bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of occult cerebrospinal fluid involvement during maintenance therapy identifies a group of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at high risk for relapse
Authors: Martínez‐Laperche Carolina , Gómez‐García Ana M. , Lassaletta Álvaro , Moscardó Cristina , Vivanco José L. , Molina Javier , Fuster José L. , Couselo José M. , de Toledo José Sánchez , Bureo Encarnación , Madero Luis , Ramírez Manuel
Published: February 2013

We aimed at assessing the clinical significance of the levels of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells in samples of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during therapy. We studied 990 CSF samples from 108 patients, at the time of diagnosis (108) and at each time of intrathecal therapy (882). The proportions of leukemic cells in CSF samples were assessed by flow cytometry (FCM). Patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement at diagnosis (FCM+) showed predominantly a T‐ALL, and higher percentages of known negative prognostic factors: high risk group, higher white blood cell counts, normal karyotype, and the BCR‐ABL fusion gene. No differences in relapse free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were observed between FCM+ versus FCM− at diagnosis. Patients with CNS involvement during therapy showed significantly older age, and higher frequencies of T‐cell leukemia. We found a significantly higher RFS in patients with FCM+ during therapy. The detection of subclinical CNS disease by FCM during maintenance was associated with significantly lower 3‐years RFS and 3‐years OS. A sensitive methodology like FCM can be applied for a close follow‐up of the levels of ALL in CFS samples, and may identify a group of patients at high risk for relapse. Am. J. Hematol. 88:359–364, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Personal service assistance: Musculoskeletal disorders and injuries in consumer‐directed home care
Authors: Faucett Julia , Kang Taewoon , Newcomer Robert
Published: February 2013

Background

Like other types of care for disabled or elderly adults, consumer‐directed personal assistance services may present multi‐factorial risks for work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs).

Methods

Using survey data, we compared providers experiencing WRMSDs in the previous year to those who did not, seeking to identify functional, temporal, physical, and relationship risk factors for transient and chronic conditions.

Results

Longer work experience with the recipient and more frequent bending increased the risk of being in the most chronic group (≥12 painful episodes), whereas predictable work hours with rest breaks and greater social support from the recipient appeared protective. For transient conditions (one to two episodes), longer work experience with the recipient and predictable hours with rest breaks appeared protective.

Conclusions

We offer recommendations to improve hazard assessment as well as training and information distribution related to home care programs. With the population aging, home care jobs require increasing oversight to prevent WRMSDs. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:454–468, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Anterolateral congenital diaphragmatic hernia with omphalocele: A case report and literature review
Authors: Scahill Michael D. , Maak Petruska , Kunder Christian , Halamek Louis P.
Published: February 2013

The combination of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and omphalocele is quite rare but can be seen in several syndromes. We report on a female newborn with this combination that had not been diagnosed prenatally. The patient suffered respiratory failure that persisted despite intensive care support, suggesting severe secondary pulmonary hypoplasia. Autopsy revealed the combination of an anterolateral CDH and omphalocele in the absence of other anomalies. We believe this to be the first such case to be reported in the literature. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A cost savings approach to SPRED1 mutational analysis in individuals at risk for neurofibromatosis type 1
Authors: Muram Talia M. , Stevenson David A. , Watts‐Justice Sarah , Viskochil David H. , Carey John C. , Mao Rong , Jackson Brian
Published: February 2013

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a clinically diagnosed autosomal dominant disorder requiring routine clinical management, particularly during the pediatric years. An overlapping disorder, Legius syndrome, at times is clinically indistinguishable from NF1 and results in a small percentage of individuals being mischaracterized. Distinguishing these two entities is increasingly important for prognosis, reproductive planning, and clinical management. The goal of our study was to evaluate the cost impact of genetic testing for patients with solely pigmentary findings. The costs of genetic testing in patients aged 1.5–18 years were modeled using a simulated population, assuming the clinical management approach of a single NF1 clinic. Two genetic testing algorithms (SPRED1 testing alone, and NF1 mutation analysis with reflex to SPRED1) were compared against a baseline of no genetic testing. The cost for SPRED1 mutation analysis for each individual meeting NF1 diagnostic criteria without neoplastic or boney manifestation, when compared to the no‐testing approach with routine follow‐up mutations between the ages of 10 and 14 years, was minimal (range of $4–$16). Based on the clinical practice of one NF1 clinic, we found that the cost difference to perform SPRED1 mutation analysis on individuals who meet diagnostic criteria for NF1 without neoplastic or boney manifestation were minimal. Therefore it is important that “when to test decisions” remain a physician/patient discussion, as individual benefits may be greatest at a different age than when it is most cost efficient. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Contributions of a specialty clinic for children and adolescents with Down syndrome
Authors: Skotko Brian G. , Davidson Emily Jean , Weintraub Gil S.
Published: February 2013

