bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developing a foundation for eco-epidemiological assessment of aquatic ecological status over large geographic regions utilizing existing data resources and models
Authors: Kapo Katherine E. , Holmes Christopher M. , Dyer Scott D. , de Zwart Dick , Posthuma Leo
Published: March 2014

Eco-epidemiological studies utilizing existing monitoring program data provide a cost-effective means to bridge the gap between the ecological status and chemical status of watersheds and to develop hypotheses of stressor attribution that can influence the design of higher-tier assessments and subsequent management. The present study describes the process of combining existing data and models to develop a robust starting point for eco-epidemiological analyses of watersheds over large geographic scales. Data resources from multiple federal and local agencies representing a range of biological, chemical, physical, toxicological, and other landscape factors across the state of Ohio, USA (2000–2007), were integrated with the National Hydrography Dataset Plus hydrologic model (US Environmental Protection Agency and US Geological Survey). A variety of variable reduction, selection, and optimization strategies were applied to develop eco-epidemiological data sets for fish and macroinvertebrate communities. The relative importance of landscape variables was compared across spatial scales (local catchment, watershed, near-stream) using conditional inference forests to determine the scales most relevant to variation in biological community condition. Conditional inference forest analysis applied to a holistic set of environmental variables yielded stressor–response hypotheses at the statewide and eco-regional levels. The analysis confirmed the dominant influence of state-level stressors such as physical habitat condition, while highlighting differences in predictive strength of other stressors based on ecoregional and land-use characteristics. This exercise lays the groundwork for subsequent work designed to move closer to causal inference. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1665–1677. © 2014 SETAC
Field survey of Canadian background soils: Implications for a new mathematical gas chromatography–flame ionization detection approach for resolving false detections of petroleum hydrocarbons in clean soils
Authors: Kelly-Hooper Francine , Farwell Andrea J. , Pike Glenna , Kennedy Jocelyn , Wang Zhendi , Grunsky Eric C. , Dixon D. George
Published: March 2014

The reference method for the Canada-wide standard (CWS) for petroleum hydrocarbons (PHCs) in soil provides laboratories with methods for generating accurate and reproducible soil analysis results. The CWS PHC tier 1 generic soil-quality guidelines apply to 4 carbon ranges/fractions: F1 (C6–C10), F2 (C10–C16), F3 (C16–C34), and F4 (>C34). The methods and guidelines were developed and validated for soils with approximately 5% total organic carbon (TOC). However, organic soils have much higher TOC levels because of biogenic organic compounds (BOCs) originating from sources such as plant waxes and fatty acids. Coextracted BOCs can have elevated F2–F4 concentrations, which can cause false exceedances of PHC soil guidelines. The present study evaluated false PHC detections in soil samples collected from 34 background sites. The list of analytes included soil type, TOC, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), F2, F3, F4, F3a (C16–C22), and F3b (C22–C34). Soils with 3% to 41% TOC falsely exceeded the CWS PHC 300 mg/kg F3 coarse soil guideline. It was previously demonstrated that clean peat had F2:F3b ratios of less than 0.10, while crude oil spiked peat and spiked sand had higher ratios of greater than 0.10. In the present background study, all of the clean organic soils with at least 300 mg/kg F3 had F2:F3b ratios of less than 0.10, which indicated false guideline exceedances. Clean inorganic soils had low F3 concentrations, resulting in high F2:F3b ratios of greater than 0.10. Validation field studies are required to determine if the F2:F3b 0.10 PHC presence versus absence threshold value is applicable to crude oil- and diesel-contaminated sites. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1754–1760. © 2014 SETAC
Realistic environmental mixtures of micropollutants in surface, drinking, and recycled water: Herbicides dominate the mixture toxicity toward algae
Authors: Tang Janet Y.M. , Escher Beate I.
Published: March 2014

Mixture toxicity studies with herbicides have focused on a few priority components that are most likely to cause environmental impacts, and experimental mixtures were often designed as equipotent mixtures; however, real-world mixtures are made up of chemicals with different modes of toxic action at arbitrary concentration ratios. The toxicological significance of environmentally realistic mixtures has only been scarcely studied. Few studies have simultaneously compared the mixture effect of water samples with designed reference mixtures comprised of the ratios of analytically detected concentrations in toxicity tests. In the present study, the authors address the effect of herbicides and other chemicals on inhibition of photosynthesis and algal growth rate. The authors tested water samples including secondary treated wastewater effluent, recycled water, drinking water, and storm water in the combined algae assay. The detected chemicals were mixed in the concentration ratios detected, and the biological effects of the water samples were compared with the designed mixtures of individual detected chemicals to quantify the fraction of effect caused by unknown chemicals. The results showed that herbicides dominated the algal toxicity in these environmentally realistic mixtures, and the contribution by the non-herbicides was negligible. A 2-stage model, which used concentration addition within the groups of herbicides and non-herbicides followed by the model of independent action to predict the mixture effect of the two groups, could predict the experimental mixture toxicity effectively, but the concentration addition model for herbicides was robust and sufficient for complex mixtures. Therefore, the authors used the bioanalytical equivalency concept to derive effect-based trigger values for algal toxicity for monitoring water quality in recycled and surface water. All water samples tested would be compliant with the proposed trigger values associated with the appropriate guidelines. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1427–1436. © 2014 SETAC
Modeling oxyanion adsorption on ferralic soil, part 2: Chromate, selenate, molybdate, and arsenate adsorption
Authors: Pérez Claudio , Antelo Juan , Fiol Sarah , Arce Florencio
Published: March 2014

