bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Burden of Psoriatic Arthritis According to Different Definitions of Disease Activity: Comparing Minimal Disease Activity and the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis
Authors: Wervers Kim , Vis Marijn , Tchetveriko Ilja , Gerards Andreas H. , Kok Marc R. , Appels Cathelijne W. Y. , van der Graaff Wiebo L. , van Groenendael Johannes H. L. M. , Korswagen Lindy‐Anne , Veris‐van Dieren Josien J. , Hazes Johanna M. W. , Luime Jolanda J. 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTreat‐to‐target strategies have improved outcomes in rheumatic diseases. In psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the proposed targets are the multidimensional target minimal disease activity (MDA) and the articular target Disease Activity index for PsA (DAPSA). The aim of this study was to compare the disease burden of PsA in patients with low disease activity according to the 2 definitions, MDA and DAPSA low disease activity (DAPSA‐LDA), 1 year after diagnosis.MethodsWe obtained data on MDA, DAPSA‐LDA and disease burden 1 year after diagnosis for patients included in the Dutch southwest early PsA cohort. Disease burden was assessed in 2 domains: “Body functions,” including the Short Form 36 bodily pain (SF‐36 BP) measure, and “Activity,” including the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ).ResultsAmong the 292 patients included, 48% achieved MDA and 74% achieved DAPSA‐LDA. Average scores for Body functions and Activity were better in patients who achieved MDA and those who achieved DAPSA‐LDA. The scores were significantly better in the 46% of patients who achieved both MDA and DAPSA‐LDA than in the 29% of patients who achieved only DAPSA‐LDA. The average SF‐36 BP score was higher in patients achieving both targets (73.8; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 71.1‐76.5) than in patients achieving only DAPSA‐LDA (57.6; 95% CI 54.5‐60.8). Similarly, mean HAQ scores measuring Activity were 0.21 (95% CI 0.15‐0.26) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.53‐0.72), respectively.ConclusionAmong patients with newly diagnosed PsA, 48% achieved MDA and 74% achieved DAPSA‐LDA after 1 year of receiving usual care. The average disease burden was better in patients who achieved MDA and those who achieved DAPSA‐LDA. Also, patients who achieved only DAPSA‐LDA reported worse outcomes than those who also achieved MDA.
Multigram Scale Enzymatic Synthesis of (R)‐1‐(4′‐Hydroxyphenyl)ethanol Using Vanillyl Alcohol Oxidase
Authors: Ewing Tom A. , Kühn Jasmin , Segarra Silvia , Tortajada Marta , Zuhse Ralf , van Berkel Willem J. H. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe enantioselective oxyfunctionalisation of C−H bonds is a highly interesting reaction, as it provides access to chiral alcohols that are important pharmaceutical building blocks. However, it is hard to achieve using traditional methods. One way in which it can be achieved is through the action of oxidative enzymes. Although many reports of the oxyfunctionalisation capabilities of enzymes at an analytical scale have been published, reports on the use of enzymes to achieve oxyfunctionalisation on a synthetically relevant scale are fewer. Here, we describe the scale‐up of the conversion of 4‐ethylphenol to (R)‐1‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanol using the flavin‐dependent enzyme vanillyl alcohol oxidase. The process was optimised by testing different reaction media and substrate and enzyme concentrations and by performing it under an oxygen atmosphere. Under optimised reaction conditions, 4.10 g (R)‐1‐(4′‐hydroxyphenyl)ethanol at 97% ee was obtained from 10 g 4‐ethylphenol (isolated yield 36%). These results highlight some of the challenges that can be encountered during scale‐up of an enzymatic oxyfunctionalisation process to a synthetically relevant scale and will be of use for the development of enzymatic processes for the synthesis of industrially relevant compounds.magnified image
The Tedeschi collection: A collection of documented and undocumented human skeletal remains at the Museum of Anthropology, Padua University (Italy)
Authors: Carrara Nicola , Scaggion Cinzia , Holland Emily 
Published: April 2018

AbstractObjectiveDocumented and undocumented skeletal collections offer unique windows into life in the past and are integral for research in biological anthropology. The objective of this article is to describe the documented and undocumented collections curated by the Museum of Anthropology at Padua University (Italy) to demonstrate their potential for research and encourage researchers to consider them for future projects.MaterialsThe collection was established by Prof. Enrico Tedeschi at the beginning of 20th century, and dates to the late 19th and early 20th century. The collection consists primarily of individuals excavated from cemeteries, ossarios, or unclaimed individuals donated by hospitals or other institutions.ResultsBoth documented and undocumented human skeletal remains are included in the collection, totalling 1,580 individuals. Associated documented information including age at death, date of death, sex, occupation, and cause of death is available in different combinations for 293 individuals of varying completeness (188 crania only, 93 crania and postcranial, 12 postcranial only). Origin and chronological period are known for the remaining 1,287 individuals.DiscussionOverall, this little studied collection could be particularly useful for researchers interested in craniometrics, dentition, and 19th and 20th century health and demography in Italy. The documented skeletons will be especially useful for forensic anthropological research.
