bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The genetic variations in DNA repair genes ERCC2 and XRCC1 were associated with the overall survival of advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Wang Suhan , Wang Jianzhong , Bai Yansen , Wang Qing , Liu Li , Zhang Kai , Hong Xiaohua , Deng Qifei , Zhang Xiaomin , He Meian , Wu Tangchun , Xu Ping , Guo Huan
Published: July 2016

It was reported that DNA repair can confer cancer cell resistance to therapeutic treatments by activating antiapoptotic cellular defense. We hypothesized that genetic variants of DNA repair genes may be associated with lung cancer prognosis. Seventeen tagging single‐nucleotide polymorphism (tagSNPs) selected from 12 DNA repair genes were genotyped in 280 advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients by TaqMan assay. The associations of these SNPs and overall survival of advanced NSCLC patients were investigated. Advanced NSCLC patients carrying ERCC2 rs50872 CT+TT genotypes had significantly longer median survival time (MST) and decreased death risk than patients with rs50872 CC genotype [log‐rank P = 0.031; adjusted HR(95% CI) = 0.73 (0.55–0.98), P = 0.033]. These effects were mainly seen among younger patients (≤65 years old) [HR(95% CI) = 0.57 (0.37–0.87), P = 0.010], patients without surgery [HR(95% CI) = 0.68 (0.47–0.98), P = 0.036] but with chemotherapy [HR(95% CI) = 0.64 (0.46–0.91), P = 0.012] or radiotherapy [HR(95% CI) = 0.58 (0.38–0.89), P = 0.013]. Meanwhile, compared to advanced NSCLC patients with rs25487 GG genotype, patients carrying XRCC1 rs25487 GA+AA genotypes had significantly shorter MST (MST = 11.7 vs. 16.7, log‐rank P = 0.048). In addition, advanced NSCLC patients carrying the ERCC2 rs50872 CC in combination with XRCC1 rs25487 GA+AA genotype had the shortest MST (11.2 month) and highest death risk [HR(95% CI) = 1.70 (1.15–2.52), P = 0.008] when compared with those carrying rs50872 CT+TT and rs25487 GG genotype (MST = 22.0 month). The ERCC2 rs50872 T allele was associated with favorable but XRCC1 rs25487 A allele with bad survival for advanced NSCLC in Chinese population, which may offer novel biomarkers for predicting clinical outcomes.
Phytochemical Study of Juglans regia L. Pericarps from Greece with a Chemotaxonomic Approach
Authors: Tsasi Gerasimia , Milošević‐Ifantis Tanja , Skaltsa Helen
Published: July 2016

Phytochemical research of different polarity extracts from green Juglans regia L. pericarps from Greece afforded 32 compounds: four pentacyclic triterpenes (1 – 4), three sesquiterpenes (5 – 7), four tetralones (8 – 11), two naphthoquinones (12 and 13), seven phenolic acids (14 – 20), one diarylheptanoid (21), one neo‐lignan (22), seven flavonoids (23 – 29), two phenylethanoids (30 and 31) and one hydrolysed tannin (32). Compounds 4 and 29 are isolated for the first time from the species, while compounds 3, 7, 20, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30 are reported for the first time in Juglandaceae. Chemotaxonomic significance of isolated compounds into Junglandaceae family is thoroughly discussed.
Percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion: Effect of device positioning on outcome
Authors: Wolfrum Mathias , Attinger‐Toller Adrian , Shakir Samera , Gloekler Steffen , Seifert Burkhardt , Moschovitis Aris , Khattab Ahmed , Maisano Francesco , Meier Bernhard , Nietlispach Fabian
Published: July 2016

Objective

The study in patients with percutaneous left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion investigates clinical outcomes according to the position of the Amplatzer Cardiac Plug (ACP) disc.

Background

The ACP consists of a disc and an anchoring lobe. The disc is meant to cover the ostium of the LAA, but frequently retracts partially or completely into the neck of the LAA. It is not known whether a retracted disc affects outcome.

Methods

Outcomes of 169 consecutive patients (age 73.1 ± 10.4 years; 76% male) with successful LAA closure were analyzed according to the position of the ACP disc: group A had complete coverage of the LAA ostium; in group B the disc prolapsed partially or completely into the LAA‐neck. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed 1‐6 months after ACP implantation. The safety endpoint was the composite of clinically significant pericardial effusion, device embolization, procedure‐related stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), major bleeding, or device thrombus. The efficacy endpoint was the composite of death, neurological events (ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, TIA), or systemic embolism during follow‐up.

Results

Group A comprised 76 patients (age 73.0 ± 9.9 years; 74% male) and group B 93 patients (age 73.3 ± 10.9 years; 79% male). Mean CHA2DS2‐Vasc score and HASBLED score were 4.2 ± 1.7 (group A 4.3 ± 1.6; group B 4.2 ± 1.8) and 2.9 ± 1.1 (group A 2.9 ± 1.0; group B 3.0 ± 1.2), respectively. Mean follow‐up of the study population was 13.0 ± 10.4 months. Overall, the composite safety and efficacy endpoints occurred in 20 (12%) and 6 patients (4%), respectively. There was no significant difference between groups A and B in the occurrence of the safety endpoint (13% vs. 11%, P = 0.64), or the efficacy endpoint (4% vs. 3%, P = 1.0).

