bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
La recepción temprana de Wagner en Estados Unidos: Wagner en la Kleindeutschland de Nueva York, 1854-1874
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Albo F. Javier
Published: April 2015

Este trabajo se centra en la recepción de la música de Richard Wagner, limitado a un marco geográfico específico, el de la ciudad de Nueva York –en concreto el distrito alemán de la ciudad, conocido como Kleindeutschland– y temporal, el comprendido entre la primera ejecución documentada de una obra de Wagner en la ciudad, en 1854, y la definitiva entronización del compositor como legítimo representante de la tradición musical alemana a partir del estreno de Lohengrin en la Academy of Music, en 1874. Se destaca la labor de promoción a cargo de los emigrantes alemanes, en su papel de mediadores, en los años 50 y 60 del siglo XIX, una labor fundamental ya que gracias a ella germinó la semilla del culto a Wagner que eclosionaría durante la Gilded Age, la “Edad dorada” del desarrollo económico y artístico finisecular, que afectó a todo el país pero de manera especial a Nueva York. Asimismo, se incluye una aproximación a la recepción en la crítica periodística neoyorquina durante el periodo en cuestión.
El Himnario Evangélico de 1891: Primer himnario protestante con música impreso en Chile
Authors:   Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Guerra Rojas Cristián
Published: April 2015

En este artículo se presenta una fuente cuyo acceso ha sido reciente. Se trata del primer himnario evangélico con música que haya sido impreso en Chile, el Himnario Evangélico (HE) publicado por la Unión Evangélica (presbiteriana) en Valparaíso, en 1891. En este trabajo entrego antecedentes generales de HE, sus editores y características globales, las diferencias de sus tonadas respecto a fuentes anteriores que he podido revisar, casos de tonadas arregladas y compuestas especialmente para HE, modelos de tonadas que seguramente tuvo la comisión editorial de HE para su toma de decisiones respecto a este tema. Se destacan los nombres de personas que compusieron tonadas publicadas por primera vez en HE como la chilena Delfina Hidalgo y el estadounidense William B. Boomer, y finalmente se entregan algunas consideraciones sobre las proyecciones de HE en los años siguientes a su primera edición.
A new concept for an ocean bottom pressure meter capable of precision long‐term monitoring in marine geodesy and oceanography
Authors: Gennerich Hans‐Hermann , Villinger Heinrich
Published: April 2015

Long‐term vertical seafloor displacements and geostrophic changes in the water column height could be easily monitored if pressure meters were less susceptible to drift. Currently, these signals, which have typical amplitudes from decimeters to less than 1 mm/yr, cannot be differentiated from instrumental drift. In this paper, we introduce and outline a new constructional concept for an ocean bottom pressure meter that aims for unequivocal detection and monitoring of long‐term trends. The concept is based on a differential pressure sensor that measures the pressure difference between the environment and a reference pressure within a sealed volume. This sealed volume conserves the instantaneous pressure at the moment of its closure at the monitoring location in a temperature‐compensated manner. Furthermore, the approach enables easy in situ calibration of the differential pressure gauge by simply opening the reference pressure chamber to the environment and checking the zero point offset.
Eastern termination of the Altyn Tagh Fault, western China: Constraints from a magnetotelluric survey
Authors: Xiao Qibin , Shao Guihang , Liu‐Zeng Jing , Oskin Michael E. , Zhang Jin , Zhao Guoze , Wang Jijun
Published: April 2015

The left‐lateral Altyn Tagh Fault forms the northern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau. The strike‐slip rate of the active Altyn Tagh Fault decreases northeastward and reduces close to zero as it passes north of the Qilian Shan. This geometry raises controversies on whether and how the fault terminates or extends further east. To address these controversies, wide‐band magnetotelluric data were collected along four profiles across the Altyn Tagh Fault ranging from 135 to 261 km in length. All four profiles are located in the foreland of the Qilian Shan Ranges and are oriented perpendicular to the inferred fault zone that could be the continuation of Altyn Tagh Fault. Both the two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional electrical resistivity models derived from our magnetotelluric data show that the Hexi Corridor crust is generally of low resistivity, whereas the crust of the Huahai–Jinta basin is, in general, of high resistivity with a local and isolated low‐resistivity anomaly within the mid‐lower crust. The generally high‐resistivity crust of the Huahai–Jinta basin may be rheologically unfavorable for the Altyn Tagh Fault passing through the basin toward the northeast. The entirely different electrical structure between the Hexi Corridor and its northern neighbors indicates the existence of a tectonic boundary that coincides with the Altyn Tagh Fault in the west and reverse faults in the east. The two‐dimensional electrical conductivity models suggest that the Altyn Tagh Fault transfers from a single fault in the west to a branching set of mainly dip‐slip faults in the east.
Processes and mechanisms for the model SST biases in the North Atlantic and North Pacific: A link with the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation
Authors: Zhang Liping , Zhao Chuanhu
Published: April 2015

