bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convenient preparation of deuterium‐labeled analogs of peptides containing N‐substituted glycines for a stable isotope dilution LC‐MS quantitative analysis
Authors: Bąchor Remigiusz , Dębowski Dawid , Łęgowska Anna , Stefanowicz Piotr , Rolka Krzysztof , Szewczuk Zbigniew 
Published: September 2015

N‐substituted glycines constitute mimics of natural amino acids that are of great interest in the peptide‐based drug development. Peptoids‐oligo(N‐substituted glycines) have been recently demonstrated to be highly active peptidomimetics in biological systems, resistant to proteolytic degradation.We developed a method of the deuterium labeling of peptidomimetics containing N‐substituted glycine residues via H/D exchange of their α‐carbon hydrogen atoms. The labeling was shown to be easy, inexpensive, and without the use of derivatization reagents or the need for a further purification. The deuterons introduced at the α‐carbon atoms do not undergo a back exchange under acidic conditions during liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC‐MS) analysis. The LC‐MS analysis of a mixture of isotopologues revealed a co‐elution of deuterated and nondeuterated forms of the peptidomimetics, which may be useful in the quantitative isotope dilution analysis of peptoids and other derivatives of N‐substituted glycines. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance comparison of various feature detector‐descriptors and temporal models for video‐based assessment of laparoscopic skills
Authors: Loukas Constantinos , Georgiou Evangelos 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBackgroundDespite the significant progress in hand gesture analysis for surgical skills assessment, video‐based analysis has not received much attention. In this study we investigate the application of various feature detector‐descriptors and temporal modeling techniques for laparoscopic skills assessment.MethodsTwo different setups were designed: static and dynamic video‐histogram analysis. Four well‐known feature detection‐extraction methods were investigated: SIFT, SURF, STAR‐BRIEF and STIP‐HOG. For the dynamic setup two temporal models were employed (LDS and GMMAR model). Each method was evaluated for its ability to classify experts and novices on peg transfer and knot tying.ResultsSTIP‐HOG yielded the best performance (static: 74–79%; dynamic: 80–89%). Temporal models had equivalent performance. Important differences were found between the two groups with respect to the underlying dynamics of the video‐histogram sequences.ConclusionsTemporal modeling of feature histograms extracted from laparoscopic training videos provides information about the skill level and motion pattern of the operator. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robot‐sewn Ivor‐Lewis anastomosis: preliminary experience and technical details
Authors: Bongiolatti Stefano , Annecchiarico Mario , Di Marino Michele , Boffi Bernardo , Borgianni Sara , Gonfiotti Alessandro , Voltolini Luca , Coratti Andrea 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIntroductionRobot‐assisted minimally invasive esophagectomy with intra‐thoracic anastomosis showed encouraging results but there is a lack of data to demonstrate the safety and feasibility.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to report our experience in RA‐ILE (robotic‐assisted Ivor‐Lewis esophagectomy) with robotic hand‐sewn anastomosis.MethodsThis is a retrospective study of patients who underwent robotic‐assisted esophagectomy in prone position with intrathoracic anastomosis for malignant neoplasm of the esophagus or esophago‐gastric junction.ResultsFrom January 2012 to December 2014 we performed eight completely robot‐assisted esophagectomy without intra‐operative complication. The mortality rate at 30‐day was zero. In two patients we observed a partial leakage of the gastric tube that required revision.The mean operative time was 499 ± 46 min including robotic set up and patient positioning. The median hospital‐stay was 10 days. Complete (R0) resection was accomplished in all patients and the mean number of lymph nodes removed was 37.6 ± 14 .7.ConclusionsThis preliminary experience suggests that robotic‐assisted RA‐ILE for malignant lesions is a real surgical option compared with conventional surgery with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mastering variation: variance components and personalised medicine
Authors: Senn Stephen 
Published: September 2015

