bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Allergen immunotherapy: exploring areas for further inquiry
Authors: Ramsey Tam , Lai Wanda , Svider Peter F. , Hojjat Houmehr , Eloy Jean Anderson , Folbe Adam J.
Published: October 2017

Background

Allergy‐related illness impacts millions of individuals worldwide. Our objectives were to characterize current trends of clinical trials research relating to allergen immunotherapy and to describe the landscape of allergen immunotherapy in National Institutes of Health (NIH)‐supported research inquiry.

Methods

On ClinicalTrials.gov, the following terms were searched: allergen immunotherapy OR allergy immunotherapy. Variables, including completion status, dates, design, study population, funder, location, and allergen were recorded. The NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools (RePORTER) system was also used to gather relevant variables.

Results

A total of 372 clinical trials met inclusion criteria. The proportion of industry‐funded clinical trials has declined over 15 years. There has been a slow decline in pollen allergy immunotherapy research, with an increase in both food and animal allergy immunotherapy research. Otolaryngologists comprised only 6.4% of clinical trials principal investigators (PIs). There was a total adjusted NIH funding of $74,986,125 for the 118 total funding years.

Conclusion

Despite an immense interest in allergen immunotherapy, this analysis demonstrates that otolaryngologists represented a small proportion of PIs leading associated clinical trials and basic science inquiry. The proportion of trials with industry sponsorship has declined considerably in recent decades. These trends could help direct future resource allocation for allergen immunotherapy.
In vitro safety evaluation of human nasal epithelial cell monolayers exposed to carrageenan sinus wash
Authors: Ramezanpour Mahnaz , Murphy Jae , Smith Jason L.P. , Vreugde Sarah , Psaltis Alkis James
Published: October 2017

Background

Carrageenans have shown to reduce the viral load in nasal secretions and lower the incidence of secondary infections in children with common cold. Despite the widespread use of carrageenans in topical applications, the effect of carrageenans on the sinonasal epithelial barrier has not been elucidated. We investigate the effect of different carrageenans on the sinonasal epithelial barrier and inflammatory response in vitro.

Methods

Iota and Kappa carrageenan delivered in saline irrigation solutions applied to air‐liquid interface (ALI) cultures of primary human nasal epithelial cells from chronic rhinosinusitis patients and controls. Epithelial barrier structure was assessed by measuring the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and immunolocalization of F actin. Ciliary beat frequency (CBF), toxicity, and inflammatory response was studied.

Results

Kappa or Iota carrageenan in the different solutions was not toxic, did not have detrimental effects on epithelial barrier structure and CBF. Rather, application of Kappa carrageenan significantly increased TEER and suppressed interleukin 6 (IL‐6) secretion in ALI cultures from CRS patients.

Conclusion

Kappa or Iota carrageenan solution was safe and did not negatively affect epithelial barrier function. Kappa carrageenan increased TEER and decreased IL‐6 production in CRS patients, indicating positive effects on epithelial barrier function in vitro.
Isolated sphenoid sinus opacifications: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Moss William J. , Finegersh Andrey , Jafari Aria , Panuganti Bharat , Coffey Charles S. , DeConde Adam , Husseman Jacob
Published: October 2017

Background

Isolated sphenoid sinus opacifications (ISSOs) represent a relatively uncommon disease with the potential for serious complications. To better understand this disease, we performed a systematic review to further characterize the underlying pathologies, associated symptoms, and treatment outcomes of patients with ISSOs.

Methods

A systematic review of ISSO case series was performed utilizing the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases in accordance with guidelines established by PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses). Data of interest included disease pathology, associated symptoms, and treatment outcomes.

Results

Of the initial 1051 hits from the 4 databases, 17 articles, with a combined 1133 ISSO patients, were ultimately included in the review. On a weighted analysis, the underlying pathologies were classified as chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyps (CRSsNP) (28.3%), mucoceles (20.3%), fungal sinusitis (12.5%), malignant neoplasms (7.7%), intracranial lesions (7.0%), benign neoplasms (5.7%), chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) (3.4%), and other lesions (4.7%). Cranial neuropathies were present in 16.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10.1‐22.5%) of ISSO patients. A favorable surgical complication rate of 1.5% (95% CI, −0.1% to 3.2%) was found in patients undergoing surgery for an ISSO.

Conclusion

ISSOs are caused by diverse pathologies. Given the considerable rates of neoplastic disease and cranial neuropathies, patients affected by an ISSO should be monitored closely and treated aggressively. Prompt surgical intervention, with either diagnostic or therapeutic intent, is often indicated.
Biocatalytic Routes to Enantiomerically Enriched Dibenz[c,e]azepines
Authors: France Scott P. , Aleku Godwin A. , Sharma Mahima , Mangas‐Sanchez Juan , Howard Roger M. , Steflik Jeremy , Kumar Rajesh , Adams Ralph W. , Slabu Iustina , Crook Robert , Grogan Gideon , Wallace Timothy W. , Turner Nicholas J.
Published: October 2017

