bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
NUDT15 and TPMT genetic polymorphisms are related to 6‐mercaptopurine intolerance in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the Children's Cancer Center of Lebanon
Authors: Zgheib Nathalie K. , Akika Reem , Mahfouz Rami , Aridi Carol Al , Ghanem Khaled M. , Saab Raya , Abboud Miguel R. , Tarek Nidale , El Solh Hassan , Muwakkit Samar A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundInterindividual variability in thiopurine‐related toxicity could not be completely explained by thiopurine S‐methyltransferase (TPMT) polymorphisms, as a number of patients who are homozygous wild type or normal for TPMT still develop toxicity that necessitates 6‐mercaptopurine (MP) dose reduction or protocol interruption. Recently, few studies reported on an inherited nucleoside diphosphate‐linked moiety X motif 15 (NUDT15) c.415C>T low‐function variant that is associated with decreased thiopurine metabolism and leukopenia in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and other diseases.ProceduresThe aim of this study is to measure the frequency of TPMT and NUDT15 polymorphisms and assess whether they are predictors of MP intolerance in children treated for ALL. One hundred thirty‐seven patients with ALL of whom 121 were Lebanese were evaluated. MP dose intensity was calculated as the ratio of the tolerated MP dose to planned dose during continuation phase to maintain an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) dose above 300 per μl.ResultsOne patient was NUDT15 heterozygous TC and tolerated only 33.33% of the planned MP dose, which was statistically significantly different from the median‐tolerated MP dose intensity of the rest of the cohort (76.00%). Three patients had the TPMT*3A haplotype and tolerated 40.00–66.66% of the planned MP dose, which was also statistically significantly different from the rest of the cohort.ConclusionsThis is the first report on the association of TPMT and NUDT15 polymorphisms with MP dose intolerance in Arab patients with ALL. Genotyping for additional polymorphisms may be warranted for potential gene/allele‐dose effect.
Comparison of hypersensitivity rates to intravenous and intramuscular PEG‐asparaginase in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A meta‐analysis and systematic review
Authors: Hasan Haroon , Shaikh Omar Mohammad , Rassekh Shahrad Rod , Howard A. Fuchsia , Goddard Karen 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundPegylated‐asparaginase (PEG‐ASP) is a critical treatment for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and has traditionally been delivered via intramuscular (IM) injection. In an attempt to reduce pain and anxiety, PEG‐ASP has increasingly been delivered via intravenous (IV) administration. The study objective was to perform a meta‐analysis and systematic review to compare and generate pooled hypersensitivity rates for IM and IV PEG‐ASP.MethodsA systematic literature search was conducted for all epidemiological studies that investigated IV and IM hypersensitivity rates for pediatric ALL. Included studies were critically appraised using the GRACE checklist. Pooled estimates and odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for IM and IV hypersensitivity rates were derived based on either a random or fixed effects model.ResultsFour studies satisfied the inclusion criteria and were of adequate quality. The random effects pooled hypersensitivity rates were 23.5% (95% CI 14.7–33.7) and 8.7% (95% CI 5.4–12.8) for IV and IM, respectively. The fixed effects pooled odds ratio after adjusting for publication bias was 2.49 (95% CI 1.62–3.83), indicating a significantly higher risk of hypersensitivity for IV over IM PEG‐ASP. This risk is far more pronounced for high‐risk (HR) patients compared with standard‐risk (SR) patients (IV vs. IM: HR ↑35.2% and SR ↓2.9%).ConclusionsAlthough administering PEG‐ASP through IV is preferable for patients, it poses a significantly higher risk of hypersensitivity when compared with IM administration, especially for HR patients. We recommend pediatric oncologists consider treating patients with HR pediatric ALL with IM PEG‐ASP to reduce the risk of hypersensitivity.
One‐year results from a prospective randomized trial comparing phlebotomy with deferasirox for the treatment of iron overload in pediatric patients with thalassemia major following curative stem cell transplantation
Authors: Inati Adlette , Kahale Mario , Sbeiti Nada , Cappellini Maria Domenica , Taher Ali T. , Koussa Suzanne , Nasr Therese A. , Musallam Khaled M. , Abbas Hussein A. , Porter John B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackgroundIron overload is well documented in patients with β‐thalassemia major, and patients who have undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remain at risk as a result of pre‐ and immediate post‐HSCT transfusions.ProcedureThis is a prospective, randomized, 1‐year clinical trial that compares the efficacy and safety of the once‐daily oral iron chelator deferasirox versus phlebotomy for the treatment of iron overload in children with β‐thalassemia major following HSCT.ResultsPatients (aged 12.4 years) received deferasirox (n = 12, 10 mg/kg/day starting dose) or phlebotomy (n = 14, 6 ml/kg/2 weeks) for 1 year. In two and five patients, deferasirox dose was increased to 15 and 20 mg/kg/day, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–assessed liver iron concentration (LIC) decreased with deferasirox (mean 12.5 ± 10.1 to 8.5 ± 9.3 mg Fe/g dry weight [dw]; P = 0.0005 vs. baseline) and phlebotomy (10.2 ± 6.8 to 8.3 ± 9.2 mg Fe/g dw; P = 0.05). LIC reductions were greater with deferasirox than with phlebotomy for patients with baseline serum ferritin 1,000 ng/ml or higher (–8.1 ± 1.5 vs. –3.5 ± 5.7 mg Fe/g dw; P = 0.048). Serum ferritin and non‐transferrin‐bound iron also decreased significantly. In two patients with severe cardiac siderosis, a clinically relevant improvement in myocardial T2* was seen, following phlebotomy and deferasirox therapy (n = 1 each). Adverse effects with deferasirox were skin rash, gastrointestinal upset, and increased liver function tests (all n = 1), while those for phlebotomy were difficulty with venous access (n = 4) and distress during procedure (n = 1). Parents of 13/14 children receiving phlebotomy wished to switch to deferasirox, with 1/14 being satisfied with phlebotomy.ConclusionsDeferasirox treatment or phlebotomy reduces iron burden in pediatric patients with β‐ thalassemia major post‐HSCT, with a manageable safety profile.
Value of a Community‐Based Medication Management Review Service in Jordan: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Basheti Iman A. , Tadros Odate K. I. , Aburuz Salah 
Published: September 2016

