATP measurements individually reflected a decrease in microbial growth rate after the addition of metals for the reactors exposed to Cu, specific ATP (i.e. ATP/OD) showed only a temporary reduction followed by a monotonic return to pre‐exposure levels within 100 h. The latter implied tolerance and recovery in the energy status of these cells, after the initial shock due to the exposure to Cu.

CONCLUSION

Specific ATP is an important quantity to be considered as a measure of the activity or energy status of microbial biomass surviving after exposure to toxic metals or other unfavorable conditions. The study provides insights for maintaining metal‐tolerant microbial communities and to explore both quantitatively and experimentally the dynamics of ATP pool and microbial tolerance in metal‐contaminated environments. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Frontline Science: Reprogramming COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A-mediated arachidonic acid metabolism in macrophages by salidroside alleviates gouty arthritis
Authors: Liu Yanzhuo , Tang Honglin , Liu Xiaoxiao , Chen Honglei , Feng Na , Zhang Jing , Wang Chenlong , Qiu Miao , Yang Jing , Zhou Xiaoyang
Published: September 2018

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4A-mediated arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism play an essential role in human inflammatory disorders. Blocking COX-2 pathway would shunt AA metabolism to the other pathway, thereby decreasing the efficacy and exacerbating adverse effects. Here we demonstrated that reprogramming COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A-mediated AA metabolism in macrophages by salidroside (Sal) ameliorates monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammation. Compared with COX-2 inhibitor celecoxib, Sal (80 mg/kg) presented a superior anti-arthritic profile in MSU crystal-treated rats, accompanied with the decreased expression of COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A and production of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4), and 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE) in the synovial fluid macrophages. Sal decreased representative M1 marker (iNOS and CD86, etc.) expression and M1 cytokine (TNF-α and IL-1β) production, whereas it increased M2 marker (CD206 and Arg-1) expression and M2 cytokine (TGF-β and IL-10) production. The injection of conditioned medium from MSU crystal-treated macrophages into the ankle joint of rats reproduced the gouty inflammation, which was attenuated by Sal. Mechanistically, down-regulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A in the RAW264.7 and NR8383 macrophages by Sal skewed macrophage polarization away from the M1 phenotype, and thereby prevented neutrophil migration and chondrocyte degradation with STAT1 and NF-κB inactivation. Conversely, overexpression of COX-2, 5-LOX, CYP4A or STAT1, or exogenous addition of IL-1β or TNF-α partially abolished these effects. Together, inhibition of COX-2, 5-LOX, and CYP4A in macrophages by Sal ameliorates MSU crystal-induced inflammation through decreasing TNF-α and IL-1β production, and may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy.

Reprogramming COX-2, 5-LOX and CYP4A-mediated AA metabolism by salidroside ameliorates gouty arthritis through inhibition of macrophage M1 polarization via STAT1 and NF-κB signaling.
Pill identification: comparing the identification accuracy and error rates of Internet search engines and standard pill identification applications by entering visual characteristics
Authors: Shenker Bennett S. , Turner John C. , Brandspiegel Heather T.
Published: September 2018

Background

Proper identification of medications is important for patient safety. Many pill identification applications are available to help identify tablets/capsules but their accuracy varies. Internet search engines could be an alternative for identification.

Aim

The hypothesis was that Internet search engines would perform as well as or better than pill identification applications in determining the name and dosage of medications.

Methods

A set of images of 451 pills was prepared. Visual characteristics were entered into two Internet search engines and three pill identification applications. Head to head comparisons of correct identifications were made using McNemar's test.

Results

No statistically significant difference was found in correct identifications between Google (93.6%) and Drugs.com (94.0%). Both Google and Drugs.com performed better than Bing (91.4%) at the p < 0.05 level. Drugs.com, Google and Bing all performed better than Pillbox (68.3%) and Epocrates (54.1%) at the p < 0.0001 level.