Biocatalytic retrosynthetic analysis of dibenz[c,e]azepines has highlighted the use of imine reductase (IRED) and ω‐transaminase (ω‐TA) biocatalysts to establish the key stereocentres of these molecules. Several enantiocomplementary IREDs were identified for the synthesis of (R)‐ and (S)‐5‐methyl‐6,7‐dihydro‐5H‐dibenz[c,e]azepine with excellent enantioselectivity, by reduction of the parent imines. Crystallographic evidence suggests that IREDs may be able to bind one conformer of the imine substrate such that, upon reduction, the major product conformer is generated directly. ω‐TA biocatalysts were also successfully employed for the production of enantiopure 1‐(2‐bromophenyl)ethan‐1‐amine, thus enabling an orthogonal route for the installation of chirality into dibenz[c,e]azepine framework.
Diastereoselective C−H Bond Amination for Disubstituted Pyrrolidines
Authors: Iovan Diana A. , Wilding Matthew J. T. , Baek Yunjung , Hennessy Elisabeth T. , Betley Theodore A.
Published: October 2017

We report herein the improved diastereoselective synthesis of 2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidines from aliphatic azides. Experimental and theoretical studies of the C−H amination reaction mediated by the iron dipyrrinato complex (AdL)FeCl(OEt2) provided a model for diastereoinduction and allowed for systematic variation of the catalyst to enhance selectivity. Among the iron alkoxide and aryloxide catalysts evaluated, the iron phenoxide complex exhibited superior performance towards the generation of syn 2,5‐disubstituted pyrrolidines with high diastereoselectivity.
Feedback Kinetics in Mechanochemistry: The Importance of Cohesive States
Authors: Hutchings Benjamin P. , Crawford Deborah E. , Gao Lei , Hu Peijun , James Stuart L.
Published: October 2017

Although mechanochemical synthesis is becoming more widely applied and even commercialised, greater basic understanding is needed if the field is to progress on less of a trial‐and‐error basis. We report that a mechanochemical reaction in a ball mill exhibits unusual sigmoidal feedback kinetics that differ dramatically from the simple first‐order kinetics for the same reaction in solution. An induction period is followed by a rapid increase in reaction rate before the rate decreases again as the reaction goes to completion. The origin of these unusual kinetics is found to be a feedback cycle involving both chemical and mechanical factors. During the reaction the physical form of the reaction mixture changes from a powder to a cohesive rubber‐like state, and this results in the observed reaction rate increase. The study reveals that non‐obvious and dynamic rheological changes in the reaction mixture must be appreciated to understand how mechanochemical reactions progress.
Ligand‐ and Solvent‐Controlled Regio‐ and Chemodivergent Carbonylative Reactions
Authors: Peng Jin‐Bao , Wu Xiao‐Feng
Published: October 2017

The development of highly selective procedures is one of the core goals in organic chemistry. Among the known organic transformations, carbonylation reactions present an ideal choice for the preparation of carbonyl‐containing compounds. In this review, the recent achievements on the control of the selectivity for carbonylation reactions have been summarized. The effects of ligands, solvents, and bases on the selectivity are been discussed.
Predictive Validity of Radiographic Trabecular Bone Texture in Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Kraus Virginia Byers , Collins Jamie E. , Charles H. Cecil , Pieper Carl F. , Whitley Lawrence , Losina Elena , Nevitt Michael , Hoffmann Steve , Roemer Frank , Guermazi Ali , Hunter David J. ,   the OA Biomarkers Consortium
Published: October 2017

Objective

To evaluate radiographic subchondral trabecular bone texture (TBT) as a predictor of clinically relevant osteoarthritis (OA) progression (combination of symptom and structural worsening).

Methods

The Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (FNIH) OA Biomarkers Consortium undertook a study of progressive knee OA cases (n = 194 knees with both radiographic and pain progression over 24–48 months) and comparators (n = 406 OA knees not meeting the case definition). TBT parameters were extracted from a medial subchondral tibial region of interest by fractal signature analysis of radiographs using validated semiautomated software. Baseline TBT and time‐integrated values over 12 and 24 months were evaluated for association with case status and separately with radiographic and pain progression status, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, race, baseline Kellgren/Lawrence grade, baseline joint space width, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index pain score, and pain medication use. C statistics were generated from receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

Relative to comparators, cases were characterized by thinner vertical and thicker horizontal trabeculae. The summed composite of 3 TBT parameters at baseline and over 12 and 24 months best predicted case status (odds ratios 1.24–1.43). The C statistic for predicting case status using the TBT composite score (0.633–0.649) was improved modestly but statistically significantly over the use of covariates alone (0.608). One TBT parameter, reflecting thickened horizontal trabeculae in cases, at baseline and over 12 and 24 months, predicted risk of any progression (radiographic and/or pain progression).

Conclusion

Although associations are modest, TBT could be an attractive means of enriching OA trials for progressors since it can be generated from screening knee radiographs already standard in knee OA clinical trials.
Analyse des Ressourceneinsatzes und der Umweltwirkung von detailliert modellierten Außenwandaufbauten
Authors: Schwede Dirk , Störl Elke
Published: October 2017

Fünf Außenwandkonstruktionen unterschiedlicher Bauweisen mit gleichem U‐Wert (konform zur EnEV 2014) werden hinsichtlich des Ressourcenbedarfs (Primärenergie) und der Umweltwirkung (Treibhausgaspotenzial) analysiert. Die Bauteilaufbauten wurden detailliert modelliert, sodass die Analyse neben den funktionsbestimmenden Bauteilschichten auch den Einfluss der Befestigungsmittel und der Sekundärkonstruktionselemente abbildet. Bauteilaufbauten werden getrennt nach Material‐ und Funktionsgruppen ökologisch bewertet.