Study ObjectiveTo assess the impact of a medication management review (MMR) service on treatment‐related problems (TRPs) and certain clinical outcomes in outpatients.DesignProspective randomized controlled study.SettingTwo community pharmacies in Amman, Jordan.PatientsA total of 160 people who visited the two community pharmacies between September 2009 and June 2010.InterventionPatients were randomized into two groups: intervention (82 patients) and control (78 patients) groups. The clinical pharmacist conducted a baseline assessment MMR for patients in both groups to determine the prevalence and type of TRPs; however, recommendations regarding the identified TRPs were only submitted to the physicians of patients in the intervention group.Measurements and Main ResultsAll patients were followed for an average of 3.39 months after their baseline visit to the pharmacy. The impact of the MMR service for the intervention group was assessed by evaluating the outcomes of the recommendations submitted by the clinical pharmacist to resolve the identified TRPs, physicians' acceptance of the recommended interventions, and the effect of the intervention on certain clinical outcomes: blood glucose levels, blood pressure, and triglyceride levels. Follow‐up assessment of the control group included evaluating the outcomes of the identified TRPs (identified and corrected by physicians without any input from the clinical pharmacist) and comparing glucose level, blood pressure, and triglyceride‐level results with baseline values. No significant differences in mean number of medical conditions (3.7 vs 3.42, p=0.134), mean number of medications (4.51 vs 4.96, p=0.135), or mean number of TRPs per patient (5.55 vs 5.17, p=0.42) were observed at baseline in the intervention group versus the control group. Follow‐up results revealed a high acceptance rate of recommendations by the physicians (94%). Regarding outcomes of TRPs, almost 70% of the identified TRPs in the intervention group were resolved or improved compared with 2% in the control group (p<0.001). Significant differences were found between the intervention group versus control group with regard to mean ± SD glucose levels (99.08 ± 9.66 vs 115.48 ± 17.34, p<0.001), blood pressure (110.36/81.55 ± 9.45/3.91 vs 125.0/88.73 ± 10.34/4.12, p<0.001), and triglyceride levels (148.53 ± 15.98 vs 170.74 ± 6.26, p=0.001).ConclusionThe MMR service resulted in a significantly lower number of TRPs and significantly improved clinical outcomes, and it was highly accepted by the physicians.
Fallout oberirdischer Kernwaffentests bis 1963
Authors: Michel Rolf , Steinkopff Thomas 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWegen des Fallouts der oberirdischen Kernwaffenexplosionen bekam der Deutsche Wetterdienst (DWD) 1955 den gesetzlichen Auftrag, die Radioaktivität in Luft und Niederschlag zu überwachen und Methoden zur Vorhersage der atmosphärischen Radioaktivität vorzuhalten. So entstand sein Radioaktivitätsmessnetz. Mit ersten Rückwärtstrajektorien‐Berechnungen konnte er zeigen, dass die radioaktiven Wolken oberirdischer Kernwaffentests in der Stratosphäre nicht nur vom Jetstream Richtung Osten verfrachtet werden. Der Fallout sowjetischer Tests gelangte auch in umgekehrter Richtung nach Europa.
Aus Infrarot‐ wird Weißlicht
Authors: Dehnen Stefanie , Eußner Jens , Chatterjee Sangam , Rosemann Nils 
Published: September 2016

