bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Different responses of predator and prey functional diversity to fragmentation
Authors: Kissick Ashley L. , Dunning John B. , Fernandez‐Juricic Esteban , Holland Jeffrey D.
Published: July 2018

The study of functional diversity, or the range of species’ ecological roles in a community, is a rapidly expanding area in ecology. Given the extent that ecosystems are being altered, effort should shift toward assessing variation in functional diversity across landscapes with the goal of improving land use management decisions. We construct a workflow that creates three‐dimensional surfaces and maps of functional diversity to examine changes in beetle functional diversity across an Indiana, USA landscape. We sampled 105 prey wood‐borer and predator beetle species along a gradient of forest fragmentation across Indiana and used a number of functional traits from literature sources to capture their functional roles. We developed newly measured functional traits to estimate several traits relevant to beetles’ ecological function that was unknown and not easily measured. Functional diversity indices (FRic, FDis, FDiv, and FEve) were calculated from species abundance and functional traits and used to assess changes in functional diversity along the fragmentation gradient. We predicted that habitat fragmentation would have a greater negative impact on predator beetle functional diversity than prey wood‐borer functional diversity. Landscape metrics most important to the functional diversity of both wood‐borer and predator beetle communities were landscape division index (LDI, an assessment of landscape subdivision) and mean shape index (MSI, a measure of patch shape complexity). Overall, three‐dimensional surfaces of functional diversity and functional diversity maps across the Indiana landscape revealed that beetle functional diversity was greatest with minimal landscape subdivision. Opposite to what we predicted, we found that the prey wood‐borer functional diversity was more negatively impacted by LDI than the predator beetle functional diversity. Furthermore, predator beetle functional diversity was greater with increasing MSI. The map predicted predator FRic to be highest in forested areas with intact habitat and also less sensitive to habitat fragmentation adjacent to more continuous forest. We propose that land management may be guided by revealing landscapes that are most appropriate for maximizing functional diversity of multiple communities or shifting the relative abundance within prey and beneficial predator beetle functional groups with the use of three‐dimensional plots or maps.
Seed mass diversity along resource gradients: the role of allometric growth rate and size‐asymmetric competition
Authors: DeMalach Niv , Kadmon Ronen
Published: July 2018

The large variation in seed mass among species inspired a vast array of theoretical and empirical research attempting to explain this variation. So far, seed mass variation was investigated by two classes of studies. One class focuses on species varying in seed mass within communities, while the second focuses on variation between communities, most often with respect to resource gradients. Here, we develop a model capable of simultaneously explaining variation in seed mass within and between communities. The model describes resource competition (for both soil and light resources) in annual communities and incorporates two fundamental aspects: light asymmetry (higher light acquisition per unit biomass for larger individuals) and growth allometry (negative dependency of relative growth rate on plant biomass). Results show that both factors are critical in determining patterns of seed mass variation. In general, growth allometry increases the reproductive success of small‐seeded species while light asymmetry increases the reproductive success of large‐seeded species. Increasing availability of soil resources increases light competition, thereby increasing the reproductive success of large‐seeded species and ultimately the community (weighted) mean seed mass. An unexpected prediction of the model is that maximum variation in community seed mass (a measure of functional diversity) occurs under intermediate levels of soil resources. Extensions of the model incorporating size‐dependent seed survival and disturbance also show patterns consistent with empirical observations. These overall results suggest that the mechanisms captured by the model are important in determining patterns of species and functional diversity.
Hepatic connexin 32 associates with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity
Authors: Luther Jay , Gala Manish K. , Borren Nynke , Masia Ricard , Goodman Russell P. , Moeller Ida Hatoum , DiGiacomo Erik , Ehrlich Alyssa , Warren Andrew , Yarmush Martin L. , Ananthakrishnan Ashwin , Corey Kathleen , Kaplan Lee M. , Bhatia Sangeeta , Chung Raymond T. , Patel Suraj J.
Published: July 2018

Emerging data highlight the critical role for the innate immune system in the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Connexin 32 (Cx32), the primary liver gap junction protein, is capable of modulating hepatic innate immune responses and has been studied in dietary animal models of steatohepatitis. In this work, we sought to determine the association of hepatic Cx32 with the stages of human NAFLD in a histologically characterized cohort of 362 patients with NAFLD. We also studied the hepatic expression of the genes and proteins known to interact with Cx32 (known as the connexome) in patients with NAFLD. Last, we used three independent dietary mouse models of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis to investigate the role of Cx32 in the development of steatohepatitis and fibrosis. In a univariate analysis, we found that Cx32 hepatic expression associates with each component of the NAFLD activity score and fibrosis severity. Multivariate analysis revealed that Cx32 expression most closely associated with the NAFLD activity score and fibrosis compared to known risk factors for the disease. Furthermore, by analyzing the connexome, we identified novel genes related to Cx32 that associate with NAFLD progression. Finally, we demonstrated that Cx32 deficiency protects against liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis in three murine models of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis by limiting initial diet‐induced hepatoxicity and subsequent increases in intestinal permeability. Conclusion: Hepatic expression of Cx32 strongly associates with steatohepatitis and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD. We also identify novel genes associated with NAFLD and suggest that Cx32 plays a role in promoting NAFLD development. (Hepatology Communications 2018;2:786‐797)
Breast Cancer Screening Program in Morocco: Status of implementation, organization and performance
Authors: Basu Partha , Selmouni Farida , Belakhel Latifa , Sauvaget Catherine , Abousselham Loubna , Lucas Eric , Muwonge Richard , Sankaranarayanan Rengaswamy , Khazraji Youssef Chami
Published: July 2018

