bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Change management in an environment of ongoing primary health care system reform: A case study of Australian primary health care services
Authors: Javanparast Sara , Maddern Janny , Baum Fran , Freeman Toby , Lawless Angela , Labonté Ronald , Sanders David
Published: March 2017

Introduction/Background

Globally, health reforms continue to be high on the health policy agenda to respond to the increasing health care costs and managing the emerging complex health conditions. Many countries have emphasised PHC to prevent high cost of hospital care and improve population health and equity. The existing tension in PHC philosophies and complexity of PHC setting make the implementation and management of these changes more difficult. This paper presents an Australian case study of PHC restructuring and how these changes have been managed from the viewpoint of practitioners and middle managers.

Methods

As part of a 5‐year project, we interviewed PHC practitioners and managers of services in 7 Australian PHC services.

Findings

Our findings revealed a policy shift away from the principles of comprehensive PHC including health promotion and action on social determinants of health to one‐to‐one disease management during the course of study. Analysis of the process of change shows that overall, rapid, and top‐down radical reforms of policies and directions were the main characteristic of changes with minimal communication with practitioners and service managers. The study showed that services with community‐controlled model of governance had more autonomy to use an emergent model of change and to maintain their comprehensive PHC services.

Conclusions

Change is an inevitable feature of PHC systems continually trying to respond to health care demand and cost pressures. The implementation of change in complex settings such as PHC requires appropriate change management strategies to ensure that the proposed reforms are understood, accepted, and implemented successfully.
Effects of relational uncertainty in heightening national identification and reactive approach motivation of Japanese
Authors: Terashima Yuto , Takai Jiro
Published: March 2017

This study investigated whether relational uncertainty poses uncertainty threat, which causes compensatory behaviours among Japanese. We hypothesised that Japanese, as collectivists, would perceive relational uncertainty to pose uncertainty threat. In two experiments, we manipulated relational uncertainty, and confirmed that participants exhibited compensatory reactions to reduce aversive feelings due to it. In Study 1, we conducted direct comparison between relational uncertainty, independent self‐uncertainty and control conditions. The results revealed that participants who were instructed to imagine events pertaining to relational uncertainty heightened national identification as compensation than did participants in the control condition, but independent self‐uncertainty did not provoke such effects. In Study 2, we again manipulated relational uncertainty; however, we also manipulated participants' individualism‐collectivism cultural orientation through priming, and the analyses yielded a significant interaction effect between these variables. Relational uncertainty evoked reactive approach motivation, a cause for compensatory behaviours, among participants primed with collectivism, but not for individualism. It was concluded that the effect of uncertainty on compensatory behaviour is influenced by cultural priming, and that relational uncertainty is important to Japanese.
Evidence for persistent organochlorine pollutants in the human adrenal cortex
Authors: Fommei Enza , Turci Roberta , Ripoli Andrea , Balzan Silvana , Bianchi Fabrizio , Morelli Luca , Coi Alessio
Published: March 2017

Environmental pollutants may act as endocrine disruptors in animals. Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) enter the food chain and may accumulate in the fatty animal tissues, including adrenals. To our knowledge, no previous study has investigated their presence in the human normal adrenal (NA) cortex and aldosterone‐producing adenomas (APA). Surgical fragments of APA from 11 patients and NA from 8 kidney donors were analyzed for 16 PCBs congeners and 10 OCPs. A Matrix Solid‐Phase Dispersion (MSPD) method for simultaneous determination of the target compounds in cortex homogenates was developed. A gas‐chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (Triple Quad GC‐MS) system was used for the analysis. Data were analyzed using Random Forest and Wilcoxon's rank‐sum test. OCPs and PCBs were found in specimens from both types. A subset of pollutants characterized APA more than NA. Higher concentrations (μg g−1) in APA were observed for α‐, β‐, and γ‐ Hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) (1.48 ± 3.32 vs. 0.17 ± 0.19, P = 0.028; 2.81 ± 2.10 vs. 0.96 ± 0.98, P = 0.011; 2.16 ± 4.85 vs. 0.17 ± 0.26, P = 0.004, respectively), as well as for Hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and for PCBs 28, 52 and 101 (3.41 ± 3.11 vs. 0.97 ± 1.06, P = 0.021; 2.34 ± 4.68 vs. 0.25 ± 0.22, P = 0.039; 0.58 ± 1.19 vs. 0.06 ± 0.02, P = 0.002; 0.26 ± 0.43 vs. 0.05 ± 0.00, P = 0.001, respectively). Environmental organochlorine pollutants were shown to be present in the human normal and abnormal adrenal cortex, deserving future investigation on their possible role as adrenal endocrine disruptors in human disease. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Protective BCL11A and HBS1L‐MYB polymorphisms in a cohort of 102 Congolese patients suffering from sickle cell anemia
Authors: Mikobi Tite Minga , Tshilobo Lukusa Prosper , Aloni Michel Ntetani , Lumaka Aimé Zola , Kaba Didine Kinkodi , Devriendt Koenraad , Matthijs Gert , Mbuyi Muamba Jean Marie , Race Valérie
Published: March 2017

Background

We aimed to investigate the distribution of selected BCL11A and HMIP polymorphisms (SNP's), and to assess the correlation with HPFH in a cohort of sickle cell patients.