We investigated what added value, if any, a Down syndrome specialty clinic brings to the healthcare needs of children and adolescents with Down syndrome. For this quality improvement study, we performed a retrospective chart review of 105 new patients with Down syndrome, ages 3 and older, seen during the inaugural year of our specialty clinic. We asked how many of our patients were already up‐to‐date on the healthcare screenings recommended for people with Down syndrome. We further analyzed what tests we ordered, which referrals we suggested, and, ultimately, what new diagnoses of co‐occurring medical conditions were made. Only 9.8% of our patients were current on all of the recommended Down syndrome healthcare screenings. Parents came to clinic with a variety of concerns, and after laboratory tests, radiologic studies, and subspecialty referrals, we made many new diagnoses of gastrointestinal conditions (e.g., constipation and celiac disease), seasonal allergies, dermatologic conditions (e.g., xerosis), behavioral diagnoses (e.g., autism spectrum disorder and disruptive behavior not otherwise specified), and clarifications of neurologic conditions. A Down syndrome specialty clinic can identify and address many healthcare needs of children and adolescents with Down syndrome beyond that which is provided in primary care settings. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Preconception folic acid supplementation and risk for chromosome 21 nondisjunction: A report from the National Down Syndrome Project
Authors: Hollis NaTasha D. , Allen Emily G. , Oliver Tiffany Renee , Tinker Stuart W. , Druschel Charlotte , Hobbs Charlotte A. , O'Leary Leslie A. , Romitti Paul A. , Royle Marjorie H. , Torfs Claudine P. , Freeman Sallie B. , Sherman Stephanie L. , Bean Lora J.H.
Published: February 2013

Both a lack of maternal folic acid supplementation and the presence of genetic variants that reduce enzyme activity in folate pathway genes have been linked to meiotic nondisjunction of chromosome 21; however, the findings in this area of research have been inconsistent. To better understand these inconsistencies, we asked whether maternal use of a folic acid‐containing supplement before conception reduces risk for chromosome 21 nondisjunction. Using questionnaire data from the National Down Syndrome Project, a population‐based case–control study, we compared the use of folic acid‐containing supplements among mothers of infants with full trisomy 21 due to maternal nondisjunction (n = 702) and mothers of infants born with no major birth defects (n = 983). Using logistic regression, adjusting for maternal age, race/ethnicity, and infant age at maternal interview, we found no evidence of an association between lack of folic acid supplementation and maternal nondisjunction among all case mothers (OR = 1.16; 95% CI: 0.90–1.48). In analyses stratified by meiotic stage and maternal age (<35 or ≥35 years), we found an association among older mothers experiencing meiosis II nondisjunction errors (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.08–3.71). These data suggest that lack of folic acid supplementation may be associated specifically with MII errors in the aging oocyte. If confirmed, these results could account for inconsistencies among previous studies, as each study sample may vary by maternal age structure and proportion of meiotic errors. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Batch and column removal of copper by modified brown algae sargassum bevanom from aqueous solution
Authors: Esfandian Hossein , Javadian Hamedreza , Parvini Mehdi , Khoshandam Behnam , Katal Reza
Published: February 2013

The aim of this research work is to investigate sorption characteristics of brown algae Sargassum bevanom (S. bevanom) for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The sorption of Cu(II) ions by batch method is carried out. The optimum conditions of biosorption were found to be: a biomass dose of 0.4 g in 100 ml of Cu(II), contact time of 100 min and pH 6, respectively. In optimum condition, removal efficiency was 88.45%. Meanwhile, the maximum adsorption capacity was 73.26 mg g‐1. Four equations, i.e. Morris–Weber, Lagergren, Elovich and pseudo second order have been tested to track the kinetics of removal process. The data are well described by pseudo‐second‐order model. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin–Radushkevic (D–R) are subjected to sorption data to estimate sorption capacity, and the Langmuir shows the high performance in the fitting of equilibrium data. It can be concluded that S. bevanom has potential to remove Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions at different concentrations. Also, it achieved 75% desorption efficiency using 0.1 M HCl, and reusing of adsorbent shows high ability in the Cu(II) removal from aqueous solution. The removal of Cu(II) by S. bevanom was also investigated in a fixed bed column. Experiments were conducted to study the effect of important parameters such as bed depth (10–20 cm), initial concentration and flow rate (5–15 ml min−1). Meanwhile, the regeneration and reusability of this adsorbent for five cycles was studied. © 2013 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A matrix‐based method of moments for fitting the multivariate random effects model for meta‐analysis and meta‐regression
Authors: Jackson Dan , White Ian R. , Riley Richard D.
Published: February 2013

Multivariate meta‐analysis is becoming more commonly used. Methods for fitting the multivariate random effects model include maximum likelihood, restricted maximum likelihood, Bayesian estimation and multivariate generalisations of the standard univariate method of moments. Here, we provide a new multivariate method of moments for estimating the between‐study covariance matrix with the properties that (1) it allows for either complete or incomplete outcomes and (2) it allows for covariates through meta‐regression. Further, for complete data, it is invariant to linear transformations. Our method reduces to the usual univariate method of moments, proposed by DerSimonian and Laird, in a single dimension. We illustrate our method and compare it with some of the alternatives using a simulation study and a real example.
The Successful Transfer Structure in Washington State
Authors: Sherman Jane , Andreas Michelle
Published: February 2013

This chapter describes the structure of transfer in Washington State within a historical and policy context. The focus is on how and why the state's transfer system is effective for institutions and efficient for students.
Faculty‐Determined Course Equivalency: The Key to Ohio's Transfer Mobility System
Authors: Compton Paula K. , Tafel Jonathan , Law Joe , Gustafson Robert
Published: February 2013

This chapter outlines how Ohio developed a comprehensive, guaranteed transfer system that connects colleges and universities, high schools, adult career centers, and the workplace. Ohio's story confirms the importance of clearly defined pathways, faculty‐determined course equivalency, cutting‐edge technology, and effective, determined leadership.
Death from high‐risk prostate cancer versus cardiovascular mortality with hormonal therapy
Authors: Lester‐Coll Nataniel H. , Goldhaber Samuel Z. , Sher David J. , D'Amico Anthony V.
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND:

Randomized trials have demonstrated improved survival when hormonal therapy (HT) is added to radiation therapy (RT) for high‐risk prostate cancer. However, it is still unknown whether men who have a history of myocardial infarction (MI) or MI risk factors achieve a superior outcome from HT.