Zum einen wird gezeigt, dass einzelne Materialgruppen und besonders auch Elemente der Sekundärkonstruktion, Befestigungsmittel und Kleinteile in der Konstruktion zwar in der Massenbilanz marginale Bedeutung haben, aber doch überdurchschnittlich zum Ressourceneinsatz und zur Umweltwirkung beitragen. Auf der anderen Seite wird gezeigt, dass zusätzliche Dämmschichtdicken (über das heute übliche Maß hinaus) in der Gesamtbilanz des Gebäudes nur einen geringen Anteil am Ressourceneinsatz und der Umweltwirkung hätten. So wird argumentiert, dass die Analyse des Ressourceneinsatzes und der Umweltwirkungen und die entsprechende Optimierung von Bauelementen parallel zur bauphysikalischen und konstruktiven Durchbildung durchgeführt werden sollte. Die Gesamtbilanzierung des Gebäudes im Lebenszyklus hingegen liefert bei erheblichem Aufwand für die Planer nur einen geringen Nutzen für die Optimierung von nachhaltigen Gebäuden.
Selection of composite binary endpoints in clinical trials
Authors: Bofill Roig Marta , Gómez Melis Guadalupe
Published: October 2017

The choice of a primary endpoint is an important issue when designing a clinical trial. It is common to use composite endpoints as a primary endpoint because it increases the number of observed events, captures more information and is expected to increase the power. However, combining events that have no similar clinical importance and have different treatment effects makes the interpretation of the results cumbersome and might reduce the power of the corresponding tests. Gómez and Lagakos proposed the ARE (asymptotic relative efficiency) method to choose between a composite or one of its components as primary endpoint comparing the efficacy of a treatment based on the times to each of these endpoints. The aim of this paper is to expand the ARE method to binary endpoints. We show that the ARE method depends on six parameters including the degree of association between components, event proportion, and effect of therapy given by the corresponding odds ratio of the single endpoints. A case study is presented to illustrate the methodology. We conclude with efficient guidelines for discerning which could be the best suited primary endpoint given anticipated parameters.
Synthesis of carbon‐based quantum dots from starch extracts: Optical investigations
Authors: Al‐Douri Y. , Badi N. , Voon C. H.
Published: October 2017

Carbon‐based quantum dots (C‐QDs) were synthesized through microwave‐assisted carbonization of an aqueous starch suspension mediated by sulphuric and phosphoric acids. The as‐prepared C‐QDs showed blue, green and yellow luminescence without the addition of any surface‐passivating agent. The C‐QDs were further analyzed by UV−vis spectroscopy to measure the optical response of the organic compound. The energy gaps revealed narrow sizing of C‐QDs in the semiconductor range. The optical refractive index and dielectric constant were investigated. The C‐QDs size distribution was characterized. The results suggested an easy route to the large scale production of C‐QDs materials.
Discovery of a Potentially New Subfamily of ELFV Dehydrogenases Effective for l‐Arginine Deamination by Enzyme Mining
Authors: Wu Wenjun , Zhang Ye , Huang Jinhai , Wu Yao , Liu Dehua , Chen Zhen
Published: October 2017

Discovery of enzymes with new functions is very important for de novo pathway design in synthetic biology. Amino acid dehydrogenases catalyze the oxidative deamination of an amino acid to its keto acid, which are widely used for the production of various valuable chemicals. To discover amino acid dehydrogenases with new functions, the authors reevaluate the sequence variability and substrate diversity of ELFV dehydrogenases superfamily in this study. With insights gained from structural and sequential studies, the authors develop an in silico strategy and discover a new category of proteins which are originally annotated as glutamate dehydrogenase but show altered conservation pattern of specificity determined motifs and completely different substrate spectrum. These proteins cannot catalyze the deamination of glutamate and other canonical amino acids except the positively charged amino acid l‐arginine, representing a potentially new subfamily of ELFV dehydrogenases. The strategy utilized in this study can also be applied for discovering other useful enzymes.
Gas Sparger Orifice Sizes and Solid Particle Characteristics in a Bubble Column – Relative Effect on Hydrodynamics and Mass Transfer
Authors: Wongwailikhit Kritchart , Warunyuwong Passaworn , Chawaloesphonsiya Nattawin , Dietrich Nicolas , Hébrard Gilles , Painmanakul Pisut
Published: October 2017

The relative effects of the size of gas sparger orifices and properties of solid particles on gas‐liquid mass transfer are not yet fully understood. Here, the impact of sparger orifice sizes, solid particle shapes, and their loading amounts in a bubble column reactor on the absorption of oxygen in tap water was investigated. Their influence on the mass transfer coefficient and bubble hydrodynamic parameters was evaluated. The results show that the addition of solid particles can have both positive and negative effects on hydrodynamics and mass transfer, depending on the orifice size of the gas sparger. The introduction of ring‐shaped solid particles can improve the mass transfer rate by up to 28 % without requiring any significant additional power.
Li2NH‐LiBH4: a Complex Hydride with Near Ambient Hydrogen Adsorption and Fast Lithium Ion Conduction
Authors: Wang Han , Cao Hujun , Zhang Weijin , Chen Jian , Wu Hui , Pistidda Claudio , Ju Xiaohua , Zhou Wei , Wu Guotao , Etter Martin , Klassen Thomas , Dornheim Martin , Chen Ping
Published: October 2017

