bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spleen Size in Cirrhosis of Different Etiologies
Authors: Kashani Amir , Salehi Banafsheh , Anghesom Deborah , Kawayeh Anas M. , Rouse Glenn A. , Runyon Bruce A.
Published: January 2015

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of cirrhosis etiology on spleen size as measured by sonography and computed tomography (CT).

Methods

The spleen images of 139 patients with cirrhosis secondary to alcohol abuse, hepatitis C, or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis were reviewed retrospectively. The maximum diagonal spleen length on a single sonogram and maximum spleen diameter on axial, coronal, or sagittal CT, whichever was largest, was compared among the etiologic groups.

Results

In 127 patients who underwent sonography, the mean spleen size ± SD on sonography in the alcohol group (13.1 ± 2.5 cm) was significantly smaller than in the hepatitis C (15.0 ± 3.4 cm) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (15.2 ± 3.0 cm) groups (95% confidence intervals of the mean difference, 0.6 to 3.3 and 0.8 to 3.4 cm, respectively). In 87 patients who underwent CT, the mean spleen size on CT in the alcohol group (14.0 ± 2.7 cm) was smaller than in the hepatitis C (15.9 ± 3.4 cm) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (15.5 ± 3.6 cm) groups, but the difference was not statistically significant. The spleen sizes on both sonography and CT in 79 patients were strongly correlated (r = 0.88; P < .0001).

Conclusions

Spleen size in patients with cirrhosis varies by the etiology of the disease. Therefore, to apply spleen size as a diagnostic or prognostic criterion in this context, it is important to recognize that cutoff values derived from spleen size in one etiologic group may not produce the same results when extrapolated to another etiologic group.
Quantitative Analysis of Right Ventricular (RV) Function With Echocardiography in Chronic Heart Failure With No or Mild RV Dysfunction
Authors: Vizzardi Enrico , Bonadei Ivano , Sciatti Edoardo , Pezzali Natalia , Farina Davide , D'Aloia Antonio , Metra Marco
Published: January 2015

Objectives

Right ventricular (RV) performance parameters (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, systolic longitudinal velocity on tissue Doppler imaging, fractional area change, and tissue and 2‐dimensional [2D] strain on the right free wall) have been validated. In comparative studies, they have been correlated with the prognosis of patients with heart failure on radionuclide ventriculography and thermodilution in right heart catheterization. This study aimed to evaluate RV systolic function in patients with heart failure with no or mild RV dysfunction and correlate the above‐mentioned echocardiographic parameters with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)‐calculated RV ejection fraction (RVEF), stroke volume, end‐diastolic volume, and end‐systolic volume.

Methods

Standard and pulsed Doppler tissue echocardiography and MRI were performed in 31 patients with New York Heart Association functional class II and III chronic heart failure.

Results

A high correlation between tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, systolic longitudinal velocity, tissue strain, and 2D strain was noted, whereas the fractional area change did not correlate with any other parameter. The RVEF correlated with tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, systolic longitudinal velocity, and tissue and 2D strain (all P< .01); under linear regression analysis, the 4 parameters independently correlated with RVEF.

Conclusions

Echocardiographic RV performance parameters (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, systolic longitudinal velocity, tissue strain, and 2D strain) correlated with the MRI‐calculated RVEF and overall predicted it. In particular, RV 2D strain and tissue strain were good markers for RV longitudinal motions. These echocardiographic parameters are easily obtained and may give important information about RV function for evaluation and prognostic stratification of patients with heart failure.
Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis of Telomere Rearrangements
Authors: Martin Christa Lese , Ledbetter David H.
Published: January 2015

Genomic imbalances involving the telomeric regions of human chromosomes, which contain the highest gene concentration in the genome, are proposed to have severe phenotypic consequences. For this reason, it is important to identify telomere rearrangements and assess their contribution to human pathology. This unit describes the structure and function of human telomeres and outlines several methodologies that can be employed to study these unique regions of human chromosomes. It is a revision of the original version of the unit published in 2000, now including an introductory section describing advances in the discipline that have taken place since the original publication. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Modulation‐Doped Field‐Effect Transistors (MODFET)
Authors: Zhu Congyong , Ferreyra Romualdo A. , Morkoç Hadis
Published: January 2015

Conventional modulation‐doped field‐effect transistors (MODFETs) with unprecedented performance, e.g., a power gain of 15 dB at 190–235 GHz and a noise level of 1.2 dB with 7.2‐dB gain in the 90‐GHz range, have been demonstrated. Passivation process is of fundamental importance in the stability, good performance, and extension of device operative lifetime. We discuss strategies used to passivate the surface of GaAs and related compounds and GaN in the context of FETs. Recent research on the enhancement‐mode PMODFET (E‐PMODFET) variety for applications in high‐speed and low‐power digital circuits, and power amplifiers with single power supply is described. Reliability of MOSFET based on GaAs is reviewed to some extent. Scalability issues as well as progress in FinFET‐based on InGaAs channel are summarized. Also to be noted is that III–V compound semiconductors as alternative to Si as the channel material to improve the performance of metal‐oxide–semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) on Si platforms is a very attractive option for the next‐generation high‐speed integrated circuits but faces serious challenges because of the lack of a high‐quality and natural insulator.