Conclusions

No evidence for a difference in the occurrence of the safety and efficacy endpoint was found between patients with complete vs. incomplete ACP disc coverage of the LAA ostium. The risk of repositioning attempts in case of incomplete coverage does not seem to be warranted. Current findings need further confirmation in a larger scale clinical trial. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ruthenium‐Catalyzed Metathesis of Conjugated Polyenes
Authors: Balla Áron , Al‐Hashimi Mohammed , Hlil Antisar , Bazzi Hassan S. , Tuba Robert
Published: July 2016

In the past decade, numerous examples of chemical technologies based on olefin metathesis have been developed to make olefin metathesis increasingly dominant in several sustainable and green chemical processes. In spite of the wide application profile, conjugated olefin metathesis, especially conjugated polyene metathesis, is an area of great interest with little exploration. The metathesis of conjugated polyenes is often cumbersome and requires a high catalyst loading, most probably because of the formation of poorly active or inactive ruthenium η3‐vinylcarbene intermediates. A mechanistic understanding and the development of a new highly active catalytic system for olefin metathesis will open new areas for exploration, such as the utilisation of cyclopentadiene and other petrochemical by‐products or a new way to use butadiene, isoprene and conjugated electron systems that contain natural products such as terpenes and polyunsaturated fatty acids. An understanding of the mechanism of ruthenium η1–η3‐vinylcarbene interconversion may open the way to the development of a new generation of Ru‐based latent metathesis catalyst systems. This review summarises the most relevant pioneering work focused on the metathesis of conjugated polyenes to open new ideas for the development of forthcoming latent metathesis catalysts and to explore different applications.
Effect of Different Nanomaterials on the Metabolic Activity and Bacterial Flora of Activated Sludge Medium
Authors: Ergön‐Can Tülay , Köseoğlu‐İmer Derya Y. , Algur Ömer Faruk , Koyuncu İsmail
Published: July 2016

In this study, the dominant and representative bacteria of activated sludge before and after the addition of different nanomaterials (NMs) (multiwalled carbon nanotube, MWCNT, silicon dioxide nanoparticle, nSiO2, titanium oxide nanoparticle, nTiO2, aluminum oxide‐nanoparticle, nAl2O3, and silver nanoparticle, nAg) were separately isolated, enumerated, and identified. In total, 17 different representative isolates were identified by using 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis. The effects of NMs on the growth (viable counts), biological oxygen demand (BOD) removal performances, respiration mechanism, and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) production of bacteria were also investigated. Both BOD removal capacity and respiration rate of bacterial medium decreased after NMs exposure. Most toxic NMs were MWCNT (46.15%) and nAg (42.30%) related with BOD removal capacity and nAg (62%) and nTiO2 (56%) for respiration mechanism. Therefore, the protein content of soluble EPS (sEPSp) increased with addition of nAg, nTiO2, and nAl2O3. NMs also have negative effect on the structure of community of activated sludge in both diversity and density.
Clickable 4‐Oxo‐β‐lactam‐Based Selective Probing for Human Neutrophil Elastase Related Proteomes
Authors: Ruivo Eduardo F. P. , Gonçalves Lídia M. , Carvalho Luís A. R. , Guedes Rita C. , Hofbauer Stefan , Brito José A. , Archer Margarida , Moreira Rui , Lucas Susana D.
Published: July 2016

Human neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a serine protease associated with several inflammatory processes such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The precise involvement of HNE in COPD and other inflammatory disease mechanisms has yet to be clarified. Herein we report a copper‐catalyzed alkyne–azide 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC, or ′click′ chemistry) approach based on the 4‐oxo‐β‐lactam warhead that yielded potent HNE inhibitors containing a triazole moiety. The resulting structure–activity relationships set the basis to develop fluorescent and biotinylated activity‐based probes as tools for molecular functional analysis. Attaching the tags to the 4‐oxo‐β‐lactam scaffold did not affect HNE inhibitory activity, as revealed by the IC50 values in the nanomolar range (56–118 nm) displayed by the probes. The nitrobenzoxadiazole (NBD)‐based probe presented the best binding properties (ligand efficiency (LE)=0.31) combined with an excellent lipophilic ligand efficiency (LLE=4.7). Moreover, the probes showed adequate fluorescence properties, internalization in human neutrophils, and suitable detection of HNE in the presence of a large excess of cell lysate proteins. This allows the development of activity‐based probes with promising applications in target validation and identification, as well as diagnostic tools.
Contributors to Enhanced CO2 Electroreduction Activity and Stability in a Nanostructured Au Electrocatalyst
Authors: Kim Haeri , Jeon Hyo Sang , Jee Michael Shincheon , Nursanto Eduardus Budi , Singh Jitendra Pal , Chae Keunhwa , Hwang Yun Jeong , Min Byoung Koun
Published: July 2016