Complex hydrides have played important roles in energy storage area. Here a complex hydride made of Li2NH and LiBH4 was synthesized, which has a structure tentatively indexed using an orthorhombic cell with a space group of Pna21 and lattice parameters of a=10.121, b=6.997, and c=11.457 Å. The Li2NH‐LiBH4 sample (in a molar ratio of 1:1) shows excellent hydrogenation kinetics, starting to absorb H2 at 310 K, which is more than 100 K lower than that of pristine Li2NH. Furthermore, the Li+ ion conductivity of the Li2NH‐LiBH4 sample is about 1.0×10−5 S cm−1 at room temperature, and is higher than that of either Li2NH or LiBH4 at 373 K. Those unique properties of the Li2NH‐LiBH4 complex render it a promising candidate for hydrogen storage and Li ion conduction.
A NiCo2O4 Shell on a Hollow Ni Nanorod Array Core for Water Splitting with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Performance
Authors: Wang Luyu , Gu Changdong , Ge Xiang , Zhang Jialei , Zhu Hongyi , Tu Jiangping
Published: October 2017

Nickel cobaltite (NiCo2O4) nanostructures have been considered as promising bifunctional electrocatalyst materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolyte. However, the activity of these materials toward overall water splitting is still unsatisfactory because a larger voltage is needed to drive the reactions. This study shows that more‐efficient bifunctional catalysts based on NiCo2O4 materials can be obtained by adopting an integrated composite electrode with robust hollow structures. This novel electrode is constructed by the growth of hollow Ni@NiCo2O4 nanorod arrays on three‐dimensional (3D) Ni foam. The interlayer of Ni hollow nanorods is conformally covered by NiCo2O4 nanosheets, providing large surface area and fast electron transport. Benefiting from these integrated characteristics, the hollow Ni@NiCo2O4 electrode as an oxygen evolution electrocatalyst can deliver a low overpotential of 270 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and present excellent electrochemical durability. Meanwhile, the HER performance also impressive, with an overpotential of about 87 mV at 10 mA cm−2. As a result, the hollow Ni@NiCo2O4 electrode as a bifunctional catalyst can achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 with a voltage of only 1.58 V, showing promise for high performance yet cheap electrocatalysts for the overall water splitting reactions.
Determinants of Corporate Climate Change Disclosure for European Firms
Authors: Giannarakis Grigoris , Zafeiriou Eleni , Arabatzis Garyfallos , Partalidou Xanthi
Published: October 2017

This study identifies the determinants of climate change disclosure under the prism of sustainable development in European context. The selected variables involve environmental performance, ownership structure, and verification of climate change initiatives. Cross‐sectional data derived from the Bloomberg terminal of the European 500 index concerning 215 firms in the year 2014 are employed. The novelty of the present study stands on the use of proxies for climate change disclosure by adopting the Climate Performance Leadership Index (CPLI). The results reveal that better environmental performance positively affects the level of climate change disclosure. In addition, governmental ownership and independent verification of environmental data determine climate change disclosure. Thus, climate change disclosure is thought to be an effective managerial tool for shareholders and stakeholders to superintend corporate management limiting information asymmetry level; furthermore, higher environmental performers prefer actual climate change disclosure providing a plausible signal. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment
Insight into the population structure of hardhead silverside,Atherinomorus stipes(Teleostei: Atherinidae), in Belize and the Florida Keys usingnd2
Authors: Nash Chloe M. , Kraczkowski Michelle L. , Chernoff Barry
Published: October 2017

Little is known about the natural history, biology, and population genetic structure of the Hardhead Silverside,Atherinomorus stipes,a small schooling fish found around islands throughout the Caribbean. Our field observations ofA. stipesin the cays of Belize and the Florida Keys found that populations tend to be in close association with the shoreline in mangrove habitats. Due to this potential island‐based population structuring,A. stipesrepresents an ideal system to examine questions about gene flow and isolation by distance at different geographic scales. For this study, the mitochondrial genend2was amplified from 394 individuals collected from seven different Belizean Cays (N = 175) and eight different Floridian Keys (N = 219). Results show surprisingly high haplotype diversity both within and between island‐groups, as well as a high prevalence of unique haplotypes within each island population. The results are consistent with models that require gene flow among populations as well as in situ evolution of rare haplotypes. There was no evidence for an isolation by distance model. Thend2gene tree consists of two well‐supported monophyletic groups: a Belizean‐type clade and a Floridian‐type clade, indicating potential species‐level differentiation.
Double‐Rounds–Driven Electromagnetic Analysis Attack for a Lightweight Block Cipher Simeck and its Evaluation
Authors: NOZAKI YUSUKE , IKEZAKI YOSHIYA , YOSHIKAWA MASAYA
Published: October 2017

