bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum levels of endocannabinoids are independently associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Zelber‐Sagi Shira , Azar Shahar , Nemirovski Alina , Webb Muriel , Halpern Zamir , Shibolet Oren , Tam Joseph 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between circulating levels of endocannabinoids (eCBs) and non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).MethodsThe serum levels of the main eCBs, anandamide (AEA) and 2‐arachidonoylglycerol (2‐AG), and their endogenous precursor and breakdown product, arachidonic acid (AA), were analyzed by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry in 105 volunteers screened for NAFLD. Hepatic ultrasound, fasting blood tests, and anthropometrics were assessed. Liver fat was quantified by the hepato‐renal‐ultrasound index representing the ratio between the brightness level of the liver and the kidney.ResultsPatients with NAFLD had higher levels (pmol/mL) of AA (2,721 ± 1,112 vs. 2,248 ± 977, P = 0.022) and 2‐AG (46.5 ± 25.8 vs. 33.5 ± 13.6, P = 0.003), but not AEA. The trend for higher levels of AA and 2‐AG in the presence of NAFLD was observed in both genders and within subgroups of overweight and obesity. The association of AA and 2‐AG with NAFLD was maintained with adjustment for age, gender, and BMI (OR = 1.001, 1.000–1.001 95% CI, P = 0.008 and OR = 1.05, 1.01–1.09, P = 0.006, respectively) or waist circumference.ConclusionsThis study is the first to show high circulating levels of 2‐AG and AA in NAFLD patients compared with controls, independent of obesity. The findings may suggest an independent role of eCBs in the pathogenesis of NAFLD.
Associations between weight‐related teasing and psychosomatic symptoms by weight status among school‐aged youth
Authors: Warkentin T. , Borghese M. M. , Janssen I. 
Published: November 2016

ObjectiveWeight‐related teasing (WT) is associated with poor mental health. This study examined whether weight status moderates the relationship between WT and psychosomatic symptoms within a representative sample of school‐aged youth.MethodsData are from the Canadian 2013/2014 Health Behaviour in School‐aged Children Survey, a nationally representative sample of youth in Grades 6–10. WT, psychosomatic symptoms and body mass index (BMI) were self‐reported.ResultsThe final sample consisted of 20,277 youth (mean age = 14.2 years; 50.2% female). The prevalence who reported being WT at least once a week was 4.6%, 8.1% and 17.3% among youth with normal weight, overweight, and obesity, respectively (p < 0.001). There was a gradient relationship between the frequency of WT and psychosomatic symptoms (p < 0.001). By comparison to youth that were not WT, psychosomatic symptom z‐scores were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in youth that were WT one to two times in the past few months (0.47, 95% CI: 0.41–0.53), two to three times per month (0.65, 0.52–0.77), about once a week (0.82, 0.71–0.93) and several times a week (0.98, 0.84–1.12). However, the WT * BMI category interaction term was not significant (p = 0.86).ConclusionsVictims of WT experienced more psychosomatic symptoms independent of BMI category; however, BMI category did not moderate the association between WT and psychosomatic symptoms.
Integration of ruxolitinib into dose‐intensified therapy targeted against a novel JAK2 F694L mutation in B‐precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Authors: Mayfield Jodi R. , Czuchlewski David R. , Gale James M. , Matlawska‐Wasowska Ksenia , Vasef Mohammad A. , Nickl Christian , Pickett Gavin , Ness Scott A. , Winter Stuart S. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractA 17‐year‐old girl with B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP‐ALL) with persistent minimal residual disease (MRD) who underwent standard chemotherapy was found to have a BCR‐ABL1‐like gene expression pattern. Genome sequencing revealed a JAK2 mutation not previously described in BCP‐ALL and a potential therapeutic target. Due to concern for an on‐therapy relapse, the JAK2 inhibitor ruxolitinib was incorporated into a modified chemotherapy backbone to achieve complete remission prior to stem cell transplant. Treatment was well tolerated and she had undetectable MRD prior to a matched allogeneic stem cell transplant and remained in remission at day +100.