The formation of a nanostructure is a popular strategy for catalyst applications because it can generate new surfaces that can significantly improve the catalytic activity and durability of the catalysts. However, the increase in the surface area resulting from nanostructuring does not fully explain the substantial improvement in the catalytic properties of the CO2 electroreduction reaction, and the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully understood. Here, based on a combination of extended X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Kelvin probe force microscopy, we observed a contracted Au−Au bond length and low work function with the nanostructured Au surface that had enhanced catalytic activity for electrochemical CO2 reduction. The results may improve the understanding of the enhanced stability of the nanostructured Au electrode based on the resistance of cation adhesion during the CO2 reduction reaction.
Improvement of Aluminum–Air Battery Performances by the Application of Flax Straw Extract
Authors: Grishina Ekaterina , Gelman Danny , Belopukhov Sergey , Starosvetsky David , Groysman Alec , Ein‐Eli Yair
Published: July 2016

The effect of a flax straw extract on Al corrosion inhibition in a strong alkaline solution was studied by using electrochemical measurements, weight‐loss analysis, SEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. Flax straw extract added (3 vol %) to the 5 m KOH solution to act as a mixed‐type Al corrosion inhibitor. The electrochemistry of Al in the presence of a flax straw extract in the alkaline solution, the effect of the extract on the Al morphology and surface films formed, and the corrosion inhibition mechanism are discussed. Finally, the Al–air battery discharge capacity recorded from a cell that used the flax straw extract in the alkaline electrolyte is substantially higher than that with only a pure alkaline electrolyte. This improved sustainability of the Al anode is attributed to Al corrosion inhibition and, consequently, to hydrogen evolution suppression.
Ag‐Promoted ZrBEA Zeolites Obtained by Post‐Synthetic Modification for Conversion of Ethanol to Butadiene
Authors: Sushkevich Vitaly L. , Ivanova Irina I.
Published: July 2016

1,3‐Butadiene was synthesized from ethanol using zirconium‐containing zeolite beta (ZrBEA) catalysts doped with 1 wt % silver. The Zr was planted using post‐synthesis modification by dealumination of the parent zeolite followed by treatment with ZrOCl2in a DMSO solution. FTIR and NMR spectroscopy were used to investigate the planting process by preparing materials with different Si/Al ratios and crystal sizes. The results showed preferential grafting of Zr to the terminal silanols present on the external surface of the zeolite crystals instead of incorporation of Zr into silanol nests. The grafting yielded highly accessible Zr(OSi)3OH open sites with high Lewis acidity, as confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy of adsorbed CO. These sites are shown to be extremely active for the conversion of ethanol to butadiene. Ag/ZrBEA catalysts prepared using the post‐synthesis method showed significant advantages compared with Ag/ZrBEA catalysts synthesized using a conventional hydrothermal procedure. The best catalyst performance in terms of butadiene formation rate (3 μmol g−1 s−1) was observed over Ag/Zr(3.5)BEA(75) (containing 3.5 wt % Zr), which had the smallest crystal size and the highest content of Zr open sites of the prepared catalysts.
Urea‐ and Thiourea‐Catalyzed Aminolysis of Carbonates
Authors: Blain Marine , Yau Honman , Jean‐Gérard Ludivine , Auvergne Rémi , Benazet Dominique , Schreiner Peter R. , Caillol Sylvain , Andrioletti Bruno
Published: July 2016

The aminolysis of (poly)carbonates by (poly)amines provides access to non‐isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) that are toxic‐reagent‐free analogues of polyurethanes (PUs). Owing to their low reactivity, the ring opening of cyclic carbonates requires the use of a catalyst. Herein, we report that the more available and cheaper ureas could advantageously be used for catalyzing the formation of NIPUs at the expense of the thiourea analogues. In addition, we demonstrate a medium‐range pKa of the (thio)urea and an unqeual substitution pattern is critical for controlling the efficiency of the carbonate opening.
Aggregation and a strongAllee effect in a cooperative outbreak insect
Authors: Goodsman D. W. , Koch D. , Whitehouse C. , Evenden M. L. , Cooke B. J. , Lewis M. A.
Published: July 2016

Most species that are negatively impacted when their densities are low aggregate to minimize this effect. Aggregation has the potential to change how Allee effects are expressed at the population level. We studied the interplay between aggregation and Allee effects in the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosaeHopkins), an irruptive bark beetle that aggregates to overcome tree defenses. By cooperating to surpass a critical number of attacks per tree, the mountain pine beetle is able to breach host defenses, oviposit, and reproduce. Mountain pine beetles and Hymenopteran parasitoids share some biological features, the most notable of which is obligatory host death as a consequence of parasitoid attack and development. We developed spatiotemporal models of mountain pine beetle dynamics that were based on the Nicholson–Bailey framework but which featured beetle aggregation and a tree‐level attack threshold. By fitting our models to data from a local mountain pine beetle outbreak, we demonstrate that due to aggregation, attack thresholds at the tree level can be overcome by a surprisingly low ratio of beetles per susceptible tree at the stand level. This results confirms the importance of considering aggregation in models of organisms that are subject to strong Allee effects.
Enantioselective determination of cathinone derivatives in human hair by capillary electrophoresis combined in‐line with solid‐phase extraction
Authors: Baciu Tatiana , Borrull Francesc , Calull Marta , Aguilar Carme
Published: July 2016