Since Internet of Things (IoT) has been widely used, embedded devices have the risk of illegal attacks. Therefore, lightweight block ciphers, which can be implemented on embedded devices in small area, have attracted attention as the countermeasure. Simeck is a new lightweight block cipher that can be implemented in the smallest area among lightweight block ciphers. Recently, regarding the security of a cryptographic circuit, the risk of electromagnetic analysis attack has been reported. However, no study of electromagnetic analysis attack for Simeck has been reported. Therefore, this study proposes a new electromagnetic analysis attack for a lightweight block cipher Simeck. The proposed method performs the analysis using double rounds. Moreover, the proposed method performs build‐in processing using already known information and realizes the high attack accuracy. To our knowledge, this is the first attack for Simeck. Experiments using an actual device introduce the vulnerability of Simeck and the validity of the proposed method.
Basic Study on the Anechoic Chamber for Receiver Evaluation of the Next Generation Wireless Communication Terminal
Authors: KOBAYASHI KAZUHIKO , MURAYAMA KENTARO , YASUDA MAYA , SAEGUSA KENJI
Published: October 2017

The 4G system (LTE‐Advanced) and the 5G system as the next generation mobile communication are shifting to broadband communication using wider bandwidth for higher data rate than conventional system. For example, carrier aggregation technology is in the 4G, and millimeter wave is planning to be used in the 5G to expand frequency range. Therefore, as the evaluation environment for mobile communication terminal including the antenna performance are needed in the wider bandwidth and the higher frequency range. In this paper, as the receiver evaluation environment, we focused the anechoic chamber which is high convenience and low cost and we describe possibility of applying it to evaluation for mobile terminal in the frequency range from 700 MHz to 3 GHz. First, we clarify issue of current anechoic chamber for the receiver evaluation. And then, from BER characteristic, we show necessary QZ level and miniaturization size of anechoic chamber for the receiver evaluation. As a result, they are obtained that QZ level is −30 dB or less and miniaturization internal size of chamber is SX = 900 mm, Sy = Sz = 650 mm by applying horn antenna as source of wave.
Far‐Infrared Absorption of Deoxyribonucleic Acid with Thymine
Authors: KITAMURA AYANO , KOMATSU MARINA , MIZUNO MAYA , KOJIMA HIROAKI , OHKI YOSHIMICHI
Published: October 2017

Recently, attempts to use deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) as an industrially important substance have been emerging. For that purpose, easy and convenient determination of the high‐order structure of DNA is desirable. In this research, we measured far‐infrared absorption spectra of various synthetic single‐stranded DNAs, each with an identical base in its nucleotides, and found that DNAs with different bases exhibit different spectra. We also demonstrated that the number of thymine bases on a single‐stranded DNA can be estimated from the spectra.
Two‐stage damage detection algorithms of structure using modal parameters identified from recursive subspace identification
Authors: Chen Jun‐Da , Loh Chin‐Hsiung
Published: October 2017

Structural damage assessment under external loading, such as earthquake excitation, is an important issue in structural safety evaluation. In this regard, appropriate data analysis and feature extraction techniques are required to interpret the measured data and to identify the state of the structure and, if possible, to detect the damage. In this study, the recursive subspace identification with Bona‐fide LQ renewing algorithm (RSI‐BonaFide‐Oblique) incorporated with moving window technique is utilized to identify modal parameters such as natural frequencies, damping ratios, and mode shapes at each instant of time during the strong earthquake excitation. From which the least square stiffness method (LSSM) combined with the model updating technique, called efficient model correction method (EMCM), is used to estimate the first‐stage system stiffness matrix using the simplified model from the previously identified modal parameters (nominal model). In the second stage, 2 different damage assessment algorithms related to the nominal system stiffness matrix were derived. First, the model updating technique, called EMCM, is applied to correct the nominal model by the newly identified modal parameters during the strong motion. Second, the element damage index can be calculated using element damage index method (EDIM) to quantify the damage extent in each element. Verification of the proposed methods through the shaking table test data of 2 different types of structures and a building earthquake response data is demonstrated to specify its corresponding damage location, the time of occurrence during the excitation, and the percentage of stiffness reduction.
Developing a Machine‐Supported Coding System for Constructed‐Response Items in PISA
Authors: Yamamoto Kentaro , He Qiwei , Shin Hyo Jeong , von Davier Matthias
Published: October 2017

Approximately a third of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) items in the core domains (math, reading, and science) are constructed‐response items and require human coding (scoring). This process is time‐consuming, expensive, and prone to error as often (a) humans code inconsistently, and (b) coding reliability in international large‐scale assessments varies across items and countries. The shift in PISA 2015 from paper‐ to computer‐based assessment digitized all responses and associated coding, thus providing opportunities to introduce technology and analytical methods to improve data processing and analyses in future cycles. In this computer‐based setting, this research explains the framework and approach for improving the accuracy and efficiency of the coding process in constructed‐response items for future PISA cycles. In the pilot study associated with this research, we demonstrate how the proposed machine‐supported coding system can be utilized using sample reading items from the PISA 2015 cycle.
Generation of safe and therapeutically effective human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived hepatocyte‐like cells for regenerative medicine
Authors: Takayama Kazuo , Akita Naoki , Mimura Natsumi , Akahira Rina , Taniguchi Yukimasa , Ikeda Makoto , Sakurai Fuminori , Ohara Osamu , Morio Tomohiro , Sekiguchi Kiyotoshi , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki
Published: October 2017

