bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Availability and approval of cannabis‐based medicines for chronic pain management and palliative/supportive care in Europe: A survey of the status in the chapters of the European Pain Federation
Authors: Krcevski‐Skvarc N. , Wells C. , Häuser W. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundThere is considerable public and political interest in the use of cannabis products for medical purposes.MethodsThe task force of the European Pain Federation (EFIC) conducted a survey with its national chapters representatives on the status of approval of all types of cannabis‐based medicines, the covering of costs and the availability of a position paper of a national medical association on the use of medical cannabis for chronic pain and for symptom control in palliative/supportive care.ResultsThirty‐one out of 37 contacted councillors responded. Plant‐derived tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) oromucosal spray is approved for spasticity in multiple sclerosis refractory to conventional treatment in 21 EFIC chapters. Plant‐derived THC (dronabinol) is approved for some palliative care conditions in four EFIC chapters. Synthetic THC analogue (nabilone) is approved for chemotherapy‐associated nausea and vomiting refractory to conventional treatment in four EFIC chapters’. Eight EFIC chapters’ countries have an exceptional and six chapters an expanded access programme for medical cannabis. German and Israeli pain societies recommend the use of cannabis‐based medicines as third‐line drug therapies for chronic pain within a multicomponent approach. Conversely, the German medical association and a team of finish experts and officials do not recommend the prescription of medical cannabis due to the lack of high‐quality evidence of efficacy and the potential harms.ConclusionsThere are marked differences between the countries represented in EFIC in the approval and availability of cannabis‐based products for medical use. EFIC countries are encouraged to collaborate with the European Medicines Agency to publish a common document on cannabis‐based medicines.SignificanceThere are striking differences between European countries in the availability of plant‐derived and synthetic cannabinoids and of medical cannabis for pain management and for symptom control in palliative care and in the covering of costs by health insurance companies or state social security systems.
Functional characterization of E2F3b in human HepG2 liver cancer cell line
Authors: Lu Yujia , Li Wei 
Published: November 2017

AbstractE2F3 is a transcription factor that has been shown to be overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It is well‐known that the E2F3 gene encodes two proteins E2F3a and E2F3b. Therefore, the functions of the two distinct isoforms need to be clarified separately. To characterize the function of E2F3b in HCC, the effects of ectopic expression of E2F3b on cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and gene expression were investigated. E2F3b promoted G1/S phase transition and markedly increased cell proliferation, but had minor effect on apoptosis. Microarray analyses identified 366 differentially expressed genes (171 upregulated and 195 downregulated) in E2F3b‐ overexpressing cells. Differential expression of 16 genes relevant to cell cycle and cell proliferation were further verified by real‐time PCR. Six genes, including CDC2, CCNE1, ARF, MAP4K2, MUSK, and PAX2 were confirmed to be upregulated by more than twofold; one gene, CCNA2 was validated to be downregulated by more than twofold. We also confirmed that E2F3b increased the protein levels of both cyclin E and Arf but did not affect cyclin D1 protein. These results suggest that E2F3b functions as an important promoter for cell proliferation and plays important roles in transcriptional regulation in HepG2 liver cancer cells.
Targeted Therapies: Immunologic Effects and Potential Applications Outside of Cancer
Authors: Kersh Anna E. , Ng Spencer , Chang Yun Min , Sasaki Maiko , Thomas Susan N. , Kissick Haydn T. , Lesinski Gregory B. , Kudchadkar Ragini R. , Waller Edmund K. , Pollack Brian P. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTwo pharmacologic approaches that are currently at the forefront of treating advanced cancer are those that center on disrupting critical growth/survival signaling pathways within tumor cells (commonly referred to as “targeted therapies”) and those that center on enhancing the capacity of a patient's immune system to mount an antitumor response (immunotherapy). Maximizing responses to both of these approaches requires an understanding of the oncogenic events present in a given patient's tumor and the nature of the tumor‐immune microenvironment. Although these 2 modalities were developed and initially used independently, combination regimens are now being tested in clinical trials, underscoring the need to understand how targeted therapies influence immunologic events. Translational studies and preclinical models have demonstrated that targeted therapies can influence immune cell trafficking, the production of and response to chemokines and cytokines, antigen presentation, and other processes relevant to antitumor immunity and immune homeostasis. Moreover, because these and other effects of targeted therapies occur in nonmalignant cells, targeted therapies are being evaluated for use in applications outside of oncology.
