bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TERT promoter mutations in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Hosen Ismail , Rachakonda P. Sivaramakrishna , Heidenreich Barbara , Sitaram Raviprakash T. , Ljungberg Börje , Roos Göran , Hemminki Kari , Kumar Rajiv
Published: October 2014

We screened promoter region of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) for activating somatic mutations in 188 tumors from patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). Twelve tumors (6.4%) carried a mutation within the core promoter region of the gene. The mutations were less frequent in high grade tumors compared to low grade tumors [odds ratio (OR) = 0.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.03–0.72, p = 0.02]. Multivariate analysis for cause specific survival showed statistically significant poor outcome in patients with TERT promoter mutations [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.90, 95% CI = 1.13–7.39, p = 0.03]. A common polymorphism (rs2853669) within the locus seemed to act as a modifier of the effect of the mutations on patient survival as the noncarriers of the variant allele with the TERT promoter mutations showed worst survival (HR = 3.34, 95% CI = 1.24–8.98, p = 0.02). We also measured relative telomere length (RTL) in tumors and difference between tumors with and without the TERT promoter mutations was not statistically significant. Similarly, no difference in patient survival based on RTL in tumors was observed. Our study showed a relatively low frequency of TERT promoter mutations in ccRCC. Nevertheless, patients with the mutations, particularly in the absence of the rs2853669 variant showed the worst disease‐specific survival. Thus, it is possible that the TERT promoter mutations define a small subset of tumors with an aggressive behavior.
Risk factors related to late metastases in 1,372 melanoma patients disease free more than 10 years
Authors: Osella‐Abate Simona , Ribero Simone , Sanlorenzo Martina , Maule Milena Maria , Richiardi Lorenzo , Merletti Franco , Tomasini Carlo , Marra Elena , Macripò Giuseppe , Fierro Maria Teresa , Quaglino Pietro
Published: October 2014

In many centers, Stage I–II melanoma patients are considered “cured” after 10 years of disease‐free survival and follow‐up visits are interrupted. However, melanoma may relapse also later. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 1,372 Stage I–II melanoma patients who were disease‐free 10 years after diagnosis. The aim of this study was to characterize patients who experienced a late recurrence and to compare them to those who remained disease‐free to identify possible predictive factors. Multivariate Cox proportional‐hazards regression analyses were carried out to evaluate the influence of different factors on the risk of recurrence. Seventy‐seven patients out of 1,372 (5.6%) relapsed, 52 in regional sites and 25 in distant ones. The majority of patients (31 out of 52) experienced late recurrence in regional lymph nodes. Brain and lung were the most common site of single distant recurrence (24% each). Patients with multiple distant metastases showed a brain and lung involvement in, respectively, 40 and 48% of cases. A Cox proportional‐hazards regression model analysis showed the independent role of age under 40 years, Breslow thickness >2 mm, and Clark Level IV/V in increasing the risk of Late Recurrence. These patients should be followed‐up for longer than 10 years. The pattern of recurrence suggests that melanoma cells can be dormant preferentially in lymph nodes, brain and lung. A particular attention should be reserved to these anatomic sites during the follow‐up after 10 years of disease‐free.
Managing the Cash Flow Gap
Authors: Edwards James B.
Published: October 2014

We are still in an extended period of economic turbulence, writes author and veteran business advisor Jim Edwards. And there is no new evidence that things are changing for the better. The U.S. gross domestic product fell by 2.9% during the first quarter of 2014. That is not a good signal for business cash inflows. And it possibly forecasts a gap in cash receipts from customers in the near term. So what strategy should treasurers adopt to manage the cash flow gap?
The Increase in Maternal Expression of axin1 and axin2 Contribute to the Zebrafish Mutant Ichabod Ventralized Phenotype
Authors: Valenti Fabio , Ibetti Jessica , Komiya Yuko , Baxter Melissa , Lucchese Anna Maria , Derstine Lauren , Covaciu Claudia , Rizzo Valeria , Vento Renza , Russo Giuseppe , Macaluso Marcella , Cotelli Franco , Castiglia Daniele , Gottardi Cara J. , Habas Raymond , Giordano Antonio , Bellipanni Gianfranco
Published: October 2014

β‐catenin is a central effector of the Wnt pathway and one of the players in Ca+‐dependent cell‐cell adhesion. While many wnts are present and expressed in vertebrates, only one β‐catenin exists in the majority of the organisms. One intriguing exception is zebrafish that carries two genes for β‐catenin. The maternal recessive mutation ichabod presents very low levels of β‐catenin2 that in turn affects dorsal axis formation, suggesting that β‐catenin1 is incapable to compensate for β‐catenin2 loss and raising the question of whether these two β‐catenins may have differential roles during early axis specification. Here we identify a specific antibody that can discriminate selectively for β‐catenin1. By confocal co‐immunofluorescent analysis and low concentration gain‐of‐function experiments, we show that β‐catenin1 and 2 behave in similar modes in dorsal axis induction and cellular localization. Surprisingly, we also found that in the ich embryo the mRNAs of the components of β‐catenin regulatory pathway, including β‐catenin1, are more abundant than in the Wt embryo. Increased levels of β‐catenin1 are found at the membrane level but not in the nuclei till high stage. Finally, we present evidence that β‐catenin1 cannot revert the ich phenotype because it may be under the control of a GSK3β‐independent mechanism that required Axin's RGS domain function. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 418–430, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PPAR‐γ Promotes Endothelial Cell Migration By Inducing the Expression of Sema3g
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Li Jingjin , Liu Min , Zhang Hong , Wang Nanping
Published: October 2014

