bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does early antipsychotic response predict long‐term treatment outcome?
Authors: Rasmussen Sean A. , Rosebush Patricia I. , Mazurek Michael F. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectiveEarly antipsychotic response within the first 2–3 weeks of treatment can predict short‐term outcomes after several months. We conducted the current study to determine whether the predictive value of early antipsychotic response persists throughout long‐term treatment over multiple years.MethodsIn this observational study, we conducted follow‐up assessments of 64 patients with first‐episode psychosis an average of 25 months after they began antipsychotic treatment. Patients were initially randomized to receive haloperidol or olanzapine, but treatment after the acute hospitalization period was not controlled. Regression analyses were used to determine whether early improvement on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale at 2 or 3 weeks predicted longer term improvement at follow‐up. We conducted secondary analyses to determine whether early response could predict extrapyramidal side effects at follow‐up.ResultsEarly response to haloperidol at 2 weeks predicted Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale improvement on longer term follow‐up (p = .002). Longer term improvement was not predicted by early response to olanzapine at 2 weeks (p = .726) or 3 weeks (p = .541). Rates of extrapyramidal side effects did not differ between treatment groups and were not predicted by early response.ConclusionThese results demonstrate the long‐term prognostic value of early haloperidol response. The predictive value of early olanzapine response may be less robust.
Testing the maximum entropy production approach for estimating evapotranspiration from closed canopy shrubland in a low‐energy humid environment
Authors: Wang Hailong , Tetzlaff Doerthe , Soulsby Chris 
Published: September 2017

AbstractQuantifying and partitioning evapotranspiration (ET) into evaporation and transpiration is challenging but important for interpreting vegetation effects on the water balance. We applied a model based on the theory of maximum entropy production to estimate ET for shrubs for the first time in a low‐energy humid headwater catchment in the Scottish Highlands. In total, 53% of rainfall over the growing season was returned to the atmosphere through ET (59 ± 2% as transpiration), with 22% of rainfall ascribed to interception loss and understory ET. The remainder of rainfall percolated below the rooting zone. The maximum entropy production model showed good capability for total ET estimation, in addition to providing a first approximation for distinguishing evaporation and transpiration in such ecosystems. This study shows that this simple and low‐cost approach has potential for local to regional ET estimation with availability of high‐resolution hydroclimatic data. Limitations of the approach are also discussed.
IL‐12 and IL‐15 induce the expression of CXCR6 and CD49a on peripheral natural killer cells
Authors: Hydes Theresa , Noll Angela , Salinas‐Riester Gabriela , Abuhilal Mohammed , Armstrong Thomas , Hamady Zaed , Primrose John , Takhar Arjun , Walter Lutz , Khakoo Salim I. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractIntroductionMurine hepatic NK cells exhibit adaptive features, with liver‐specific adhesion molecules CXCR6 and CD49a acting as surface markers.MethodsWe investigated human liver‐resident CXCR6+ and CD49a+ NK cells using RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, and functional analysis. We further assessed the role of cytokines in generating NK cells with these phenotypes from the peripheral blood.ResultsHepatic CD49a+ NK cells could be induced using cytokines and produce high quantities of IFNγ and TNFα, in contrast to hepatic CXCR6+ NK cells. RNA sequencing of liver‐resident CXCR6+ NK cells confirmed a tolerant immature phenotype with reduced expression of markers associated with maturity and cytotoxicity. Liver‐resident double‐positive CXCR6 + CD49a+ hepatic NK cells are immature but maintain high expression of Th1 cytokines as observed for single‐positive CD49a+ NK cells. We show that stimulation with activating cytokines can readily induce upregulation of both CD49a and CXCR6 on NK cells in the peripheral blood. In particular, IL‐12 and IL‐15 can generate CXCR6 + CD49a+ NK cells in vitro from NK cells isolated from the peripheral blood, with comparable phenotypic and functional features to liver‐resident CD49a+ NK cells, including enhanced IFNγ and NKG2C expression.ConclusionIL‐12 and IL‐15 may be key for generating NK cells with a tissue‐homing phenotype and strong Th1 cytokine profile in the blood, and links peripheral activation of NK cells with tissue‐homing. These findings may have important therapeutic implications for immunotherapy of chronic liver disease.