AbstractFür die Umwandlung von Licht einer Wellenlänge, wie es etwa von Lasern abgestrahlt wird, in Licht mit einem breiten Wellenlängenbereich benötigt man normalerweise aufwendig herzustellende Glasfasern oder Kristalle und gepulste oder sehr leistungsstarke Laser, die entsprechend groß und teuer sind. In einer Kooperation unserer Gruppen an den Universitäten Marburg und Gießen ist es uns gelungen, eine Substanz zu entwickeln, die sehr effizient monochromatisches in weißes Licht umwandelt [1]. Man benötigt hierfür lediglich eine kleine, preiswerte Laserdiode.
Der Farbenfänger
Authors: Loos Andreas 
Published: September 2016

AbstractGaloppierende Pferde, Damen, die auf Bühnen tanzen und Menschen, die mit starrem Blick an Schreib‐ und Kaffeetischen sitzen: In der zweiten Hälfte des 19. Jahrhunderts kommt die Fotografie in Schwung. Doch die fotografierte Welt sieht anders aus als die Wirklichkeit: Sie ist schwarz und weiß. Zwar gibt es erste Versuche, Farben festzuhalten – etwa durch Projektion dreier Fotos, die jeweils mit unterschiedlichen Farbfiltern aufgenommen wurden –, doch alle Verfahren haben eines gemeinsam: Sie sind umständlich und kompliziert.
Structure‐based classification of FAD binding sites: A comparative study of structural alignment tools
Authors: Garma Leonardo D. , Medina Milagros , Juffer André H. 
Published: September 2016

ABSTRACTA total of six different structural alignment tools (TM‐Align, TriangleMatch, CLICK, ProBis, SiteEngine and GA‐SI) were assessed for their ability to perform two particular tasks: (i) discriminating FAD (flavin adenine dinucleotide) from non‐FAD binding sites, and (ii) performing an all‐to‐all comparison on a set of 883 FAD binding sites for the purpose of classifying them. For the first task, the consistency of each alignment method was evaluated, showing that every method is able to distinguish FAD and non‐FAD binding sites with a high Matthews correlation coefficient. Additionally, GA‐SI was found to provide alignments different from those of the other approaches. The results obtained for the second task revealed more significant differences among alignment methods, as reflected in the poor correlation of their results and highlighted clearly by the independent evaluation of the structural superimpositions generated by each method. The classification itself was performed using the combined results of all methods, using the best result found for each comparison of binding sites. A number of different clustering methods (Single‐linkage, UPGMA, Complete‐linkage, SPICKER and k‐Means clustering) were also used. The groups of similar binding sites (proteins) or clusters generated by the best performing method were further analyzed in terms of local sequence identity, local structural similarity and conservation of analogous contacts with the FAD ligands. Each of the clusters was characterized by a unique set of structural features or patterns, demonstrating that the groups generated truly reflect the structural diversity of FAD binding sites. Proteins 2016; 84:1728–1747. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Oxygen dissociation on palladium and gold core/shell nanoparticles
Authors: Staykov Aleksandar , Derekar Durgesh , Yamamura Keisuke 
Published: September 2016