III‐V Nitride‐based HFETs showed tremendous performance in both high‐power RF and power‐switching applications. AlGaN/GaN based high power HFETs on SiC substrate with 60 nm gate lengths have achieved maximum oscillation frequency of 300 GHz. On‐resistance of 1.1∼1.2 Ω·mm as well as drain current of ∼0.9 A/mm was also achieved. For HFET devices operated in Class AB mode on GaN semi‐insulating substrates, a continuous wave power density of 9.4 W/mm was obtained with an associated gain of 11.6 dB and a power added efficiency of 40% at 10 GHz. III‐Nitride devices for power switching application has achieved near theoretical limit for vertical devices based GaN native substrates, and breakdown voltage as high as 1200 V and on resistance as low as 9 mΩ‐cm2 for lateral HFET devices on low‐cost silicon substrates. For AlGaN/GaN HFETs on high‐resistivity silicon substrates, promising results were also demonstrated. Because of the much larger 2DEG density in lattice‐matched InAlN/GaN HFETs, drain current as high as 2 A/mm was demonstrated, and the highest current gain cutoff frequency of 370 GHz was also reported on 7.5‐nm‐thick In In0.17Al0.83N barrier HFETs. Despite the above‐mentioned encouraging achievements, the degradation mechanisms are still not clear, which requires further investigation.

The advent of high‐quality SiGe layers on Si substrates has paved the way for the exploration and exploitation of heterostructure devices in a Si environment. MODFETs based on the Si/SiGe have been achieved with extraordinaryp‐channel performance. With 0.25‐μm gate lengths, the current gain cutoff frequency is about 40 GHz. When the gate length was reduced to 0.1 μm, the current gain cutoff frequency increased to about 70 GHz.
Static Induction Transistors
Authors: Napoli Ettore , Strollo Antonio G.M.
Published: January 2015

The transistor, due to its capability of controlling the current flow between two terminals with a low power control on the third terminal, has revolutionized many consumer fields and opened new application areas. Such success derives from the versatility of the various transistor devices to the application niches and to the fact that transistors are manufactured using high performance semiconductor materials that guarantee low cost, reduced size, and high reliability.

In the field of power electronics, the power transistors take care of managing the energy flow. As a consequence, the improvement and the optimization of power transistors results in improved power management circuits with increased efficiency, reduced environmental pollution, reduced cost, reduced size, and longer battery life. Typical application areas of the power transistors are: automotive, traction, consumer electronics, air conditioning, electric engines.

The Static Induction Transistor (SIT), together with its variants, is a transistor optimized for power electronics applications that has been developed for the past fourty years, for various ranges of voltages, and using different semiconductor materials. In this entry, the history and the characteristics of the SIT are reported.
Improvement of GPS radio occultation retrieval error of E region electron density: COSMIC measurement and IRI model simulation
Authors: Wu Kang‐Hung , Su Ching‐Lun , Chu Yen‐Hsyang
Published: January 2015

In this article, we use the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model to simulate temporal and spatial distributions of global E region electron densities retrieved by the FORMOSAT‐3/COSMIC satellites by means of GPS radio occultation (RO) technique. Despite regional discrepancies in the magnitudes of the E region electron density, the IRI model simulations can, on the whole, describe the COSMIC measurements in quality and quantity. On the basis of global ionosonde network and the IRI model, the retrieval errors of the global COSMIC‐measured E region peak electron density (NmE) from July 2006 to July 2011 are examined and simulated. The COSMIC measurement and the IRI model simulation both reveal that the magnitudes of the percentage error (PE) and root mean‐square‐error (RMSE) of the relative RO retrieval errors of the NmE values are dependent on local time (LT) and geomagnetic latitude, with minimum in the early morning and at high latitudes and maximum in the afternoon and at middle latitudes. In addition, the seasonal variation of PE and RMSE values seems to be latitude dependent. After removing the IRI model‐simulated GPS RO retrieval errors from the original COSMIC measurements, the average values of the annual and monthly mean percentage errors of the RO retrieval errors of the COSMIC‐measured E region electron density are, respectively, substantially reduced by a factor of about 2.95 and 3.35, and the corresponding root‐mean‐square errors show averaged decreases of 15.6% and 15.4%, respectively. It is found that, with this process, the largest reduction in the PE and RMSE of the COSMIC‐measured NmE occurs at the equatorial anomaly latitudes 10°N–30°N in the afternoon from 14 to 18 LT, with a factor of 25 and 2, respectively. Statistics show that the residual errors that remained in the corrected COSMIC‐measured NmE vary in a range of −20% to 38%, which are comparable to or larger than the percentage errors of the IRI‐predicted NmE fluctuating in a range of −6.5% to 20%.
Estimation of triggered‐lightning dart‐stepped‐leader currents from close multiple‐station dE/dt pulse measurements
Authors: Gamerota W. R. , Uman M. A. , Hill J. D. , Ngin T. , Pilkey J. , Jordan D. M.
Published: January 2015

