bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic drug monitoring of mitotane: Analytical assay and patient follow‐up
Authors: Feliu Catherine , Cazaubon Yoann , Guillemin Helene , Vautier Damien , Oget Olivier , Millart Hervé , Gozalo Claire , Djerada Zoubir 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAdrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is an aggressive malignancy of the adrenal gland. Mitotane (o,p'‐DDD) is the most effective chemotherapy for ACC. According to the literature, mitotane plasma trough concentrations within 14–20 mg L−1 are correlated with a higher response rate with acceptable toxicity. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of mitotane is therefore recommended. The aim of this study was to propose a robust and simple method for mitotane quantification in plasma. The validation procedures were based on international guidelines. Sample preparation consisted of a single protein precipitation with methanol using 100 μL of plasma. The supernatant was submitted to liquid chromatography coupled with ultra‐violet detection at 230 nm. Mitotane retention time was 7.1 min. The limit of detection was 0.1 mg L−1 and the limit of quantification was 0.78 mg L−1. The assay demonstrated a linear range of 0.78–25 mg L−1 with correlation coefficients (r2) at 0.999. Inter‐ and intra‐assay precision was <4.85%. Evaluation of accuracy showed a deviation <13.69% from target concentration at each quality control level. This method proved easy and rapid to perform mitotane TDM and required a small volume of sample. It was successfully applied to routine TDM in our laboratory.
Rhodnius prolixus: From classical physiology to modern developmental biology
Authors: Nunes‐da‐Fonseca Rodrigo , Berni Mateus , Tobias‐Santos Vitória , Pane Attilio , Araujo Helena Marcolla 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe hemiptera Rhodnius prolixus is a blood‐feeding insect and a primary vector of Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of the Chagas disease. Over the past century, Rhodnius has been the subject of intense investigations, which have contributed to unveil important aspects of metabolism and physiology in insects. Recent technological innovations are helping dissect the genetic and molecular underpinnings of Rhodnius embryogenesis and organogenesis, thus fostering the use of this important species in the fields of developmental and evolutionary biology. Rhodnius represents also an excellent system to study development under stressful conditions, since the embryo must develop in the presence of a large amount of blood‐derived reactive oxygen species. With a recently sequenced genome, small among other Hemiptera, and the identification of basic elements for all classical development pathways, functional studies in this species are revealing novel aspects of insect development and evolution. Here we review early studies on this model insect and how this paved the way for recent functional studies using the kissing bug.
Oncopeltus fasciatus as an evo‐devo research organism
Authors: Chipman Ariel D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe large milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus was one of the main study insects for a range of biological questions throughout much of the 20th century. Its importance waned with the introduction of Drosophila melanogaster as a genetic model organism. The evo‐devo revolution of the turn of the century re‐introduced Oncopeltus into the scientific community, and it has proved increasingly useful, mostly within a comparative context for evolution driven research. The last few years have seen a number of significant contributions to our understanding of the evolution of developmental processes in insects, and in arthropods in general, arise from work on Oncopeltus. This review presents some of the key studies and shows how they have provided new insights into evolutionary questions. The advent of whole genome sequencing and genome editing techniques is reducing the gap between Drosophila and (re‐)emerging systems such as Oncopeltus. We expect that the ease of work on Oncopeltus and its pivotal phylogenetic position will contribute to the expansion of its use within the evo‐devo community and more broadly in arthropod research.