Conclusion

Internet search engines perform well in pill identification and better than some dedicated pill identification applications.
Training of provisionally registered pharmacists in Malaysian community pharmacies: perceptions and views of community pharmacists in Sarawak, Malaysia
Authors: Kho Boon Phiaw , Hassali Mohamed Azmi , Lim Ching Jou , Saleem Fahad , Soon Hooi Cheng
Published: September 2018

Background

Various policies are in place to ensure proper training of provisionally registered pharmacists (PRPs) in Malaysia, in tandem with the nation's need for competent pharmacists. Accreditation as PRP training centres was recently extended to community pharmacies to cater for the increasing number of pharmacy graduates.

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore and describe the perceptions and views of community pharmacists in Sarawak, Malaysia, regarding the training of PRPs in the community pharmacy setting.

Method

Semistructured face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of community pharmacists working in Sarawak. The interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Data saturation was reached after 20 pharmacists had been interviewed. Three key themes were identified: (1) reasons to support PRP training in community pharmacies; (2) barriers to professional training in the community pharmacy setting; and (3) potential solutions to increase the uptake of PRPs in community pharmacies. Community pharmacists in Sarawak train PRPs because of their altruistic nature and/or a business expansion strategy. However, they felt that the current practice environment is not practical for PRP training. Unaffordable salary, physical space constraints, lack of clear guidelines and fear of increased competition were other barriers identified. Potential solutions proposed include expansion of community pharmacists’ roles and having the PRPs’ salary subsidised by the government.

Conclusion

Successfully enlisting community pharmacists to train PRPs is critical to solving the problem of insufficient PRP placements in Malaysia. A more conducive practice environment and better training incentives are vital for success.
Synthesis, Surface Properties, and Self‐Aggregation Behavior of a Branched N,N‐Dimethylalkylamine Oxide Surfactant
Authors: Fabozzi Antonio , Vitiello Rosa , Russo Krauss Irene , Iuliano Mauro , De Tommaso Gaetano , Amoresano Angela , Pinto Gabriella , Paduano Luigi , Jones Christopher , Di Serio Martino , D'Errico Gerardino
Published: September 2018

Amine‐oxide surfactants have emerged as highly stable, nontoxic, and cost‐effective constituents of detergent formulations, specifically as wetting agents and foam boosters. With the aim of enhancing their functional behavior, a new member of this family, N,N‐dimethyl‐2‐propylheptan‐1‐amine oxide, bearing a branched alkyl tail (C10DAO‐branched) was synthesized and purified using a simple and easily scalable strategy starting from 2‐propylheptan‐1‐ol. 2D‐nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry confirm the obtainment of the desired product in high yield and purity. The protonation behavior of the branched surfactant is not affected by alkyl tail branching, as shown by potentiometric titrations. In contrast, surface activity and aggregation behavior of C10DAO‐branched is dramatically different from that of the linear analog N,N‐dimethyldecyl‐1‐amine oxide (C10DAO‐linear), in that it occupies a higher area at the solution interface and aggregates at much higher concentration, forming larger aggregates, as detected using tensiometry and dynamic light scattering (DLS), respectively. Aggregation behavior of C10DAO‐branched is less sensitive to pH variations. Foaming tests show that C10DAO‐branched is a more effective foam booster than its linear analog, in both acidic and basic solutions. The experimental results indicate that the branched surfactant can be used in applications that require enhanced and pH‐independent surface activity and foamability.
Impact of biochar and compost amendment on soil quality, growth and yield of a replanted apple orchard in a 4‐year field study
Authors: Safaei Khorram Mahdi , Zhang Gan , Fatemi Akram , Kiefer Rudolf , Maddah Kamalodin , Baqar Mujtaba , Zakaria Mohamad Pauzi , Li Gang
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Numerous studies have addressed the positive effects of organic amendments on soil and plant productivity under short‐term field studies. However, to date, few studies have been conducted on the effects of organic amendment on the orchards where high nutrient bioavailability is required. This study deals with the effects of biochar and compost on soil quality, growth and yield of a replanted apple orchard in the northeast of Iran.