The modified transmission line model is used to derive the vertically propagating leader‐step currents necessary to radiate measured dart‐stepped‐leader dE/dt pulses from triggered lightning at close range (<400 m) and low altitude (<70 m). The model‐predicted dE/dt pulses were compared with measured dE/dt pulses at nine locations ranging from 27 to 391 m from the channel base for four dE/dt pulses radiated from two triggered dart‐stepped leaders. The dE/dt pulses at the closest station, 27 m, were unipolar, dominated by electrostatic and induction components of the radiated dE/dt, and of opposite polarity to the more distant initial dE/dt peaks. The other, more distant, eight stations exhibited bipolar dE/dt pulses, being more or less dominated by the dE/dt radiation component. The derived leader‐step current has a slow front that precedes a fast transition to peak amplitude followed by a slow decay to zero after several microseconds. For the four modeled dE/dt pulses, the estimated causative leader‐step current peak amplitudes varied from 0.9 to 1.8 kA, the half‐peak widths ranged from 370 to 560 ns, the charge transfers were about 1 mC, and the peak current derivatives were about 10 kA/µs. The upward propagation speeds of the leader‐step current were from 1.1 to 1.5 × 108 m/s with exponential spatial current decay constants from 13 to 27 m. One dE/dt pulse is analyzed in more detail by studying changes in model‐predicted waveforms versus current initiation altitude and by examining the effect of varying model input parameters.
The electron thermal structure in the dayside Martian ionosphere implied by the MGS radio occultation data
Authors: Cui J. , Galand M. , Zhang S. J. , Vigren E. , Zou H.
Published: January 2015

We propose a revised Chapman model for the ionosphere of Mars by allowing for vertical variation of electron temperature. An approximate energy balance between solar EUV heating and CO2 collisional cooling is applied in the dayside Martian ionosphere, analogous to the method recently proposed by Withers et al. (2014). The essence of the model is to separate the contributions of the neutral and electron thermal structures to the apparent width of the main ionospheric layer. Application of the model to the electron density profiles from the Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) radio occultation measurements reveals a clear trend of elevated electron temperature with increasing solar zenith angle (SZA). It also reveals that the characteristic length scale for the change of electron temperature with altitude decreases with increasing SZA. These observations may imply enhanced topside heat influx near the terminator, presumably an outcome of the solar wind interactions with the Martian upper atmosphere. Our analysis also reveals a tentative asymmetry in electron temperature between the northern and southern hemispheres, consistent with the scenario of elevated electron temperature within minimagnetospheres.
Ambient seismic, hydroacoustic, and flexural gravity wave noise on a tabular iceberg
Authors: MacAyeal Douglas R. , Wang Yitan , Okal Emile A.
Published: January 2015

Cross correlation of ambient seismic noise between four seismographs on tabular iceberg C16, Ross Sea, Antarctica, reveals both the source and the propagation characteristics of signals associated with icebergs. We find that noise correlation functions computed from station data are asymmetric about zero time lag, and this indicates that noise observed on the iceberg originates primarily from a compact, localized source associated with iceberg collisions between C16 and a neighboring iceberg, B15A. We additionally find two, and possibly more, distinct phases of noise propagation. We believe that flexural gravity wave propagation dominates the low‐frequency noise (>10 s period) and that hydroacoustic wave propagation in the water column between the ice and seabed appears to dominate high‐frequency noise (>10 Hz). Faster seismic propagation dominates the intermediate band (2–6 Hz); however, we do not have sufficient data to characterize the wave mechanisms more precisely, e.g., by identifying distinct longitudinal and shear body waves and/or surface waves. Secular changes in the amplitude and timing of ambient noise correlations, e.g., a diurnal cycle and an apparent shift in the noise correlation of fast seismic modes between two periods of the deployment, allow us to speculate that ambient noise correlation analysis may be helpful in understanding the sources and environmental controls on iceberg‐generated ocean noise as well as geometric properties (such as water column thickness) of subglacial lakes.
Using the Auditory Brainstem Response (ABR) to Determine Sensitivity of Hearing in Mutant Mice
Authors: Ingham Neil J. , Pearson Selina , Steel Karen P.
Published: January 2015

Measurements of auditory evoked potentials can be used to determine reliably an audiometric representation of hearing sensitivity in mice. In a high‐throughput phenotyping screen of mice carrying targeted mutations of single genes, the auditory brainstem response (ABR) is used to gain an estimate of hearing threshold for broadband click stimuli and pure tone frequencies ranging from 6 to 30 kHz. Comparison of thresholds obtained in mutant and wild‐type mice give a means to determine mild, moderate, and severe hearing impairment. This gives a clear advantage over using a “clickbox” test to assess hearing by observations of the Preyer reflex. The ABR screen has identified several mutant lines with mild and moderate hearing loss, which appear to demonstrate normal Preyer responses. The ABR technique also allows frequency‐selective hearing loss to be identified. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol. 1:279‐287 © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Comprehensive Guide to Sleeping Beauty–Based Somatic Transposon Mutagenesis in the Mouse
Authors: Moriarity Branden , Largaespada David A.
Published: January 2015