Methods

A preliminary cross‐sectional study was conducted in 102 patients. Group 1 was composed of patients with HPFH and Group 2 consisted of patients without HbF. We assessed 8 SNPs previously associated with HPFH in cohorts genetically close to the Congolese population. Observed frequencies were compared to expected frequencies.

Results

In the group 1, at rs7606173, the observed frequency for the genotype GG was significantly higher and the genotype GC was significantly lower than their respective expected frequencies. At rs9399137, the observed frequency of the genotype TT was significantly lower than expected. Conversely, the observed frequency of the genotype TC was significantly higher than expected. The observed frequency of the genotype TT at rs11886868 was significantly lower than the expected whereas the frequency of the genotype TC was significantly higher than observed. The lowest HbF level was recorded in patients with genotype CC at rs11886868.

Conclusion

In this preliminary study, the results demonstrate that alleles of some of the 8 studied SNPs are not randomly distributed among patients with or without HPFH in this cohort.
Synthesis of Some Novel Heterocycles Bearing Thiadiazoles as Potent Anti‐inflammatory and Analgesic Agents
Authors: Gomha Sobhi M. , Muhammad Zeinab A. , Gaber Hatem M. , Amin Mohamed M.
Published: March 2017

2‐Bromoacetyl‐3‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole derivative was synthesized and reacted with a number of heterocyclic amines to give a series of fused imidazole derivatives. Also, reaction of 2‐bromoacetyl‐3‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole with o‐phenylene diamine and 2‐aminothiophenol yielded the respective products. Moreover, reaction of 2‐bromoacetyl‐3‐phenyl‐1,3,4‐thiadiazole with thiourea, thiosemicarbazide, thiocarbahydrazide gave the respective thiazoles. The structures of all the novel products were elucidated on the basis of elemental analysis and spectral data. In addition, the biological activity of the newly synthesized compounds was evaluated, and the results obtained indicate their potency as anti‐inflammatory, analgesic, and anti‐ulcer agents. The binding mechanism of the most active compounds was studied using MOE to analyze the molecular interactions.
Epithelial crypts: A complex and enigmatic olfactory organ in African and South American lungfish (Lepidosireniformes, Dipnoi)
Authors: Wittmer Carolin , Nowack Christine
Published: March 2017

African lungfish (Protopterus) seem unique among osteognathostomes in possessing a potential vomeronasal organ homolog in form of accessory epithelial crypts within their nasal cavity. Many details regarding structural and functional properties of these crypts are still unexplored. In this study, we reinvestigate the issue and also present the first data on epithelial crypts in the South American lungfish Lepidosiren paradoxa. The nasal cavities of L. paradoxa and Protopterus annectens were studied using histology, scanning electron microscopy, and alcian blue and PAS staining. In both species, the epithelial crypts consist of a pseudostratified sensory epithelium and a monolayer of elongated glandular cells, in accordance with previously published data on Protopterus. In addition, we found a new second and anatomically distinct type of mucous cell within the duct leading into the crypt. These glandular duct cells are PAS positive, whereas the elongated glandular cells are stainable with alcian blue, suggesting distinct functions of their respective secretions. Furthermore, the two lungfish species show differently structured crypt sensory epithelia and external crypt morphology, with conspicuous bilaterally symmetrical stripes of ciliated cells in L. paradoxa. Taken together, our data suggest that stimulus transport into the crypts involves both ciliary movement and odorant binding mucus.
Hen egg yolk phosvitin stimulates osteoblast differentiation in the absence of ascorbic acid
Authors: Liu Qingli , Li Chunyan , Geng Fang , Huang Xi , Ma Meihu
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

Egg yolk phosvitin, one of the most highly phosphorylated extracellular matrix proteins known in nature, has a strong calcium binding and reducing capacity. Here, we investigated the effects of phosvitin on osteoblast differentiation and osteogenic gene expression in cultured mouse osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells by using alkaline phosphatase activity analysis, alizarin red S staining and real‐time PCR assay.

RESULTS

Alkaline phosphatase activity and alizarin red S staining analyses demonstrated no significant difference between differentiating MC3T3‐E1 cells cultured in the presence of phosvitin and those cultured in the presence of ascorbic acid after 21 days of differentiation. Our real‐time PCR assay also indicated the two groups were similar in the expression of the osteogenic gene markers, collagen type I, osteocalcin, runt‐related transcription factor 2, and bone morphogenetic protein‐2.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that phosvitin plays a similar role to that of ascorbic acid in osteoblast differentiation and mineralisation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Interaction of copper nanoparticles and an endophytic growth promoter Piriformospora indica with Cajanus cajan
Authors: Rajak Jyoti , Bawaskar Manisha , Rathod Dnyaneshwar , Agarkar Gauravi , Nagaonkar Dipali , Gade Aniket , Rai Mahendra
Published: March 2017

BACKGROUND

In recent years, agro‐bionanotechnology has paved the way towards revolutionizing current practices in the food and agricultural fields. In the present study, the effect of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) alone and in combination with the growth‐promoting fungus Piriformospora indica on 2‐week‐old seedlings of Cajanus cajan was evaluated. Gelatin‐coated stable CuNPs were synthesized by the chemical reduction method using hydrazine hydrate as a reducing agent.