In addition to regulating lipid and glucose metabolism, the nuclear receptor PPAR‐γ has emerged as a potentially relevant player in regulating endothelial cell function. Despite the identification of numerous PPAR‐γ targets involved in vascular development, the targets downstream of PPAR‐γ that directly affect endothelial cell function remain to be elucidated. In this report, we identify Sema3g as a novel PPAR‐γ‐regulated gene playing a substantial role in endothelial biology, particularly with respect to endothelial cell migration. Sema3g expression is induced by either overexpression of PPAR‐γ or PPAR‐γ ligands treatment in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and transient transfection assays revealed that PPAR‐γ binds to the Sema3g promoter and activates transcription. Furthermore, we show that overexpression of Sema3g augments PPAR‐γ‐driven HUVECs migration, whereas silencing of Sema3g expression almost completely abrogates PPAR‐γ or Sema3g‐mediated cell migration. Accordingly, the anti‐neuropilin‐2 (Sema3g receptor) neutralizing antibody treatment markedly inhibits Sema3g‐induced cell migration. Collectively, these results identify Sema3g as one of the downstream effectors of PPAR‐γ, which is centrally involved in regulating endothelial cell migration. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 514–523, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Short Time Tripterine Treatment Enhances Endothelial Progenitor Cell Function via Heat Shock Protein 32
Authors: Lu Chenhui , Zhang Xiaoping , Zhang Denghai , Pei Erli , Xu Jichong , Tang Tao , Ye Meng , Uzan Georges , Zhi Kangkang , Li Maoquan , Zuo Keqiang
Published: October 2014

The dysfunction of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) limits their potential for the treatment of ischemia and atherosclerosis. Therefore, we investigated the effect of tripterine on EPC function and examined the underlying mechanisms. The effect of tripterine, an active component of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook, on the enhancement of EPC function and the efficiency of EPC transplantation was investigated in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of EPCs with tripterine at 2.5 µM for 4 h inhibited oxidized low‐density lipoprotein (ox‐LDL) induced ROS production, cell apoptosis, and cell senescence and improved the migration and tube formation capacities of EPCs treated with ox‐LDL (200 µg/ml). In vivo studies showed that tripterine conditioning of EPCs administered to ischemic foci improved blood perfusion and microvascular density in a mouse hindlimb ischemia model. Examination of the underlying mechanisms indicated that the effect of tripterine is mediated by the induction of heat shock protein 32 expression and the inhibition of JNK activation. The present results are of clinical significance because they suggest the potential of tripterine as a therapeutic agent to improve the efficacy of EPC transplantation for the treatment of ischemic diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1139–1147, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Chondroptosis in Alkaptonuric Cartilage
Authors: Millucci Lia , Giorgetti Giovanna , Viti Cecilia , Ghezzi Lorenzo , Gambassi Silvia , Braconi Daniela , Marzocchi Barbara , Paffetti Alessandro , Lupetti Pietro , Bernardini Giulia , Orlandini Maurizio , Santucci Annalisa
Published: October 2014

Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare genetic disease that affects the entire joint. Current standard of treatment is palliative and little is known about AKU physiopathology. Chondroptosis, a peculiar type of cell death in cartilage, has been so far reported to occur in osteoarthritis, a rheumatic disease that shares some features with AKU. In the present work, we wanted to assess if chondroptosis might also occur in AKU. Electron microscopy was used to detect the morphological changes of chondrocytes in damaged cartilage distinguishing apoptosis from its variant termed chondroptosis. We adopted histological observation together with Scanning Electron Microscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy to evaluate morphological cell changes in AKU chondrocytes. Lipid peroxidation in AKU cartilage was detected by fluorescence microscopy. Using the above‐mentioned techniques, we performed a morphological analysis and assessed that AKU chondrocytes undergo phenotypic changes and lipid oxidation, resulting in a progressive loss of articular cartilage structure and function, showing typical features of chondroptosis. To the best of our knowledge, AKU is the second chronic pathology, following osteoarthritis, where chondroptosis has been documented. Our results indicate that Golgi complex plays an important role in the apoptotic process of AKU chondrocytes and suggest a contribution of chondroptosis in AKU pathogenesis. These findings also confirm a similarity between osteoarthritis and AKU. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1148–1157, 2015. © 2014 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Role of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Notch Signaling During Development
Authors: Schwanbeck Ralf
Published: October 2014