Quorum quenching activity of indigenous quorum quenching bacteria and its potential application in mitigation of membrane biofouling
Authors: Gu Yanling , Huang Jinhui , Zeng Guangming , Shi Yahui , Hu Yi , Tang Bi , Zhou Jianxin , Xu Weihua , Shi Lixiu 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDQuorum sensing (QS) could regulate gene expression so as to mediate some bacterial behaviors such as the production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and biofilm formation. In this study, a quorum quenching (QQ) bacterium was isolated from an indigenous lab‐scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) and encapsulated in a dumpling‐shaped microbial bag for biofouling control.RESULTSThis QQ bacteria has a higher genetic homology with Acinetobacter bereziniae strain. The effect of time and temperature on the QQ activity of the microbial bag was tested by degrading N‐acyl homoserine lactone (AHL). The results showed the degradation of C8‐HSL (N‐Octanoyl‐DL‐homoserine lactone) and C6‐HSL (N‐Hexanoyl‐L‐homoserine lactone) could reach equilibrium within 2 h. In addition, a suitable temperature for AHL degradation was 20 °C, at which the rate of degradation of C6‐HSL and C8‐HSL by the microbial bag was 88% and 69%, respectively. The antifouling efficiency of the microbial bag was investigated by a constant pressure filtration system. With the microbial bag added, the decrease of permeability was obviously improved. After 14 days, the permeability with QQ decreased to 18% while the control experiment exhibited almost no permeability.CONCLUSIONThe excellent AHL degradation rate and the filtration test showed that this QQ bacteria has an excellent antifouling potential in membrane filtration systems. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Design of a heterogeneous enzymatic catalyst on chitosan: investigation of the role of conjugation chemistry in the catalytic activity of a Laccase from Trametes versicolor
Authors: Apriceno Azzurra , Girelli Anna Maria , Scuto Francesca Romana 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThree protocols are presented in order to immobilise a laccase (EC 1.10.3.2) from Trametes versicolor on chitosan. In particular, chitosan is functionalized with glutaraldehyde and epichlorohydrin to explore to what extent the conjugation of the enzyme is affected by a carbonyl‐ or epoxy‐modified surface, respectively. In addition, an oxidation procedure is tested to modify, for the first time, the carbohydrate moiety of the enzyme and exploit it for linking with the amine group of chitosan.RESULTSThe system in which laccase is directly conjugated to chitosan seems to be the best‐performing since it is able to maintain 100% of initial activity over a 30 day period and at least 50% of the starting activity after 3 catalytic cycles.CONCLUSIONThe methods show the capability to develop three biocatalysts suitable for the immobilization of laccase. All of them provide covalent bonds that don't inactivate the enzyme through any conformational change and any distortion of the active pocket. Specifically, the oxidation procedure proves to be feasible for the preparation of stabilized glycoproteins without the introduction of foreign molecules, suggesting that the carbohydrate moiety of laccase does not appear to be closely related to the catalytic site of the protein. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Measuring human placental blood flow with multidelay 3D GRASE pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling at 3T
Authors: Shao Xingfeng , Liu Dapeng , Martin Thomas , Chanlaw Teresa , Devaskar Sherin U. , Janzen Carla , Murphy Aisling M. , Margolis Daniel , Sung Kyunghyun , Wang Danny J.J. 