Recent advances in whole genome analyses made possible by next‐generation DNA sequencing, high‐density array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH), and other technologies have made it apparent that cancers harbor numerous genomic changes. However, without functional correlation or validation, it has proven difficult to determine which genetic changes are necessary or sufficient to produce cancer. Thus, it is still necessary to perform unbiased functional studies using model organisms to help interpret the results of whole genome analyses of human tumors. To this end, a Sleeping Beauty (SB) transposon–based mutagenesis technology was developed to identify genes that, when mutated, can cause cancer. Herein a detailed methodology to initiate and carry out an SB transposon mutagenesis screen is described. Although this system might be used to identify genes involved with many cellular phenotypes, it has been primarily implemented for cancer. Thus, SB transposon somatic cell screens for cancer development are highlighted. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol. 1:347‐368 © 2011 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Overexpression Models: Lentiviral Modeling of Brain Cancer
Authors: Friedmann‐Morvinski Dinorah , Singer Oded
Published: January 2015

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most common and most malignant of the brain tumors. Gliomas can be classified into four different grades according to their histologic characteristics; the most aggressive of the gliomas is glioblastoma multiforme (grade IV). Despite optimal treatment, the median survival is only 12 to 15 months. In the past few years, important advances were made in understanding the biology and pathology of malignant gliomas. A mouse model of brain tumors using inducible lentiviral vectors is described here. In this approach, a lenti‐vector with loxP sites flanking the gene of interest (oncogene) is injected into mice expressing Cre recombinase under the control of a brain‐specific promoter. The steps to perform cell‐type/region‐specific injection of Cre‐loxP‐controlled lentiviral vectors in the brain of adult mice are described here in detail. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol. 3:121‐139 © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Clinical Chemistry and Other Laboratory Tests on Mouse Plasma or Serum
Authors: Rathkolb Birgit , Hans Wolfgang , Prehn Cornelia , Fuchs Helmut , Gailus‐Durner Valérie , Aigner Bernhard , Adamski Jerzy , Wolf Eckhard , Hrabě de Angelis Martin
Published: January 2015

Besides hematological analyses, many other parameters, including clinical chemistry and endocrinological values, can be determined from mouse blood samples. For most of these tests, plasma or serum samples are used. Data obtained by these investigations provide indications of genotype effects on metabolism and organ functions. Here we describe in detail the considerations that have to be taken into account to get adequate samples for plasma or serum analyses and the recommended sample processing for different investigations. Furthermore, we describe established methods used in the German Mouse Clinic (GMC) to determine clinical chemical parameters; for more in‐depth analysis of specific classes of biomarkers, we provide instructions for ELISAs (sandwich and competitive) as well as LC‐MS/MS, focusing on markers associated with bone or steroid metabolism in the mouse as working examples. Curr. Protoc. Mouse Biol. 3:69‐100 © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Cardiac Biomarkers in Systemic Sclerosis: Contribution of High‐Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin in Addition to N‐Terminal Pro‐Brain Natriuretic Peptide
Authors: Avouac Jérôme , Meune Christophe , Chenevier‐Gobeaux Camille , Borderie Didier , Lefevre Guillaume , Kahan André , Allanore Yannick
Published: January 2015

Objective

To measure plasma concentrations of high‐sensitivity cardiac troponin T (HS‐cTnT) and N‐terminal pro–brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) and age‐ and sex‐matched healthy control subjects, and to examine the contribution of traditional cardiovascular risk factors and SSc features to the concentrations of these 2 cardiac biomarkers.

Methods

Plasma HS‐cTnT and NT‐proBNP concentrations were measured using the electrochemiluminescence method and sandwich immunoassay, respectively.

Results

The study group comprised 161 unrelated patients with SSc and 213 matched control subjects. HS‐cTnT and NT‐proBNP plasma levels were significantly increased in SSc patients compared with controls (both P < 0.001). Similar results were observed in the subgroup of patients with SSc who had no cardiovascular risk factors (n = 72). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed diabetes mellitus (P = 0.006), high blood pressure (P = 0.021), precapillary pulmonary hypertension (P = 0.039), and the diffuse cutaneous SSc (P = 0.004) as factors independently associated with an HS‐cTnT level of >14 ng/liter. Increased NT‐proBNP concentrations were associated only with the presence of precapillary pulmonary hypertension (P < 0.001). Normal concentrations of both HS‐cTnT and NT‐proBNP had a high negative predictive value for precapillary pulmonary hypertension (92%), and the combination of increased values of these 2 markers had the highest strength of association with precapillary pulmonary hypertension in logistic regression analysis.

Conclusion

HS‐cTnT and NT‐proBNP concentrations are increased in patients with SSc, even in those who are free of cardiovascular risk factors. These easily obtained biomarkers may be useful for systematic evaluation and stratification of SSc patients, especially to identify those at risk of pulmonary hypertension.
Footwear Experiences of People With Chronic Musculoskeletal Diseases
Authors: Hendry Gordon J. , Brenton‐Rule Angela , Barr Georgina , Rome Keith
Published: January 2015

Objective

Foot pain and deformities are frequently reported by people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases, but only limited research has been conducted to explore the key issues concerning footwear difficulties in this population. The aim of this study is to explore, identify, and describe the main issues surrounding the footwear experiences of people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases.

