bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Predictors of treatment abandonment for patients with pediatric cancer at Indus Children Cancer Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Authors: Siddiqui Durr‐e‐Fatima , Ashraf Muhammad Shamvil , Iftikhar Sundus , Belgaumi Asim F. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractBackgroundAbandonment of treatment is one of the toughest challenges to deal with in pediatric oncology. It leads to unnecessary mortality and morbidity in patients from low‐ and middle‐income countries.ProcedureThe objective of our retrospective study was to determine the prevalence and predictors for abandonment among children with cancer at our hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. We analyzed data on patients younger than 18 years, diagnosed with any malignancy between November 2014 and May 2016.ResultsFrom a total of 821 patients, one hundred and eighty‐two (22.2%) patients abandoned treatment at various stages, 92 (11.2%) patients did not initiate treatment at all, and the remaining 90 (11.0%) left during treatment. The gender ratio at registration was skewed toward males but not statistically significant for abandonment. Of 295 registered females, 74 (25.1%) abandoned treatment compared to 108 (20.5%) abandonments among 526 males. In multivariable regression analysis, the type of malignancy, guardian's profession, and travelling from outside the city of Karachi (odds ratio [OR]: 1.48; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–2.15; P = 0.039) correlated with increased abandonment. Treatment abandonment was higher among patients with brain tumors (45.7%) and solid tumors (30.8%) and among those whose guardians were associated with a rural profession (24.7%). Monthly income, age, and number of siblings had no impact on the decision to abandon treatment.ConclusionDespite the provision of free treatment, the prevalence of abandonment was high. More qualitative data need to be collected to identify and target groups of individuals who may be likely to abandon treatment, thus improving outcome of patients.
Whole lung irradiation in stage IV Wilms tumor patients: Thyroid dosimetry and outcomes
Authors: Morgan Tiffany M. , Danish Hasan , Nanda Ronica H. , Esiashvili Natia , Meacham Lillian R. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPurposeTo report the thyroid dosimetry and long‐term follow‐up of childhood cancer survivors treated with whole lung irradiation (WLI) for Wilms tumor.MethodsTwenty‐eight patients with pulmonary metastases from Wilms tumor who underwent WLI from 2000 TO 2012 at a single institution were reviewed. Radiation dose to the thyroid gland in each case was calculated. Postradiation thyroid function test (TFT) results and management of thyroid function abnormalities were extracted from the medical records.ResultsMedian age at treatment was 5 years (range: 1–9 years), and median follow‐up time was 74.1 months (7.2–198.4). The male/female ratio was 1:1.8. Complete dosimetry data were available for 22 of the 28 patients receiving WLI. Mean thyroid volume was 3.3 cc (range: 1–6.8). The average mean and median mean dose to the thyroid was 6.7 and 7.1 Gy, respectively (range: 1.3–11.7 Gy). Average max dose to the thyroid was 12.4 Gy (range: 7.8–20.3 Gy). Two patients were found to have a thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) above the normal range, managed with levothyroxine. Another patient was found to have an isolated elevation of TSH which normalized without treatment. A fourth patient was found to have an enlarged thyroid on examination with no palpable nodules or abnormal TFTs.ConclusionsAverage mean dose to the thyroid gland was 6.7 Gy for this population of stage IV Wilms tumor patients. There was a low rate of thyroid dysfunction, but limited follow‐up. Attention to blocking the thyroid gland as much as possible when designing radiation fields can potentially mitigate the risks of long‐term thyroid effects.
