bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decisional conflict in economically disadvantaged men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer: Baseline results from a shared decision‐making trial
Authors: Kaplan Alan L. , Crespi Catherine M. , Saucedo Josemanuel D. , Connor Sarah E. , Litwin Mark S. , Saigal Christopher S.
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

Decisional conflict is a source of anxiety and stress for men diagnosed with prostate cancer given uncertainty surrounding myriad treatment options. Few data exist to help clinicians identify which patients are at risk for decisional conflict. The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with decisional conflict in economically disadvantaged men diagnosed with prostate cancer before any treatment choices were made.

METHODS

A total of 70 men were surveyed at a Veterans Administration clinic with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer enrolled in a randomized trial testing a novel shared decision‐making tool. Baseline demographic, clinical, and functional data were collected. Independent variables included age, race, education, comorbidity, relationship status, urinary/sexual dysfunction, and prostate cancer knowledge. Tested outcomes were Decisional Conflict Scale, Uncertainty Subscale, and Perceived Effectiveness Subscale. Multiple linear regression modeling was used to identify factors associated with decisional conflict.

RESULTS

Mean age was 63 years, 49% were African American, and 70% reported an income less than $30,000. Poor prostate cancer knowledge was associated with increased decisional conflict and higher uncertainty (P < .001 and P = 0.001, respectively). Poor knowledge was also associated with lower perceived effectiveness (P = 0.003) whereas being in a relationship was associated with higher decisional conflict (P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased patient knowledge about prostate cancer is associated with increased decisional conflict and lower perceived effective decision‐making. Interventions to increase comprehension of prostate cancer and its treatments may reduce decisional conflict. Further work is needed to better characterize this relationship and identify effective targeted interventions. Cancer 2014;120:2721–2727. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
A randomized controlled trial of a multiple health behavior change intervention delivered to colorectal cancer survivors: Effects on sedentary behavior
Authors: Lynch Brigid M. , Courneya Kerry S. , Sethi Parneet , Patrao Tania A. , Hawkes Anna L.
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

Sedentary behavior may independently contribute to morbidity and mortality among survivors of colorectal cancer. In the current study, the authors assessed whether a telephone‐delivered multiple health behavior change intervention had an effect on the sedentary behavior of recently diagnosed colorectal cancer survivors.

METHODS

A total of 410 participants were recruited through the Queensland Cancer Registry and randomized to the health coaching (intervention) or usual‐care (control) group. Eleven health coaching sessions addressing multiple health behaviors, including sedentary behavior, were delivered over a period of 6 months. Data were collected at baseline (before randomization), at 6 months, and at 12 months via a telephone interview.

RESULTS

At 12 months, there was a significant decrease noted in the hours per day of sedentary time in both the health coaching (−1.21; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], −1.71 to −0.70) and usual‐care groups (−0.55; 95% CI, −1.06 to −0.05), but the between‐group difference was not found to be statistically significant (−0.65; 95% CI, −1.37 to 0.06 [P = .07]). In stratified subgroup analyses, the multiple health behavior change intervention was found to have a significant effect on total sedentary time (hours/day) at 12 months in survivors of colorectal cancer who were aged > 60 years (−0.90; 95% CI, −1.80 to −0.01 [P = .05]), male (−1.33; 95% CI, −2.44 to −0.21 [P = .02]), and nonobese (−1.10; 95% CI, −1.96 to −0.25; [P = .01]).

CONCLUSIONS

Incorporating simple messages about limiting sedentary behaviors into a multiple health behavior change intervention was found to have modest effects on sedentary behavior. A sedentary behavior‐specific intervention strategy may be required to achieve substantial changes in sedentary behavior among colorectal cancer survivors. Cancer 2014;120:2665–2672. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Design of LMI‐based global sliding mode controller for uncertain nonlinear systems with application to Genesio's chaotic system
Authors: Mobayen Saleh
Published: May 2014

Design of a novel global sliding mode control law for the stabilization of uncertain nonlinear systems is presented in this article. A sufficient condition is derived using the Lyapunov theorem and linear matrix inequality to guarantee the asymptotical stability of the states and to improve the stability of the system. Under the uncertainty and nonlinearity effects, the reaching phase is eliminated and the chattering is reduced effectively and then, the robustness and performance of the system are improved. Lastly, the proposed method is applied on Genesio's chaotic system and the simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of this technique. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 94–98, 2015
Investigation of calcium carbonate precipitated in the presence of alkanols
Authors: Fernandes M. , Almeida Paz F. A. , Mano J. F. , de Zea Bermudez V.
Published: May 2014