RESULTS

Biochar+compost application resulted in 37% and 300% higher soil total organic carbon and available phosphorus content, respectively, during the first 3 years of experimentation compared to control. Similarly, trunk diameter and shoot number of apple trees increased 23–26% by the end of the first year. Nevertheless, there were no significant changes in fruitfulness, fruit weight or starch pattern index as productivity indices.

CONCLUSION

Biochar and compost were beneficial in improving soil quality, mainly by increasing soil nutrient content and decreasing soil bulk density, and in increasing plant growth at early growth stages of apple orchards. However, they failed to enhance overall yield and fruit quality, most likely due to their limited ability to suppress apple replant disease. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Determination of macro, micro and trace elements in citrus fruits by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES), ICP–mass spectrometry and direct mercury analyzer
Authors: Hong Young Shin , Choi Ji Yeon , Nho Eun Yeong , Hwang In Min , Khan Naeem , Jamila Nargis , Kim Kyong Su
Published: September 2018

BACKGROUND

Citrus fruits are widely consumed around the world. Several elements are known to have important physiological functions in living things, whereas others are reported to have toxic effects. This study was aimed to analyze the concentration of macro, micro and trace elements in citrus fruit varieties. Samples were acid digested using a microwave system and analyzed for macro elements by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP‐OES) and for micro and trace elements by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS). The application of analytical techniques was analyzed by determining method validation parameters including limits of detection and quantification, linearity, precision, spiking experiments and analyzing certified reference material (NIST CRM‐1570a), Spinach leaves.

RESULTS

The elemental levels of citrus fruits were found largely to be dependent upon the type of analyzed samples. Among nutritionally important elements, citrus fruits were good sources of potassium (95.13–270.4 mg kg−1), calcium (10.57–75.29 mg kg−1), zinc (466.5–1611 µg kg−1) and manganese (35.35–1902 µg kg−1). The concentrations of toxic elements (Pb, Cd, As, Al, Hg) were very low.

CONCLUSION

In general, the concentrations of analyzed elements were within the critical levels specified by the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization and Food and Nutrition Board USA. Linear discriminant analysis successfully separated the samples into clear groups with 93.9% correct classification. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Simple, selective, and identifiable analysis of aromatic monoamines with a surrogate on sulfuric acid impregnated filters by derivatization with an acid chloride reagent and HPLC with fluorescence detection
Authors: Inoue Naoko
Published: September 2018

A simple and selective derivatization and detection method for o‐toluidine, o‐anisidine, and 2,4‐dimethylaniline was developed using a sulfuric acid impregnated filter, 4‐(N‐chloroformylmethyl‐N‐methylamino)‐7‐nitro‐2,1,3‐benzoxadiazole, and a surrogate (o‐ethylaniline), which allowed simple, rapid, selective, and identifiable analysis by high‐performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. These amines were successfully derivatized in a pH 5 buffer solution containing acetonitrile at 35°C for 10 min (linear in the range 0–400 ng/mL, n = 5, aromatic amines: r > 0.9980, aromatic amines with surrogate correction: r > 0.9997, aromatic amines in the presence of phenol and aliphatic amines with surrogate correction: r > 0.9996). The retention times of these derivatized aromatic amines were <17 min using isocratic elution. No derivatives corresponding to phenol or the aliphatic amines (i.e., cyclohexylamine and hexylamine) were detected in the reaction solution. This method can therefore be considered applicable for the analysis of samples from occupational environments, as samples were successfully extracted, derivatized, and measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography following spiking of a sulfuric acid impregnated filter with aromatic amines, phenols, and aliphatic amines. Indeed, only the aromatic amines were quantitatively detected without pretreatment, with no other spiked compounds being detected.
Headwater gas exchange quantified from O2 mass balances at the reach scale
Authors: Rovelli L. , Attard K. M. , Heppell C. M. , Binley A. , Trimmer M. , Glud R. N.
Published: September 2018