Preparation and properties of poly(lactic acid)/lipophilized graphene oxide nanohybrids
Authors: Jeong Jae‐Hoon , Choi Myeon‐Cheon , Nagappan Saravanan , Lee Won‐Ki , Ha Chang‐Sik 
Published: September 2017

AbstractPoly(lactic acid) (PLA)/lipophilized graphene oxide (LGO) nanohybrids were prepared using a solution blending method. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized using a modified Hummers method and then lipophilized by functionalization with alkylamines such as octylamine, dodecylamine or octadecylamine (ODA). PLA/GO nanohybrids were also prepared for comparison. Among the LGOs, ODA‐GO was chosen to produce the PLA/LGO nanohybrids because ODA‐GO exhibited obvious intercalation behavior and the best dispersibility in chloroform. The properties of the PLA/GO and PLA/LGO nanohybrids were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, a universal testing machine, chemical resistance measurements and hydrolytic degradability analysis. The hydrophobic ODA‐GO was dispersed on the nanoscale within the PLA matrix and the resulting nanohybrids showed significantly higher chemical resistance and reduced hydrolytic degradation. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Tightening of gelatin chemically crosslinked networks assisted by physical gelation
Authors: da Silva Marcelo A. , Kang Jie , Bui Tam T. T. , da Silva Lisa M. Borges , Burn Jake , Keddie Joseph L. , Dreiss Cécile A. 
Published: September 2017

ABSTRACTDeveloping the use of polymers from renewable sources to build hydrogels with tailored mechanical properties has become an increasing focus of research. The impact of the thermo‐reversible physical networks of gelatin (arising from the formation of triple‐helices) on the structure formation of a chemical network, obtained by crosslinking with glutaraldehyde (a non‐catalytic crosslinker), was studied using optical rotation, oscillatory rheology, and large strain mechanical deformation. We observed a direct correlation between the storage shear modulus of the chemical network grown in the gel state (i.e., simultaneously with the physical network) and the amount of gelatin residues in the triple‐helix conformation (χ). Sinceχis directly affected by temperature, the value of the storage modulus is also sensitive to changes in the temperature of gel formation.χvalues as low as 12% lead to an increase of the shear storage modulus of the crosslinked gel by a factor of 2.7, when compared to a chemical network obtained in the sol state (i.e., in the absence of a physical network). Our results show that the physical network acts as a template, which leads to a greater density of the chemical crosslinks and a corresponding higher elastic modulus, beyond what is otherwise achieved in the absence of a physical network. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2017,55, 1850–1858
Powerful tools for genetic modification: Advances in gene editing
Authors: Roesch Erica A. , Drumm Mitchell L. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractRecent discoveries and technical advances in genetic engineering, methods called gene or genome editing, provide hope for repairing genes that cause diseases like cystic fibrosis (CF) or otherwise altering a gene for therapeutic benefit. There are both hopes and hurdles with these technologies, with new ideas emerging almost daily. Initial studies using intestinal organoid cultures carrying the common, F508del mutation have shown that gene editing by CRISPR/Cas9 can convert cells lacking CFTR function to cells with normal channel function, providing a precedent that this technology can be harnessed for CF. While this is an important precedent, the challenges that remain are not trivial. A logistical issue for this and many other genetic diseases is genetic heterogeneity. Approximately, 2000 mutations associated with CF have been found in CFTR, the gene responsible for CF, and thus a feasible strategy that would encompass all individuals affected by the disease is particularly difficult to envision. However, single strategies that would be applicable to all subjects affected by CF have been conceived and are being investigated. With all of these approaches, efficiency (the proportion of cells edited), accuracy (how often other sites in the genome are affected), and delivery of the gene editing components to the desired cells are perhaps the most significant, impending hurdles. Our understanding of each of these areas is increasing rapidly, and while it is impossible to predict when a successful strategy will reach the clinic, there is every reason to believe it is a question of “when” and not “if.”
