bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Risk estimation, anxiety, and breast cancer worry in women at risk for breast cancer: A single‐arm trial of personalized risk communication
Authors: Xie Zhuoer , Wenger Neil , Stanton Annette L. , Sepucha Karen , Kaplan Celia , Madlensky Lisa , Elashoff David , Trent Jacqueline , Petruse Antonia , Johansen Liliana , Layton Tracy , Naeim Arash 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectiveElevated anxiety and breast cancer worry can impede mammographic screening and early breast cancer detection. Genetic advances and risk models make personalized breast cancer risk assessment and communication feasible, but it is unknown whether such communication of risk affects anxiety and disease‐specific worry. We studied the effect of a personalized breast cancer screening intervention on risk perception, anxiety, and breast cancer worry.MethodsWomen with a normal mammogram but elevated risk for breast cancer (N = 122) enrolled in the Athena Breast Health risk communication program were surveyed before and after receiving a letter conveying their breast cancer risk and a breast health genetic counselor consultation. We compared breast cancer risk estimation, anxiety, and breast cancer worry before and after risk communication and evaluated the relationship of anxiety and breast cancer worry to risk estimation accuracy.ResultsWomen substantially overestimated their lifetime breast cancer risk, and risk communication somewhat mitigated this overestimation (49% pre‐intervention, 42% post‐intervention, 13% Gail model risk estimate, P < .001). Both general anxiety and breast cancer worry declined significantly after risk communication in women with high baseline anxiety. Baseline anxiety and breast cancer worry were essentially unrelated to risk estimation accuracy, but risk communication increased alignment of worry with accuracy of risk assessment.ConclusionsPersonalized communication about breast cancer risk was associated with modestly improved risk estimation accuracy in women with relatively low anxiety and less anxiety and breast cancer worry in women with higher anxiety. We detected no negative consequences of informing women about elevated breast cancer risk.
Barriers to eliciting patient goals and values in shared decision‐making breast cancer surgery consultations: An ethnographic and interview study
Authors: Gruß Inga , McMullen Carmit K. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractObjectivePrevious research has demonstrated the importance of eliciting patients' goals and values during shared decision‐making (SDM), but this does not occur in most SDM conversations. Understanding challenges to eliciting patients' goals and values is crucial. This study assessed how clinicians balanced sharing medical information and considering patients' goals and values during breast cancer surgery consultation in an integrated health care system.MethodsWe conducted interviews with clinicians (n = 6) and patients (n = 11) and conducted naturalistic, ethnographic observations of eight surgical consultations in a multidisciplinary breast cancer clinic. We analyzed the data following the template method using the qualitative software NVivo 10.ResultsClinicians prioritized sharing medical information. We identified four patient factors necessary to integrate patients' values and goals into the conversation in addition to sharing medical information: ability to process large quantities of information quickly, willingness to embrace swift decision‐making, ability to quickly formulate one's values, and prioritization of surgical choice as the goal of the conversation.ConclusionsWe found that SDM implementation results in practices that emphasize information and choice, with less focus on patient goals and values. More research is needed to explore factors that may encourage the elicitation of patients' goals and values.
Stability of Aβ‐fibril fragments in the presence of fatty acids
Authors: Xi Wenhui , Vanderford Elliott K. , Liao Qinxin , Hansmann Ulrich H. E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe consider the effect of lauric acid on the stability of various fibril‐like assemblies of Aβ peptides. For this purpose, we have performed molecular dynamics simulations of these assemblies either in complex with lauric acid or without presence of the ligand. While we do not observe a stabilizing effect on Aβ40‐fibrils, we find that addition of lauric acid strengthens the stability of fibrils built from the triple‐stranded S‐shaped Aβ42‐peptides considered to be more toxic. Or results may help to understand how the specifics of the brain‐environment modulate amyloid formation and propagation.
Delivery of gene‐specific dsRNA by microinjection and feeding induces RNAi response in Sri Lanka weevil, Myllocerus undecimpustulatus undatus Marshall
Authors: Pinheiro Daniele H , Taylor Caitlin E , Wu Ke , Siegfried Blair D 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDRNA interference (RNAi) is widely used in entomological research for functional analysis of genes and is being considered as a new tool for insect pest management. Sri Lanka weevil (SLW) is a highly polyphagous pest of agronomically important plants, but currently only a few control methods are available for this insect.RESULTSIn the present study, we evaluated the stability of candidate reference genes β‐ACT, α‐TUB, EF1‐α, RPL12 and GAPDH, and identified EF1‐α as the most reliable for gene expression normalization. Four target genes involved in different cellular processes, including Prosα2, RPS13, Snf7 and V‐ATPase A were selected to evaluate whether RNAi response in SLW adults can be triggered by microinjection and oral feeding of their double‐stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). Three days after injection of the dsRNAs for the target genes, their transcript levels were significantly reduced (up to 91.4%) when compared to the control. Additionally, weevils fed with the target dsRNAs showed significant decreases in gene transcript levels and significant mortality was observed in insects treated with Prosα2 and Snf7 dsRNAs (78.6 to 92.7%).CONCLUSIONOur data demonstrate that microinjection and feeding of dsRNA produce a strong RNAi response in SLW, indicating that RNAi‐based strategies could be explored to develop a selective and environmentally safe control method against SLW. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Investigation of the temporal variability of thunderstorms in central and western Europe and the relation to large‐scale flow and teleconnection patterns
Authors: Piper David A. , Kunz Michael , Allen John T. , Mohr Susanna 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe driving factors that influence the spatial and annual variability of thunderstorms across Europe are still poorly understood. Due to a lack of long‐term, reliable and consistent information about the occurrence of convective storms, a weather type classification has been developed that estimates thunderstorm probability from a combination of appropriate meteorological quantities on the mesoscale. Based on this approach, the temporal and spatial variability of convection‐favouring environments is investigated between 1958 and 2014 using a high‐resolution reanalysis dataset. To identify potential drivers for convective days, typical upper‐level flow patterns were deduced using a multivariate approach. Our results suggest a strong link between local‐scale thunderstorm activity and large‐scale flow and air mass properties, such as stability, moisture, or vertical lifting. For example, while all over central Europe the most prominent pattern is given by a southwesterly flow type over the respective area, distinct regional discrepancies regarding further favourable flow types are observed. The crucial role of large‐scale flow is further studied by assessing the relation between Northern Hemisphere teleconnection patterns and widespread convective activity. It is found that positive phases of the East Atlantic or Scandinavian patterns go along with a significant enhancement of convection‐favouring conditions in several European regions, which can be explained by anomalies in the large‐scale temperature and flow fields. Sea‐surface temperature over the Bay of Biscay likewise impacts the convective environment, with the largest positive effect over the western part of the study area.
Comparison of triel bonds with different chalcogen electron donors: Its dependence on triel donor and methyl substitution
Authors: Chi Zongqing , Li Qingzhong , Li Hai‐Bei 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe complexes between R3Tr (Tr = B, Al, and Ga; R = H, F, Cl, and Br) and H2X (X = O, S, and Se) were theoretically studied. The interaction energies of R3Al⋯H2X and R3Ga⋯H2X are consistent with the electronegativity of the halogen atom R (R ≠ H), but an opposite dependence is found for R3B⋯H2X. The triel bond of R3Tr⋯H2X is weaker for the heavier chalcogen donor. The dependence of triel bonding strength on the triel atom is complicated, depending on the nature of R and X. The methyl substitution of H2X causes a substantial increase in the interaction energy from −5.74 kcal/mol to −22.88 kcal/mol, and its effect is relevant to the nature of Tr, X, and R groups. For the S and Se donors, the increased percentage of interaction energy is almost the same due to the methyl substitution, which is larger than that of the O analogue. In most triel‐bonded complexes, electrostatic dominates and polarization has comparable contribution. However, polarization plays a dominant role in R3B⋯ and R3B⋯ (R = Cl and Br; R′ = H and Me).
Rapid identification of organophosphorus pesticides on contaminated skin and confirmation of adequate decontamination by ambient mass spectrometry in emergency settings
Authors: Su Hung , Yeh I‐Jeng , Wu Yen‐Hung , Jiang Zong‐Han , Shiea Jentaie , Lee Chi‐Wei 
Published: August 2019