The influence of myristyl alcohol (CH3(CH2)13OH), cetyl alcohol (CH3(CH2)15OH) and behenyl alcohol (CH3(CH2)21OH) on the structure, morphology, size and surface properties of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) has been investigated. Changes in the nature of the washing solvent, in the CnOH/Ca2+and CO32−/Ca2+molar ratios and in temperature have been also evaluated. The sole polymorph produced was rhombohedral calcite. At room temperature, while microspheres composed of submicrocubes were produced at a high molar ratio CO32−/Ca2+and low CH3(CH2)15OH concentration, a stoichiometric molar ratio CO32−/Ca2+and high CH3(CH2)15OH concentration induced the formation of microcubes and microboxes. In the presence of this alkanol (12 % molar) a significant enhancement of the water contact angle (ca. 40 °) resulted in a sample obtained with a stoichiometric CO32−/Ca2+ratio. These results emphasize the key role played by the three non‐ionic surfactants in the formation of materials with variable crystal shape and wettability and thus technological interest for a range of applications.
Development and application of GC‐MS method for monitoring of long‐term exposure to the pesticide cypermethrin
Authors: Kavvalakis Matthaios P. , Tzatzarakis Manolis N. , Alegakis Athanasios K. , Vynias Dionysios , Tsakalof Andreas K. , Tsatsakis Aristidis M.
Published: May 2014

Cypermethrin (CPMN) is a synthetic pyrethroid used as an insecticide in large‐scale commercial agricultural applications as well as for domestic purposes. In the present study a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) based method was developed and validated for the quantitation of CPMN metabolites, 3‐phenoxybenzoic acid (3‐PBA) and cis‐ and trans‐ 3‐(2,2‐dichlorovinyl)‐2,2‐dimethyl‐1‐cyclopropane (cis‐ and trans‐ Cl2CA). The developed method was applied for the monitoring of CPMN metabolites in hair of laboratory animals (rabbits) intentionally exposed per os to CPMN at 40 (low dose) and 80 (high dose) mg/kg weight/day for 16 weeks. The analytical method comprises three main steps: isolation of analytes from hair, analytes derivatization, and subsequent instrumental analysis by GC‐MS. The limits of detection ensured by the method are 4.0, 3.9 and 1.0 pg/mg hair for cis‐Cl2CA, trans‐Cl2CA and 3‐PBA, respectively. The instrument responce is linear (r2 > 0.99) in the investigated concentrations range from 25 to 1000 pg/mg. With and between‐run precision as well as accuracy were estimated and found satisfactory. Analytes were efficiently isolated by solid–liquid extraction from hair with recoveries greater than 84.8% for cis‐Cl2CA, 87.2% for trans‐Cl2CA and 96.4% for 3‐PBA. Rabbit's hair showed increasing levels for all metabolites (metabolites accumulation in a time and dose dependent manner) over time and in a dose‐dependent manner. The developed experimental procedure could be used for biomonitoring of population exposure to CPMN. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is urine an alternative to cosmetically treated hair for the detection of drugs and alcohol?
Authors: Agius Ronald , Dufaux Bertin , Kahl Hans‐Gerhard , Nadulski Thomas
Published: May 2014

This study attempts to assess the utility of the urine matrix as an alternative to cosmetically treated hair for the detection of drugs and alcohol for driving licence re‐granting in 1026 cosmetically treated hair samples and 33 262 urine routine samples. No significant difference was observed between the percentage positive samples in cosmetically treated hair to those in urine at both the 95% and 99% significance level for amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, benzodiazepines, and methadone. Significant difference was found between the positivity rates of cannabinoids in cosmetically treated hair and that in urine indicating urine to be a better alternative to the use of the hair matrix even when cosmetically treated. The opposite was observed for the alcohol consumption marker ethyl glucuronide (EtG) for which the positivity rate in cosmetically treated hair was twice that in urine samples. Particularly for alcohol abstinence monitoring, as for the rehabilitative driving licence re‐granting medical and psychological assessment (MPA) programme in Germany, it seems that ethyl glucuronide (EtG) in hair presents a much better alternative than urine testing, even when cosmetically treated hair is analyzed. Moreover, segmentation is an additional advantage of hair testing which can provide additional useful information. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Hair decontamination procedure prior to multi‐class pesticide analysis
Authors: Duca Radu‐Corneliu , Hardy Emilie , Salquèbre Guillaume , Appenzeller Brice M. R.
Published: May 2014

Although increasing interest is being observed in hair analysis for the biomonitoring of human exposure to pesticides, some limitations still have to be addressed for optimum use of this matrix in that specific context. One main possible issue concerns the need to differentiate chemicals biologically incorporated into hair from those externally deposited on hair surface from contaminated air or dust. The present study focuses on the development of a washing procedure for the decontamination of hair before analysis of pesticides from different chemical classes. For this purpose, three different procedures of artificial contamination (with silica, cellulose, and aqueous solution) were used to simulate pesticides deposition on hair surface. Several washing solvents (four organic: acetone, dichloromethane, methanol, acetonitrile; and four aqueous: water, phosphate buffer, shampoo, sodium dodecylsulfate) were evaluated for their capacity to remove artificially deposited pesticides from hair surface. The most effective washing solvents were sodium dodecylsulfate and methanol for aqueous and organic solvents, respectively. Moreover, after a first washing with sodium dodecylsulfate or methanol, the majority of externally deposited pesticides was removed and a steady‐state was reached since significantly lower amounts were removed by additional second and third washings. Finally, the effectiveness of a decontamination procedure comprising washing with sodium dodecylsulfate and methanol was successively demonstrated. In parallel, it was determined that the final procedure did not affect the chemicals biologically incorporated, as hair strands naturally containing pesticides were used. Such a procedure appears to remove in one‐shot the fraction of chemicals located on hair surface and does not require repeated washing steps. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification and analysis of damaged or porous hair
Authors: Hill Virginia , Loni Elvan , Cairns Thomas , Sommer Jonathan , Schaffer Michael
Published: May 2014

