bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transition of the programmed death 1 pathway from the primary colorectal cancer to its corresponding pulmonary metastasis
Authors: Miyamoto Ei , Chen‐Yoshikawa Toyofumi F. , Ueshima Chiyuki , Yoshizawa Akihiko , Hamaji Masatsugu , Yamamoto Takamasa , Kawada Kenji , Haga Hironori , Sakai Yoshiharu , Date Hiroshi 
Published: April 2018

Background and ObjectivesThe inhibition of the programmed death 1 (PD‐1)/its ligand 1 (PD‐L1) pathway may be associated with clinical responses in colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to characterize the transition of PD‐1/PD‐L1 expression through pulmonary metastasis (PM) and its clinical relevance.MethodsThis study retrospectively reviewed 50 patients who had curative resection of primary CRC and its PM. We evaluated the presence of PD‐1+ tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and PD‐L1+ tumor cells in both the primary tumor and its PM by immunohistochemistry.ResultsPD‐L1 was expressed 34.0% of primary lesions and in 38.0% of their PM. A discrepancy in PD‐L1 expression between the primary site and its PM was found in 34.0% of our patients. The presence of PD‐1+ TILs in the PM was significantly associated with that in its corresponding primary lesion (P = 0.003). The longer interval between the primary site and its PM was statistically significant in predicting higher expression of PD‐L1 in the PM (P = 0.010).ConclusionsThe discordance of PD‐L1 expression between the primary tumor and its PM was found in one‐third of our patients with CRC. Temporally distant PM from CRC could be associated with the positive expression of PD‐L1 in the PM.
Improving the Performance Time and Accuracy of Ultrasound‐Guided Interventions: A Randomized Controlled Double‐Blind Trial of the Line‐of‐Sight Approach and the “APPLES” Mnemonic
Authors: Norbury John W. , Karr Natalie C. , Sindhi Vivek , Rathbun Kimberly M. , Charles Stephen C. , McIver Michael B. , Morrison Eric J 
Published: April 2018

ObjectivesTo determine whether the line‐of‐sight approach improved the performance time and accuracy of ultrasound (US)‐guided needle placement targeting the subdeltoid bursa in a cadaver among novice operators compared to the side approach. A secondary objective was to determine whether participants thought the APPLES (angle, position, perpendicular, line up, entry, sweep) mnemonic was a helpful guide for performing the procedure.MethodsMedical students and residents were randomized into either a line‐of‐sight or side approach group and then crossed over to the other group. The procedure time was determined by 2 blinded reviewers. A survey was administered to determine which method participants preferred and whether they thought the APPLES mnemonic was helpful. A paired t test was used to compare the performance time, and the McNemar test was used to compare the accuracy of the methods.ResultsAmong the 110 participants, the performance time with the line‐of‐sight approach (mean, 14.4 seconds; SD, 9.95 seconds) was significantly decreased compared to the side approach (mean, 18.6 seconds; SD, 10.1 seconds; P = .00029). Additionally, participants who only hit the target using one method were more likely to hit the target in 30 seconds using the line‐of‐sight approach (P = .035). In total, 72.7% of participants preferred the line‐of‐sight approach over the side approach, and 88.2% of participants thought that APPLES mnemonic was useful.ConclusionsThis study highlights the finding that positioning of the operator is important in performing US‐guided interventions, and the line‐of‐sight approach may improve the performance time and accuracy among novice operators. Furthermore, the APPLES mnemonic serves as a useful educational tool for teaching US‐guided interventional procedures.
The craving for phosphorus in heterotrophic dinoflagellates and its potential implications for biogeochemical cycles
Authors: Meunier Cédric L. , Alvarez‐Fernandez Santiago , Cunha‐Dupont Alessandra Ö. , Geisen Carla , Malzahn Arne M. , Boersma Maarten , Wiltshire Karen H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractBy altering the nutritional quality of primary producers, nutrient availability indirectly influences herbivores' population dynamics. In turn, the resulting relationship between diet, growth, and wastes has consequences for nutrient cycling at the ecosystem level. We studied the link between dinoflagellates nutritional requirements and feeding behavior, and its influence on nutrient cycling. We show that long‐term shifts in dissolved PO4 concentration in the North Sea are closely linked to biomass trends of heterotrophic dinoflagellates and support this observation with experimental data indicating particularly high phosphorus requirements in dinoflagellates. At the seasonal scale, we observe a negative correlation between natural dinoflagellate abundances and the concentration of dissolved P, and we estimate that, in spring, up to 30% of dissolved P can end up in microzooplankton biomass. Our study highlights that accounting for organismal metabolic requirement provides significant insight in interpreting and predicting nutrient cycles at the ecosystem level.