Breast Cancer Screening Program was introduced and rolled out in Morocco in 2010. Women between 40 and 69 years are screened at the primary health centers (PHC) with clinical breast examination (CBE). A comprehensive evaluation of the program was conducted in 2016–2017 for quality assurance and mid‐term course correction. The evaluation process involved: in‐depth interviews of program managers; focus group discussions with service‐providers of screening, diagnosis and treatment; supportive supervisory visits to randomly selected PHCs and diagnostic centers; desk review of the national guidelines and other published documents; and analysis of the performance data compiled by the program‐in‐charge. We found that the program has strong political support, a well‐organized management structure and documented national policy and protocol. In absence of a mechanism to identify and invite the eligible women individually, the program is opportunistic in nature. Every PHC is provided with an annual target to be screened. A highly visible annual campaign to educate and motivate women has a major impact on participation. Record keeping and data collection are paper‐based. In the years 2015 and 2016, 1.1 and 1.5 million women were screened, respectively. In the year 2015, 62.8% of the annual target population was covered, CBE positivity was 3.2%, a further assessment rate of screen‐positive women was 34.1% and the breast cancer detection rate was 1.0/1000 women. Systematic paper‐based data collection enabled the assessment of some of the process and outcome indicators. The screening coverage was moderate and the cancer detection rate was low.
Results from the prospective German TPK clinical cohort study: Treatment algorithms and survival of 1,174 patients with locally advanced, inoperable, or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hegewisch‐Becker Susanna , Aldaoud Ali , Wolf Thomas , Krammer‐Steiner Beate , Linde Hartmut , Scheiner‐Sparna Renate , Hamm David , Jänicke Martina , Marschner Norbert ,   the TPK‐Group (Tumour Registry Pancreatic Cancer)
Published: July 2018

Pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal malignancy. Developments in recent years have broadened our therapeutic armamentarium. Novel drugs such as nab‐paclitaxel, liposomal irinotecan and chemotherapy regimens such as FOLFIRINOX have been successfully tested in clinical trials. Data on patients outside of clinical trials are scarce but necessary to assess and improve the standard of care. We present data on treatment and survival of 1,174 patients with locally advanced, inoperable, or metastatic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Between February 2014 and June 2017, patients were recruited by 104 sites at start of first‐line therapy into the ongoing, prospective clinical cohort study TPK (Tumour Registry Pancreatic Cancer). As first‐line therapy, 89% of patients received one of the three treatment regimens: gemcitabine monotherapy (23%), nab‐paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (42%), or FOLFIRINOX (24%). The corresponding subgroups differed: Patients receiving gemcitabine monotherapy were older and more comorbid (median age 78 years, 73% ECOG ≥ 1) than patients receiving nab‐paclitaxel plus gemcitabine (median age 71, 64% ECOG ≥ 1) or patients receiving FOLFIRINOX (median age 60, 52% ECOG ≥ 1). At least 40% of patients died before receiving second‐line treatment. First‐line progression‐free survival was 4.6 months (95% CI: 3.7–5.2) for gemcitabine, 5.6 months (95% CI: 5.0–6.2) for nab‐paclitaxel plus gemcitabine, and 6.3 months (95% CI: 5.5–6.9) for FOLFIRINOX. Our data represent the treatment reality in a German community setting. Although there are no stringent inclusion criteria for our cohort study, overall survival is comparable to that reported by randomised clinical trials.
A comprehensive methylation signature identifies lymph node metastasis in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Roy Roshni , Kandimalla Raju , Sonohara Fuminori , Koike Masahiko , Kodera Yasuhiro , Takahashi Naoki , Yamada Yasuhide , Goel Ajay
Published: July 2018

Treatment modalities in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) depend largely on lymph node metastasis (LNM) status. With suboptimal detection sensitivity of existing imaging techniques, we propose a methylation signature which identifies patients with LNM with greater accuracy. This would allow precise stratification of high‐risk patients requiring more aggressive treatment from low‐risk ESCC patients who can forego radical surgery. An unbiased genome‐wide methylation signature for LNM detection was established from an initial in silico discovery phase. The signature was tested in independent clinical cohorts comprising of 249 ESCC patients. The prognostic potential of the methylation signature was compared to clinical variables including LNM status. A 10‐probe LNM associated signature (LNAS) was developed using stringent bioinformatics analyses. The area under the curve values for LNAS risk scores were 0.81 and 0.88 in the training and validation cohorts respectively, in association with lymphatic vessel invasion and tumor stage. High LNAS risk‐score was also associated with worse overall survival [HR (95% CI) 3 (1.8–4.8), p < 0.0001 training and 3.9 (1.5–10.2), p = 0.001 validation cohort]. In conclusion, our novel methylation signature is a powerful biomarker that identifies LNM status robustly and is also associated with worse prognosis in ESCC patients.
Triptolide inhibits Wnt signaling in NSCLC through upregulation of multiple Wnt inhibitory factors via epigenetic modifications to Histone H3
Authors: Nardi Isaac , Reno Theresa , Yun Xinwei , Sztain Terra , Wang Jami , Dai Huifang , Zheng Li , Shen Binghui , Kim Jae , Raz Dan
Published: July 2018