Thermal Decomposition of Partially Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil During Repeated Frying Traditional and Fast French Fries
Authors: Kmiecik Dominik , Kobus‐Cisowska Joanna , Kulczyński Bartosz 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to compare thermal degradation of oil, especially the composition of the polymer in a polar and nonpolar fraction of oil, used for repeated frying of fast and traditional French fries. The French fries were fried using the partially hydrogenated rapeseed oil. Fast French fries were characterized by a half shorter frying time compared to traditional ones. The frying process was done at 170 °C ± 5 °C in 5‐l electric fryers and carried out in 15‐min cycles for 48 hours. The content of thermal decomposition of triacylglycerol (TAG) in both fractions of oil was analyzed by high‐performance size‐exclusion chromatography (HPSEC). In all analyzed samples, thermal decomposition products were found. However, the composition of a polar and nonpolar fraction of oil was not the same. In a nonpolar fraction, only the monomers and hydrolysis products of TAG were observed. In a polar fraction, dimers, trimers, and oligomers of TAG were also found. The shorter time of frying the fast French fries resulted in a lower total and individual polymers content in all steps of analysis compared to the oil used for frying the traditional French fries.
New approach for preparation of dry natural rubber nanocomposites through acid‐free co‐coagulation: Effect of organoclay content
Authors: Jayaraj S. , Egodage S. M. , Walpalage S. 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTNatural rubber (NR) vulcanizates exhibit good mechanical properties compared to vulcanizates of synthetic rubbers. Incorporation of a conventional filler at higher loadings to NR enhances its modulus, while reduction in tensile strength and elongation. This paper presents a new strategy for development of a NR‐clay nanocomposite with enhanced mechanical properties by incorporation of lower loadings (2–8 phr) of cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide modified montmorillonite clay (OMMT‐C) under acid‐free environment. The effect of OMMT‐C loading on cure characteristics, rubber‐filler interactions, crosslink density, dynamic mechanical thermal properties, and mechanical properties were evaluated. Incorporation of OMMT‐C accelerated the vulcanization process and enhanced mechanical properties. X‐ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy images revealed that the formation of intercalated clay structures at lower OMMT‐C loadings, and clay aggregates at higher loadings. A nanocomposite at OMMT‐C loading of 2 phr exhibited the best balanced mechanical properties, and was associated with highest crosslink density and rubber–filler interactions. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 46502.
Open‐Label, Non‐Mandatory Transitioning From Originator Etanercept to Biosimilar SB4
Authors: Tweehuysen Lieke , Huiskes Victor J. B. , van den Bemt Bart J. F , Vriezekolk Johanna E. , Teerenstra Steven , van den Hoogen Frank H. J. , van den Ende Cornelia H. , den Broeder Alfons A. 