RESULTS

CuNPs were characterized by using UV–visible spectroscopy, zeta potential measurement and transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles were found to be quite spherical with a diameter within the range 40 ± 10 nm. After the application of CuNPs and P. indica to the host plant C. cajan, the vitality of plants was determined using a Handy‐PEA (plant efficiency analyzer) instrument. Handy‐PEA analysis (which measures chlorophyll a fluorescence) indicated that seedlings inoculated with a combination of CuNPs and P. indica were the healthiest and also showed maximum vitality as compared to seedlings inoculated with CuNPs or P. indica alone.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that CuNPs in combination with P. indica can serve as a nanobiofertilizer for enhancement of the growth and productivity of C. cajan. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
The impact of body mass index and nuclear β‐catenin on survival in locally advanced rectal cancer treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy
Authors: Gomez‐Millan Jaime , Queipo Maria Isabel , del Mar Delgado Maria , Perez‐Villa Lidia , Roman Alicia , De la Portilla Fernando , Torres Esperanza , De Luque Vanessa , Bayo Eloisa , Medina Jose Antonio
Published: March 2017

Background and Objective

We examined the prognostic value of obesity and nuclear β‐catenin in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods

We prospectively recruited a total of 98 eligible patients with locally advanced cancer for preoperative radiochemotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision. Patients’ height and weight were reaorded before radiochemotherapy, and the immunohistochemical expression of nuclear β‐catenin was analyzed. Disease‐free survival (DFS) was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method and a Cox regression model was employed for the multivariate analysis.

Results

Obese patients were associated with a lower number of recurrences (3.6% vs. 34.3%, P = 0.001), and a higher DFS (95% vs. 53%; HR, 0.09; 95%CI, 0.01–0.64; P = 0.005) than non‐obese patients. In the multivariate analysis, body mass index, nuclear β‐catenin expression, and the absence of lymph node metastases showed a significant increase in DFS.

Conclusions

Obesity and nuclear β‐catenin are independent favorable prognostic factors for DFS in locally advanced cancer treated with preoperative radiochemotherapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2017;115:301–306. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Discrepancy between cTNM and pTNM staging of oral cavity cancers and its prognostic significance
Authors: Choi Nayeon , Noh Yangseop , Lee Eun Kyu , Chung Manki , Baek Chung‐Hwan , Baek Kwan‐Hyuck , Jeong Han‐Sin
Published: March 2017

Introduction

Accurate tumor‐node‐metastasis(TNM) staging of oral cavity cancer(OCC) is very important in the management of this dismal disease. However, stage migration from cTNM to pTNM was found in a portion of OCC patients. The objective of this study was to determine the possible causes of discrepancy between cTNM and pTNM in OCC and the clinical impacts of stage migration.

Methods

Clinical and pathological data of 252 OCC patients were retrospectively reviewed and compared each other. Clinical staging was determined through the multidisciplinary evaluation of pre‐treatment work‐ups including PET/CT. In addition, we compared the up‐staged cases with those in the no‐change group with the same pTNM stages to identify the clinical impacts of such change.

Results

Clinical staging yielded overall 82.5% diagnostic accuracy in predicting pathological tumor status, and tumor extent was under‐estimated in 9.5‐13.5% of cases. The main causes of T up‐staging were under‐estimation of surface dimension (62.5%) and deep invasion to tongue extrinsic muscles (37.5%). N up‐staging was due to occult single (57.6%) and multiple (42.4%) metastases. Surprisingly, TNM up‐staging in our series did not have prognostic significance under the current management protocol.

Conclusion

Clinical under‐estimation of pathological tumor extent occurred in approximately 13% of OCC, without clinical impacts on prognosis.
Radiofrequency ablation using a 10‐mm target margin for small hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with liver cirrhosis: A prospective randomized trial
Authors: Liao Mingheng , Zhong Xiaofei , Zhang Jingyi , Liu Yangyang , Zhu Zexin , Wu Hong , Zeng Yong , Huang Jiwei
Published: March 2017

Background And Objectives

To compare 3‐year clinical outcomes of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) targeting 5‐ or 10‐mm margins for small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

In total, 96 cirrhotic patients with a small solitary HCC (diameter ≤3 cm) were included in this prospective trial (ChiCTRTRC‐10000954). Patients were stratified by Child‐Pugh class and randomly allocated into groups targeting either wide margins (≥10 mm, WM) or narrow margins (≥5 mm but <10 mm, NM). RFA was performed under real‐time monitoring, and ablative margins were evaluated by pre‐ and post‐operative three‐dimensional registration on CT.

Results

The mean follow‐up time was 38.3 ± 4.8 months, 83.3% (40/48) of patients succeeded in obtaining a 10‐mm margin in WM group. Based on intention‐to‐treat analysis, the 3‐year incidences of local tumor progression (LTP) (14.9% vs 30.2%), intrahepatic recurrence (IHR) (15.0% vs 32.7%), and recurrence‐free survival (RFS) (31.7 ± 12.1 vs 24.0 ± 11.7 months) for WM group were significantly improved compared to NM group. Several prognostic factors were identified from univariate and multivariate analyses. Additionally, cirrhosis‐stratified subgroup analyses demonstrated significant survival benefits of WM in patients with Child‐Pugh class B cirrhosis.