Methods

A qualitative manifest content analysis of open‐ended survey responses concerning footwear experiences was conducted from a national footwear survey of people with chronic musculoskeletal diseases in New Zealand. Eighty‐five respondents submitted usable responses. Specific statements in the text were identified as units of analysis prior to coding and organizing these units into emerging mutually exclusive categories. Content analysis was independently undertaken by 3 researchers, and the final categories and coding were achieved through consensus. Frequencies of assigned units of analysis were calculated in order to obtain a quantitative description for each category.

Results

Four categories encompassing a total of 9 subcategories related to the footwear experiences of respondents emerged from the qualitative data content analysis: difficulty finding appropriate footwear; dissatisfaction with therapeutic footwear provision and foot care access; high costs of footwear, foot care, and self‐care; and satisfaction with therapeutic footwear and foot care.

Conclusion

Key categories describing the important issues surrounding the footwear experiences of respondents with chronic musculoskeletal diseases were identified, which may provide important targets for improving footwear and foot care services and self‐management strategies.
Health and Utilities in Patients With Gout Under the Care of a Rheumatologist
Authors: Spaetgens B. , Tran‐Duy A. , Wijnands J. M. A. , van der Linden S. , Boonen A.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To compare limitations in health between Dutch patients with gout and the general population and to determine factors influencing societal and patient values for health as assessed with different utility approaches.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was done among 110 patients with gout under the care of a rheumatologist, with patients completing the EuroQol 5‐domain instrument (EQ‐5D), the EQ‐5D visual analog scale (EQ‐5D VAS), and the Short Form 6‐dimensions health survey (SF‐6D). Scores on EQ‐5D domains were compared with age‐ and sex‐matched general population data. Agreement between utility measures was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Mixture modeling was used to assess factors associated with the different approaches to assess utility.

Results

Compared to the general population, gout patients reported more limitations in mobility (66% versus 12%), self‐care (24% versus 8%), daily activities (49% versus 24%), and pain (76% versus 45%), but equal anxiety/depressive symptoms (18% versus 19%). For patients with gout, utilities were reduced: the mean, median, and interquartile range, respectively, were 0.74, 0.81, and 0.69–0.84 for EQ‐5D, 0.69, 0.67, and 0.59–0.81 for SF‐6D, and 66, 70, and 57–77 for EQ‐5D VAS. ICC agreement between each pair of utilities was only moderate (0.52–0.59). Only minor differences were seen in the type of variables associated with each utility approach, with worse Health Assessment Questionnaire scores, cardiovascular disease (CVD), gout concern, and gout pain consistently associated with lower utility. The strength of contribution of these variables, however, differed among the 3 approaches.

Conclusion

Patients with gout experience substantially impaired health compared to the general population. Although absolute values of utility varied between instruments and perspectives, functional disability, CVD, and higher gout impact contributed to utility independently of which instrument was used.
Highly Crumpled Boron Nitride Nanosheets as Adsorbents: Scalable Solvent‐Less Production
Authors: Lei Weiwei , Liu Dan , Chen Ying
Published: January 2015

Boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs), so‐called “white graphene”, have recently received increasing attention, both theoretically and experimentally. Although many synthetic procedures have been proposed for the synthesis of BNNSs, finding a simple, solvent‐less, catalyst‐free, and large‐scale production route is still a challenge. Here, a facile, solvent‐less, low cost, and high yield process is developed, in which mechanical solid‐state exfoliation allows scalable production of crumple BNNSs from commercial BN powders with a high surface area. Importantly, these BNNSs show unprecedentedly high adsorption of proteins described by various adsorption isotherms and kinetics models. In addition, the saturated BNNSs exhibit excellent recyclability, and maintain a high sorption capacity even after five cycles through simply regeneration process of heating in air. This easy recyclability route further demonstrates the great potential of BNNSs for water cleaning application.
Investigating obesity among professional drivers: The high risk professional driver study
Authors: Rosso Gian Luca , Perotto Massimo , Feola Mauro , Bruno Graziella , Caramella Michele
Published: January 2015

Objective

The aim of this study is to detect the main individual and transportation factors associated with obesity and its prevalence among Italian professional drivers (PDs).

Methods

We performed a cross‐sectional questionnaire survey. Data from PDs (n = 497) were used for analyses.

Results

Sixty‐one percent of participants were either overweight or obese according to their body mass index. Predictive factors for obesity were traveling more than 40,000 miles per year (odds ratio [OR] 4.20, confidence interval [CI] 1.41–12.56) and hours spent behind the wheel per day (OR 1.27, CI 1.02–1.58). Bus drivers had half the risk of being obese compared to truck drivers (OR 0.45, CI 0.23–0.87). An inverse association was detected between educational attainment and obesity (OR 0.32, CI 0.11–0.90).

Conclusions

PDs with high number of driving hours per day, miles driven per year, and low educational level should be subject to special educational programs to reduce and prevent obesity. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:212–219, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Investing in prospective cohorts for etiologic study of occupational exposures
Authors: Blair A. , Hines C.J. , Thomas K.W. , Alavanja M.C.R. , Freeman L.E. Beane , Hoppin J.A. , Kamel F. , Lynch C.F. , Lubin J.H. , Silverman D.T. , Whelan E. , Zahm S. H. , Sandler D. P.
Published: January 2015

Prospective cohorts have played a major role in understanding the contribution of diet, physical activity, medical conditions, and genes to the development of many diseases, but have not been widely used for occupational exposures. Studies in agriculture are an exception. We draw upon our experience using this design to study agricultural workers to identify conditions that might foster use of prospective cohorts to study other occupational settings.