METHODS:

A Markov decision analysis model was used to compare quality‐adjusted life expectancy (QALE) in men aged 50, 60, and 70 years who received RT and no HT, 6 months of HT (short‐term), or 3 years of HT (long‐term) for high‐risk prostate cancer stratified by cardiac risk group.

RESULTS:

In men with a history of MI, there was a decrease of 0.1 to 0.2 quality‐adjusted life years and 0.5 to 0.6 quality‐adjusted life years across all ages with short‐term HT and long‐term HT, respectively, compared with no HT. In men without MI, receipt of short‐term or long‐term HT was associated with a QALE benefit versus no HT in all cohorts. Among men without MI, the optimal duration of HT was a function of age and the number of MI risk factors. Long‐term HT improved QALE (range, 1.4‐5.4 years) for men aged 50 or 60 years except those with MI; whereas, for men aged 70 years with 4 cardiac risk factors, short‐term and long‐term HT yielded identical QALE.

CONCLUSIONS:

Men who received RT for high‐risk prostate cancer and had a history of MI experienced net harm when they received HT. Men without MI gained a QALE benefit from HT, even if they had up to 4 cardiac risk factors. The optimal duration of HT is a function of patient age and the number of cardiac risk factors. Cancer 2013. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
The evolutionary ecology of technological innovations
Authors: Solée Ricard V. , Valverde Sergi , Casals Marti Rosas , Kauffman Stuart A. , Farmer Doyne , Eldredge Niles
Published: February 2013

Technological evolution has been compared to biological evolution by many authors over the last two centuries. As a parallel experiment of innovation involving economic, historical, and social components, artifacts define a universe of evolving properties that displays episodes of diversification and extinction. Here, we critically review previous work comparing the two types of evolution. Like biological evolution, technological evolution is driven by descent with variation and selection, and includes tinkering, convergence, and contingency. At the same time, there are essential differences that make the two types of evolution quite distinct. Major distinctions are illustrated by current specific examples, including the evolution of cornets and the historical dynamics of information technologies. Due to their fast and rich development, the later provide a unique opportunity to study technological evolution at all scales with unprecedented resolution. Despite the presence of patterns suggesting convergent trends between man‐made systems end biological ones, they provide examples of planned design that have no equivalent with natural evolution.
Computationally tractable pairwise complexity profile
Authors: Bar‐Yam Yavni , Harmon Dion , Bar‐Yam Yaneer
Published: February 2013

Quantifying the complexity of systems consisting of many interacting parts has been an important challenge in the field of complex systems in both abstract and applied contexts. One approach, the complexity profile, is a measure of the information to describe a system as a function of the scale at which it is observed. We present a new formulation of the complexity profile, which expands its possible application to high‐dimensional real‐world and mathematically defined systems. The new method is constructed from the pairwise dependencies between components of the system. The pairwise approach may serve as both a formulation in its own right and a computationally feasible approximation to the original complexity profile. We compare it to the original complexity profile by giving cases where they are equivalent, proving properties common to both methods, and demonstrating where they differ. Both formulations satisfy linear superposition for unrelated systems and conservation of total degrees of freedom (sum rule). The new pairwise formulation is also a monotonically nonincreasing function of scale. Furthermore, we show that the new formulation defines a class of related complexity profile functions for a given system, demonstrating the generality of the formalism. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 18:20–27, 2013
Meconium drug testing reveals maternal misuse of medicinal opioids among addicted mothers
Authors: Launiainen Terhi , Nupponen Irmeli , Halmesmäki Erja , Ojanperä Ilkka
Published: February 2013

Meconium drug testing is a non‐invasive method to detect prenatal drug exposure, which can cause severe problems for the infant, indicating the need for follow‐up measures to ensure the welfare of the child. Meconium samples for drug testing were collected from 143 infants as part of routine clinical work among addicted mothers. The drug testing findings were combined with medical records including clinical background and follow‐up data. The substances screened for included medicinal opioids, 6‐monoacetylmorphine (a metabolite of heroin), amphetamines and tetrahydrocannabinolic acid. At least one of the 13 target drugs was detected in 57 (40%) meconium samples. In 21 cases, the findings were unexpected on the basis of clinical data or denied by the mother. Medicinal opioids, especially the opioid substitution treatment drugs buprenorphine and methadone, comprised the majority of the findings of both admitted and unexpected drug misuse. Meconium drug testing methods should target not just traditional illicit drugs but also prescription drugs with misuse potential. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cis‐regulatory sequence variation and association with Mycoplasma load in natural populations of the house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus)
Authors: Backström Niclas , Shipilina Daria , Blom Mozes P. K. , Edwards Scott V.
Published: February 2013

