bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reductive Cleavage of C—O Bond in Model Compounds of Lignin
Authors: Xu Huanjun , Liu Xinwei , Zhao Yanfei , Wu Cailing , Chen Yu , Gao Xiang , Liu Zhimin
Published: May 2017

A simple protocol for reductive cleavage of C—O bond in diaryl and aryl methyl ethers was reported, in which NaH served as a reducing agent and KOtBu as a base and a radical initiator. The combination of NaH and KOtBu displayed high efficiency for reductive cleavage of C—O bond in diaryl and aryl ethers (e.g., dibenzofuran, diphenyl ether, anisole) without the hydrogenation of the aryl rings, in the absence of any other catalysts or ligands at 140 °C, producing corresponding arenes and phenols. It was indicated that the reaction was under a radical mechanism.
North Central Cancer Treatment Group N0543 (Alliance): A phase 2 trial of pharmacogenetic‐based dosing of irinotecan, oxaliplatin, and capecitabine as first‐line therapy for patients with advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma
Authors: McWilliams Robert R. , Foster Nathan R. , Mahoney Michelle R. , Smyrk Thomas C. , Murray Joseph A. , Ames Matthew M. , Horvath L. Elise , Schneider Daniel J. , Hobday Timothy J. , Jatoi Aminah , Meyers Jeffrey P. , Goetz Matthew P.
Published: May 2017

BACKGROUND

Oxaliplatin in combination with either 5‐fluorouracil or capecitabine is commonly used as first‐line therapy for patients with small bowel adenocarcinoma. The addition of irinotecan improves survival in other gastrointestinal tumors but at the cost of hematologic toxicity. The authors performed a phase 2 cooperative group study (North Central Cancer Treatment Group N0543, Alliance) using genotype‐dosed capecitabine, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin (gCAPIRINOX), with dosing assigned based on UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A1 (UGT1A1) genotype to test: 1) whether the addition of irinotecan would improve outcomes; and 2) whether UGT1A1 genotype‐based dosing could optimize tolerability.

METHODS

Previously untreated patients with advanced small bowel adenocarcinoma received irinotecan (day 1), oxaliplatin (day 1), and capecitabine (days 2‐15) in a 21‐day cycle and were dosed with gCAPIRINOX according to UGT1A1*28 genotypes (6/6, 6/7, and 7/7).

RESULTS

A total of 33 patients (17 with the 6/6 genotype, 10 with the 6/7 genotype, and 6 with the 7/7 genotype) were enrolled from October 2007 to November 2013; 73% were male, with a mean age of 64 years (range, 41‐77 years). Location of the primary tumor included the duodenum (58%), jejunum (30%), and ileum (9%). The regimen yielded a confirmed response rate of 37.5% (95% confidence interval, 21%‐56%), with a median progression‐free survival of 8.9 months and a median overall survival of 13.4 months. Neither hematologic toxicity (grade ≥3 in 52.9%, 30.0%, and 33.3%, respectively, of the 6/6, 6/7, and 7/7 genotype groups) nor tumor response rate (41.2%, 33%, and 33%, respectively) were found to differ significantly by UGT1A1 genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

UGT1A1 genotype‐directed dosing (gCAPIRINOX) appears to be feasible with favorable rates of hematologic toxicity compared with prior 3‐drug studies in unselected patients. Larger studies would be needed to determine the regimen's comparability to oxaliplatin and capecitabine (CapeOx) alone or if response/toxicity differs among patients with different UGT1A1 genotypes. Cancer 2017;123:3494‐501. © 2017 American Cancer Society.
Better performance of OFDM using three special triangular constellations over AWGN and fading channels
Authors: Ghazi‐Maghrebi Saeed
Published: May 2017

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) has been adopted as a major data transmission technique by many wireless communication standards. In this research, 3 new triangular constellations schemes, which are named as TRI1, TRI2, and TRI3, are introduced to replace for the well‐known rectangular quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) constellation in OFDM modulation. In this study, it has been shown that these new schemes have 3 major advantages with respect to the QAM. The first advantage is their lower bit error rate, which results from the better usage of the constellation space with longer minimum distances. The 2 other advantages are a lower peak to average ratio and higher noise immunity. Both mathematical analysis and simulation results demonstrate that by applying high fading channels with additive white Gaussian noise and intersymbol interference impairment simultaneously, the proposed constellations exhibit a superior performance in criteria compared to the commonly used rectangular 16QAM and 64QAM constellations. As a result, they are good choice for high speed and real‐time multicarrier applications such as digital video broadcasting terrestrial at no extra cost.
A Copper Complex as Catalyst in Proton Reduction
Authors: Nestke Sebastian , Kügler Merle , Scholz Julius , Wilken Mona , Jooss Christian , Siewert Inke
Published: May 2017