In the last decade, it has become clear that epigenetic changes act together with genetic mutations to promote virtually every stage of tumorigenesis and cancer progression. This knowledge has triggered searches for “epigenetic drugs” that can be developed into new cancer therapies. Here we report that triptolide reduced lung cancer incidence from 70% to 10% in a Fen1 E160D transgenic mouse model and effectively inhibited cancer growth and metastasis in A549 and H460 mouse xenografts. We found that triptolide induced lung cancer cell apoptosis that was associated with global epigenetic changes to histone 3 (H3). These global epigenetic changes in H3 are correlated with an increase in protein expression of five Wnt inhibitory factors that include WIF1, FRZB, SFRP1, ENY2, and DKK1. Triptolide had no effect on DNA methylation status at any of the CpG islands located in the promoter regions of all five Wnt inhibitory factors. Wnt expression is implicated in promoting the development and progression of many lung cancers. Because of this, the potential to target Wnt signaling with drugs that induce epigenetic modifications provides a new avenue for developing novel therapies for patients with these tumor types.
LIMK2 acts as an oncogene in bladder cancer and its functional SNP in the microRNA‐135a binding site affects bladder cancer risk
Authors: Wang Wei , Yang Chenglin , Nie Haibo , Qiu Xiaofu , Zhang Lianbo , Xiao Yuansong , Zhou Wuer , Zeng Qinsong , Zhang Xiaoming , Wu Yigao , Liu Jun , Ying Min
Published: July 2018

LIM kinases modulate multiple aspects of cancer development, including cell proliferation and survival. As the mechanisms of LIMK‐associated tumorigenesis are still unclear, we analyzed the tumorigenic functions of LIM kinase 2 (LIMK2) in human bladder cancer (BC) and explored whether the newly identified LIMK2 3´‐UTR SNP rs2073859 (G‐to‐A allele) is correlated with clinical features. Expression levels of LIMK2 in 38 human BC tissues and eight cell lines were examined using quantitative real‐time PCR and immunohistochemistry. LIMK2 was overexpressed in most BC tissues (27/38, 71%) and BC‐derived cell lines (6/8), and was more frequently overexpessed in high‐grade than low‐grade BC (80% vs. 47%). The effects of LIMK2 on BC cell proliferation, survival and migration, were studied by overexpression and RNA interference approaches in vitro and in vivo. LIMK2 overexpression promoted proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells, while LIMK2 depletion inhibited cell invasion and viability and induced growth arrest in vitro and in vivo. PCR‐Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) was used to genotype LIMK2 SNP rs2073859 and multivariate logistic regression applied to assess the relationship between allele frequency and clinical features in 139 BC patients. Functional analyses localized SNP rs2073859 within the microRNA‐135a seed‐binding region and revealed significantly lower LIMK2 G allele expression. The frequency of A genotypes (AG + AA) was higher in the BC group than normal controls and correlated with risks of high‐grade and high‐stage BC. In conclusion, LIMK2 may function as an oncogene in human BC, while allele‐specific regulation by microRNA‐135a may influence disease risk.
Teaching children with autism to identify and respond appropriately to the preferences of others during play
Authors: Najdowski Adel C. , St. Clair Megan , Fullen Jesse A. , Child Amelia , Persicke Angela , Tarbox Jonathan
Published: July 2018

We observed three children with autism spectrum disorder during structured play dates in which play partners displayed interest or disinterest in the toys with which they were playing. We then taught subjects to identify play partners' preferences and to make appropriate toy offers using a multiple‐exemplar training package consisting of rules, midplay preference questions, prompting, and praise with observed generalization across untrained partners.
Use of Interferon‐γ release assay for the diagnosis of female genital tuberculosis in Northwest China
Authors: Lu Xi , Li Chunmeng , Li Wangping , Long Xiaoheng , Fang Yanfeng , Sun Ruilin , Jin Faguang , Fu Enqing , Xie Yonghong
Published: July 2018

Background

Female genital tuberculosis (FGTB) is one of the major causes of infertility. However, nonspecific manifestations and the lack of easy access to gold‐standard diagnostic test render a diagnostic difficult for FGTB. The objective of this study was to determine T‐SPOT.TB (an interferon‐γ release assay, IGRA) performance in patients with FGTB.

Methods

A total of 213 female patients with validated T‐SPOT.TB results were recruited in this retrospective study. Among which, 103 were confirmed FGTB, and 110 were excluded from tuberculosis (control). Of the confirmed FGTB patients, 52 were confirmed by microbiologically/histopathologically examination, while the remaining 51 were clinically confirmed (successfully responsive to anti‐tuberculosis treatment). T‐SPOT.TB test was performed in both FGTB and control group during the diagnostic procedure.

Results

The overall sensitivity and specificity of T‐SPOT.TB were 86.41% and 75.45% respectively. Sensitivity of T‐SPOT.TB was significantly higher when compared with conventional tuberculosis diagnostic tests. Moreover, T‐SPOT.TB test using pelvic effusion (PE) showed higher sensitivity than using corresponding peripheral blood (PB) (94.44% vs 72.22%, P < 0.001). Mean value of spot forming cells (SFCs) of T‐SPOT.TB using PE was significantly higher than that of PB in FGTB group (193 (IQR 105‐280) SFCs/2.5 × 105 PEMCs vs 71 (IQR 36‐107) SFCs/2.5 × 105 PBMCs, P = 0.01), while this was not detected in control group (11 (IQR 0‐22) SFCs/2.5 × 105 PEMCs vs 9 (IQR 0‐18) SFCs/2.5 × 105PBMCs, P = 0.77).

