bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Testing for optimal monetary policy via moment inequalities
Authors: Coroneo Laura , Corradi Valentina , Santos Monteiro Paulo 
Published: June 2018

SummaryThe specification of an optimizing model of the monetary transmission mechanism requires selecting a policy regime: commonly, commitment or discretion. In this paper we propose a new procedure for testing optimal monetary policy, relying on moment inequalities that nest commitment and discretion as two special cases. The approach is based on the derivation of bounds for inflation that are consistent with optimal policy under either policy regime. We derive testable implications that allow for specification tests and discrimination between the two alternative regimes. The proposed procedure is implemented to examine the conduct of monetary policy in the US economy.
Hypocitraturia Is an Untoward Side Effect of Synthetic Human Parathyroid Hormone (hPTH) 1-34 Therapy in Hypoparathyroidism That May Increase Renal Morbidity
Authors: Gafni Rachel I , Langman Craig B , Guthrie Lori C , Brillante Beth A , James Robert , Yovetich Nancy A , Boyce Alison M , Collins Michael T 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACT

Subcutaneous human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) therapy can effectively manage hypocalcemia in hypoparathyroidism, with varying effects on hypercalciuria. However, little is known about its ability to decrease the renal comorbidities of hypoparathyroidism: nephrocalcinosis (NC), nephrolithiasis (NL), and renal insufficiency. Urinary citrate (Ucit) promotes the solubility of urinary calcium (UCa); hypocitraturia is a risk factor for NC/NL. Twenty-four–hour UCa, Ucit, and UCa/Ucit were determined in 31 hypoparathyroid subjects receiving hPTH 1-34 therapy for up to 5 years. Before hPTH 1-34, the geometric least squares mean UCa was 346 mg/day (normal &lt;250) and Ucit was 500 mg/day (normal 250–1190); UCa/Ucit was 0.67 mg/mg. After 6 months of hPTH 1-34, UCa decreased (238, p &lt; 0.001), but with a greater decrease in Ucit (268, p &lt; 0.001), increasing UCa/Ucit, which became significant over time (p &lt; 0.001). After stopping hPTH 1-34 and resuming conventional therapy (follow-up; FU), compared to the last measures on hPTH 1-34, Ucit rose to 626 (p &lt; 0.001), reducing UCa/Ucit to 0.44, (p &lt; 0.05); UCa also rose (273), but was still lower than baseline (p &lt; 0.05). Daily hPTH 1-34 dose did not correlate with UCa, but was inversely related to Ucit, and directly related to UCa/Ucit (p &lt; 0.01). Mean blood bicarbonate decreased significantly on hPTH 1-34 and remained lower than baseline at FU (p &lt; 0.01). Mean eGFR increased on hPTH 1-34 (86 to 96 mL/min/1.73 m2, p &lt; 0.001) and returned to baseline at FU. On renal imaging, 6 subjects did not have NC/NL, 8 had NC/NL prior to hPTH 1-34 that remained unchanged, and 16 developed new-onset (n = 10) or progressive (n = 6) NC/NL while on hPTH 1-34. Our data demonstrate that treatment with subcutaneous hPTH 1-34 may have an untoward effect of hypocitraturia and high UCa/Ucit ratio that may increase renal morbidity. With increasing use of PTH therapy in hypoparathyroidism, close monitoring and exploration for treatment of hypocitraturia seem warranted. Published 2018. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Domains of psychosocial disability and mental disorders
Authors: Ro Eunyoe , Watson David , Clark Lee Anna 
Published: June 2018