Herein, we present the application of a copper(II) complex, [CuL1](ClO4)2 (L1: 1,3‐bis{[(1‐methyl‐1H‐imidazol‐2‐yl)methyl]amino}propan‐2‐ol) (1), as a catalyst in the electrochemically driven hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in buffered water and standardised artificial seawater. Potentiometric titrations revealed that a [CuIIHL1]3+ species is the main species in aqueous solutions at pH 4 to 8. Complex solutions of 1 are active in the electrochemical HER at solutions at pH 4 to 8, yet, the active species is different depending on the reaction medium. In acidic and neutral phosphate‐buffered water, we observed the highest catalytic activity. However, the initially formed [CuIH2L1]3+ species decomposes to some extent under the reductive conditions in phosphate‐buffered solutions and the high activity originates from the decomposition products (elemental copper and copper‐oxido species) and from soluble species. In artificial seawater the catalytic activity was much lower; virtually no decomposition was observed, and likely the complex represents the active species.
Antifungal properties and biocompatibility of silver nanoparticle coatings on silicone maxillofacial prostheses in vitro
Authors: Meran Zhala , Besinis Alexandros , De Peralta Tracy , Handy Richard D.
Published: May 2017

Patients with facial prostheses suffer from yeast, Candida albicans, infections. This study aimed to determine the biocompatibility and antifungal properties of silicone facial prostheses coated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) in vitro. Medical grade silicone discs were coated with 5 and 50 mg L−1 dispersions of either Ag NPs or AgNO3. Coatings were fully characterized using scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The biocompatibility was examined using human dermal fibroblasts (Hs68), whereas antifungal efficacy was tested against C. albicans (NCPF‐3179). The fibroblast viability was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, protein content and tissue electrolytes. There were no effects on the LDH activity of fibroblast cell homogenates, and leak of LDH activity into external media remained low (0.1–0.2 IU mL−1). Sublethal effects of Ag NP coatings on membrane permeability/ion balance was not observed, as measured by stable homogenate Na+ and K+ concentrations. Some Ag (13 mg L−1) was detected from the AgNO3 coatings in the media, but total Ag remained below detection limit (<1.2 µg L−1) for the Ag NP coatings; indicating the latter were stable. When fibroblasts grown on silver coatings were challenged with C. albicans, the Ag NP coating was effective at preventing fungal growth as measured by ethanol production by the yeast, and without damaging the fibroblasts. Ethanol production decreased from 43.2 ± 25.02 in controls to 3.6 µmol mL−1 in all the silver treatments. Data shows that silicone prosthetic materials coated with Ag NPs are biocompatible with fibroblast cells in vitro and show antifungal properties. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 1038–1051, 2018.
Pulmonary artery stiffness in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema: The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) COPD Study
Authors: Liu Chia‐Ying , Parikh Megha , Bluemke David A , Balte Pallavi , Carr James , Dashnaw Stephen , Poor Hooman D. , Gomes Antoinette S , Hoffman Eric A , Kawut Steven M. , Lima Joao A.C. , McAllister David A. , Prince Martin A. , Vogel‐Claussen Jens , Barr R. Graham
Published: May 2017

Purpose

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and particularly emphysema are characterized by stiffness of the aorta, due in part to accelerated elastin degradation in the lungs and aorta. Stiffness of the pulmonary arteries (PAs) may also be increased in COPD and emphysema, but data are lacking. We assessed PA stiffness using MRI in patients with COPD and related these measurements to COPD severity and percent emphysema.

Materials and Methods

The Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) COPD Study recruited 290 participants, age 50–79 years with 10 or more packyears and free of clinical cardiovascular disease. COPD severity were defined on postbronchodilator spirometry by ATS/ERS criteria. Percent emphysema was defined as the percentage of regions of the lung < ‐950 Hounsfield units on full‐lung computed tomography (CT). PA stain was defined by the percent change in cross‐sectional PA area between systole and diastole on MRI. Blood flow across the tricuspid and mitral valves was assessed by phase‐contrast MRI for determination of the ventricular diastolic dysfunction (E/A ratio).

Results

PA strain was reduced in COPD compared with controls (P = 0.002) and was inversely correlated with COPD severity (P = 0.004). PA strain was inversely associated to percent emphysema (P = 0.01). PA strain was also markedly correlated with right ventricular diastolic dysfunction measured by E/A ratios in the fully adjusted mix models (P = 0.02).

Conclusion

PA strain is reduced in COPD, related in part to percent emphysema on CT scan, which may have implications for pulmonary small vessel flow and right ventricular function.

Level of Evidence: 2

Technical Efficacy: Stage 1

J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:262–271.
Sustained activation of ERK1/2 MAPK in Schwann cells causes corneal neurofibroma
Authors: Bargagna‐Mohan Paola , Ishii Akihiro , Lei Ling , Sheehy Daniel , Pandit Saagar , Chan Grace , Bansal Rashmi , Mohan Royce
Published: May 2017

Recent studies have shown that constitutive activation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in Schwann cells (SCs) increases myelin thickness in transgenic mice. In this secondary analysis, we report that these transgenic mice develop a postnatal corneal neurofibroma with the loss of corneal transparency by age six months. We show that expansion of non‐myelinating SCs, under the control of activated ERK1/2, also drive myofibroblast differentiation that derives from both SC precursors and resident corneal keratocytes. Further, these mice also harbor activated mast cells in the central cornea, which contributes to pathological corneal neovascularization and fibrosis. This breach of corneal avascularity and immune status is associated with the growth of the tumor pannus, resulting in a corneal stroma that is nearly four times its normal size. In corneas with advanced disease, some axons became ectopically myelinated, and the disruption of Remak bundles is evident. To determine whether myofibroblast differentiation was linked to vimentin, we examined the levels and phosphorylation status of this fibrotic biomarker. Concomitant with the early upregulation of vimentin, a serine 38‐phosphorylated isoform of vimentin (pSer38vim) increased in SCs, which was attributed primarily to the soluble fraction of protein—not the cytoskeletal portion. However, the overexpressed pSer38vim became predominantly cytoskeletal with the growth of the corneal tumor. Our findings demonstrate an unrecognized function of ERK1/2 in the maintenance of corneal homeostasis, wherein its over‐activation in SCs promotes corneal neurofibromas. This study is also the first report of a genetically engineered mouse that spontaneously develops a corneal tumor.
The role of regulatory T cells in nervous system pathologies
Authors: Duffy Samuel S. , Keating Brooke A. , Perera Chamini J. , Moalem‐Taylor Gila
Published: May 2017