Prospective cohort studies are perceived by many as the strongest epidemiologic design. It allows updating of information on exposure and other factors, collection of biologic samples before disease diagnosis for biomarker studies, assessment of effect modification by genes, lifestyle, and other occupational exposures, and evaluation of a wide range of health outcomes. Increased use of prospective cohorts would be beneficial in identifying hazardous exposures in the workplace. Occupational epidemiologists should seek opportunities to initiate prospective cohorts to investigate high priority, occupational exposures. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:113–122, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Overview of the National Occupational Mortality Surveillance (NOMS) system: Leukemia and acute myocardial infarction risk by industry and occupation in 30 US states 1985–1999, 2003–2004, and 2007
Authors: Robinson Cynthia F. , Walker James T. , Sweeney Marie H. , Shen Rui , Calvert Geoffrey M. , Schumacher Pam K. , Ju Jun , Nowlin Susan
Published: January 2015

Background

Cancer and chronic disease are leading causes of death in the US with an estimated cost of $46 billion.

Methods

We analyzed 11 million cause‐specific deaths of US workers age 18–64 years in 30 states during 1985–1999, 2003–2004, and 2007 by occupation, industry, race, gender, and Hispanic origin.

Results

The highest significantly elevated proportionate leukemia mortality was observed in engineers, protective service, and advertising sales manager occupations and in banks/savings &loans/credit agencies, public safety, and public administration industries. The highest significantly elevated smoking‐adjusted acute myocardial infarction mortality was noted in industrial and refractory machinery mechanics, farmers, mining machine operators, and agricultural worker occupations; and wholesale farm supplies, agricultural chemical, synthetic rubber, and agricultural crop industries.

Conclusions

Significantly elevated risks for acute myocardial infarction and leukemia were observed across several occupations and industries that confirm existing reports and add new information. Interested investigators can access the NOMS website at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/NOMS/. Am. J. Ind. Med. 58:123–137, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predictors of Long‐Term Renal Outcome in Lupus Nephritis Trials: Lessons Learned from the Euro‐Lupus Nephritis Cohort
Authors: Dall'Era Maria , Cisternas Miriam G. , Smilek Dawn E. , Straub Laura , Houssiau Frédéric A. , Cervera Ricard , Rovin Brad H. , Mackay Meggan
Published: January 2015

Objective

There is a need to determine which response measures in lupus nephritis trials are most predictive of good long‐term renal function. We used data from the Euro‐Lupus Nephritis Trial to evaluate the performance of proteinuria, serum creatinine (Cr), and urinary red blood cells (RBCs) as predictors of good long‐term renal outcome.

Methods

Patients from the Euro‐Lupus Nephritis Trial with proteinuria, serum Cr, and urinary RBC measurements at 3, 6, or 12 months and with a minimum of 7 years of followup were included (n = 76). We assessed the ability of these clinical biomarkers at 3, 6, and 12 months after randomization to predict good long‐term renal outcome (defined as a serum Cr value ≤1.0 mg/dl) at 7 years. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to assess parameter performance at these time points and to select the best cutoff for individual parameters. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for the parameters alone and in combination.

Results

A proteinuria value of <0.8 gm/day at 12 months after randomization was the single best predictor of good long‐term renal function (sensitivity 81% and specificity 78%). The addition of serum Cr to proteinuria as a composite predictor did not improve the performance of the outcome measure; addition of urinary RBCs as a predictor significantly decreased the sensitivity to 47%.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that the level of proteinuria at 12 months is the individual best predictor of long‐term renal outcome in patients with lupus nephritis. Inclusion of urinary RBCs as part of a composite outcome measure actually undermined the predictive value of the trial data. We therefore suggest that urinary RBCs should not be included as a component of clinical trial response criteria in lupus nephritis.
Interferon‐α and Angiogenic Dysregulation in Pregnant Lupus Patients Who Develop Preeclampsia
Authors: Andrade Danieli , Kim Mimi , Blanco Luz P. , Karumanchi S. Ananth , Koo Gloria C. , Redecha Patricia , Kirou Kyriakos , Alvarez Angela M. , Mulla Melissa J. , Crow Mary K. , Abrahams Vikki M. , Kaplan Mariana J. , Salmon Jane E.
Published: January 2015

Objective

To investigate whether an elevated interferon‐α (IFNα) level early in pregnancy is associated with poor pregnancy outcomes and to examine the relationship of an elevated IFNα level to angiogenic imbalance.

Methods

Women were enrolled in a longitudinal case–control study of pregnant patients with lupus. Serum samples obtained monthly throughout pregnancy were assayed for IFNα and for the antiangiogenic factor soluble Flt‐1 and the proangiogenic factor placenta growth factor (PlGF). Each of 28 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with a poor pregnancy outcome was matched to an SLE patient with an uncomplicated pregnancy and to a pregnant healthy control. The effects of IFNα and/or soluble Flt‐1 on human endothelial cells and endothelial cell–trophoblast interactions were assessed.