AbstractOxygen dissociation reaction on gold, palladium, and gold‐palladium core/shell nanoparticles was investigated with plane wave basis set, density functional theory. Bader population analysis of charge and electron distribution was employed to understand the change of catalytic activity as a function of the nanopaticle composition. The nanoparticles’ electronic properties were investigated and the degree of core/shell charge polarization was estimated for each composition. It was found that surface polarization plays an important role in the catalysis of the initial step of electrophile reactions such as oxygen dissociation. We have investigated the O2 adsorption energy on each nanoparticle and the activation barrier for the oxygen dissociation reaction as a function of the nanoparticle structure. Furthermore, we have investigated the influence of surface geometry, that is., surface bond lengths on the catalytic activity. We have compared the electronic and the geometry effects on the oxygen activation and dissociation. Our design rules for core/shell nanoparticles offer an effective method for control of the surface catalytic activity. Palladium and gold are often used as catalysts in synthetic chemistry. First‐principles calculations elucidate the mechanisms that control the surface reactivity of gold, palladium, and gold‐palladium core shell nanoparticles in oxygen dissociation reactions. Oxygen dissociation is promoted on the gold surface of gold/palladium core‐shell nanoparticles by favorable electron transfer from the core to the shell. Such core‐shell electronic effects can be used for fine‐tuning the nanoparticles catalytic activity.
Cooperative control of networked robots on a dynamic platform in the presence of communication delays
Authors: Nguyen Kim‐Doang , Dankowicz Harry 
Published: September 2016

SummaryThis paper presents an analysis of the synchronization and consensus problems of networked manipulators operating on an underactuated dynamic platform in the presence of communication delays. The proposed formulation does not require detailed information about the system model. A theoretical formulation based on input–output maps of functional differential equations shows that the control system's behavior matches closely that of a non‐adaptive reference system. The tracking synchronization objective is achieved despite the effects of the communication delay and the unknown dynamics of the platform. When there is no common desired trajectory, the modified controller drives all robots to average consensus for an unsigned graph and to bipartite consensus for a structurally balanced signed digraph. In addition, a leader–follower scheme is proposed that allows for the control of the constant and time‐varying consensus values. Simulation results illustrate the performance of the proposed control algorithms. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Histories of climate, science, and colonization in Australia and New Zealand, 1800–1945
Authors: O'Gorman Emily , Beattie James , Henry Matthew 
Published: September 2016

This review article focuses on scholarship that lies at the intersection of histories of climate and British settler colonization in Australia and New Zealand. It first discusses the role of climate in their colonial histories and then developments in the field of climate history, examining similarities and differences within and between Australia and New Zealand. Next, it outlines two significant recent themes in climate history in both places: contested climate debates and perceptions, and social impacts and responses to climate. The article finishes by recommending future areas for research. Throughout, we stress the importance of local‐level approaches to climate as a means of understanding past and present, popular and scientific, interpretations of climate. We also emphasize the role that imperatives of colonization have played in shaping particular kinds of climate knowledge, including in overwriting nonelite views of climate. WIREs Clim Change 2016, 7:893–909. doi: 10.1002/wcc.426This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > World Historical Perspectives
Metaphor and analogy in everyday problem solving
Authors: Keefer Lucas A. , Landau Mark J. 
Published: September 2016

Early accounts of problem solving focused on the ways people represent information directly related to target problems and possible solutions. Subsequent theory and research point to the role of peripheral influences such as heuristics and bodily states. We discuss how metaphor and analogy similarly influence stages of everyday problem solving: Both processes mentally map features of a target problem onto the structure of a relatively more familiar concept. When individuals apply this structure, they use a well‐known concept as a framework for reasoning about real world problems and candidate solutions. Early studies found that analogy use helped people gain insight into novel problems. More recent research on metaphor goes further to show that activating mappings has subtle, sometimes surprising effects on judgment and reasoning in everyday problem solving. These findings highlight situations in which mappings can help or hinder efforts to solve problems. WIREs Cogn Sci 2016, 7:394‐405. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1407This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Language
Psychology > Reasoning and Decision Making
Spatial cognition in mice and rats: similarities and differences in brain and behavior
Authors: Hok Vincent , Poucet Bruno , Duvelle Éléonore , Save Étienne , Sargolini Francesca 
Published: September 2016