Published: April 2018

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effects of non‐mandatory transitioning from the originator biologic drug etanercept (ETN) to its biosimilar, SB4, on drug survival and effectiveness in a controlled cohort study of patients with an inflammatory rheumatic disease.MethodsIn 2016, 642 patients were asked to transition their treatment from originator ETN to biosimilar SB4 by a structured communication strategy with opt‐out option. Patients who consented to switch to SB4 were considered eligible for inclusion in the transition cohort, while patients being treated with originator ETN in 2014 were recruited as the historical cohort. Drug survival was compared between the 2 cohorts using Cox regression analyses, which were adjusted for age, sex, diagnosis, ETN treatment duration, ETN dose interval, conventional synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug usage, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) level, with a robust variance estimator applied to account for repeated subjects (i.e., patients who were included in both the transition cohort and the historical cohort). Adjusted differences in the 6‐month change in CRP level, Disease Activity Score in 28 joints using CRP level (DAS28‐CRP), and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index were also assessed.ResultsOf the 642 ETN‐treated patients, 635 (99%) agreed to transition from originator ETN to biosimilar SB4, of whom 625 patients (433 with rheumatoid arthritis, 128 with psoriatic arthritis, and 64 with ankylosing spondylitis) were included in the transition cohort, and 600 ETN‐treated patients from 2014 were included in the historical cohort. The crude treatment persistence rate for biosimilar SB4 over 6 months was 90% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 88–93%), compared to a 6‐month treatment persistence rate of 92% (95% CI 90–94%) for originator ETN. Patients in the transition cohort, compared to the historical cohort, had a statistically significantly higher relative risk of treatment discontinuation (adjusted hazard ratio 1.57, 95% CI 1.05–2.36) and showed smaller decreases in the CRP level (adjusted difference 1.8, 95% CI 0.3–3.2) and DAS28‐CRP (adjusted difference 0.15, 95% CI 0.05–0.25) over 6 months.ConclusionNon‐mandatory transitioning from originator ETN to biosimilar SB4 using a specifically designed communication strategy resulted in a slightly lower 6‐month treatment persistence rate and smaller decreases in disease activity in the transition cohort compared to the historical cohort, but these differences were not considered clinically relevant.
Preliminary results of proton radiotherapy for pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma: a multi‐institutional study in Japan
Authors: Mizumoto Masashi , Murayama Shigeyuki , Akimoto Tetsuo , Demizu Yusuke , Fukushima Takashi , Ishida Yuji , Oshiro Yoshiko , Numajiri Haruko , Fuji Hiroshi , Okumura Toshiyuki , Shirato Hiroki , Sakurai Hideyuki 
Published: April 2018

AbstractTo evaluate preliminary results of proton radiotherapy (PRT) for pediatric patients with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). From 1987 to 2014, PRT was conducted as initial radiotherapy in 55 patients (35 males, 20 females, median age 5 years, range 0–19) with RMS at four institutes in Japan. Thirty‐one, 18, and six patients had embryonal, alveolar, and other RMS, respectively. One, 11, 37, and six patients were in IRSG groups I, II, III, and IV, respectively, and the COG risk group was low, intermediate, and high for nine, 39, and seven patients, respectively. The irradiation dose was 36–60 GyE (median: 50.4 GyE). The median follow‐up period was 24.5 months (range: 1.5–320.3). The 1‐ and 2‐year overall survival rates were 91.9% (95% CI: 84.3–99.5%) and 84.8% (95% CI 75.2–94.3%), respectively, and these rates were 100% and 100%, 97.1% and 90.1%, and 57.1% and 42.9% for COG low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk groups, respectively. There were 153 adverse events of Grade ≥3, including 141 hematologic toxicities in 48 patients (87%) and 12 radiation‐induced toxicities in nine patients (16%). Proton‐specific toxicity was not observed. PRT has the same treatment effect as photon radiotherapy with tolerable acute radiation‐induced toxicity.
Going Beyond the Limits of the Biorenewable Platform: Sodium Dithionite‐Promoted Stabilization of 5‐Hydroxymethylfurfural
Authors: Gomes Rafael F. A. , Mitrev Yavor N. , Simeonov Svilen P. , Afonso Carlos A. M. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe lack of thermal and storage stability and occurrence of side reactions during the processing of 5‐hydroxymethylfurfural (5‐HMF) limits its potential as biorenewable platform molecule. The addition of small amounts of the readily available sodium dithionite has a remarkable effect on promoting the stability of 5‐HMF and inhibiting side reactions, thus helping to circumvent such limitations. The addition of sodium dithionite led to improvements in thermal stability (120 °C, 4 h, neat; 100 % vs. 37 %), under distillation (yield: 85 % vs. 52 %), and in a wide range of reactions, including 5‐HMF synthesis under biphasic conditions (yield: 98 % vs. 67 %; purity: 92 % vs. 83 %) and 5‐HMF transformations, such as Knoevenagel condensation with Meldrum's acid (yield: 96 % vs. 74 %), Cannizaro reaction (yield: quantitative vs. 83 %), and condensation with primary diamines to give pyridinium salts (yield: 88 % vs. 60 %).