Light Interaction with Photonic and Plasmonic Resonances
Authors: Lalanne Philippe , Yan Wei , Vynck Kevin , Sauvan Christophe , Hugonin Jean‐Paul 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this Review, the theory and applications of optical micro‐ and nano‐resonators are presented from the underlying concept of their natural resonances, the so‐called quasi‐normal modes (QNMs). QNMs are the basic constituents governing the response of resonators. Characterized by complex frequencies, QNMs are initially loaded by a driving field and then decay exponentially in time due to power leakage or absorption. Here, the use of QNM‐expansion formalisms to model these basic effects is explored. Such modal expansions that operate at complex frequencies distinguish from the current user habits in electromagnetic modeling, which rely on classical Maxwell's equation solvers operating at real frequencies or in the time domain; they also bring much deeper physical insight into the analysis. An extensive overview of the historical background on QNMs in electromagnetism and a detailed discussion of recent relevant theoretical and numerical advances are therefore presented. Additionally, a concise description of the role of QNMs on a number of examples involving electromagnetic resonant fields and matter, including the interaction between quantum emitters and resonators (Purcell effect, weak and strong coupling, superradiance, …), Fano interferences, the perturbation of resonance modes, and light transport and localization in disordered media is provided.
Micro‐Resonator Soliton Generated Directly with a Diode Laser
Authors: Volet Nicolas , Yi Xu , Yang Qi‐Fan , Stanton Eric J. , Morton Paul A. , Yang Ki Youl , Vahala Kerry J. , Bowers John E. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAn external‐cavity diode laser for 1550‐nm wavelength is reported with ultra‐low noise, high power coupled to a fiber, and fast tunability. These characteristics enable the generation of an optical frequency comb in a silica micro‐resonator with a single‐soliton state. Neither an optical amplifier nor a modulator is used in the experiment. This demonstration greatly simplifies the soliton generation setup and represents a significant step forward to a fully integrated soliton comb system.
Glucose‐Responsive Trehalose Hydrogel for Insulin Stabilization and Delivery
Authors: Lee Juneyoung , Ko Jeong Hoon , Mansfield Kathryn M. , Nauka Peter C. , Bat Erhan , Maynard Heather D. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractEffective delivery of therapeutic proteins is important for many biomedical applications. Yet, the stabilization of proteins during delivery and long‐term storage remains a significant challenge. Herein, a trehalose‐based hydrogel is reported that stabilizes insulin to elevated temperatures prior to glucose‐triggered release. The hydrogel is synthesized using a polymer with trehalose side chains and a phenylboronic acid end‐functionalized 8‐arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The hydroxyls of the trehalose side chains form boronate ester linkages with the PEG boronic acid cross‐linker to yield hydrogels without any further modification of the original trehalose polymer. Dissolution of the hydrogel is triggered upon addition of glucose as a stronger binder to boronic acid (Kb = 2.57 vs 0.48 m−1 for trehalose), allowing the insulin that is entrapped during gelation to be released in a glucose‐responsive manner. Moreover, the trehalose hydrogel stabilizes the insulin as determined by immunobinding after heating up to 90 °C. After 30 min heating, 74% of insulin is detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in the presence of the trehalose hydrogel, whereas only 2% is detected without any additives.