Emerging Diagnostic and Therapeutic Potentials of Human Hair Proteomics
Authors: Adeola Henry A. , Van Wyk Jennifer C. , Arowolo Afolake , Ngwanya Reginald M. , Mkentane Khwezikazi , Khumalo Nonhlanhla P. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe use of noninvasive human substrates to interrogate pathophysiological conditions has become essential in the post‐ Human Genome Project era. Due to its high turnover rate, and its long term capability to incorporate exogenous and endogenous substances from the circulation, hair testing is emerging as a key player in monitoring long term drug compliance, chronic alcohol abuse, forensic toxicology, and biomarker discovery, among other things. Novel high‐throughput ‘omics based approaches like proteomics have been underutilized globally in comprehending human hair morphology and its evolving use as a diagnostic testing substrate in the era of precision medicine. There is paucity of scientific evidence that evaluates the difference in drug incorporation into hair based on lipid content, and very few studies have addressed hair growth rates, hair forms, and the biological consequences of hair grooming or bleaching. It is apparent that protein‐based identification using the human hair proteome would play a major role in understanding these parameters akin to DNA single nucleotide polymorphism profiling, up to single amino acid polymorphism resolution. Hence, this work seeks to identify and discuss the progress made thus far in the field of molecular hair testing using proteomic approaches, and identify ways in which proteomics would improve the field of hair research, considering that the human hair is mostly composed of proteins. Gaps in hair proteomics research are identified and the potential of hair proteomics in establishing a historic medical repository of normal and disease‐specific proteome is also discussed.
A Proteogenomic Analysis of Haptoglobin in Malaria
Authors: Awasthi Gauri , Tyagi Suchi , Kumar Vipin , Patel Sandip Kumar , Rojh Dharmendar , Sakrappanavar Vijeth , Kochar Sanjay Kumar , Talukdar Arunansu , Samanta Biaus , Das Aparup , Srivastava Sanjeeva , Patankar Swati 
Published: September 2017

ScopeHaptoglobin (Hp), an acute phase inflammatory protein is associated with malaria pathogenesis in several proteomics and genomics studies. The Hp gene has two co‐dominant alleles: Hp1 and Hp2 that produce three genotypes: Hp1/Hp1, Hp1/Hp2 and Hp2/Hp2.Experimental designIn this study, validation of the proteomics data with Multiple Reaction Monitoring Mass Spectroscopy (MRM‐MS) is performed and the association of the Hp gene variants with severe, non‐severe malaria and community (healthy) controls using genotyping PCRs and DNA sequencing is analysed.ResultsHighly significant values of Hp is observed in the MRM assay that show a correlation with severity of malaria and is clearly distinguished from another febrile disease, dengue. Moreover, the Hp2/Hp2 genotype is seen in high percentages in non‐severe malaria patients (74%) and community controls (72%) whereas patients diagnosed with severe malaria show only (31%) of this genotype. Sequencing of the Hp promoter region reveals three SNPs along with 10 unique haplotypes, out of which five are associated with non‐severe and three with severe malaria populations (χ2 = 130; df = 18; p < 0.0001).Conclusion and clinical relevanceThis proteo‐genomic study focuses on the correlation of the Hp protein and gene with malaria, thus highlighting the pivotal role of this acute phase immune gene in malaria pathogenesis.
Effect of the acylation of TEAD4 on its interaction with co‐activators YAP and TAZ
Authors: Mesrouze Yannick , Meyerhofer Marco , Bokhovchuk Fedir , Fontana Patrizia , Zimmermann Catherine , Martin Typhaine , Delaunay Clara , Izaac Aude , Kallen Joerg , Schmelzle Tobias , Erdmann Dirk , Chène Patrick 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe Hippo pathway is deregulated in various cancers, and the discovery of molecules that modulate this pathway may open new therapeutic avenues in oncology. TEA/ATTS domain (TEAD) transcription factors are the most distal elements of the Hippo pathway and their transcriptional activity is regulated by the Yes‐associated protein (YAP). Amongst the various possibilities for targeting this pathway, inhibition of the YAP:TEAD interaction is an attractive strategy. It has been shown recently that TEAD proteins are covalently linked via a conserved cysteine to a fatty acid molecule (palmitate) that binds to a deep hydrophobic cavity present in these proteins. This acylation of TEAD seems to be required for efficient binding to YAP, and understanding how it modulates the YAP:TEAD interaction may provide useful information on the regulation of TEAD function. In this report we have studied the effect of TEAD4 acylation on its interaction with YAP and the other co‐activator transcriptional co‐activator with PDZ‐binding motif (TAZ). We show in our biochemical and cellular assays that YAP and TAZ bind in a similar manner to acylated and non‐acylated TEAD4. This indicates that TEAD4 acylation is not a prerequisite for its interaction with YAP or TAZ. However, we observed that TEAD4 acylation significantly enhances its stability, suggesting that it may help this transcription factor to acquire and/or maintain its active conformation.