Factors involved in early polarization of the anterior‐posterior axis in the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus
Authors: Ginzburg Neta , Cohen Mira , Chipman Ariel D. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe axes of insect embryos are defined early in the blastoderm stage. Genes involved in this polarization are well known in Drosophila, but less so in other insects, such as the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus. Using quantitative PCR, we looked at differential expression of several candidate genes for early anterior‐posterior patterning and found that none of them are expressed asymmetrically in the early blastoderm. We then used an RNA‐Seq approach to identify novel candidate genes that might be involved in early polarization in Oncopeltus. We focused on transcription factors (TFs) as these are likely to be central players in developmental processes. Using both homology and domain based identification approaches, we were unable to find any TF encoding transcripts that are expressed asymmetrically along the anterior‐posterior axis at early stages. Using a GO‐term analysis of all asymmetrically expressed mRNAs, we found an enrichment of genes relating to mitochondrial function in the posterior at the earliest studied time‐point. We also found a gradual enrichment of transcription related activities, giving us a putative time frame for the maternal to zygotic transition. Our dataset provides us with a list of new candidate genes in early development, which can be followed up experimentally.
Ploidy has little effect on timing early embryonic events in the haplo‐diploid wasp Nasonia
Authors: Arsala Deanna , Lynch Jeremy A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe nucleocytoplasmic (N/C) ratio plays a prominent role in the maternal‐to‐zygotic transition (MZT) in many animals. The effect of the N/C ratio on cell‐cycle lengthening and zygotic genome activation (ZGA) has been studied extensively in Drosophila, where haploid embryos experience an additional division prior to completing cellularization and triploid embryos cellularize precociously by one division. In this study, we set out to understand how the obligate difference in ploidy in the haplodiploid wasp, Nasonia, affects the MZT and which aspects of the Drosophila MZT are conserved. While subtle differences in early embryonic development were observed in comparisons among haploid, diploid, and triploid embryos, in all cases embryos cellularize at cell cycle 12. When ZGA was inhibited, both diploid female, and haploid male, embryos went through 12 syncytial divisions and failed to cellularize before dying without further divisions. We also found that key players of the Drosophila MZT are conserved in Nasonia but have novel expression patterns. Our results suggest that zygotically expressed genes have a reduced role in determining the timing of cellularization in Nasonia relative to Drosophila, and that a stronger reliance on a maternal timer is more compatible with species where variations in embryonic ploidy are obligatory.
Premorbid BMI predicts binge‐purge symptomatology among individuals with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Lantz Elin L. , Gillberg Christopher , Råstam Maria , Wentz Elisabet , Lowe Michael R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractObjectiveA finding consistent with the transdiagnostic approach to eating disorders is that about half of those with restricting anorexia nervosa (AN) eventually undergo a transition to the binge/purge (BP) subtype or to bulimia nervosa. Given evidence that individuals with bulimic symptoms exhibit elevated weights premorbidly, we tested the hypothesis that among those with AN, highest premorbid BMI would predict which individuals with AN would develop AN‐BP.MethodThe current study used longitudinal data from a community sample of adolescents with AN in Sweden. Premorbid weights were obtained from growth charts, and participants were re‐assessed at 6, 10, and 18 years after first presentation with AN.ResultsA greater highest premorbid BMI z score predicted a greater likelihood of developing binge/purge symptoms over 18 years.DiscussionAmong individuals who develop an eating disorder, premorbid BMI may be implicated in the type and course of the eating disorder that emerges.
An agglomeration‐based adaptive discontinuous Galerkin method for compressible flows
Authors: Zenoni G. , Leicht T. , Colombo A. , Botti L. 
Published: April 2017

SummaryIn this work, we exploit the possibility to devise discontinuous Galerkin discretizations over polytopic grids to perform grid adaptation strategies on the basis of agglomeration coarsening of a fine grid obtained via standard unstructured mesh generators. The adaptive agglomeration process is here driven by an adjoint‐based error estimator. We investigate several strategies for converting the error field estimated solving the adjoint problem into an agglomeration factor field that is an indication of the number of elements of the fine grid that should be clustered together to form an agglomerated element. As a result the size of agglomerated elements is optimized for the achievement of the best accuracy for given grid size with respect to the target quantities. To demonstrate the potential of this strategy we consider problem‐specific outputs of interest typical of aerodynamics, eg, the lift and drag coefficients in the context of inviscid and viscous flows test cases.