AbstractVarious sources of variation in observed response in clinical trials and clinical practice are considered, and ways in which the corresponding components of variation might be estimated are discussed. Although the issues have been generally well‐covered in the statistical literature, they seem to be poorly understood in the medical literature and even the statistical literature occasionally shows some confusion. To increase understanding and communication, some simple graphical approaches to illustrating issues are proposed. It is also suggested that reducing variation in medical practice might make as big a contribution to improving health outcome as personalising its delivery according to the patient. It is concluded that the common belief that there is a strong personal element in response to treatment is not based on sound statistical evidence. © 2015 The Authors.Statistics in Medicinepublished by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Bayesian modeling and inference for diagnostic accuracy and probability of disease based on multiple diagnostic biomarkers with and without a perfect reference standard
Authors: Jafarzadeh S. Reza , Johnson Wesley O. , Gardner Ian A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) is used as a performance metric for quantitative tests. Although multiple biomarkers may be available for diagnostic or screening purposes, diagnostic accuracy is often assessed individually rather than in combination. In this paper, we consider the interesting problem of combining multiple biomarkers for use in a single diagnostic criterion with the goal of improving the diagnostic accuracy above that of an individual biomarker. The diagnostic criterion created from multiple biomarkers is based on the predictive probability of disease, conditional on given multiple biomarker outcomes. If the computed predictive probability exceeds a specified cutoff, the corresponding subject is allocated as ‘diseased’. This defines a standard diagnostic criterion that has its own ROC curve, namely, the combined ROC (cROC). The AUC metric forcROC, namely, the combined AUC (cAUC), is used to compare the predictive criterion based on multiple biomarkers to one based on fewer biomarkers. A multivariate random‐effects model is proposed for modeling multiple normally distributeddependentscores. Bayesian methods for estimating ROC curves and corresponding (marginal) AUCs are developed when a perfect reference standard is not available. In addition,cAUCs are computed to compare the accuracy of different combinations of biomarkers for diagnosis. The methods are evaluated using simulations and are applied to data for Johne's disease (paratuberculosis) in cattle. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Treatment of Acute Steroid-Refractory Graft Versus Host Disease: Clinical Responses and Long-Term Outcome
Authors: von Dalowski Felix , Kramer Michael , Wermke Martin , Wehner Rebekka , Röllig Christoph , Alakel Nael , Stölzel Friedrich , Parmentier Stefani , Sockel Katja , Krech Mathias , Schmitz Marc , Platzbecker Uwe , Schetelig Johannes , Bornhäuser Martin , von Bonin Malte 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Steroid-resistant aGvHD is associated with poor outcome, and no commonly accepted salvage therapy is available for its treatment. Here, we report 58 adult patients treated with mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) as salvage therapy for steroid-refractory aGvHD. Third-party MSCs expanded in platelet lysate-containing medium were transfused at a median dose of 0.99 × 106 cells per kg b.wt. A median of two MSC infusions were administered to each patient. Median time between the onset of aGvHD and the first infusion of MSCs was 12 days (range, 6–62 days). Most patients (79%) had grade IV aGvHD. Five patients showed complete response, five showed very good partial response, 17 showed partial response, and 31 showed no response. The estimated probability of survival after 1 year was 19%, and median survival was 69 days. Overall survival was not significantly different from that of a historical cohort of patients receiving alternative salvage therapy and no MSC infusions. In conclusion, MSC treatment on top of conventional immunosuppression was associated with an overall response rate of 47% but improved outcome in terms of survival remains to be shown.
Long Noncoding RNA H19 Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation Via TGF-β1/Smad3/HDAC Signaling Pathway by Deriving miR-675
Authors: Huang Yiping , Zheng Yunfei , Jia Lingfei , Li Weiran 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as important regulatory molecules at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels and may play essential roles in the differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (hMSC). However, their roles and functions remain unclear. Here, we showed that lncRNA H19 was significantly upregulated after the induction of osteoblast differentiation. Overexpression of H19 promoted osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro and enhanced heterotopic bone formation in vivo, whereas knockdown of H19 inhibited these effects. Subsequently, we found that miR-675, encoded by exon1 of H19, promoted osteoblast differentiation of hMSCs and was partially responsible for the pro-osteogenic effect of H19. Investigating the underlying mechanism, we demonstrated that H19/miR-675 inhibited mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). The downregulation of TGF-β1 subsequently inhibited phosphorylation of Smad3. Meanwhile, H19/miR-675 downregulated the mRNA and protein levels of histone deacetylase (HDAC) 4/5, and thus increased osteoblast marker gene expression. Taken together, our results demonstrated that the novel pathway H19/miR-675/TGF-β1/Smad3/HDAC regulates osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs and may serve as a potential target for enhancing bone formation in vivo. Stem Cells 2015;33:3481–3492
A multilevel analysis of diverse learners playing life science video games: Interactions between game content, learning disability status, reading proficiency, and gender
Authors: Israel Maya , Wang Shuai , Marino Matthew T. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractExtant research reports differential effects related to the efficacy of video games as a means to enhance science instruction. However, there are very few studies examining differences in learning outcomes across student‐level independent variables. This study used multilevel modeling to examine the effects of three video game‐enhanced life science units on the performance of 366 adolescent students from three middle schools in the central and western United States. The study included 18 life science classrooms that were taught by four teachers over a 6‐week period. Independent variables included the students’ National Assessment of Educational Progress reading level, presence of a learning disability, gender, and student perceptions of science and video games. Struggling readers and students with low perceptions of their skills as scientists underperformed when compared to their peers. Results across all games indicated significant learning gains for students with and without learning disabilities. Learning disability, gender, and perceptions of video games for learning were not significant predictors of student performance. Results from the study indicate that the effects of video games on science learning are mediated by individual learner characteristics and the science content. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 53: 324–345, 2016.
Thinking about quantity: the intertwined development of spatial and numerical cognition
Authors: Newcombe Nora S. , Levine Susan C. , Mix Kelly S. 
Published: September 2015