Serum Calcium to Phosphorous (Ca/P) Ratio Is a Simple, Inexpensive, and Accurate Tool in the Diagnosis of Primary Hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Madeo Bruno , Kara Elda , Cioni Katia , Vezzani Silvia , Trenti Tommaso , Santi Daniele , Simoni Manuela , Rochira Vincenzo 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTPrimary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) diagnosis is challenging and is based on serum calcium (Ca) and parathyroid hormone (PTH). Because serum Ca and phosphorous (P) are inversely related in PHPT, we investigated the diagnostic value of the serum Ca/P ratio in the diagnosis of PHPT. We report a single‐center, case‐controlled, retrospective study including 97 patients with documented PHPT and compared them with those of 96 controls (C). The main outcome measures were: serum PTH, 25‐OH vitamin D, Ca, P, albumin, and creatinine. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the serum Ca/P ratio were calculated. The results were verified using an independent, anonymous set of data extracted from a laboratory database containing over 900 million entries. A total of 35 (36.1%) PHPT patients had normocalcemic PHPT (NCHPT). Ca and PTH were significantly higher in PHPT than in C (p < 0.0001). P was significantly lower in PHPT than in C (p < 0.0001). The Ca/P ratio was significantly higher in PHPT than in C (p < 0.0001). Receiver‐operating characteristic (ROC) curves analyses identified a cutoff of 2.71 (3.5 if Ca and P are expressed in mg/dL) for Ca/P ratio with a sensitivity and specificity of 86% and 87%, respectively (p < 0.0001), confirmed by the independent, big data approach. In conclusion, Ca/P is a valuable tool for the diagnosis of PHPT and is of superior value compared to serum Ca alone, especially in NCPHT. Because Ca/P is simple, inexpensive, and easily accessible worldwide, this ratio is useful for PHPT diagnosis, especially in laboratory/medical settings relying on limited resources, such as low‐income countries. © 2017 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Primary Osteoporosis in Young Adults: Genetic Basis and Identification of Novel Variants in Causal Genes
Authors: Collet Corinne , Ostertag Agnès , Ricquebourg Manon , Delecourt Marine , Tueur Giulia , Isidor Bertrand , Guillot Pascale , Schaefer Elise , Javier Rose‐Marie , Funck‐Brentano Thomas , Orcel Philippe , Laplanche Jean‐Louis , Cohen‐Solal Martine 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTGenetic determinants contribute to osteoporosis and enhance the risk of fracture. Genomewide association studies of unselected population‐based individuals or families have identified polymorphisms in several genes related to low bone density, but not in osteoporotic patients with Z‐score < −2.0 SD with fragility fracture(s). The aim of this study was to determine the causal genes of idiopathic osteoporosis in the adulthood. Also, we used next‐generation sequencing of candidate genes in a cohort of 123 young or middle‐aged adults with idiopathic osteoporosis. All patients were included if they had a low bone mineral density (Z‐score < −2 SD), a diagnosis before age 55 years (mean ± SD, 48.4 ± 10.6 years; mean ± SD age at first fracture, 30.4 ± 17.4 years) and fracture or not. We found that 11 patients carried rare or novel variants in COL1A2 (n = 4), PLS3 (n = 2), WNT1 (n = 4), or DKK1 (n = 1). We showed a high prevalence of pathogenic variants in LRP5: 22 patients (17.8%) had the p.Val667Met variant, including three at the homozygous level and 16 (13%) carrying a novel or very rare variant. Functional analysis revealed that the LRP5 missense variants resulted in reduced luciferase activity, which indicates reduced activation of canonical WNT signaling. The clinical phenotype of patients carrying causal gene variants was indistinguishable. In conclusion, molecular screening of young osteoporotic adults revealed several variants and could be useful to characterize susceptibility genes for personalizing treatment, in particular for the new anabolic drugs.© 2017 The Authors. JBMR Plus is published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Lightning activity associated with precipitation and CAPE over Bangladesh