Conclusion

These results demonstrated that T‐SPOT.TB, especially PE T‐SPOT.TB, is an useful adjunct in FGTB diagnosis.
Experimental and mathematical study of air gap membrane distillation for aqueous HCl azeotropic separation
Authors: Kalla Sarita , Upadhyaya Sushant , Singh Kailash , Baghel Rakesh
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

In the present study, the feasibility of air gap membrane distillation (AGMD) process is investigated for breaking an azeotropic mixture. A test cell AGMD module with hydrophobic PTFE membrane was fabricated and HCl/H2O azeotrope (20.2 wt% HCl) was taken as feed. A mathematical model based on Stefan diffusion multicomponent molecular‐Knudsen mass transfer approach has been developed and validated with experimental data. The effects of different process parameters on total permeate flux, on selectivity and on breaking an HCl/H2O azeotrope mixture also have been studied. The feed side membrane surface temperature and membrane side condensing surface temperature were estimated by CFD modelling.

RESULTS

The HCl selectivity obtained in the permeate was <1, which indicates that permeate flux is leveraged with water and a higher HCl concentration in the retentate was achieved relative to the permeate. The permeate flux decreased from 36 to 17 kg m−2 h−1 upon increasing the air gap from 3 mm to 11 mm at 50 °C feed temperature. The permeate flux increased from 4 to 28.5 kg m−2 h−1 upon increasing the feed temperature from 30 to 50 °C at 5 mm air gap.

CONCLUSION

With azeotropic feed, the maximum concentration of HCl achieved in the retentate was 30.8 wt% HCl (i.e. a hyperazeotropic solution) and in permeate was found to be 15.29 wt% HCl (i.e. hypoazeotropic solution). This indicates a strong possibility of using AGMD for azeotropic mixture separation. It also was observed that the permeate flux is affected mainly by feed temperature and air gap width. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some 2‐aminothiazole and 2‐aminothiadiazine Derivatives
Authors: Sarıgüney Ahmet Burak , Kocabaş Erdal , Erci Fatih , Torlak Emrah , Coşkun Ahmet
Published: July 2018

In this study, some thiazole and thiadiazine ring bearing compounds were synthesized, characterized by spectroscopic techniques, and evaluated as potential antimicrobial agents. Their antimicrobial activities evaluated by broth microdilution method and expressed as minimum inhibitory concentration; against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus, and Staphylococcus aureus. From these compounds, Compounds 2, 5, and 9 have been found to selectively inhibit Gram positives.
Synthesis, Antimicrobial, and Anticancer Activities of a New Series of Thieno[2,3‐d] Pyrimidine Derivatives
Authors: Saddik Abdelreheem Abdelfatah , Kamal El‐Dean Adel Mohamed , El‐Said Waleed Ahmed , Hassan Khairy Mohamed , Abbady Mohamed Saad
Published: July 2018

A new series from thieno[2,3‐d] pyrimidine derivatives have been synthesized based on 2‐(ethylmercapto)‐4‐mercapto‐6‐phenyl‐5‐pyrimidine carbonitrile, these compounds used in the synthesis of many pyrimidothienopyrimidine derivatives and triazolo[1″,5″:1″,6″]pyrimido[4′,5′:4,5]thieno[2,3‐d] pyrimidine derivatives. The chemical composition of these compounds was confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and MS techniques. Some of the synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial and anticancer agent. Compound (9b) showed strong effect on Aspergillus Fumigatus (RCMB 2568), Candida albicans (RCMB 05036), Saphylococcus aureus (RCMB 010010), Bacillis subtilis (RCMB 010067), Salmonella sp. (RCMB 010043), and Escherichia coli (RCMB 010052). Compounds (2) and (5a–k) were evaluated for their IC50 values against two cancer cell lines (MCF‐7 and HeLa cells) in the presence of Paclitaxel as reference material. Compound (5g) showed the highest cytotoxicity against MCF‐7 (IC50 values about 18.87 ± 0.2 μg/mL) cells compared with Paclitaxel (IC50 values about 40.37 ± 1.7 μg/mL). Also, compound (5d) showed the highest cytotoxicity against HeLa (IC50 values about 40.74 ± 1.7 μg/mL) cells compared with Paclitaxel (IC50 values about 45.78 ± 0.8 μg/mL).
Creativity and Self‐esteem in Adolescence: A Study of Their Domain‐Specific, Multivariate Relationships
Authors: Barbot Baptiste
Published: July 2018