Cosmetic hair treatments have been referred to as ‘the pitfall’ of hair analysis. However, most cosmetic treatments, when applied to the hair as instructed by the product vendors, do not interfere with analysis, provided such treatments can be identified by the laboratory and the samples analyzed and reported appropriately for the condition of the hair. This paper provides methods for identifying damaged or porous hair samples using digestion rates of hair in dithiothreitol with and without proteinase K, as well as a protein measurement method applied to dithiothreitol‐digested samples. Extremely damaged samples may be unsuitable for analysis. Aggressive and extended aqueous washing of hair samples is a proven method for removing or identifying externally derived drug contamination of hair. In addition to this wash procedure, we have developed an alternative wash procedure using 90% ethanol for washing damaged or porous hair. The procedure, like the aqueous wash procedure, requires analysis of the last of five washes to evaluate the effectiveness of the washing procedure. This evaluation, termed the Wash Criterion, is derived from studies of the kinetics of washing of hair samples that have been experimentally contaminated and of hair from drug users. To study decontamination methods, in vitro contaminated drug‐negative hair samples were washed by both the aqueous buffer method and a 90% ethanol method. Analysis of cocaine and methamphetamine was by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Porous hair samples from drug users, when washed in 90% ethanol, pass the wash criterion although they may fail the aqueous wash criterion. Those samples that fail both the ethanolic and aqueous wash criterion are not reported as positive for ingestion. Similar ratios of the metabolite amphetamine relative to methamphetamine in the last wash and the hair is an additional criterion for assessing contamination vs. ingestion of methamphetamine. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Electromembrane extraction—Three‐phase electrophoresis for future preparative applications
Authors: Gjelstad Astrid , Pedersen‐Bjergaard Stig
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this article is to discuss the principle and the future potential for electromembrane extraction (EME). EME was presented in 2006 as a totally new sample preparation technique for ionized target analytes, based on electrokinetic migration across a supported liquid membrane under the influence of an external electrical field. The principle of EME is presented, and typical performance data for EME are discussed. Most work with EME up to date has been performed with low‐molecular weight pharmaceutical substances as model analytes, but the principles of EME should be developed in other directions in the future to fully explore the potential. Recent research in new directions is critically reviewed, with focus on extraction of different types of chemical and biochemical substances, new separation possibilities, new approaches, and challenges related to mass transfer and background current. The intention of this critical review is to give a flavor of EME and to stimulate into more research in the area of EME. Unlike other review articles, the current one is less comprehensive, but put more emphasis on new directions for EME.
Estimating and Predicting the General Random Effects Model
Authors: Kouassi Eugene , Kamdem Alain Constant , Mougoué Mbodja , Brou Jean Marcelin Bosson
Published: May 2014

This paper extends the ‘remarkable property’ of Breusch (Journal of Econometrics 1987; 36: 383–389) and Baltagi and Li (Journal of Econometrics 1992; 53: 45–51) to the three‐way random components framework. Indeed, like its one‐way and two‐way counterparts, the three‐way random effects model maximum likelihood estimation can be obtained as an iterated generalized least squares procedure through an appropriate algorithm of monotonic sequences of some variance components ratios, θi (i = 2, 3, 4). More specifically, a search over θiwhile iterating on the regression coefficients estimates β and the other θjwill guard against the possibility of multiple local maxima of the likelihood function. In addition, the derivations of related prediction functions are obtained based on complete as well as incomplete panels. Finally, an application to international trade issues modeling is presented. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NHC–Silver(I) Complexes as Chemical Nucleases; Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Antibacterial Studies
Authors: Haque Rosenani A. , Asekunowo Patrick O. , Razali Mohd. R. , Mohamad Faisal
Published: May 2014

A series ofN‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors, 1‐methoxylethyl‐3‐allylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (1), 1‐ethyl‐3‐allylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (2), and 1‐pentyl‐3‐allylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (3) were synthesized. These salts were treated with Ag2O to afford their corresponding mononuclear Ag(I)‐NHC complexes, namely 1‐methoxylethyl‐3‐allylimidazolium silver(I) hexafluorophosphate (4), 1‐ethyl‐3‐allylimidazolium silver(I) hexafluorophosphate (5), and 1‐pentyl‐3‐allylimidazolium silver(I) hexafluorophosphate (6), respectively. These compounds were characterized by physicochemical and spectroscopy techniques. Compounds4and5were structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, and their stability in solution was investigated and found to be acceptable for the antibacterial studies. These new NHC precursors and their respective Ag–NHC complexes were screened for their antibacterial activities againstStaphylococcus aureus(ATCC 12600) andEscherichia coli(ATCC 25922). Compounds1–3showed no inhibition, whereas4–6inhibited the growth of these bacteria. The nuclease activities of the reported compounds against plasmid DNA and RNA were assessed by gel electrophoresis, and the results indicate that complexes5and6can degrade both DNA and RNA in the absence of an oxidant.
Solvent Effect on Kinetics and Mechanism of the Phospha‐Michael Reaction of Tertiary Phosphines with Unsaturated Carboxylic Acids
Authors: Salin Alexey V. , Fatkhutdinov Albert R. , II'in Anton V. , Galkin Vladimir I. , Shamsutdinova Fanuza G.
Published: May 2014

