bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Night Shift Work Before and During Pregnancy and Offspring Weight Outcomes Through Adolescence
Authors: Strohmaier Susanne , Devore Elizabeth E. , Vetter Celine , Missmer Stacey , Heather Eliassen A. , Rosner Bernard , Rich‐Edwards Janet , Field Alison E. , Schernhammer Eva S. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate associations between maternal history of rotating night shift nursing work before pregnancy and number of night shifts worked during pregnancy with offspring weight outcomes from early life through adolescence.MethodsMore than 4,000 children, enrolled in the second phase of the Growing Up Today Study between 2004 and 2013, and their mothers participating in the Nurses' Health Study II were included in our analyses.ResultsChildren of women with and without a history of rotating night shift work before pregnancy were similar in birth weight and body size at age 5. However, for mothers with night shift work before pregnancy, their children had a modestly elevated risk of having overweight or obesity (relative risk = 1.11; 95% CI: 1.02‐1.21), which was stronger for persistently having overweight or obesity during adolescence and early adulthood. Longer duration of rotating night shift work was not associated with any of these weight outcomes. Weight outcomes of children of women with versus without night shift work during pregnancy were similar, regardless of frequency of night shifts worked during pregnancy (all P > 0.09).ConclusionsOverall, nurses' night shift work before or during pregnancy did not affect offspring weight outcomes. Future larger studies should explore these associations in more detail.
The engineering and immobilization of penicillin G acylase onto thermo‐sensitive tri‐block copolymer system
Authors: Li Ke , Liu Xiao Ting , Zhang Yun Fei , Liu Donglei , Zhang Xin Yu , Ma Song Mei , Ruso Juan M. , Tang Zhenghua , Chen Zhen Bin , Liu Zhen 
Published: September 2018

In this work, the relationships between catalytic performances of penicillin G acylase (PGA) and the molar ratio of carrier, thermo‐sensitive tri‐block polymer, poly (N,N‐diethylacrylamide‐b‐ β‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐b‐glycidyl methacrylate) (PDEA‐b‐PHEMA‐b‐PGMA) were studied firstly, and result documented the optimal molar ratio was nDEA:nHEMA:nGMA = 100:47:24, which presented a suitable lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of 35°C and the activity retention ratio of 80.62% (±0.50%). Based on the suitable carrier, immobilization conditions were investigated and optimized. When pH of solution, concentration of PGA, immobilized time, and immobilization temperature were 8.0, 1/10 (m/v), 16 hours, and 36°C, respectively, enzyme loading capacity (L), enzyme activity (Ea), and activity retention ratio (Ar) of PGA arrived at the highest value of 21 223 U, 16 199 U/g, and 93.50% (±0.50%), respectively. Besides, the response rate (Rr) of immobilized PGA was the same as free PGA, the reusable stability (Rs) was 77.00% (±1.00%) after using for 11 times, which indicated that the carrier has better compatibility with L, Ar, Rs, and Rr.
Risk of suicide attempts among colorectal cancer patients: A nationwide population‐based matched cohort study
Authors: Sun Li‐Min , Lin Cheng‐Li , Hsu Chung‐Y. , Kao Chia‐Hung 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectivePatients with colorectal cancer (CRC) have been found to have a higher risk of suicide in limited‐number studies. However, data on the actual incidence rate of suicide remain scarce.MethodsUsing Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, we examined whether patients with CRC in Taiwan are at increased risk of suicide attempts. In this retrospective matched cohort study, data of 96 470 cases of CRC during 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2010 were collected. The control group was derived from general population by frequency matching 2 individuals without CRC for each individual with CRC by year of CRC diagnosis, age, and sex. The suicide risk in the CRC group compared with the control group was determined through Cox proportional hazard regression. We also compared the Kaplan‐Meier analyses to competing risk cumulative incidence curves using the Aalen‐Johansen estimator.ResultsA statistically significant 103% higher risk of suicide was observed in the CRC group compared with the control group (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.03; 95% confidence ratio: 1.60‐2.56). Additional stratified analyses revealed a significantly elevated risk across almost all demographic groups but limited to rectum location, short follow‐up time (<5 years), and without comorbidity.ConclusionsOur study suggested that patients with CRC in Taiwan have an elevated risk of suicide. Oncologists should pay attention to these patients and should consider referring them for psychological consultation to prevent suicide.
Direct mechanical characterization of prostate tissue—a systematic review
Authors: Kelly Niall P. , Flood Hugh D. , Hoey David A. , Kiely Patrick A. , Giri Subhasis K. , Coffey J. Calvin , Walsh Michael T. 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundDirect mechanical characterization of tissue is the application of engineering techniques to biological tissue to ascertain stiffness or elasticity, which can change in response to disease states. A number of papers have been published on the application of these techniques to prostate tissue with a range of results reported. There is a marked variability in the results depending on testing techniques and disease state of the prostate tissue. We aimed to clarify the utility of direct mechanical characterization of prostate tissue in identifying disease states.MethodsA systematic review of the published literature regarding direct mechanical characterization of prostate tissue was undertaking according to PRISMA guidelines.ResultsA variety of testing methods have been used, including compression, indentation, and tensile testing, as well as some indirect testing techniques, such as shear‐wave elastography. There is strong evidence of significant stiffness differences between cancerous and non‐cancerous prostate tissue, as well as correlations with prostate cancer stage. There is a correlation with increasing prostate stiffness and increasing lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia. There is a wide variation in the testing methods and protocols used in the literature making direct comparison between papers difficult. Most studies utilise ex‐vivo or cadaveric tissue, while none incorporate in vivo testing.ConclusionDirect mechanical assessment of prostate tissue permits a better understanding of the pathological and physiological changes that are occurring within the tissue. Further work is needed to include prospective and in vivo data to aid medical device design and investigate non‐surgical methods of managing prostate disease.
Characterization of the long‐distance dispersal of Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) in a vegetated irrigation channel
Authors: Rudi Gabrielle , Bailly Jean‐Stéphane , Belaud Gilles , Vinatier Fabrice 
Published: September 2018