Hepatocyte‐like cells (HLCs) differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are expected to be applied for regenerative medicine. In this study, we attempted to generate safe and therapeutically effective human iPS‐HLCs for hepatocyte transplantation. First, human iPS‐HLCs were generated from a human leukocyte antigen‐homozygous donor on the assumption that the allogenic transplantation might be carried out. Highly efficient hepatocyte differentiation was performed under a feeder‐free condition using human recombinant laminin 111, laminin 511, and type IV collagen. The percentage of asialoglycoprotein receptor 1‐positive cells was greater than 80%, while the percentage of residual undifferentiated cells was approximately 0.003%. In addition, no teratoma formation was observed even at 16 weeks after human iPS‐HLC transplantation. Furthermore, harmful genetic somatic single‐nucleotide substitutions were not observed during the hepatocyte differentiation process. We also developed a cryopreservation protocol for hepatoblast‐like cells without negatively affecting their hepatocyte differentiation potential by programming the freezing temperature. To evaluate the therapeutic potential of human iPS‐HLCs, these cells (1 × 106 cells/mouse) were intrasplenically transplanted into acute liver injury mice treated with 3 mL/kg CCl4 only once and chronic liver injury mice treated with 0.6 mL/kg CCl4 twice weekly for 8 weeks. By human iPS‐HLC transplantation, the survival rate of the acute liver injury mice was significantly increased and the liver fibrosis level of chronic liver injury mice was significantly decreased. Conclusion: We were able to generate safe and therapeutically effective human iPS‐HLCs for hepatocyte transplantation. (Hepatology Communications 2017;1:1058–1069)
Neoadjuvant radiation therapy for the management of myoepithelial carcinoma of the upper extremity
Authors: Kabarriti Rafi , Quinn Thomas J. , Ewart Michelle R. , Mehta Keyur J. , Lomita Craig , Geller David S. , Kalnicki Shalom , Fox Jana L.
Published: October 2017

Myoepithelial tumors of the soft tissue are a rare tumor displaying myoepithelial elements and lacking obvious ductal differentiation. The rarity of these precludes any evidence‐based consensus regarding optimal management. Nevertheless, the current approach to these lesions begins with amputation or complete excision. The efficacy of neoadjuvant or adjuvant radiation therapy or chemotherapy has not been established. Here, we present the first report to the authors’ knowledge of neoadjuvant radiation therapy for the treatment of this rare soft tissue neoplasm and review the management and outcomes of published cases of myoepithelial carcinoma. A patient with a soft tissue myoepithelial carcinoma that declined both amputation and chemotherapy was treated with neoadjuvant radiation therapy and wide surgical excision followed by a brachytherapy boost to the resected tumor bed. Neoadjuvant radiation therapy resulted in an excellent response with extensive treatment‐related changes consisting predominantly of fibrosis, hyalinization and hemorrhage and only 10% residual viable myoepithelial carcinoma present in the surgical specimen.
Decomposition of socioeconomic inequalities in preterm deliveries in Tehran, Iran
Authors: Omani‐Samani Reza , Mansournia Mohammad A. , Almasi‐Hashiani Amir , Sepidarkish Mahdi , Safiri Saeid , Khedmati Morasae Esmaeil , Amini Rarani Mostafa
Published: October 2017

Objective

To investigate associations between economic inequality in preterm delivery.

Methods

The present secondary analysis included cross‐sectional data collected in interviews with patients following delivery at 103 hospitals in Tehran, Iran, between July 6 and 21, 2015. Principal component analysis was used to measure the socioeconomic status of participants and the concentration index was used to measure inequalities in preterm delivery among patients of different socioeconomic status.

Results

Data were included from 5170 patients. The concentration index for preterm delivery was 0.087 (95% confidence interval 0.036–0.134), indicating that preterm deliveries were concentrated among patients with higher socioeconomic status. Higher socioeconomic status (94%), younger maternal age (29%), younger paternal age (21%), and being a homemaker (17%) had the highest positive contributions to the measured inequalities in preterm deliveries; vaginal delivery (–58%) had the highest negative contribution.

Conclusion

Preterm deliveries were distributed unequally among the study patients in Iran, and were concentrated among patients of higher socioeconomic status. Alongside future etiological studies, reproductive programs in Iran should focus on this population to redress the observed inequality.
Evaluation of collagen foam, poly(l‐lactic acid) nanofiber mesh, and decellularized matrices for corneal regeneration
Authors: Aslan Bahar , Guler Selcan , Tevlek Atakan , Aydin Halil Murat
Published: October 2017

Corneal tissue engineering efforts to obtain corneal tissue matrices through various types of materials for the replacement of damaged tissues. In this study, three different corneal constructs were prepared and evaluated in terms of morphological, optical, and biological characteristics. Type‐I collagen was used to obtain collagen foam scaffolds through dehydrothermal crosslinking, while poly(l‐lactic acid) (PLLA) was used to produce both random and aligned oriented electrospun corneal constructs. Bovine corneas were decellularized as third matrix. Software analyses showed that average pore size of collagen scaffolds was 88.207 ± 29.7 µm, while the average fiber diameter of aligned and random PLLA scaffolds were 0.69 ± 0.03 and 0.65 ± 0.03 μm, respectively. Degradation profiles revealed that collagen foam exhibits high degradation (20% mass loss) while electrospun PLLA scaffolds hold low degradation (9% mass loss) rates at day‐28. Transmittance values of the obtained scaffolds were calculated as 92, 80, and 70% for collagen, PLLA, and decellularized cornea constructs, respectively. The evaluation of stromal keratocyte behavior on the constructs revealed that the cells exhibited their own morphology mostly on the aligned PLLA constructs, while they were mostly active on random PLLA electrospun corneal scaffolds. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2157–2168, 2018.
Bone Strength in Girls and Boys After a Distal Radius Fracture: A 2-Year HR-pQCT Double Cohort Study
Authors: Macdonald Heather M , Määttä Mikko , Gabel Leigh , Mulpuri Kishore , McKay Heather A
Published: October 2017