Regulatory T (Treg) cells are a special subpopulation of immunosuppressive T cells that are essential for sustaining immune homeostasis. They maintain self‐tolerance, inhibit autoimmunity, and act as critical negative regulators of inflammation in various pathological states including autoimmunity, injury, and degeneration of the nervous system. Treg cells are known to convey both beneficial and detrimental influences in certain disease contexts, and accumulating research suggests that their action may be altered in a range of peripheral and central nervous system pathologies. In this review, we discuss emerging evidence for the dichotomous role of Treg cells in various neurological pathologies including multiple sclerosis, Guillain‐Barré syndrome, neuropathic pain, traumatic central nervous system injury, stroke, and neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. We are in the early stages of uncovering the role of Treg cells in these conditions, and a better understanding of the ways in which these cells operate in the nervous system will enable us to develop novel therapeutic interventions.
Histologic changes associated with talaporfin sodium‐mediated photodynamic therapy in rat skin
Authors: Moy Wesley J. , Yao Jonathan , de Feraudy Sébastien M. , White Sean M. , Salvador Jocelynda , Kelly Kristen M. , Choi Bernard
Published: May 2017

Background and Objective

Alternative treatments are needed to achieve consistent and more complete port wine stain (PWS) removal, especially in darker skin types; photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising alternative treatment. To this end, we previously reported on Talaporfin Sodium (TS)‐mediated PDT. It is essential to understand treatment tissue effects to design a protocol that will achieve selective vascular injury without ulceration and scarring. The objective of this work is to assess skin changes associated with TS‐mediated PDT with clinically relevant treatment parameters.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

We performed TS (0.75 mg/kg)‐mediated PDT (664 nm) on Sprague Dawley rats. Radiant exposures were varied between 15 and 100 J/cm2. We took skin biopsies from subjects at 9 hours following PDT. We assessed the degree and depth of vascular and surrounding tissue injury using histology and immunohistochemical staining.

Results

TS‐mediated PDT at 0.75 mg/kg combined with 15 and 25 J/cm2 light doses resulted in vascular injury with minimal epidermal damage. At light dose of 50 J/cm2, epidermal damage was noted with vascular injury. At light doses >50 J/cm2, both vascular and surrounding tissue injury were observed in the forms of vasculitis, extravasated red blood cells, and coagulative necrosis. Extensive coagulative necrosis involving deeper adnexal structures was observed for 75 and 100 J/cm2 light doses. Observed depth of injury increased with increasing radiant exposure, although this relationship was not linear.

Conclusion

TS‐mediated PDT can cause selective vascular injury; however, at higher light doses, significant extra‐vascular injury was observed. This information can be used to contribute to design of safe protocols to be used for treatment of cutaneous vascular lesions. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:767–772, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tunable AICPL of (S)‐Binaphthyl‐Based Three‐Component Polymers via FRET Mechanism
Authors: Wang Ziyu , Liu Shuai , Wang Yuxiang , Quan Yiwu , Cheng Yixiang
Published: May 2017

Five three‐component chiral polymers incorporating (S)‐1,1′‐binaphthyl, tetraphenylethene (TPE) and fluorene moieties are designed and synthesized by Pd‐catalyzed Sonogashira reaction. All these polymers show obvious aggregation induced emission enhancement response behavior in the fluorescence emission region of 460–480 nm. Interestingly, three of them show aggregation‐induced circularly polarized luminescence (AICPL) signals in tetrahydrofuran–H2O mixtures. Most importantly, these AICPL signals can be tuned by changing the molar ratios of TPE and fluorene components through fluorescence resonance energy transfer and give the highest glum = ±4.0 × 10−3. This work provides a novel strategy for developing AICPL‐enhanced materials.

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Comparative simulation study of chemical synthesis of energetic (R)‐1,2,4‐butanetriol trinitrate plasticizer
Authors: Liu Min‐Hsien , Liu Chuan‐Wen
Published: May 2017