Almost all of CMIP5 climate models show cold SST biases in the extratropical North Atlantic (ENA) and tropical North Atlantic (TNA) as well as in the North Pacific which are commonly linked with the weak simulated Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC). A weak AMOC and its associated reduced northward oceanic heat transport are associated with a cooling of the ENA Ocean, whereas the TNA cooling is attributable to both weak AMOC and surface heat flux. The cold biases in the ENA and TNA have remote impacts on the SST bias in the North Pacific. Here we use coupled ocean‐atmosphere model experiments to show the mechanisms and pathways by which the ENA and TNA affect the North Pacific. The model simulations demonstrate that the cooling SST bias in the North Pacific is largely due to the remote effect of the cooling SST bias in the ENA, while the remote impact of the TNA cooling SST bias is of secondary importance. The ENA cooling bias triggers the circumglobal teleconnection via the Northern Hemisphere annular mode, producing a strengthening of the Aleutian low, an enhancement of the southward Ekman and Oyashio cold advection, and thus a cooling SST in the North Pacific. In contrast, the TNA cooling produces a surface high extending to the eastern tropical North Pacific, inducing the northeasterly wind anomalies north, northerly cross‐equatorial wind anomalies, and northwesterly wind anomalies south of the equator. This C‐shape wind anomaly pattern generates an SST warming in the tropical southeastern Pacific, which eventually leads to an SST warming in the tropical central and western Pacific by the wind‐evaporation‐SST feedback. The tropical Pacific warming in turn leads to an SST cooling in the North Pacific by the Pacific North American teleconnection pattern.
Development of topography in 3‐D continental‐collision models
Authors: Pusok A. E. , Kaus Boris J. P.
Published: April 2015

Understanding the formation and evolution of high mountain belts, such as the Himalayas and the adjacent Tibetan Plateau, has been the focus of many tectonic and numerical models. Here we employ 3‐D numerical simulations to investigate the role that subduction, collision, and indentation play on lithosphere dynamics at convergent margins, and to analyze the conditions under which large topographic plateaus can form in an integrated lithospheric and upper mantle‐scale model. Distinct dynamics are obtained for the oceanic subduction side (trench retreat, slab rollback) and the continental‐collision side (trench advance, slab detachment, topographic uplift, lateral extrusion). We show that slab pull alone is insufficient to generate high topography in the upper plate, and that external forcing and the presence of strong blocks such as the Tarim Basin are necessary to create and shape anomalously high topographic fronts and plateaus. Moreover, scaling is used to predict four different modes of surface expression in continental‐collision models: (I) low‐amplitude homogeneous shortening, (II) high‐amplitude homogeneous shortening, (III) Alpine‐type topography with topographic front and low plateau, and (IV) Tibet‐Himalaya‐type topography with topographic front and high plateau. Results of semianalytical models suggest that the Argand number governs the formation of high topographic fronts, while the amplitude of plateaus is controlled by the initial buoyancy ratio of the upper plate. Applying these results to natural examples, we show that the Alps belong to regime (III), the Himalaya‐Tibet to regime (IV), whereas the Andes‐Altiplano fall at the boundary between regimes (III) and (IV).
The unprecedented recurrent diploid/tetraploid mosaicism of trisomy‐18 (mixoploidy; 4n+18/2n+18): Clinical report
Authors: Ozler Sibel , Ersoy Ali O. , Oztas Efser , Topcu Vehap , Celen Sevki , Danisman Nuri
Published: April 2015

We report on a 32‐year‐old woman who presented at gestational age of 14 weeks. During ultrasonographic examination, we discovered that her fetus had several important abnormalities, including a cystic hygroma, craniofacial defects (low‐set ears, broad nose), heart defects (single atrium, single ventricle), agenesis of corpus callosum, limb defects (clenched hands, pes equinovarus). Chorionic villus sampling and karyotyping revealed diploid/tetraploid mosaicism with trisomy 18 (mixoploidy; 4n+18/2n+18). Her second pregnancy was terminated because of the same clinical manifestations 1 year prior. Her first pregnancy resulted in the birth of an entirely healthy boy. As far as know, no other similar case has been presented in the literature. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of quality improvement measures on the delivery of allergy immunotherapy: a 2‐year follow‐up
Authors: Mattos Jose L. , Ferguson Berrylin J. , Lee Stella
Published: April 2015

Background

Anaphylaxis is the most serious potential complication from allergy treatment with subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT). Quality measures were developed with the goal to decrease the incidence of complications resulting from SCIT and improve the safety of care provided.

Methods

The incidence and characteristics of anaphylaxis episodes resulting from SCIT was measured between 2008 and 2012 prior to implementation of quality measures including vial verification, vial testing, and standardized training across 6 allergy delivery sites. Errors and anaphylaxis rates were then tracked prospectively over a 2‐year period after implementation of these process measures.

Results

From 2008 to 2012 there were 9 episodes of anaphylaxis or 0.02% of injections/year. Eight patients had sufficient information from which to derive meaningful data. Patient identification error led to anaphylaxis in 2 patients, dosing error in 2, and compounding error in 1 patient. In 2 patients, anaphylaxis occurred with advancement during pollen season, and in 1 patient no clear reason could be identified although she had asthma as a risk factor. After implementation of quality improvement measures the anaphylaxis rate fell to 0 of 8948 injections for years 2013 and 2014.