Conclusions

RFA treatment targeting 10‐mm margin may reduce the risk of tumor recurrence in cirrhotic patients with a single small HCC.
Export of terrigenous dissolved organic matter in a broad continental shelf
Authors: Medeiros Patricia M. , Babcock‐Adams Lydia , Seidel Michael , Castelao Renato M. , Di Iorio Daniela , Hollibaugh James T. , Dittmar Thorsten
Published: March 2017

Export of terrigenous dissolved organic matter (DOM) from rivers to the ocean plays an important role in the carbon cycle. Observations from six research cruises in 2014 were used to characterize the seasonal evolution of terrigenous DOM in the shallow and broad South Atlantic Bight (SAB) shelf. While DOM with a strong terrigenous molecular, optical and isotopic signature was restricted to a coastal band early in the year, a plume with terrigenous DOM extended further to the shelf break in late spring. The offshore transport of this terrigenous DOM was consistent with wind‐driven advection in a surface Ekman layer. On time scales spanning about 1 month, the traceable riverine DOM compounds were mostly resistant to bio‐ and photo‐degradation, and the decrease in their relative abundance over the shelf following peak river discharge during spring was consistent with dilution of the river plume due to entrainment of oceanic water associated with wind‐driven mixing. Comparisons between optical absorbance measurements and ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry data revealed that the fraction of the DOM pool with a riverine signature in the SAB can be estimated using the spectral slope coefficient of chromophoric DOM in the 275–295 nm range. This finding opens up the possibility of observing the distribution of riverine DOM on the SAB shelf in high spatial resolution and by using remote sensing methods, a crucial step for quantifying shelf‐slope exchange and the fate of terrigenous DOM in shelf seas.
Insights into the loss factors of phytoplankton blooms: The role of cell mortality in the decline of two inshore Alexandrium blooms
Authors: Choi Chang Jae , Brosnahan Michael L. , Sehein Taylor R. , Anderson Donald M. , Erdner Deana L.
Published: March 2017

While considerable effort has been devoted to understanding the factors regulating the development of phytoplankton blooms, the mechanisms leading to bloom decline and termination have received less attention. Grazing and sedimentation have been invoked as the main routes for the loss of phytoplankton biomass, and more recently, viral lysis, parasitism, and programmed cell death (PCD) have been recognized as additional removal factors. Despite the importance of bloom declines to phytoplankton dynamics, the incidence and significance of various loss factors in regulating phytoplankton populations have not been widely characterized in natural blooms. To understand mechanisms controlling bloom decline, we studied two independent, inshore blooms of Alexandrium fundyense, paying special attention to cell mortality as a loss pathway. We observed increases in the number of dead cells with PCD features after the peak of both blooms, demonstrating a role for cell mortality in their terminations. In both blooms, sexual cyst formation appears to have been the dominant process leading to bloom termination, as both blooms were dominated by small‐sized gamete cells near their peaks. Cell death and parasitism became more significant as sources of cell loss several days after the onset of bloom decline. Our findings show two distinct phases of bloom decline, characterized by sexual fusion as the initial dominant cell removal processes followed by elimination of remaining cells by cell death and parasitism.
Differences in the carbon flows in the benthic food webs of abyssal hill and plain habitats
Authors: Durden Jennifer M. , Ruhl Henry A. , Pebody Corinne , Blackbird Sabena J. , van Oevelen Dick
Published: March 2017

Inputs of detritus from the surface ocean are an important driver of community dynamics in the deep sea. The assessment of the flow of carbon through the benthic food web gives insight into how the community is sustained, and its resilience to fluctuations in food supply. We used a linear inverse model to compare the carbon flow through the food webs on an abyssal hill and the nearby plain at the Porcupine Abyssal Plain sustained observatory (4850 m water depth; northeast Atlantic), to examine the partitioning of detrital input in these substantially different megafaunal communities. We found minimal variation in carbon flows at the plain over two years, but differences in the detrital inputs and in the processing of that carbon input between the hill and plain habitats. Suspension feeding dominated metazoan carbon processing on the hill, removing nearly all labile detritus input to the system. By contrast, half of all labile detritus was deposited and available for deposit feeders on the abyssal plain. This suggests that the biomass on the hill is dependent on a more variable carbon supply than the plain. The presence of millions of abyssal hills globally suggests that the high benthic biomass and respiration, and reduced deposition of detritus may be pervasive, albeit with varying intensity.
Recovering growth and grazing rates from nonlinear dilution experiments
Authors: Li Qian P. , Franks Peter J. S. , Landry Michael R.
Published: March 2017

Biological rate measurements provide critical information for understanding key processes and modeling future states of marine ecosystems. Experimentally derived rates can be challenging to interpret when methodological assumptions are untested or potentially violated under variable natural conditions, such as the assumed linear grazing response of the dilution technique for estimating rates of phytoplankton growth and microzooplankton grazing impact. Here, we show that grazing nonlinearity can be related to the ratio of initial phytoplankton biomass to the half‐saturation parameter in the Holling II model, while not being affected by varying grazer biomass during dilution experiments. From this, we present theory to recover growth and grazing rates from multi‐treatment dilution experiments with nonlinear grazing results. We test our analyses with data collected during the California Current Ecosystem‐Long‐Term Ecological Research (CCE‐LTER) program. We show that using a linear regression in 2‐treatment dilution experiments may lead to underestimates of microzooplankton grazing rates, particularly in high‐phytoplankton‐biomass coastal regions where grazing can be saturated. Using the Holling II grazing model and a correction factor, growth and grazing rates from 2‐treatment experiments can also be estimated, as illustrated by application to Lagrangian water‐tracking studies of growth and grazing dynamics in the CCE.
Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Dimethacrylates with Cleavable Ketal Sites: Precursors for Cleavable PEG‐Hydrogels
Authors: Pohlit Hannah , Leibig Daniel , Frey Holger
Published: March 2017