A chemical synthesis method that involved aldol condensation and betenediol epoxidation was designed with the aid of Gaussian 09 and Materials Studio 6.0 software to accomplish simulation of the corresponding preparation processes of (R)‐1,2,4‐butanetriol trinitrate (BTTN) and its crucial (R)‐1,2,4‐butanetriol (BT) precursor. The aim of this work was to construct a comparative model that closely approached the real reaction environment. By regulation of the reaction temperature and reagent concentration, and employing detailed kinetics analysis and thermodynamic equilibrium computation, we aimed to explore potential reaction routes and enhance the production yield. The simulation reaction used ethanal and glyoxal as starting materials to obtain (R)‐BTTN, and the computational results revealed that with an increase in reaction temperature, a regular trend of a decrease in the overall energy barrier was observed. For the reaction process of BT preparation via 3‐butene‐1,2‐diol epoxidation, including all exothermic elementary reaction steps, the activation energy of each stage decreased in a stepwise manner, with a simultaneous lowering of the temperature. In summary, controlling the reagent at a concentration of 0.25 M and the reaction temperature at 283 K promoted rapid reaction and a high product yield. The results of this study could be used as a reference when performing laboratory experiments.
Reducing contamination parameters for clumped isotope analysis: The effect of lowering Porapak™ Q trap temperature to below –50°C
Authors: Davies Amelia J. , John Cédric M.
Published: May 2017

Rationale

Carbonate clumped isotope thermometry examines the thermodynamic preference of 13C–18O bonds to form within the carbonate crystal lattice. The 13C18O16O isotopologue in analyte CO2 has a natural abundance of 44.4 ppm necessitating stringent purification procedures to remove contaminant molecules that may produce significant isobaric effects within range of the mass 47 isotopologue. Strict purifications of analyte CO2 are thus required as well as reliable contamination indicators.

Methods

CO2 purification was carried out by vacuum cryogenic purification through a static trap packed with Porapak™ Q (PPQ). The correlation between mass excesses on m/z 47, 48 and 49 in CO2 produced by acid digestion of 12 natural samples was measured by isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS). CO2 from two contaminated carbonate samples was then purified at PPQ trap temperatures between –25 and –65°C and measured by IRMS to determine changes in mass excesses on m/z 47, 48 and 49. Finally carbonate standards, Carrara marble (CM) and ETH3, were purified at PPQ trap temperatures of –35 and –60°C to identify isotopic fractionation associated with lowering trap temperature.

Results

The correlation between mass excesses on m/z 47, 48 and 49 is determined to be sample dependent. Lowering the PPQ trap temperature to –60°C has a 78% success rate in decreasing Δ48offset, a measure of sample contamination, to within an acceptable range (<1.5 ‰). Lowering the PPQ temperature in purification of CM and ETH3 is associated with decreases in the δ13C and δ18O values as a result of isotopic fractionation. We demonstrate that we can correct for fractionation at a trap temperature of –60°C.

Conclusions

Lowering the temperature of the Porapak Q trap to –60°C results in improved sample cleaning. It is possible to correct for fractionation in δ13C and δ18O values at lower PPQ trap temperatures using identically prepared standards. This result has important connotations for laboratories using similar sample preparation methods.
Patient Perspectives on Barriers to Surgical Care and the Impact of Mobile Surgery in Ecuador
Authors: Price Matthew D. , Shalabi Haadi T. , Guzhñay Blasco , Shalabi Saggah T. , Price Raymond R. , Rodas Edgar B.
Published: May 2017

Background

An estimated 5 billion people worldwide lack access to timely safe surgical care (Gawande in Lancet 386(9993):523–525, 2015). A mere 6% of all surgical procedures occur in the poorest countries where over a third of the world’s population lives (Meara et al. in Surgery 158(1):3–6, 2015). Mobile surgical units like the Cinterandes Foundation endeavor to bring surgical care directly to these communities who otherwise would lack access to safe surgery. This study examines the barriers patients encounter in seeking surgical care in rural communities of Ecuador and their impressions on how mobile surgery addresses such barriers.

Methods

Open interviews were conducted with Cinterandes’ patients who had undergone an operation in the mobile surgical unit between 06/25/2013 and 06/25/2014 (n = 101). Interviews were structured to explore two main domains: (1) examining barriers patients have in accessing surgery, (2) assessing patients’ opinion of how mobile surgery helped in overcoming such barriers.

Results

Patient inconvenience (70%), cost (21%), and lack of trust in local hospitals (24%) were the main cited barriers to surgical access. Increased patient convenience (53%), cheaper surgical care (34%), and trust in Cinterandes (47%) were the main cited benefits to mobile surgery.

Conclusion

Mobile surgery provided by Cinterandes effectively overcomes many barriers patients encounter when seeking surgical care in rural Ecuador: decreased patient wait times, limited number of referrals to multiple locations, and decreased cost. Partnering with local clinics within the communities and bringing care much closer to patients’ homes may provide a better patient friendly health care delivery system for rural Ecuador.
Does mindfulness prepare adolescents for value‐behavior concordance? Examining the role of value content
Authors: Warren Michael T. , Wray‐Lake Laura
Published: May 2017

Great thinkers throughout history advocated living one's values, yet little research has examined factors that contribute to adolescents' value‐behavior concordance (VBC). Mindfulness may foster VBC via heightened awareness of values, but VBC for intrinsic values may be more adaptive than VBC for extrinsic values. To situate mindfulness in developmental context, we examined age and attachment security as predictors of mindfulness. We collected self‐ and parent‐report data from 299 families (Mage‐adolescents = 14.45,SD = 1.68; 51% female) from 42 US states to test these ideas. Results indicated that mindfulness was positively associated with intrinsic VBC but was negatively linked with extrinsic VBC, and both kinds of VBC partially mediated the link from mindfulness to meaning (but not life satisfaction). Attachment security was associated with higher mindfulness. Overall, mindfulness may deliver its benefits by helping young people avoid behaviors that align with extrinsic values.
Mediating Effect of Environmental Orientation on Pro-Environmental Purchase Intentions in a Low-Involvement Product Situation
Authors: Coşkun Ayşen , Vocino Andrea , Polonsky Michael
Published: May 2017