The Notch pathway is a highly conserved cell–cell communication pathway in metazoan involved in numerous processes during embryogenesis, development, and adult organisms. Ligand‐receptor interaction of Notch components on adjacent cells facilitates controlled sequential proteolytic cleavage resulting in the nuclear translocation of the intracellular domain of Notch (NICD). There it binds to the Notch effector protein RBP‐J, displaces a corepressor complex and enables the induction of target genes by recruitment of coactivators in a cell‐context dependent manner. Both, the gene‐specific repression and the context dependent activation require an intense communication with the underlying chromatin of the regulatory regions. Since the epigenetic landscape determines the function of the genome, processes like cell fate decision, differentiation, and self‐renewal depend on chromatin structure and its remodeling during development. In this review, structural features enabling the Notch pathway to read these epigenetic marks by proteins interacting with RBP‐J/Notch will be discussed. Furthermore, mechanisms of the Notch pathway to write and erase chromatin marks like histone acetylation and methylation are depicted as well as ATP‐dependent chromatin remodeling during the activation of target genes. An additional fine‐tuning of transcriptional regulation upon Notch activation seems to be controlled by the commitment of miRNAs. Since cells within an organism have to react to environmental changes, and developmental and differentiation cues in a proper manner, different signaling pathways have to crosstalk to each other. The chromatin status may represent one major platform to integrate these different pathways including the canonical Notch signaling. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 969–981, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Keeping Wnt Signalosome in Check by Vesicular Traffic
Authors: Feng Qiang , Gao Nan
Published: October 2014

Wg/Wnts are paracrine and autocrine ligands that activate distinct signaling pathways while being internalized through surface receptors. Converging and contrasting views are shaping our understanding of whether, where, and how endocytosis may modulate Wnt signaling. We gather considerable amount of evidences to elaborate the point that signal‐receiving cells utilize distinct, flexible, and sophisticated vesicular trafficking mechanisms to keep Wnt signaling activity in check. Same molecules in a highly context‐dependent fashion serve as regulatory hub for various signaling purposes: amplification, maintenance, inhibition, and termination. Updates are provided for the regulatory mechanisms related to the three critical cell surface complexes, Wnt‐Fzd‐LRP6, Dkk1‐Kremen‐LRP6, and R‐spondin‐LGR5‐RNF43, which potently influence Wnt signaling. We pay particular attentions to how cells achieve sustained and delicate control of Wnt signaling strength by employing comprehensive aspects of vesicular trafficking. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 1170–1180, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., A Wiley Company
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in adults: A brief review and ethical considerations for nonspecialist health providers and hospitalists
Authors: Meltzer Ellen C. , Ivascu Natalia S. , Acres Cathleen A. , Stark Meredith , Kirkpatrick James N. , Paul Subroto , Sedrakyan Art , Fins Joseph J.
Published: October 2014

Given the pace, distribution, and uptake of technological innovation, patients experiencing respiratory failure, heart failure, or cardiac arrest are, with greater frequency, being treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Although most hospitalists will not be responsible for ordering or managing ECMO, in‐hospital healthcare providers continue to be a vital source of patient referral and, accordingly, need to understand the rudiments of these technologies so as to co‐manage patients, counsel families, and help ensure that the provision of ECMO is consistent with patient preferences and appropriate goals of care. In an effort to prepare hospitalists for these clinical responsibilities, we review the history and technology behind modern‐day ECMO, including venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA‐ECMO) and venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Building upon that foundation, we further highlight special ethical considerations that may arise in VA‐ECMO, and present an ethically grounded approach to the initiation, continuation, and discontinuation of treatment. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:808–813. © 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Identification and determination of 3‐deoxyglucosone and glucosone in carbohydrate‐rich foods
Authors: Ruiz‐Matute Ana I , Castro Vazquez Lucía , Hernández‐Hernández Oswaldo , Sanz María L , Martínez‐Castro Isabel
Published: October 2014

BACKGROUND

α‐Dicarbonyl compounds (α‐DCs) such as 3‐deoxyglucosone (3‐DG) and glucosone are markers of both Maillard and degradation reactions of sugars and also of certain enzymatic processes. However, quantitation of these compounds is not straightforward when more abundant carbohydrates are present in real samples. Therefore in this work a GC/MS method was developed to separate monosaccharides, 3‐DG and glucosone and applied to analyze them in carbohydrate‐rich food products. Difructose anhydrides (DFAs), known markers of sugar degradation, were also determined. The effect of time and temperature in the production and storage of these compounds was also evaluated.

RESULTS

Under optimized conditions, good separation between monosaccharides and α‐DCs was achieved. Must syrups showed the highest concentrations of 3‐DG and glucosone (average values 9.2 and 5.8 mg g−1 respectively). Coffee substitutes based on carob, chicory and blends showed the highest content of DFAs. Heating and storage assays proved that production of 3‐DG was influenced by temperature, while glucosone was more affected by storage time.