The authors introduce poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) based macromonomers containing acid‐labile ketal moieties as well as terminal methacrylate units that are amenable to radical polymerization. The synthesis of PEGs of different molecular weights (ranging from 2000 to 13 000 g mol−1 with polydispersities <1.15) with a central ketal unit (PEG‐ketal‐diol) and their conversion to PEG‐ketal‐dimethacrylates (PEG‐ketal‐DMA) is introduced. Degradation rates of both PEG‐ketal‐diols and PEG‐ketal‐DMA are investigated by in situ 1H NMR kinetic studies in deuterated phosphate buffer. Hydrogels containing 0, 5, or 10 wt% of PEG‐ketal‐DMA and 100, 95, or 90 wt% of PEG‐DMA, respectively, are synthesized and disintegration of the gels is investigated in buffer at different pH values. Visible disintegration of the gels appears at pH 5 for hydrogels containing PEG‐ketal‐DMA, whereas no visible degradation is observed at all at neutral pH or for PEG hydrogels without PEG‐ketal‐DMA.

image
On the strength of a weak variant of the axiom of counting
Authors: McKenzie Zachiri
Published: March 2017

In this paperis used to denote Jensen's modification of Quine's ‘new foundations’ set theory () fortified with a type‐level pairing function but without the axiom of choice. The axiomis the variant of the axiom of counting which asserts that no finite set is smaller than its own set of singletons. This paper shows thatproves the consistency of the simple theory of types with infinity (). This result implies thatproves that consistency of, and thatproves the consistency of.
B‐spline solution of fractional integro partial differential equation with a weakly singular kernel
Authors: Arshed Saima
Published: March 2017

The main objective of the paper is to find the approximate solution of fractional integro partial differential equation with a weakly singular kernel. Integro partial differential equation (IPDE) appears in the study of viscoelastic phenomena. Cubic B‐spline collocation method is employed for fractional IPDE. The developed scheme for finding the solution of the considered problem is based on finite difference method and collocation method. Caputo fractional derivative is used for time fractional derivative of order α, . The given problem is discretized in both time and space directions. Backward Euler formula is used for temporal discretization. Collocation method is used for spatial discretization. The developed scheme is proved to be stable and convergent with respect to time. Approximate solutions are examined to check the precision and effectiveness of the presented method.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 33: 1565–1581, 2017
Efficacy of environmental and acceptance‐based enhancements to behavioral weight loss treatment: The ENACT trial
Authors: Butryn Meghan L. , Forman Evan M. , Lowe Michael R. , Gorin Amy A. , Zhang Fengqing , Schaumberg Katherine
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study was designed to compare weight loss through a traditional behavioral treatment (BT) approach that integrated skills for managing the obesogenic food environment (BT + E) with an approach that integrated environmental and acceptance‐based skills (BT + EA). Moderators were examined as an exploratory aim.

Methods

Adults (N = 283) were randomly assigned to treatment condition and provided with 26 group‐based sessions over the course of 12 months. Weight was measured in the clinic at months 0, 6, and 12.

Results

Change in weight over time did not significantly differ by condition. However, race significantly moderated the effect of condition on weight loss (P = 0.04), such that African‐American participants lost less weight than non‐Hispanic white participants in the BT (6.2% vs. 11.5%) and BT + E conditions (6.6% vs. 12.2%), but weight loss in these two groups was similar in the BT + EA condition (9.4% vs. 11.5%). Among African Americans, rates of achieving a clinically significant weight loss (i.e., > 5%) at 12 months were higher in BT + EA (80%) than BT (57%) or BT + E (48%) (P = 0.04).

Conclusions

This innovative behavioral approach shows promise for treatment of African Americans, which is notable given the lack of progress to date addressing racial disparities in obesity intervention efficacy.
Prenatal high‐fat diet alters placental morphology, nutrient transporter expression, and mtorc1 signaling in rat
Authors: Song Lin , Sun Bo , Boersma Gretha J. , Cordner Zachary A. , Yan Jianqun , Moran Timothy H. , Tamashiro Kellie L.K.
Published: March 2017

Objective

This study aimed to determine how the rat placenta and fetus respond to maternal high‐fat (HF) diet during gestation and to identify the possible mechanisms.

Methods

Pregnant Sprague‐Dawley rats were fed with standard chow (13.5% fat) or HF (60% fat) diet during gestation. Placentas were collected on gestation day 21.

Results

HF dams had greater fat mass, higher plasma leptin, lower plasma adiponectin, and impaired glucose tolerance during pregnancy. The placental labyrinth thickness was reduced in both male and female fetuses of HF dams. In HF male placentas, glucose transporter 3 gene expression, system A amino acid transporter (SNAT) 2 gene expression, and SNAT2 protein expression were increased through the activation of the mTORC1 4EBP1 branch. In HF female placentas, gene expression of insulin‐like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and IGF2 receptor was elevated compared to placentas of females fed standard chow. Although male and female placentas responded differently to prenatal HF diet exposure, both male and female fetal weight was not altered by maternal HF diet.