Although empirical investigations on the Creative Self have historically started with a focus on self‐esteem, the literature on its relationship with creative performance remains thin and inconsistent, with estimated relationships ranging from moderate and negative, to strongly positive. Discrepancies may be explained by the domain‐specificity of both creativity and self‐esteem that have been widely overlooked in this line of work. Therefore, this study explores the multivariate relationships between creativity in three domains (Music, Literary‐Verbal, Graphic) and self‐esteem in seven domains (e.g., Academic, Emotional) among 170 adolescents. Creative productions were scored by four raters, and latent consensus in each domain captured using a multi‐informant latent‐consensus model in SEM. This model was further extended in a structural model reveling that (a) creativity is mainly domain‐specific, and (b) the contribution of domain‐specific self‐esteem on domain‐specific creativity greatly varies according to both the domains of creativity and self‐esteem. Up to 30% of the variance in creative performance was explained by “domain‐relevant” self‐esteem facets, and a moderate contribution of creative self‐esteem across creativity domains. Results are discussed in light of several important methodological directions for this line of work, as well as its implications for creativity‐based interventions designed to support positive self‐esteem development in adolescence.
Oral flurbiprofen spray for mucosal graft harvesting at the palatal area: A randomized placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Isler Sila Cagri , Eraydin Nihal , Akkale Habibe , Ozdemir Burcu
Published: July 2018

Background

Flurbiprofen which is a non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), has been safely used for the control of postoperative patient's morbidity after periodontal plastic surgeries requiring palatal graft harvesting, but there is little information on the efficacy of topical use. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether patient pain perception was reduced and patient morbidity was improved by using oral spray of flurbiprofen after palatal graft harvesting.

Methods

Forty‐eight patients (21 males and 27 females), scheduled for subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) and free gingival graft (FGG) requiring periodontal plastic surgeries were selected. The patients were randomly assigned to each group and used oral spray of flurbiprofen or placebo three times a day for a week. The palatal donor area was evaluated at 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 42, and 56‐day follow‐up after the surgery for postoperative pain, patients’ discomfort, complete epithelialization, changes in dietary habits, burning sensation, color match, the amount of systemic analgesic consumption and the presence of delayed bleeding. Wound healing scores were recorded at 14‐day follow up.

Results

The prevalance of complete epithelialization was significantly higher in the placebo‐FGG group than flurbiprofen‐FGG group at 21 days postoperatively (P < 0.05), while there was no significant alteration for both flurbiprofen‐SCTG and placebo‐SCTG groups at any follow‐up periods. In flurbiprofen‐FGG group, significant improvements were observed for postoperative pain, patients’ discomfort and burning sensation at 14 days postoperatively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Oral flurbiprofen spray reduces patient's morbidity, however it might have negative effects on epithelialization of secondary wound healing after FGG operations.
Lip repositioning with or without myotomy: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Tawfik Omnia K. , Naiem Suzi N. , Tawfik Lobna K. , Yussif Nermin , Meghil Mohamed M. , Cutler Christopher W. , Darhous Mona , El‐Nahass Hani E.
Published: July 2018

Background

Lip repositioning is a conservative surgical method for the correction of excess gingival display (EGD) by limiting the upward retraction of the lips. Lip repositioning presents a simple method for the treatment of gummy smile. The aim of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to assess lip repositioning, compared to lip repositioning with muscle severance for efficacy in treatment of EGD and resultant stability.

Methods

A single‐blinded, controlled, parallel‐group RCT was performed. Twenty patients with EGD were enrolled in the study, treated with lip repositioning with and without muscle severance. Participants were assessed for EGD reduction, changes in lip length and result stability at 3, 6 and 12 months. Additionally, pain, swelling and satisfaction, were assessed.

Results

Classic lip repositioning was found capable of reducing EGD by 2.73 mm (SD ± 1.281), while lip repositioning with muscle severance offered an improved reduction in EGD with a mean reduction of 3.57mm (SD ± 1.62). Lip length, swelling and pain scores were found comparable between the two techniques.

Conclusion

Lip repositioning is an effective method for treating EGD, however, muscle severance provides a more stable result at 12 months when compared to the classical technique. More studies are necessary to fully assess this procedure.
Using systematic reviews in guideline development: The GRADE approach
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Akl Elie A. , Schünemann Holger J.
Published: July 2018

Systematic reviews are essential to produce trustworthy guidelines. To assess the certainty of a body of evidence included in a systematic review, the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group has developed an approach that is currently used by over 100 organizations, including the World Health Organization and the Cochrane Collaboration. GRADE provides operational definitions and instructions to rate the certainty of the evidence for each outcome in a review as high, moderate, low, or very low for the effects of interventions, prognostic estimates, values and preferences, test accuracy, and resource utilization. The assessment includes assessing risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency, indirectness, and publication bias, the magnitude of effects, dose‐response relations, and the impact of residual confounding and bias. Summary statistical information and assessments of certainty are presented in GRADE evidence summary tables, which can be produced using GRADE's official GRADEpro software tool (www.gradepro.org/). The evidence summary tables feed into the GRADE Evidence to Decision frameworks which guideline panels can use to produce recommendations.
The effect of post‐harvest technologies on selected metabolites in persimmon (Diospyros kaki Thunb.) fruit
Authors: Persic Martina , Jakopic Jerneja , Hudina Metka
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Tannins are frequently a main focus in the investigation of de‐astringency treatments of persimmon, and the effect of a controlled atmosphere on other phytochemicals is often overlooked. In the present study, changes in the content of total soluble and insoluble phenolics, soluble tannins, saponins, and carotenoids, as well as changes in primary metabolites, were monitored.