CONCLUSION

The proposed method allows the rapid quantitation of 3‐DG and glucosone along with carbohydrates and DFAs in different food products, which is essential to determine their degradation level. Moreover, the α‐DC content in several foods is reported for the first time. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Resistant starch in food: a review
Authors: Raigond Pinky , Ezekiel Rajarathnam , Raigond Baswaraj
Published: October 2014

The nutritional property of starch is related to its rate and extent of digestion and absorption in the small intestine. For nutritional purposes, starch is classified as rapidly available, slowly available and resistant starch (RS). The exact underlying mechanism of relative resistance of starch granules is complicated because those factors are often interconnected. The content of RS in food is highly influenced by food preparation manner and processing techniques. Physical or chemical treatments also alter the level of RS in a food. Commercial preparations of RS are now available and can be added to foods as an ingredient for lowering the calorific value and improving textural and organoleptic characteristics along with increasing the amount of dietary fiber. RS has assumed great importance owing to its unique functional properties and health benefits. The beneficial effects of RS include glycemic control and control of fasting plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels and absorption of minerals. This review attempts to analyze the information published, especially in the recent past, on classification, structure, properties, applications and health benefits of RS. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Poly(anhydride‐ester) and Poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) Blends: Salicylic Acid‐Releasing Blends with Hydrogel‐Like Properties that Reduce Inflammation
Authors: Ouimet Michelle A. , Fogaça Renata , Snyder Sabrina S. , Sathaye Sameer , Catalani Luiz H. , Pochan Darrin J. , Uhrich Kathryn E.
Published: October 2014

Polymers such as poly(N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) (PVP) have been used to prepare hydrogels for wound dressing applications but are not inherently bioactive. For enhanced healing, PVP was blended with salicylic acid‐based poly(anhydride‐esters) (SAPAE) and shown to exhibit hydrogel properties upon swelling. In vitro release studies demonstrated that the chemically incorporated drug (SA) was released from the polymer blends over 3–4 d in contrast to 3 h, and that blends of higher PVP content displayed greater swelling values and faster SA release. The polymer blends significantly the inflammatory cytokine, TNF‐α, in vitro without negative effects.
Global asymptotic stability and boundedness of certain multi‐delay functional differential equations of third order
Authors: Graef John R. , Tunç Cemil
Published: October 2014

In this paper, the authors give sufficient conditions for the boundedness and global asymptotic stability of solutions to certain nonlinear multi‐delay functional differential equations of the third order. The technique of proof involves defining an appropriate Lyapunov‐Krasovskii functional and applying LaSalle's invariance principle. An example is included to illustrate the results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Existence and stability of nonconstant positive steady states of morphogenesis models
Authors: Chen Haohao , Tong Bo , Wang Qi
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we study a one‐dimensional morphogenesis model considered by C. Stinner et al. (Math. Meth. Appl. Sci.2012;35: 445–465). Under homogeneous boundary conditions, we prove the existence of nonconstant positive steady states through local bifurcation theories. Then we rigorously study the stability of these nonconstant solutions when the sensitivity functions are chosen to be linear and logarithmic, respectively. Finally, we present numerical solutions to illustrate the formation of stable inhomogeneous spatial patterns. Our numerical simulations show that this model can develop very complicated and interesting structures even over one‐dimensional finite domains. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Rapid acquisition of helium‐3 and proton three‐dimensional image sets of the human lung in a single breath‐hold using compressed sensing
Authors: Qing Kun , Altes Talissa A. , Tustison Nicholas J. , Feng Xue , Chen Xiao , Mata Jaime F. , Miller G. Wilson , de Lange Eduard E. , Tobias William A. , Cates Gordon D. , Brookeman James R. , Mugler John P.
Published: October 2014

Purpose

To develop and validate a method for acquiring helium‐3 (3He) and proton (1H) three‐dimensional (3D) image sets of the human lung with isotropic spatial resolution within a 10‐s breath‐hold by using compressed sensing (CS) acceleration, and to assess the fidelity of undersampled images compared with fully sampled images.

Methods

The undersampling scheme for CS acceleration was optimized and tested using 3He ventilation data. Rapid 3D acquisition of both 3He and 1H data during one breath‐hold was then implemented, based on a balanced steady‐state free‐precession pulse sequence, by random undersampling of k‐space with reconstruction by means of minimizing the L1 norm and total variance. CS‐reconstruction fidelity was evaluated quantitatively by comparing fully sampled and retrospectively undersampled image sets.

Results

Helium‐3 and 1H 3D image sets of the lung with isotropic 3.9‐mm resolution were acquired during a single breath‐hold in 12 s and 8 s using acceleration factors of 2 and 3, respectively. Comparison of fully sampled and retrospectively undersampled 3He and 1H images yielded mean absolute errors <10% and structural similarity indices >0.9.

Conclusion

By randomly undersampling k‐space and using CS reconstruction, high‐quality 3He and 1H 3D image sets with isotropic 3.9‐mm resolution can be acquired within an 8‐s breath‐hold. Magn Reson Med 74:1110–1115, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Power series expansions for the distribution and mean value function of a geometric process with Weibull interarrival times
Authors: Aydoğdu Halil , Karabulut İhsan
Published: October 2014

The geometric process is considered when the distribution of the first interarrival time is assumed to be Weibull. Its one‐dimensional probability distribution is derived as a power series expansion of the convolution of the Weibull distributions. Further, the mean value function is expanded into a power series using an integral equation. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 61: 599–603, 2014
Proteomic profile of carbonylated proteins in rat liver: Discovering possible mechanisms for tetracycline‐induced steatosis
Authors: Deng Zhenglu , Yan Siyu , Hu Hui , Duan Zhigui , Yin Lanxuan , Liao Shenke , Sun Yubai , Yin Dazhong , Li Guolin
Published: October 2014