AbstractHydrochorous dispersal may play a major role in the propagation of weeds such asSorghum halepense(Johnsongrass). However, the long‐distance dispersal of this weed via agricultural intermittent channel networks, such as irrigation channels, has been poorly studied. In this study, we focused on a seed dispersal kernel obtained after an irrigation event in a vegetated channel. The main objectives of the study were to highlight the specificities of irrigation channels in relation to seed transport and investigate hydraulic factors and microscale channel features associated with the deposition of seeds along the channel. Our results showed that despite very different flow and morphological conditions compared with natural waterways, seeds of Johnsongrass were able to travel hundred meters at the scale of one irrigation event. This is likely due to the floating ability of more than 50% of the Johnsongrass seeds. A Regression Tree algorithm, which explained 72% of seed deposition variability, showed the importance of the channel features such as the width of the section and the hydraulic structures, sluice gates and culvert, to explain the patterns of seed deposition. A complex role of the emergent vegetation was highlighted. The results suggest that a threshold of vegetation density should be reached to enhance seed deposition. The results indicate that the spread of existing Johnsongrass populations could be limited by preserving existing hydraulic structures or maintaining areas where the density of terrestrial vegetation is sufficient to enhance seed retention downstream.
Committing the primordial germ cell: An updated molecular perspective
Authors: Tan Haihan , Tee Wee‐Wei 
Published: September 2018

The germ line is a crucial cell lineage that is distinct from somatic cells, and solely responsible for the trans‐generational transmission of hereditary information in metazoan sexual reproduction. Primordial germ cells (PGCs)—the precursors to functional germ cells—are among the first cell types to be allocated in embryonic development, and this lineage commitment is a critical event in partitioning germ line and somatic tissues. Classically, mammalian PGC development has been largely informed by investigations on mouse embryos and embryonic stem cells. Recent findings from corresponding nonrodent systems, however, have indicated that murine PGC specification may not be fully archetypal. In this review, we outline the current understanding of molecular mechanisms in PGC specification, emphasizing key transcriptional events, and focus on salient differences between early human and mouse PGC commitment. Beyond these latest findings, we also contemplate the future outlook of inquiries in this field, highlighting the importance of comprehensively understanding early fate decisions that underlie the segregation of this unique lineage.This article is categorized under:

Developmental Biology > Stem Cell Biology and Regeneration
Biological Mechanisms > Cell Fates
Physiology > Mammalian Physiology in Health and Disease
BRST quantization and equivariant cohomology: localization with asymptotic boundaries
Authors: de Wit Bernard , Murthy Sameer , Reys Valentin 
Published: September 2018

Abstract

We develop BRST quantization of gauge theories with a soft gauge algebra on spaces with asymptotic boundaries. The asymptotic boundary conditions are imposed on background fields, while quantum fluctuations about these fields are described in terms of quantum fields that vanish at the boundary. This leads us to construct a suitable background field formalism that is generally applicable to soft gauge algebras, and therefore to supergravity. We define a nilpotent BRST charge that acts on both the background and the quantum fields, as well as on the background and quantum ghosts.
When the background is restricted to be invariant under a residual isometry group, the background ghosts must be restricted accordingly and play the role of the parameters of the background isometries. Requiring in addition that the background ghosts will be BRST invariant as well then converts the BRST algebra into an equivariant one. The background fields and ghosts are then invariant under the equivariant transformations while the quantum fields and ghosts transform under both the equivariant and the background transformations. We demonstrate how this formalism is suitable for carrying out localization calculations in a large class of theories, including supergravity defined on asymptotic backgrounds that admit supersymmetry.
Spontaneous Deceleration and Acceleration of Growth Rate in Medullary Thyroid Carcinomas Suggested by Changes in Calcitonin Doubling Times Over Long‐Term Surveillance
Authors: Miyauchi Akira , Kudo Takumi , Kihara Minoru , Oda Hitomi , Ito Yasuhiro , Miya Akihiro 
Published: September 2018

AbstractBackgroundBased on our long‐term observation of medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) patients, we hypothesized that some MTCs have spontaneous deceleration or regression of tumor growth over a long term and that a minority may acquire growth acceleration. We thus compared the calcitonin doubling time (Ct‐DT) in the earlier and later half‐periods of MTC patients’ postoperative course.MethodsWe followed 26 MTC patients (14 hereditary and 12 sporadic MTCs) with postoperative hypercalcitoninemia with periodic measurements of serum calcitonin (Ct) for >10 years without major interventions. The median period of Ct measurements was 18.3 years (range 10.6–30.2 years). We divided the individual patients’ study periods into the earlier and later halves and calculated the Ct‐DTs for both periods.ResultsIn the hereditary group, the Ct‐DT in the later half‐period (Later‐Ct‐DT) was significantly longer than that in the earlier half‐period (Earlier‐Ct‐DT) (median 20.0 years vs. 7.1 years, p = 0.013). These values in the sporadic group were 20.0 years versus 11.1 years, respectively (p =0.774). Twelve patients (seven hereditary and five sporadic) had Later‐Ct‐DTs significantly longer than their Earlier‐Ct‐DTs (median 27.4 years vs. 4.9 years) and good prognoses. Two patients (one hereditary, one sporadic) had Later‐Ct‐DTs significantly shorter than their Earlier‐Ct‐DTs, and both developed structural recurrence and died of the disease.ConclusionMany of the hereditary and some of the sporadic MTC patients had elongated Ct‐DTs over a long period, suggesting spontaneous deceleration and regression of tumor growth. A minority of the MTC patients showed Ct‐DT shortening, suggesting tumor growth acceleration.
Infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 therapy in patients with Takayasu arteritis with low dose of glucocorticoids: a prospective single-arm study
Authors: Park Eun Hye , Lee Eun Young , Lee Yun Jong , Ha You Jung , Yoo Wan-Hee , Choi Byoong Yong , Paeng Jin Chul , Suh Hoon Young , Song Yeong Wook 
Published: September 2018

AbstractTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of infliximab biosimilar CT-P13 in patients with active Takayasu arteritis (TAK). In this single-center open-label trial, patients with active TAK received CT-P13 at a starting dose of 5 mg/kg at weeks 0, 2, 6, and then every 8 weeks up to week 46. They were followed up until week 54. From week 14 to week 46, patients with inadequate response received increased dose of CT-P13 by 1.5 mg/kg. Concomitant prednisolone was allowed ≤ 10 mg/day. The primary efficacy end point was the achievement of partial or complete remission at week 30. All patients underwent positron emission tomography–computed tomography (PET–CT) at baseline and week 30. Twelve patients with TAK received CT-P13; one patient with protocol violation was excluded from analysis. Nine (81.8%) patients had taken concomitant prednisolone with median dose of 5.0 mg/day. At week 30, three (27.3%) patients achieved complete remission and six (54.5%) patients achieved partial remission. Statistically significant improvements in modified Indian Takayasu Clinical Activity Score (ITAS2010), ITAS-A, and serum levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein were seen at week 30 from baseline. PET parameters were significantly reduced from baseline to week 30, including maximum standardized uptake value, target-to-vein ratio, target-to-liver ratio, and PET Vascular Activity Score. There were no serious adverse events. Treatment with CT-P13 may lead to improvement in clinical, radiographic, and serological activities with lower glucocorticoid requirement in TAK.Trial registration number NCT02457585.
Examining the readiness of best evidence in medical education guides for integration into educational practice: A&nbsp;meta-synthesis
Authors: Maggio Lauren A. , Thomas Aliki , Chen H. Carrie , Ioannidis John P.A. , Kanter Steven L. , Norton Candace , Tannery Nancy H. , Artino Jr Anthony R. 
Published: September 2018

Background To support evidence-informed education, health professions education (HPE) stakeholders encourage the creation and use of knowledge syntheses or reviews. However, it is unclear if these knowledge syntheses are ready for translation into educational practice. Without understanding the readiness, defined by three criteria—quality, accessibility and relevance—we risk translating weak evidence into practice and/or providing information that is not useful to educators.
Methods A librarian searched Web of Science for knowledge syntheses, specifically Best Evidence in Medical Education (BEME) Guides. This meta-synthesis focuses on BEME Guides because of their explicit goal to inform educational practice and policy. Two authors extracted data from all Guides, guided by the 25-item STructured apprOach to the Reporting In healthcare education of Evidence Synthesis (STORIES).
Results Forty-two Guides published in Medical Teacher between 1999 and 2017 were analyzed. No Guide met all STORIES criteria, but all included structured summaries and most described their literature search (n = 39) and study inclusion/exclusion (n = 40) procedures. Eleven Guides reported the presence of theory and/or educational principles, and eight consulted with external subject matter experts. Accessibility to each Guide’s full-text and supplemental materials was variable.
Discussion For a subset of HPE knowledge syntheses, BEME Guides, this meta-synthesis identifies factors that support readiness and indicates potential areas of improvement, such as consistent access to Guides and inclusion of external subject matter experts on the review team.
Chimeric antigen receptor modified T‐cells for cancer treatment
Authors: Han Xiao , Wang Yao , Han Wei‐Dong 
Published: September 2018

AbstractT cells engineered with the chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) are rapidly emerging as an important immunotherapy for hematologic malignancies. The anti‐cluster of differentiation (CD)19 CAR‐T cell therapy has been remarkably successful against refractory/relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and a complete remission rate as high as 90% was observed, in both children and adults. Although the achievement of clinical efficacy using CAR‐T cell therapy for solid tumors has encountered several obstacles that were associated with the multiple mechanisms contributing to an immunosuppressive microenvironment, investigators are exploring more optimized approaches to improve the efficiency of CAR‐T in solid tumors. In addition, cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and neurotoxicity following CAR‐T cell therapy can be severe or even fatal; therefore, the management of these toxicities is significant. Herein, we briefly review the structure of CAR‐T and some novel CAR designs, the clinical application of CAR‐T cell therapies, as well as the assessment and management of toxicities.
Preparing Adolescents for Life after School (PALS) Project: A Randomised Controlled Trial of a Coaching Intervention for Young People with Acquired Brain Injury
Authors: Tate Robyn L. , Genders Michelle , Soo Cheryl , Rosenkoetter Ulrike , Dunn Margaret , Briggs Rachel 
Published: September 2018