The increasing use of mice models in cognitive tasks that were originally designed for rats raises crucial questions about cross‐species comparison in the study of spatial cognition. The present review focuses on the major neuroethological differences existing between mice and rats, with particular attention given to the neurophysiological basis of space coding. While little difference is found in the basic properties of space representation in these two species, it appears that the stability of this representation changes more drastically over time in mice than in rats. We consider several hypotheses dealing with attentional, perceptual, and genetic aspects and offer some directions for future research that might help in deciphering hippocampal function in learning and memory processes. WIREs Cogn Sci 2016, 7:406‐421. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1411This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Comparative Psychology
Neuroscience > Cognition
Neuroscience > Physiology
Polycomb and trithorax opposition in development and disease
Authors: Poynter Steven T. , Kadoch Cigall 
Published: September 2016

Early discoveries in chromatin biology and epigenetics heralded new insights into organismal development. From these studies, two mediators of cellular differentiation were discovered: the Polycomb group (PcG) of transcriptional repressors, and the trithorax group (trxG) of transcriptional activators. These protein families, while opposed in function, work together to coordinate the appropriate cellular developmental programs that allow for both embryonic stem cell self‐renewal and differentiation. Recently, both the PcG and trxG chromatin modulators have been observed to be deregulated in a wide spectrum diseases including developmental disorders and cancer. To understand the impact of these findings we outline the past, present, and future. WIREs Dev Biol 2016, 5:659–688. doi: 10.1002/wdev.244This article is categorized under:

Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Gene Networks and Genomics
Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Cellular Differentiation
Early Embryonic Development > Development to the Basic Body Plan
Variability of antithrombotics use in patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and its variants following first- and second-stage palliation surgery: a national report using the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry
Authors: Ramachandran Preeti , King Eileen , Nebbia Ashley , Beekman Robert H. , Anderson Jeffrey B. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPurposePatients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and its variants following palliation surgery are at risk for thrombosis. This study examines variability of antithrombotic practice, the incidence of interstage shunt thrombosis, and other adverse events following Stage I and Stage II palliation within the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry.MethodsWe carried out a multicentre, retrospective review using the National Pediatric Cardiology Quality Improvement Collaborative registry including patients from 2008 to 2013 across 52 surgical sites. Antithrombotic medications used at Stage I and Stage II discharge were evaluated. Variability of antithrombotics use at the individual patient level and intersite variability, incidence of shunt thrombosis, and other adverse events such as cardiac arrest, seizure, stroke, and need for cardiac catheterisation intervention in the interstage period were identified. Antithrombotic strategies for hybrid Stage I patients were evaluated but they were excluded from the variability and outcomes analysis.ResultsA total of 932 Stage I and 923 Stage II patients were included in the study: 93.8% of Stage I patients were discharged on aspirin and 4% were discharged on no antithrombotics, and 77% of Stage II patients were discharged on aspirin and 17.5% were discharged on no antithrombotics. Only three patients (0.2%) presented with interstage shunt thrombosis. The majority of patients who died during interstage or required shunt dilation and/or stenting were discharged home on aspirin.ConclusionAspirin is the most commonly used antithrombotic following Stage I and Stage II palliation. There is more variability in the choice of antithrombotics following Stage II compared with Stage I. The incidence of interstage shunt thrombosis and associated adverse events was rare.
MRI evaluation of mitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa aneurysm in a boy
Authors: Caro-Dominguez Pablo , Gill Navjot , Yoo Shi-Joon 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMitral-aortic intervalvular fibrosa aneurysm is a rare disease with a few cases documented in children. We present the case of a 12-year-old boy, without a history of infection or previous surgery, diagnosed with MRI.