Headwater streams are important in the carbon cycle and there is a need to better parametrize and quantify exchange of carbon‐relevant gases. Thus, we characterized variability in the gas exchange coefficient (k2) and dissolved oxygen (O2) gas transfer velocity (k) in two lowland headwaters of the River Avon (UK). The traditional one‐station open‐water method was complemented by in situ quantification of riverine sources and sinks of O2 (i.e., groundwater inflow, photosynthesis, and respiration in both the water column and benthic compartment) enabling direct hourly estimates of k2 at the reach–scale (~ 150 m) without relying on the nighttime regression method. Obtained k2 values ranged from 0.001 h−1 to 0.600 h−1. Average daytime k2 were a factor two higher than values at night, likely due to diel changes in water temperature and wind. Temperature contributed up to 46% of the variability in k on an hourly scale, but clustering temperature incrementally strengthened the statistical relationship. Our analysis suggested that k variability is aligned with dominant temperature trends rather than with short‐term changes. Similarly, wind correlation with k increased when clustering wind speeds in increments correspondent with dominant variations (1 m s−1). Time scale is thus an important consideration when resolving physical drivers of gas exchange. Mean estimates of k600 from recent parametrizations proposed for upscaling, when applied to the settings of this study, were found to be in agreement with our independent O2 budget assessment (within < 10%), adding further support to the validity of upscaling efforts aiming at quantifying large‐scale riverine gas emissions.
On stationary two‐dimensional flows around a fast rotating disk
Authors: Gallagher Isabelle , Higaki Mitsuo , Maekawa Yasunori
Published: September 2018

We study the two‐dimensional stationary Navier–Stokes equations describing flows around a rotating disk. The existence of unique solutions is established for any rotating speed, and qualitative effects of a large rotation are described precisely by exhibiting a boundary layer structure and an axisymmetrization of the flow.
Noninvasive delivery of an α‐synuclein gene silencing vector with magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound
Authors: Xhima Kristiana , Nabbouh Fadl , Hynynen Kullervo , Aubert Isabelle , Tandon Anurag
Published: September 2018

Background: The characteristic progression of Lewy pathology in Parkinson's disease likely involves intercellular exchange and the accumulation of misfolded α‐synuclein amplified by a prion‐like self‐templating mechanism. Silencing of the α‐synuclein gene could provide long‐lasting disease‐modifying benefits by reducing the requisite substrate for the spreading aggregation.

Objectives: As a result of the poor penetration of viral vectors across the blood–brain barrier, gene therapy for central nervous system disorders requires direct injections into the affected brain regions, and invasiveness is further increased by the need for bilateral delivery to multiple brain regions. Here we test a noninvasive approach by combining low‐intensity magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound and intravenous microbubbles that can transiently increase the access of brain impermeant therapeutic macromolecules to targeted brain regions.

Methods: Transgenic mice expressing human α‐synuclein were subjected to magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound targeted to 4 brain regions (hippocampus, substantia nigra, olfactory bulb, and dorsal motor nucleus) in tandem with intravenous microbubbles and an adeno‐associated virus serotype 9 vector bearing a short hairpin RNA sequence targeting the α‐synuclein gene.

Results: One month following treatment, α‐synuclein immunoreactivity was decreased in targeted brain regions, whereas other neuronal markers such as synaptophysin or tyrosine hydroxylase were unchanged, and cell death and glial activation remained at basal levels.