A suitable method has been developed and validated for the chiral separation and determination of R,S‐mephedrone and one of its metabolites, R,S‐4‐methylephedrine, and R,S‐methylenedioxypyrovalerone (R,S‐MDPV) in human hair samples by the in‐line coupling between SPE and CD‐assisted CE with a previous sample pretreatment procedure based on pressurized liquid extraction. Optimum separation was achieved on a fused silica‐capillary of 50 μm id and 80 cm total length using 12 mg/mL β‐CD in an aqueous solution of 80 mM disodium phosphate at pH 2.5 as the BGE and an applied voltage of 30 kV. The SPE‐CE device consists of a short length of a capillary of 2 mm packed with Oasis HLB sorbent, which was inserted near to the inlet end of the CE capillary. Several parameters affecting the in‐line preconcentration were evaluated. The LOQs reached for hair samples were 0.05 ng/mg for the enantiomers of mephedrone and its metabolite, and 0.40 ng/mg for the enantiomers of MDPV. The RSDs (%) obtained in intra‐ and interday studies were less than 10% and the relative recoveries were greater than 80%. The method established in this paper is advantageous for its simplicity, overall analysis time and ability to provide information of both enantiomers of a chiral drug in hair samples.
Sensitivity Analyses on the Impact of Air Contaminants on Automotive Fuel Cells
Authors: Misz U. , Talke A. , Heinzel A. , Konrad G.
Published: July 2016

It is known that traffic related air contaminants cause power loss, decreasing lifetime or a complete failure of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Therefore, the present study aims for a better understanding and the development of a data basis for further decisions in dealing with air contaminants for automobile applications. The first section provides an overview of scientific literature about the influence of important air contaminants on proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). The second section describes an extensive study of air contaminants at possible automotive operating conditions using a full factorial matrix test. The specific variation of temperature, cell potential and harmful gas concentration resulted in 27 operating points for each used air contaminant. The gases NO, NO2, SO2, NH3, toluene and ethane were used. The results indicate significant degradation but as well the possibility of regeneration. The degradation caused by different harmful gases is both, dependent on temperature and potential. Furthermore, a clear difference of the influence of NO and NO2 at low concentrations could be shown. The experiments give an overview of the cathode harming potential of relevant air contaminants. Hence, the work provides a basis for the development of cathode air filter and regeneration techniques for automotive applications.
Disrupted structural and functional rich club organization of the brain connectome in patients with generalized tonic‐clonic seizure
Authors: Li Rong , Liao Wei , Li Yibo , Yu Yangyang , Zhang Zhiqiang , Lu Guangming , Chen Huafu
Published: July 2016

Network studies have demonstrated that a small set of highly connected regions may play a central role in global information integration, together forming a rich club organization. Given that generalized tonic‐clonic seizure (GTCS) has been conceptualized as a network disorder, we hypothesized that the rich club disturbances may be related to the network abnormalities of GTCS. Here, we used graph theoretical analysis to investigate the rich club organization of both structural and functional connectome in patients with GTCS (n = 50) and healthy controls (n = 60). We further measured the level of global efficiency and clustering in rich club and non‐rich club organization. We, respectively, identified a small number of highly connected hubs as rich club organization from structural and functional networks. Patients were found to exhibit significantly reduced rich club connectivity among the central hubs. Meanwhile, both structural and functional network showed changed levels of global efficiency and clustering of rich club organization in GTCS. Furthermore, in patients, lower levels of rich club connectivity were found to be correlated with longer duration of illness and seizure frequency. Together, these findings suggest that GTCS is characterized by a selective disruption of rich club organization due to the long‐term injurious effects of epileptic actions on the central hub regions, which potentially contribute to a reduced level of brain integration capacity among different functional domains and an added effect of illness on a preexisting vulnerability. Our findings emphasize a central role for abnormal rich club organization in the pathophysiological mechanism underlying GTCS. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4487–4499, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterizing structural neural networks in de novo Parkinson disease patients using diffusion tensor imaging
Authors: Nigro S. , Riccelli R. , Passamonti L. , Arabia G. , Morelli M. , Nisticò R. , Novellino F. , Salsone M. , Barbagallo G. , Quattrone A.
Published: July 2016

Parkinson disease (PD) can be considered as a brain multisystemic disease arising from dysfunction in several neural networks. The principal aim of this study was to assess whether large‐scale structural topological network changes are detectable in PD patients who have not been exposed yet to dopaminergic therapy (de novo patients). Twenty‐one drug‐naïve PD patients and thirty healthy controls underwent a 3T structural MRI. Next, Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and graph theoretic analyses to compute individual structural white‐matter (WM) networks were combined. Centrality (degree, eigenvector centrality), segregation (clustering coefficient), and integration measures (efficiency, path length) were assessed in subject‐specific structural networks. Moreover, Network‐based statistic (NBS) was used to identify whether and which subnetworks were significantly different between PD and control participants. De novo PD patients showed decreased clustering coefficient and strength in specific brain regions such as putamen, pallidum, amygdala, and olfactory cortex compared with healthy controls. Moreover, NBS analyses demonstrated that two specific subnetworks of reduced connectivity characterized the WM structural organization of PD patients. In particular, several key pathways in the limbic system, basal ganglia, and sensorimotor circuits showed reduced patterns of communications when comparing PD patients to controls. This study shows that PD is characterized by a disruption in the structural connectivity of several motor and non‐motor regions. These findings provide support to the presence of disconnectivity mechanisms in motor (basal ganglia) as well as in non‐motor (e.g., limbic, olfactory) circuits at an early disease stage of PD. Hum Brain Mapp 37:4500–4510, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Risk of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in adults with fevers of unknown origin: the clinical utility of a new scoring system on early detection
Authors: Wang Hao‐Yuan , Yang Ching‐Fen , Chiou Tzeon‐Jye , Yang Sheng‐Hsiang , Gau Jyh‐Pyng , Yu Yuan‐Bin , Chen Po‐Min , Hsu Hui‐Chi , Fung Chang‐Phone , Lin Hsiao‐Yi , Tzeng Cheng‐Hwai , Liu Jin‐Hwang , Hsiao Liang‐Tsai
Published: July 2016