Conclusion

Errors in the mixing and administration of allergy serum comprised the majority of identifiable factors that led to anaphylaxis. Implementation of quality measures, including vial verification and vial testing, can improve safety and decrease anaphylaxis rates in the delivery of allergy immunotherapy.
A prospective randomized blinded clinical trial: large‐volume nasal irrigation with fluticasone propionate in the early postoperative period following septoplasty
Authors: Tugrul Selahattin , Dogan Remzi , Senturk Erol , Eren Sabri Baki , Meric Aysenur , Ozturan Orhan
Published: April 2015

Background

The aim of this study was to compare 2 methods of nasal irrigation after septoplasty. The combined use of low‐pressure, high‐volume nasal saline (LPHVNS) irrigation, together with fluticasone propionate (FP) (LPHVNS+FP), was compared with high‐pressure, low‐volume nasal saline (HPLVNS) irrigation during the early postoperative period following septoplasty.

Methods

Seventy‐three patients undergoing septoplasty for nasal obstruction were recruited for the study. The patients were randomly divided into 2 groups; nasal irrigation was applied for 4 weeks in both groups. Group 1 (n = 40) used HPLVNS irrigation. Group 2 (n = 33) used the LPHVNS+FP combination. The patients were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE), nasal examination scores, acoustic rhinometry, rhinomanometry, and peak nasal inspiratory flowmetry (PNIF) measurements.

Results

In group 2, the increase in VAS results was more prominent than in group 1. NOSE scores were significantly lower in group 2 than in group 1. The nasal examination revealed that group 2 had less edema and less crusting than group 1. The decrease in nasal airway resistance was significantly higher in group 2. The PNIF values increased to a significantly greater extent in group 2 than in group 1.

Conclusion

Nasal irrigation with the LPHVNS+FP combination during the early postoperative period following septoplasty is an effective method, resulting not only in increased patient satisfaction and nasal air flow but also in decreased edema and crust formation.
Is drug insurance status an effect modifier in epidemiologic database studies? The case of maternal asthma and major congenital malformations
Authors: Blais Lucie , Kettani Fatima‐Zohra , Forget Amélie , Beauchesne Marie‐France , Lemière Catherine
Published: April 2015

Background

Our previous work on the association between maternal asthma and congenital malformations was based on cohorts formed by women with public drug insurance, i.e., over‐represented by women with lower socioeconomic status, questioning the generalizability of our findings. This study aimed to evaluate whether or not drug insurance status, as a proxy of socioeconomic status, is an effect modifier for the association between maternal asthma and major congenital malformations.

Methods

A cohort of 36,587 pregnancies from asthmatic women and 198,935 pregnancies from nonasthmatic women selected independently of their drug insurance status was reconstructed with Québec administrative databases (1998–2009). Asthmatic women were identified using a validated case definition of asthma. Cases of major congenital malformations were identified using diagnostic codes recorded in the hospitalization database. Drug insurance status at the beginning of pregnancy was classified into three groups: publicly insured with social welfare, publicly insured without social welfare, and privately insured. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated with generalized estimation equations, including an interaction term between maternal asthma and drug insurance status.

Results

The prevalence of congenital malformations was 6.8% among asthmatic women and 5.8% among nonasthmatics. The impact of asthma on the prevalence of congenital malformations was significantly greater in women publicly insured with social welfare (odds ratio = 1.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–1.61) than in the other two groups ([odds ratio = 1.10; 1.00–1.21] in the publicly insured without social welfare and [odds ratio = 1.13; 1.07–1.20] in the privately insured group).

Conclusion

The increased risk of major congenital malformation associated with asthma was significantly higher among pregnant women publicly insured with social welfare than among those privately insured. As a result of this effect modification by drug insurance status, findings from Québec observational studies using databases mainly formed of patients publicly insured with social welfare may not be generalized to the entire population. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:995–1002, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Residential radon and birth defects: A population‐based assessment
Authors: Langlois Peter H. , Lee MinJae , Lupo Philip J. , Rahbar Mohammad H. , Cortez Ruben K.
Published: April 2015

Background

Associations have been reported between maternal radiation exposure and birth defects. No such studies were found on radon. Our objective was to determine if there is an association between living in areas with higher radon levels and birth defects.

Methods

The Texas Birth Defects Registry provided data on all birth defects from 1999 to 2009 from the entire state. Mean radon levels by geologic region came from the Texas Indoor Radon Survey. The association between radon and birth defects was estimated using multilevel mixed effect Poisson regression.

Results

Birth defects overall were not associated with residential radon levels. Of the 100 other birth defect groups with at least 500 cases, 14 were significantly elevated in areas with high mean radon level in crude analyses, and 9 after adjustment for confounders. Cleft lip with/without cleft palate had an adjusted prevalence ratio of 1.16 per 1 picoCurie/liter (pCi/L) increase in exposure to region mean radon, 95% confidence interval, 1.08–1.26. Cystic hygroma / lymphangioma had an adjusted prevalence ratio of 1.22 per 1 pCi/L increase, 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.46. Other associations were suggested but not as consistent: three skeletal defects, Down syndrome, other specified anomalies of the brain, and other specified anomalies of the bladder and urethra.