There are many continuous quantitative dimensions in the physical world. Philosophical, psychological, and neural work has focused mostly on space and number. However, there are other important continuous dimensions (e.g., time and mass). Moreover, space can be broken down into more specific dimensions (e.g., length, area, and density) and number can be conceptualized discretely or continuously (i.e., natural vs real numbers). Variation on these quantitative dimensions is typically correlated, e.g., larger objects often weigh more than smaller ones. Number is a distinctive continuous dimension because the natural numbers (i.e., positive integers) are used to quantify collections of discrete objects. This aspect of number is emphasized by teaching of the count word sequence and arithmetic during the early school years. We review research on spatial and numerical estimation, and argue that a generalized magnitude system is the starting point for development in both domains. Development occurs along several lines: (1) changes in capacity, durability, and precision, (2) differentiation of the generalized magnitude system into separable dimensions, (3) formation of a discrete number system, i.e., the positive integers, (4) mapping the positive integers onto the continuous number line, and (5) acquiring abstract knowledge of the relations between pairs of systems. We discuss implications of this approach for teaching various topics in mathematics, including scaling, measurement, proportional reasoning, and fractions. WIREs Cogn Sci 2015, 6:491–505. doi: 10.1002/wcs.1369This article is categorized under:

Psychology > Development and Aging
Psychology > Learning
Toward a Bayesian procedure for using process-based models in plant breeding, with application to ideotype design
Authors: Van Oijen M. , Höglind M. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractProcess-based grassland models (PBMs) simulate growth and development of vegetation over time. The models tend to have a large number of parameters that represent properties of the plants. To simulate different cultivars of the same species, different parameter values are required. Parameter differences may be interpreted as genetic variation for plant traits. Despite this natural connection between PBMs and plant genetics, there are only few examples of successful use of PBMs in plant breeding. Here we present a new procedure by which PBMs can help design ideotypes, i.e. virtual cultivars that optimally combine properties of existing cultivars. Ideotypes constitute selection targets for breeding. The procedure consists of four steps: (1) Bayesian calibration of model parameters using data from cultivar trials, (2) Estimating genetic variation for parameters from the combination of cultivar-specific calibrated parameter distributions, (3) Identifying parameter combinations that meet breeding objectives, (4) Translating model results to practice, i.e. interpreting parameters in terms of practical selection criteria. We show an application of the procedure to timothy (Phleum pratense L.) as grown in different regions of Norway.
Autoantigen Microarray for High-Throughput Autoantibody Profiling in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Authors: Zhu Honglin , Luo Hui , Yan Mei , Zuo Xiaoxia , Li Quan-Zhen 
Published: September 2015

Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease characterized by the production of autoantibodies to a broad range of self-antigens. Profiling the autoantibody repertoire using array-based technology has emerged as a powerful tool for the identification of biomarkers in SLE and other autoimmune diseases. Proteomic microarray has the capacity to hold large number of self-antigens on a solid surface and serve as a high-throughput screening method for the determination of autoantibody specificities. The autoantigen arrays carrying a wide variety of self-antigens, such as cell nuclear components (nucleic acids and associated proteins), cytoplasmic proteins, phospholipid proteins, cell matrix proteins, mucosal/secreted proteins, glomeruli, and other tissue-specific proteins, have been used for screening of autoantibody specificities associated with different manifestations of SLE. Arrays containing synthetic peptides and molecular modified proteins are also being utilized for identification of autoantibodies targeting to special antigenic epitopes. Different isotypes of autoantibodies, including IgG, IgM, IgA, and IgE, as well as other Ig subtypes, can be detected simultaneously with multi-color labeled secondary antibodies. Serum and plasma are the most common biologic materials for autoantibody detection, but other body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, and saliva can also be a source of autoantibody detection. Proteomic microarray as a multiplexed high-throughput screening platform is playing an increasingly-important role in autoantibody diagnostics. In this article, we highlight the use of autoantigen microarrays for autoantibody exploration in SLE.
Financial compensation for damage to livestock by lions Panthera leo on community rangelands in Kenya
Authors: Bauer Hans , Müller Lana , Van Der Goes Dirk , Sillero-Zubiri Claudio 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCompensation schemes can contribute to equitable sharing of benefits from wildlife. We describe a scheme that uses tourist fees for partial and conditional compensation of damage to livestock caused by wildlife on Kuku Group Ranch, Kenya. The explicit aim of the scheme is to decrease the killing of lions Panthera leo by Maasai on community land in the Amboseli–Tsavo ecosystem. During 2008–2013 the scheme spent a mean of USD 100,000 per year, and although livestock losses remained constant the killing of lions decreased significantly. The percentage of claims where part of the compensation was withheld as a penalty for negligent husbandry practices decreased significantly over time but remained high; poor herding in particular remains a problem. We weigh our results against arguments found in a literature survey; our findings support the negative arguments of moral hazard (i.e. the risk that compensation reduces the incentive to prevent damage) and post-project collapse. Despite these weaknesses the compensation scheme was effective, affordable and sustainable. We conclude that compensation is a useful conservation tool in situations where there is an imminent threat to biodiversity, and sustainable funding sources are available.
Error-related brain activity dissociates hoarding disorder from obsessive-compulsive disorder
Authors: Mathews C. A. , Perez V. B. , Roach B. J. , Fekri S. , Vigil O. , Kupferman E. , Mathalon D. H. 
Published: September 2015

BackgroundObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is associated with an abnormally large error-related negativity (ERN), an electrophysiological measure of error monitoring in response to performance errors, but it is unclear if hoarding disorder (HD) also shows this abnormality. This study aimed to determine whether the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying error monitoring are similarly compromised in HD and OCD.MethodWe used a visual flanker task to assess ERN in response to performance errors in 14 individuals with HD, 27 with OCD, 10 with HD+OCD, and 45 healthy controls (HC). Age-corrected performance and ERN amplitudes were examined using analyses of variance and planned pairwise group comparisons.ResultsA main effect of hoarding on ERN (p = 0.031) was observed, indicating ERN amplitudes were attenuated in HD relative to non-HD subjects. A group × age interaction effect on ERN was also evident. In HD-positive subjects, ERN amplitude deficits were significantly greater in younger individuals (r = −0.479, p = 0.018), whereas there were no significant ERN changes with increasing age in OCD and HC participants.ConclusionsThe reduced ERN in HD relative to OCD and HC provides evidence that HD is neurobiologically distinct from OCD, and suggests that deficient error monitoring may be a core pathophysiological feature of HD. This effect was particularly prominent in younger HD participants, further suggesting that deficient error monitoring manifests most strongly early in the illness course and/or in individuals with a relatively early illness onset.
Optimization of net returns from wildlife consumptive and non-consumptive uses by game reserve management
Authors: MWAKIWA EMMANUEL , HEARNE JOHN W. , STIGTER JOHANNES D. , DE BOER WILLEM F. , HENLEY MICHELLE , SLOTOW ROB , VAN LANGEVELDE FRANK , PEEL MIKE , GRANT CORNELIA C. , PRINS HERBERT H.T. 
Published: September 2015

SUMMARYLandowners and game reserve managers are often faced with the decision whether to undertake consumptive (such as hunting) and/or non-consumptive (such as tourism) use of wildlife resources on their properties. Here a theoretical model was used to examine cases where the game reserve management allocated the amount of land devoted to hunting (trophy hunting) and tourism, based on three scenarios: (1) hunting is separated from tourism but wildlife is shared; (2) hunting and tourism co-exist; and (3) hunting and tourism are separated by a fence. The consumptive and non-consumptive uses are not mutually exclusive; careful planning is needed to ensure that multiple management objectives can be met. Further, the analysis indicates that the two uses may be undertaken in the same area. Whether they are spatially, or temporally separated depends on the magnitude of the consumptive use. When consumptive use is not dominant, the two are compatible in the same shared area, provided the wildlife population is sufficiently large.
Hot and Cool Executive Functions in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder and Comorbid Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Authors: Antonini Tanya N. , Becker Stephen P. , Tamm Leanne , Epstein Jeffery N. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWhile neuropsychological deficits in both “hot” and “cool” executive functions (EFs) have been documented among individuals with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), these EF deficits are not universal across all individuals with this diagnosis. One potential moderator of executive dysfunction may be the presence of comorbid oppositional defiant disorder (ODD). This study examined the association between “hot” and “cool” EFs and comorbid ODD in children with ADHD. Thirty-three children with ADHD and comorbid ODD (ADHD+ODD), 67 with ADHD without ODD (ADHD-ODD), and 30 typically developing controls participated. Children were 7–12 years of age. “Cool” EFs were assessed with a spatial span task and a card sorting test. “Hot” EFs were assessed using a delay discounting task and a gambling task. ADHD-ODD and ADHD+ODD groups performed more poorly on “cool” EF tasks than controls, but did not differ from each other. Furthermore, the number of ADHD symptoms, but not ODD symptoms, was associated with “cool” EF scores. The three groups did not differ on “hot” EF tasks and the number of ADHD or ODD symptoms was unrelated to “hot” EF scores. In sum, children with ADHD presented with “cool” EF deficits which appear to be unrelated to ODD comorbidity. However, “hot” EF deficits were not present among children with ADHD, irrespective of comorbid ODD status. (JINS, 2015,21, 584–595)