The diagnosis of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is delayed by most physicians. This study aimed to identify early parameters and suitable scoring systems for the risk of HLH. Clinical and laboratory data collected ≤3 days after admission were defined as early parameters and used to calculate the number of HLH‐2004 criteria met and bone marrow (BM) score. Between January 2006 and February 2016, 233 immunocompetent adults with naïve fever of unknown origin who underwent a BM study were enrolled to mimic patients at risk of HLH and randomly assigned into the developmental or validation cohort. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was finally diagnosed in 47 patients, with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma as the major etiology (51.1%). Upon admission, four‐fifths of patients who developed subsequent HLH fulfilled ≤3 of 8 HLH‐2004 criteria, and 6 early parameters were independent predictors of HLH: anemia (hemoglobin < 10 g/dL), thrombocytopenia (platelet count < 100 × 103/μL), leukoerythroblastosis, hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin > 2 × upper normal limit), hyperferritinemia (ferritin > 1000 ng/mL), and splenomegaly. Compared with the HLH criteria met upon admission, the BM score was an independent predictor (odds ratio = 1.621; 95% confidence interval, 1.355‐1.940) with excellent discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve = 0.920; 95% confidence interval, 0.883‐0.958). The sensitivity and specificity for a BM score cutoff of 10 points were 95% and 75%, respectively. When approaching immunocompetent adults with a continuously high fever, the BM score at initial admission assists with early identification of patients at risk of HLH.
Continuous versus event‐based sampling: how many samples are required for deriving general hydrological understanding on Ecuador's páramo region?
Authors: Correa Alicia , Windhorst David , Crespo Patricio , Célleri Rolando , Feyen Jan , Breuer Lutz
Published: July 2016

As a consequence of the remote location of the Andean páramo, knowledge on their hydrologic functioning is limited; notwithstanding, these alpine tundra ecosystems act as water towers for a large fraction of the society. Given the harsh environmental conditions in this region, year‐round monitoring is cumbersome, and it would be beneficial if the monitoring needed for the understanding of the rainfall–runoff response could be limited in time. To identify the hydrological response and the effect of temporal monitoring, a nested (n = 7) hydrological monitoring network was set up in the Zhurucay catchment (7.53 km2), south Ecuador. The research questions were as follows: (1) Can event sampling provide similar information in comparison with continuous monitoring, and (2) if so, how many events are needed to achieve a similar degree of information? A subset of 34 rainfall–runoff events was compared with monthly values derived from a continuous monitoring scheme from December 2010 to November 2013. Land cover and physiographic characteristics were correlated with 11 hydrological indices. Results show that despite some distinct differences between event and continuous sampling, both data sets reveal similar information; more in particular, the monitoring of a single event in the rainy season provides the same information as continuous monitoring, while during the dry season, ten events ought to be monitored. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Catchment‐scale sensitivity and uncertainty in water quality modelling
Authors: Hankin Barry , Bielby Sally , Pope Linda , Douglass John
Published: July 2016

In this paper, we assess the performance of the catchment model SIMulated CATchment model (SIMCAT), to predict nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations against four monitoring regimes with different spatial and temporal sampling frequencies. The Generalised Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) uncertainty framework is used, along with a general sensitivity analysis to understand relative parameter sensitivity. Improvements to model calibration are explored by introducing more detailed process representation using the Integrated Catchments model (INCA) water quality model, driven by the European hydrological predictions for the environment model. The results show how targeted sampling of headwater watercourses upstream of point discharges is essential for calibrating diffuse loads and can exert a strong influence on the whole‐catchment model performance. Further downstream, if the point discharges and loads are accurately represented, then the improvement in the catchment‐scale model performance is relatively small as more calibration points are added or frequency is increased.