Target highlights from the first post‐PSI CASP experiment (CASP12, May–August 2016)
Authors: Kryshtafovych Andriy , Albrecht Reinhard , Baslé Arnaud , Bule Pedro , Caputo Alessandro T. , Carvalho Ana Luisa , Chao Kinlin L. , Diskin Ron , Fidelis Krzysztof , Fontes Carlos M. G. A. , Fredslund Folmer , Gilbert Harry J. , Goulding Celia W. , Hartmann Marcus D. , Hayes Christopher S. , Herzberg Osnat , Hill Johan C. , Joachimiak Andrzej , Kohring Gert‐Wieland , Koning Roman I. , Lo Leggio Leila , Mangiagalli Marco , Michalska Karolina , Moult John , Najmudin Shabir , Nardini Marco , Nardone Valentina , Ndeh Didier , Nguyen Thanh‐Hong , Pintacuda Guido , Postel Sandra , van Raaij Mark J. , Roversi Pietro , Shimon Amir , Singh Abhimanyu K. , Sundberg Eric J. , Tars Kaspars , Zitzmann Nicole , Schwede Torsten 
Published: September 2017

AbstractThe functional and biological significance of the selected CASP12 targets are described by the authors of the structures. The crystallographers discuss the most interesting structural features of the target proteins and assess whether these features were correctly reproduced in the predictions submitted to the CASP12 experiment.
A multi‐scale analysis of the extreme rain event of Ouagadougou in 2009
Authors: Lafore Jean‐Philippe , Beucher Florent , Peyrillé Philippe , Diongue‐Niang Aïda , Chapelon Nicolas , Bouniol Dominique , Caniaux Guy , Favot Florence , Ferry Frédéric , Guichard Françoise , Poan Emmanuel , Roehrig Romain , Vischel Théo 
Published: September 2017

This study presents a multi‐scale analysis of an extreme rain event that occurred in Burkina Faso on 1 September 2009 with an absolute record of 263 mm rainfall observed at Ouagadougou. This high‐impact weather system results from the combination of several favourable ingredients at different scales. The sea‐surface temperature anomaly patterns in July–August 2009 of both the Atlantic cold tongue, the Tropical Atlantic Dipole and the Mediterranean Sea are favourable factors for the northward penetration of the West African monsoon. The intense convective activity of the last 10‐day period in August is associated with the crossing of a convectively coupled Kelvin wave increasing the African easterly wave (AEW) activity, and of an equatorial Rossby wave.At the synoptic scale this event corresponds to the passage of a train of three AEWs with increasing magnitude. Behind the first AEW trough axis, an intense and deep southerly monsoon burst develops. It contributes to the amplification of the second AEW and its breaking is associated with the formation of an intense meso‐vortex on the southern flank of the African easterly jet. Compared to the fast‐moving squall line, the dominant type of precipitating weather system over the Sahel, the Ouagadougou precipitating system appears to be a moist vortex propagating slowly, allowing rainfall accumulation, without wind gusts or convective cold pools observed at the surface. The main precipitation area is located about 2° longitude downshear (westward due to the African easterly jet) of the centre of this strong meso‐vortex.