RESULTS

Generally, treatment with ethylene induced a decrease in total phenolic content, whereas, when treated with CO2, the content of total phenolics remained unchanged compared to the level of total phenolics before treatment. Treatment with apple‐sourced ethylene did not significantly affect the level of total phenolics. Additionally, for both varieties, ‘Kaki Tipo’ and ‘Rojo Brillante’, the share of insoluble phenolics strongly increased when treated with CO2, whereas, when treated with ethylene, the same change applied for the ratio of soluble phenolics. The content of carotenoids varied markedly among treatments and varieties, whereas the content of total saponins remained unchanged, regardless of the treatment and variety.

CONCLUSION

The results obtained in the present study show that the content of metabolites in persimmon was affected markedly and variedly using post‐harvest technology. Apart from the treatment used, changes in the content of metabolites are also affected markedly by the persimmon variety. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Hydrophobic ionic liquid modified thermoresponsive molecularly imprinted monolith for the selective recognition and separation of tanshinones
Authors: Tang Weiyang , Row Kyung Ho
Published: July 2018

A hydrophobic ionic liquid modified thermoresponsive molecularly imprinted monolith was synthesized using N‐isopropylacrylamide as a thermoresponsive monomer and a long‐chain hydrophobic ionic liquid as an auxiliary modification monomer. The ionic‐liquid‐modified thermoresponsive molecularly imprinted polymer was characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. When the column temperature was 50°C, the synthesized monolithic column was successfully applied to the selective separation of homologue tanshinones within 7 min and eluted only by water (mobile phase) (theoretical plates more than 1.00 × 105 per meter). The negative Gibbs free energy (≤–2.37) values showed that the transfer of the tanshinones from the mobile phase to the stationary phase on this monolithic column was a thermodynamically spontaneous process. Good linearity of the five tanshinones by thermoresponsive monolith was obtained in the range of 0.100–25.0 μg/mL. The limit of detection (S/N = 3) and limit of quantitation (S/N = 10) were less than 0.0390 and 0.0630 μg/mL, respectively, with a relative standard deviation of <4.8%. In this proposed thermoresponsive chromatography method, the separation of homologue analytes can be achieved by changing the column temperature, and the use of water as the mobile phase would decrease the economic cost and organic pollution.
Synthetic head and neck and phantom images for determining deformable image registration accuracy in magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Ger Rachel B. , Yang Jinzhong , Ding Yao , Jacobsen Megan C. , Cardenas Carlos E. , Fuller Clifton D. , Howell Rebecca M. , Li Heng , Stafford R. Jason , Zhou Shouhao , Court Laurence E.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides noninvasive evaluation of patient's anatomy without using ionizing radiation. Due to this and the high soft‐tissue contrast, MRI use has increased and has potential for use in longitudinal studies where changes in patients’ anatomy or tumors at different time points are compared. Deformable image registration can be useful for these studies. Here, we describe two datasets that can be used to evaluate the registration accuracy of systems for MR images, as it cannot be assumed to be the same as that measured on CT images.

Acquisition and validation methods

Two sets of images were created to test registration accuracy. (a) A porcine phantom was created by placing ten 0.35‐mm gold markers into porcine meat. The porcine phantom was immobilized in a plastic container with movable dividers. T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and CT images were acquired with the porcine phantom compressed in four different ways. The markers were not visible on the MR images, due to the selected voxel size, so they did not interfere with the measured registration accuracy, while the markers were visible on the CT images and were used to identify the known deformation between positions. (b) Synthetic images were created using 28 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients who had MR scans pre‐, mid‐, and postradiotherapy treatment. An inter‐ and intrapatient variation model was created using these patient scans. Four synthetic pretreatment images were created using the interpatient model, and four synthetic post‐treatment images were created for each of the pretreatment images using the intrapatient model.

Data format and usage notes

The T1‐weighted, T2‐weighted, and CT scans of the porcine phantom in the four positions are provided. Four T1‐weighted synthetic pretreatment images each with four synthetic post‐treatment images, and four T2‐weighted synthetic pretreatment images each with four synthetic post‐treatment images are provided. Additionally, the applied deformation vector fields to generate the synthetic post‐treatment images are provided. The data are available on TCIA under the collection MRI‐DIR.

Potential applications

The proposed database provides two sets of images (one acquired and one computer generated) for use in evaluating deformable image registration accuracy. T1‐ and T2‐weighted images are available for each technique as the different image contrast in the two types of images may impact the registration accuracy.
Professional practice‐related training and organizational readiness for change facilitate implementation of projects on the national core value system in care of older people
Authors: Carlsson Õie Umb , Wadensten Barbro
Published: July 2018

Aim

To explore whether professional training contributed to implementation of the national core value system in practice in care of older people and to identify course participants' perceptions about factors that facilitated or obstructed them in implementing their projects. To identify participants' perceptions concerning factors that facilitate or obstruct implementation.

Design

Descriptive and cross‐sectional.

Methods

Data were retrieved from 451 participants who had completed the course “Understanding and providing leadership based on the national core value system for older people” at Uppsala University during spring semester and autumn semester of 2018. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained using a web‐based questionnaire.