Asymmetric biotic interactions and abiotic niche differences revealed by a dynamic joint species distribution model
Authors: Lany Nina K. , Zarnetske Phoebe L. , Schliep Erin M. , Schaeffer Robert N. , Orians Colin M. , Orwig David A. , Preisser Evan L. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA species’ distribution and abundance are determined by abiotic conditions and biotic interactions with other species in the community. Most species distribution models correlate the occurrence of a single species with environmental variables only, and leave out biotic interactions. To test the importance of biotic interactions on occurrence and abundance, we compared a multivariate spatiotemporal model of the joint abundance of two invasive insects that share a host plant, hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA; Adelges tsugae) and elongate hemlock scale (EHS; Fiorina externa), to independent models that do not account for dependence among co‐occurring species. The joint model revealed that HWA responded more strongly to abiotic conditions than EHS. Additionally, HWA appeared to predispose stands to subsequent increase of EHS, but HWA abundance was not strongly dependent on EHS abundance. This study demonstrates how incorporating spatial and temporal dependence into a species distribution model can reveal the dependence of a species’ abundance on other species in the community. Accounting for dependence among co‐occurring species with a joint distribution model can also improve estimation of the abiotic niche for species affected by interspecific interactions.
Herbivory enhances the resistance of mangrove forest to cordgrass invasion
Authors: Zhang Yihui , Meng Hanyu , Wang Yi , He Qiang 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe biotic resistance hypothesis proposes that biotic interactions, such as competition and herbivory, resist the establishment and spread of non‐native species. The relative and interactive role of competition and herbivory in resisting plant invasions, however, remains poorly understood. We investigated the interactive role of competition and herbivory (by the native rodent Rattus losea) in resisting Spartina alterniflora (cordgrass) invasions into mangrove forests. In southern China, although exotic cordgrass numerically dominates intertidal mudflats and open gaps in mangrove forests, intact forests appear to be highly resistant to cordgrass invasion. A field transplant and rodent exclusion experiment showed that while the impact of rodent grazing on cordgrass was weak on mangrove forest edges and open mudflats, rodent grazing strongly suppressed cordgrass in mangrove understory habitats. A greenhouse experiment confirmed a synergistic interaction between grazing and light availability (a proxy for mangrove shading and light competition) in suppressing cordgrass establishment, with the strongest impacts of grazing in low light conditions that likely weakened cordgrass to survive and resprout. When both were present, as in mangrove understory habitats, grazing and low light acted in concert to eliminate cordgrass establishment, resulting in resistance of mangrove forests to cordgrass invasion. Our results reveal that grazing by native herbivores can enhance the resistance of mangrove forests to cordgrass invasion in southern China, and suggest that investigating multifactor interactions may be critical to understanding community resistance to exotic invasions.
Run‐off processes from mountains to foothills: The role of soil stratigraphy and structure in influencing run‐off characteristics across high to low relief landscapes
Authors: Zimmer Margaret A. , Gannon John P. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe critical zone features that control run‐off generation, specifically at the regional watershed scale, are not well understood. Here, we addressed this knowledge gap by quantitatively and conceptually linking regional watershed‐scale run‐off regimes with critical zone structure and climate gradients across two physiographic provinces in the Southeastern United States. We characterized long‐term (~20 years) discharge and precipitation regimes for 73 watersheds with United States Geological Survey in‐stream gaging stations across the Appalachian Mountain and Piedmont physiographic provinces of North Carolina. Watersheds included in this analysis had <10% developed land and ranged in size from 14.1–4,390 km2. Thirty‐four watersheds were located in the Piedmont physiographic province, which is typically classified as a low relief landscape with deep, highly weathered soils and regolith. Thirty‐nine watersheds were located in the Appalachian Mountain physiographic province, which is typically classified as a steeper landscape with highly weathered, but shallower soils and regolith. From the United States Geological Survey daily mean run‐off time series, we calculated annual and seasonal baseflow indices (BFI), minimum, mean, and maximum daily run‐off, and Pearson's correlation coefficients between precipitation and baseflow. Our results showed that Appalachian Mountain watersheds systematically had higher minimum daily flows and BFI values. Piedmont watersheds displayed much larger deviations from mean annual BFI in response to year‐to‐year variability in precipitation. A series of linear regression models between 21 landscape metrics and annual BFIs showed non‐linear and complex terrestrial–hydrological relationships across the two provinces. From these results, we discuss how distinct features of critical zone architecture, with specific focus on soil depth and stratigraphy, may be dominating the regulation of hydrological processes and run‐off regimes across these provinces.