The good lies: Altruistic goals modulate processing of deception in the anterior insula
Authors: Yin Lijun , Hu Yang , Dynowski Dennis , Li Jian , Weber Bernd 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWhen it comes to lies, the beneficiaries of one's dishonesty play an important role in the decision‐making process. Altruistic lies that are made with the intention of benefiting others are a specific type of lies and very common in real life. While it has been shown that altruistic goals influence (dis)honest behaviors, the neural substrates of this effect is still unknown. To reveal how the brain integrates altruistic goals into (dis)honest decisions, this study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to examine the neural activity of participants in a real incentivized context while they were making (dis)honest decisions. We manipulated the beneficiaries of individuals' decisions (self vs. a charity) and whether the choices of higher payoffs involved deception or not. While finding that participants lied more often to benefit charities than for themselves, we observed that the altruistic goal of benefiting a charity, compared with the self‐serving goal, reduced the activity in the anterior insula (AI) when lying to achieve higher payoffs. Furthermore, the degree of altruistic goal‐induced reduction of AI activity was positively correlated with the degree of altruistic goal‐induced reduction of honesty concerns. These results suggest that the AI serves as a neural hub in modulating the effect of altruistic goals on deception, which shed light on the underlying neural mechanism of altruistic lies. Hum Brain Mapp 38:3675–3690, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hydrologic connectivity and threshold behavior of hillslopes with fragipans and soil pipe networks
Authors: Wilson G.V. , Nieber J.L. , Fox G.A. , Dabney S.M. , Ursic M. , Rigby J.R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMany concepts have been proposed to explain hydrologic connectivity of hillslopes with streams. Hydrologic connectivity is most often defined by qualitative assessment of spatial patterns in perched water tables or soil moisture on hillslopes without a direct linkage to water flow from hillslopes to streams. This form of hydrologic connectivity may not explain the hydrologic response of catchments that have network(s) of preferential flow paths, for example, soil pipes, which can provide intrinsic connectivity between hillslopes and streams. Duplex soils are known for developing perched water tables on hillslopes and fostering lateral flows, but the connectivity of localized perched water tables on hillslopes with soil pipes has not been fully established. The objectives of this study were to characterize pipeflow dynamics during storm events, the relationships between perched water tables on hillslopes and pipeflows, and their threshold behaviour. Two well‐characterized catchments in loess soil with a fragipan were selected for study because they contain multiple, laterally extensive (over 100 m) soil pipe networks. Hillslopes were instrumented with shallow wells adjacent to the soil pipes, and the wells and pipe collapse features were equipped with pressure transducers. Perched water tables developed on hillslopes during a wetting up period (October–December) and became well connected spatially across hillslope positions throughout the high flow period (January–March). The water table was not spatially connected on hillslopes during the drying out (April–June) and low flow (July–September) periods. Even when perched water tables were not well‐connected, water flowing through soil pipes provided hydrologic connectivity between upper hillslopes and catchment outlets. Correlations between soil pipeflow and perched water tables depended on the size and location of soil pipes. The threshold relationship between available soil‐moisture index plus storm precipitation and pipeflow was dependent on the season and strongest during dry periods and not high‐flow seasons. This study demonstrated that soil pipes serve as a catchment backbone of preferential flow paths that provide intrinsic connectivity between upper hillslopes and streams.