Low-involvement consumption includes the majority of regular purchases by individuals and the community, and collectively these have a substantial negative environmental impact. It is, therefore, an important environmental domain to examine. This research surveys 340 Turkish consumers and examines whether apathy, locus of control and myopia influence environmental orientation and purchase intentions for a low-involvement green product, and whether purchase intentions are mediated by consumers’ environmental orientation. The results suggest that environmental orientation positively affects purchase intentions, whereas external locus of control negatively affects purchase intentions. Environmental orientation mediates the effect of the internal and external locus of controls’ effect on purchase intentions. The results indicate that environmental orientation is a critical direct and indirect driver of purchase intentions for low-involvement environmental goods. Moreover, it highlights that achieving an increase in consumers’ purchase intentions for low-involvement green goods may be more challenging than influencing their purchase intentions for high-involvement green goods. The inability to increase purchase intentions for low involvement green goods will substantially inhibit reduction of consumers’ environmental impacts through daily activities.
Consecutive Cyproterone Acetate and Estradiol Treatment in Late-Pubertal Transgender Female Adolescents
Authors: Tack Lloyd J.W. , Heyse Robin , Craen Margarita , Dhondt Karlien , Bossche Heidi Vanden , Laridaen Jolien , Cools Martine
Published: May 2017

Background

Cyproterone acetate (CA) is an antiandrogenic progestin commonly used in adult transwomen to suppress endogenous androgens, often in combination with estrogens to induce feminization.

Aim

To assess the (side) effects and biochemical changes of CA alone and in combination with estrogens in adolescent trans-girls.

Methods

This study was a retrospective analysis of clinical and biochemical data from 27 trans-girls who presented at Tanner stage G4 and were treated with CA monotherapy for at least 6 months (mean = 12 months) and then in combination with incremental doses of estrogens (CA + E; mean = 16 months). Statistical analysis of data included paired or unpaired Student t-test or Wilcoxon signed-ranks or Mann-Whitney U-test as appropriate.

Outcomes

Anthropometrics, reported beneficial and side effects, safety parameters, and hormone levels.

Results

Physical changes included decrease of facial and non-facial hair growth. One third showed breast development under CA (Tanner stages B2–B3), which increased to Tanner stages B3 and B4 in 66.7% and 9.5% respectively, during CA + E. Reported side effects during CA and CA + E were breast tenderness, emotionality, fatigue, and flushes. No relevant weight changes were observed. Main safety parameters showed the following changes. Hemoglobin and hematocrit decreased and liver enzymes transiently and modestly increased during CA. Triglycerides and cholesterol levels slightly decreased during CA but returned to baseline during CA + E; glucose metabolism was unaffected. Relevant hormonal changes included a decrease in gonadotropins during CA + E and in total and free testosterone levels throughout treatment. Prolactin levels increased during CA and were restored during CA + E.

Clinical Implications

CA produced modest feminizing effects in trans-girls and therefore might be a valuable alternative in situations in which gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues are not the treatment of choice and/or are not reimbursed.

Strengths and Limitations

This is the first study to report on the effects of CA in the treatment of trans-girls and one of the few to report on the use of estrogens in this population. Limitations are the modest sample size and the retrospective nature of this study.

Conclusion

Treatment with CA in late-pubertal trans-girls overall was safe and well tolerated and induced mild clinical and biochemical feminizing changes. Rapid further feminization was observed with incremental doses of E.
Resistance to Military Occupation: An Enduring Problem in
International Law
Authors: Roberts Adam
Published: May 2017

The fiftieth anniversary of Israel's occupation of certain Arab-inhabited
territories following its victory in the June 1967 war is a good time to reflect
on the question of how international law addresses resistance to military
occupation. This issue—and its counterpart, the rights of an occupying
power vis-à-vis resistance—has arisen repeatedly in connection
with this occupation. It has been at the center of polemical debates involving
Israel, neighboring states, and the Palestine Liberation Organization, in a wide
range of international fora including the United Nations. It has also arisen in
numerous other conflicts in the past half-century, including in Namibia before
it achieved independence in 1990, and in Iraq following the 2003 U.S.-led
intervention. The legal focus of this contribution is on the jus in
bello. Certain jus ad bellum and human rights
issues raised by occupation and resistance that inevitably intrude at certain
points will be mentioned in passing.
Human Rights Due Diligence in Law and Practice: Good Practices and Challenges for Business Enterprises
Authors: McCORQUODALE Robert , SMIT Lise , NEELY Stuart , BROOKS Robin
Published: May 2017

This article considers the practices of companies worldwide in attempting to implement human rights due diligence (HRDD) as envisaged by the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Based on empirical research conducted through surveys and interviews, it analyses corporate practices in this area. It examines the responses of companies with reference to the core elements of implementing HRDD: identifying actual or potential human rights impacts; taking action to address these impacts; and tracking or monitoring the effectiveness of actions. In addition, the article places these practices in the context of the legal developments in the field of HRDD. The research shows the difference that dedicated HRDD – in comparison with non-human rights specific processes – can make in terms of identifying adverse human rights impacts of both the company as well as of those which are part of its business relationships.
Effect of Medicare’s Nonpayment Policy on Surgical Site Infections Following Orthopedic Procedures
Authors: Kwong Jereen Z. , Weng Yingjie , Finnegan Micaela , Schaffer Robyn , Remington Austin , Curtin Catherine , McDonald Kathryn M. , Bhattacharya Jay , Hernandez-Boussard Tina
Published: May 2017

OBJECTIVE

Orthopedic procedures are an important focus in efforts to reduce surgical site infections (SSIs). In 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) stopped reimbursements for additional charges associated with serious hospital-acquired conditions, including SSI following certain orthopedic procedures. We aimed to evaluate the CMS policy’s effect on rates of targeted orthopedic SSIs among the Medicare population.