Conclusions

Placenta responds and adapts to maternal metabolic changes by altering placental layer thickness, mTORC1 signaling, expression of nutrient transporters, and growth factors in a sex‐specific manner.
Size‐controllable synthesis of polymeric iodine‐carrying nanoparticles for medical CT imaging
Authors: Illert Patrick , Wängler Björn , Wängler Carmen , Röder Thorsten
Published: March 2017

Iodine‐carrying nanopolymers with particle sizes ranging from 30 to 930 nm were synthesized by microemulsion polymerization. 2‐Methacryloyloxyethyl(2,3,5‐triiodobenzoate) was used as the monomer. Different surfactants were tested to control the particle size. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and cetyltrimethylammonium chloride were used as cationic surfactants, and sodium oleate and sodium dodecyl sulfate acted as anionic surfactants. The influences of various reaction parameters, e.g. the amount of surfactant, amount of initiator, and the reaction temperature, were investigated. The particle size was highly adjustable through variation of the reaction parameters. The particles were imaged with an atomic force microscope. In addition, particle workup for further medical application was explored. The particles provided good visible computer tomography contrast. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Patterns of chemotherapy‐induced toxicities and outcome in children and adolescents with metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma: A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Gupta Abha A. , Chi Yueh‐Yun , Anderson James R. , Lyden Elizabeth , Weigel Brenda , Arndt Carola , Meyer William H. , Rosenberg Abby , Hawkins Douglas S.
Published: March 2017

Background

We sought to determine whether adolescents with metastatic alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) or embryonal RMS (ERMS) had a different event‐free survival (EFS) compared with younger patients, and to identify treatment‐related factors (adverse events, AEs) that may be associated with differences in outcome.

Methods

The prevalence of AEs in adolescents older than 13 years was compared with that in patients less than or equal to 13 years of age (Fisher exact test) in patients enrolled onto ARST0431. EFS by age and histology was compared by log–rank test.

Results

Of 109 patients, 60 (55%) were older than 13 years; they were more likely to have nausea (17 vs. 4%, P = 0.06) and pain (20 vs. 6%, P = 0.05) compared with younger patients. Adolescents were less likely to complete therapy (63 vs. 76%) and more likely to have unplanned dose modifications outside of protocol guidelines (23 vs. 2.7%). The 3‐year EFS was 26% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 15–38) for adolescents compared with 46% (95% CI: 32–60) for those less than or equal to 13 years (P = 0.011). Forty‐two (59%) adolescents with ARMS had a 3‐year EFS of 13% (95% CI: 2–23) compared with 30% (95% CI: 10–51) for those less than or equal to 13 years (P = 0.032). EFS was comparable between older and younger patients with ERMS (64 vs. 55%, P = 0.53).

Conclusions

Although there was a significant difference in EFS and protocol compliance by age, the differences in age‐related toxicity are unlikely to account for this. Observed differences in pain and nausea by age could be real or be dependent on patient reporting of symptoms. Future studies in RMS should include patient‐reported outcomes to better evaluate health‐related quality of life.
Severe transplant‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy in patients with hemoglobinopathies
Authors: Abusin Ghada A. , Abu‐Arja Rolla , Bajwa Rajinder P.S. , Horwitz Edwin M. , Auletta Jeffery J. , Rangarajan Hemalatha G.
Published: March 2017

Incidence and severity of transplant‐associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA‐TMA) in patients with hemoglobinopathies receiving hematopoietic cell transplant is unknown. We report the outcomes for two patients with TA‐TMA who received eculizumab. A 2.5‐year‐old male with sickle cell disease developed TA‐TMA‐associated pericardial tamponade, severe hypertension, and acute kidney injury 2 months after transplant. A 7‐year‐old female with β‐thalassemia major developed TA‐TMA‐related acute kidney injury, severe hypertension, and seizures at 6 months after transplant. Both patients progressed to chronic kidney disease (CKD). In patients with hemoglobinopathies, preexisting endothelial dysfunction may place them at a greater risk for TA‐TMA and subsequent CKD.
Interferon gamma and interleukin 10 polymorphisms in Chinese children with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: An Qi , Hu Shao‐Yan , Xuan Cheng‐Min , Jin Ming‐Wei , Ji Qiang , Wang Yi
Published: March 2017

Aim

The aim of the study is to investigate the association of interferon gamma (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms with the susceptibility of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in Chinese children without known family history of HLH.

Procedure

Forty children with HLH and 160 age‐ and gender‐matched healthy controls from Xuzhou Children's Hospital were enrolled in the study. Serum IFN‐γ and IL‐10 levels were measured by enzyme linked‐immunosorbent assay. Polymorphisms of the IFN‐γ gene at position +874 and +2109, and IL‐10 at position –1082 were analyzed by allele‐specific PCR.

Result

Median serum concentrations of IFN ‐γ and IL‐10 were significantly higher in children with HLH compared to healthy controls. The frequencies of IFN‐γ +874 T/A and T/T genotypes, as well as T allele, were significantly higher in the HLH group compared with those in the control group. The frequencies of IL‐10 ‐1082 G/A genotype and G allele were significantly increased in HLH patients compared with healthy controls. No significant difference was found in the distribution of IFN‐γ +2109G/A genotypes between children with HLH and controls.