Mitochondria and ageing: role in heart, skeletal muscle and adipose tissue
Authors: Boengler Kerstin , Kosiol Maik , Mayr Manuel , Schulz Rainer , Rohrbach Susanne 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAge is the most important risk factor for most diseases. Mitochondria play a central role in bioenergetics and metabolism. In addition, several lines of evidence indicate the impact of mitochondria in lifespan determination and ageing. The best‐known hypothesis to explain ageing is the free radical theory, which proposes that cells, organs, and organisms age because they accumulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage over time. Mitochondria play a central role as the principle source of intracellular ROS, which are mainly formed at the level of complex I and III of the respiratory chain. Dysfunctional mitochondria generating less ATP have been observed in various aged organs. Mitochondrial dysfunction comprises different features including reduced mitochondrial content, altered mitochondrial morphology, reduced activity of the complexes of the electron transport chain, opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, and increased ROS formation. Furthermore, abnormalities in mitochondrial quality control or defects in mitochondrial dynamics have also been linked to senescence. Among the tissues affected by mitochondrial dysfunction are those with a high‐energy demand and thus high mitochondrial content. Therefore, the present review focuses on the impact of mitochondria in the ageing process of heart and skeletal muscle. In this article, we review different aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction and discuss potential therapeutic strategies to improve mitochondrial function. Finally, novel aspects of adipose tissue biology and their involvement in the ageing process are discussed.
Students’ Misconceptions about Semiconductors and Use of Knowledge in Simulations
Authors: Nelson Katherine G. , McKenna Ann F. , Brem Sarah K. , Hilpert Jonathan , Husman Jenefer , Pettinato Eva 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundLittle research exists on students’ misconceptions about semiconductors, why they form, and what role educational resources like simulations play in misconception formation. Research on misconceptions can help enhance student learning about semiconductors.Purpose (Hypothesis)This project sought to identify students’ misconceptions about three semiconductor phenomena – diffusion, drift, and excitation – and to determine if prior knowledge, knowledge acquired from watching animated simulations, or both were related to students’ misconceptions. We hypothesized that students would hold misconceptions about those phenomena and that students’ prior knowledge and knowledge acquired from watching animated simulations would be associated with their misconceptions.Design/MethodForty‐one engineering students completed an instrument that asked questions about three semiconductor phenomena after the students had observed the animated simulations. Responses were analyzed and coded using two frameworks: misconception and knowledge use.ResultsMisconceptions were prevalent for all three phenomena. Misconceptions were associated with use of incorrect prior knowledge, a combination of correct or incorrect prior knowledge, and the knowledge acquired from watching the animated simulations alone or in combination with correct and incorrect prior knowledge. Misconceptions indicated a lack of understanding of chemistry and physics concepts.ConclusionsFindings indicate that students hold many misconceptions about semiconductor phenomena. These misconceptions were common among our participants. The knowledge acquired from the animated simulations alone or in combination with prior knowledge could reinforce or contribute to misconception formation. Our findings can guide instructors to use or create better simulations to aid student learning.
Collaborating for Early‐Age Career Awareness: A Comparison of Three Instructional Formats
Authors: Colston Nicole , Thomas Julie , Ley M. Tyler , Ivey Toni , Utley Juliana 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackgroundEarly‐age engineering education can enhance preparedness and generate interest in engineering careers prior to college. This article reports on collaboration between a university engineer and science teacher educators to introduce engineering career awareness in elementary classrooms. The resulting elementary school curriculum, Engineering is Everywhere, features video instruction by the engineer, a teacher activity guide, and a materials kit.Purpose/Research QuestionsOur research question was, “How might engineers and educators best collaborate in elementary engineering outreach efforts?” We co‐developed curricula, prepared classroom teachers, and compared fifth‐grade student learning outcomes to determine the most beneficial type of engineer instruction.Design/MethodA quasi‐experimental research design assessed the effectiveness of three instructional formats: engineer‐led, engineer‐visit, and engineer‐video. Pre‐ and post‐tests captured changes in fifth‐grade students' understanding about the work of engineers and attitudes about engineering.ResultsFindings indicated significant gains in all students' understanding, with some differences across the three instructional formats. The engineer‐led students did not show significant changes in overall engineering attitudes. Only the engineer‐video students demonstrated significant gains in engineering job interests.ConclusionsA qualitative comparison of the costs and benefits of each instructional format raised important considerations for planning engineer outreach. We recommend that engineers collaborate with science teacher educators in the design of video instruction and assist in preparing elementary classroom teachers to administer the lesson activities.