RationaleDermal exposure to pesticides may cause severe intoxication and even result in a fatal outcome. To expedite rescue in the emergency department, it is mandatory to develop a point‐of‐care analytical method for immediate identification of pesticides on the skin of exposed personnel, and to perform immediate dermal decontamination to prevent further harm and optimize the chance for full clinical recovery.MethodsFour of the most commonly used highly toxic pesticides that contaminate the skin were rapidly characterized by thermal desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The technique was also applied to confirm the completeness of pesticide decontamination from the skin. Pesticide sampling, desorption, ionization, and detection altogether took less than 30 s. In addition, different fabrics of protective garments worn by farmers were assessed with this efficient ambient mass spectrometric technique for their protective capabilities against dermal exposure to pesticides, and scanning electron microscopy was used to observe their different microstructures. The decontaminating efficacies of different cleansing agents for these skin contaminants were also evaluated by this technical platform.ResultsThe repeatability of this method had a low relative standard deviation (<22%) for the detection of pesticides on the surface of swine skin. The detection limits of the pesticides in solution were found to be in the range of 3–20 ng/mL. Linearity was observed between the signal intensities and the concentrations of the four pesticides in solution within the range of 50 ng/mL to 50 μg/mL (R2 between 0.9921 and 0.9966). In addition, it was found that PVC fabric is optimal in preventing skin contamination by fenthion and detergent had the best efficiency for fenthion decontamination.ConclusionsSince the whole analytical process is extremely fast, this technique allows early point‐of‐care identification of contaminating pesticides on the skin of exposed patients in the emergency room, as well as rapid assessment of the adequacy of decontamination.
Acylative Kinetic Resolution of Racemic 2,2‐Dimethyl‐Substituted Nitroaldol (Henry) Adducts Using a Chiral Guanidine Catalyst: (R)‐(+)‐N‐Methylbenzoguanidine ((R)‐NMBG)
Authors: Ichimura Taiju , Kishida Ryota , Nakata Kenya 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNon‐enzymatic acylative kinetic resolution of racemic 2,2‐dimethyl‐substituted nitroaldol (Henry) adducts was achieved using cyclohexanecarboxylic anhydride in the presence of chiral guanidine catalyst. The systematic evaluation of the substituents on the aromatic rings of the substrates were conducted to clarify the influence of the substituents. The reaction was smoothly proceeded with moderate to good s‐values, regardless of the kinds of the substituents. Based on the absolute configuration of the resulted product, the transition state of the reaction was predicted, and it was important the interaction between the nitro group on the substrate and the cation face of the acyl‐guanidium intermediate to determine the direction of the substrate.
The Crystallinity and Aspect Ratio of Cellulose Nanomaterials Determine Their Pro‐Inflammatory and Immune Adjuvant Effects In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Wang Xiang , Chang Chong Hyun , Jiang Jinhong , Liu Qi , Liao Yu‐Pei , Lu Jianqin , Li Linjiang , Liu Xiangsheng , Kim Joshua , Ahmed Ayman , Nel André E. , Xia Tian 
Published: August 2019