Authors: Dewan Ashraf , Ongee Emmanuel T. , Rafiuddin M. , Rahman Md. Masudur , Mahmood Rezaul 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTSatellite‐derived lightning data for 17 years (1998–2014) were used to evaluate the relation between environmental factors and lightning activity over the Bangladesh landmass. Time series convective available potential energy (CAPE) data were extracted from ERA‐40 reanalysis data while total and convective rainfalls were obtained from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission's monthly products. In addition, the product of CAPE and precipitation was computed and used as an additional variable. Three timescales – monthly, seasonal and annual – were utilized to determine the influence of precipitation and CAPE on lightning activity. The results indicated that CAPE stands out as an important variable at all of these timescales for predicting the occurrence of lightning. The correlation coefficient (r) between CAPE and lightning activity was found to be 0.902 (monthly), 0.703 (pre‐monsoon), 0.550 (monsoon) and 0.702 (annual), respectively. Total rain showed strong positive correlation with lightning on monthly scale (r = 0.734) and in the pre‐monsoon season (r = 0.701). However, such relationship was moderate during monsoon (r = 0.455). In contrast, convective rain showed slightly higher correlation during monsoon (r = 0.587) compared with that of pre‐monsoon season (r = 0.532). Because of strong seasonality in the data, convective rain did not exhibit strong relationship on annual scale (r = 0.227). The product variable (e.g. CAPE × precipitation) showed significant correlation on monthly (r = 0.895) and seasonal scales (r = 0.818 during pre‐monsoon and 0.686 in monsoon) but its influence appears to diminish on a longer timescale (r = 0.375). Spatial maps of correlation coefficient revealed significant positive correlation along relatively drier northern parts of Bangladesh. As lightning‐related fatality is on the rise, this study, first of its kind, is expected to inform public policy and provide information necessary for effective management of this atmospheric phenomenon to save lives and property in Bangladesh.
A validated LC–MS/MS method for the simultaneous determination of 20‐(S)‐protopanaxatriol and its two active metabolites in rat plasma: Application to a pharmacokinetics study
Authors: Qiu Xin , Yang Jiali , Wang Wei , Wu Qiuhong , Shao Hong 
Published: September 2017

AbstractWe present a validated liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of 20‐(S)‐protopanaxatriol and its two oxidative stereoisomeric metabolites (20S,24S)‐epoxy‐dammarane‐3,6,12,25‐tetraol (M1) and (20S,24R)‐epoxy‐dammarane‐3,6,12,25‐tetraol (M2) in rat plasma. 20‐(S)‐Protopanaxatriol, M1, and M2 were extracted with methanol and separated on an ACQUITY HSS T3 column. The mass spectrometry detection was accomplished in selected reaction monitoring mode with precursor‐to‐product ion transitions of m/z 493.4→143.1 for M1 and M2, m/z 475.4→391.3 for 20‐(S)‐protopanaxatriol, and m/z 459.4→375.3 for 20‐(S)‐protopanaxadiol (internal standard). The method showed good linearity over the concentration ranges of 1–1000 ng/mL for 20‐(S)‐protopanaxatriol and 0.5–200 ng/mL for M1 and M2, with correlation coefficients of more than 0.995. The lower limits of quantification for 20‐(S)‐protopanaxatriol, M1, and M2 were 1, 0.5, 0.5 ng/mL, respectively. The intra‐ and interday precisions (RSD, %) were less than 10.41% while the accuracy (relative error, %) ranged from –3.14 to 8.73%. Under the current conditions, M1 and M2 were completely separated within 3 min. The validated assay was successfully applied to evaluating pharmacokinetic profiles of 20‐(S)‐protopanaxatriol, M1, and M2 in rat.