We recently reported impaired bone strength in girls with low- to moderate-energy distal radius fractures (Fx) compared with girls with no history of forearm fractures (Non-Fx). We aimed to determine whether bone strength deficits observed at baseline were still present after 2 years. We assessed bone strength, microarchitecture, and bone mineral density (BMD) of the non-fractured (Fx) and non-dominant (Non-Fx) distal radius (7% site) at baseline, 12, and 24 months using high-resolution pQCT (Scanco Medical, Brüttisellen, Switzerland) in 104 girls (aged 11.0 ± 1.7 years; 47 Fx, 57 Non-Fx) and 157 boys (aged 12.7 ± 1.7 years; 86 Fx, 71 Non-Fx). Bone outcomes included total area (Tt.Ar) and bone mineral density (Tt.BMD), trabecular bone volume ratio (BV/TV), thickness (Tb.Th), separation (Tb.Sp), and number (Tb.N), and cortical BMD (Ct.BMD), thickness (Ct.Th), and porosity (Ct.Po). We used finite element analysis to estimate bone strength (failure load [F.Load]; ultimate stress [U.Stress]; load-to-strength ratio). We used sex-specific mixed-effects models to compare bone outcomes between Fx and Non-Fx over 2 years. In girls, those with fractures had 18% to 24% lower U.Stress and 5% to 9% lower Tt.BMD than Non-Fx at all time points (p < 0.017). In secondary analysis by fracture degree, girls with low-energy (LE) fractures had 19% to 21% lower F.Load, 25% to 47% lower U.Stress, 11% to 14% lower Tt.BMD, and 11% to 15% lower BV/TV than Non-Fx at all time points (p < 0.017). In contrast, boys’ bone outcomes were similar between Fx and Non-Fx at all time points. In secondary analysis by fracture degree, boys with LE fractures had 10% lower Tt.BMD and 10% lower Ct.Th compared with Non-Fx at 12 months only. Deficits in distal radius bone strength and trabecular bone microarchitecture appear to track across 2 years after a forearm fracture in girls but not in boys. Longer follow-up is needed to determine whether deficits persist into adulthood in women and how they may influence future risk of fragility fracture. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
4‐bp insertion/deletion (rs3783553) polymorphism within the 3′UTR of IL1A contributes to the risk of prostate cancer in a sample of Iranian population
Authors: Hashemi Mohammad , Bahari Gholamreza , Sarhadi Shamim , Eskandari Ebrahim , Narouie Behzad , Taheri Mohsen , Ghavami Saeid
Published: October 2017

Growing evidence demonstrated the presence of an association between IL1A rs3783553 polymorphism and the risk of various cancers. We aimed to evaluate whether the 4‐bp insertion/deletion polymorphism (rs3783553) within the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTRs) of IL1A was associated to the risk of prostate cancer (PCa) in a sample of Iranian population. A case‐control study, including 150 prostate cancer patients and 155 healthy men, was done to examine the possible association between IL1A 4‐bp ins/del polymorphism and PCa risk in a sample of southeast Iranian population. Mismatched polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR‐RFLP) was designed for genotyping the studied variant. Our findings showed that 4‐bp ins/del polymorphism significantly increased the risk of PCa in codominant, recessive and allelic inheritance model. We also evaluated the association between the IL1A 4‐bp ins/del polymorphism and clinicopathological characteristics of the patients, and found a significant association between 4‐bp ins/del variant and stage, perineural invasion and surgical margin of tumor samples. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the ins/del variant affected the IL1A mRNA stability leading to a structural shift in IL1A mRNA and has‐miR‐125a‐3p hybrid. In conclusion, our findings proposed an association between IL1A 4‐bp ins/del polymorphism and PCa risk. Additional studies with enlarged sample size and diverse ethnicities are required to validate our finding.
Facile Synthesis of Ag/Ag3PO4 Composites with Highly Efficient and Stable Photocatalytic Performance under Visible Light
Authors: Gao Rui , Song Jimei , Hu Yiqiong , Zhang Xiuxiu , Gong Shuya , Li Wenfang
Published: October 2017