To investigate biochemical mechanisms for the tetracycline‐induced steatosis in rats, targeted proteins of oxidative modification were profiled. The results showed that tetracycline induced lipid accumulation, oxidative stress, and cell viability decline in HepG2 cells only under the circumstances of palmitic acid overload. Tetracycline administration in rats led to significant decrement in blood lipids, while resulted in more than four times increment in intrahepatic triacylglycerol and typical microvesicular steatosis in the livers. The triacylglycerol levels were positively correlated with oxidative stress. Proteomic profiles of carbonylated proteins revealed 26 targeted proteins susceptible to oxidative modification and most of them located in mitochondria. Among them, the long‐chain specific acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase was one of the key enzymes regulating fatty acid β‐oxidation. Oxidative modification of the enzyme in the tetracycline group depressed its enzymatic activity. In conclusion, the increased influx of lipid into the livers is the first hit of tetracycline‐induced microvesicular steatosis. Oxidative stress is an essential part of the second hit, which may arise from the lipid overload and attack a series of functional proteins, aggravating the development of steatosis. The 26 targeted proteins revealed here provide a potential direct link between oxidative stress and tetracycline‐induced steatosis.
Serum protein S100A9, SOD3, and MMP9 as new diagnostic biomarkers for pulmonary tuberculosis by iTRAQ‐coupled two‐dimensional LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Xu Dandan , Li Yanyuan , Li Xiang , Wei Li‐Liang , Pan Zhifen , Jiang Ting‐Ting , Chen Zhong‐Liang , Wang Chong , Cao Wen‐Ming , Zhang Xing , Ping Ze‐Peng , Liu Chang‐Ming , Liu Ji‐Yan , Li Zhong‐Jie , Li Ji‐Cheng
Published: October 2014

This study aimed to discover the novel noninvasive biomarkers for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We applied iTRAQ 2D LC‐MS/MS technique to investigate protein profiles in patients with pulmonary TB and other lung diseases. A total of 34 differentially expressed proteins (24 upregulated proteins and ten downregulated proteins) were identified in the serum of pulmonary TB patients. Significant differences in protein S100‐A9 (S100A9), extracellular superoxide dismutase [Cu‐Zn] (SOD3), and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) were found between pulmonary TB and other lung diseases by ELISA. Correlations analysis revealed that the serum concentration of MMP9 in the pulmonary TB was in moderate correlation with SOD3 (r = 0.581) and S100A9 (r = 0.471), while SOD3 was in weak correlation with S100A9 (r = 0.287). The combination of serum S100A9, SOD3, and MMP9 levels could achieve 92.5% sensitivity and 95% specificity to discriminate between pulmonary TB and healthy controls, 90% sensitivity and 87.5% specificity to discriminate between pulmonary TB and pneumonia, and 85% sensitivity and 92.5% specificity to discriminate between pulmonary TB and lung cancer, respectively. The results showed that S100A9, SOD3, and MMP9 may be potential diagnostic biomarkers for pulmonary TB, and provided experimental basis for the diagnosis of pulmonary TB.
Cognitive coping style (monitoring and blunting) and the need for information, information satisfaction and shared decision making among patients with haematological malignancies
Authors: Rood Janneke A. J. , Van Zuuren Florence J. , Stam Frank , van der Ploeg Tjeerd , Huijgens Peter C. , Verdonck‐ de Leeuw Irma M.
Published: October 2014

Objective

A haematological malignancy is a serious, life‐altering disease and may be characterised as an uncontrollable and unpredictable stress situation. In dealing with potentially threatening information, individuals generally utilise two main cognitive coping styles: monitoring (the tendency to seek threat‐relevant information) and blunting (avoiding threatening information and seeking distraction). The aim of this study was to obtain insight into the association between cognitive coping style and (a) need for information, (b) satisfaction with information, (c) involvement in decision making, and (d) quality of life (QoL).

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, coping style was assessed among adult patients diagnosed with a haematological malignancy, using an adapted version of the Threatening Medical Situations Inventory. Information need, information satisfaction, decision‐making preference and QoL were measured with validated questionnaires.

Results

In total, 458 patients returned the questionnaire (66%). A monitoring coping style was positively related to need for both general and specific information. Blunting was positively and QoL was negatively related to need for information. Monitoring was positively related to involvement in decision‐making and negatively to information satisfaction. Using multivariate analysis, this relation between monitoring and information satisfaction disappeared, and for blunting, we found a negatively significant relation. QoL was not related to coping style.

Conclusions

Among patients with haematological malignancies, coping style is related to a need for information, information satisfaction, and involvement in treatment decision‐making. Therefore, it is important for health care professionals to be aware of individual differences in cognitive coping style. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Casimir interactions in strained graphene systems
Authors: Phan Anh D. , Phan The‐Long
Published: October 2014

We theoretically study the strain effect on the Casimir interactions in graphene based systems. We found that the interactions between two strained graphene sheets are strongly dependent on the direction of stretching. The influence of the strain on the dispersion interactions is still strong in the presence of dielectric substrates but is relatively weak when the substrate is metallic. Our studies would suggest new ways to design next generation devices.

magnified image

(© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Nanostructured solar cell based on solution processed Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles and vertically aligned ZnO nanorod array
Authors: Jiang Minlin , Wu Jiamin , Di Gao , Li Guangyong
Published: October 2014

