bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phase I study of vorinostat in combination with isotretinoin in patients with refractory/recurrent neuroblastoma: A new approaches to Neuroblastoma Therapy (NANT) trial
Authors: Pinto Navin , DuBois Steven G. , Marachelian Araz , Diede Scott J. , Taraseviciute Agne , Glade Bender Julia L. , Tsao‐Wei Denice , Groshen Susan G. , Reid Joel M. , Haas‐Kogan Daphne A. , Reynolds C. Patrick , Kang Min H. , Irwin Meredith S. , Macy Margaret E. , Villablanca Judith G. , Matthay Katherine K. , Park Julie R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundVorinostat combined with retinoids produces additive antitumor effects in preclinical studies of neuroblastoma. Higher systemic exposures of vorinostat than achieved in pediatric phase I trials with continuous daily dosing are necessary for in vivo increased histone acetylation and cytotoxic activity. We conducted a phase I trial in children with relapsed/refractory neuroblastoma to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of vorinostat on an interrupted schedule, escalating beyond the previously identified pediatric MTD.MethodsIsotretinoin (cis‐13‐retinoic acid) 80 mg/m2/dose was administered by mouth twice daily on days 1–14 in combination with escalating doses of daily vorinostat up to 430 mg/m2/dose (days 1–4; 8–11) in each 28‐day cycle using the standard 3 + 3 design. Vorinostat pharmacokinetic testing and histone acetylation assays were performed.ResultsTwenty‐nine patients with refractory or relapsed neuroblastoma were enrolled and 28 were evaluable for dose escalation decisions. Median number of cycles completed was two (range 1–15); 11 patients received four or more cycles. Three patients experienced cycle 1 dose‐limiting toxicities. A total of 18 patients experienced grade 3/4 toxicities related to study therapy. The maximum intended dose of vorinostat (430 mg/m2/day, days 1–4; 8–11) was tolerable and led to increased histone acetylation in surrogate tissues when compared to lower doses of vorinostat (P = 0.009). No objective responses were seen.ConclusionsIncreased dose vorinostat (430 mg/m2/day) on an interrupted schedule is tolerable in combination with isotretinoin. This dose led to increased vorinostat exposures and demonstrated increased histone acetylation. Prolonged stable disease in patients with minimal residual disease warrants further investigation.
Association Between Medication Adherence and the Outcomes of Heart Failure
Authors: Hood Sarah R. , Giazzon Anthony J. , Seamon Gwen , Lane Kathleen A. , Wang Jane , Eckert George J. , Tu Wanzhu , Murray Michael D. 
Published: March 2018

BackgroundPrevious studies of heart failure patients demonstrated an association between cardiovascular medication adherence and hospitalizations or a composite end point of hospitalization and death. Few studies have assessed the impact of treatment adherence within large general medical populations that distinguish the health outcomes of emergency department visits, hospitalization, and death.ObjectiveTo determine the association of incremental cardiovascular medication adherence on emergency department visits, hospitalization, and death in adult heart failure patients in Indiana.DesignRetrospective cohort study conducted using electronic health record data from the statewide Indiana Network for Patient Care between 2004 and 2009.MethodsPatients were at least 18 years of age with a diagnosis of heart failure and prescribed at least one cardiovascular medication for heart failure. Adherence was measured as the proportion of days covered (PDC) using pharmacy transaction data. Clinical end points included emergency department visits, hospital admissions, length of hospital stay, and mortality. Generalized linear models were used to determine the effect of a 10% increase in PDC on clinical end points adjusting for age, sex, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index, and medications.ResultsElectronic health records were available for 55,312 patients (mean age ± standard deviation 68 ± 16 yrs; 54% women; 65% white). Mean PDC for all heart failure medications was 63% ± 23%. For every 10% increase in PDC, emergency department visits decreased 11% (rate ratio [RR] 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.89–0.89), hospital admissions decreased 6% (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.94–0.94), total length of hospital stay decreased 1% (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.99–1.00), and all‐cause mortality decreased 9% (odds ratio 0.91; 95% CI 0.90–0.92).ConclusionIncremental medication adherence was associated with reductions in emergency department visits, hospital admissions, length of hospital stay, and all‐cause mortality.