Parent reported sleep problems in preschool children with sickle cell anemia and controls in East London
Authors: Downes Michelle , de Haan Michelle , Kirkham Fenella J. , Telfer Paul T. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractSnoring and poor sleep may affect cognition, particularly in young children with chronic conditions. Parents of London preschoolers with sickle cell anemia (SCA; n = 22), matched controls (n = 24), and unselected typically developing (n = 142) preschoolers completed sleep questionnaires. Preschoolers with SCA had significantly more sleep problems when compared to matched controls and the larger population. Snoring occurred at least one to two nights a week for 79% of the SCA group. This is compared with 25% of matched controls and 33% of larger population. Randomized controlled trials to improve sleep in young children with SCA already at‐risk for cognitive dysfunction should be considered.
Maintenance therapy with everolimus for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma in patients with tuberous sclerosis (the EMINENTS study)
Authors: Trelinska Joanna , Dachowska Iwona , Baranska Dobromila , Stawiski Konrad , Kotulska Katarzyna , Fendler Wojciech , Jozwiak Sergiusz , Mlynarski Wojciech 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveOne of the therapeutic options for patients with tuberous sclerosis (TCS) and subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (SEGA) is everolimus treatment once daily, every day, to attain trough concentrations of 5–15 ng/ml (standard treatment). The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a reduced dose of everolimus (three times a week with a daily dose as in standard treatment—maintenance therapy) in a group of patients who were previously treated with standard dose for at least 12 months.Materials and MethodsTen patients (six males, four females; median age 14.23 years) with TSC‐related SEGA who met inclusion criteria were included into a single‐arm, prospective trial. All the patients were followed over at least 12 months (median 12 and range 12–24 months). Tumor volumes from day 0, 90, 180, and 360 were evaluated by an experienced radiologist and an objective computer‐based method and compared. Adverse events (AEs) noted during maintenance therapy were compared to the AEs observed during standard everolimus therapy.ResultsThe differences in SEGA volume between subsequent time points (day 0, 90, 120, and 360) were not statistically significant. No clinical symptoms of tumor regrowth were observed. AEs were significantly less severe and less frequent during maintenance compared with standard therapy.ConclusionsMaintenance therapy with reduced‐dose everolimus is an effective therapeutic option for patients with TSC and SEGA after the completion of standard therapy and may moderate the rates of adverse effects.
How do mothers with borderline personality disorder mentalize when interacting with their infants?
Authors: Marcoux Andrée‐Anne , Bernier Annie , Séguin Jean R. , Boike Armerding Jennifer , Lyons‐Ruth Karlen 
Published: November 2016

AbstractMothers with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have been theorized to have decreased mentalization ability, which is the capacity to perceive and interpret mental states. This could increase the risk for troubled relationships with their infants and therefore have adverse consequences for child social and emotional development. Mind‐mindedness (MM), which codes the mother's references to her infant's mental states during an interaction, is one method of indexing mothers' mentalizing ability. However, research has yet to examine MM in mothers with BPD. Our objective was to assess the MM ability of 38 mothers during interactions with their 12‐month‐old infants, including 10 mothers with BPD and 28 mothers without a psychiatric diagnosis. Trained observers assessed maternal MM from 2 min of videotaped mother–infant free play. BPD was assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐III‐R‐Personality Disorders (SCID‐II). Mothers with and without BPD did not differ in the proportion of total comments referring to infant mental states. However, mothers in the BPD group proportionately made 3.6 times more misattuned mind‐related comments than control mothers. Thus, mothers with and without BPD appear equally likely to envision mental states in their infants. However, mothers with BPD also appear more likely to misread their infants' mental states. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Active surveillance for favorable‐risk prostate cancer: Is there a greater psychological impact than previously thought? A systematic, mixed studies literature review
Authors: Ruane‐McAteer Eimear , Porter Sam , O'Sullivan Joe M. , Santin Olinda , Prue Gillian 
Published: November 2016

AbstractObjectiveActive surveillance (AS) allows men with favorable‐risk prostate cancer to avoid or postpone active treatment and hence spares potential adverse effects for a significant proportion of these patients. Active surveillance may create an additional emotional burden for these patients.The aim of the review was to determine the psychological impact of AS to inform future study in this area and to provide recommendations for clinical practice.MethodsStudies were identified through database searching from inception to September 2015. Quantitative or qualitative noninterventional studies published in English that assessed the psychological impact of AS were included. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess methodological quality.ResultsTwenty‐three papers were included (20 quantitative and 3 qualitative). Quantitatively, the majority of patients do not report psychological difficulties; however, when appropriateness of study design is considered, the conclusion that AS has minimal impact on well‐being may not be accurate. This is due to small sample sizes, inappropriately timed baseline, and inappropriate/lack of comparison groups. In addition, a mismatch in outcome was noted between the outcome of quantitative and qualitative studies in uncertainty, with qualitative studies indicating a greater psychological impact.ConclusionsBecause of methodological concerns, many quantitative studies may not provide a true account of the burden of AS. Further mixed‐methods studies are necessary to address the limitations highlighted and to provide clarity on the impact of AS. Practitioners should be aware that despite findings of previous reviews, patients may require additional emotional support.