A New Thermo‐, pH‐ and CO2‐Responsive Fluorescent Four‐Arm Star Polymer with Aggregation‐Induced Emission for Long‐Term Cellular Tracing
Authors: Guan Xiaolin , Meng Li , Jin Qijun , Lu Baocui , Chen Yanbin , Li Zhifei , Wang Lin , Lai Shoujun , Lei Ziqiang 
Published: April 2018

AbstractDevelopment of fluorescent bioprobes for long‐term cell tracking is of great importance to monitor the processes of genesis, development, invasion, and metastasis of cancerous cells. Herein, a new multistimuli‐responsive star polymer of tetraphenylethene‐graft‐tetra‐poly[N‐[2‐(diethylamino)‐ethyl]acrylamide] (TPE‐tetraPDEAEAM) with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) effect for tracing live cells over a long period of time is synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization using TPE derivative as initiator. TPE‐tetraPDEAEAM gives both lower critical solution temperature and fluorescence responses to the stimulus of the temperature, pH, and CO2 by combining the thermoresponsive and pH/CO2‐responsive moieties of the diethylamino and acrylamide groups. The AIE‐active TPE‐tetraPDEAEAM has the advantages of very low cytotoxicity, efficient cellular uptake, and strong fluorescence of polymer‐treated cells, which ensure its good performance in long‐term cell tracing. This facile tracking of HeLa cells for as long as nine passages exhibits superior performance in long‐term cell tracing as compared with some commercial cell tracing probes.
Binary Intermolecular Potential and Scattering Curves of PAMAM‐EDA Dendrimers
Authors: Freire Juan J. , Rubio Ana M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractMonte Carlo simulations are performed to study polyamidoamine dendrimers with an ethylenediamine core in water under different pH conditions (neutral or protonated molecules) using a coarse‐grained bead model with an implicit solvent. The intermolecular binary interaction energy between sampled pairs is calculated by considering hard‐spheres or Lennard‐Jones interactions between the coarse‐grained beads, together with a screened Coulomb potential to describe electrostatic interactions in the protonated case. This permits the calculation of an averaged global intermolecular potential, together with structure and scattering functions which are compared with experimental neutron scattering data. The bead model parameters are optimized to reproduce the experimental scattering curves. It is concluded that the energy interaction curves have a very shallow potential well, even in the case of neutral chains. Interaction between protonated molecules is mainly determined by their mutual repulsion that can be described through the Debye–Hückel screened length.
Modeling oil palm pollinator dynamics using deterministic and agent‐based approaches. Applications on fruit set estimates. Some preliminary results
Authors: Dumont Y. , Soulie J.‐C. , Michel F. 
Published: April 2018

Oil palm production is of economical importance in several southern countries. The increasing demand of oil palm put a lot of pressure in several places where the rain forest and thus the tropical diversity are in danger due to deforestation. With the land already cultivated, we need to improve the yields, which means to increase the production of fruits in plots. One way is to increase the pollination or the fruit set through pollination. Palm tree has a specific entomophilous pollinator, a weevil,Elaeidobiusspp, that absolutely needs male inflorescence to complete its life cycle. In young plots (3‐7 years old), mainly female inflorescences are produced, and thus, the pollinator population cannot maintain, resulting in a bad fruit set, and, thus, a bad production. That is why several questions arise: What is the mean number of male inflorescences (per hectare) needed to maintain the pollinators population above a certain threshold? And, in terms of yield, what is the optimal size of the population to reach an optimal fruit set? We propose, compare and discuss 2 different modeling approaches to develop preliminary models to study the dynamics of the pollinator population, and obtain some rough estimates of the fruit set. We derive some simulations and discuss these preliminary results.
The Role of Cruciferous Vegetables and Isothiocyanates for Lung Cancer Prevention: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Research Directions
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Bergan Raymond , Shannon Jackilen , Slatore Christopher G. , Bobe Gerd , Takata Yumie 
Published: April 2018

AbstractLung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer‐related deaths in the United States. Although smoking and air pollution exposure are primary risk factors of lung cancer, diet has also been reported to contribute to lung cancer risk. Cruciferous vegetables contain many bioactive compounds that alter the detoxification process of air‐borne carcinogenic compounds and, thereby, may decrease lung cancer risk. In the meta‐analysis of 31 observational studies, cruciferous vegetable intake is inversely associated with lung cancer risk (summary odds ratio/relative risk = 0.81 and 95% confidence interval = 0.74–0.89 for comparing the highest with lowest intake categories). More observational studies need to measure urinary isothiocyanate (ITC) concentrations and investigate their association with lung cancer risk in populations with relatively high intake of cruciferous vegetables. Current evidence is limited to two phase 2 clinical trials with incomplete reporting. Hence, more short‐term clinical phase 2 trials need to examine effects of various amounts and types of cruciferous vegetables on biomarkers of risk and efficacy before a large phase 3 trial can be conducted to assess effects upon lung cancer risk. This would help further elucidate whether the inverse association observed with self‐reported cruciferous vegetable intake is indeed due to ITC content or other bioactive compounds.