The Ag/Ag3PO4 composites with various shapes (spheres, polyhedral, and microcubes) were synthesized by a facile precipitation method and a subsequent light‐reduction route at room temperature. The as‐prepared Ag/Ag3PO4 composites were characterized in detail by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, UV–vis diffuse reflection, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The growth processes of different morphologies Ag/Ag3PO4 composites are also discussed. The decomposition test of rhodamine B (RhB) indicated that the Ag/Ag3PO4 composites enhanced the photocatalytic performance compared with pure Ag3PO4, which was attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles and the stability of the photocatalysts. Moreover, uniform cubes of Ag/Ag3PO4 showed the highest photocatalytic activity and could completely degrade RhB in 7 min, which could be primarily ascribed to the cubic structure of Ag/Ag3PO4 with strong visible‐light absorption and efficient separation of the photo‐generated electrons and holes. Furthermore, the possible photocatalytic mechanism is also discussed.
Integrating clients’ religion/spirituality in clinical practice: A comparison among social workers, psychologists, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and nurses
Authors: Oxhandler Holly K. , Parrish Danielle E.
Published: October 2017

Objective

This study was designed to describe and compare five helping professions’ views and behaviors regarding the integration of clients’ religion/spirituality (RS) in clinical practice.

Method

A cross‐sectional design was used to survey 3,500 licensed clinical psychologists, nurses, marriage and family therapists (LMFTs), clinical social workers, and professional counselors across Texas. A total of 550 responded to this online survey, which included the Religious/Spiritually Integrated Practice Assessment Scale and background questions.

Results

Attitudes concerning the integration of clients’ RS did not differ by profession and were fairly positive. However, differences emerged regarding self‐efficacy, perceived feasibility, and behaviors, with LMFTs reporting the highest scores for these subscales.

Conclusion

This is the first comparison of these five professions’ attitudes, behaviors, perceived feasibility, and self‐efficacy regarding integrating clients’ RS. These encouraging results not only indicate helping professionals’ openness to integrating clients’ RS, but also highlight key differences in training, self‐efficacy, views of feasibility, and implementation.
Melatonin application in targeting oxidative‐induced liver injuries: A review
Authors: Mortezaee Keywan , Khanlarkhani Neda
Published: October 2017

It is believed that oxidative stress is a key causing factor of liver damage induced by a variety of agents, and it is a major contributing factor in almost all conditions compromising liver function, including ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Liver is the organ that high concentration of melatonin (N‐acetyl‐5‐methoxytryptamine) accumulates, and it is the sole organ where circulating melatonin is metabolized. Melatonin is one of the best antioxidants that protects liver, and its metabolites also have antioxidative function. Melatonin exerts its antioxidative function directly through its radical scavenging ability and indirectly through stimulation of antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidative response from melatonin in liver affects from various factors, including its dosage, route, time and duration of administration, the type of oxidative‐induced agent and species aging. This indoleamine is also an effective and promising antioxidative choice for targeting liver IRI, NAFLD, NASH, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and HCC.
Application of Quantitative Pharmacology Approaches in Bridging Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Domagrozumab From Adult Healthy Subjects to Pediatric Patients With Duchenne Muscular Disease
Authors: Bhattacharya Indranil , Manukyan Zorayr , Chan Phylinda , Heatherington Anne , Harnisch Lutz
Published: October 2017

Domagrozumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds to myostatin, is being developed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) boys following a first‐in‐human study in healthy adults. Literature reporting pharmacokinetic parameters of monoclonal antibodies suggested that body‐weight– and body‐surface‐area–adjusted clearance and volume of distribution estimates between adults and children are similar for subjects older than 6 years. Population modeling identified a Michaelis‐Menten binding kinetics model to optimally characterize the target mediated drug disposition profile of domagrozumab and identified body mass index on the volume of distribution as the only significant covariate. Model parameters were predicted with high‐precision pharmacokinetics (clearance 1.01 × 10−4 L/[h·kg]; central volume of distribution 457 × 10−4 L/kg; maximum elimination rate 17.5 × 10−4 nmol/[h·kg], Km 10.6 nmol/L) and pharmacodynamics (myostatin turnover rate 457 × 10−4 h−1; complex removal rate 90 × 10−4 h−1; half‐saturation constant 4.32 nmol/L) and were used to predict target coverage for dosage selection in the DMD population. Additionally, allometric approaches (estimated scaling exponents (standard error) for clearance and volume were 0.81 [0.01] and 0.98 [0.02], respectively) in conjunction with a separate analysis to obtain the population mean weight and standard deviation suggested that if dosed per body weight, an only 11% difference in clearance is expected between the heaviest and lightest patient, thus preventing the need for dose adjustment. In summary, quantitative approaches were instrumental in bridging and derisking the fast‐track development of domagrozumab in DMD.
Importance of an Orchestrate Participation of each Individual Residue Present at a Catalytic Site
Authors: Das Santanu
Published: October 2017

GTP hydrolysis is indispensable to keep a living cell healthy. Nature has evolved so many enzymes to enhance the slow GTP hydrolysis. Rab GTPases are evolved to regulate vesicle trafficking. GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) accelerates their intrinsic slow GTP hydrolysis in order to maintain the sustainability between cellular events. Any malfunction/interference in this hydrolysis disrupts normal cellular events and causes severe diseases. In this study, GTP hydrolysis mechanism of Rab33B catalyzed by TBC‐domain GAP protein Gyp1p has been decoded using extensive ab initio QM/MM metadynamics simulations. An organized coupled movement of individual residues present at the catalytic site is found to be the key factor for this reaction. An unorganized coupled movement leads the hydrolysis through very high energy pathways. This also reveals that the chemical transformations occurring at a catalytic site are residue specific.