Communication about melanoma and risk reduction after melanoma diagnosis
Authors: Rodríguez Vivian M. , Berwick Marianne , Hay Jennifer L. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundMelanoma patients are advised to perform regular risk‐reduction practices, including sun protection as well as skin self‐examinations (SSEs) and physician‐led examinations. Melanoma‐specific communication regarding family risk and screening may promote such behaviors. To this end, associations between patients' melanoma‐specific communication and risk reduction were examined.MethodsMelanoma patients (N = 169) drawn from a population‐based cancer registry reported their current risk‐reduction practices, perceived risk of future melanoma, and communication with physicians and relatives about melanoma risk and screening.ResultsPatients were, on average, 56 years old and 6.7 years' post diagnosis; 51% were male, 93% reported “fair/very fair” skin color, 75% completed at least some college, and 22% reported a family history of melanoma. Patients reported varying levels of regular (always/nearly always) sun protection: sunscreen use (79%), shade seeking (60%), hat use (54%), and long‐sleeve shirt use (30%). Only 28% performed thorough SSE regularly, whereas 92% reported undergoing physician‐led skin examinations within the past year. Participants who were female, younger, and had a higher perceived risk of future melanoma were more likely to report past communication. In adjusted analyses, communication remained uniquely associated with increased sunscreen use and SSE.ConclusionsEncouraging melanoma patients to have a more active role in discussions concerning melanoma risk and screening with relatives and physicians alike may be a useful strategy to promote 2 key risk‐reduction practices post melanoma diagnosis and treatment. Future research is needed to identify additional strategies to improve comprehensive risk reduction in long‐term melanoma patients.
Sexual distress and associated factors among cervical cancer survivors: A cross‐sectional multicenter observational study
Authors: Bakker R.M. , Kenter G.G. , Creutzberg C.L. , Stiggelbout A.M. , Derks M. , Mingelen W. , Kroon C.D. , Vermeer W.M. , ter Kuile M.M. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractBackgroundTo assess whether sexual distress among cervical cancer (CC) survivors is associated with frequently reported vaginal sexual symptoms, other proposed biopsychosocial factors and whether worries about painful intercourse mediate the relation between vaginal sexual symptoms and sexual distress.MethodsA cross‐sectional study was conducted among 194 sexually active partnered CC survivors aged 25 to 69 years. Sexual distress, vaginal sexual symptoms, sexual pain worry, anxiety, depression, body image concerns, and relationship dissatisfaction and the sociodemographic variables age, time since treatment, and relationship duration were assessed by using validated self‐administrated questionnaires.ResultsIn total, 33% (n = 64) of the survivors scored above the cut‐off score for sexual distress. Higher levels of sexual distress were shown to be associated with higher levels of vaginal sexual symptoms, sexual pain worry, relationship dissatisfaction, and body image concerns. Furthermore, the results showed that sexual pain worry partly mediated the association between vaginal sexual symptoms and sexual distress, when controlling for relationship dissatisfaction and body image concerns.ConclusionsAppropriate rehabilitation programs should be developed for CC survivors to prevent and reduce not only vaginal sexual symptoms but also sexual pain worry, relationship dissatisfaction, and body image concerns to reduce sexual distress.