Breast cancer MRI radiomics: An overview of algorithmic features and impact of inter‐reader variability in annotating tumors
Authors: Saha Ashirbani , Harowicz Michael R. , Mazurowski Maciej A. 
Published: April 2018

PurposeTo review features used in MRI radiomics of breast cancer and study the inter‐reader stability of the features.MethodsWe implemented 529 algorithmic features that can be extracted from tumor and fibroglandular tissue (FGT) in breast MRIs. The features were identified based on a review of the existing literature with consideration of their usage, prognostic ability, and uniqueness. The set was then extended so that it comprehensively describes breast cancer imaging characteristics. The features were classified into 10 groups based on the type of data used to extract them and the type of calculation being performed. For the assessment of inter‐reader variability, four fellowship‐trained readers annotated tumors on preoperative dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRIs for 50 breast cancer patients. Based on the annotations, an algorithm automatically segmented the image and extracted all features resulting in one set of features for each reader. For a given feature, the inter‐reader stability was defined as the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) computed using the feature values obtained through all readers for all cases.ResultsThe average inter‐reader stability for all features was 0.8474 (95% CI: 0.8068–0.8858). The mean inter‐reader stability was lower for tumor‐based features (0.6348, 95% CI: 0.5391–0.7257) than FGT‐based features (0.9984, 95% CI: 0.9970–0.9992). The feature group with the highest inter‐reader stability quantifies breast and FGT volume. The feature group with the lowest inter‐reader stability quantifies variations in tumor enhancement.ConclusionsBreast MRI radiomics features widely vary in terms of their stability in the presence of inter‐reader variability. Appropriate measures need to be taken for reducing this variability in tumor‐based radiomics.
The Effect of Reactor Conditions on High‐Impact Polypropylene Properties and Gas Phase Polymerization Kinetics
Authors: Cancelas Aarón J. , Yang Lanti , Girod Robin , de Heer Jos , Kleppinger Ralf , Delsman Erik , Wang Jingbo , Gahleitner Markus , Monteil Vincent , McKenna Timothy F. L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHigh impact polypropylene (hiPP) powders are made in a 2.5 L semi‐batch gas‐phase reactor using a Ziegler–Natta catalyst and two sequential polymerization steps. The amount of copolymer, reactor temperature and pressure, the relative amounts of ethylene and propylene, and the presence of hydrogen are varied systematically to understand their impact on the copolymerization kinetics, hiPP properties, and on rubber distribution. Examples of discoveries are that the presence of hydrogen can reduce copolymerization activity, depending on the catalyst system, and that the fraction of crystalline copolymer decreases with 1) copolymer content in hiPP; and 2) copolymerization activity. The last implies a resistance to mass transfer of ethylene during copolymerization. To understand this phenomenon, atomic force microscopy analyses of hiPP samples with distinct morphology of the polypropylene matrix (isotactic polypropylene, iPP) and copolymer ethylene/propylene ratios are performed after microtoming. It is found that mesoparticles are the determining structure for the copolymer distribution, and that powders with more ethylene in the copolymer or an iPP matrix better suited for mass transfer had more rubber in the center of the mesoparticles. This indicates that the length scales of the mesoparticles that control transfer limitations for ethylene also impact the properties of the final impact copolymer.