Published: November 2017

BackgroundPlacenta influences the health of both a woman and her fetus during pregnancy. Maternal blood supply to placenta can be measured noninvasively using arterial spin labeling (ASL).PurposeTo present a multidelay pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) combined with a fast 3D inner‐volume gradient‐ and spin‐echo (GRASE) imaging technique to simultaneously measure placental blood flow (PBF) and arterial transit time (ATT), and to study PBF and ATT evolution with gestational age during the second trimester. The PBF values were compared with uterine arterial Doppler ultrasound to assess its potential clinical utility.Study TypeThis was a prospective study.SubjectsThirty‐four pregnant women.Field Strength/SequenceMultidelay 3D inner‐volume GRASE pCASL sequence on 3T MR scanners.AssessmentSubjects underwent two longitudinal MRI scans within the second trimester, conducted between 14–16 and 19–22 weeks of gestational age, respectively. Placental perfusion was measured using the free‐breathing pCASL sequence at three postlabeling delays (PLDs), followed by offline motion correction and model fitting for estimation of PBF and ATT.Statistical TestsA paired t‐test was conducted to evaluate the significance of PBF/ATT variations with placental development. A two‐sample t‐test was conducted to evaluate the significance of PBF difference in subjects with and without early diastolic notch.ResultsThe mean PBF and ATT for the second trimester were 111.4 ± 26.7 ml/100g/min and 1387.5 ± 88.0 msec, respectively. The average PBF increased by 10.4% (P < 0.05), while no significant change in ATT (P = 0.72) was found along gestational ages during the second trimester. PBF decreased 20.3% (P < 0.01) in subjects with early diastolic notches in ultrasound flow waveform patterns.Data ConclusionMultidelay pCASL with inner‐volume 3D GRASE is promising for noninvasive assessment of PBF during pregnancy. Its clinical use for the detection of aberrations in placental function and prediction of fetal developmental disorders awaits evaluation.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy: Stage 2J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:1667–1676.
Investigation of sarin(Se) reactivity against human plasma proteins using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Saeidian Hamid , Hosseini Seyed Esmaeil , Amoozadeh Ali , Naseri Mohammad Taghi , Babri Mehran 
Published: November 2017

AbstractElectron ionization mass spectrum of sarin(Se) was interpreted in compare of sarin MS spectrum. Inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase of human plasma by sarin and sarin(Se) was determined spectrophotometrically using modified Ellman method. It appeared that after incubation with sarin and sarin(Se), cholinesterase inhibition were 93% and 83%, respectively. Sarin, sarin(Se), and sarin(Se)‐d7 were spiked into a vial containing human plasma, and albumin adduct metabolites were identified using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The experiments show that these agents are attached to tyrosine on albumin in human blood. Corresponding deuterated adducts were used to confirm the proposed mechanisms for the formation of the fragments in mass spectrometry experiments.
Mechanisms involved in hemoglobin‐mediated oxidation of lipids in washed fish muscle and inhibitory effects of phospholipase A2
Authors: Tatiyaborworntham Nantawat , Richards Mark P 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDHemoglobin (Hb) is a lipid oxidation promoter in fish muscle. Phospholipase A2 (PLA2; EC 3.1.1.4) is linked to an increased resistance to lipid oxidation of frozen–thawed cod fillets via an unknown mechanism. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism of Hb‐mediated lipid oxidation with a focus on ferryl Hb and methemoglobin (metHb), the pro‐oxidative Hb species, and to examine how porcine pancreatic PLA2 inhibits Hb‐mediated lipid oxidation in washed cod muscle (WCM). Lipid hydroperoxides (LOOHs) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured as primary and secondary lipid oxidation products, respectively. The formation of metHb and ferryl Hb was also monitored.RESULTSFerryl Hb and metHb formed during the Hb‐mediated lipid oxidation. PLA2 inhibited the formation of LOOHs and TBARS and suppressed the formation of metHb and ferryl Hb. WCM was pre‐oxidized by hemin to increase the amount of LOOHs. PLA2 promoted the depletion of LOOHs in the pre‐oxidized WCM with limited TBARS formation at the expense of the heme moiety of Hb.CONCLUSIONThe results of the present study suggest that ferryl Hb may play a role in Hb‐mediated lipid oxidation and that PLA2 from pig pancreas may work together with Hb as a novel antioxidant with an ability to remove pre‐formed LOOHs from a lipid substrate. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Raising Nanofiber Output: The Progress, Mechanisms, Challenges, and Reasons for the Pursuit
Authors: Akampumuza Obed , Gao Hanchao , Zhang Hongnan , Wu Dequn , Qin Xiao‐Hong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe paper discusses the extent to the scale of the electrospun fiber membrane. Literatures show that two distinct methods of raising electrospun nanofiber production can be employed via spinning from a setup of multiple nozzles arranged side by side or from an expanse of polymer solution (needleless electrospinning). Both of these methods are thoroughly explored by considering the variations available within either of their respective productivities. Their mechanisms are duly dealt with by looking at principles and parameters behind the process performances and an analysis of the strategies devised to deal with the shortcomings and ensure process feasibility is given. It has to be noted that most of the available work on electrospinning and their applications is achieved via single needle electrospinning. In this review, a projection is taken to be accomplished whether the nanofiber production can be consistently raised to commercial levels at the exceptional application routes so far produced by the conventional electrospinning means.