Characterization of the genetic basis of fitness traits in natural populations is important for understanding how organisms adapt to the changing environment and to novel events, such as epizootics. However, candidate fitness‐influencing loci, such as regulatory regions, are usually unavailable in nonmodel species. Here, we analyze sequence data from targeted resequencing of the cis‐regulatory regions of three candidate genes for disease resistance (CD74, HSP90α, and LCP1) in populations of the house finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) historically exposed (Alabama) and naïve (Arizona) to Mycoplasma gallisepticum. Our study, the first to quantify variation in regulatory regions in wild birds, reveals that the upstream regions of CD74 and HSP90α are GC‐rich, with the former exhibiting unusually low sequence variation for this species. We identified two SNPs, located in a GC‐rich region immediately upstream of an inferred promoter site in the gene HSP90α, that were significantly associated with Mycoplasma pathogen load in the two populations. The SNPs are closely linked and situated in potential regulatory sequences: one in a binding site for the transcription factor nuclear NFYα and the other in a dinucleotide microsatellite ((GC)6). The genotype associated with pathogen load in the putative NFYα binding site was significantly overrepresented in the Alabama birds. However, we did not see strong effects of selection at this SNP, perhaps because selection has acted on standing genetic variation over an extremely short time in a highly recombining region. Our study is a useful starting point to explore functional relationships between sequence polymorphisms, gene expression, and phenotypic traits, such as pathogen resistance that affect fitness in the wild.
Unraveling the evolutionary history of the nematode Pristionchus pacificus: from lineage diversification to island colonization
Authors: McGaughran Angela , Morgan Katy , Sommer Ralf J
Published: February 2013

The hermaphroditic nematode Pristionchus pacificus is a model organism with a range of fully developed genetic tools. The species is globally widespread and highly diverse genetically, consisting of four major independent lineages (lineages A, B, C, and D). Despite its young age (~2.1 Ma), volcanic La Réunion Island harbors all four lineages. Ecological and population genetic research studies suggest that this diversity is due to repeated independent island colonizations by P. pacificus. Here, we use model‐based statistical methods to rigorously test hypotheses regarding the evolutionary history of P. pacificus. First, we employ divergence analyses to date diversification events among the four “world” lineages. Next, we examine demographic properties of a subset of four populations (“a”, “b”, “c”, and “d”), present on La Réunion Island. Finally, we use the results of the divergence and demographic analyses to inform a modeling‐based approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) approach, where we test hypotheses about the order and timing of establishment of the Réunion populations. Our dating estimates place the recent common ancestor of P. pacificus lineages at nearly 500,000 generations past. Our demographic analysis supports recent (<150,000 generations) spatial expansion for the island populations, and our ABC approach supports c>a>b>d as the most likely colonization order of the island populations. Collectively, our study comprehensively improves previous inferences about the evolutionary history of P. pacificus.
trans‐Dinitrosyl‐Substituted Hexamolybdate and Study of Its Controllable NO Release
Authors: Zhang Jiangwei , Hao Jian , Khan Rao Naumaan Nasim , Zhang Jin , Wei Yongge
Published: February 2013

On the basis of the well‐developed N,N′‐dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) imidoylization strategy, the novel trans‐dinitrosyl‐substituted polyoxometalate (POM) (NBu4)4[Mo6O17(≡NO)2] was synthesized in moderate yield with high purity through a highly selective reaction route under mild reaction conditions. Its structure was elucidated by IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, ESI‐MS, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. Furthermore, its ability to undergo controlled NO release was confirmed by ESI‐MS, and a curve of the amount of NO released as a function of time within a simulated body fluid system was obtained by UV spectroscopy. The rate of NO release is controlled by changing the pH of the system. This is the first time that the decomposition of a POM has been used to produce therapeutic NO species. This study provides a new route to controlled‐release technology for NO storage and targeted delivery.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Catalytic Behavior of Dioxomolybdenum Complexes Bearing AcAc‐Type Ligands
Authors: Korstanje Ties J. , Folkertsma Emma , Lutz Martin , Jastrzebski Johann T. B. H. , Klein Gebbink Robertus J. M.
Published: February 2013

A series of [MoO2(acac′)2] [acac′ = acetylacetonato‐type ligand: dibenzoylmethane (3), 1‐benzoylacetone (4), bis(p‐methoxybenzoyl)methane (5), 2‐acetylcyclopentanone (6), 2‐acetylcyclohexanone (7), and 2‐acetyl‐1‐tetralone (8)] complexes have been synthesized in yields of 44–83 % by a simple synthetic method by using sodium molybdate and the desired acac‐type ligand as starting materials. All the complexes were characterized by IR, UV/Vis, NMR, and high‐resolution ESI‐MS, and for compounds 3, 4, and 8, solid‐state structures were obtained by X‐ray diffraction. All the complexes contain a cis‐dioxomolybdenum moiety, as proven by the characteristic Mo=O vibrations in the IR spectra and the occurrence of four sets of signals in the NMR spectra of the complexes bearing asymmetrical ligands (4 and 6–8), and confirmed by the solid‐state structures. The complexes were found to be active as catalysts in the dehydration of 1‐phenylethanol to styrene using technical‐grade toluene as the solvent in air at 100 °C. The highest catalytic activity was found for [MoO2{(tBuCO)2CH}2] (2), followed by [MoO2{(C6H5CO)2CH}2] (3). Both complexes were also found to be active in the dehydration of other alcohols, including allylic, aliphatic, and homoallylic alcohols, as well as secondary and tertiary alcohols, with 2 generally showing better activity and selectivity than 3. These catalytic results were compared with those previously obtained with the metal‐based catalyst Re2O7 and the benchmark acid catalyst H2SO4. The results were dependent on the substrate: By using 2, good selectivities but lower activities were generally obtained with tertiary alcohols, whereas good activities but lower selectivities were obtained with secondary alcohols. The industrially important dehydration of 2‐octanol to octenes was very efficiently catalyzed by 2. Overall, the [MoO2(acac′)2] complexes reported herein could offer a cheaper and more abundant metal‐based catalyst alternative to the previously reported rhenium‐based catalytic system for the dehydration reaction.
Highly Enantioselective Organocatalytic Michael Addition/Cyclization Cascade Reaction of Ylideneoxindoles with Isothiocyanato Oxindoles: A Formal [3+2] Cycloaddition Approach to Optically Active Bispirooxindole Derivatives
Authors: Tan Fen , Cheng Hong‐Gang , Feng Bin , Zou You‐Quan , Duan Shu‐Wen , Chen Jia‐Rong , Xiao Wen‐Jing
Published: February 2013