AbstractObjectivesThis study examined relations between comprehensive domains of psychosocial disability and mental disorders to determine (1) whether differential patterns of associations exist between psychosocial disability dimensions and commonly diagnosed mental disorders and (2) whether these relations differ between self‐reported and interviewer‐rated psychosocial disability domains.MethodSelf‐reported and interviewer‐rated psychosocial functioning measures and an interviewer‐rated diagnostic assessment tool were administered to 181 psychiatric outpatients.ResultsInternalizing disorders showed the strongest and most pervasive associations with psychosocial impairment across both self‐reported and interviewer‐rated measures, followed by thought disorder; externalizing showed the weakest associations. More specifically, logistic regression analyses indicated that lower well‐being factor score significantly increased the odds of distress‐disorder diagnoses, and poor basic functioning increased the odds of PTSD.ConclusionsResults clearly showed differences in the magnitude of associations between three dimensions of psychosocial‐disability and commonly diagnosed disorders, and that these differences were similar regardless of rater type.
Development of a Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model of Ethionamide in the Pediatric Population by Integrating Flavin‐Containing Monooxygenase 3 Maturational Changes Over Time
Authors: Nguyen Phuong Thi Thu , Parvez Md Masud , Kim Min Jung , Ho Lee Jung , Ahn Sangzin , Ghim Jong‐Lyul , Shin Jae‐Gook 
Published: June 2018