Conclusion

In the first study of residential radon and birth defects, we found associations with cleft lip w/wo cleft palate and cystic hygroma / lymphangioma. Other associations were suggested. The ecological nature of this study and multiple comparisons suggest that our results be interpreted with caution. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 106:5–15, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Next steps for birth defects research and prevention: The birth defects study to evaluate pregnancy exposures (BD‐STEPS)
Authors: Tinker Sarah C. , Carmichael Suzan L. , Anderka Marlene , Browne Marilyn L. , Caspers Conway Kristin M. , Meyer Robert E. , Nembhard Wendy N. , Olney Richard S. , Reefhuis Jennita ,   the Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS
Published: April 2015

Background

The Birth Defects Study To Evaluate Pregnancy exposureS (BD‐STEPS) is a population‐based, multi‐Center case–control study of modifiable risk factors for selected birth defects in the United States. BD‐STEPS is the second major research effort of the Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention, which extends and expands the initial research effort, the National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS).

Methods

BD‐STEPS focuses on 17 categories of structural birth defects selected based on severity, prevalence, consistent ascertainment, and previous findings that warrant additional research. Cases are identified through existing birth defects surveillance programs; controls are from vital records or birth hospital logs from the same catchment area. BD‐STEPS uses a standardized computer‐assisted telephone interview to collect information from case and control mothers on topics including demographics, health conditions, and medication use. Following the maternal interview, selected Centers request permission to sample residual newborn screening blood spots from state repositories for genetic analyses. New components planned for BD‐STEPS include linkages with external datasets and use of online questionnaires to collect in‐depth information on selected exposures.

Results

BD‐STEPS extends NBDPS by continuing to collect data on many exposures that were assessed in NBDPS, allowing data from both studies to be combined and providing an unprecedented sample size to analyze rare exposures. BD‐STEPS expands upon NBDPS by collecting more detailed information on existing exposures as well as new exposures.

Conclusion

The goal of BD‐STEPS is to provide women and healthcare providers with information they need to make decisions to promote the healthiest pregnancy possible. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:733–740, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An interlaboratory comparison program on ELF electric and magnetic fields measurements performed in Greece: Second round of the scheme
Authors: Ztoupis Ioannis , Nicolopoulou Eleni , Gonos Ioannis , Stathopulos Ioannis , Karabetsos Efthymios
Published: April 2015

The second round of an interlaboratory comparison program for extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields measurements was performed at the High Voltage Laboratory of the National Technical University of Athens (Greece). The 16 participating laboratories measured the following: (i) electric field produced by a scale transmission line; (ii) magnetic field produced by a medium voltage cable; and (iii) magnetic field and frequency at the center of a standard square coil and their delivered results were evaluated in all measurement scenarios with use of performance statistics z‐scores. Deviations between z‐scores based on usual estimators (mean value, standard deviation) and robust estimators (derived with the robust algorithm described by the International Organization for Standardization [ISO, 2005]) highlight improved performance of the robust algorithm. An overall comparison to measurement procedure and performance results of the first round proves effectiveness and necessity of the scheme. Improper instrumentation or calibration, instability of the field source and measurement position uncertainty are factors that may cause unsatisfactory performance of the participants. Bioelectromagnetics. 36:544–550, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi‐functional ion‐sensor based on a photochromic diarylethene with a 1H‐imidazo [4,5‐f][1,10] phenanthroline unit
Authors: Wang Renjie , Dong Xiaorong , Liu Gang , Ren Panpan , Pu Shouzhi
Published: April 2015

A new asymmetrical diarylethene containing a 1H‐imidazo [4,5‐f][1,10] phenanthroline unit was synthesized. The compound showed typical photochromism and functioned as a notable fluorescence switch upon alternating irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) and visible light. Its closed‐ring isomer could be used as a selective ‘naked‐eye’ colorimetric sensor for Cu2+, accompanied by a notable color change from blue to colorless. Furthermore, the compound was found to be selective towards Ca2+, Mg2+, and Sr2+ with significant fluorescence changes. On the basis of this characteristic, a logic circuit was constructed by utilizing both light and chemical stimuli as inputs and fluorescence intensity at 487 nm as output. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the chemical space of quorum sensing peptides
Authors: Wynendaele Evelien , Gevaert Bert , Stalmans Sofie , Verbeke Frederick , De Spiegeleer Bart
Published: April 2015

Quorum sensing peptides are signalling molecules that are produced by mainly gram‐positive bacteria. These peptides can exert different effects, ranging from intra‐ and interspecies bacterial virulence to bacterial–host interactions. To better comprehend these functional differences, we explored their chemical space, bacterial species distribution and receptor‐binding properties using multivariate data analyses, with information obtained from the Quorumpeps database. The quorum sensing peptides can be categorized into three main clusters, which, in turn, can be divided into several subclusters: the classification is based on characteristic chemical properties, including peptide size/compactness, hydrophilicity/lipophilicity, cyclization and the presence of (unnatural) S‐containing and aromatic amino acids. Most of the bacterial species synthesize peptides located into one cluster. However, some Streptococcus, Stapylococcus, Clostridium, Bacillus and Lactobacillus species produce peptides that are distributed over more than one cluster, with the quorum sensing peptides of Bacillus subtilis even occupying the total peptide space. The AgrC, FsrC and LamC receptors are only activated by cyclic (thio)lacton or lactam quorum sensing peptides, while the lipophilic isoprenyl‐modified peptides solely bind the ComP receptor in Bacillus species. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 544–551, 2015.
Mechanistic studies of malonic acid‐mediated in situ acylation
Authors: Chandra Koushik , Naoum Johnny N. , Roy Tapta Kanchan , Gilon Chaim , Gerber R. Benny , Friedler Assaf
Published: April 2015