Mapping the Structure–Property Space of Bimodal Polyethylenes Using Response Surface Methods. Part 1: Digital Data Investigation
Authors: DesLauriers Paul J. , Fodor Jeff S. , Soares João B. P. , Mehdiabadi Saeid 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA new method is proposed to study the multidimensional structure–property space of bimodal ethylene/1‐olefin copolymers using fundamental polymerization models and response surface methods. The fundamental polymerization models describe how the polymer microstructure depends on polymerization conditions, in particular how the short chain branching frequency varies across the molecular weight distribution. Statistical design of experiment techniques combined with response surface methods generates the minimum number of digital experiments needed to estimate the parameters for a forward model. The polymer microstructural data are combined with empirical equations to calculate polymer density and the primary structural parameter to quantify the presence of tie molecules in the polymer. This procedure links polymerization conditions to polymer microstructure and properties using the forward model. More importantly, the forward model can be reversed to determine which polymerization conditions are needed to make polymers with a given set of properties.
Evidence‐based medicine for every day, everyone, and every therapeutic study
Authors: Govindarajan Raghav , Narayanaswami Pushpa 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTThe rapid growth in published medical literature makes it difficult for clinicians to keep up with advances in their fields. This may result in a cursory scan of the abstract and conclusion of a study without critically evaluating study quality. The application of evidence‐based medicine (EBM) is the process of converting the abstract task of reading the literature into a practical method of using the literature to inform care in a specific clinical context while simultaneously expanding one's knowledge. EBM involves 4 steps: (1) stating the clinical problem in a defined question; (2) searching the literature for the evidence; (3) critically appraising the evidence for its validity; and (4) applying the evidence in the context of the patient's situation, preferences, and values. In this review, we use the recently published trial of thymectomy in myasthenia gravis as an example and systematically go through the steps of assessing internal validity, precision, and external validity. Muscle Nerve 58: 486–496, 2018
Evidence for an urethro‐vesical crosstalk mediated by serotonin
Authors: Coelho Ana , Oliveira Raquel , Cavaleiro Helena , Cruz Celia Duarte , Cruz Francisco 
Published: April 2018

AimTo study the contribution of urethral serotonin for the urethro‐vesical crosstalkMethodsUrethane‐anesthetized female rats and TPH1−/− mice underwent isovolumetric or urethral‐opened cystometries during intravesical or intraurethral infusion of saline or serotonin solutions. Human and rat bladders and urethrae were immunoreacted against serotonin and neuronal markers. Serotonin concentration and TPH1 mRNA were determined in rat tissue by HPLC and qPCR.ResultsIn rats, under isovolumetric conditions, intraurethral serotonin infusion, but not saline, evoked bladder contractions. This was abolished by urethral anesthesia and by treatment with serotonin receptor antagonists. Serotonin infusion into the bladder had no effect. Under urethral‐opened conditions, serotonin infusion reduced the frequency and increased the amplitude of reflex voiding contractions, compared to saline infusion. TPH1−/− mice, under urethral‐opened conditions, exhibited increased frequency and reduced amplitude of voiding contractions compared to WT. Serotonin concentration and TPH1 mRNA expression were higher in the urethra than in the bladder. Cells 5‐HT+ were found in the human and rat urethral epithelium, close to a sub‐epithelial network of cholinergic and sensory fibers, but not in the bladder.ConclusionsSerotonin, produced and released by urethral cells activates an urethro‐vesical pathway that enhances bladder reflex contractions.
The impact of employee perception on the successful institutionalisation and implementation of performance management systems in developing countries: The perspective from Ghana's public service
Authors: Ohemeng Frank L.K. , Amoako‐Asiedu Emelia , Obuobisa‐Darko Theresa 
Published: April 2018

SummaryPerformance management (PM) has become a key instrument in the quest to ensure optimal operations by organisations in the public sector. Some scholars, though, believe that PM has failed because of employees' negative perception and management's exclusion of employees from its development. Studies on the relationship between employee perception of PM and its effectiveness in the public sector are limited. We argue that management must value employee perception more highly than they do at present because it is unlikely employees would be willing to take an active part in implementing a change with which they disagree or that they see as having no value. This study examines the effect of employees' perception on the institutionalisation and implementation of PM in developing countries, with specific reference to Ghana.