DESIGN

We examined SSI rates following orthopedic procedures among the Medicare population before and after policy implementation compared to a similarly aged control group. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database for 2000–2013, we estimated rate ratios (RRs) of orthopedic SSIs among Medicare and non-Medicare patients using a difference-in-differences approach.

RESULTS

Following policy implementation, SSIs significantly decreased among both the Medicare and non-Medicare populations (RR, 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.6–0.8) and RR, 0.8l; 95% CI, 0.7–0.9), respectively. However, the estimated decrease among the Medicare population was not significantly greater than the decrease among the control population (RR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.8–1.1).

CONCLUSIONS

While SSI rates decreased significantly following the implementation of the CMS nonpayment policy, this trend was not associated with policy intervention but rather larger secular trends that likely contributed to decreasing SSI rates over time.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:817–822
Nearshore mixing and nutrient delivery along the western Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Corbett D. Reide , Crenshaw Jared , Null Kimberly , Peterson Richard N. , Peterson Leigha E. , Lyons W. Berry
Published: May 2017

The surface waters of the Southern Ocean play a key role in the global climate and carbon cycles by promoting growth of some of the world’s largest phytoplankton blooms. Several studies have emphasized the importance of glacial and sediment inputs of Fe that fuel the primary production of the Fe-limited Southern Ocean. Although the fertile surface waters along the shelf of the western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) are influenced by large inputs of freshwater, this freshwater may take multiple pathways (e.g. calving, streams, groundwater discharge) with different degrees of water-rock interactions leading to variable Fe flux to coastal waters. During the summers of 2012–13 and 2013–14, seawater samples were collected along the WAP, near Anvers Island, to observe water column dynamics in nearshore and offshore waters. Tracers (223,224Ra, 222Rn, 18O, 2H) were used to evaluate the source and transport of water and nutrients in coastal fjords and across the shelf. Coastal waters are compared across two field seasons, with increased freshwater observed during 2014. Horizontal mixing rates of water masses along the WAP ranged from 110–3600 m2 s-1. These mixing rates suggest a rapid transport mechanism for moving meltwater offshore.
An Integrative Cognitive Model of Internalized Stigma in Psychosis
Authors: Wood Lisa , Byrne Rory , Morrison Anthony P
Published: May 2017

Background:Internalized stigma is a significant difficulty for those who experience psychosis, but it has never been conceptualized using cognitive theory.Aims:The aim of this paper is to outline a cognitive model conceptualizing internalized stigma experienced by people who also experience psychosis.Method:Previous literature is reviewed, critiqued and synthesized to develop the model. It draws upon previous social cognitive models of internalized stigma and integrates cognitive behavioural theory and social mentality theory.Results:This paper identifies key cognitive, behavioural and emotional processes that contribute to the development and maintenance of internalized stigma, whilst also recognizing the central importance of cultural context in creating negative stereotypes of psychosis. Moreover, therapeutic strategies to alleviate internalized stigma are identified. A case example is explored and a formulation and brief intervention plan was developed in order to illustrate the model in practice.Conclusion:An integrative cognitive model is presented, which can be used to develop individualized case formulations, which can guide cognitive behavioural interventions targeting internalized stigma in those who experience psychosis. More research is required to examine the efficacy of such interventions. In addition, it is imperative to continue to research interventions that create change in stigma at a societal level.
Effect of Sublethal Nickel Chloride Exposure on Crayfish, Astacus leptodactylus Ovary: An Ultrastructural, Autometallographic, and Electrophoretic Analyses
Authors: Zarnescu Otilia , Petrescu Ana-Maria , Gaspar Alexandra , Craciunescu Oana
Published: May 2017

Cytological responses in different organs of sentinel organisms have proven to be useful tools for characterizing the health status of those organisms and assessing the impact of environmental contaminants. Our study shows that nickel (II) accumulated in both germ cells (oogonia and developing oocytes) and somatic cells (muscle cells, follicle cells) in the Astacus leptodactylus ovary. Muscle cells from ovarian wall show disorganization and the disruption of cytoplasmic microtubules and pyknosis of the cell nucleus. Follicle cells, both those that surround the developing oocytes and also those that are not associated with the oocytes contained within the cytoplasm vacuoles of different sizes, degenerated mitochondria, myelin bodies, disorganized microtubules, and pyknotic nuclei. The most evident pathological phenomenon was the alteration and disorganization of the basal matrix, which separates the ovarian interstitium from ovarian follicles compartment. Exposure to nickel induces cytoplasmic vacuolation in oogonia and developing oocytes, structural alteration of the developing yolk granules and condensation of the nucleoli. Ultrastructural autometallography has shown grains of silver-enhanced nickel inside the cytoplasm of the muscle cells with altered morphology, including the cytoplasm, nucleus, and basal matrix of the follicle cells, and in intracisternal granules and developing yolk granules of the oocytes.
German V2 and the PF-Interface: Evidence from Dialects
Authors: te Velde John R.
Published: May 2017