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) has attracted intensive interest for application in photovoltaic technology due to its excellent semiconductor properties. We report a nanostructured CZTS solar cell which was fabricated by infiltrating of CZTS nanoparticles into CdS coated ZnO nanorod arrays. The well aligned ZnO nanorods facilitate the efficient infiltration of CZTS nanoparticles. A hole transport layer was deposited to facilitate the transport of holes. The nanostructured CZTS solar cell demonstrated a remarkably high short‐circuit current density (11.0 mA/cm2). As a result, a power conversion efficiency of 2.8% was obtained. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Parental efficacy, parental monitoring efficacy, and monitoring among Asian‐Indian parents of adolescents living in Chennai, India
Authors: Ranganathan Chitra , Montemayor Raymond
Published: October 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between parental efficacy and a new concept entitled parental monitoring efficacy, and to examine the association between parental monitoring efficacy and monitoring. We conducted two studies on two samples of Asian‐Indian parents and adolescents living in Chennai, India. In the first study of 241 parents of adolescents in grades, 9–12, we constructed a new measure of parental efficacy that included two factors. The first factor, responding competently to negative adolescent behavior was more strongly predictive of parental monitoring efficacy than the second factor, instilling positive behavior. In the second study of 215 parents and adolescents in grades 10 and 12, parental monitoring efficacy predicted monitoring, especially adolescent disclosure and parental control. The importance of parental control as a monitoring technique among traditional Indian parents was discussed.
Adolescent Stress Questionnaire: Reliability and validity of the Greek version and its description in a sample of high school (lyceum) students
Authors: Darviri Christina , Legaki Peristera‐Eleni , Chatzioannidou Panagiota , Gnardellis Charalambos , Kraniotou Christina , Tigani Xanthi , Alexopoulos Evangelos C.
Published: October 2014

Adolescence is a crucial phase of human life characterized by enhanced exposure and vulnerability to various stressful stimuli. The Adolescent Stress Questionnaire (ASQ) is a useful measure to evaluate possible sources of stressors affecting the adolescent equilibrium. The present study examines the scientific properties of the Greek version of ASQ to measure perceived stress among 250 Greek adolescents. The confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) results showed a good fit of the original structure of ASQ to the observed data in the Greek sample. A good internal reliability was also confirmed by high Cronbach's alpha values. In line with previous research, girls reported more stress than boys. Overall, the Greek ASQ is a valid and reliable instrument for evaluating adolescent stress.
Impact Response of a Fractionally Damped Spherical Shell
Authors: Chang T.-K. , Rossikhin Y. A. , Shitikova M. V. , Chao C.-K.
Published: October 2014

In the present paper, the problem on normal low-velocity impact of a solid upon an isotropic spherical shell is studied without considering the changes in the geometrical dimensions of the contact domain. At the moment of impact, shock waves (surfaces of strong discontinuity) are generated in the target, which then propagate along the shell during the process of impact. Behind the wave fronts up to the boundary of the contact domain, the solution is constructed with the help of the theory of discontinuities and one-term ray expansions. The ray method is used outside the contact spot, but the Laplace transform method is applied within the contact region. As a result, the exact solution of the contact force is determined as a function of time. This model is intended to be used in simulating crash scenarios in frontal impacts, and to provide an effective tool to estimate the severity of effect on the human head and to estimate brain injury risks.
Optimization of Rectangular Multi-Chamber Plenums Equipped with Multiple Extended Tubes Using the BEM, Neural Networks, and the Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Chang Y.-C. , Chiu M.-C.
Published: October 2014

The focal point of this paper is to uncover, by analyzing the higher order wave effect, an improved mechanism for space-constrained rectangular plenums using a simplified objective function in conjunction with a genetic (GA). Three kinds of rectangular mufflers hybridized with extended tubes will be assessed: Plenum A: A two-chamber plenum equipped with an extended tube; plenum B: A three-chamber plenum with two extended tubes; and plenum C: A two-chamber plenum equipped with three extended tubes. In order to shorten the numerical assessment, a simplified objective function (OBJ) is established using a boundary element model (BEM) in conjunction with the neural network model (NNM). To expediently approach an optimal plenum, the best OBJ will be numerically searched using a genetic algorithm (GA). However, before the GA operation is performed, the accuracy of the BEM is verified using analytical data. And, because the simplified objective function (OBJ) is seen to be in agreement with the BEM, the numerical cases of sound elimination relative to the various parameter sets and pure tones (300, 750, and 1300Hz) can be carried out.