Effects of the changing heating profile associated with melting layers in a climate model
Authors: Zhu Hongyan , Maloney Eric , Hendon Harry , Stratton Rachel 
Published: September 2017

The impact of modifying the melting behaviour at the freezing level in the GA2.0 version of the Met Office Unified Model is investigated. By allowing snow to melt over a greater depth, biases in rainfall over the Maritime Continent (MC) are found to be improved, and there is an indication of benefits to the simulation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation.Moistening diagnostics under weak temperature gradient theory are used to explain how and why changes to the treatment of melting influence tropical rainfall biases. The modified melting experiment increases the lower tropospheric diabatic heating rate per unit column‐integrated convective heating in the MC, which helps to increase lower tropospheric vertical moisture advection per unit column convective heating, making conditions more favourable for convection there. Changes of the opposite sense occur in tropical ocean regions of the west Pacific and Indian Ocean. Changes in lower tropospheric radiative heating per unit convection produced by the different treatment of melting are particularly influential in engendering mean precipitation changes between the experiments. Differences in precipitation in the MC region between the control and melting experiments and opposite changes in oceanic regions to the east and west are linked through changes in the Walker circulation, making it unclear which region is most influential for forcing the improvement in the pattern of precipitation biases. Sensitivity experiments that artificially enhance convection in one region through imposition of sea‐surface temperature anomalies produce a negative precipitation response in the other region.
Understanding the ACCESS model errors over the Maritime Continent using CloudSat and CALIPSO simulators
Authors: Nguyen Hanh , Franklin Charmaine , Protat Alain 
Published: September 2017

Precipitation and cloud properties from the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator (ACCESS1.3) atmospheric model are evaluated over the Maritime Continent during the monsoon season using satellite observations. The model rainfall errors in December–February are characterized by a wet bias east of 120°E and a dry bias west of that longitude. A closer look at the complex land–sea composition of the Maritime Continent reveals that ACCESS1.3 overestimates rainfall over the islands and underestimates it in the surrounding waters. These rainfall biases are associated with a distinct low‐level convergence bias over land, a divergence bias over ocean, and a high‐level cloud fraction overestimate over land and ocean. The complementary information offered by CloudSat and CALIPSO evaluations further shows that the model overestimates high‐ and low‐level cloudiness and light rain and drizzle but underestimates the occurrence of mid‐level clouds.Sensitivity tests are carried out to study the model response to physics parametrizations to understand these model errors. In particular, modifications to the existing parametrization such as changes to the convection scheme, to the rainfall characteristics or to the circulation, appear to qualitatively help reduce model errors. These results show that rainfall and high‐level cloud fraction can be improved, but the model still suffers from a lack of occurrence of hydrometeors in the mid‐levels in all sensitivity tests. Increasing cloudiness and moisture in the low‐ and mid‐levels may be crucial to generating deeper convection and higher ice water content in the model.
Stakeholder‐enhanced environmental flow assessment: The Rufiji Basin case study in Tanzania
Authors: O'Keeffe J. , Graas S. , Mombo F. , McClain M. 
Published: September 2017

AbstractEnvironmental flows are now a standard part of sustainable water management globally but are only rarely implemented. One reason may be insufficient engagement of stakeholders and their priority outcomes in the environmental flow‐setting process. A recent environmental flow assessment (EFA) in the Kilombero basin of the Rufiji River in Tanzania concentrated on a broad‐based investigation of stakeholders' use and perceptions of the ecosystem services provided by the river as a framework for the assessment of flow regimes that would maintain them.The EFA process generally followed the Building Block Methodology but within an enhanced stakeholder engagement framework. Engagement began with the involvement of institutional stakeholders to explain the purpose of the EFA and to elicit their priority outcomes. Extensive interactions with direct‐use stakeholders followed to investigate their uses of and priorities for the rivers. Results were used by the EFA specialist team in choosing flow indicators and defining measurable environmental objectives. The specialists then met to reach a consensus of the flow requirements. The EFA results were lastly reported back to stakeholders.During the Kilombero EFA, we learned that stakeholders at all levels have a good awareness of the natural services provided by a healthy river and can contribute to the setting of environmental objectives for the rivers and floodplain. These can be factored into the biophysical assessments of river flows required to maintain habitats, processes, water quality, and biodiversity. It is therefore important to allocate significant resources to stakeholder engagement. It now remains to be seen if enhanced stakeholder engagement, including the increased understanding and capacity built among all stakeholders, will increase support for the implementation of the recommended flows.