This investigation of certain verb-second structures found in the German dialects Kiezdeutsch, Yiddish (both Eastern and Western), Bavarian, and Cimbrian, and to a more limited extent in colloquial German, leads to the hypothesis that Phonological Form, via the interface with the narrow syntax, provides three strategies for compliance with the verb-second restriction on main clauses. These are i) the remapping of two syntactic constituents into a single prosodic phrase, ii) the reduction and remapping of two or more words into a single prosodic word, and iii) the prosodic marking of the syntactic edge of a main clause where a restart of the clause occurs. The investigation, using minimalist tools, underscores the central role of the syntax-phonology interface without eliminating the need for the semantic interface in the derivation of German verb-second structures.*
High Levels of Adoption Indicate That Harvest Weed Seed Control Is Now an Established Weed Control Practice in Australian Cropping
Authors: Walsh Michael , Ouzman Jackie , Newman Peter , Powles Stephen , Llewellyn Rick
Published: May 2017

HWSC systems that target weed seed production during harvest have been in use in Australian crop production systems for over 30 years. Until recently, though, grower adoption of these systems has been relatively low. It is now apparent with the introduction of a range of new weed seed targeting systems that there is renewed grower interest in the use of this approach to weed control. With the aim of determining the current adoption and use of HWSC systems, 600 crop producers from throughout Australia’s cropping regions were interviewed on their adoption and use of these systems. This survey established that 43% of Australian growers are now routinely using HWSC to target weed seed production during grain harvest. The adoption of narrow-windrow burning (30%) was considerably greater than the other currently available techniques of chaff tramlining (7%), chaff carts (3%), bale-direct system (3%), and the Harrington Seed Destructor (HSD) (<1%). When growers were asked about their future use of these systems 82% indicated that they would be using some form of HWSC within five years. Grower preferences for future HWSC use were primarily for either narrow-windrow burning (42%) or the HSD (29%). This very high level of current and potential HWSC adoption signifies that HWSC is now considered an established weed control practice by Australian growers.
Erectile dysfunction – overview from a cardiovascular perspective
Authors: Baumann Frederic , Hehli Deborah , Makaloski Vladimir , Schumacher Martin , Schönhofen Heinz , Diehm Nicolas
Published: May 2017

Abstract. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an evolving health problem with growing incidence in the ageing male population with potentially predictive value for cardiovascular and other chronic diseases. ED shares the common cardiovascular risk factors. The aetiology of ED is numerous including neurogenic, psychogenic, arteriogenic, and venogenic reasons. The origin of arteriogenic ED is frequently atherosclerosis. Patients not adequately responding to conservative measures including oral medication are often referred to further vascular diagnostics and therapy. At present, the refinements in endovascular therapy allow for minimal-invasive revascularization of erection-related arteries. The role of endovascular therapy in the complex framework of the multifactorial causes of ED requires further scientific scrutiny.
Wie wird Selbststudium praktiziert? Eine Umfrage bei Hausärzten des Ärztenetzwerks PizolCare
Authors: Hatziisaak Telemachos , Keller Urs
Published: May 2017

Zusammenfassung. Den Mitgliedern der Schweizerischen Gesellschaft für Allgemeine Innere Medizin (SGAIM) werden 30 Stunden Selbststudium pro Jahr vorgeschrieben. Wie wird dieses Selbststudium von Hausärzten praktiziert? In unserer Umfrage zeigte sich, dass vornehmlich werbefreie oder werbearme, qualitativ hochwertige und vertrauenswürdige schweizerische medizinische Zeitschriften gelesen werden. Lehrbücher, medizinische Webseiten und Online-Fortbildungen spielen eine untergeordnete Rolle.
Diagnosing Cryptic Remagnetization in Sedimentary Rocks
Authors: Cook Terri
Published: May 2017

To understand the ancient movement of Earth’s tectonic plates, comprehensive magnetic and petrographic studies are needed to detect secondary magnetization in carbonates and other sedimentary rocks.
Lipoprotein-biomimetic nanostructure enables efficient targeting delivery of siRNA to Ras-activated glioblastoma cells via macropinocytosis
Authors: Huang Jia-Lin , Jiang Gan , Song Qing-Xiang , Gu Xiao , Hu Meng , Wang Xiao-Lin , Song Hua-Hua , Chen Le-Pei , Lin Ying-Ying , Jiang Di , Chen Jun , Feng Jun-Feng , Qiu Yong-Ming , Jiang Ji-Yao , Jiang Xin-Guo , Chen Hong-Zhuan , Gao Xiao-Ling
Published: May 2017