Results

The results showed that the majority (73%) of project plans were initiated, although not always completed and sometimes interrupted. Organizational readiness in terms of management supporting and prioritizing these plans were two principle facilitators chosen by half of the respondents and consequently the absence of these factors was an obstacle. In addition, successful implementation required dedicated co‐workers and certain resources, such as time and funds. Surprisingly, factors related to the project leader were reported to be of limited importance.
Are on‐line patient portals meeting test result preferences of caregivers of children with cancer? A qualitative exploration
Authors: Schultz Corinna L. , Alderfer Melissa A.
Published: July 2018

Background

Management of pediatric cancer entails frequent laboratory and radiology testing to monitor response to treatment, side effects, and possible relapse of disease. Little is known about how caregivers of children with cancer would like to receive results of these tests and whether on‐line patient portals may meet those preferences.

Procedures

One‐on‐one semistructured interviews were conducted with 19 caregivers of children with cancer purposively sampled for breadth on demographic characteristics. Inductive qualitative content coding/analysis was utilized to distill caregiver's preferred methods for test result acquisition and their views of using an on‐line patient portal to do so.

Results

The relative prioritization of speed of information and mode of communication (i.e., “in person,” by phone, etc.) revealed three preference styles. Factors including type of testing, type of result, and the time course within their child's care modified these preferences, and the desire to reduce anxiety played a central role. Caregivers recognized advantages of portal use including getting results “fast,” being able to visualize trends in results, “keeping a record,” and not interfering with clinic flow. Perceived disadvantages included the results being “complicated” or easily misunderstood, and learning results prior to disclosure by care team.

Conclusion

This study provides insight into the importance of understanding of how caregivers want test results and how they utilize the portal. Preferences for result acquisition vary on many factors and include the desire to decrease anxiety. As portal use increases, we have a duty to integrate this technology responsibly.
Prospective investigation of applicability and the prognostic significance of bone marrow involvement in patients with neuroblastoma detected by quantitative reverse transcription PCR
Authors: Druy Alexander E. , Shorikov Egor V. , Tsaur Grigory A. , Popov Alexander M. , Zaychikov Artem N. , Tuponogov Sergey N. , Saveliev Leonid I. , Tytgat Godelieve A.M. , Fechina Larisa G.
Published: July 2018

Background

Detection of bone marrow (BM) involvement in patients with neuroblastoma is crucial for staging and defining prognosis. Furthermore, the persistence of residual tumor cells in the BM is associated with an unfavorable outcome.

Methods

Expression of PHOX2B, TH, ELAVL4, and B4GALNT1 (GD2‐synthase) was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction in neuroblastoma cell lines, control BM samples, and in BM samples from patients. The threshold level of expression for each gene was established through receiver operator characteristic analysis and used to determine the diagnostic test performance. The prognostic significance of BM involvement was assessed by survival rates calculations. The median of follow‐up time was 36.1 months.

Results

Neither PHOX2B nor TH expression was detected in control BM, while expression of ELAVL4 was found in 20 (76.9%) and GD2‐synthase in 15 (57.7%) of 26 samples. The overall correct predictive value for TH, ELAVL4, and GD2‐synthase, based on thresholds levels, was 0.952, 0.828, and 0.767, respectively, whereas the overall correct predictive value for PHOX2B was 0.994. The PHOX2B/TH expression in diagnostic BM of patients with neuroblastoma corresponded with a decreased survival rate (P < 0.001) in the total cohort and in different risk groups. Predominance of normalized expression of PHOX2B over TH > 1.68 in the diagnostic BM samples demonstrated an adverse prognostic effect (P = 0.006). Persistence of PHOX2B/TH expression in the BM during and after induction chemotherapy resulted in dismal outcome (P = 0.022 and P = 0.012).

Conclusion

PHOX2B and TH are the most optimal markers for detection of BM involvement, allowing identification of high‐risk patients. Predominance of PHOX2B expression over TH has a strong adverse prognostic impact.
Refined structure of BeM9 reveals arginine hand, an overlooked structural motif in scorpion toxins affecting sodium channels
Authors: Kuldyushev Nikita A. , Mineev Konstantin S. , Berkut Antonina A. , Peigneur Steve , Arseniev Alexander S. , Tytgat Jan , Grishin Eugene V. , Vassilevski Alexander A.
Published: July 2018

Sodium channel alpha‐toxins from scorpion venom (α‐NaTx) inhibit the inactivation of voltage‐gated sodium channels. We used solution NMR to investigate the structure of BeM9 toxin from Mesobuthus eupeus scorpion, a prototype α‐NaTx classified as an “α‐like” toxin due to its wide spectrum of activity on insect and mammalian channels. We identified a new motif that we named “arginine hand,” whereby arginine side chain forms several hydrogen bonds with main chain atoms. The arginine hand was found in the “specificity module,” a part of the molecule that dictates toxin selectivity; and just single arginine‐to‐lysine point mutation drastically changed BeM9 selectivity profile.
Binding and structural studies of the complexes of type 1 ribosome inactivating protein from Momordica balsamina with uracil and uridine
Authors: Pandey Sada Nand , Iqbal Naseer , Singh Prashant K. , Rastogi Nilisha , Kaur Punit , Sharma Sujata , Singh Tej P.
Published: July 2018