Results

Compared to SLE patients with uncomplicated pregnancies, patients with preeclampsia had increased IFNα levels before clinical symptoms. Patients without autoimmune disease who developed preeclampsia did not have increased IFNα levels. In SLE patients with low IFNα levels, marked angiogenic imbalance (higher soluble Flt‐1, lower PlGF, and higher soluble Flt‐1:PlGF ratios) preceded maternal manifestations of preeclampsia, whereas in SLE patients with high IFNα levels, preeclampsia occurred without evidence of systemic angiogenic imbalance. Treatment of human endothelial cells with soluble Flt‐1 induced expression of sFLT1 messenger RNA, and IFNα dramatically amplified responses to soluble Flt‐1. In a model of spiral artery transformation, only the combination of IFNα and soluble Flt‐1 disrupted the ability of trophoblast cells to remodel endothelial tube structures.

Conclusion

Our findings identify a new mechanism by which IFNα induces an antiangiogenic milieu and increases the sensitivity of endothelial cells to soluble Flt‐1, and suggest that elevated IFNα levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia in some pregnant patients with SLE.
Identification of Susceptibility Loci in IL6, RPS9/LILRB3, and an Intergenic Locus on Chromosome 21q22 in Takayasu Arteritis in a Genome‐Wide Association Study
Authors: Renauer Paul A. , Saruhan‐Direskeneli Guher , Coit Patrick , Adler Adam , Aksu Kenan , Keser Gokhan , Alibaz‐Oner Fatma , Aydin Sibel Z. , Kamali Sevil , Inanc Murat , Carette Simon , Cuthbertson David , Hoffman Gary S. , Akar Servet , Onen Fatos , Akkoc Nurullah , Khalidi Nader A. , Koening Curry , Karadag Omer , Kiraz Sedat , Langford Carol A. , Maksimowicz‐McKinnon Kathleen , McAlear Carol A. , Ozbalkan Zeynep , Ates Askin , Karaaslan Yasar , Duzgun Nursen , Monach Paul A. , Ozer Huseyin T. E. , Erken Eren , Ozturk Mehmet A. , Yazici Ayten , Cefle Ayse , Onat Ahmet Mesut , Kisacik Bunyamin , Pagnoux Christian , Kasifoglu Timucin , Seyahi Emire , Fresko Izzet , Seo Philip , Sreih Antoine G. , Warrington Kenneth J. , Ytterberg Steven R. , Cobankara Veli , Cunninghame‐Graham Deborah S. , Vyse Timothy J. , Pamuk Omer N. , Tunc S. Ercan , Dalkilic Ediz , Bicakcigil Muge , Yentur Sibel P. , Wren Jonathan D. , Merkel Peter A. , Direskeneli Haner , Sawalha Amr H.
Published: January 2015

Objective

Takayasu arteritis is a rare large vessel vasculitis with incompletely understood etiology. This study was undertaken to perform the first unbiased genome‐wide association analysis of Takayasu arteritis.

Methods

Two independent cohorts of patients with Takayasu arteritis from Turkey and North America were included in our study. The Turkish cohort consisted of 559 patients and 489 controls, and the North American cohort consisted of 134 patients and 1,047 controls of European ancestry. Genotyping was performed using the Omni1‐Quad and Omni2.5 genotyping arrays. Genotyping data were subjected to rigorous quality control measures and subsequently analyzed to discover genetic susceptibility loci for Takayasu arteritis.

Results

We identified genetic susceptibility loci for Takayasu arteritis with a genome‐wide level of significance in IL6 (rs2069837) (odds ratio [OR] 2.07, P = 6.70 × 10−9), RPS9/LILRB3 (rs11666543) (OR 1.65, P = 2.34 × 10−8), and an intergenic locus on chromosome 21q22 (rs2836878) (OR 1.79, P = 3.62 × 10−10). The genetic susceptibility locus in RPS9/LILRB3 lies within the leukocyte receptor complex gene cluster on chromosome 19q13.4, and the disease risk variant in this locus correlates with reduced expression of multiple genes including the inhibitory leukocyte immunoglobulin‐like receptor gene LILRB3 (P = 2.29 × 10−8). In addition, we identified candidate susceptibility genes with suggestive levels of association (P < 1 × 10−5) with Takayasu arteritis, including PCSK5, LILRA3, PPM1G/NRBP1, and PTK2B.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate novel genetic susceptibility loci for Takayasu arteritis and uncover potentially important aspects of the pathophysiology of this form of vasculitis.
Contribution of the Interleukin‐6/STAT‐3 Signaling Pathway to Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Kondo Masahiro , Yamaoka Kunihiro , Sakata Kei , Sonomoto Koshiro , Lin Lin , Nakano Kazuhisa , Tanaka Yoshiya
Published: January 2015

Objective

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into chondrocytes. Articular cartilage contains MSC‐like chondroprogenitor cells, which suggests their involvement in the maintenance of cartilage homeostasis by a self‐repair mechanism. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) is a cytokine with a wide range of physiologic functions, which are produced by MSCs in a steady manner and in large quantities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of IL‐6 signaling in MSC differentiation into chondrocytes.