Results reveal that the maximum value of the sound transmission loss (STL) can be accurately obtained at the desired frequencies. Additionally, the acoustical performance of the lower frequencies will be improved if the number of chambers and rectangular tubes are increased. However, the acoustical performance of the higher frequencies will decrease when the number of chambers and rectangular tubes are decreased. Consequently, the algorithms proposed in this study will efficiently develop optimal rectangular plenums with multiple rectangular extended tubes.
MHD Natural Convection Heat and Mass Transfer Flow Past a Time Dependent Moving Vertical Plate with Ramped Temperature in a Rotating Medium with Hall Effects, Radiation and Chemical Reaction
Authors: Seth G. S. , Sarkar S.
Published: October 2014

An investigation of unsteady hydromagnetic natural convection heat and mass transfer flow of an electrically conducting, viscous, incompressible and optically thick radiating fluid past an impulsively moving infinite vertical plate embedded in a uniform porous medium in a rotating system with Hall effects in the presence of homogeneous first order chemical reaction is carried out when temperature of the plate has a temporarily ramped profile. Exact solution of the governing equations is obtained in closed form by Laplace transform technique. Expressions for skin friction due to primary and secondary flows and Nusselt number are derived for both ramped temperature and isothermal plates. Expression for Sherwood number is also derived. The numerical values of primary and secondary fluid velocities, fluid temperature and species concentration are displayed graphically whereas those of skin friction are presented in tabular form for various values of pertinent flow parameters. In order to highlight the influence of ramped temperature distribution within the plate on the flow-field, the fluid flow past a ramped temperature plate is compared with the one past an isothermal plate.
Stanislavsky to Grotowski: Actor to Performer/Doer
Authors: Shevtsova Maria
Published: October 2014

Stanislavsky's ‘life of the human spirit’ is at the heart of his understanding of how the actor could become an organic actor rather than a player of borrowed actions and lines. In this article Maria Shevtsova explores the links between Stanislavsky's aspirations for the actor and Grotowski's ‘holy’ actor, the latter providing the impetus for a theatre of presence rather than one of presentation – one that is concerned with the embodiment of fictional bodies and souls. The notion of actor ‘training’ is re-examined in the light of Stanislavsky's practice concerning the actor's mindful and probing work on himself/herself. Grotowski's work on presence-in-action, the basis first of the performer and then of of the doer, has been a catalyst for the singer-movers of Teatr ZAR and this group's goal of spiritual journeying, shared also by its spectators. Maria Shevtsova holds the Chair in Drama and Theatre Arts at Goldsmiths, University of London. Her most recent book is the The Cambridge Introduction to Theatre Directing (co-authored, 2013). She is co-editor of New Theatre Quarterly.
Alluring Ambiguity: Gender and Cultural Politics in Modern Japanese Performance
Authors: Sorgenfrei Carol Fisher
Published: October 2014

In contrast to most studies of cultural nationalism, which tend to focus on literary style, narrative devices, or the static visual arts, in this article Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei analyzes the ways that Japanese actors deploy physical and vocal techniques in portraying gender and ethnic ambiguity. Expanding on her recent work on actor-dancer Itō Michio (1893–1961), she uses the concept of J-centrism (Japancentrism) to demonstrate how modern Japanese performing bodies (in both traditional and contemporary genres) imply political meaning – her title being a riff on Susan Sontag's famous essay ‘Fascinating Fascism’. While not suggesting that the artists under consideration promulgate fascism, Sorgenfrei maintains that the Japanese aesthetic preference for gender and ethnic ambiguity fuels the politics of Japanese cultural nationalism, even when the performers or directors adamantly disavow rightist, nationalistic ideologies. Through a focus on analysis of selected performances by Bando Tamasaburō and theoretical writings by Suzuki Tadashi, Sorgenfrei suggests that the performance of ambiguity by a single actor implies the ‘universality’ and cultural superiority of the Japanese body. Professor Emerita of Theatre at UCLA, Carol Fisher Sorgenfrei is a specialist in Japanese theatre and intercultural performance, and was recently a Research Fellow at the International Research Institute in Interweaving Performance Cultures at the Free University, Berlin, where she researched the work of Japanese dancer Itō Michio. She is the author of Unspeakable Acts: the Avant-Garde Theatre of Terayama Shūji and Postwar Japan (University of Hawaii, 2005) and co-author of Theatre Histories: an Introduction (Routledge, third edition 2015).
The Iliad in Theatre: Ancient and Modern Modes of Epic Performance
Authors: Trubotchkin Dmitry
Published: October 2014

In this article Dmitry Trubotchkin focuses on Homer's Iliad as directed by Stathis Livathinos and premiered in Athens on 4 July 2013 as part of the Athens and Epidaurus Summer Festival – as far as is known, the first production of the complete Iliad in world theatre. It was performed by fifteen actors, each of whom played several roles and also acted the role of the ancient rhapsode, or narrator of epics. Livathinos's Iliad restored the original understanding of ‘epic theatre’, which differs from what is usually meant by this term in the light of Brechtian theory and practice with its didactic and distancing emphases. In the Greek performance, the transformation of an actor from one role to another and from acting to narration is constant, and the voice of Homer as a ‘collective author’ can be heard through all these transformations. Livathinos's Iliad may well be a landmark, indicating a new way of presenting epics on the stage. Dmitry Trubotchkin is Professor of Theatre Studies at the Russian University of Theatre Arts (GITIS) and an invited Professor at the Faculty of Arts of the Moscow State University. He heads the Department of Ancient and Medieval Art at the State Institute for Art Studies in Moscow. His publications include ‘All is Well, the Old Man is Still Dancing’: Roman Palliata in Action (2005), Ancient Literature and Dramaturgy (2010), and Rimas Tuminas: the Moscow Productions (forthcoming).
MORPHOSYNTAX IN THE BILINGUAL MENTAL LEXICON
Authors: Krause Helena , Bosch Sina , Clahsen Harald
Published: October 2014

