bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preliminary support for a brief psychological intervention to improve first‐time hearing aid use among adults
Authors: Armitage Christopher J. , Lees Deborah , Lewis Kathryn , Munro Kevin J. 
Published: May 2017

ObjectivesSuboptimal hearing aid use extorts significant social, health, and economic costs. The aims of this study were to (1) test the novel hypothesis that the threat associated with being diagnosed with hearing loss could be ameliorated with a self‐affirmation manipulation and (2) gauge the feasibility of deploying the manipulation in routine clinical practice.DesignParallel groups randomized controlled trial with 10‐week follow‐up.MethodFifty people, newly prescribed with a hearing aid, completed either a questionnaire that included a brief self‐affirming exercise or an identical questionnaire with no self‐affirming exercise. The main outcome measure was derived from data logging automatically stored by the hearing aid. Perceived threat (‘anxiety about ageing’), behavioural intention, and self‐efficacy were measured as potential mediators.ResultsObjectively measured hours of daily hearing aid use were marginally higher in the intervention group compared with the control group (between‐group difference = 1.94 hr, 95%CI = −1.24, 5.12, d = 0.43). At follow‐up, participants in the intervention group were significantly less anxious about ageing and more accepting of older people than were participants in the control group (between‐group difference = 0.75, 95%CI = 0.26, 1.22, d = 0.87). There was no statistically significant effect of the intervention on behavioural intention or self‐efficacy.ConclusionsAlthough not statistically significant, the magnitude of the effect of the intervention on hearing aid use (d = 0.43) suggests that it would be worthwhile working towards a fully powered randomized controlled trial. The ability to reduce anxieties about ageing with this brief intervention could have far‐reaching benefits for multiple patient and general population groups.
Statement of contribution

What is already known on this subject?

Hearing impairment is more disabling than diabetes, yet hearing aid use is suboptimal.

Anxieties about ageing may undermine hearing aid use.

What does this study add?

The study tests a brief theory‐based psychological intervention to reduce anxiety about ageing and promote hearing aid use.

Results show that the brief psychological intervention reduced anxiety and marginally increased objective hearing aid use.

Further work is required to identify other situations in which anxieties about ageing undermine behaviour change efforts.

The very brief, flexible nature of the intervention means it could be adapted and deployed in numerous other health care settings.
Natural alkaloid bouchardatine ameliorates metabolic disorders in high‐fat diet‐fed mice by stimulating the sirtuin 1/liver kinase B‐1/AMPK axis
Authors: Rao Yong , Yu Hong , Gao Lin , Lu Yu‐Ting , Xu Zhao , Liu Hong , Gu Lian‐Quan , Ye Ji‐Ming , Huang Zhi‐Shu 
Published: May 2017

Background and purposePromoting energy metabolism is known to provide therapeutic effects for obesity and associated metabolic disorders. The present study evaluated the therapeutic effects of the newly identified bouchardatine (Bou) on obesity‐associated metabolic disorders and the molecular mechanisms of these effects.Experimental approachThe molecular mode of action of Bou for its effects on lipid metabolism was first examined in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes and HepG2 cells. This was followed by an evaluation of its metabolic effects in mice fed a high‐fat diet for 16 weeks with Bou being administered in the last 5 weeks. Further mechanistic investigations were conducted in pertinent organs of the mice and relevant cell models.Key resultsIn 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, Bou reduced lipid content and increased sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) activity to facilitate liver kinase B1 (LKB1) activation of AMPK. Chronic administration of Bou (50 mg∙kg−1 every other day) in mice significantly attenuated high‐fat diet‐induced increases in body weight gain, dyslipidaemia and fatty liver without affecting food intake and no adverse effects were detected. These metabolic effects were associated with activation of the SIRT1–LKB1–AMPK signalling pathway in adipose tissue and liver. Of particular note, UCP1 expression and mitochondrial biogenesis were increased in both white and brown adipose tissues of Bou‐treated mice. Incubation with Bou induced similar changes in primary brown adipocytes isolated from mice.Conclusions and implicationsBou may have therapeutic potential for obesity‐related metabolic diseases by increasing the capacity of energy expenditure in adipose tissues and liver through a mechanism involving the SIRT1–LKB1–AMPK axis.
Superficial basal cell carcinoma: A comparison of superficial only subtype with superficial combined with other subtypes by age, sex and anatomic site in 3150 cases
Authors: Pyne John H. , Myint Esther , Barr Elizabeth M. , Clark Simon P. , David Michael , Na Renua , Hou Ruihang 
Published: May 2017