Conclusions: These results demonstrate that magnetic resonance–guided focused ultrasound can effectively, noninvasively, and simultaneously deliver viral vectors targeting α‐synuclein to multiple brain areas. Importantly, this approach may be useful to alter the progression of Lewy pathology along selected neuronal pathways, particularly as prodromal PD markers improve early diagnoses. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Teleconnection between mean sea level pressure in the North Atlantic for September, the AMO phase and mean temperature in Central Europe for December (1896–2015)
Authors: Babolcsai György , Hirsch Tamás
Published: September 2018

According to the present study, an atmospheric teleconnection is likely to exist between mean sea level pressure (MSLP) in the North Atlantic at early autumn (September) and temperature in Central Europe at early winter (December) based on the last 120 years. Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) might play an important role in this teleconnection, determining its direction. During a positive AMO phase, a North Atlantic MSLP above average in September is frequently followed by a colder‐than‐average December in Central Europe (in 80% of cases) whereas a warmer‐than‐average December is often observed in Central Europe after an under‐average MSLP in the North Atlantic in September. According to the present investigation, this is caused by a strong tendency for blocking patterns over Northern Europe (mostly over the British Isles and Scandinavia) in the last month of the year, in the first case, and a weak tendency for that, in the second case. During a negative AMO phase, this connection is less certain. In the strong negative AMO phase between 1903 and 1925, the connection became reversed compared with that observed during the positive AMO phase. However, it was significantly strong. Within the much weaker negative AMO phase between 1963 and 1994, the connection was weaker, but rather similar to that observed during positive AMO phases. Since the revealed atmospheric teleconnection is characterized by a three‐month delay, it possesses a prognostic value and can be used to predict the probability of temperature anomaly.
Nonvanishing at spatial extremity solutions of the defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Gialelis Nikolaos , Stratis Ioannis G.
Published: September 2018

We show local existence of certain type of solutions for the Cauchy problem of the defocusing nonlinear Schrödinger equation with pure power nonlinearity, in various cases of open sets, unbounded or bounded. These solutions do not vanish at the boundary or at infinity. We also show, in certain cases, that these solutions are unique and global.
Enhancing intravoxel incoherent motion parameter mapping in the brain usingk‐bPCA
Authors: Spinner Georg R. , Schmidt Johannes F.M. , von Deuster Constantin , Federau Christian , Stoeck Christian T. , Kozerke Sebastian
Published: September 2018

Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging of diffusion and perfusion parameters in the brain using parallel imaging suffers from local noise amplification. To address the issue, signal correlations in space and along the diffusion encoding dimension are exploited jointly using a constrained image reconstruction approach. IVIM imaging was performed on a clinical 3 T MR system with diffusion weighting along six gradient directions and 16b‐values encoded per direction across a range of 0–900 s/mm2. Data were collected in 11 subjects, retrospectively undersampled ink‐space with net factors ranging from 2 to 6 and reconstructed using CG‐SENSE and the proposedk‐bPCA approach. Results ofk‐bPCA and CG‐SENSE from retrospectively undersampled data were compared with those from the fully sampled reference. In addition, prospective single‐shotk‐bundersampling was implemented and data were acquired in five additional volunteers. IVIM parameter maps were derived using a segmented least‐squares method. The proposedk‐bPCA method outperformed CG‐SENSE in terms of reconstruction errors for effective undersampling factors of 3 and beyond. Undersampling artifacts were effectively removed withk‐bPCA up to sixfold undersampling. At net sixfold undersampling, relative errors (compared with the fully sampled reference) of image magnitude and IVIM parameters (D,fandD*) were (median ± interquartile range): 3.5 ± 3.7 versus 25.3 ± 25.8%, 2.7 ± 3.6 versus 14.2 ± 20.4%, 15.1 ± 26.1 versus 96.6 ± 67.4% and 14.8 ± 26.6 versus 100 ± 195.1% fork‐bPCA versus CG‐SENSE, respectively. Acquisition with sixfold prospective undersampling yielded average IVIM parameters in the brain of 0.79 ± 0.18 × 10−3 mm2/s forD, 7.35 ± 7.27% forfand 7.11 ± 2.39 × 10−3 mm2/s forD*. Constrained reconstruction usingk‐bPCA improves IVIM parameter mapping from undersampled data when compared with CG‐SENSE reconstruction. Prospectively undersampled single‐shot echo planar imaging acquisition was successfully employed usingk‐bPCA, demonstrating a reduction of image artifacts and noise relative to parallel imaging.
Roles of noradrenergic transmission within the ventral part of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in bidirectional brain‐intestine interactions
Authors: Ide Soichiro , Yamamoto Ryuta , Suzuki Hacchi , Takeda Hiroshi , Minami Masabumi
Published: September 2018