Lymphatic mapping of the upper limb with lymphedema before lymphatic supermicrosurgery by mirroring of the healthy limb
Authors: Gentileschi Stefano , Servillo Maria , Albanese Roberta , De Bonis Francesca , Tartaglione Girolamo , Salgarello Marzia 
Published: September 2017

IntroductionSupermicrosurgical lymphatic‐venous anastomosis (LVA) can improve limbs lymphedema. We describe a technique that we employ for preoperative lymphatic mapping of the upper limb (UL), when indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography shows only dermal backflow (DB) and no lymphatic vessel is detectable.Patients and methodsSixteen patients undergoing LVA for unilateral UL lymphedema, showing “stardust” or “diffuse” DB pattern, were included. Demographic, clinical data, and limbs measurements were recorded. LymQoL arm questionnaire was administered. Mean age of patients was 58.8 ± 13.1 years. Fifteen were females and 1 male. Lymphatic anatomy of the healthy limb was investigated by ICG lymphography and reported on the affected limb by a four steps technique: marking the main lymphatic pathway on the healthy limb, measuring of the distances at seven levels between the pathway and a line joining fixed landmarks, reporting these measurements on the affected limb with a correction proportional to the degree of swelling, marking skin incisions at the intersection of this pathway with venules, individuated by near infrared light system. Results were analyzed by postoperative questionnaire and changes of limb measurements.ResultsFor every limb, we could find 3 ± 0.73 incision sites each containing at least one lymphatic vessel suitable for anastomosis. In every patient, we could perform 3.38 ± 0.62 anastomoses. Mean follow‐up was 12.13 ± 2.73 months. After surgery, mean preoperative QoL score increased from 5.5 to 7.9 (P < .001), and mean difference between the mean circumferences of the affected and healthy limbs decreased from 4.3 ± 1.3 to 2.5 ± 1.3 cm, showing improvement of swelling after surgery (P < .01).ConclusionThis technique allowed to preoperatively map UL lymphatics even if diffuse DB was present.
Beetroot and Sodium Nitrate Ameliorate Cardiometabolic Changes in Diet‐Induced Obese Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Bhaswant Maharshi , Brown Lindsay , McAinch Andrew J. , Mathai Michael L. 
Published: September 2017

ScopeDietary intake of beetroot by humans reduces blood pressure but whether this is caused by nitrate or betanin is not well‐defined; neither are effects on other signs of metabolic syndrome.Methods and resultsRats fed a high‐carbohydrate, high‐fat diet (H) for 16 weeks developed abdominal obesity, hypertension, altered cardiovascular and liver structure and function, and impaired glucose tolerance compared to rats fed a corn starch diet (C). H rats treated with ∼16 mg/kg/day of nitrate either from beetroot juice (H+B) or sodium nitrate (H+N) for the last 8 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure by ∼25 mmHg, improved cardiac structure and function, plasma lipid profile and plasma markers of liver function, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in heart and liver and decreased left ventricular fibrosis. In the left ventricle, H rats increased mRNA expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP‐1), matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2), and adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase‐alpha (AMPK‐α) and decreased mRNA expression of peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐alpha (PPAR‐α); both beetroot and sodium nitrate diet‐fed rats decreased CTGF threefold, MCP‐1, and MMP‐2 twofold, and doubled PPAR‐α mRNA expression in left ventricular tissue.ConclusionThe similar functional and molecular responses to beetroot and sodium nitrate indicate that the nitrate content of beetroot reduced inflammation and improved cardiovascular, liver, and metabolic function in rats with metabolic syndrome, rather than betanin.
Similarity solution for cavity expansion in thermoplastic soil
Authors: Zhou Hang , Kong Gangqiang , Liu Hanlong , Laloui Lyesse 
Published: September 2017

SummaryThis paper presents an analytical solution for cavity expansion in thermoplastic soil considering non‐isothermal conditions. The constitutive relationship of thermoplasticity is described by Laloui's advanced and unified constitutive model for environmental geomechanical thermal effect (ACMEG‐T), which is based on multi‐mechanism plasticity and bounding surface theory. The problem is formulated by incorporating ACMEG‐T into the theoretical framework of cavity expansion, yielding a series of partial differential equations (PDEs). Subsequently, the PDEs are transformed into a system of first‐order ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using a similarity solution technique. Solutions to the response parameters of cavity expansion (stress, excess pore pressure, and displacement) can then be obtained by solving the ODEs numerically using mathematical software. The results suggest that soil temperature has a significant influence on the pressure‐expansion relationships and distributions of stress and excess pore pressure around the cavity wall. The proposed solution quantifies the influence of temperature on cavity expansion for the first time and provides a theoretical framework for predicting thermoplastic soil behavior around the cavity wall. The solution found in this paper can be used as a theoretical tool that can potentially be employed in geotechnical engineering problems, such as thermal cone penetration tests, and nuclear waste disposal problems.