A formal [3+2] cycloaddition involving the organocatalytic asymmetric Michael addition/cyclization cascade reaction of ylideneoxindoles with isothiocyanato oxindoles was developed. This method allows efficient and rapid synthesis of highly functionalized bispirooxindole products bearing three contiguous stereogenic centers with two quaternary stereocenters in almost quantitative yields with extremely high enantio‐ and diastereoselectivities.
Macroscale hydrological modelling approach for study of large scale hydrologic impacts under climate change in Indian river basins
Authors: Raje D. , Priya P. , Krishnan R.
Published: February 2013

In climate‐change studies, a macroscale hydrologic model (MHM) operating over large scales can be an important tool in developing consistent hydrological variability estimates over large basins. MHMs, which can operate at coarse grid resolutions of about 1° latitude by longitude, have been used previously to study climate change impacts on the hydrology of continental scale or global river basins. They can provide a connection between global atmospheric models and water resource systems on large spatial scales and long timescales. In this study, the variable infiltration capacity (VIC) MHM is used to study large scale hydrologic impacts of climate change for Indian river basins. Large‐scale changes in runoff, evapotranspiration and soil moisture for India, as well as station‐scale changes in discharges for three major river basins with distinct climatic and geographic characteristics are examined in this study. Climate model projections for meteorological variables (precipitation, temperature and wind speed) from three general circulation models (GCMs) and three emissions scenarios are used to drive the VIC MHM. GCM projections are first interpolated to a 1° by 1° hydrologic model grid and then bias‐corrected using a quantile–quantile mapping. The VIC model is able to reproduce observed statistics for discharges in the Ganga, Narmada and Krishna basins reasonably well, even at the coarse grid resolution employed using a calibration period for years 1965–1970 and testing period from 1971–1973/1974. An increasing trend is projected for summer monsoon surface runoff, evapotranspiration and soil moisture in most central Indian river basins, whereas a decrease in runoff and soil moisture is projected for some regions in southern India, with important differences arising from GCM and scenario variability. Discharge statistics show increases in mid‐flow and low flow at Farakka station on Ganga River, increased high flows at Jamtara station upstream of Narmada, and increased high, mid‐flow and low flow for Vijayawada station on Krishna River in the future. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Escherichia coli strains harvested from springs in Kampala, Uganda: cell characterization and transport in saturated porous media
Authors: Lutterodt George , Foppen Jan Willem A. , Uhlenbrook Stefan
Published: February 2013

We hypothesized that the transport of Escherichia coli strains harvested from springs could be characterized by a similar set of cell characteristics and transport parameters. The hypothesis was tested by sampling springs throughout the Lubigi catchment in Kampala, Uganda. Chemo‐physical parameters in addition to total coliform concentrations were determined. Furthermore, E. coli strains were harvested, and cell properties determined. Column experiments in saturated quartz columns of 7 cm height were conducted to determine transport parameters of selected E. coli strains. Using a two‐site non‐equilibrium sorption model, transport was modelled by fitting breakthrough data in HYDRUS 1D. Results indicated faecal contamination of the springs with high concentrations of total coliforms, chloride and nitrate. Furthermore, the maximum relative E. coli concentrations (C/C0)max in the column experiments were high. Compared with our previous work on E. coli strains, collected from a pasture and from zoo animals, attachment was low. Modelling revealed that both equilibrium and kinetic sorption were not important under conditions employed in the experiments. These observations are explained by the way in which the strains were harvested: from termination points of flow lines (springs). Such strains may possess characteristics that might have influenced their transport in the subsurface leading to their low attachment efficiency and possibly contributing to the lack of influence of equilibrium and kinetic sorption characteristics. There was no significant correlation between cell properties and transport parameters. Furthermore, 58% of the tested strains were of the O21:H7 serotype, and all definable serotypes identified were associated with diseases. We speculate that this serotype may possess characteristics that allow preferential transport through the aquifers of the area. We demonstrated that bacteria harvested from termination points of flow lines compared with those obtained from pollution sources, which have not undergone transport yet, present a good option for the assessment of bacteria transport characteristics in aquifers. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of microRNAs specifically expressed in hepatitis C virus‐associated hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Diaz Giacomo , Melis Marta , Tice Ashley , Kleiner David E. , Mishra Lopa , Zamboni Fausto , Farci Patrizia
Published: February 2013