Aims

The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) is a limbic structure mediating autonomic and neuroendocrine responses and negative affective states such as anxiety and fear. We previously demonstrated that noradrenergic transmission via β‐adrenoceptors within the ventral part of BNST (vBNST) is involved in bidirectional interactions between the brain and the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The present study aimed to examine the roles of intra‐vBNST noradrenergic transmission via β‐adrenoceptors in bidirectional interactions between the brain and lower GI tract.

Methods

In vivo microdialysis experiments were performed to examine colorectal distention (CRD)‐induced noradrenaline release within the vBNST of freely moving male Sprague‐Dawley rats. Colonic transit and abdominal pain perception were examined following intra‐vBNST injections of isoproterenol, a β‐adrenoceptor agonist, with and without co‐administration of timolol, a β‐adrenoceptor antagonist.

Results

CRD increased extracellular noradrenaline levels within the vBNST and evoked abdominal contractions in a pressure‐dependent manner (30‐60 mm Hg). Bilateral intra‐vBNST injections of isoproterenol (30 nmol/side) significantly increased CRD (30 mm Hg)‐induced abdominal contractions. Intra‐vBNST injections of isoproterenol (30 nmol/side) significantly increased colonic transit, which was reversed by co‐administration of timolol (30 nmol/side).

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest (a) the existence of a positive feedback loop between intra‐vBNST noradrenaline release and abdominal pain perception, and (b) the modulation of colonic motility by intra‐vBNST noradrenergic transmission via β‐adrenoceptors. Dysfunction of the lower GI tract may increase noradrenaline release within the vBNST, which, in turn, may exacerbate impairment of its motility and pain perception.
Prospective identification versus administrative coding of adverse drug reaction‐related hospitalizations in the elderly: A comparative analysis
Authors: Parameswaran Nair Nibu , Chalmers Leanne , Peterson Gregory M. , Bereznicki Bonnie J. , Curtain Colin M. , Bereznicki Luke R.
Published: September 2018

Purpose

To compare prospective identification of adverse drug reaction (ADR)‐related hospital admissions in the elderly with administrative coding using the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision Australian Modification (ICD‐10‐AM) coding system.

Methods

We linked the records of 768 enrolled patients from an earlier study, where clinical pharmacists identified ADRs using prospective data collection, to hospital administrative data. We identified patients in the study whose admissions were coded as ADRs using ICD‐10‐AM codes. We then compared the prevalence and characteristics of ADR‐related hospital admissions identified by the two approaches.

Results

According to ICD‐10‐AM coding, 2.7% of patients were admitted due to ADRs, while 15.0% of patients were deemed to have been admitted due to ADRs based on prospective identification by clinical pharmacists. Most (85.7%) patients coded as having an ADR‐related hospital admission were also identified as such prospectively. Hematological (23.1%) and metabolic reactions (23.1%) were frequent causes of ADRs identified by coding, whereas cardiovascular ADRs (27.8%) were more common causes of ADRs identified prospectively by pharmacists. Antidepressants (16.7%) and cardiac glycosides (16.7%) were the most commonly implicated drug groups in ADRs identified by coding, whereas diuretics (28.8%) and renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors (17.0%) were frequently implicated as causes of ADRs identified prospectively by pharmacists.