Improved Efficiency by Adding 5‐Aminotetrazole to Anthraquinone‐Free New Blue and Green Colored Pyrotechnical Smoke Formulations
Authors: Glück Johann , Klapötke Thomas M. , Rusan Magdalena , Shaw Anthony P. 
Published: November 2016

AbstractPyrotechnical smoke formulations are predominantly used in the military sector for obscuring or signaling purposes. For decades, the performance was the only point of interest and no toxicity issues have been considered. Although fuels like sulfur have already been replaced in colored smoke formulations, the main ingredient still remains the dye. In the past few years certain highly toxic anthraquinone dyes, e.g. benzanthrone and vat yellow 4 have successfully been replaced by Solvent Yellow 33 (SY33). Additionally, colored smoke formulations suffer from a low efficiency and there is no published information about the yield like the amount of produced aerosol of in‐use formulations. To face this issue, we designed several new blue and green smoke formulations containing 5‐aminotetrazole (5‐AT) as additional gas generator to increase the efficiency. Maintaining the environmental risks in an acceptable range, we applied copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) for blue and a mixture of CuPc/SY33 for green formulations. A self‐developed aerosol collecting setup was used to investigate the formulations.
Initiation of deep convection in the Sahel in a convection‐permitting climate simulation for northern Africa
Authors: Maurer V. , Bischoff‐Gauß I. , Kalthoff N. , Gantner L. , Roca R. , Panitz H.‐J. 
Published: November 2016

A convection‐permitting climate simulation was performed for Northern Africa for the year of 2006 and a domain of 2561 × 1721 × 50 grid points. The general performance of the simulation was evaluated for the Sahel region for July and August, where the land‐surface–atmosphere feedback has a strong influence on convection initiation. The simulation showed reasonable skill.A tracking algorithm was applied to identify the initiation locations of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). The aim of the investigation was to distinguish the different processes of MCS initiation during the afternoon and particularly to assess the influence of spatial land‐surface anomalies on convection initiation. On average, for all initiations considered, a clear spatial signal of the ratio of sensible to latent heat flux at the land surface (Bowen ratio), indicative of a land‐surface influence, was not detected. Only when certain initiations were selected using objective as well as subjective criteria did a signal of the land surface become apparent. The largest number of afternoon initiations in the Sahel could be attributed to convergence caused by gust fronts of approaching systems (35%). Still, almost 16% of the initiations that were identified were preferentially downstream from a region with an elevated Bowen ratio. About 9% were regenerated systems and 19% of the MCSs were not assigned to one of these classes, including systems that formed by the merging of smaller cells developing at multiple locations in a region of large‐scale favourable conditions, e.g., due to large‐scale convergence.The results confirm the importance of local convection initiation downstream of spatial land‐surface anomalies in the Sahel. They also highlight the mechanism of convection initiation by cold pools and related gust fronts.
Mineral mediated isotope fractionation of soil water
Authors: Gaj M. , Kaufhold S. , Koeniger P. , Beyer M. , Weiler M. , Himmelsbach T. 
Published: November 2016

RationaleThe ability to recover the isotopic signature of water added to soil samples that have previously been oven‐dried decreases with the increasing presence of silt and clay. The effects on the isotopic signature of water associated with physicochemical soil properties are not yet fully understood, for either hydration or dehydration of soil samples.MethodsThe soil sample chemistry and the crystallinity of minerals were measured by X‐ray fluorescence and X‐ray diffraction. The organic carbon and the cation‐exchange capacity were also determined. Water of known isotopic signature was used to spike an oven‐dried substrate and subsequently extracted by cryogenic vacuum extraction at a temperature of 105°C. In addition, the soils were oven‐dried at 205°C and water extractions were also performed at 205°C. The isotopic signatures of the water samples were determined by cavity‐ring‐down spectrometry.ResultsThe isotope effects caused by the cryogenic vacuum extraction method applied to soils with elevated clay content were reduced. First, by increasing the extraction temperature to 205°C, we improved the precision of the cryogenic vacuum extraction method and the recovery of the known isotopic signature of the spike water. Secondly, the post‐correction of data based on the physicochemical soil properties and a common extraction temperature of 105°C improved the measurement trueness.ConclusionsThe isotopic signature of soil water is influenced by mineral‐water interaction. During the hydration of clay, different minerals deplete free water in heavy isotopes. The extracted soil water (dehydration water) gathered from clay‐rich soils is generally more depleted in the heavy isotopes than the spike water, making results obtained for different soil types difficult to compare. Isotope effects observed at the mineral‐water interface highlight potential explanations for eco‐hydrological separation of water pools. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frequency‐domain optimization of fixed‐structure controllers
Authors: van Solingen E. , van Wingerden J.W. , Oomen T. 