AbstractCurrently, ethionamide is the most frequently prescribed second‐line antituberculosis drug in children. After extensive metabolism by flavin‐containing monooxygenase (FMO) isoform 3 in the liver, the drug may exert cytotoxic effects. The comparison of children in different age groups revealed a significant age‐related increase in ethionamide elimination in vivo. However, to date, the exact mechanism underlying this dynamic increase in ethionamide elimination has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that the age‐dependent changes in ethionamide elimination were predominantly a result of the progressive increases in the expression and metabolic capacity of FMO3 during childhood. To test this hypothesis, a full physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model of ethionamide was established and validated in adults through incorporation of comprehensive metabolism and transporter profiles, then expanded to the pediatric population through integration of FMO3 maturational changes over time. Thus, a good prediction PBPK model was validated successfully both in adults and children and applied to demonstrate the critical contribution of FMO3 in the mechanistic elimination pathway of ethionamide. In addition, a significant correlation between clearance and age was observed in children by accounting for ethionamide maturation, which could offer a mechanistic understanding of the age‐associated changes in ethionamide elimination. In conclusion, this study underlines the benefits of in vitro‐in vivo extrapolation and a quantitative PBPK approach for the investigation of transporter‐enzyme interplay in ethionamide disposition and the demonstration of FMO3 ontogeny in children.
Engineering substrate channeling in biosystems for improved efficiency
Authors: Wang Tianwen , Qin Xin , Liang Chen , Yuan Hongyu 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe efficiency of a biochemical reaction is contextually regulated in the landscape of the metabolic network of a cell. The availability and activity of the corresponding enzyme are maintained at a level that favors the overall fitness of the cell, constituting a big issue for biotechnology application that a substantial accumulation of specific product is principally expected. Substrate channeling mechanism naturally existing in multiple active site enzymes, enhances the catalytic efficiency of the involved enzymes via the proximity effect enabled by the‘evolutionally optimized'orientation of the enzymes. In metabolic engineering or in vitro cascade biocatalysis, improved efficiency can be obtained when the involved enzymes are rationally organized, to simulate substrate channeling mechanism in artificially constructed systems. In this paper, we reviewed the available approaches adopted in constructing in vitro cascade biocatalysis or in vivo engineered pathways for the production of valuable products. Among these approaches, assembling enzymes onto the designed scaffolds (protein, DNA or RNA) has been proved effective in many metabolic engineering studies. Encapsulating enzymes in virus capsid or encapsulin can be used to create specialized ‘organelle‐like’ microreactors in cell by simulating the naturally existing bacterial microcompartment. Assembling enzymes on lipid droplet or thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts, will be of particular significance in practice in plant cell bioreactors. Inclusion of a feedback mechanism as an addition to these engineered systems may promise further increased efficiency. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Promotion effect of potassium carbonate on catalytic activity of Co3O4 for formaldehyde removal
Authors: Fan Zeyun , Shi Jin , Zhang Zhixiang , Chen Mingxia , Shangguan Wenfeng 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe effect of K2CO3 on modified Co3O4 was evaluated for the catalytic removal of formaldehyde (HCHO). The synthesized catalysts were characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), BET surface area, H2 temperature‐programmed reduction (H2‐TPR), CO2 temperature‐programmed desorption (CO2‐TPD) and in situ diffuse reflectance infrared spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analyses.RESULTSThe results indicated that the Co3O4 sample modified by 3 wt% K2CO3 was able to provide 100% conversion of HCHO to CO2 at 100°C, while KNO3 and KCl could barely promote the catalytic performance of Co3O4. K2CO3 increased the valence state of Co and the number of oxygen vacancies on the surface of modified Co3O4, thereby enhancing the oxidation ability. The product water on the Co3O4 surface could convert the carbonate to bicarbonate via hydrolysis of K2CO3, which promoted hydroxyl regeneration and accelerated intermediate species oxidation.CONCLUSIONThus, the Co3O4 modified by an appropriate amount of K2CO3 exhibited an excellent performance for formaldehyde oxidation removal. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Decomposing C4‐free graphs under degree constraints
Authors: Ma Jie , Yang Tianchi 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA celebrated theorem of Stiebitz 13 asserts that any graph with minimum degree at least can be partitioned into two parts that induce two subgraphs with minimum degree at least s and t, respectively. This resolved a conjecture of Thomassen. In this article, we prove that for , if a graph G contains no cycle of length four and has minimum degree at least , then G can be partitioned into two parts that induce two subgraphs with minimum degree at least s and t, respectively. This improves the result of Diwan in 5, where he proved the same statement for graphs of girth at least five. Our proof also works for the case of variable functions, in which the bounds are sharp as showing by some polarity graphs.
Impact of transcranial direct current stimulation on structural plasticity of the somatosensory system
Authors: Hirtz Raphael , Weiss Thomas , Huonker Ralph , Witte Otto W. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractWhile there is a growing body of evidence regarding the behavioral and neurofunctional changes in response to the longitudinal delivery of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), there is limited evidence regarding its structural effects. Therefore, the present study was intended to investigate the effect of repeatedly applied anodal tDCS over the primary somatosensory cortex on the gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) compartment of the brain. Structural tDCS effects were, moreover, related to effects evidenced by functional imaging and behavioral assessment. tDCS was applied over the course of 5 days in 25 subjects with concomitant assessment of tactile acuity of the right and left index finger as well as imaging at baseline, after the last delivery of tDCS and at follow‐up 4 weeks thereafter. Irrespective of the stimulation condition (anodal vs. sham), voxel‐based morphometry revealed a behaviorally relevant decrease of GM in the precuneus co‐localized with a functional change of its activity. Moreover, there was a decrease in GM of the bilateral lingual gyrus and the right cerebellum. Diffusion tensor imaging analysis showed an increase of fractional anisotropy exclusively in the tDCSanodal condition in the left frontal cortex affecting the final stretch of a somatosensory decision making network comprising the middle and superior frontal gyrus as well as regions adjacent to the genu of the corpus callosum. Thus, this is the first study in humans to identify structural plasticity in the GM compartment and tDCS‐specific changes in the WM compartment in response to somatosensory learning.
Rapid and accurate identification of black aspergilli from grapes using high‐resolution melting (HRM) analysis
Authors: Xanthopoulou Aliki , Ganopoulos Ioannis , Tryfinopoulou Paschalitsa , Panagou Efstathios Z , Osanthanunkul Maslin , Madesis Panagiotis , Kizis Dimosthenis 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDAspergillus is a diverse genus of fungi with high economic and social impact. Various species that belong to section Nigri (black aspergilli) are common agents of grape spoilage and potent producers of ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin associated with various nephrotoxic and immunotoxic effects in humans. Black aspergilli are difficult to classify following only phenotypic criteria; thus chemotaxonomic and molecular methods are employed in parallel with phenotypic ones for species characterization. These approaches, though accurate and replicable, require more than one individual step and are to a certain extent laborious when a rapid identification of these species is required.RESULTSThe aim of this study was to develop a high‐resolution melting polymerase chain reaction (HRM‐PCR) assay as a rapid method for identification of Aspergillus spp. section Nigri isolates and their detection in grape samples. Melt curve analysis of amplicons originating from the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) ribosomal region generated species‐specific HRM curve profiles, enabling the accurate differentiation of the analyzed genotypes. Furthermore, the assay was able to identify A. carbonarius, A. tubingensis, A. niger, A. ibericus and A. japonicus in grape samples artificially inoculated with conidia of these fungi.CONCLUSIONTo our knowledge this is the first report on the development of an HRM‐PCR assay for the identification of black Aspergillus species in grape samples. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Prognostic impact of postoperative complication after pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic adenocarcinoma stratified by the resectability status
Authors: Kondo Naru , Murakami Yoshiaki , Uemura Kenichiro , Nakagawa Naoya , Okada Kenjiro , Takahashi Shinya , Sueda Taijiro 
Published: June 2018