In aprotic solvents, kinetics of the reaction of triphenylphosphine with acrylic acid is second order in the acid and first order in the phosphine. To find the most suitable model to describe the solvent effect on this reaction, the third‐order rate constants in a series of 16 aprotic solvents were analyzed using one‐ and multiparameter regressions within the framework of the Kamlet–Taft, the Catalán, the Gutmann–Mayer, and the Koppel–Palm equations. The best result gives a two‐parameter model constructed on the basis of the Reichardt polarity ET and the basicity B from the Koppel–Palm equation, with the weak positive effect of the ET parameter on the reaction rate and very strong negative effect of the B parameter. The results obtained give further evidence to the previously suggested a stepwise mechanism, which involves the initial formation of a zwitterionic intermediate, followed by the proton transfer from the second molecule of acrylic acid to the generated carbanionic center in the rate‐determining step.
Synthesis and Antioxidant Activities of Novel Chiral Ebselen Analogues
Authors: Elsherbini Mohamed , Hamama Wafaa S. , Zoorob Hanafi H. , Bhowmick Debasish , Mugesh Govindasamy , Wirth Thomas
Published: May 2014

Novel chiral analogues of the antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory organoselenium drug ebselen were synthesized. The reaction proceeded readily from 2‐(chloroseleno)benzoyl chloride with chiral amino compounds. The chiral substituent on the nitrogen atom did not provide a substantial increase in activities and the newly synthesized compounds showed similar activities to ebselen.
Temporal discrimination deficits as a function of lag interference in older adults
Authors: Roberts Jared M. , Ly Maria , Murray Elizabeth , Yassa Michael A.
Published: May 2014

A vital component of episodic memory is the ability to determine the temporal order of remembered events. Although it has been demonstrated that the hippocampus plays a crucial role in this ability, the details of its contributions are not yet fully understood. One proposed contribution of the hippocampus is the reduction of mnemonic interference through pattern separation. Prior studies have used behavioral paradigms designed to assess this function in the temporal domain by evaluating the ability to determine the order of remembered events as a function of proximity in time. Results from these paradigms in older adults (OA) have been mixed, possibly due to limitations in controlling elapsed time and narrow range of temporal lags. Here, we introduce a novel behavioral paradigm designed to overcome these limitations. We report that OAs are impaired relative to younger adults at moderate and high temporal lags but not at low lags (where performance approached floor). We evaluated OAs' ability to benefit from primacy (enhanced order judgment on the first few items of any given sequence) and found two distinct subgroups: one group was on par with young adults [aged‐unimpaired (AU)] and the other group was two standard deviations below the mean of young adults [aged‐impaired (AI)]. Temporal discrimination performance in AU adults was consistent with a pattern separation deficit, while performance in AI adults was consistent with a generalized temporal processing deficit. We propose that the task introduced is a sensitive marker for episodic memory deficits with age, and may have diagnostic value for early detection of age‐related pathology. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
To Play or Not to Play: Diverse Motives for Latino and Euro‐American Parent–Child Play in a Children's Museum
Authors: DiBianca Fasoli Allison
Published: May 2014

A popular social discourse in the United States is that play is important for children's learning and that parental involvement maximizes play's learning potential. Past research has concluded that parents who hold this view of play are more likely to play with their children than those who do not. This study investigated the prevalence of this view among Euro‐American and immigrant Latino parents of young children in order to illuminate the extent to which it uniquely and uniformly motivates parent–child play. Parents' models of play were assessed through interviews and naturalistic observations in a children's museum. Analysis revealed ethnic group differences in parent–child play that corresponded with parental beliefs about play. Within‐group analysis, however, revealed diversity in the ways that these play behaviours and beliefs came together to comprise parents' models of play. Discussion focuses on the social nature of play, the dynamic nature of culture, and the issue of individual subject validity. Implications for the interpretation of parent–child play in early childhood settings are considered. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bottom‐Up Molecular Tunneling Junctions Formed by Self‐Assembly
Authors: Zhang Yanxi , Zhao Zhiyuan , Fracasso Davide , Chiechi Ryan C.
Published: May 2014

This Minireview focuses on bottom‐up molecular tunneling junctions – a fundamental component of molecular electronics – that are formed by self‐assembly. These junctions are part of devices that, in part, fabricate themselves, and therefore, are particularly dependent on the chemistry of the molecules selected. The discussion covers the history of these junctions as well as recent advances. It is broken into the broad categories of conformal and rigid contacts, which place different constraints on the molecules used to form the junctions. The intention of this Minireview is to give an overview of research efforts in molecular electronics that is targeted at chemists, whose efforts are playing an increasingly important role in molecular electronics.
Three types of ependymal cells with intracellular calcium oscillation are characterized by distinct cilia beating properties
Authors: Liu Tongyu , Jin Xingjian , Prasad Rahul M. , Sari Youssef , Nauli Surya M.
Published: May 2014