The Challenges and Opportunities of Pharmacoepidemiology in Bone Diseases
Authors: Alarkawi Dunia , Ali M Sanni , Bliuc Dana , Center Jacqueline R , Prieto‐Alhambra Daniel 
Published: April 2018

ABSTRACTPharmacoepidemiology is used extensively in osteoporosis research and involves the study of the use and effects of drugs in large numbers of people. Randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in assessing treatment efficacy and safety. However, their results can have limited external validity when applied to day‐to‐day patients. Pharmacoepidemiological studies aim to assess the effect/s of treatments in actual practice conditions, but they are limited by the quality, completeness, and inherent bias due to confounding. Sources of information include prospectively collected (primary) as well as readily available routinely collected (secondary) (eg, electronic medical records, administrative/claims databases) data. Although the former enable the collection of ad hoc measurements, the latter provide a unique opportunity for the study of large representative populations and for the assessment of rare events at relatively low cost. Observational cohort and case‐control studies, the most commonly implemented study designs in pharmacoepidemiology, each have their strengths and limitations. However, the choice of the study design depends on the research question that needs to be answered. Despite the many advantages of observational studies, they also have limitations. First, missing data is a common issue in routine data, frequently dealt with using multiple imputation. Second, confounding by indication arises because of the lack of randomization; multivariable regression and more specific techniques such as propensity scores (adjustment, matching, stratification, trimming, or weighting) are used to minimize such biases. In addition, immortal time bias (time period during which a subject is artefactually event‐free by study design) and time‐varying confounding (patient characteristics changing over time) are other types of biases usually accounted for using time‐dependent modeling. Finally, residual “uncontrolled” confounding is difficult to assess, and hence to account for it, sensitivity analyses and specific methods (eg, instrumental variables) should be considered. © 2018 The AuthorsJBMR Pluspublished by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Pathophysiology and management of glaucoma associated with phakomatoses
Authors: Thavikulwat Alisa T. , Edward Deepak P. , AlDarrab Abdulrahman , Vajaranant Thasarat S. 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe phakomatoses, encephalotrigeminal angiomatosis (ETA; Sturge‐Weber Syndrome), neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1 or von Recklinghausen disease), Von Hippel‐Lindau (VHL) disease, tuberous sclerosis (TSC), oculodermal melanocytosis (ODM), and phakomatosis pigmentovascularis are a group of neurocutaneous disorders that have characteristic systemic and ocular manifestations. Through many different mechanisms, they may cause glaucomatous damage of the optic nerve and subsequent vision loss varying from mild to severe. Glaucoma commonly affects patients with ETA (43–72%), orbito‐facial NF1 (23–50%), and ODM (10%). Rarely, it may present as neovascular glaucoma in VHL and TSC. In ETA, glaucoma typically occurs ipsilateral to the port‐wine stain, which is caused by a mutation in the GNAQ gene. Specifically, mechanical malformation of the anterior chamber angle and elevated episcleral venous pressure has been implicated as causes of glaucoma in ETA. In NF1, which is caused by a mutation in the NF1 tumor suppressor gene, glaucoma commonly occurs ipsilateral to lid plexiform neurofibromas. Histological studies of eyes with NF1 have revealed direct anterior chamber infiltration by neurofibromas, secondary angle closure, fibrovascularization, and developmental angle abnormalities as mechanisms of glaucoma. Lastly, phakomatosis pigmentovascularis is a rare combination of ODM and port‐wine stain. Affected patients are at very high risk of developing glaucoma. Despite the many different mechanisms of glaucomatous damage, management follows similar principles as that for congenital glaucoma and primary open angle glaucoma. First‐line therapy is topical intraocular pressure‐lowering eye drops. Surgical management, including goniotomy, trabeculotomy, trabeculectomy, and tube shunt placement may be required for more severe cases.