AbstractNanocellulose is increasingly considered for applications; however, the fibrillar nature, crystalline phase, and surface reactivity of these high aspect ratio nanomaterials need to be considered for safe biomedical use. Here a comprehensive analysis of the impact of cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and nanocrystals (CNC) is performed using materials provided by the Nanomaterial Health Implications Research Consortium of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. An intermediary length of nanocrystals is also derived by acid hydrolysis. While all CNFs and CNCs are devoid of cytotoxicity, 210 and 280 nm fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)‐labeled CNCs show higher cellular uptake than longer and shorter CNCs or CNFs. Moreover, CNCs in the 200–300 nm length scale are more likely to induce lysosomal damage, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and IL‐1β production than CNFs. The pro‐inflammatory effects of CNCs are correlated with higher crystallinity index, surface hydroxyl density, and reactive oxygen species generation. In addition, CNFs and CNCs can induce maturation of bone marrow–derived dendritic cells and CNCs (and to a lesser extent CNFs) are found to exert adjuvant effects in ovalbumin (OVA)‐injected mice, particularly for 210 and 280 nm CNCs. All considered, the data demonstrate the importance of length scale, crystallinity, and surface reactivity in shaping the innate immune response to nanocellulose.
Lithium Titanate Cuboid Arrays Grown on Carbon Fiber Cloth for High‐Rate Flexible Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Chao , Wang Xianfen , Lin Chunfu , Zhao Xiu Song 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHigh‐rate performance flexible lithium‐ion batteries are desirable for the realization of wearable electronics. The flexibility of the electrode in the battery is a key requirement for this technology. In the present work, spinel lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12, LTO) cuboid arrays are grown on flexible carbon fiber cloth (CFC) to fabricate a binder‐free composite electrode (LTO@CFC) for flexible lithium‐ion batteries. Experimental results show that the LTO@CFC electrode exhibits a remarkably high‐rate performance with a capacity of 105.8 mAh g−1 at 50C and an excellent electrochemical stability against cycling (only 2.2% capacity loss after 1000 cycles at 10C). A flexible full cell fabricated with the LTO@CFC as the anode and LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 coated on Al foil as the cathode displays a reversible capacity of 109.1 mAh g−1 at 10C, an excellent stability against cycling and a great mechanical stability against bending. The observed high‐rate performance of the LTO@CFC electrode is due to its unique corn‐like architecture with LTO cuboid arrays (corn kernels) grown on CFC (corn cob). This work presents a new approach to preparing LTO‐based composite electrodes with an architecture favorable for ion and electron transport for flexible energy storage devices.
Adenomatous Polyposis Coli as a Major Regulator of Human Embryonic Stem Cells Self-Renewal
Authors: Preisler Livia , Ben-Yosef Dalit , Mayshar Yoav 
Published: August 2019