Ependymal cells are multiciliated epithelial cells that line the ventricles in the adult brain. Abnormal function or structure of ependymal cilia has been associated with various neurological deficits. For the first time, we report three distinct ependymal cell types, I, II, and III, based on their unique ciliary beating frequency and beating angle. These ependymal cells have specific localizations within the third ventricle of the mouse brain. Furthermore, neither ependymal cell types nor their localizations are altered by aging. Our high‐speed fluorescence imaging analysis reveals that these ependymal cells have an intracellular pacing calcium oscillation property. Our study further shows that alcohol can significantly repress the amplitude of calcium oscillation and the frequency of ciliary beating, resulting in an overall decrease in volume replacement by the cilia. Furthermore, the pharmacological agent cilostazol could differentially increase cilia beating frequency in type II, but not in type I or type III, ependymal cells. In summary, we provide the first evidence of three distinct types of ependymal cells with calcium oscillation properties. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evalution of DNA extraction methods in order to monitor genetically modified materials in soy foodstuffs and feeds commercialised in Turkey by multiplex real‐time PCR
Authors: Turkec Aydin , Kazan Hande , Baykut Aykut , Lucas Stuart J
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

Soybean is one of the most important biotech crops, widely used as an ingredient in both foodstuffs and feed. DNA extraction methods have been evaluated to detect the presence of genetically modified (GM) materials in soya‐containing food and feed products commercialised in Turkey.

RESULTS

All extraction methods performed well for the majority of soya foods and feed products analysed. However, the most successful method varied between different products; the Foodproof, Genespin and the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) methods each produced the highest DNA yield and purity for different soya foodstuffs and feeds. Of the samples tested, 20% were positive for the presence of at least two GM elements (35S/NOS) while 11% contained an additional GM element (35S/NOS/FMV). Of the tested products, animal feeds showed a larger prevalence of GM material (50%) than the soya‐containing foodstuffs (13%).

CONCLUSION

The best performing extraction methods proved to be the Foodproof, Genespin and CTAB methods for soya‐containing food and feed products. The results obtained herein clearly demonstrate the presence of GM soybean in the Turkish market, and that the Foodproof GMO Screening Kit provides reliable screening of soy‐containing food and feed products. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Development of a point‐of‐use fortification technology for delivery of micronutrients in Honduras
Authors: Andrade Juan E , Rosales Eliana , Lopez Julio R , Carrillo E Paola , Engeseth Nicki J , Helferich William G
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

Micronutrient deficiencies continue to afflict children rural populations around the world. A micronutrient delivery vehicle (MDV) was developed as a point‐of‐use technology for fortification of meals for school‐age children beneficiaries of the Healthy Schools Program (HSP) in Honduras.

RESULTS

MDV combines micronutrient powder through a traditional dough‐making process, using staple flours (wheat and nixtamalized corn), oil and water as ingredients. After mixing the ingredients and kneading, dough is extruded through a specially designed hand press into noodles. After drying (overnight, 23°C), noodles are broken into small pieces, mixed (1:100 w/w) with rice and cooked as customary. Dispersion studies with NaFeEDTA showed adequate distribution (<10% RSD) and recovery (>90%) in white rice. Color changes in MDV due to addition of vitamin A and iron (NaFeEDTA) carried forward into cooked rice. In Honduras, children from two rural schools (N = 47, 6–12 years) were not able to differentiate (triangle test) between control and unfortified MDV mixed (1:100 w/w) with white rice. Children from four schools (N = 83, 7–12 years) accepted control and iron fortified rice (3 mg Fe per serving) based on color and flavor similarly.

CONCLUSION

This is a feasible point‐of‐use fortification technology for improvement of meals provided by the HSP in Honduras. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Photoalignment dynamics of azo dyes series with different coordination metals
Authors: Mikulich Vadim S. , Muravsky Alexander A. , Murauski Anatoli A. , Kukhta Iryna N. , Agabekov Vladimir E. , Altamimi Rashid
Published: May 2014

There are many photoaligned azo dyes that can be used for orientation of liquid crystals in various display devices. However, the structure of these compounds needs to be optimized to increase the rate of the process of molecule photoalignment, as well as to spread the application of these compounds. The main coordination metal that presents in the molecules of azo dyes is sodium derivatives. The use of other alkali metals remains an open question. We used quantum‐chemical computation methods and reversible intermolecular bonding model to determine the effect of metal coordination on the velocity of photoalignment. The theoretical predictions were experimentally verified using sodium, potassium, lithium, and cesium salts of the model azo dye synthesized by us. We conclude that potassium azo derivatives are the fastest, ceteris paribus.
Characterization of a bacterial tyrosine kinase in Porphyromonas gingivalis involved in polymicrobial synergy
Authors: Wright Christopher J. , Xue Peng , Hirano Takanori , Liu Chengcheng , Whitmore Sarah E. , Hackett Murray , Lamont Richard J.
Published: May 2014