Although several studies have investigated the association of miRNAs with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the data published so far are not concordant. A reason for these discrepancies may be the fact that most studies used the nontumorous tissue surrounding the HCC lesion as a control, which is almost invariably affected by cirrhosis or chronic hepatitis, as well as other pathological conditions such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Moreover, HCC is often analyzed as a single group regardless of the different viral etiologies. The miRNAs differentially expressed in HCV‐related HCC were investigated by comparing the tumorous tissues to a wide range of liver specimens, including healthy livers obtained from liver donors and patients who underwent liver resection for angioma, in addition to tissues from various acute and chronic liver diseases, including HCV‐related cirrhosis not associated with HCC, HCV‐related cirrhosis associated with HCC and HBV‐associated acute liver failure. The whole set of 2,226 human miRNAs were examined, including 1,121 pre‐miRNAs and 1,105 mature miRNAs, available in a microarray platform. Stringent statistical methods were applied to reduce the risk of false discoveries to less than 1%. These data identified 18 miRNAs exclusively expressed in HCV‐associated HCC, characterized by high specificity and selectivity versus all other liver diseases and healthy conditions and connected into a regulatory network pivoting on p53, phosphatase and tensin homolog and all‐trans retinoic acid signaling.
The abrogation of the HOXB7/PBX2 complex induces apoptosis in melanoma through the miR‐221&222‐c‐FOS pathway
Authors: Errico M. Cristina , Felicetti Federica , Bottero Lisabianca , Mattia Gianfranco , Boe Alessandra , Felli Nadia , Petrini Marina , Bellenghi Maria , Pandha Hardev S. , Calvaruso Marco , Tripodo Claudio , Colombo Mario P. , Morgan Richard , Carè Alessandra
Published: February 2013

Cutaneous melanoma is the fastest increasing cancer worldwide. Although several molecular abnormalities have been associated with melanoma progression, the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown and few targeted therapies are under evaluation. Here we show that the HOXB7/PBX2 dimer acts as a positive transcriptional regulator of the oncogenic microRNA‐221 and ‐222. In addition, demonstrating c‐FOS as a direct target of miR‐221&222, we identify a HOXB7/PBX2→miR‐221&222 →c‐FOS regulatory link, whereby the abrogation of functional HOXB7/PBX2 dimers leads to reduced miR‐221&222 transcription and elevated c‐FOS expression with consequent cell death. Taking advantage of the treatment with the peptide HXR9, an antagonist of HOX/PBX dimerization, we recognize miR‐221&222 as effectors of its action, in turn confirming the HXR9 efficacy in the treatment of human melanoma malignancy, whilst sparing normal human melanocytes. Our findings, besides suggesting the potential therapeutic of HXR9 or its derivatives in malignant melanoma, suggest the disruption of the HOXB7/PBX2 complexes, miR‐221&222 inhibition or even better their combination, as innovative therapeutic approaches.
Estimating the risk of squamous cell cancer induction in skin following nonlinear optical imaging
Authors: Thomas Giju , Nadiarnykh Oleg , van Voskuilen Johan , Hoy Christopher L. , Gerritsen Hans C. , Sterenborg Henricus J. C. M.
Published: February 2013

High power femto‐second (fs) laser pulses used for in‐vivo nonlinear optical (NLO) imaging can form cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in DNA, which may lead to carcinogenesis via subsequent mutations. Since UV radiation from routine sun exposure is the primary source of CPD lesions, we evaluated the risk of CPD‐related squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in human skin due to NLO imaging relative to that from sun exposure. We developed a unique cancer risk model expanding previously published estimation of risk from exposure to continuous wave (CW) laser. This new model showed that the increase in CPD‐related SCC in skin from NLO imaging is negligible above that due to regular sun exposure. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
In vivo multimodal microscopy for detecting bone‐marrow‐derived cell contribution to skin regeneration
Authors: Graf Benedikt W. , Bower Andrew J. , Chaney Eric J. , Marjanovic Marina , Adie Steven G. , De Lisio Michael , Valero Maria C. , Boppart Marni D. , Boppart Stephen A.
Published: February 2013

Bone‐marrow (BM)‐derived cells have been shown to be capable of aiding skin regeneration in vivo by differentiating into keratinocytes. However, the conditions under which this occurs are not fully understood. Characterizing innate mechanisms of skin regeneration by stem cells in vivo is important for the area of stem cell biology. In this study, we investigate the use of novel in vivo imaging technology for characterizing the contribution of BM‐derived cells to regeneration of the epidermis in mouse skin in vivo. In vivo imaging provides the ability to non‐invasively observe the spatial positions and morphology of the BM‐derived cells. Using a GFP BM‐transplanted mouse model and in vivo multimodal microscopy, BM‐derived cells can be observed in the skin. Our in vivo imaging method was used to search for the presence and identify the 3D spatial distribution of BM‐derived cells in the epidermis of the skin under normal conditions, following wound healing, and after syngeneic skin grafting. We did not observe any evidence of BM‐derived keratinocytes under these conditions, but we did observe BM‐derived dendritic cells in the skin grafts. In vivo multimodal imaging has great potential for characterizing the conditions under which BM‐derived cells contribute to skin regeneration. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Multi‐Scale Anthropogenic Driving Forces of Karst Rocky Desertification in Southwest China
Authors: Yan X. , Cai Y. L.
Published: February 2013