Application of thermography for thermoplastic waveguide fabrication
Authors: Evert Robert , Zaremba Daniel , Jakobs Florian , Caspary Reinhard , Kowalsky Wolfgang , Johannes Hans‐Hermann 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe production of short polymer optical fibers from small material batches is valuable for materials research, especially in the investigation of copolymers. A two‐step fiber drawing process is usually used for this purpose. The drawing temperature of the individual materials is an important parameter in the process. Temperature measurements using contactless methods are preferred because they enable online monitoring and do not affect the drawing process. Such measurements can be carried out with a pyrometer, which allows the measurement of a wide range of temperatures but requires a precise adjustment of the spot to the core of the preform. To circumvent this limitation, a thermographic camera with a resolution of 134 µm per pixel in the heating zone is used. The measurement range 0–250 °C is suitable for the usual drawing conditions. The device is installed outside the resistive heating furnace. The absolute temperature is obtained by calibrating the sensor to the beam path and the material emission properties. Different materials, shapes and thicknesses lead to variations in these parameters. In this work, an analysis of the temperature calibration for poly(methyl methacrylate), poly(styrene) and the copolymers poly[styrene‐co‐(isobornyl methacrylate)] and poly[(methyl methacrylate)‐co‐(isobornyl methacrylate)] is presented. These are all thermoplastic polymers and may be used for the fabrication of polymer optical fibers. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Langmuir and Langmuir–Blodgett films of low‐bandgap polymers
Authors: Braunger Maria L , da Silva Edilene Assunção , Awada Hussein , de Oliveira Vinícius JR , Silva Hugo Santos , Bégué Didier , Hiorns Roger C , Lartigau‐Dagron Christine , de Almeida Olivati Clarissa 
Published: March 2018

AbstractLow‐bandgap conjugated polymers have provided a considerable increase in organic photovoltaic efficiencies, however, an understanding of class‐specific nanostructures, necessary to further improve device qualities, remains scarce. Their self‐assembly and associated electronic behaviors in Langmuir−Blodgett (LB) films are used here to provide relationships specific to each polymer, clarifying their structure−property characteristics. The behavior of two low‐bandgap polymers based on cyclopentadithiophene (PCPDTBT) and dithienosilole (Si‐PCPDTBT) units in the Langmuir trough were investigated and it is shown that it is possible to fabricate nanostructured films of low‐bandgap polymers on solid substrates with the LB deposition technique. The polymers were mixed with amphiphilic molecules at well‐defined concentrations to improve the formation of the LB films. The polymers were also deposited by drop‐casting and LB techniques onto interdigitated electrodes to evaluate their electrical properties, and the LB films were characterized for their optical and morphological properties. It was found that both LB and drop‐cast films of PCPDTBT showed higher electrical conductivities than those of Si‐PCPDTBT. Importantly, LB films resulted in higher electrical conductivities – by an order of magnitude − compared to their equivalent mixtures with stearic acid in drop‐cast films, although drop‐cast films without stearic acid gave higher conductivities. This fine‐tuning of the molecular architectures of the films is thus demonstrated to directly affect the physical properties and may lead to an improvement in device efficiencies in future applications. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Exploring electrophysiological correlates of social cognition in subclinical schizotypy
Authors: Davidson Charlie Andrew , Kiat John E. , Tarasenko Melissa , Ritchie A. Jocelyn , Molfese Dennis , Spaulding William D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractImpairments in social cognition and associated abnormalities in brain function are well documented in psychotic disorders. They may represent neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities and may therefore be present in less severe or even subclinical conditions of the schizophrenia spectrum, such as schizotypy. Schizotypy has features highly suggestive of social cognitive impairments, but little is known about possible related abnormalities of brain function. This exploratory pilot study examines electrophysiological event‐related potentials (ERPs) implicated in schizophrenia, in 23 undergraduates with a range of subclinical schizotypal characteristics. ERPs were recorded in response to emotional face stimuli in an experimental paradigm designed to assess very early stages of social stimulus processing. Three ERPs were assessed, P100, N170 and P300. P100 and P300 were found to be related to multiple schizotypal features, but N170 was not. The results support occurrence of social cognitive impairments linked to abnormal brain function across the schizophrenia spectrum. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Predictors of anxiety and depression 2 years following treatment in uveal melanoma survivors