Conclusion

This study presents preliminary evidence for the association between IFN +874 T/A, T/T, IL‐10 –1082 A/G genotypes, and HLH susceptibility in Chinese children with HLH.
Synthesis of poly(vinyl alcohol‐graft‐hyperbranched glycerol)
Authors: King Peter A. , Khosravi Ezat , Musa Osama M.
Published: March 2017

We report the first example of grafting hyperbranched polyglycerol onto poly(vinyl alcohol) via ring‐opening polymerisation of glycidol to prepare poly(vinyl alcohol‐graft‐hyperbranched glycerol) (P[(VA)‐g‐(hPG)]). The effects of catalyst, molecular weight of PVA, reaction temperature, water content, moles of reagent, and addition time of reagent were also investigated. P[(VA)‐g‐(hPG)] with various mole fractions of hPG were prepared and the degrees of substitution and branching were determined. P[(VA)‐g‐(hPG)] displayed decreased degree of crystallinity and also increased solubility in water, compared to PVA. P[(VA)‐g‐(hPG)] is shown to be a superior hair styling polymer with a curl retention value of 85% after 4 h. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 3041–3047
Information needs and decision‐making preferences of older women offered a choice between surgery and primary endocrine therapy for early breast cancer
Authors: Burton Maria , Kilner Karen , Wyld Lynda , Lifford Kate Joanna , Gordon Frances , Allison Annabel , Reed Malcolm , Collins Karen Anna
Published: March 2017

Objectives

To establish older women's (≥75 years) information preferences regarding 2 breast cancer treatment options: surgery plus adjuvant endocrine therapy versus primary endocrine therapy. To quantify women's preferences for the mode of information presentation and decision‐making (DM) style.

Methods

This was a UK multicentre survey of women, ≥75 years, who had been offered a choice between PET and surgery at diagnosis of breast cancer. A questionnaire was developed including 2 validated scales of decision regret and DM preferences.

Results

Questionnaires were sent to 247 women, and 101 were returned (response rate 41%). The median age of participants was 82 (range 75 to 99), with 58 having had surgery and 37 having PET. Practical details about the impact, safety, and efficacy of treatment were of most interest to participants. Of least interest were cosmetic outcomes after surgery. Information provided verbally by doctors and nurses, supported by booklets, was preferred. There was little interest in technology‐based sources of information. There was equal preference for a patient‐ or doctor‐centred DM style and lower preference for a shared DM style. The majority (74%) experienced their preferred DM style. Levels of decision regret were low (15.73, scale 0‐100).

Conclusions

Women strongly preferred face to face information. Written formats were also helpful but not computer‐based resources. Information that was found helpful to women in the DM process was identified. The study demonstrates many women achieved their preferred DM style, with a preference for involvement, and expressed low levels of decision regret.
N‐terminal chemical protein labeling using the naturally split GOS‐TerL intein
Authors: Bachmann Anne‐Lena , Mootz Henning D.
Published: March 2017

Chemoselective and regioselective chemical protein labeling is of great importance, yet no current technique is sufficiently general and simple to perform. Protein trans‐splicing by split inteins can be used to ligate short tags with chemical labels to either the N or the C terminus of a protein. The CysTag approach exploits split intein fragments without a cysteine fused with such a short tag containing a single cysteine that is easily amenable to selective modification using classical cysteine bioconjugation. Labeling of the protein of interest is achieved through transfer of the pre‐labeled tag by protein trans‐splicing. This protocol keeps other cysteines unmodified. While split inteins for C‐terminal CysTag labeling were previously reported, no high‐yielding and naturally split intein for N‐terminal labeling has been available. In this work, the recently discovered GOS‐TerL intein was explored as the only known naturally split intein that both lacks a cysteine in its N‐terminal fragment and is active under ambient conditions. Thioredoxin as a model protein and a camelid nanobody were labeled with a synthetic fluorophore by transferring the pre‐labeling CysTag in the protein trans‐splicing reaction with yields of about 50 to 90%. The short N‐terminal intein fragment was also chemically synthesized with a tag to enable protein labeling by semi‐synthetic protein trans‐splicing. Our results expand the scope of the CysTag labeling strategy, which achieves selective chemical modification without the requirement for sophisticated biorthogonal functional groups and rather builds on the plethora of commercially available reagents directed at the thiol side chain of cysteine. Copyright © 2017 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass spectral studies on 1‐n‐pentyl‐3‐(1‐naphthoyl)indole (JWH‐018), three deuterium‐labeled analogues and the inverse isomer 1‐naphthoyl‐3‐n‐pentylindole
Authors: Thaxton Amber , Belal Tarek S. , Smith Forrest , DeRuiter Jack , Abdel‐Hay Karim M. , Clark C. Randall
Published: March 2017

Rationale

A number of synthetic cannabinoids such as the 1‐alkyl‐3‐acylindoles are the target of significant designer drug activity. One of the first waves of these compounds identified in clandestine samples was 1‐n‐pentyl‐3‐(1‐naphthoyl)indole, JWH‐018. These totally synthetic molecules can be prepared in a number of regioisomeric forms.