Conclusions

Reliance on administrative coding potentially underestimates the extent of the problem of ADRs as a cause of hospitalization in the elderly, and more detailed prospective analysis of admissions provides additional targets for strategies to prevent ADRs. The types of ADRs identified also differ between the two approaches.
1,2 Enriched polymerization of isoprene by cobalt complex carrying aminophosphory fused (PN3) ligand
Authors: Jia Xiaoyu , Zhang Xuequan , Gong Dirong
Published: September 2018

Metal‐catalyzed selective isoprene polymerization has been a major entry toward cis‐1,4, trans‐1,4, and 3,4 isomers of polyisoprene, however, 1,2 selective polymerization of isoprene has not yet been achieved due to the steric problem. In this work, difluoro cobalt complexes carrying aminophosphory (‐HN‐P(=O)
tBu2‐) fused pyrazol‐pyridine ligand has been prepared and characterized. In combination with Mgn‐Bu2, the formed catalyst unprecedentedly converts isoprene to polyisoprene with 1,2 enchainment up to 50 mol% in a molecular weight controlled polymerization mode. The resultant polymers are fully characterized by NMR, IR, DSC, and GPC. The 1,2 incorporation of polyisoprene is weakly dependent on feeding of Mgn‐Bu2 and reaction temperature. The weak affinity between Mg2+ and allylic terminal of propagating chain is possible for the unique 1,2 irregular insertion and non‐irreversible chain transfer and termination reactions throughout the chain propagation. The ability of current catalyst demonstrates a big advantage for application in the development of 1,2 selective polymerization of isoprene, and a potential for access to a new family of polyisoprene. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2018, 56, 2286–2293
Effects of tertiary amines and quaternary ammonium halides in polysulfone on membrane gas separation properties
Authors: Zhu Lingxiang , Tian Ding , Shin Dongwon , Jia Weiguang , Bae Chulsung , Lin Haiqing
Published: September 2018

Polymers containing CO2‐philic groups are of great interest for CO2/light gas separation membranes because the affinity toward CO2 can effectively increase CO2 solubility and thus permeability. In this study, polysulfones (PSUs) modified with different degrees of benzyldimethylamine (DMA), benzyltrimethylammonium fluoride (TMAF), and benzyltrimethylammonium iodide (TMAI) were synthesized using sequential post‐functionalization reactions and investigated for CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 separation. The physical properties of these polymers were studied, including density, fractional free volume, and glass transition temperature. In contrast to the conventional wisdom that tertiary amines exhibit an affinity toward CO2, this study convincingly shows that the DMA substituent has a minimal impact on CO2 solubility and CO2/light gas solubility selectivity in PSUs under dry condition. On the other hand, incorporating TMAF and TMAI in PSU significantly increases CO2 solubility. Particularly, introducing TMAI with a molar ratio of 1.07 relative to PSU repeating units increases CO2/CH4 solubility from 4.4 to 5.2, CO2/CH4 permeability selectivity from 21 to 45, and CO2/N2 permeability selectivity from 24 to 33 at 35 °C, while the CO2 permeability decreases from 5.6 to 1.7 Barrers. The effect of these functional groups in PSUs on gas diffusivity and diffusivity selectivity can be satisfactorily described by the free volume model. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018, 56, 1239–1250
The effects of anxiety on the receipt of treatments for esophageal cancer
Authors: Wang Ting‐Yao , Chen Vincent Chin‐Hung , Yang Yao‐Hsu , Chen Chao‐Yu , Lee Chuan‐Pin , Wu Shu‐I
Published: September 2018

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between anxiety and receipt of treatments for esophageal cancer.

Methods

We used a population‐based cohort to obtain information of patients with esophageal cancer. Baseline diagnoses of depression or anxiety were identified. Competing risk analyses were used to estimate hazard ratios for risk factors affecting the receipt of anticancer therapies. Subanalysis for the association of anxiety and anticancer therapy stratified by covariates were also performed.