BackgroundBasal cell carcinoma (BCC) may present as superficial subtype alone (sBCC) or superficial combined with other subtypes.The objective of this study was to compare sBCC without or with other BCC subtypes by age, sex and anatomic site.MethodsWe retrospectively collected superficial BCC with the above characteristics from an Australian center during 2009 to 2014.ResultsWe recorded 1528 sBCC and 1622 superficial BCC combined with other BCC subtype cases. Males numbered 2007 and females 1140. On males, head sites (forehead, cheek, nose and ear combined) compared to limb plus trunk sites displayed a higher incidence of superficial BCC combined with either nodular and or aggressive BCC subtypes (OR 13.15 CI 95% 8.9‐19.5 P < .0001). On females a similar comparison also found a higher incidence of superficial BCC combined with solid subtype BCC on head sites compared to trunk and limb sites (OR 9.66 CI 95% 5.8‐16.1 P < .0001).ConclusionSuperficial BCC alone is more likely on younger females on trunk and limb sites. Small partial biopsies reported as sBCC may miss other BCC subtypes present with higher risk on facial sites for males and females. Males had smaller proportions of superficial only subtype BCC on facial and ear sites compared to females.
Explicating the role of empathic processes in substance use disorders: A conceptual framework and research agenda
Authors: Massey Suena H. , Newmark Rebecca L. , Wakschlag Lauren S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIssues. Elucidating the role of empathic processes in developmental pathways to substance use disorders could have important implications for prevention. Approach. We searched the biomedical and social sciences literature to determine what is known about empathy and psychopathological manifestations of severe lack of empathy in the initiation, development and maintenance of psychoactive substance use. Thirty‐seven empirical studies were identified and formally reviewed. Key Findings. Adults with alcohol and stimulant use disorders exhibited detectable impairments in both cognitive and affective empathy, measured behaviourally, neuroanatomically and by self‐report, relative to controls. There were no developmental studies specifically designed to test the role of empathy in substance use pathways, but several studies that included measures of empathy suggest that empathy may be protective. Studies on severe empathic deficits were mixed regarding a unique role of empathy in substance use trajectories, independent of interpersonal style, impulsivity and social deviance. Implications and Conclusions. In the context of findings and methodological limitations of this review, we recommend more rigorous examination of empathy across the spectrum of substance use behaviour. Future work should utilise the following: (i) prospective assessment of empathic capacity in substance abusers during and following treatment; (ii) large, developmentally based prospective designs beginning prior to substance initiation incorporating multiple measures of empathy; (iii) assessment of the moderating role of gender, race and ethnicity; and (iv) prospective study of empathy in children at elevated risk for substance use disorders. [Massey SH, Newmark RL, Wakschlag LS. Explicating the role of empathic processes in substance use disorders: A conceptual framework and research agenda.
ABCB1‐Gen‐Polymorphismus in einer polnischen Kohorte ist mit Risiko für bullöses Pemphigoid assoziiert
Authors: Rychlik‐Sych Mariola , Barańska Małgorzata , Dudarewicz Michał , Skrętkowicz Jadwiga , Żebrowska Agnieszka , Owczarek Jacek , Waszczykowska Elżbieta 
Published: May 2017

ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZielePolymorphismen im ABCB1‐Gen, das für das P‐Glykoprotein kodiert, können die intrazelluläre Konzentration von Xenobiotika beeinflussen und so zur Entwicklung von Autoimmunerkrankungen, einschließlich des bullösen Pemphigoids (BP), beitragen. In der vorliegenden Studie sollte untersucht werden, ob in einer polnischen Kohorte die C3435T‐ und G2677T/A‐Polymorphismen im ABCB1‐Gen mit dem Risiko für ein BP assoziiert sind.Patienten und MethodikDie Studie umfasste 71 Patienten mit BP und 156 gesunde Probanden. Der C3435T‐Polymorphismus wurde mittels PCR‐RFLP bestimmt und der G2677T/A‐Polymorphismus mittels Allel‐spezifischer PCR.ErgebnisseEs gab zwar keine Korrelation zwischen dem C3435‐Polymorphismus und dem BP‐Risiko, aber wir konnten eine derartige Assoziation hinsichtlich des G2677T/A‐Polymorphismus nachweisen. Das relative Risiko eines BP war bei Personen mit dem 2677TA‐Genotyp um mehr als den Faktor fünf erhöht (OR = 5,52; p = 0,0063) und bei Trägern des 2677TT‐Genotyps mehr als verdoppelt (OR = 2,40; p = 0,0076). Mit 2,40 (p = 0,000018) war die OR bei Trägern des 2677T‐Allels ebenfalls erhöht. Die höhere Prävalenz des 2677GG‐Genotyps und des 2677G‐Allels bei der Kontrollgruppe sowie eine OR < 1,0 (0,22 beziehungsweise 0,33) legen eine Schutzfunktion des 2677G‐Allels hinsichtlich der Ausbildung eines BP nahe.SchlussfolgerungenDie Ergebnisse der vorliegenden Studie zeigen, dass der G2677T/A‐Polymorphismus im ABCB1‐Gen das Risiko für die Entstehung eines BP beeinflussen könnte.
Long‐term evaluation of the efficacy of digital dermatoscopy monitoring at a tertiary referral center
Authors: Rinner Christoph , Tschandl Philipp , Sinz Christoph , Kittler Harald 
Published: May 2017