Methods

Human bone marrow–derived MSCs were cultured using a pellet culture system in medium containing transforming growth factor β3. Chondrogenic differentiation was detected by cartilage matrix accumulation and chondrogenic marker gene expression.

Results

IL‐6 was detected at a high concentration in culture supernatants during chondrogenic differentiation. The expression of the IL‐6 receptor (IL‐6R) was significantly increased, accompanied by markedly increased phosphorylation and expression of STAT‐3. Addition of IL‐6 and soluble IL‐6R (sIL‐6R) to the chondrogenic culture resulted in concentration‐dependent increases in cartilage matrix accumulation and cartilage marker gene expression (type II collagen/aggrecan/type X collagen). Phosphorylation of the master transcription factor SOX9 was enhanced upon addition of IL‐6 and sIL‐6R. STAT‐3 knockdown suppressed chondrogenic differentiation. IL‐6 and the MSC markers CD166 and nestin were colocalized in macroscopically normal human cartilage taken from the lateral femoral compartment of knees with medial tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.

Conclusion

During differentiation of human MSCs into chondrocytes, the activation of IL‐6/STAT‐3 signaling positively regulated chondrogenic differentiation. The presence of IL‐6 around MSC‐like cells in the cartilage tissue was identified, suggesting that IL‐6 contributes to homeostasis and cartilage self‐repair by promoting chondrogenic differentiation.
Stimulus Fading and Response Elaboration in Differential Reinforcement for Alternative Behavior
Authors: Schlichenmeyer Kevin J. , Dube William V. , Vargas‐Irwin Mariela
Published: January 2015

A hallmark of applied behavior analysis is the development of function‐based interventions for problem behavior. A widely recommended function‐based intervention is differential reinforcement of alternative behavior (DRA), in which reinforcement is contingent upon socially acceptable alternatives to problem behavior (e.g., teaching communication skills). Typically, DRA is introduced under rich schedules of reinforcement. Although effective for initiating behavior change, rich schedules are often impractical in the natural setting. In this study, we evaluated the extent to which a stimulus fading program could be employed to elaborate alternative behavior (mands) in two individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. For both participants, problem behavior was reduced substantially upon implementation of the DRA procedure. Further, problem behavior rates remained low and mand rates decreased to more practical levels as the DRA behavioral requirements increased during the fading program. The fading approach demonstrated in this paper may be a useful component of intervention packages for clinicians. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Development, validation and initial outcomes of a questionnaire to examine human factors in postgraduate surgical objective structured clinical examinations
Authors: Brennan P A , Konieczny K , Groves J , Parker M , Sherman K P , Foulkes J , Hills S , Featherstone C
Published: January 2015

Background

Human factors including stress, repetition, burnout and fatigue are associated with possible sources of error. Objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), where examiners concentrate for long periods, would benefit from a human factors approach to see whether these factors affect consistency of examiner behaviour, attitude and marking. Little has been published for OSCEs, in part due to the lack of a validated tool for collecting data in this setting.

Methods

A 46-item questionnaire was developed based on the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) domains and completed by examiners in the Intercollegiate Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) examination. To refine the questionnaire, an initial analysis focused on response patterns of each item. Cronbach's α was used to assess internal consistency, and a factor analysis was performed to uncover different domains emerging from the data.

Results

A total of 108 examiners completed the questionnaire (90·0 per cent response rate). The questionnaire, refined to 38 items based on an initial analysis of response patterns, showed good reliability for internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0·76) and test–retest reliability (r = 0·85, n = 48, P < 0·001). Four factors had a close themed resemblance to the original HFACS domains, but were associated with different items, suggesting that the four human-factor domains might be linked to different behaviours and attitudes in an examination setting. Analyses according to sex, professional background and experience highlighted additional stress levels in examiners from one of the surgical Royal Colleges (P <0·001), matching evidence from the situation in that College at the time of this study.

Conclusion

The recognition and further investigation of human factors in OSCEs is needed to improve examiner experience and behaviour in order to influence delivery, candidate experience and quality assurance of these examinations.
An improved computational algorithm for teaching hydraulics of branching pipes in engineering curricula
Authors: Wahba E. M.
Published: January 2015

Flow in branching pipes is a well‐known hydraulics problem that is traditionally assigned to mechanical, civil and chemical engineering students in their fluid mechanics introductory course. The conventional solution procedure advocated by fluid mechanics and hydraulics textbooks is based on a tedious trial‐and‐error approach. Although manageable for a simple system of three pipes, the procedure becomes impractical for larger number of pipes. A recent numerical algorithm attempted to eliminate the trial‐and‐error approach; however, the procedure still requires an explicit step for identifying the discharging tanks from the filling ones. In the present study, an efficient numerical algorithm based on a Newton linearization procedure is developed which would eliminate the above mentioned drawbacks. The efficiency of the new procedure is demonstrated by solving a simple three‐pipe problem and a more complicated nine‐pipe problem. The results of the present algorithm are validated against available results in the literature and against the piping software package, EPANET. The proposed procedure could be implemented in a straightforward manner through the MATLAB environment. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 23:537–541, 2015; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cae; DOI 10.1002/cae.21624