Results

Ten thousand five hundred thirty‐seven patients with esophageal cancer were identified. Seven hundred thirty‐two patients (6.9%) had anxiety disorder before the diagnosis of esophageal cancer. Competing risk model showed that having anxiety disorder was positively associated with the receipt of anticancer treatments (hazard ratio 1.12, 95% CI 1.03–1.22, P = .011), while having depression did not affect patients' status of receiving treatments (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.93–1.19, P = .462). Besides, older age, female gender, lower income, and having comorbidities of chronic renal failure and liver cirrhosis were associated with a decreased possibility of receiving anticancer therapy.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that esophageal cancer patient with anxiety disorder has higher possibility to receive anticancer therapy than patients without anxiety disorder.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) enhances prostate cancer metastasis potentially through NF‐κB activation and recurrent dexamethasone administration fails to suppress it in vivo
Authors: Jain Sumeet , Dash Pujarini , Minz Aliva P. , Satpathi Sanghamitra , Samal Ajit G. , Behera Prativa K. , Satpathi Partha S. , Senapati Shantibhusan
Published: September 2018

Background

Previous studies have shown the effect of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on enhanced cancer cells’ growth and metastasis. However, the effect of LPS on prostate cancer (PCa) cells metastasis has not been investigated in details. This study aimed to investigate the functional role of LPS on PCa cells metastasis and determine the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on this event.

Methods

Two different PCa reporter cells lines (DU145‐NF‐κB‐Luc and MAT‐LyLu‐ NF‐κB‐Luc) were used to assess the direct effect of LPS on NF‐κB activation in PCa cells. Plasma collected from LPS‐stimulated human and rodent blood were used to check the indirect effect of LPS on NF‐κB activation in PCa cells. Trans‐well migration assay and two different orthotopic PCa animal models were used to investigate the effect of LPS on DU145 and MAT‐LyLu cells migration or metastasis in vitro and in vivo, respectively. In all the studies DEX was used with or without LPS stimulation.

Results

LPS and secretory factors present in plasma collected from LPS‐stimulated blood, significantly activated NF‐κB in DU145, and MAT‐LyLu cells and enhanced their migration in vitro. DEX significantly suppressed LPS‐mediated activation of cancer and blood cells and abrogated the direct and indirect pro‐migratory effect of LPS on PCa cells. Systemic administration of LPS activated NF‐κB in DU145 cells in vivo; however, failed to alter the metastatic properties of these cells. On the other hand, systemic administration of LPS to MAT‐LyLu tumor bearing animals significantly enhanced the incidence of metastasis without altering the overall growth of primary tumors. Unexpectedly, though DEX significantly suppressed MAT‐LyLu primary tumor weights, it aggravated metastasis of cancer cells in presence and absence of LPS. Moreover, consecutive DEX pre‐treatment enhanced experimental peritoneal metastasis of MAT‐LyLu cells. At the molecular level, LPS, and/or DEX induced overexpression of immunosuppressive molecules in MAT‐LyLu tumors.

Conclusions

Overall, our study has shown that LPS and/or LPS induced inflammation can increase PCa metastasis and immunosuppressive dose of DEX might further enhance cancer metastasis.
A case of lung tumorlets secondary to pulmonary hypoplasia with recurrent haemoptysis
Authors: Yagyu Kyoko , Miyamoto Atsushi , Matsushita Haruhiko , Okimora Akira
Published: September 2018

Most patients with lung tumorlets are usually asymptomatic, and most diagnoses are incidental findings during microscopic lung examinations at autopsy or after excision of a tissue lesion. A 73‐year‐old woman was admitted to our hospital due to recurrent haemoptysis. Chest computed tomography demonstrated right inferior lobe collapse with bronchiectasis. Bronchoscopic examination revealed the right inferior lobar bronchus to be filled with blood clots. Haemoptysis persisted even after two arterial embolization trials and occlusion with endobronchial Watanabe spigot. Therefore, right lower lobectomy was performed, and multiple tumorlets on lobar hypoplasia were observed on histopathological examination of the excised specimen. We believe that the haemoptysis in our patient was possibly caused by the lung tumorlets secondary to lobar hypoplasia.