Ribosome inactivating protein (RIP) catalyzes the cleavage of glycosidic bond formed between adenine and ribose sugar of ribosomal RNA to inactivate ribosomes. Previous structural studies have shown that RNA bases, adenine, guanine, and cytosine tend to bind to RIP in the substrate binding site. However, the mode of binding of uracil with RIP was not yet known. Here, we report crystal structures of two complexes of type 1 RIP from Momordica balsamina (MbRIP1) with base, uracil and nucleoside, uridine. The binding studies of MbRIP1 with uracil and uridine as estimated using fluorescence spectroscopy showed that the equilibrium dissociation constants (KD) were 1.2 × 10−6 M and 1.4 × 10−7 M respectively. The corresponding values obtained using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) were found to be 1.4 × 10−6 M and 1.1 × 10−7 M, respectively. Structures of the complexes of MbRIP1 with uracil (Structure‐1) and uridine (Structure‐2) were determined at 1.70 and 1.98 Å resolutions respectively. Structure‐1 showed that uracil bound to MbRIP1 at the substrate binding site but its mode of binding was significantly different from those of adenine, guanine and cytosine. However, the mode of binding of uridine was found to be similar to those of cytidine. As a result of binding of uracil to MbRIP1 at the substrate binding site, three water molecules were expelled while eight water molecules were expelled when uridine bound to MbRIP1.
Effects of solid aerosols on partially glaciated clouds
Authors: Kudzotsa Innocent , Phillips Vaughan. T. J. , Dobbie Steven
Published: July 2018

Sensitivity tests were conducted using a state‐of‐the‐art aerosol–cloud to investigate the key microphysical and dynamical mechanisms by which solid aerosols affect glaciated clouds. The tests involved simulations of two contrasting cases of deep convection—a tropical maritime case and a midlatitude continental case, in which solid aerosol concentrations were increased from their pre‐industrial (1850) to their present‐day (2010) levels. In the midlatitude continental case, the boosting of the number concentrations of solid aerosols weakened the updrafts in deep convective clouds, resulting in reduced snow and graupel production. Consequently, the cloud fraction and the cloud optical thickness increased with increasing ice nuclei (IN), causing a negative radiative flux change at the top of the atmosphere (TOA), that is, a cooling effect of −1.96 ± 0.29 W/m2. On the other hand, in the tropical maritime case, increased ice nuclei invigorated upper‐tropospheric updrafts in both deep convective and stratiform clouds, causing cloud tops to shift upwards. Snow production was also intensified, resulting in reduced cloud fraction and cloud optical thickness, hence a positive radiative flux change at the TOA—a warming effect of 1.02 ± 0.36 W/m2 was predicted.
Inter‐laboratory test for oxygen and hydrogen stable isotope analyses of geothermal fluids: Assessment of reservoir fluid compositions
Authors: Verma Mahendra P. , van Geldern Robert , Barth Johannes A.C. , Monvoisin Gael , Rogers Karyne , Grassa Fausto , Carrizo Daniel , Huertas Antonio Delgado , Kretzschmar Thomas , Villanueva‐Estrada Ruth Esther , Godoy José Marcus , Mostapa Roslanzairi , Cortés Hugo Alberto Durán
Published: July 2018

Rationale

Knowledge of the accuracy and precision for oxygen (δ18O values) and hydrogen (δ2H values) stable isotope analyses of geothermal fluid samples is important to understand geothermal reservoir processes, such as partial boiling‐condensation and encroachment of cold and reinjected waters. The challenging aspects of the analytical techniques for this specific matrix include memory effects and higher scatter of delta values with increasing total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations, deterioration of Pt‐catalysts by dissolved/gaseous H2S for hydrogen isotope equilibration measurements and isotope salt effects that offset isotope ratios determined by gas equilibration techniques.

Methods

An inter‐laboratory comparison exercise for the determination of the δ18O and δ2H values of nine geothermal fluid samples was conducted among eleven laboratories from eight countries (CeMIEGeo2017). The delta values were measured by dual inlet isotope ratio mass spectrometry (DI‐IRMS), continuous flow IRMS (CF‐IRMS) and/or laser absorption spectroscopy (LAS). Moreover, five of these laboratories analyzed an additional sample set at least one month after the analysis period of the first set. Statistical evaluation of all the results was performed to obtain the expected isotope ratios of each sample, which were then subsequently used in deep reservoir fluid composition calculations.

Results

The overall analytical precisions of the measurements were ± 0.2‰ for δ18O values and ± 2.0‰ for δ2H values within the 95% confidence interval.

Conclusions

The measured and calculated δ18O and δ2H values of water sampled at the weir box, separator and wellhead of geothermal wells suggest the existence of hydrogen and oxygen isotope‐exchange equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases at all sampling points in the well. Thus, both procedures for calculating the isotopic compositions of the deep geothermal reservoir fluid – using either the analytical data of the liquid phase at the weir box together with those of vapor at the separator or the analytical data of liquid and vapor phases at the separator –are equally valid.
Immersing First Graders in Poetry: A Genre Study Approach
Authors: Concannon‐Gibney Tara
Published: July 2018

Poetry has often been described as the neglected genre despite its potential to engage and motivate students of all abilities in reading and writing. Indeed, poetry provides an excellent forum for the development of literacy skills and strategies in a meaningful context. The author describes how a teacher implemented a poetry genre study in a first‐grade classroom. The author begins by delineating the need for poetry instruction in elementary classrooms and then outlines the structure of the genre study and the variety of teaching approaches used in both reading and writing contexts. The author also shares classroom resources and examples of the literature used to illustrate how the genre study was enacted in her particular context so readers might be enabled to adapt it to suit the needs of other learners.