SummaryBackground and objectivesWe examined the value of monitoring patients with multiple nevi using sequential digital dermatoscopy imaging at a tertiary referral center.Patients and methodsThis is a retrospective cohort study including 2,824 patients and 23,241 monitored lesions. We calculated trends in key parameters such as the number of melanomas and nevi monitored and excised.ResultsDuring follow‐up, we excised 1,266 lesions in 709 patients, including 146 (11.5 %) melanomas. The percentage of in situ melanomas detected at follow‐up was significantly higher than at baseline (46.6 % versus 23.4 %, p ≤ 0.001). The risk of detecting a melanoma during follow‐up was higher for patients with a melanoma at baseline, compared to those without (relative risk: 3.59, 95 % CI: 2.15 to 6.00). The number of documented lesions showed a positive correlation with the benign/malignant ratio, and excisions at baseline decreased significantly over the course of the study period.ConclusionDigital dermatoscopy monitoring improves the detection of thin melanomas in patients with multiple nevi. Patients with a melanoma at baseline are at an increased risk of developing a melanoma during follow‐up and should therefore be a target group for sequential dermatoscopy imaging.
Neue Laser und Strahlquellen – alte und neue Risiken?
Authors: Paasch Uwe , Schwandt Antje , Seeber Nikolaus , Kautz Gerd , Grunewald Sonja , Haedersdal Merete 
Published: May 2017