Background and ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic impact of postoperative complications after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) stratified by resectability status.MethodsMedical records of 226 patients with pancreatic head carcinoma who underwent PD, including 115 with resectable (R) and 111 with borderline resectable/unresectable (BR/UR) PDAC, were reviewed retrospectively. Major complications were defined as grade III or IV based on the Clavien‐Dindo classification system. The prognostic impact of major complications on overall survival (OS) was analyzed using univariate and multivariate analyses with stratification by resectability status.ResultsA multivariate analysis in the BR/UR group identified R1 resection (P = 0.03), T 3/4 stage (P = 0.03), and incidence of major complications (P = 0.03) as independent risk factors for poor survival, whereas major complications did not affect survival in the R group. Initiation of adjuvant gemcitabine plus S‐1 chemotherapy occurred significantly less frequently for patients with major complications than for those without major complications in the BR/UR group (P = 0.02).ConclusionA negative prognostic impact of postoperative major complications after PD was observed in patients with BR/UR PDAC, whereas the prognostic impact was unclear in patients with R PDAC.
Evolution in the surgical management of colorectal liver metastases: Propensity score matching analysis (PSM) on the impact of specialized multidisciplinary care across two institutional eras
Authors: Krüger Jaime A.P. , Fonseca Gilton M. , Makdissi Fabio F. , Jeismann Vagner B. , Coelho Fabrício F. , Herman Paulo 
Published: June 2018

Background and ObjectivesLiver metastases are indicators of advanced disease in patients with colorectal cancer. Liver resection offers the best possibility of long‐term survival. Surgical strategies have evolved in complexity in order to offer resection to a greater number of patients, requiring specialized multidisciplinary care. The current paper focused on analyzing outcomes of patients treated after the development of a dedicated cancer center in our institution.MethodsPatients operated on for CLM from our databank were paired through propensity score matching (PSM), and the initial experience of surgery for CLM was compared with the treatment performed after specialized multidisciplinary management. The demographic, oncological, and surgical features were analyzed between groups.ResultsOverall, 355 hepatectomies were performed in 336 patients. Patients operated on during the second era of had greater use of preoperative chemotherapy (P < 0.001) as well as exposure to more effective oxaliplatin‐based regimens (P < 0.001). Surgical management also changed, with minor (P = 0.002) and non‐anatomic (P = 0.006) resections preferred over major operations. We also noted an increased number of minimally invasive resections (P < 0.001).ConclusionTreatment in a multidisciplinary cancer center led to changes in oncological and surgical management. Perioperative chemotherapy was frequently employed, and surgeons adopted a conservative approach to liver parenchyma.
The effect of age on anastomotic leakage in colorectal cancer surgery: A population‐based study
Authors: Zaimi Ina , Sparreboom Cloë L. , Lingsma Hester F. , Doornebosch Pascal G. , Menon Anand G. , Kleinrensink Gert‐Jan , Jeekel Johannes , Wouters Michel W. J. M. , Lange Johan F. ,   On Behalf of the Dutch ColoRectal Audit Group
Published: June 2018