Karst rocky desertification (KRD) is a type of land degradation especially prominent in southwest China. This article analyzes the anthropogenic driving forces of KRD at two scales: rural locality and its macro socio‐economic circumstances. At the rural locality scale, the intensive human pressure on land because of a large and fast growing population and unsustainable land use are identified to be the reason for KRD. However, more radical driving forces lie in the farmers' disadvantages in social‐economic circumstances, which compel them to overuse rural land. Hukou system, coastal development strategy, and household responsibility system are verified as three important factors in social‐economic circumstances. At last, a two‐scale framework is constructed to explain how anthropogenic driving forces lead to KRD in southwest China. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Existence and multiplicity of solutions for a class of p & q elliptic problems with critical exponent
Authors: Figueiredo Giovany M.
Published: February 2013

This paper is concerned with the existence and multiplicity of nontrivial solutions to the following class of \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$p \& q$\end{document} elliptic problems with critical exponent

where \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$\Omega \subset \mathbb {R}^{N}$\end{document} is a bounded smooth domain, N ≥ 3, λ is a positive parameter and \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$a:\mathbb {R}\rightarrow \mathbb {R}$\end{document} is a function of C1 class. Here 1 < γ < N, γ < s < γ* or 1 < s < γ, where γ will be stated later.
Simultaneous imaging of dual‐frequency electrical conductivity using a combination of MREIT and MREPT
Authors: Kim Hyung Joong , Jeong Woo Chul , Sajib Saurav Z. K. , Kim Min‐Oh , Kwon Oh In , Je Woo Eung , Kim Dong‐Hyun
Published: February 2013

Purpose

To propose a single magnetic resonance scan conductivity imaging technique providing dual‐frequency characteristics of tissue conductivity.

Methods

Using a modified spin‐echo pulse sequence, the magnetic flux density induced by externally injected currents and the
phase map with injected current effects removed were acquired simultaneously. The low‐frequency conductivity was reconstructed from the measured magnetic flux density by the projected current density method, while the high‐frequency conductivity was reconstructed using the
maps. Three different conductivity phantoms were used to demonstrate low‐ and high‐frequency conductivity characteristics.

Results

A conductivity spectrum at two frequencies was successfully acquired with the proposed scheme. Magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography is advantageous for seeing an anomaly itself wrapped with a thin insulating membrane. In addition, if the membrane is porous, the membrane property can be quantitatively visualized with magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography. Magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography does not detect such membranes, which enable it to probe things inside an insulating membrane.

Conclusion

Considering these pros and cons and also the fact that the conductivity of biological tissue changes with frequency, a dual‐frequency conductivity imaging incorporating both magnetic resonance electrical impedance tomography and magnetic resonance electrical properties tomography in future animal and human experiments is suggested. Magn Reson Med 71:200–208, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Androgen receptors in muscle fibers induce rapid loss of force but not mass: Implications for spinal bulbar muscular atrophy
Authors: Oki Kentaro , Wiseman Robert W. , Breedlove S. Marc , Jordan Cynthia L.
Published: February 2013

Introduction

Testosterone (T) induces motor dysfunction in transgenic (Tg) mice that overexpress wild‐type androgen receptor (AR) in skeletal muscles. Because many genes implicated in motor neuron disease are expressed in skeletal muscle, mutant proteins may act in muscle to cause dysfunction in motor neuron disease.

Methods

We examined contractile properties of the extensor digitorum longus (EDL) and soleus (SOL) muscles in vitro after 5 and 3 days of T treatment in motor‐impaired Tg female mice.

Results

Both muscles showed deficits in tetanic force after 5 days of T treatment, without losses in muscle mass, protein content, or fiber number. After 3 days of T treatment, only SOL showed a deficit in tetanic force comparable to that of 5 days of treatment. In both treatments, EDL showed slowed twitch kinetics, whereas SOL showed deficits in the twitch/tetanus ratio.

Conclusions

These results suggest calcium‐handling mechanisms in muscle fibers are defective in motor‐impaired mice. Muscle Nerve 47: 823–834, 2013
Saure Oberflächen als neuartige Kontaktbiozide
Authors: Lackner Maximilian , Maninger Silke , Guggenbichler Josef‐Peter
Published: February 2013

Schon bei geringer H+‐Konzentration auf festen Materialien entstehen für Bakterien lebensfeindliche Bedingungen. Auf Polymeren gelingt dies mit Metalloxiden in Kombination mit Hydrophilierung.
Neuartige Redox‐Biochemie im Meeresboden
Authors: Groß Michael
Published: February 2013

Elementarer Schwefel in einer Schlüsselrolle beim Abbau von Methan und bakterielle Filamente als Elektronenleiter zwischen den Hälften einer Redoxreaktion — diese beiden Entdeckungen zeigen wieder einmal, dass wir über die Welt unter den Ozeanen noch viel zu wenig wissen.
Jugend und Technik
Authors: Hartmann K. W. Heinrich
Published: February 2013