The higher‐order, dynamic model integrated catchments model of phosphorus dynamics, which incorporates sediment and biotic interaction, resulted in improved whole‐catchment performance over SIMCAT, although there are still large epistemic uncertainties from land‐phase export coefficients and runoff. However, the very large sampling errors in routine monitoring make it difficult to invest confidence in the modelling, especially because we know phosphorous transport to be very episodic and driven by high flow conditions for which there are few samples. The environmental modelling community seems to have been stuck in this position for some time, and whilst it is useful to use an uncertainty framework to highlight these issues, it has not widely been adopted, perhaps because there is no clear mechanism to allow uncertainties to influence investment decisions. This raises the question as to whether it might better place a cost on uncertainty and use this to drive more data collection or improved models, before making investment decisions concerning, for example, mitigation strategies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
4‐Chloro‐α‐cyanocinnamic acid is an efficient soft matrix for cyanocobalamin detection in foodstuffs by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS)
Authors: Calvano Cosima Damiana , Ventura Giovanni , Palmisano Francesco , Cataldi Tommaso R.I.
Published: July 2016

4‐Chloro‐α‐cyanocinnamic acid (ClCCA) is a very useful matrix able to give the protonated adduct [M+H]+ of intact cyanocobalamin (CNCbl) as the base peak (m/z 1355.58) in matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS). The only fragment observed is [M‐CN + H]+• formed through the facile •CN neutral loss reflecting the fairly low Co–C bond energy. All other investigated proton transfer matrices, including α‐cyano‐4‐hydroxycinnamic acid, para‐nitroaniline and 2,5‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, give rise to a complete decyanation of CNCbl with concomitant formation of [M‐CN + H]+•, [M‐CN + Na]+• and [M‐CN + K]+• adducts at m/z 1329.57, 1351.55 and 1367.51, respectively. Depending on the matrix used, a variable degree of fragmentation involving the α‐side axial ligand was observed. A plausible explanation of the specific behaviour of 4‐chloro‐α‐cyanocinnamic acid as a soft matrix is discussed. Tandem mass spectra of both [M + H]+ and [M‐CN + H]+• ions were obtained and product ions successfully assigned. The possibility of detecting the protonated adduct of intact CNCbl was exploited in foodstuff samples such as cow milk and hen egg yolk by MALDI tandem MS upon sample extraction. We believe that our data provide strong basis for the application of MALDI tandem MS in the qualitative analysis of natural CNCbl, including fish, liver and meat samples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Polyomavirus detection in multiple sclerosis patients under natalizumab therapy: Profile and frequency of urinary shedding
Authors: Nali Luiz Henrique , Fink Maria Cristina , do Olival Guilherme S. , Moraes Lenira , Callegaro Dagoberto , Tilbery Charles Peter , Vidal Jose Ernesto , Sumita Laura Masami , de Oliveira Augusto C. Penalva , Romano Camila M.
Published: July 2016

Patients undergoing Natalizumab (NTZ) therapy are at risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Besides John Cunningham virus (JCV), BK polyomavirus might represent an additional concern for such patients since it can also infect CNS cells. Currently, data regarding the presence of anti‐JCV antibodies added to previous immunosuppressive therapy and prolonged NTZ therapy has been used to classify patients at risk of developing PML. Here, we investigated the profile shedding of JCV and BKV in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during treatment with NTZ. Serial blood and urine samples from 97 MS patients receiving either NTZ or β‐interferon were investigated for polyomavirus shedding. While all blood samples tested negative, 36% of the patients shed polyomavirus in the urine in at least one time point. From these, 21.7%, 9.3%, and 5.1% shed JCV, BKV, and both polyomavirus, respectively. No difference was observed between the rates of urinary shedding of patients treated with NTZ (38.9%) and patients treated with other drugs (34.5%), also no PML event was diagnosed during the follow‐up. Therefore, urinary shedding might not be interfered by therapy condition. In our study, we also observed 14/27 (52%) of anti‐JCV antibodies prevalence, and nearly half of them (42%) did not present any event of urinary shedding during the follow‐up. J. Med. Virol. 89:528–534, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regional differences in interhemispheric structural fibers in healthy, term infants
Authors: Makki Malek I. , Hagmann Cornelia
Published: July 2016

Using fiber tracking we investigated the early interhemispheric to cortical development by segmenting the corpus callosum (CC) in five substructures, genu, rostrum, body, isthmus, and splenium, and to examine gender differences in healthy, term neonates. Twenty neonates (11 boys aged 39 ± 2 days, nine girls aged 39 ± 1 days) were scanned in natural sleep with diffusion tensor imging and 35 gradient directions. Fiber tracking was performed using the FACT algorithm. The CC was segments in five substructures on midsagittal imaging. The fiber axial and radial diffusion were measured along with apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy. Volume measures were performed for each of these substructures using high‐resolution isotropic 3D T1‐weighted images. Radial and mean diffusivity in all measured interhemispheric connections were significantly higher in male newborn infants than in female. Second, a gender‐dependent regional difference of the measured interhemispheric connections exists. There was no volume difference between boys and girls in any of the five studied sudsubstructures. In addition there was no association between macrostructural and microstructural differences either in boys or girls. The cytoarchitecture and the integrity of the interhemispheric fibers is more developed in female infants in all subdivisions of the CC, except for the isthmus. This might result from a larger axonal diameter, highly packed fibers, or more well‐developed myelin sheath. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Diversity of Microstructure of Polymer Solid Investigated by Motion of Impurity Ions
Authors: Anada Yuichi
Published: July 2016