Although morphosyntax has been identified as a major source of difficulty for adult (nonnative) language learners, most previous studies have examined a limited set of largely affix-based phenomena. Little is known about word-based morphosyntax in late bilinguals and of how morphosyntax is represented and processed in a nonnative speaker’s lexicon. To address these questions, we report results from two behavioral experiments investigating stem variants of strong verbs in German (which encode features such as tense, person, and number) in groups of advanced adult learners as well as native speakers of German. Although the late bilinguals were highly proficient in German, the results of a lexical priming experiment revealed clear native-nonnative differences. We argue that lexical representation and processing relies less on morphosyntactic information in a nonnative than in a native language.
Utilizing organic and organometallic structural data in powder diffraction
Authors: Cole Jason C. , Kabova Elena A. , Shankland Kenneth
Published: October 2014

The Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) is a database of small molecule organic and organometallic crystal structures elucidated using X-Ray and neutron crystallography. The CSD is distributed alongside a system of software (the Cambridge Structural Database System) to academic and industrial users. The system contains a number of applications (in particular DASH, ConQuest, and Mogul) that can be used to aid crystallographers in the solution and refinement of crystal structures from powder diffraction data, and in the interpretation of crystal structure models (in particular, Mercury). This publication uses a racemic form of ornidazole (Z′ = 3) to illustrate the efficacy of DASH in the crystal structure solution from powder diffraction data. Furthermore, numerous features in Mogul and Mercury that aid crystal structure solution and interpretation of crystallographic data are revised. Finally, a review of a new method for using database-derived geometric information directly in structural solution is presented.
Query Complexity of Sampling and Small Geometric Partitions
Authors: GOYAL NAVIN , RADEMACHER LUIS , VEMPALA SANTOSH
Published: October 2014

In this paper we study the following problem.

Discrete partitioning problem (DPP). Let$\mathbb{F}_q$Pndenote then-dimensional finite projective space over$\mathbb{F}_q$. For positive integerk⩽n, let {Ai}i= 1Nbe a partition of ($\mathbb{F}_q$Pn)ksuch that:

(1)

for alli⩽N,Ai= ∏j=1kAji(partition into product sets),

(2)

for alli⩽N, there is a (k− 1)-dimensional subspaceLi⊆$\mathbb{F}_q$Pnsuch thatAi⊆ (Li)k.

What is the minimum value ofNas a function ofq, n, k? We will be mainly interested in the casek=n.

DPP arises in an approach that we propose for proving lower bounds for the query complexity of generating random points from convex bodies. It is also related to other partitioning problems in combinatorics and complexity theory. We conjecture an asymptotically optimal partition for DPP and show that it is optimal in two cases: when the dimension is low (k=n= 2) and when the factors of the parts are structured, namely factors of a part are close to being a subspace. These structured partitions arise naturally as partitions induced by query algorithms. Our problem does not seem to be directly amenable to previous techniques for partitioning lower bounds such as rank arguments, although rank arguments do lie at the core of our techniques.
Using Mixed Methods to Assess Pediatric Disaster Preparedness in the Hospital Setting
Authors: Burke Rita V. , Kim Tae Y. , Bachman Shelby L. , Iverson Ellen I. , Berg Bridget M.
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Children are particularly vulnerable during disasters and mass-casualty incidents. Coordinated multi-hospital training exercises may help health care facilities prepare for pediatric disaster victims.

Problem

The purpose of this study was to use mixed methods to assess the disaster response of three hospitals, focusing on pediatric disaster victims.

Methods

A full-functional disaster exercise involving a simulated 7.8-magnitude earthquake was conducted at three Los Angeles (California USA) hospitals, one of which is a freestanding designated Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. Exercise participants provided quantitative and qualitative feedback regarding their perceptions of pediatric disaster response during the exercise in the form of surveys and interviews. Additionally, trained observers provided qualitative feedback and recommendations regarding aspects of emergency response during the exercise, including communication, equipment and supplies, pediatric safety, security, and training.

Results

According to quantitative participant feedback, the disaster exercise enhanced respondents’ perceived preparedness to care for the pediatric population during a mass-casualty event. Further, qualitative feedback from exercise participants and observers revealed opportunities to improve multiple aspects of emergency response, such as communication, equipment availability, and physician participation. Additionally, participants and observers reported opportunities to improve safety and security of children, understanding of staff roles and responsibilities, and implementation of disaster triage exercises.

Conclusion

Consistent with previous investigations of pediatric disaster preparedness, evaluation of the exercise revealed several opportunities for all hospitals to improve their ability to respond to the needs of pediatric victims. Quantitative and qualitative feedback from both participants and observers was useful for comprehensively assessing the exercise's successes and obstacles. The present study has identified several opportunities to improve the current state of all hospitals’ pediatric disaster preparedness, through increased training on pediatric disaster triage methods and additional training on the safety and security of children. Regular assessment and evaluation of supplies, equipment, leadership assignments, and inter-hospital communication is also suggested to optimize the effectiveness and efficiency of response to pediatric victims in a disaster.

BurkeRV, KimTY, BachmanSL, IversonEI, BergBM. Using mixed methods to assess pediatric disaster preparedness in the hospital setting. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(6): 1-7.