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age on CAL and its associated mortality.MethodsData were derived from the Dutch ColoRectal Audit. All patients undergoing resection for colorectal cancer in the Netherlands between January 2011 and December 2016 were included. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to test the effect of age on CAL and its associated mortality.ResultsIn total, 45 488 patients were included. The incidence of CAL was 6.4% in patients <60 years old, 5.5% in patients 60‐69 years old, 5.4% in patients 70‐80 years old, and 4.9% in patients ≥80 years old (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that age was protective for CAL (OR 0.965 per 5 years, 95% CI 0.941‐0.985, P < 0.001). Mortality after CAL was 1.3% in patients <60 years old, 4.8% in patients 60‐69 years old, 12.3% in patients 70‐80 years old, and 27.0% in patients >80 years old (P < 0.001). Older age was associated with mortality following CAL (OR 1.497 per 5 years 95% CI 1.364‐1.647, P < 0.001).ConclusionsThis population‐based study suggests a protective effect of increased age on CAL after colorectal cancer resection. However, older age is strongly associated with mortality after CAL.
The efficacy of combination of induction chemotherapy and irreversible electroporation ablation for patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Huang Kai‐Wen , Yang Po‐Chih , Pua Uei , Kim Man‐Deuk , Li Sheng‐Ping , Qiu Yu‐Dong , Song Tian‐Qiang , Liang Po‐Chin 
Published: June 2018

Background and ObjectivesIrreversible electroporation (IRE) is a non‐thermal focal therapy that utilizes high voltage electric pulses to permanently rupture the cellular membrane and induce cell death. In this multi‐center study, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of IRE in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC).MethodsFrom 2012 to 2015, we performed laparotomic and laparoscopic IRE in a total of 70 patients with stage III LAPC. Either gemcitabine‐based or TS‐1 (Tegafur, Gimeracil, and Oteracil) chemotherapy was applied for at least 3 months before the IRE.ResultsNo IRE‐related deaths occurred. A median follow‐up of 28.1 months showed that six patients (8.6%) experienced local recurrence and 24 (34%) experienced distant progression. The overall median survival from the time of treatment was 22.6 months, and the progression‐free survival (PFS) was 15.4 months. The overall survival in the patients who used gemcitabine‐based reagents was 19.1 months and that of those who used TS‐1 was 28.7 months. The PFS for these two groups were 13.2 months and 26.4 months; the difference is significant.ConclusionsOur study suggests that IRE is safe and effective for the control of LAPC. We surmise that the addition of IRE to a chemotherapy regimen may provide a survival advantage.
Association between Ki‐67 expression and clinical outcomes among patients with clinically node‐negative, thick primary melanoma who underwent nodal staging
Authors: Robinson Eric M. , Rosenbaum Brooke E. , Zhang Yilong , Rogers Robert , Tchack Jeremy , Berman Russell S. , Darvishian Farbod , Osman Iman , Shapiro Richard L. , Shao Yongzhao , Polsky David 
Published: June 2018

BackgroundPatients with thick primary melanomas (≥4 mm) have highly variable survival outcomes. Cell proliferation marker Ki‐67 has been identified as promising biomarker in thick melanoma but has not been evaluated since the wide spread adoption of sentinel lymph node biopsy. We revisit its prognostic relevance in the sentinel node era.MethodsWe studied patients with thick (≥4 mm) primary melanoma prospectively enrolled in a clinicopathological biospecimen database from 2002 to 2015, and evaluated the prognostic value of Ki‐67 expression while controlling for features included in the existing staging criteria.ResultsWe analyzed 68 patients who underwent lymph node sampling and who had an available tumor for Ki‐67 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. The median tumor thickness was 6.0 mm; the median follow‐up was 2.6 years. In multivariable analysis including nodal status and primary tumor ulceration, Ki‐67 expression was an independent predictor of worse recurrence‐free survival (HR 2.19, P = 0.024) and overall survival (HR 2.49, P = 0.028). Natural log‐transformed tumor thickness (ln [thickness]) was also significantly associated with worse OS (HR 2.39, P = 0.010).ConclusionWe identify Ki‐67 and ln (thickness) as potential biomarkers for patients with thick melanoma who have undergone nodal staging. If validated in additional studies, these biomarkers could be integrated into the staging criteria to improve risk‐stratification.