Man würde den Herausgeber mit Recht der Voreingenommenheit schelten, wenn in diesen, den Nachwuchsfragen gewidmeten Heften nicht auch die Hitler‐Jugend, der stärkste Erziehungsfaktor der Gegenwart, bevorzugt zu Wort käme. Hauptbannführer Hartmann, der zu den engsten Mitarbeitern des Reichs Jugendführers gehört, vermittelt dem Leser die Gedanken und Bestrebungen der Hitler‐Jugend. Mancher Leser wird aus dem stark gekürzten Beitrag zur Frage des technischen Nachwuchses mit Überraschung erkennen, daß die stummen Bitten und Forderungen, die er bei sich der Hitler‐Jugend vorgetragen hat, gehört sind und daß sie dabei sind, in Erfüllung zu gehen: Die von politischer Notwendigkeit diktierte typisierende Gemeinschaftserziehung mit ihrer Einseitigkeit, die den Ausgriff des aufgeweckten und begabten Jungen vielfach verstümmelte und verdrängte, wird nun durch die gebieterische Pflege der individuellen Eigenschaften und Einzelbegabungen ergänzt werden. JMe Erziehung zur Gemeinschaft wird künftig mit der Erziehung zur Persönlichkeit verbunden sein. Die Jungen sollen Zeit zum eigenen Schaffen, Kraft zur Einsamkeit und Mut zum Abstandhalten gewinnen.
Einer der Gründe für den geringen Physikernachwuchs
Authors: Wien M.
Published: February 2013

Im folgenden sind aus den nachgelassenen Papieren von M. Wien die ebenfalls fertigen Schlußteile des Berichtes, der auf S. 55 abzudrucken begonnen worden war, unter neuer Überschrift wiedergegeben. Wien untersucht nun die Gründe für das zahlenmäßige Zurückgehen der deutschen Physikerschaft und macht Vorschläge, wie eine Zunahme des Physikerstudiums” erzielt werden könne. Manches dieser vor sechs Jahren niedergeschriebenen Darstellung ist überholt oder doch ergänzungsbedürftig, doch glaubt der Herausgeber, den Bericht wiederzugeben und es späteren Beiträgen überlassen zu sollen, einen Vergleich mit dem heutigen Stand zu ziehen.
Grundlagenforschung und Zweckforschung
Authors: Niemeier G.
Published: February 2013

Aus dem “Europäischen Wissenschaftsdienst” Jg. 2 1942 Nr. 11 übernehmen die “Phys Blätter” einen Aufsatz des Straßburger Geographen u. Gründungsdekans der Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät Niemeier. Es taucht dabei eine Anzahl neuer Beispiele aus Chemie und Biologie auf, die das Bild von dem Wert der Forschung vervollständigen, das in den früheren Beiträgen gezeichnet wurde. Es sind dieselben Erkenntnisse, die hier ausgesprochen werden, und dieselben Warnungen, die anklingen: “Grundlagenforschung ist der tiefe Born, aus dem immer wieder grundlegend wichtige Anregungen und Erkenntnisse für die zweckgerichtete angewandte Forschung und für die Technik herausfließen.” “Auf vielen, wenn nicht auf den meisten Gebieten der Naturwissenschaften war Deutschland während der letzten 100 Jahre in Europa das führende Land, das Kraft‐ und Strahlungszentrum des Abendlandes.”
Wissenschaft und Krieg
Authors: Clark A. H.
Published: February 2013

In der “Nature” Bd. 149 von 1942 veröffentlichte der Amerikaner Austin H. Clark einen Aufsatz, der dem deutschen Leser einen gewissen Einblick in die große Wertschätzung gibt, die die amerikanisch‐englische Öffentlichkeit den wissenschaftlichen Arbeiten im Kriege entgegenbringt. Wir stellen beim Lesen dieses Aufsatzes über “Wissenschaft und Krieg” überrascht fest, daß die Frage, ob Wissenschaft im Krieg getrieben werden soll, eigentlich gar nicht behandelt ist. Sie steht als selbstverständlich bejaht hinter der Kulisse, vor der eine Reihe von Fragen betrachtet wird. Es genügt daher auch, im folgenden nur einen Ausschnitt des Aufsatzes zu geben, insbesondere die Darstellung über die Entwicklung der Wissenschaft in England und Amerika und über die Wichtigkeit des öffentlichen Interesses für die Forschung zunächst zurückzustellen.
Die Neuordnung des preußischen höheren Schulwesens von 1924
Authors: Doermer L.
Published: February 2013

Im Jahre 1924 kam eine preußische Schulreform heraus, die mit erschreckender Deutlichkeit das Abgleiten der exakten Naturwissenschaften zu erkennen gab. Der Bericht darüber des damals in Hamburg tätigen Schulmannes spiegelt die Reform in aller ihrer Bedenklichkeit wieder. Zwar ist der Autor maßvoll in seiner Ablehnung, die nicht so scharfe Worte findet, wie sie im Bericht S. 208 zu finden sind, aber trotzdem kommt seine Einstellung, bei der er auch die positiven Punkte der Denkschrift würdigt, klar genug zum Ausdruck. Sie steigert sich dort, wo es um die Übungen geht, die Prof. Doermer mit ganzem Einsatz gepflegt hat und die nun stark beschnitten werden sollen, zu der dräuenden Frage: „Weiß das Unterrichtsministerium nichts davon, daß die naturwissenschaftlichen Übungen heute geradezu die Grundlage für den naturwissenschaftlichen Unterricht sind und sein müssen?”︁ (Das Referat, das in der Z. f. angewandte Chemie 38. 511—14. 1925 veröffentlicht wurde, ist wesentlich gekürzt worden.)