Authors: Brown Stephen L. , Hope‐Stone Laura , Heimann Heinrich , Damato Bertil , Salmon Peter 
Published: March 2018

AbstractObjectiveWe examined the role of posttreatment symptoms and functional problems and of worry about recurrent disease (WREC) in predicting probable anxiety and depression cases 24 months after diagnosis in survivors of posterior uveal melanoma. We examined whether WREC mediates links between symptoms, functional problems, and probable anxiety and depression cases.MethodsProspective cohort study of 261 treated uveal melanoma survivors 6, 12, and 24 months after diagnosis. Hierarchical logistic regression analyses predicting anxiety and depression 24 months after diagnosis identified by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale cutoff scores. Symptoms, functional problems, and WREC 6‐month posttreatment were entered into the analyses as predictors, then the same variables at 12 months. We controlled anxiety or depression at 6 and 12 months and chromosome 3 status, which accurately predicts 10‐year survival. Mediation of links between 6‐month symptoms and functional problems and 24‐month anxiety and depression by 12‐month WREC was tested.ResultsAnxiety caseness at 24 months was predicted by 6‐month ocular irritation, headache, and functional problems and 12‐month WREC. Depression caseness at 24 months was predicted by 6‐month headache and functional problems. Worry about recurrent disease at 12 months mediated prediction of anxiety caseness by 6‐month symptoms and functional problems. Chromosome 3 status predicted neither anxiety nor depression.ConclusionsSurvivors reporting symptoms, functional problems, and WREC should be monitored for anxiety and depression. Appropriate reassurance that symptoms do not signify future disease might help prevent anxiety.
An Analytical Method for Assessing Optimal Storage Conditions of Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Disclosing a Peptide Biomarker Signature of Gingivitis by MALDI‐TOF MS
Authors: Preianò Mariaimmacolata , Maggisano Giuseppina , Murfuni Maria Stella , Villella Chiara , Pelaia Corrado , Montalcini Tiziana , Lombardo Nicola , Pelaia Girolamo , Savino Rocco , Terracciano Rosa 
Published: March 2018

PurposeGingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is an important diagnostic source of biomarkers for both periodontitis and gingivitis. However, GCF peptide signature may change depending on factors such as handling and storage. Here we propose a standardized methodology for GCF analysis by MALDI‐TOF/TOF‐MS in order to distinguish a characteristic peptide signature of gingivitis.Experimental designThe best storage/handling conditions which may ensure the stability of the endogenous peptidome in GCF is determined and then MALDI‐TOF MS comparative analysis is performed. Reproducible GCF MALDI‐TOF signatures between two groups of gingivitis (n = 10) and healthy (n = 10) subjects are compared.ResultsA pattern of five peptides resulted differentially expressed between gingivitis and healthy groups. Interestingly, among these biomarkers the C‐terminal fragment of alpha‐1‐antitrypsin (AAT) namely C‐36 peptide and two different PTMs of the full‐length S100A9 protein are found.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe method described provides a rapid comparative analysis of GCF signatures between periodontally healthy and gingivitis subjects. A pattern based on the expression of endogenous peptides and their PTMs is identified in GCF as putative biomarkers of gingivitis. These findings improve the knowledge of the inflammatory, immune, and structural substrates which might have a key role in the pathogenesis of gingivitis.
A New Method for Predicting the Detonation Velocity of Explosives with Micrometer Aluminum Powders
Authors: Li Xing‐Han , Zhao Feng , Qin Jin‐Cheng , Pei Hong‐Bo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn the present study we carried out a thermodynamic analysis for explosives with micrometer aluminum (Al) powders, and found that the acceleration of Al powders and heat exchange between Al powders and the detonation products may have a significant influence on the detonation velocity. Relying on velocity disequilibrium between the two phases at the C−J plane and heat absorption of inert Al powders in the detonation zone, this paper has introduced a new method to study the detonation velocity of explosives with micrometer Al additives. The method is a closed system of algebraic equations and the detonation velocity can be solved efficiently by numerical codes. The detonation velocities predicted by the new method are in excellent agreement with experimental data of RDX‐, HMX‐, NM‐ and TNT‐based aluminized explosives, and the heat exchange has been proved significant on the detonation velocity, while the acceleration of Al powders is of little effect.