Interspecies communication between Porphyromonas gingivalis and Streptococcus gordonii underlies the development of synergistic dual species communities. Contact with S. gordonii initiates signal transduction within P. gingivalis that is based on protein tyrosine (de)phosphorylation. In this study, we characterize a bacterial tyrosine (BY) kinase (designated Ptk1) of P. gingivalis and demonstrate its involvement in interspecies signaling. Ptk1 can utilize ATP for autophosphorylation and is dephosphorylated by the P. gingivalis tyrosine phosphatase, Ltp1. Community development with S. gordonii is severely abrogated in a ptk1 mutant of P. gingivalis, indicating that tyrosine kinase activity is required for maximal polymicrobial synergy. Ptk1 controls the levels of the transcriptional regulator CdhR and the fimbrial adhesin Mfa1 which mediates binding to S. gordonii. The ptk1 gene is in an operon with two genes involved in exopolysaccharide synthesis, and similar to other BY kinases, Ptk1 is necessary for exopolysaccharide production in P. gingivalis. Ptk1 can phosphorylate the capsule related proteins PGN_0224, a UDP‐acetyl‐mannosamine dehydrogenase, and PGN_0613, a UDP‐glucose dehydrogenase, in P. gingivalis. Knockout of ptk1 in an encapsulated strain of P. gingivalis resulted in loss of capsule production. Collectively these results demonstrate that the P. gingivalis Ptk1 BY kinase regulates interspecies communication and controls heterotypic community development with S. gordonii through adjusting the levels of the Mfa1 adhesin and exopolysaccharide.
Parahydrogen‐induced polarization of carboxylic acids: a pilot study of valproic acid and related structures
Authors: Lego Denise , Plaumann Markus , Trantzschel Thomas , Bargon Joachim , Scheich Henning , Buntkowsky Gerd , Gutmann Torsten , Sauer Grit , Bernarding Johannes , Bommerich Ute
Published: May 2014

Parahydrogen‐induced polarization (PHIP) is a promising new tool for medical applications of MR, including MRI. The PHIP technique can be used to transfer high non‐Boltzmann polarization, derived from parahydrogen, to isotopes with a low natural abundance or low gyromagnetic ratio (e.g. 13C), thus improving the signal‐to‐noise ratio by several orders of magnitude. A few molecules acting as metabolic sensors have already been hyperpolarized with PHIP, but the direct hyperpolarization of drugs used to treat neurological disorders has not been accomplished until now. Here, we report on the first successful hyperpolarization of valproate (valproic acid, VPA), an important and commonly used antiepileptic drug. Hyperpolarization was confirmed by detecting the corresponding signal patterns in the 1H NMR spectrum. To identify the optimal experimental conditions for the conversion of an appropriate VPA precursor, structurally related molecules with different side chains were analyzed in different solvents using various catalytic systems. The presented results include hyperpolarized 13C NMR spectra and proton images of related systems, confirming their applicability for MR studies. PHIP‐based polarization enhancement may provide a new MR technique to monitor the spatial distribution of valproate in brain tissue and to analyze metabolic pathways after valproate administration. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Semi‐automated Separation of the Epimeric Dehydropyrrolizidine Alkaloids Lycopsamine and Intermedine: Preparation of theirN‐oxides and NMR Comparison with Diastereoisomeric Rinderine and Echinatine
Authors: Colegate Steven M. , Gardner Dale R. , Betz Joseph M. , Panter Kip E.
Published: May 2014

Introduction

The diversity of structure and, particularly, stereochemical variation of the dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids can present challenges for analysis and the isolation of pure compounds for the preparation of analytical standards and for toxicology studies.

Objective

To investigate methods for the separation of gram‐scale quantities of the epimeric dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids lycopsamine and intermedine and to compare their NMR spectroscopic data with those of their heliotridine‐based analogues echinatine and rinderine.

Methods

Lycopsamine and intermedine were extracted, predominantly as theirN‐oxides and along with their acetylated derivatives, from commercial samples of comfrey (Symphytum officinale) root. Alkaloid enrichment involved liquid–liquid partitioning of the crude methanol extract between dilute aqueous acid andn‐butanol, reduction ofN‐oxides and subsequent continuous liquid–liquid extraction of free base alkaloids into CHCl3. The alkaloid‐rich fraction was further subjected to semi‐automated flash chromatography using boronated soda glass beads or boronated quartz sand.

Results

Boronated soda glass beads (or quartz sand) chromatography adapted to a Biotage Isolera Flash Chromatography System enabled large‐scale separation (at least up to 1–2 g quantities) of lycopsamine and intermedine. The structures were confirmed using one‐ and two‐dimensional1H‐ and13C‐NMR spectroscopy. Examination of the NMR data for lycopsamine, intermedine and their heliotridine‐based analogues echinatine and rinderine allowed for some amendments of literature data and provided useful comparisons for determining relative configurations in monoester dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids. A similar NMR comparison of lycopsamine and intermedine with theirN‐oxides showed the effects ofN‐oxidation on some key chemical shifts. A levorotatory shift in specific rotation from +3.29° to −1.5° was observed for lycopsamine when dissolved in ethanol or methanol respectively.