We have previously introduced an easy to perform, cost‐effective and highly efficient acetylation technique for solid phase synthesis (SPPS). Malonic acid is used as a precursor and the reaction proceeds via a reactive ketene that acetylates the target amine. Here we present a detailed mechanistic study of the malonic acid‐mediated acylation. The influence of reaction conditions, peptide sequence and reagents was systematically studied. Our results show that the methodology can be successfully applied to different types of peptides and nonpeptidic molecules irrespective of their structure, sequence, or conformation. Using alkyl, phenyl, and benzyl malonic acid, we synthesized various acyl peptides with almost quantitative yields. The ketenes obtained from the different malonic acid derived precursors were characterized by in situ 1H‐NMR. The reaction proceeded in short reaction times and resulted in excellent yields when using uronium‐based coupling agents, DIPEA as a base, DMF/DMSO/NMP as solvents, Rink amide/Wang/Merrifield resins, temperature of 20°C, pH 8–12 and 5 min preactivation at inert atmosphere. The reaction was unaffected by Lewis acids, transition metal ions, surfactants, or salt. DFT studies support the kinetically favorable concerted mechanism for CO2 and ketene formation that leads to the thermodynamically stable acylated products. We conclude that the malonic acid‐mediated acylation is a general method applicable to various target molecules. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 104: 495–505, 2015.
A rapid and sensitive determination of hypoxic radiosensitizer agent nimorazole in rat plasma by LC‐MS/MS and its application to a pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Das Soumyajit , Dubey Ramkumar , Roychowdhury Subhradip , Ghosh Manik , Sinha Barij Nayan , Kumar Pradhan Kishanta , Bal Trishna , Muthukrishnan Venkateswari , Seijas Julio A. , Pujarid Abhijit
Published: April 2015

A highly sensitive, accurate and robust LC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated for determination of nimorazole (NMZ) in rat plasma using metronidazole (MNZ) as internal standard (IS). The analyte and IS were extracted from plasma by precipitating protein with acetonitrile and were chromatographed using an Agilent Poroshell 120, EC‐C18 column. The mobile phase was composed of a mixture of acetonitrile and 0.1 % formic acid (85:15 v/v). The total run time was 1.5 min and injection volume was 5 μL. Multiple reaction monitoring mode using the transitions of m/z 227.1 → m/z 114.0 for MNZ and m/z 172.10 → m/z 128.1 for IS were monitored on a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, operating in positive ion mode. The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.25–200 ng/mL (r2 > 0.9996) and the lower limit of quantification was 0.25 ng/mL in the rat plasma samples. Recoveries of NMZ ranged between 88.05 and 95.25%. The precision (intra‐day and inter‐day) and accuracy of the quality control samples were 1.25–8.20% and −2.50–3.10, respectively. The analyte and IS were found to be stable during all sample storage and analysis procedures. The LC‐MS/MS method described here was validated and successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study in rats. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative single‐cell motility analysis of platelet‐rich plasma‐treated endothelial cells in vitro
Authors: Kawase Tomoyuki , Tanaka Takaaki , Okuda Kazuhiro , Tsuchimochi Makoto , Oda Masafumi , Hara Toshiaki
Published: April 2015

Platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) has been widely applied in regenerative therapy due to its high concentration of growth factors. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies have provided evidence supporting the angiogenic activity of PRP. To more directly demonstrate how PRP acts on endothelial cells, we examined the PRP‐induced changes in the motility of human umbilical vein endothelial cells by examining the involvement of VEGF. Time‐lapse quantitative imaging demonstrated that in the initial phase (∼2 h) of treatment, PRP substantially stimulated cell migration in a wound‐healing assay. However, this effect of PRP was not sustained at significant levels beyond the initial phase. The average net distance of cell migration at 10 h was 0.45 ± 0.16 mm and 0.82 ± 0.23 mm in control and PRP‐stimulated cells, respectively. This effect was also demonstrated with recombinant human VEGF and was significantly attenuated by a neutralizing anti‐VEGF antibody. Immunofluorescent examination of paxillin and actin fibers demonstrated that PRP concomitantly up‐regulated focal adhesion and cytoskeletal formation. Western blotting analysis of phosphorylated VEGFR2 demonstrated that PRP mainly stimulated the phosphorylation of immature VEGFR2 in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner, an action that was completely blocked by the neutralizing antibody. Taken together, these data suggest that PRP acts directly on endothelial cells via the activation of VEGFR2 to transiently up‐regulate their motility. Thus, the possibility that PRP desensitizes target endothelial cells for a relatively long period of time after short‐term activation should be considered when the controlled release system of PRP components is designed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of neighborhood social and built environment factors across the cancer continuum: Current research, methodological considerations, and future directions
Authors: Gomez Scarlett Lin , Shariff‐Marco Salma , DeRouen Mindy , Keegan Theresa H. M. , Yen Irene H. , Mujahid Mahasin , Satariano William A. , Glaser Sally L.
Published: April 2015