Functional classification of protein structures by local structure matching in graph representation
Authors: Mills Caitlyn L. , Garg Rohan , Lee Joslynn S. , Tian Liang , Suciu Alexandru , Cooperman Gene D. , Beuning Penny J. , Ondrechen Mary Jo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAs a result of high‐throughput protein structure initiatives, over 14,400 protein structures have been solved by Structural Genomics (SG) centers and participating research groups. While the totality of SG data represents a tremendous contribution to genomics and structural biology, reliable functional information for these proteins is generally lacking. Better functional predictions for SG proteins will add substantial value to the structural information already obtained. Our method described herein, Graph Representation of Active Sites for Prediction of Function (GRASP‐Func), predicts quickly and accurately the biochemical function of proteins by representing residues at the predicted local active site as graphs rather than in Cartesian coordinates. We compare the GRASP‐Func method to our previously reported method, Structurally Aligned Local Sites of Activity (SALSA), using the Ribulose Phosphate Binding Barrel (RPBB), 6‐Hairpin Glycosidase (6‐HG), and Concanavalin A‐like Lectins/Glucanase (CAL/G) superfamilies as test cases. In each of the superfamilies, SALSA and the much faster method GRASP‐Func yield similar correct classification of previously characterized proteins, providing a validated benchmark for the new method. In addition, we analyzed SG proteins using our SALSA and GRASP‐Func methods to predict function. Forty‐one SG proteins in the RPBB superfamily, nine SG proteins in the 6‐HG superfamily, and one SG protein in the CAL/G superfamily were successfully classified into one of the functional families in their respective superfamily by both methods. This improved, faster, validated computational method can yield more reliable predictions of function that can be used for a wide variety of applications by the community.
Influence of the quality of intraoperative fluoroscopic images on the spatial positioning accuracy of a CAOS system
Authors: Wang Junqiang , Wang Yu , Zhu Gang , Chen Xiangqian , Zhao Xiangrui , Qiao Huiting , Fan Yubo 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBackgroundSpatial positioning accuracy is a key issue in a computer‐assisted orthopaedic surgery (CAOS) system. Since intraoperative fluoroscopic images are one of the most important input data to the CAOS system, the quality of these images should have a significant influence on the accuracy of the CAOS system. But the regularities and mechanism of the influence of the quality of intraoperative images on the accuracy of a CAOS system have yet to be studied.MethodsTwo typical spatial positioning methods – a C‐arm calibration‐based method and a bi‐planar positioning method – are used to study the influence of different image quality parameters, such as resolution, distortion, contrast and signal‐to‐noise ratio, on positioning accuracy. The error propagation rules of image error in different spatial positioning methods are analyzed by the Monte Carlo method.ResultsCorrelation analysis showed that resolution and distortion had a significant influence on spatial positioning accuracy. In addition the C‐arm calibration‐based method was more sensitive to image distortion, while the bi‐planar positioning method was more susceptible to image resolution. The image contrast and signal‐to‐noise ratio have no significant influence on the spatial positioning accuracy. The result of Monte Carlo analysis proved that generally the bi‐planar positioning method was more sensitive to image quality than the C‐arm calibration‐based method.ConclusionsThe quality of intraoperative fluoroscopic images is a key issue in the spatial positioning accuracy of a CAOS system. Although the 2 typical positioning methods have very similar mathematical principles, they showed different sensitivities to different image quality parameters. The result of this research may help to create a realistic standard for intraoperative fluoroscopic images for CAOS systems.