Quasi‐HSS iteration methods for non‐Hermitian positive definite linear systems of strong skew‐Hermitian parts
Authors: Bai Zhong‐Zhi 
Published: September 2017

SummaryFor large sparse non‐Hermitian positive definite linear systems, we establish exact and inexact quasi‐HSS iteration methods and discuss their convergence properties. Numerical experiments show that both iteration methods are effective and robust when they are used either as linear solvers or as matrix splitting preconditioners for the Krylov subspace iteration methods. In addition, these two iteration methods are, respectively, much more powerful than the exact and inexact HSS iteration methods, especially when the linear systems have nearly singular Hermitian parts or strongly dominant skew‐Hermitian parts, and they can be employed to solve non‐Hermitian indefinite linear systems with only mild indefiniteness.
Vulnerabilities in Lagrange‐based distributed model predictive control
Authors: Velarde Pablo , Maestre José M. , Ishii Hideaki , Negenborn Rudy R. 
Published: September 2017

SummaryIn this paper, we present an analysis of the vulnerability of a distributed model predictive control scheme. A distributed system can be easily attacked by a malicious agent that modifies the reliable information exchange. We consider different types of so‐called insider attacks. In particular, we analyze a controller that is part of the control architecture that sends false information to others to manipulate costs for its own advantage. We propose a mechanism to protect or, at least, relieve the consequences of the attack in a typical distributed model predictive control negotiation procedure. More specifically, a consensus approach that dismisses the extreme control actions is presented as a way to protect the distributed system from potential threats. Two applications are considered as case studies, ie, an academic example involving the control of a distributed system with a single coupled input and a distributed local electricity grid of households. The results are presented via simulations to illustrate both the consequences of the attacks and the defense mechanisms.
Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of third trimester uterine artery pulsatility index
Authors: Marchi Laura , Gaini Claudia , Franchi Chiara , Mecacci Federico , Bilardo Caterina , Pasquini Lucia 
Published: September 2017

AbstractObjectivesThe primary aim of the study was to investigate intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of uterine artery (UtA) pulsatility index (PI) in the third trimester of pregnancy. The secondary aim of the study was to examine whether high maternal body mass index (BMI) or gestational age (GA) influence the reliability of this measurement.MethodsSingleton pregnancies in women with known BMI were recruited between 30+0 and 40+0 weeks. UtA PI Doppler measurements were performed prospectively, independently, and blindly by 2 Fetal Medicine Foundation–accredited operators. Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility was assessed by concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC); Bland‐Altman plots were built and limits of agreement (LoA) were calculated. The analysis was performed for both raw numbers and percentiles. To estimate the intraoperator and interoperator agreement in defining normal and pathological measurements, the assessments were divided in 2 categories—UtA PI <95th percentile/ ≥95th percentile—and Cohen's kappa coefficients were calculated. Results were interpreted according to the cutoffs reported by the True Reproducibility of Ultrasound Techniques review. Correlation between maternal BMI and GA and accuracy of UtA measurements was studied with Spearman's correlation coefficient.ResultsMeasurements were available in 101 women. For intraobserver reproducibility, ICCs and CCCs were calculated for raw values and percentiles and were 0.912 and 0.835, and 0.837 and 0.716, respectively. For interobserver reproducibility, ICCs and CCCs were 0.809 and 0.732, and 0.677 and 0.576, respectively. This indicates a poor‐moderate reproducibility of third trimester UtA PI. LoA were also wide (from a minimum of −0.30‐0.35 to a maximum of −0.53‐0.62). Cohen's kappa coefficients were 0.478 and 0.418, showing a moderate intraoperator and interoperator agreement in distinguishing between normal and pathological values. No correlation was found between maternal BMI and GA and reproducibility of the measurements.ConclusionsIntraobserver and interobserver reproducibility of third trimester UtA PI as assessed by ICC, CCC, and LoA is only moderate‐poor. The agreement between operators in defining pathological and normal measurements is moderate.