ZusammenfassungDie Entwicklungen im Bereich dermatologischer Laser, hochenergetischer Blitzlampen, LED und neuer Energie‐ und Strahlquellen der letzten Jahre haben gezeigt, dass mit neuen Wellenlängen, Konzepten und Kombinationen zusätzliche, zum Teil über den ästhetischen Bereich hinaus gehende therapeutische Optionen für den Dermatologen erschlossen werden konnten. Wurden bisher zum Beispiel mit fraktionalen Lasern Falten behandelt, sind eben diese Systeme heute in Kombination mit Medikamenten wichtige Werkzeuge bei der Behandlung von Narben, bei Feldkanzerisierung und epithelialen Tumoren. Die Anforderungen an den die Indikation stellenden und vorzugsweise therapierenden Arzt steigen mit der immer komplexer werdenden Technik und den zunehmenden Komorbiditäten und Komedikationen einer älter werdenden Patientenklientel.Parallel etabliert wurden, zunächst für einige wenige Indikationen, Geräte für die Heimanwendung, die sich durch geringe Leistung und spezielle Sicherheitsvorkehrungen zur Vermeidung von Unfällen, Risiken und Nebenwirkungen auszeichnen. Trotz der reduzierten Effizienz solcher Selbstbehandlungsmaßnahmen steigt die Wahrscheinlichkeit einer Fehlanwendung, da die Grundvoraussetzung für eine korrekte Therapie, nämlich die exakte Diagnose und Indikationsstellung, nicht vorausgesetzt werden kann. Bei einer Haarentfernung können so Pigmenttumoren, bei einer Faltentherapie neoplastische Hautveränderungen adressiert und zu erwartende, unvorhergesehene und neue Nebenwirkungen und Komplikationen induziert werden.In diesem Szenario ist es wichtig, alle potenziellen Anwender dieser neuen Technologien vor deren Einsatz so zu qualifizieren, dass den Therapierten maximale Therapiesicherheit bei höchster Effizienz unter dem Leitbild diagnosis certa – ullae therapiae fundamentum garantiert wird.
Fate of 210Pbex fallout in soil under forest and scrub of the central Spanish Pre‐Pyrenees
Authors: Gaspar L. , Webster R. , Navas A. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryThe characteristics and distribution of unsupported radioactive lead‐210 (210Pbex) in soil and the relations between the radionuclide and soil properties determine its fate within the environment. We have explored the distribution of 210Pbex in stony soil profiles near the edge of the Ebro basin in northern Spain, the role played by vegetation in that distribution, and the relation between the radionuclide and organic carbon. We describe in detail the profiles of 210Pbex at 23 sites, 10 under forest and 13 under scrub, which were sampled at 2‐cm intervals to a maximum depth of 14 cm. The theoretical distribution of 210Pbex follows an exponential decline with depth in undisturbed soil, assuming minimal surface slope and no evidence of erosion or deposition processes. Comparable distribution patterns of 210Pbex and organic C became evident from the analyses. There were significant correlations between the activity of 210Pbex and organic C under both forest and scrub, but the strongest were in the surface layers of soil under forest. More than 80% of the total activity of 210Pbex was adsorbed in the upper 6 cm, with an exponential decline with increasing depth. The decline was modelled with exponential functions fitted by non‐linear least‐squares regression to predict the depth distributions of 210Pbex and organic C in forest and scrub soils separately. The results confirm the viability of the use of 210Pbex in stony soil as an indicator of soil redistribution and show the significant effect of vegetative cover. These results provide useful information about sampling design for future research if the radionuclide 210Pbex is used for assessing soil redistribution in similar Mediterranean environments.HighlightsCharacterizing the vertical distribution of 210Pbex requires high resolution sampling (2 cm).
In uncultivated soil of the Pre‐Pyrenees the fallout, 210Pbex, is retained in the uppermost 14 cm.
The distribution of 210Pbex matches that of the organic matter down the profile.
Vegetation affects the surface activity of 210Pbex in the soil, being greater under forest than under scrub.
Three‐dimensional structures and functional studies of two GH43 arabinofuranosidases from Weissella sp. strain 142 and Lactobacillus brevis
Authors: Linares‐Pastén Javier A. , Falck Peter , Albasri Khalil , Kjellström Sven , Adlercreutz Patrick , Logan Derek T. , Karlsson Eva Nordberg 
Published: May 2017

Arabinofuranosidases degrade arabinose‐containing oligo and polysaccharides, releasing l‐arabinose, which is a potentially useful sugar, shown to reduce glycemic response under certain conditions. Arabinofuranosidases (Arafs) are frequently found in GH43, one of the most common GH‐families encoded in genomes in gut microbiota, and hence it is of interest to increase understanding of the function of these enzymes in species occurring in the gut. Here we have produced, characterized and solved the three‐dimensional structures, at 1.9 and 2.0 Å resolution respectively, of two homologous GH43 enzymes, classified under subfamily 26, from Lactobacillus brevis DSM1269 (LbAraf43) and Weissella strain 142 (WAraf43), respectively. The enzymes, with 74% sequence identity to each other, are composed of a single catalytic module with a β‐propeller structure typical of GH43, and an active‐site pocket with three identifiable subsites (−1, +1, and +2). According to size exclusion chromatography, native WAraf43 is a dimer, while LbAraf43 is a tetramer in solution. Both of them show activity with similar catalytic efficiency on 1,5‐α‐l‐arabinooligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization (DP) of 2–3. Activity is restricted to substrates of low DP, and the reason for this is believed to be an extended loop at the entrance to the active site, creating interactions in the +2 subsite.DatabaseStructural data are available in the PDB under the accession numbers 5M8B (LbAraf43) and 5M8E (WAraf43).
CIC break‐apart fluorescence in‐situ hybridization misses a subset of CIC–DUX4 sarcomas: a clinicopathological and molecular study
Authors: Yoshida Akihiko , Arai Yasuhito , Kobayashi Eisuke , Yonemori Kan , Ogura Koichi , Hama Natsuko , Mukai Wakako , Motoi Toru , Kawai Akira , Shibata Tatsuhiro , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi 
Published: May 2017