Neighborhood social and built environments have been recognized as important contexts in which health is shaped. The authors reviewed the extent to which these neighborhood factors have been addressed in population‐level cancer research by scanning the literature for research focused on specific social and/or built environment characteristics and their association with outcomes across the cancer continuum, including incidence, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and survival. The commonalities and differences in methodologies across studies, the current challenges in research methodology, and future directions in this research also were addressed. The assessment of social and built environment factors in relation to cancer is a relatively new field, with 82% of the 34 reviewed articles published since 2010. Across the wide range of social and built environment exposures and cancer outcomes considered by the studies, numerous associations were reported. However, the directions and magnitudes of associations varied, in large part because of the variation in cancer sites and outcomes studied, but also likely because of differences in study populations, geographic regions, and, importantly, choice of neighborhood measures and geographic scales. The authors recommend that future studies consider the life‐course implications of cancer incidence and survival, integrate secondary and self‐report data, consider work neighborhood environments, and further develop analytical and statistical approaches appropriate to the geospatial and multilevel nature of the data. Incorporating social and built environment factors into research on cancer etiology and outcomes can provide insights into disease processes, identify vulnerable populations, and generate results with translational impact of relevance for interventionists and policy makers. Cancer 2015;121:2314–2330. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Comparative effectiveness of surgery and radiosurgery for stage I non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Yu James B. , Soulos Pamela R. , Cramer Laura D. , Decker Roy H. , Kim Anthony W. , Gross Cary P.
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

Although surgery is the standard treatment for early‐stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) has been disseminated as an alternative therapy. The comparative mortalities and toxicities of these treatments for patients of different life expectancies are unknown.

METHODS

The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results–Medicare linked database was used to identify patients who were 67 years old or older and underwent SBRT or surgery for stage I NSCLC from 2007 to 2009. Matched patients were stratified into short life expectancies (<5 years) and long life expectancies (≥5 years). Mortality and complication rates were compared with Poisson regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 367 SBRT patients and 711 surgery patients were matched. Acute toxicity (0‐1 month) was lower from SBRT versus surgery (7.9% vs 54.9%, P < .001). At 24 months after treatment, there was no difference (69.7% vs 73.9%, P = .31). The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for toxicity from SBRT versus surgery was 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64‐0.87). Overall mortality was lower with SBRT versus surgery at 3 months (2.2% vs 6.1%, P = .005), but by 24 months, overall mortality was higher with SBRT (40.1% vs 22.3%, P < .001). For patients with short life expectancies, there was no difference in lung cancer mortality (IRR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.40‐2.56). However, for patients with long life expectancies, there was greater overall mortality (IRR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.11‐2.01) as well as a trend toward greater lung cancer mortality (IRR, 1.63; 95% CI, 0.95‐2.79) with SBRT versus surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

SBRT was associated with lower immediate mortality and toxicity in comparison with surgery. However, for patients with long life expectancies, there appears to be a relative benefit from surgery versus SBRT. Cancer 2015;121:2341–2349. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Prospective quality‐of‐life outcomes for low‐risk prostate cancer: Active surveillance versus radical prostatectomy
Authors: Jeldres Claudio , Cullen Jennifer , Hurwitz Lauren M. , Wolff Erika M. , Levie Katherine E. , Odem‐Davis Katherine , Johnston Richard B. , Pham Khanh N. , Rosner Inger L. , Brand Timothy C. , L'Esperance James O. , Sterbis Joseph R. , Etzioni Ruth , Porter Christopher R.
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND

For patients with low‐risk prostate cancer (PCa), active surveillance (AS) may produce oncologic outcomes comparable to those achieved with radical prostatectomy (RP). Health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQoL) outcomes are important to consider, yet few studies have examined HRQoL among patients with PCa who were managed with AS. In this study, the authors compared longitudinal HRQoL in a prospective, racially diverse, and contemporary cohort of patients who underwent RP or AS for low‐risk PCa.

METHODS

Beginning in 2007, HRQoL data from validated questionnaires (the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite and the 36‐item RAND Medical Outcomes Study short‐form survey) were collected by the Center for Prostate Disease Research in a multicenter national database. Patients aged ≤75 years who were diagnosed with low‐risk PCa and elected RP or AS for initial disease management were followed for 3 years. Mean scores were estimated using generalized estimating equations adjusting for baseline HRQoL, demographic characteristics, and clinical patient characteristics.