Published: November 2016

SummaryThis paper aims to introduce a new approach to optimize the tunable controller parameters of linear parameterizable controllers. The presented approach is frequency‐domain based and can therefore directly be used to tune, among others, proportional integral derivative controllers, low/high‐pass filters, and notch filters, using a Frequency Response Function of the plant. The approach taken in this paper is to extract the tunable controller parameters into a diagonal matrix gain and absorb the remainder of the controller in the plant. Then, the generalized Nyquist stability criterion is exploited so as to impose stability and performance specifications on the closed‐loop system. It is shown that the approach results in a convex feasibility problem for certain controller cases and can be reformulated such that it can also be used for grey‐box system identification. Simulation and experimental examples demonstrate the efficacy of the approach. © 2016 The Authors. International Journal of Robust and Nonlinear Control published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
DFT/TD‐DFT Studies of Metal‐Free N‐Annulated Perylene Based Organic Sensitizers for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells: Is Thiophene Spacer Essential for Improving the DSSC Performance?
Authors: Mandal Sudip , Ramanujam Kothandaraman 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn this study, photo‐physical properties of five N‐annulated perylene (NP) based metal free organic D‐π‐A (donor‐π‐linker‐acceptor) sensitizers for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been investigated by using density functional theory (DFT/B3LYP/6‐31G (d)). These dyes contain triphenylamine (TPA) derivative linked to the NP, thiophene and 2‐cyanoacetic acid as electron donor, conjugated linker and acceptor. Effect of TPA, substituted TPA and the of linker on the highest occupied molecular orbital, lowest unoccupied molecular orbital and bandgap energy of these compounds have been calculated and compared against experimental values reported. The electronic absorption spectra of these dyes are studied by time‐dependent density functional theory calculations. Based on the calculations, (E)‐2‐cyano‐3‐(10‐(4‐(diphenylamino) phenyl)‐1‐(2‐ethylhexyl)‐1H‐phenanthro [1,10,9,8] carbazol‐3‐yl) acrylic acid (NPS‐4) is identified as best dye for the DSSCs operating with I3−/I− containing electrolyte. Furthermore, chemical hardness and reorganization energy of the dyes have been calculated and analyzed, whose values predicted the electron injection ability of the dyes and hence short‐circuit current density. Although, all five dyes were capable of injecting electron into the conduction band of TiO2, the highest driving force for dye regeneration, the lowest reorganization energy and the highest open‐circuit voltage of the NPS‐4 makes it most suitable for the DSSC application.
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitory Activity of Novel Pyrazoline Analogues: Curcumin Based Design and Synthesis‐II
Authors: Badavath Vishnu Nayak , Ucar Gulberk , Sinha Barij Nayan , Mondal Susanta Kumar , Jayaprakash Venkatesan 
Published: November 2016

AbstractIn continuation with our earlier work on MAO inhibitory curcumin based pyrazoline analogues, we synthesized a series of pyrazoline derivatives (from vanilylidene acetophenone). The compounds were evaluated for their hMAO inhibitory potential and also for their intestinal permeability and metabolic stability characteristics. Activity profile of the compounds was found to be similar to the earlier reported series. The potent hMAO−A (compound 6; Ki=0.10±0.01 μM, SI=3.08x10−6), hMAO−B (compound 2; Ki=0.55±0.03μM, SI=13.13) and non‐selective (compound 13; Ki=1.36±0.10 μM) inhibitors were found to have better permeability and metabolic stability characteristics in comparison with curcumin. Molecular docking simulation was performed to see any difference in orientation of potent compounds in the current series with the earlier reported one in hMAO active site.