AimsApproximately 60–70% of high‐grade round‐cell sarcomas that lack the Ewing sarcoma breakpoint region 1 (EWSR1) rearrangement harbour a rearrangement of the CIC gene, most commonly CIC–DUX4. Recent studies have established that CIC‐rearranged sarcomas constitute a distinct group characterized by recognizable histology and immunoprofiles, such as positivity for ETV4 and WT1 and negativity for NKX2.2. Although these sarcomas are diagnosed increasingly in practice by fluorescence in‐situ hybridization (FISH) with CIC break‐apart probes, the optimal modality to diagnose these sarcomas has not been determined. In this study, we describe four round‐cell sarcomas that showed false‐negative results by CIC break‐apart FISH assays.Methods and resultsThese sarcomas showed characteristic histology of CIC‐rearranged sarcomas, and all were immunohistochemically positive for ETV4 and WT1 and negative for NKX2.2. Although FISH showed non‐atypical negative signals for CIC rearrangement, high‐throughput RNA sequencing identified CIC–DUX4 and its fusion breakpoint in all cases. Their clinical and histological findings, as well as fusion points determined by RNA sequencing, did not differ significantly from those of nine FISH‐positive CIC–DUX4 sarcoma cases. We estimated that the FISH false‐negative rate for CIC‐rearranged sarcomas was 14%. Although neither histology nor immunoprofiles (e.g. ETV4 and WT1) are entirely sensitive or specific for CIC‐rearranged sarcomas, the observation that these four cases were identified successfully by such phenotypes suggested their practical utility.ConclusionsCIC break‐apart FISH assays missed a significant minority of CIC–DUX4 sarcomas, and full awareness of typical morphology and judicious immunohistochemical work‐ups, including analyses of ETV4 and WT1, should complement diagnostic assessment.
Fractionated aliphatic alcohols as synthetic precursors of ultra long‐chain monoacylglycerols for cosmetic applications
Authors: Pérez B. , Hansen B. S. , Bulsara P. A. , Rawlings A. V. , Clarke M. J. , Guo Z. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBackgroundXerosis is an abnormally dry and flaky skin condition that is associated with a change in the packing behaviour of the lipid matrix in the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin. This skin condition can lead to an increase in transepidermal water loss (TEWL). As ultralong‐chain fatty acids have a positive effect on maintaining the packing behaviour of the SC lipid matrix, a moisturizer which contains glycerides of ultralong‐chain fatty acids could act as a semi‐occlusive layer on the surface of the skin. This will lower the rate of water evaporation through the epidermis and consequently help prevent or improve skin xerosis.ObjectiveTo identify a novel source of ultralong‐chain lipids and develop monoacylglycerols with mixed fatty acyl chain lengths that have occlusive properties superior to petrolatum.MethodsInitially, Performacol 425, a mixture of very long‐chain fatty alcohols, was fractionated using short path distillation to yield a fraction enriched with C22:0–C26:0 fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohol fraction was then oxidized using Jones reagent, and the resulting fatty acids were esterified with glycerol to yield the corresponding monoglycerides using Novozym 435. These were then evaluated using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and water vapour transmission rate measurements.ResultsThe monoacylglycerols enriched with C22:0–C26:0 displayed a melting point of 80°C and orthorhombic packing; packing behaviour mainly present in healthy SC. In addition, a phospholipid‐structured emulsion containing 3% of the monoglycerides displayed occlusive properties superior to the vehicle containing 3% petrolatum jelly.ConclusionsPerformacol 425 can be a potential source of fatty alcohols to synthesize monoacylglycerols that can improve the occlusive behaviour of phospholipid‐structured emulsions.
Triboelectric properties of calcium aluminosilicate glass surfaces
Authors: Agnello Gabriel , Manley Robert , Smith Nicholas , LaCourse William , Cormack Alastair 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRecent experiments on flat, multicomponent glass surfaces have suggested that a particular surface's propensity to adsorb water plays a critical role in how that surface accumulates/dissipates electrical charge. A key driver for glass surface‐water reactivity may be structural defect concentration(s) at the surface, which can be largely influenced by bulk composition. To further explore these hypotheses, a series of ternary calcium aluminosilicate (CAS) glasses along the charge‐balanced join were modeled using classical molecular dynamics (MD), with the goal of understanding how glass composition impacts structural defect concentrations (NBO, under‐coordinated Si, Al, etc.) in the outermost layers (~5Å) of the surface. Concurrently, CAS glasses with the same compositions were prepared in the laboratory and their surfaces analyzed for charge response at variable humidity using a rolling sphere test (RST), as well as a newly developed metrology for contact charging phenomena called an electrostatic gauge (ESG). Molecular water interactions with CAS fracture surfaces were studied using Diffuse Reflectance Infrared Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (DRIFTS) to establish correlation between bulk and surface compositional trends. Experimental results, in conjunction with corresponding MD calculations, suggest that glass bulk chemistry along with resultant surface defect states (NBO, etc.) represent crucial driving factors in glass contact charging.