RESULTS

Of the patients with low‐risk PCa, 228 underwent RP, and 77 underwent AS. Multivariable analysis revealed that patients in the RP group had significantly worse sexual function, sexual bother, and urinary function at all time points compared with patients in the AS group. Differences in mental health between groups were below the threshold for clinical significance at 1 year.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, no differences in mental health outcomes were observed, but urinary and sexual HRQoL were worse for patients who underwent RP compared with those who underwent AS for up to 3 years. These data offer support for the management of low‐risk PCa with AS as a means for postponing the morbidity associated with RP without concomitant declines in mental health. Cancer 2015;121:2465–2473. © 2015 American Cancer Society.
Regional segmentation of ventricular models to achieve repolarization dispersion in cardiac electrophysiology modeling
Authors: Perotti L. E. , Krishnamoorthi S. , Borgstrom N. P. , Ennis D. B. , Klug W. S.
Published: April 2015

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the most significant outputs of a computational model of cardiac electrophysiology because it relates the numerical results to clinical data and is a universal tool for diagnosing heart diseases. One key features of the ECG is the T‐wave, which is caused by longitudinal and transmural heterogeneity of the action potential duration (APD). Thus, in order to model a correct wave of repolarization, different cell properties resulting in different APDs must be assigned across the ventricular wall and longitudinally from apex to base. To achieve this requirement, a regional parametrization of the heart is necessary. We propose a robust approach to obtain the transmural and longitudinal segmentation in a general heart geometry without relying on ad hoc procedures. Our approach is based on auxiliary harmonic lifting analyses, already used in the literature to generate myocardial fiber orientations. Specifically, the solution of a sequence of Laplace boundary value problems allows parametrically controlled segmentation of both heart ventricles. The flexibility and simplicity of the proposed method is demonstrated through several representative examples, varying the locations and extents of the epicardial, midwall, and endocardial layers. Effects of the control parameters on the T‐wave morphology are illustrated via computed ECGs. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Higher‐Dimensional Coulomb Gases and Renormalized Energy Functionals
Authors: Rougerie Nicolas , Serfaty Sylvia
Published: April 2015

We consider a classical system of n charged particles in an external confining potential in any dimension d ≥ 2. The particles interact via pairwise repulsive Coulomb forces and the coupling parameter is of order n−1 (mean‐field scaling). By a suitable splitting of the Hamiltonian, we extract the next‐to‐leading‐order term in the ground state energy beyond the mean‐field limit. We show that this next order term, which characterizes the fluctuations of the system, is governed by a new “renormalized energy” functional providing a way to compute the total Coulomb energy of a jellium (i.e., an infinite set of point charges screened by a uniform neutralizing background) in any dimension. The renormalization that cuts out the infinite part of the energy is achieved by smearing out the point charges at a small scale, as in Onsager's lemma. We obtain consequences for the statistical mechanics of the Coulomb gas: next‐to‐leading‐order asymptotic expansion of the free energy or partition function, characterizations of the Gibbs measures, estimates on the local charge fluctuations, and factorization estimates for reduced densities. This extends results of Sandier and Serfaty to dimension higher than 2 by an alternative approach. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Integrated service discovery architecture for heterogeneous networks
Authors: Chen Min‐Xiou , Sung Fu‐Hsing
Published: April 2015

The discovery and management of desired network services present significant challenges for mobile networks. Based on the Service Location Protocol, this paper proposes an integrated service discovery architecture for vehicular ad hoc networks. The proposed approach divides the network into several logical zones. The zone structure is formed virtually based on position information. Each logical zone may have a zone directory agent to manage registered services from service providers. The proposed architecture considers both vehicle‐to‐infrastructure and vehicle‐to‐vehicle communication modes and introduces roadside directory agents and vehicle directory agents to reduce deployment costs. We also introduce a substitute query technique, cache mechanism, and backup mechanism to improve the request hit ratio and reduce the message overhead of the substitute query. Finally, we implement the proposed mechanisms in Network Simulator version 2, with simulation results showing that the proposed architecture can provide a high average data hit ratio and low message overhead. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mildronate (Meldonium) in professional sports – monitoring doping control urine samples using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography – high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry
Authors: Görgens Christian , Guddat Sven , Dib Josef , Geyer Hans , Schänzer Wilhelm , Thevis Mario
Published: April 2015

To date, substances such as Mildronate (Meldonium) are not on the radar of anti‐doping laboratories as the compound is not explicitly classified as prohibited. However, the anti‐ischemic drug Mildronate demonstrates an increase in endurance performance of athletes, improved rehabilitation after exercise, protection against stress, and enhanced activations of central nervous system (CNS) functions.

In the present study, the existing evidence of Mildronate's usage in sport, which is arguably not (exclusively) based on medicinal reasons, is corroborated by unequivocal analytical data allowing the estimation of the prevalence and extent of misuse in professional sports. Such data are vital to support decision‐making processes, particularly regarding the ban on drugs in sport. Due to the growing body of evidence (black market products and athlete statements) concerning its misuse in sport, adequate test methods for the reliable identification of Mildronate are required, especially since the substance has been added to the 2015 World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA) monitoring program.