An acetone‐based phantom for quantitative diffusion MRI
Authors: Wang Xiaoke , Reeder Scott B. , Hernando Diego 
Published: April 2017

PurposeTo propose and evaluate an acetone–D2O phantom that has an extended range of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) for quantitative diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as to compare its properties to previously described water‐based phantoms.Materials and MethodsThe proposed acetone–D2O, and previously described sucrose water solution and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) water solution phantoms, were constructed in a number of concentrations between 0% and 50%. At 1.5T field strength, diffusion‐weighted MR spectroscopy (DW‐MRS), based on a point‐resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) acquisition, nondiffusion‐weighted stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM)‐MRS, and diffusion‐weighted echo‐planar imaging (DW‐EPI) were used to evaluate each phantom. The MR spectra, diffusion‐weighted signal decay pattern, tunability of ADC, and ADC range of each phantom were all evaluated.ResultsWhen placed in an ice‐water bath, all phantoms provided desirable signal properties, including single‐peak signal with Gaussian diffusion and tunable ADC. At 0°C, however, water‐based phantoms had ADC limited to less than 1.1·10−3 mm2·s−1 (0.2–1.1·10−3 mm2·s−1), while the proposed acetone‐based phantom had ADC values spanning a wider range (0.6–3.5·10−3 mm2·s−1).ConclusionThe proposed acetone–D2O phantom provided desirable signal properties over a wide range of ADCs with temperature controlled using an ice‐water bath.Level of Evidence: 2Technical Efficacy: Stage 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2017;46:1683–1692.
Detection of soft‐tissue abscess: Comparison of diffusion‐weighted imaging to contrast‐enhanced MRI
Authors: Chun Chang Woo , Jung Joon‐Yong , Baik Jun Seung , Jee Won‐Hee , Kim Sun Ki , Shin Seung Han 
Published: April 2017

PurposeTo compare the diagnostic performances of diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI)‐combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) performed without intravenous contrast material with gadolinium contrast material‐enhanced (CE) MRI for diagnosing soft‐tissue abscesses.Materials and MethodsIn all, 119 patients (mean age: 56 years) with skin and soft‐tissue infection who underwent contrast‐enhanced MRI with DWI (b = 0‐800) were included. Two readers independently reviewed both image sets—nonenhanced conventional MR images (NECI)+DWI, and NECI+contrast enhanced fat‐suppressed T1‐weighted imaging (CEFST1)—for the presence of abscess. To compare the diagnostic performance for diagnosing abscess between NECI+DWI, and NECI+CEFST1, McNemar tests for sensitivity and specificity, and areas under the receiver‐operating characteristic curves (AUC) analyses, were performed. Interobserver agreements (κ) were calculated for each image set.ResultsForty of 119 patients were confirmed with abscess. Sensitivity and specificity were 90.0% and 88.6% for NECI+DWI, and 82.5% and 89.9% for NECI+CEFST1 in reader 1, whereas 77.5% and 88.6% for NECI+DWI, and 80.0% and 84.8% for NECI+CEFST1 in reader 2, respectively. There was no significant difference in sensitivities and specificities between NECI+DWI and NECI+CEFST1 (reader 1: P = 0.453, P = 0.999, reader 2: P = 0.999, P = 0.453, respectively). Likewise, AUC analyses demonstrated no significant difference between NECI+DWI and NECI+CEFST1 (P = 0.53 in reader 1, P = 0.97 in reader 2). Interobserver agreement between the two readers was substantial in both image sets: 0.80 (NECI+DWI), and 0.76 (NECI+CEFST1).ConclusionNoncontrast‐enhanced MRI with DWI has comparable diagnostic performance to contrast‐enhanced MRI for diagnosing soft‐tissue abscesses.Level of Evidence: 3Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:60–68.