Methods

The electron ionization mass spectrometric (EI‐MS) fragmentation of the 1‐n‐pentyl‐3‐(1‐naphthoyl)indole is compared to its inverse isomer 1‐naphthoyl‐3‐n‐pentylindole. These two substances are directly available from indole using identical precursor reagents and similar reaction conditions. Stable isotope deuterium labeling of the three major regions of the JWH‐018 molecule allows confirmation of the structures of the major fragment ions. The spectra for the 1‐n‐pentyl‐3‐(1‐naphthoyl)‐d5‐indole, 1‐n‐pentyl‐3‐(1‐d7‐naphthoyl)indole and 1‐d11‐n‐pentyl‐3‐(1‐naphthoyl)indole provide significant assistance in elucidating the structures for the major fragment ions in JWH‐018.

Results

The EI mass spectra for these isomers show a number of unique ions which allow for the differentiation of the 1‐alkyl‐3‐acylindole compounds from the inverse regioisomeric 1‐acyl‐3‐alkylindoles. The fragment ion [M–17]+ at m/z 324 for JWH‐018 was formed by the elimination of a hydroxyl radical and the spectra of the three deuterium‐labeled derivatives indicated the loss of hydrogen from the naphthalene ring. Further structural analogues suggest the hydrogen to come from the 8‐position of the naphthalene ring.

Conclusions

The three deuterium‐labeled analogues provide significant assistance in confirming the structures for the major fragment ions in the mass spectrum of the traditional synthetic cannabinoid compound, 1‐n‐pentyl‐3‐(1‐naphthoyl)indole, JWH‐018. The 1‐naphthoyl‐3‐n‐pentylindole inverse regioisomer can be easily differentiated from the traditional synthetic cannabinoid compound. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Use of on‐line supercritical fluid extraction‐supercritical fluid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry to analyze disease biomarkers in dried serum spots compared with serum analysis using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Suzuki Makoto , Nishiumi Shin , Kobayashi Takashi , Sakai Arata , Iwata Yosuke , Uchikata Takato , Izumi Yoshihiro , Azuma Takeshi , Bamba Takeshi , Yoshida Masaru
Published: March 2017

Rationale

The analytical stability and throughput of biomarker assays based on dried serum spots (DSS) are strongly dependent on the extraction process and determination method. In the present study, an on‐line system based on supercritical fluid extraction‐supercritical fluid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (SFE‐SFC/MS/MS) was established for analyzing the levels of disease biomarkers in DSS.

Methods

The chromatographic conditions were investigated using the ODS‐EP, diol, and SIL‐100A columns. Then, we optimized the SFE‐SFC/MS/MS method using the diol column, focusing on candidate biomarkers of oral, colorectal, and pancreatic cancer that were identified using liquid chromatography (LC)/MS/MS.

Results

By using this system, four hydrophilic metabolites and 17 hydrophobic metabolites were simultaneously detected within 15 min. In an experiment involving clinical samples, PC 16:0‐18:2/16:1‐18:1 exhibited 93.8% sensitivity and 64.3% specificity, whereas PC 17:1‐18:1/17:0‐18:2 showed 81.3% sensitivity and 92.9% specificity for detecting oral cancer. In addition, assessments of the creatine levels demonstrated 92.3% sensitivity and 78.6% specificity for detecting colorectal cancer.

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate that our method has great potential for clinical diagnosis and would be suitable for large‐scale screening. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Click here for mental health support: Extending mental health services to the isolated learner, Part 2
Authors: Russo Joseph V. , Bruce Mary Alice , Scull Reed
Published: March 2017

In Part One of this two‐part series (see the March 2017 issue), the authors discussed a pilot program to provide telemental health services to the University of Wyoming's distance learners. Among the first of its kind in the United States, the program is intended to offer telemental health services to distance learners that are similar to those provided to on‐campus students. Distance students are typically nontraditional learners, including older adults who may be returning to school to up skill or returning servicemen and ‐women seeking to finish a degree.
Beware perceived bias against respondents in Title IX–related cases
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: March 2017

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Recent court cases have demonstrated a renewed interest in the rights of and the perceived bias against the respondents in Title IX–related cases. To protect your institution from liability, you'll want to ensure your Title IX investigation and hearing procedures provide a fair and equitable process to the respondents — not just the complainants.
Who you are isn't who you will be
Authors: Kouzes Jim , Posner Barry
Published: March 2017

We've been writing and speaking about exemplary leadership for more than 30 years, and throughout that time there's one question people ask us more often than any other question. That most frequently asked question is some variation of “Are leaders born or made?”
Did university violate a student's Title IX rights?
Authors: Gelpi Aileen
Published: March 2017

Nefertiti Takla — a doctoral student at the University of California, Los Angeles — reported in 2013 to the university's Title IX coordinator, Pamela Thomason, that her dissertation advisor had been sexually harassing her for two years. Thomason purportedly discouraged Takla from filing a written request for a formal investigation, stating her advisor's peers might side with him. According to Takla, Thomason convinced her a truncated process called “Early Resolution” would be more efficient and would eliminate the need for Takla to testify before the academic senate.
Reduce the pain of budget cuts by emphasizing transparency, partnerships, communication
Authors: McCarthy Claudine
Published: March 2017

When budget cuts hit college campuses, student affairs professionals must find effective ways to rise to the challenge of leading their staff and students through challenging, stressful times.