In the present study, two approaches were established using an in‐house synthesized labelled internal standard (Mildronate‐D3). One aimed at the implementation of the analyte into routine doping control screening methods to enable its monitoring at the lowest possible additional workload for the laboratory, and another that is appropriate for the peculiar specifics of the analyte, allowing the unequivocal confirmation of findings using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography‐high resolution/high accuracy mass spectrometry (HILIC‐HRMS). Here, according to applicable regulations in sports drug testing, a full qualitative validation was conducted. The assay demonstrated good specificity, robustness (rRT=0.3%), precision (intra‐day: 7.0–8.4%; inter‐day: 9.9–12.9%), excellent linearity (R>0.99) and an adequate lower limit of detection (<10 ng/mL). © 2015 The Authors. Drug Testing and Analysis published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Free fatty acids increase gossypol losses in soybean oil during heating
Authors: Chai Xiuhang , Bi Yanlan , Sun Shangde
Published: April 2015

Gossypol is a highly reactive compound present in cotton plant (Gossypium spp.). With the increase of heating temperature and time, gossypol losses increased significantly. In this work, the effect of free fatty acid (FFA) and peroxide value (PV) of soybean oil (SBO) on gossypol losses during heating was systematically studied. Results showed that the higher the content of FFAs of SBO at 120 or 180°C, the greater the gossypol losses. The HPLC and LC/MS analysis suggested that the increase of gossypol losses in SBO was due to the transformation of gossypol in the presence of FFAs at 120 or 180°C. The PV also had an observable effect on gossypol losses at 120 or 180°C, which was ascribed to be the transformation or oxidation of gossypol with hydroperoxides.

Practical applications: Due to the toxicity of gossypol, the use of cottonseed oil and cottonseed meal is restricted. It is significantly meaningful to remove gossypol. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the effect of heating temperature and oil quality (AV and PV of oil) on gossypol losses in SBO during heating. More information about the changes of gossypol in oil was achieved, which could be used to guide the processing of cottonseed oil and cottonseed meal. At the same time, the mechanism of gossypol changes could be used to get high quality gossypol.

The losses of gossypol in SBO were primarily due to the increasing transformation of gossypol under heating system. Gossypol was non‐volatile and the higher the AV and PV of SBO, the more loss of the gossypol.
The quality and volatile‐profile changes of Longwangmo apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel oil prepared by different oil‐producing processes
Authors: Zhou Bo , Wang Yan , Kang Jingjing , Zhong Haiyan , Prenzler Paul D.
Published: April 2015

Quality parameters and volatile profiles were determined for Longwangmo apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) kernel oil prepared by cold pressing, heat pressing, and refining of sun‐dried and baked apricot kernels. Quality parameters determined included peroxide value, acid value, fatty acids, and UV absorbance. The tested oils showed absorbance values at 232 and 268 nm of 0.70–0.85 and 0.20–0.38, respectively; peroxide values were 2.09–5.62 mmol O2/kg and acid values were 0.36–1.40 mg KOH/g. The major fatty acid composition found in the oils was oleic acid (70.29–71.25%) followed by linoleic (22.31–23.00%), palmitic (4.57–4.87%), stearic acids (4.57–4.87%), palmitoleic acid (0.62–0.71%), and α‐linolenic acid (0.15–0.18%). The numbers and concentrations of volatile compounds in the oils ranged from 19–52 to 6172–23871 μg/g, respectively. Nine compounds were present, in different amounts, in all apricot kernel oils studied: benzaldehyde, 2‐methyl‐propanal, 2‐methyl‐butyl aldehyde, furfural, nonanal, methylpyrazine, 2,5‐dimethyl‐pyrazine, methoxy pyrazine, and 3‐ethyl‐2,5‐dimethyl‐pyrazine. The results of our present investigation revealed that the oil‐producing process had significant influence on the volatile profiles of apricot kernel oil. In particular, the baked–pretreatment process may enhance the aroma of apricot kernel oil by increasing the number and quantity of volatile compounds.

Practical applications: Apricot kernel oil has recently received attention because of its health and nutritional properties, with favorable fatty acid composition and biologically active compounds. The results showed that Longwangmo apricot kernel oil is suitable as an edible food oil and the baked–pretreatment process with cold pressing may lead to an oil with enhanced flavor.

The baked (80°C)–pretreatment process with cold pressing is good oil‐producing process for apricot kernel oil by increasing flavor.
Conflicts of Interest in Medical Technology Markets: Evidence from Orthopedic Surgery
Authors: Smieliauskas Fabrice
Published: April 2015

Financial relationships between physicians and industry are vital to biomedical innovation yet create the potential for conflicts of interest in medical practice. I consider an inducement model of the role of financial relationships in health care markets, where consulting payments induce physicians to use more devices of the firms that sponsor them. To test the model, I exploit a policy shock, whereby government monitoring of payments to joint replacement surgeons resulted in declines of over 60% in both total payments and in the number of physicians receiving payments from 2007 to 2008. Using hospital discharge data from three states, I find that the loss of payments leads physicians to switch 7 percentage points of their device utilization from their sponsoring firms' devices to other firms' devices, an effect which is concentrated among surgeons with low switching costs. These results offer support for the inducement model. I also find evidence of an increase in medical productivity following the policy intervention, which suggests conditions under which regulation of financial relationships would be socially beneficial. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.