Conclusion

A semi‐automated flash chromatographic process using boronated soda glass beads was standardised and confirmed as a useful, larger scale preparative approach for separating the epimers lycopsamine and intermedine. The useful NMR correlations to stereochemical arrangements within this specific class of dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloid cannot be confidently extrapolated to other similar dehydropyrrolizidine alkaloids. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
First trimester screening can predict adverse pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Sharp Andrew N. , Alfirevic Zarko
Published: May 2014

There has been an increasing drive over the last two decades to push the detection of women at risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes into the first trimester. This has led to a plethora of techniques, risk assessments and biomarkers, both fascinating and bewildering in its breadth. Despite the vast amount of knowledge available, it is often difficult to determine what is practicable and valuable for clinical practice. This is especially true as earlier diagnosis does not necessarily equate to improved outcomes for mother and child.

We suggest that, at least for preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, spontaneous preterm birth and gestational diabetes, there are effective first trimester tests available to identify the women at risk of subsequently developing complications. Unfortunately, there are no currently reliable first trimester tests available for identifying women at risk of stillbirth. It is likely that this field will continue to develop over time, and we hope that new and better strategies will continue to emerge to target these clinically important pathologies. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glucose data and the individualised diabetes consultation. How should we use it? What is enough? Can we ever have too much?
Authors: Cranston Iain C , Nicholson Eveleigh
Published: May 2014

As advisors to individuals with a chronic disease, diabetes health care professionals need to be confident in the assessment and interpretation of clinical data that may then impact on the management advice we offer. This has always been the case, but there is at present a rapid development in information technologies offering us ever greater volumes of data. Alongside this is a clear direction of travel towards individualised care planning to improve population outcomes, and it is important that from time to time we step back from the ‘clinical coalface’ and reflect on which data are important, which help us give good advice and how we can most effectively utilise the data in the pursuit of continual improvement in our practice. Although computer‐presented SMBG data have been slow to be adopted (such data having been available for over 15 years) it is likely that, as the simplicity of presenting the information improves over time, the incorporation of such data into consultations will progressively alter how such consultations take place. While the basic structures and practice of good clinical communication will remain central to the process, our effectiveness will improve by attention to the specifics of the issues at hand.

In this article we outline some of the diverse sources of glucose‐related data and how these data should be collected, analysed and applied in order to advance and support targeted glucose management plans and the best clinical care possible.
Type 1 diabetes mellitus and bulimia nervosa: insulin restriction does not always represent purging of unwanted calories
Authors: Zander Heike , Beneke Johannes , Vagedes Daniel , Müller Astrid , de Zwaan Martina
Published: May 2014

In the current case study we present a patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus and bulimia nervosa who reported intentionally restricting her insulin intake in order to avoid hypoglycaemic episodes. However, she was not concerned about the occurrence of the typical symptoms of hypoglycaemia such as shaking, sweating, drowsiness, nausea, poor motor coordination, mental confusion or unconsciousness. Her fear of hypoglycaemia was solely based on her perception that hypoglycaemia would inevitably lead to binge eating.

With the help of regular food intake, optimised insulin treatment and psychological help, the patient succeeded in reducing the number of binge eating episodes and in achieving a better control of her bulimic symptoms as well as of her diabetes mellitus.
Lipoatrophy: re‐emerging with analogue insulins. Is there a link with CSII?
Authors: Simeonovic Marcelle , Anuar Azriyanti , Edge Julie , Makaya Tafadzwa
Published: May 2014

Over the last decade, there has been an increase in reported cases of lipoatrophy as a complication of treatment with analogue insulin preparations. Lipoatrophy causes undesirable cosmetic appearances and may cause variable glycaemic control.

We report a case series of four female patients from a tertiary paediatric diabetes unit presenting with lipoatrophy while on treatment with insulin aspart via a continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) pump for the management of type 1 diabetes. We did not observe any cases of lipoatrophy in patients receiving multiple daily insulin injections. In examining the effect of lipoatrophy on glycaemic control, we found no detrimental effect of lipoatrophy on the patients’ glycated haemoglobin.

Cases of lipoatrophy should be reported to drug manufacturers and through the appropriate national adverse drug reaction reporting system. This will facilitate observation of trend, and help monitor for associations, informing future research.
Psychological, demographic, illness and treatment risk factors for emotional distress amongst paediatric oncology patients prior to reaching 5‐year survivorship status
Authors: Canning S. , Bunton P. , Talbot Robinson L.
Published: May 2014

Objectives

Studies assessing emotional distress severity of paediatric oncology patients prior to reaching 5‐year survivorship status have produced inconsistent findings. This cross‐sectional multi‐centre study aimed to determine psychological, demographic, illness and treatment risk factors for emotional distress in this population.

Methods

Paediatric oncology patients (n = 74), aged 12–18 years, completed the Paediatric Index of Emotional Distress, Self‐Description Questionnaire and Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory. Seventy‐two parents provided background information regarding demographics, diagnoses and treatment protocols in addition to appropriate proxy ratings.