Hyperactivated Ras regulates many oncogenic pathways in several malignant human cancers including glioblastoma and it is an attractive target for cancer therapies. Ras activation in cancer cells drives protein internalization via macropinocytosis as a key nutrient-gaining process. By utilizing this unique endocytosis pathway, here we create a biologically inspired nanostructure that can induce cancer cells to ‘drink drugs’ for targeting activating transcription factor-5 (ATF5), an overexpressed anti-apoptotic transcription factor in glioblastoma. Apolipoprotein E3-reconstituted high-density lipoprotein is used to encapsulate the siRNA-loaded calcium phosphate core and facilitate it to penetrate the blood–brain barrier, thus targeting the glioblastoma cells in a macropinocytosis-dependent manner. The nanostructure carrying ATF5 siRNA exerts remarkable RNA-interfering efficiency, increases glioblastoma cell apoptosis and inhibits tumour cell growth both in vitro and in xenograft tumour models. This strategy of targeting the macropinocytosis caused by Ras activation provides a nanoparticle-based approach for precision therapy in glioblastoma and other Ras-activated cancers.
Exchange pathways of plastoquinone and plastoquinol in the photosystem II complex
Authors: Van Eerden Floris J. , Melo Manuel N. , Frederix Pim W. J. M. , Periole Xavier , Marrink Siewert J.
Published: May 2017

Plastoquinone (PLQ) acts as an electron carrier between photosystem II (PSII) and the cytochrome b6f complex. To understand how PLQ enters and leaves PSII, here we show results of coarse grained molecular dynamics simulations of PSII embedded in the thylakoid membrane, covering a total simulation time of more than 0.5 ms. The long time scale allows the observation of many spontaneous entries of PLQ into PSII, and the unbinding of plastoquinol (PLQol) from the complex. In addition to the two known channels, we observe a third channel for PLQ/PLQol diffusion between the thylakoid membrane and the PLQ binding sites. Our simulations point to a promiscuous diffusion mechanism in which all three channels function as entry and exit channels. The exchange cavity serves as a PLQ reservoir. Our simulations provide a direct view on the exchange of electron carriers, a key step of the photosynthesis machinery.
Nash Equilibrium of Social-Learning Agents in a Restless Multiarmed Bandit Game
Authors: Nakayama Kazuaki , Hisakado Masato , Mori Shintaro
Published: May 2017

We study a simple model for social-learning agents in a restless multiarmed bandit (rMAB). The bandit has one good arm that changes to a bad one with a certain probability. Each agent stochastically selects one of the two methods, random search (individual learning) or copying information from other agents (social learning), using which he/she seeks the good arm. Fitness of an agent is the probability to know the good arm in the steady state of the agent system. In this model, we explicitly construct the unique Nash equilibrium state and show that the corresponding strategy for each agent is an evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) in the sense of Thomas. It is shown that the fitness of an agent with ESS is superior to that of an asocial learner when the success probability of social learning is greater than a threshold determined from the probability of success of individual learning, the probability of change of state of the rMAB, and the number of agents. The ESS Nash equilibrium is a solution to Rogers’ paradox.
Effect of seed position and soil nutrients on seed mass, germination and seedling growth in Peucedanum oreoselinum (Apiaceae)
Authors: Kołodziejek Jeremi
Published: May 2017

There is large variation in seed mass within P. oreoselinum (L.) Moench selected for the present study from two contrasting habitats: roadside and oak forest. Effect of seed position within a plant and of soil nutrients on seed mass, germination and seedlings growth were studied. Within an individual plant, seed mass decreased with umbel order and seeds from the central umbellet of the umbel were lighter than those from the outer edge, suggesting that variation in seed mass within an individual plant was due to the position effect. There was a significant relationship between seed mass and total germination. Covariate analysis showed the differences between sites in seed macronutrient contents were caused by respective differences in seed mass and soil macronutrients. This indicates substantial variation in the amount of reserves initially available for seedling growth. In conclusion, phenotypically-based variation in seed mass may arise from soil conditions, maternal traits or combination of the two. High variability in seed mass of P. oreoselinum favours its widespread geographic distribution. These results suggest that with respect to germination characteristics large seeds from primary order have a competitive advantage over small seeds produced on secondary umbels because they have higher overall germination.
Comparing the Success Rate of Dacryocystorhinostomy With and Without Silicone Intubation: A Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Control Trials
Authors: Xie ChuanQi , Zhang Lingling , Liu Yang , Ma Hong , Li Shuzhen
Published: May 2017

A previous meta-analysis reported no benefit for silicone intubation during dacryocystorhinostomy. However, the power of this meta-analysis was 0.274. Therefore, the benefit of silicone intubation remains controversial. We undertook a cumulative meta-analysis to evaluate the success rate of dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) with and without the use of a stent. Pubmed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched. Statistical power and trial sequential analyses were performed according to the result of the meta-analysis. Twelve randomized controlled trials involving 969 cases met the inclusion criteria. The success rates of DCR with and without intubation were significantly different (p = 0.006). The success rates of external DCR (EX-DCR) with and without intubation were also significantly different based on subgroup analysis (p = 0.002). The cumulative z-curves crossed the O’Brian-Fleming boundaries. There were no significant differences in the success rate in the endonasal endoscopic DCR (EN-DCR) subgroup or the occurrence of postoperative complications between the two groups based on the meta-analysis, and the z-curve did not intersect any trial sequential analysis boundaries. DCR with intubation achieved better results than DCR without intubation, especially in the EX-DCR subgroup. Differences in the success rate in the EN-DCR subgroup and postoperative complications between the two groups were underpowered to reach a conclusion.