Abstract
Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) provide an essential tool to investigate early human development, study disease pathogenesis, and examine therapeutic interventions. Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, implicated in the majority of sporadic colorectal cancers and in the autosomal dominant inherited syndrome familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP). Studies into the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hESCs arrived at conflicting results, due at least in part to variations in culture conditions and the use of external inhibitors and agonists. Here, we directly targeted APC in hESCs carrying a germline APC mutation, derived from affected blastocysts following preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for FAP, in order to answer open questions regarding the role of APC in regulating pluripotency and differentiation potential of hESCs. Using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR associated protein 9 (Cas9), we generated second hit APC mutations in FAP-hESCs. Despite high CRISPR/Cas9 targeting efficiency and the successful isolation of many clones, none of the isolated clones carried a loss of function mutation in the wild-type (WT) APC allele. Using a fluorescent β-catenin reporter and analysis of mutated-allele frequencies in the APC locus, we show that APC double mutant hESCs robustly activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling that results in rapid differentiation to endodermal and mesodermal lineages. Here, we provide direct evidence for a strict requirement for constant β-catenin degradation through the APC destruction complex in order to maintain pluripotency, highlighting a fundamental role for APC in self-renewal of hESCs. Stem Cells 2019;37:1505–1515
Tuning the size, shape and structure of RNA nanoparticles for favorable cancer targeting and immunostimulation
Authors: Guo Sijin , Xu Congcong , Yin Hongran , Hill Jordan , Pi Fengmei , Guo Peixuan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe past decade has shown exponential growth in the field of RNA nanotechnology. The rapid advances of using RNA nanoparticles for biomedical applications, especially targeted cancer therapy, suggest its potential as a new generation of drug. After the first milestone of small molecule drugs and the second milestone of antibody drugs, it was predicted that RNA drugs, either RNA itself or chemicals/ligands that target RNA, will be the third milestone in drug development. Thus, a comprehensive assessment of the current therapeutic RNA nanoparticles is urgently needed to meet the drug evaluation criteria. Specifically, the pharmacological and immunological profiles of RNA nanoparticles need to be systematically studied to provide insights in rational design of RNA‐based therapeutics. By virtue of its programmability and biocompatibility, RNA molecules can be designed to construct sophisticated nanoparticles with versatile functions/applications and highly tunable physicochemical properties. This intrinsic characteristic allows the systemic study of the effects of various properties of RNA nanoparticles on their in vivo behaviors such as cancer targeting and immune responses. This review will focus on the recent progress of RNA nanoparticles in cancer targeting, and summarize the effects of common physicochemical properties such as size and shape on the RNA nanoparticles' biodistribution and immunostimulation profiles.This article is categorized under:Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Nucleic Acid‐Based StructuresDiagnostic Tools > in vivo Nanodiagnostics and ImagingTherapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease
Polyculture affects biomass production of component species but not total standing biomass and soil carbon stocks in a temperate forest plantation
Authors: Ahmed Iftekhar U. , Smith Andrew R. , Godbold Douglas L. 
Published: August 2019