Results

Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that demographic, illness and treatment factors explained little variance in emotional distress. Global self‐concept, global‐generic and cancer‐specific health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) were significant predictors. Provisional multiple regression analyses indicated that pain/hurt, illness‐related worries, communication difficulties and negative self‐views in relation to math abilities, parent relations and opposite‐sex peer relations were risk factors for emotional distress in this sample. Paired‐sample t‐tests and Pearson's moment‐correlation coefficients showed patient and parent reports of patients' self‐concepts and HRQOL were highly consistent.

Conclusions

This study empirically identified modifiable psychological risk factors for emotional distress prior to 5‐year survivorship status and provided guidance for future interventions. Furthermore, findings suggest that parent reports can provide reliable estimates of patients' self‐concepts and HRQOL. Generalizability of the findings was enhanced by the diversity of the sample studied, in terms of diagnosis and treatment exposure, and the multi‐centre recruitment strategy employed. Nevertheless, the findings should be corroborated by larger, longitudinal studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The DAN family: Modulators of TGF‐β signaling and beyond
Authors: Nolan Kristof , Thompson Thomas B.
Published: May 2014

Extracellular binding proteins or antagonists are important factors that modulate ligands in the transforming growth factor (TGF‐β) family. While the interplay between antagonists and ligands are essential for developmental and normal cellular processes, their imbalance can lead to the pathology of several disease states. In particular, recent studies have implicated members of the differential screening‐selected gene in neuroblastoma (DAN) family in disease such as renal fibrosis, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and reactivation of metastatic cancer stem cells. DAN family members are known to inhibit the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) of the TGF‐β family. However, unlike other TGF‐β antagonist families, DAN family members have roles beyond ligand inhibition and can modulate Wnt and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling pathways. This review describes recent structural and functional advances that have expanded our understanding of DAN family proteins with regards to BMP inhibition and also highlights their emerging roles in the modulation of Wnt and VEGF signaling pathways.
Prediction of methane's flammability using chemical equilibrium
Authors: Du Jianguo , Ma Honghao , Qu Zhongwei , Wang Luqing
Published: May 2014

This article illustrates a method to predict flammability of mixtures containing methane, oxygen, and other inert gases like nitrogen and carbon dioxide based on chemical equilibrium. Calculated adiabatic flame temperature (CAFT) is used as a parameter to determine whether a fuel mixture is combustible or not. Our calculated results are obtained with initial conditions of 1 atm and 298 K. Compared with experimental data reported in the literature, we find that 1,450 K is an appropriate threshold of flammability. Mixtures with adiabatic flame temperatures higher than this value are considered flammable while those lower are judged as nonflammable. Using this criterion, it is convenient for us to predict the flammable zone and prevent the existence of flammable mixtures to ensure security. Showing the CAFT of fuel mixtures with various concentrations in a triangular flammability diagram, we can easily find out the influence of inert gases, oxygen, and soot formation on the mixture's flammability, respectively. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 34: 31–35, 2015
Design, synthesis and insecticidal activity of novel 1,1‐dichloropropene derivatives
Authors: Li Jun , Wang Zhen‐Yu , Wu Qiong‐You , Yang Guang‐Fu
Published: May 2014

BACKGROUND

Pyridalyl is a highly active insecticide against lepidopterous larvae, with a novel chemical structure not related to any other existing insecticide. To discover new pyridalyl analogues with high activity against resistant pests, a series of 1,1‐dichloropropene derivatives bearing structurally diverse substituted heterocycle rings in place of the pyridine ring of pyridalyl were designed and synthesised.

RESULTS

All of the title compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and high‐resolution mass spectra. Two representative compounds (Ic and IIa) were further characterised by X‐ray diffraction analysis. In addition, bioassays showed that most of the newly synthesised compounds displayed good insecticidal activity against Prodenia litura. Further determination of LD50 values and field trials identified compound IIa as the most promising candidate, which produced a much better 14 day control effect against diamondback moths and longer duration of efficacy than pyridalyl, indicating its potential for further development as a new insecticide for the control of lepidopteran insects.

CONCLUSION

Compound IIa has great potential for further development as a new insecticide for the control of lepidopteran insects. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
A New EWMA Chart Based on Weighted Loss Function for Monitoring the Process Mean and Variance
Authors: Liang Wenjuan , Pu Xiaolong , Li Yan
Published: May 2014

With the weighted loss function, a new single Exponential Weighted Moving Average (EWMA) chart (WLE chart hereafter for short) is proposed to detect both mean and variance shifts simultaneously. It includes the EWMA control chart based on the semicircle statistic and weighted‐loss‐function control chart as special cases. Numerical studies show that the WLE chart is superior to the weighted‐loss‐function Cumulative Sum (CUSUM) chart when the mean and standard deviation shifts are both small, and offers at least comparable detection ability with the WLC chart in other cases. Compared with the Shiryaev–Roberts chart, the WLE chart has a better or comparable performance except for small and moderate mean shifts. Furthermore, an equivalent form of the WLE chart is developed to diagnose the source and direction of a process change. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.