An adaptive critic approach to event‐triggered robust control of nonlinear systems with unmatched uncertainties
Authors: Yang Xiong , He Haibo , Wei Qinglai 
Published: March 2018

SummaryIn this paper, we develop a novel event‐triggered robust control strategy for continuous‐time nonlinear systems with unmatched uncertainties. First, we build a relationship to show that the event‐triggered robust control can be obtained by solving an event‐triggered nonlinear optimal control problem of the auxiliary system. Then, within the framework of reinforcement learning, we propose an adaptive critic approach to solve the event‐triggered nonlinear optimal control problem. Unlike typical actor‐critic dual approximators used in reinforcement learning, we employ a unique critic approximator to derive the solution of the event‐triggered Hamilton‐Jacobi‐Bellman equation arising in the nonlinear optimal control problem. The critic approximator is updated via the gradient descent method, and the persistence of excitation condition is necessary. Meanwhile, under a newly proposed event‐triggering condition, we prove that the developed critic approximator update rule guarantees all signals in the auxiliary closed‐loop system to be uniformly ultimately bounded. Moreover, we demonstrate that the obtained event‐triggered optimal control can ensure the original system to be stable in the sense of uniform ultimate boundedness. Finally, a F‐16 aircraft plant and a nonlinear system are provided to validate the present event‐triggered robust control scheme.
A Landsat composite covering all Amazonia for applications in ecology and conservation
Authors: Van doninck Jasper , Tuomisto Hanna 
Published: March 2018

AbstractStudies at small spatial extents have shown that local floristic and edaphic patterns within the hyper‐diverse Amazonian forests can be identified at a high thematic resolution using Landsat imagery. This suggests that Landsat images have the potential to indicate ecologically relevant environmental and biotic variation in the forests also at the extent of the entire basin. However, the full potential of Landsat data for these purposes has not yet been exploited in ecological and biodiversity research or in conservation applications. This is largely because the artifactual noise that is introduced by atmospheric and directional effects into multi‐scene composite images can swamp the subtle spectral differences between different types of primary forest. Here, we present a new Landsat TM/ETM+ image composite for the entire Amazon biome that largely overcomes these problems. It is based on more than 16 000 individual image acquisitions from the 10‐year period 2000–2009. The images were individually processed to directionally and topographically normalized surface reflectance and combined into 2.5 degree tiles using the medoid compositing criterion. Visual inspection showed that the resulting image composite is radiometrically clearly more consistent than other currently available Landsat composites. We tested the ecological relevance of the new Landsat composite by comparing its reflectance values with edaphic properties measured in more than 300 field sampling localities spread across 2000 km of Amazonia. We found a strong correlation between observed and predicted concentration of exchangeable base cations in the surface soil, which indicates that the compositing approach has succeeded in removing most of the artifactual noise. The Landsat composite image should be of great value for a multitude of applications in ecology, biodiversity research and conservation planning that require environmental data layers combining detailed spatial resolution, basin‐wide coverage and high radiometric accuracy.
Concise Review: Crosstalk of Mesenchymal Stroma/Stem-Like Cells with Cancer Cells Provides Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Melzer Catharina , von der Ohe Juliane , Hass Ralf 
Published: March 2018

Abstract
Various direct and indirect cellular interactions between multi-functional mesenchymal stroma/stem-like cells (MSCs) and cancer cells contribute to increasing plasticity within the tumor tissue and its microenvironment. Direct and tight communication between MSC and cancer cells is based on membrane protein interactions and the exchange of large plasma membrane fragments also known as trogocytosis. An ultimate but rare direct interaction resumes in fusion of these two cellular partners resulting in the formation of new cancer hybrid cell populations. Alternatively, indirect interactions are displayed by the release of membranous vesicle-encapsulated microRNAs and proteins or soluble components such as molecular growth factors, hormones, chemo-/cytokines, and metabolites. Released single molecules as well as multivesicular bodies including exosomes and microvesicles can form local concentration gradients within the tumor microenvironment and are incorporated not only by adjacent neighboring cells but also affect distant target cells. The present Review will focus on vesicle-mediated indirect communication and on cancer cell fusion with direct contact between MSC and cancer cells. These different types of interaction are accompanied by functional interference and mutual acquisition of new cellular properties. Consequently, alterations in cancer cell functionalities paralleled by the capability to reorganize the tumor stroma can trigger changes in metastatic behavior and promote retrodifferentiation to develop new cancer stem-like cells. However, exosomes and microvesicles acting over long distances may also provide a tool with therapeutic potential when loaded with anti-tumor cargo.