Identification of Bioactive Scaffolds Based on QSAR Models
Authors: Nakagawa Tomoki , Miyao Tomoyuki , Funatsu Kimito 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn medicinal chemistry, the molecular scaffolds commonly found in compounds with preferable biological activities are called bioactive scaffolds. They are important because if present in a structure, it is more likely that the compound will be bioactive. Traditionally, medicinal chemists use their knowledge to identify bioactive scaffolds from a given data set after systematic extraction of all candidate scaffolds. However, manually sorting all the scaffolds is not practical as the number of compounds in a data set is often very large. Herein, we propose a method to systematically identify bioactive scaffolds based on a structure generator and a QSAR model. Two proof‐of‐concept studies showed that known bioactive scaffolds as well as scaffolds containing important substructures were extracted. The proposed method does not depend on scaffold frequencies in a data set, which is different from currently used methods for bioactive scaffold identification.
Quantification of MRI visibility and artifacts at 3T of liquid fiducial marker in a pancreas tissue‐mimicking phantom
Authors: Schneider Sergej , Jølck Rasmus Irming , Troost Esther Gera Cornelia , Hoffmann Aswin Louis 
Published: November 2017

PurposeX‐ray‐based position verification of the target volume in image‐guided radiation therapy (IGRT) of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is currently performed on solid fiducial markers that are implanted under endoscopic ultrasonography. A new biodegradable liquid fiducial marker has recently been introduced. To assess its potential use for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐guided photon or proton radiotherapy of PDAC, the MRI visibility and artifacts of this marker were quantified and compared against solid gold markers.Material and methodsDifferent spherical volumes (10 μL, 25 μL, 50 μL, and 100 μL) of a biodegradable liquid fiducial marker as well as seven differently sized and oriented solid gold (0.35 mm diameter; 5 mm and 10 mm length) and iron–gold alloy fiducial markers (0.28 mm diameter; 1 cm and 2 cm length) were implanted in a spherical gel phantom, mimicking the proton spin relaxation properties of healthy pancreatic tissue at 3 Tesla. MR relaxometry was performed to quantify the size and magnitude of the decrease in the effective transversal relaxation time and relative proton density ρ(H) as a measure of potential visibility and to quantify the size and magnitude of the increase in magnetic field inhomogeneity ΔB0 as a measure of potential signal artifacts. The phantom was scanned in a 3.0 T PET/MR scanner with an eight‐channel head coil.ResultsThe solid fiducial markers showed a direct linear relationship between the potentially visible size and artifact size. The liquid fiducial marker showed a tendency toward a potentially visible size at smaller artifacts. Liquid markers from 25 to 100 μL generated visible volumes comparable to the size of the solid markers. The magnitude of visibility was the highest for the liquid fiducial marker with volumes of 25–100 μL showing no correlation with the magnitude of artifact. The solid markers showed a strong nonlinear correlation between magnitude of visibility and artifact, whereas the solid marker consisting of a gold–iron alloy induced the strongest artifacts.ConclusionThe liquid fiducial marker causes signal voids on MRI due to its absence of water hydrogen atoms without strongly affecting the magnetic field in the surrounding tissue. The alteration of the static magnetic field was found to be the main effect leading to the visibility of the solid fiducial markers. Hence, especially when a low level of image distortion is required, MRI characteristics of the liquid marker surpass those of solid gold markers currently being used for IGRT of PDAC.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Adiposity in Adolescents: A Cross‐Cohort Comparison
Authors: Soares Ana Luiza G. , Matijasevich Alicia , Menezes Ana M.B. , Assunção Maria Cecília , Wehrmeister Fernando C. , Howe Laura D. , Gonçalves Helen 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the association between adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and adiposity in adolescents from two cohorts in different socioeconomic contexts.MethodsData from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC, United Kingdom) and the 1993 Pelotas Cohort (Brazil) were used. Six ACEs were assessed in both cohorts up to age 15. At 15 years, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were measured, and at 18 years, BMI, fat mass index, and android fat percentage were assessed.ResultsFew associations were observed between ACEs and adiposity at 15 years, and they were not consistent across cohorts. For adiposity at age 15 in ALSPAC, physical abuse had a positive association with WC, and domestic violence had a positive association with both WC and BMI. A dose‐response relationship between the ACE score and both WC and BMI at 15 years was observed in ALSPAC. In the 1993 Pelotas Cohort, the associations found in crude analysis were no longer evident after adjustment.ConclusionsThis study found some evidence of an association between an ACE score and adiposity in adolescence in a United Kingdom cohort but no evidence of association in a Brazilian cohort. Residual confounding or context‐specific relationships could explain the different pattern of associations.