Motion of impurity ions in solid state of poly(ethylene telephthalate) (PET) was investigated by the method of broad band dielectric spectroscopy in a frequency range lower than 10 Hz. In this experiment, the conductivity relaxation time of the ion motion analyzed from the frequency dispersion of the electric modulus. The conductivity relaxation time for PET is evaluated at 0.53 at 100°C. This value is similar to those of low density polyethylene and poly(vinyl chloride) plasticized with dioctyl phthalate (p‐PVC) but smaller than those of isotactic polypropylene. In a plot of conductivity relaxation time vs. permittivity, the location of PET is relatively nearby p‐PVC. This result suggests that the inhomogeneity in non‐crystalline part in PET is relatively similar to that of amorphous polymer of p‐PVC rather than other polymers in this study.
Functionalized Doubly Porous Networks: From Synthesis to Application in Heterogeneous Catalysis
Authors: Ly Hai Bang , Poupart Romain , Halbardier Lucile , Grande Daniel
Published: July 2016

This paper addresses the functionalization of doubly porous poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA)‐based networks obtained from the double porogen approach, and their subsequent utilization as catalytic supports in heterogeneous catalysis. Advantage of the availability of hydroxyl groups within the PHEMA‐based frameworks was taken through a chemical modification with carbonyldiimidazole. This key activation led to three main functionatization reactions of the materials via nucleophilic substitution or thiol‐yne “click” addition of amino molecules. Further, in‐situ generation of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) allowed for the preparation of innovative functionalized biporous GNP@PHEMA materials. The as‐obtained hybrid frameworks could efficiently be used as catalytic supports in the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol.
Effects of UV Light on Mechanical Properties of Carbon Fiber Reinforced PPS Thermoplastic Composites
Authors: Mahat Khairul B. , Alarifi Ibrahim , Alharbi Abdulaziz , Asmatulu Ramazan
Published: July 2016

The recent attention in the applications of the fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite have raised some concerns because of the ability and performance of the fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite after long‐term exposures to environmental weathering (e.g., UV radiation, moisture, and oxygen). This weathering can be very destructive to the thermoplastic polymers; hence, a systematic study of the UV radiation effects on the properties of fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic composite is crucial for industrial applications. The major objective of the project was to study the correlation between thermoplastic fabrication parameters and the final properties of composites. In this study, carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) thermoplastic composites were manufactured using high temperature press after optimizing the parameters. Subsequently, the effects of long‐term UV exposures on the thermal and mechanical properties of CF/PPS thermoplastic composites were investigated in detail. The test results showed that the correlation between the processing parameters and the physical properties of the laminate composites were in all good agreements. The test results also revealed a significant decrease in the glass transition temperature, as well as storage modulus, and tensile strengths. Furthermore, short (200 hrs) and long (300 hrs) term UV exposures changed various thermal and mechanical properties of the thermoplastic PPS composites. This study can provide some preliminary knowledge to engineers and scientists in the field and develop new set of structural composites.
Electrospun Nanofibrous Materials as Stimuli‐Responsive Polymerized Hydrogels
Authors: Jahan Kazi I. , Goponenko Alexander , Dzenis Yuris
Published: July 2016

Stimuli‐responsive polymerized hydrogels represent a promising class of materials for biomedical and other applications such as muscle‐type sensors/actuators due to substantial change in dimensions or shape in response to minute change in their environment, resemblance of soft biological tissues, ability to operate in wet environments, and chemical and physical tailorability. However, despite extensive fundamental research, slow response rate and poor mechanical robustness and durability of gels remain the major unresolved barriers for wider application of these materials. Nanostructured responsive polymer gels based on continuous electrospun nanofilaments are expected to have fast response and enhanced strength, modulus, and toughness, thus resolving both main current shortcomings. In this article, poly(vinyl alcohol)–poly(acrylic acid) and Dextran–poly(acrylic acid) pH‐responsive nanofilamentary gels were prepared and compared to bulk gels. In addition to fast response rate, the nanofilamentary gels demonstrated unusual mechanical properties such as cross‐over of load vs. length curves obtained at different pH and anisotropy of response.
Analytical and Empirical Consequences of the Postulated Agreement Between the Cox/Merz‐Relation and the Carreau Function
Authors: Ziegmann Andreas , Schubert Dirk W.
Published: July 2016

We postulate that the Cox/Merz relation and the Carreau function both describe identically the shear‐rate‐dependent viscosity of a polymer melt. We find that an exponentially decreasing relaxation time distribution and an exponentially increasing relaxation strength distribution can describe the experimental rheological data with respect to storage G′ and loss modulus G″ in the literature. We have therefore applied such exponential distributions as well as trial functions to calculate G′, G″ and the corresponding shear‐rate‐dependent viscosity utilizing the Cox/Merz relation. The expansion of the viscosity in a Taylor series, utilizing the Cox/Merz relation and the Carreau function, makes it possible to compare the frequency and shear‐rate coefficients, and this results in a system of coupled transcendental equations. We justify the empirical value of m = 1/3 mostly utilized for the Carreau function and prove the square (n = 2) in the denominator of the Carreau function to be a fundamental fact, independent of the above‐mentioned formulation of the relaxation time and relaxation strength distributions. Moreover, the empirical relation  Pa is confirmed by our pure mathematical approach.
Irritability in Huntington's Disease: Factor Analysis of Snaith's Irritability Scale
Authors: Maltby John , Dale Maria , Underwood Mandy , Simpson Jane ,   the REGISTRY investigators of the European Huntington's Disease Network
Published: July 2016

Background

Elevated levels of irritability are reported to occur in a number of neurological conditions, including Huntington's disease (HD), a genetic neurodegenerative disorder. Snaith's Irritability Scale (SIS) is used within HD research, but no psychometric evaluation of this instrument has previously been undertaken. Therefore, the current study aimed to analyze the factor structure of this scale among an HD population.