Abstract

Key message

Over-yielding of stand biomass did not occur in a tree polyculture comprised of Betula pendula, Alnus glutinosa and Fagus sylvatica selected for contrasting traits. This was due to antagonistic interactions between the component species. Fine root dynamics and soil C stocks were unaffected by species mixture.

Context
Increasing CO2 fixation in tree biomass through afforestation and forest management actions has potential for cost-effective climate mitigation. The influences of tree mixture on biomass production and subsequent soil C accumulation in polyculture still remain uncertain.

Aims
We studied the polyculture of Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn, Betula pendula Roth and Fagus sylvatica L. in a plantation forest to examine the effectiveness of species mixtures as a tool for increased biomass production and soil C accumulation.

Methods
Tree biomass was estimated by developing species-specific allometric models and 3 years tree measurement. Fine root biomass and production were estimated by root coring and root-mesh methods. The ‘relative yield of mixture’ approach was used to examine the mixture effect.

Results
In mixture, an additive effect was observed in A. glutinosa (13% increase in basal diameter relative to the monoculture); however, there was no overall effect of mixture on total standing biomass due to the suppression of F. sylvatica (2.75 g m−2 reduction in woody biomass). Fine root biomass production showed no mixture effect. The quantity and quality of soil C (top 0.5 m) was not affected by tree mixture.

Conclusion
We conclude that the contrasting growth responses of the A. glutinosa, B. pendula and F. sylvatica in polyculture resulted in no over-yielding of standing biomass despite the complementary traits of the component species.
Building a comprehensive mentoring academy for schools of health
Authors: Schweitzer Julie B. , Rainwater Julie A. , Ton Hendry , Giacinto Rebeca E. , Sauder Candice A. M. , Meyers Frederick J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFormal mentoring programs are increasingly recognized as critical for faculty career development. We describe a mentoring academy (MA) developed for faculty across tracks (i.e., researchers, clinicians, educators) within a “school of health” encompassing schools of medicine and nursing. The program is anchored dually in a clinical and translational science center and a school of health. The structure includes the involvement of departmental and center mentoring directors to achieve widespread uptake and oversight. A fundamental resource provided by the MA includes providing workshops to enhance mentoring skills. Initiatives for junior faculty emphasize establishing and maintaining strong mentoring relationships and implementing individual development plans (IDPs) for career planning. We present self-report data on competency improvement from mentor workshops and data on resources and barriers identified by junior faculty (n = 222) in their IDPs. Mentors reported statistically significantly improved mentoring competency after workshop participation. Junior faculty most frequently identified mentors (61%) and collaborators (23%) as resources for goal attainment. Top barriers included insufficient time and time-management issues (57%), funding limitations (18%), work–life balance issues (18%), including inadequate time for self-care and career development activities. Our MA can serve as a model and roadmap for providing resources to faculty across traditional tracks within medical schools.