Introduction: Existing resources to support adolescents with acquired brain injury (ABI) in transition from school to the ‘adult world’ are variable. This study evaluated an intervention using a coaching approach to support adolescents during this transition phase.Method: The study design was a parallel-group randomised controlled trial (RCT). Participants (n= 43) aged 14–19 years were randomised to intervention (n= 21) or no-intervention control (n= 21) conditions. The intervention group received six coaching sessions over an average of 22 weeks. Outcome measures evaluated changes reported by the adolescent (satisfaction, emotional functioning and hope) and their parent (participation, behaviour and support needs).Results: Relative to baseline, there was no significant improvement for those in the intervention group in comparison to the control group on any of the outcome measures.Conclusion: The results of this RCT do not support coaching as an intervention for adolescents with ABI.
Precariousness, youth and political participation: the emergence of a new political cleavage
Authors: Monticelli Lara , Bassoli Matteo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe article aims at disentangling the existing relation between job precariousness and political participation at the individual level illustrating that the former can be considered an emerging political cleavage. The authors apply an interpretive framework typical of political participation studies to an original data set composed of two groups of young workers (with precarious and open-ended contracts) in a big Italian post-industrial city, Turin. First, applying a confirmatory factor analysis, a typology of three ‘modes’ of political participation – voting, collective action, and political consumerism – is used to reduce data complexity. Second, logistic regressions are deployed to analyze the role played by occupational status, political positioning, and the interaction between the two, on the different modes of political participation. Precarious youth show a higher level of political participation in representational behaviours (voting). Left-wing youth are generally more active than non-left-wing ones in non-representational behaviours (collective actions and consumerism), the impact is more pronounced for precarious young people. Thus, results demonstrate the relevance of occupational status in explaining patterns of participation and invite scholars to promote a dialogue between industrial relations and political participation studies.
A randomised, placebo-controlled 24-week study evaluating adjunctive brexpiprazole in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Bauer Michael , Hefting Nanco , Lindsten Annika , Josiassen Mette Krog , Hobart Mary 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate brexpiprazole adjunctive to antidepressant therapies (ADTs) as maintenance treatment in patients with major depressive disorder with inadequate response to ADT, utilising a novel study design.MethodsThe study comprised an 8-week prospective treatment period with open-label ADT with double-blind placebo treatment and a 24-week randomised treatment period. Investigators and patients were blinded to treatment periods, randomisation criteria, and timing of randomisation. Patients with early response to open-label ADT were withdrawn at Week 6. Patients fulfilling criteria for inadequate response were randomised to ADT+brexpiprazole 1–3 mg/day, or ADT+placebo. The primary endpoint was full remission: Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) total score ≤10 and ≥50% decrease from randomisation (i.e. baseline) in MADRS total score for at least 8 consecutive weeks.ResultsThe primary efficacy analysis failed to show a statistically significant difference between the proportions of patients on ADT+brexpiprazole (21.4%) and ADT+placebo (24.9%) achieving full remission; odds ratio: 0.83; p=0.2641. The secondary endpoint of change from baseline to Week 6 in MADRS total score showed no difference between ADT+brexpiprazole and ADT+placebo (−0.4; p=0.3259). The most frequent treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) in patients receiving ADT+brexpiprazole was weight increased (9.5% vs. 5.0% in ADT+placebo). The incidence of TEAEs leading to withdrawal in the randomised treatment period was 6.3% in the ADT+brexpiprazole group and 3.4% in the ADT+placebo group.ConclusionAdjunctive brexpiprazole did not differentiate from ADT+placebo on the primary endpoint of full remission. A number of design elements in this previously untried study design may have contributed to the study result. Brexpiprazole was well tolerated.