Methods

Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were used to examine the structural properties of SIS using responses from 1,264 HD gene expansion carriers, across 15 European countries, who were engaged in the REGISTRY 3 study.

Results

An exploratory factor analysis of a subsample of the data suggested a two‐factor interpretation of the data comprising “temper” and “self‐harm.” Eight possible models were tested for goodness of fit using confirmatory factor analysis. Two bifactor models, testing general and group factors in the structure of the scale, provided an equivocal “good” fit to the data. The first comprised a general irritability factor and two group factors (as originally proposed using SIS): outward irritability and inward irritability. The second comprised a general irritability factor and two group factors (as proposed by the exploratory factor analysis): temper and self‐harm. The findings from both models suggested that the loadings of items were higher on the general factor.

Conclusions

Bifactor models are proposed to best consider the structure of the SIS, with findings suggesting that an overall score should be used to measure irritability within HD populations.
Uptake of the centers for medicare and medicaid obesity benefit: 2012–2013
Authors: Batsis John A. , Bynum Julie P.W.
Published: July 2016

Objective

To assess the use of the Medicare Obesity Benefit (MOB) by a licensed physician or associate provider in an outpatient setting in older adults.

Methods

A serial cross‐sectional analysis of fee‐for‐service Medicare claims (2012 and 2013) was used to assess the use of the MOB. Number and proportion of Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 using the benefit were assessed. Correlation between state‐obesity rates and MOB uptake was determined based on state‐specific obesity prevalence data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.

ResultsThere were 27,338 (0.10%) Medicare beneficiaries over age 65 in 2012 using the MOB and slightly more in 2013 (n = 46,821 [0.17%]). Mean age of MOB users in both years was 73 years, and 62% were females. Use declined with older age and was highest in the Northeast and lowest in the Midwest. High state obesity prevalence was not correlated with higher uptake of the MOB. Estimated proportion of persons with obesity using the MOB was 0.35% and 0.60% in successive years. A mean of 1.99 and 2.16 claims/MOB user was observed.

Conclusions

While the rate of MOB use increased in the second full year of its implementation, few were availing themselves of this benefit.
Lifestyle behavior interventions delivered using technology in childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors: A systematic review
Authors: Kopp Lisa M. , Gastelum Zachary , Guerrero Christian H. , Howe Carol L. , Hingorani Pooja , Hingle Melanie
Published: July 2016

Childhood, adolescent, and young adult cancer survivors demonstrate increased cardio‐metabolic risk factors, which are amenable to lifestyle changes. The use of technology to impact lifestyle change expands previously limited intervention access, yet little is known about its use. We summarized lifestyle interventions for survivors delivered using technology, finding six studies, primarily targeting physical activity. Study samples were small and durations ranged from 5 to 16 weeks and outcomes modest. Participants were older, white, survivors of leukemia or brain tumors, and the majority received Web‐based interventions. Study quality was moderate. Few technology‐based interventions have been developed, suggesting an area of opportunity for survivors.
Gliomatosis cerebri: A consensus summary report from the First International Gliomatosis cerebri Group Meeting, March 26–27, 2015, Paris, France
Authors: Greenfield Jeffrey P. , Castañeda Heredia Alicia , George Emilie , Kieran Mark W. , Morales La Madrid Andres
Published: July 2016

Gliomatosis cerebri (GC) is a universally fatal extensive and diffuse infiltration of brain parenchyma by a glial tumor. Many aspects of this phenomenon remain unknown. The First International Gliomatosis cerebri Group Meeting had the following goals: refine the clinical and radiologic diagnostic criteria for GC, suggest appropriate diagnostic procedures, standardize tissue manipulation for histologic and molecular characterization, and prioritize relevant preclinical projects. Also, general treatment recommendations were outlined for the pediatric population. Importantly, this meeting was the starting point for meaningful collaborative international research projects. This review is a consensus summary of discussions shared and conclusions derived from this meeting.
Prenatal genetic counselling for psychiatric disorders
Authors: Inglis Angela , Morris Emily , Austin Jehannine
Published: July 2016

Psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and obsessive–compulsive disorder are common disorders with complex aetiology. They can exact a heavy toll on the individual with the condition and can have significant impact on family members too. Accordingly, psychiatric disorders can arise as a concern in the prenatal context – couples may be interested in learning about the chance for their child to develop the illness that manifests in the family and may be interested in discussing options for prenatal testing. However, the complex nature of these conditions can present challenges for clinicians who seek to help families with these issues. We established the world's first specialist genetic counselling service of its kind in Vancouver, Canada, in 2012, and to date, have provided counselling for ~500 families and have demonstrated increases in patients' empowerment and self efficacy after genetic counselling. We draw on our accumulated clinical experience to outline the process by which we approach prenatal genetic counselling for psychiatric disorders to assist other clinicians in providing thoughtful, comprehensive support to couples seeking out this service. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.