Trends in Beverage Consumption Among Children and Adults, 2003‐2014
Authors: Bleich Sara N. , Vercammen Kelsey A. , Koma Jonathan Wyatt , Li Zhonghe 
Published: November 2017

ObjectiveThis study aimed to provide the most recent national estimates for beverage consumption among children and adults in the United States.MethodsDietary data were collected from 18,600 children aged 2 to 19 years and from 27,652 adults aged ≥ 20 years in the 2003 to 2014 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Total beverage and sugar‐sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption was measured by 24‐hour dietary recall.ResultsFrom 2003 to 2014, per capita consumption of all beverages declined significantly among children (473.8‐312.6 calories; P < 0.001) and adults (425.0‐341.1 calories; P < 0.001). In the 2013‐2014 survey, 60.7% of children and 50.0% of adults drank SSBs on a given day, which is significantly lower than 2003‐2004, when 79.7% of children and 61.5% of adults reported drinking SSBs. From 2003 to 2014, per capita consumption of SSBs declined from 224.6 calories to 132.5 calories (P < 0.001) for children and from 190.4 calories to 137.6 calories (P < 0.001) for adults. The absolute levels for the percentage of SSB drinkers and per capita consumption of SSBs were highest among black, Mexican American, and non‐Mexican Hispanic children, adolescents, and young adults for all years of the study.ConclusionsOverall, beverage and SSB consumption declined for children and adults from 2003 to 2014. The levels of consumption are highest among black, Mexican American, and non‐Mexican Hispanic participants.
Elevated mitochondrial DNA copy numbers in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A potential biomarker for predicting inferior survival
Authors: Jain Ayushi , Bakhshi Sameer , Thakkar Himani , Gerards Mike , Singh Archna 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundStudies on mitochondrial DNA copy number reveal an increase or decrease in copy number that appears to be cancer specific, but data on acute lymphoblastic leukemia have been inconsistent regarding the significance of changes in mitochondrial DNA copies. The purpose of this pilot study was to analyze mitochondrial DNA copy number and mitochondrial DNA integrity.ProcedureCopy number and mitochondrial deletion ratios were estimated in the bone marrow of 51 patients and peripheral blood of 30 healthy controls using quantitative real‐time PCR. The copy number values were correlated with prognostic markers in patients.ResultsSignificantly increased mitochondrial DNA copy number (P‐value < 0.0001) and increased mitochondrial deletion ratios (P‐value = 0.0018) were observed in patients compared with controls. The copy numbers were significantly decreased in patients after chemotherapy (P‐value = 0.0232). Patients with higher copy numbers exhibited significantly inferior survival than patients with lower copy numbers (for event‐free survival, P‐value = 0.04 and overall survival, P‐value = 0.1175).ConclusionsSignificant decreases in mitochondrial DNA copy number with therapy indicates that copy number could be evaluated as a potential marker for therapeutic efficacy and a higher mitochondrial DNA copy number could be a poor prognostic marker.