High levels of oxyanions are found in the soil environment, often as a result of human activity. At high concentrations, oxyanions can be harmful to both humans and wildlife. Information about the interactions between oxyanions and natural samples is essential for understanding the bioavailability, toxicity, and transport of these compounds in the environment. In the present study, the authors investigated the reactivity of different oxyanions (AsO4, MoO4, SeO4, and CrO4) at different pH values in 2 horizons of a ferralic soil. By combining available microscopic data on iron oxides with the macroscopic data obtained, the authors were able to use the charge distribution model to accurately describe the adsorption of these 4 oxyanions and thus to determine the surface speciation. The charge distribution model was previously calibrated and evaluated using phosphate adsorption/desorption data. The adsorption behavior on ferralic soil is controlled mainly by the natural iron oxides present, and it is qualitatively analogous to that exhibited by synthetic iron oxides. The highest adsorption was found for arsenate ions, whereas the lowest was found for selenate, with chromate and molybdate ions showing an intermediate behavior. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:2217–2224. © 2014 SETAC
Effects of anionic polyacrylamide products on gill histopathology in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Kerr Jennifer L. , Lumsden John S. , Russell Spencer K. , Jasinska Edyta J. , Goss Greg G.
Published: March 2014

Anionic polyacrylamide (PAM) products are commonly used to remove suspended materials from turbid waters and to help mitigate soil erosion. In the present study, juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed to 3 mg/L to 300 mg/L of 10 commercially available PAM products (Clearflow Water Lynx Polymer Log and Clearflow Soil Lynx Granular Polymer; Clearflow Enviro Systems Group), and gill histological parameters were measured following either 7 d or 30 d of polymer exposure. A cationic polymer product (≤0.38 mg/L MagnaFloc 368; Ciba Specialty Chemical) was also tested for comparison. Mild gill lesions were observed in fish exposed to polymer products. Lamellar fusion, interlamellar hyperplasia, epithelial lifting, mucous cell metaplasia, and cell counts of epithelial swelling and necrosis/apoptosis were minimal in fish exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of anionic polymer (≤30 mg/L). Gill morphology was largely unaffected by exposure to concentrations up to 300 mg/L of many PAM products. Several anionic polymer products noticeably affected gill tissue by increasing epithelial hypertrophy, interlamellar hyperplasia, mucous cell metaplasia, and the frequency of necrotic cells. The severity of the lesions lessened with time, suggesting that fish may have experienced a short-term irritant effect. Similar levels of gill pathology were frequently observed in fish exposed to cationic polymer MagnaFloc 368 despite the concentration being 1000-fold lower than that of the PAM products. These observations highlight the increased toxicity of cationic polymers to aquatic life compared with anionic PAMs. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:1552–1562. © 2014 SETAC
Discontinuous Galerkin finite element discretization of a strongly anisotropic diffusion operator
Authors: Pestiaux A. , Melchior S.A. , Remacle J.F. , Kärnä T. , Fichefet T. , Lambrechts J.
Published: March 2014

The discretization of a diffusion equation with a strong anisotropy by a discontinuous Galerkin finite element method is investigated. This diffusion term is implemented in the tracer equation of an ocean model, thanks to a symmetric tensor that is composed of diapycnal and isopycnal diffusions. The strong anisotropy comes from the difference of magnitude order between both diffusions. As the ocean model uses interior penalty terms to ensure numerical stability, a new penalty factor is required in order to correctly deal with the anisotropy of this diffusion. Two penalty factors from the literature are improved and established from the coercivity property. One of them takes into account the diffusion in the direction normal to the interface between the elements. After comparison, the latter is better because the spurious numerical diffusion is weaker than with the penalty factor proposed in the literature. It is computed with a transformed coordinate system in which the diffusivity tensor is diagonal, using its eigenvalue decomposition. Furthermore, this numerical scheme is validated with the method of manufactured solutions. It is finally applied to simulate the evolution of temperature and salinity due to turbulent processes in an idealized Arctic Ocean. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effects of processing on the proximate and metal contents in three fish species from Nigerian coastal waters
Authors: Bassey Francisca I. , Oguntunde Fehintola C. , Iwegbue Chukwujindu M. A. , Osabor Vincent N. , Edem Christopher A.
Published: March 2014

The effects of culinary practices such as boiling, frying, and grilling on the proximate compositions and concentrations of metals (Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Hg) in commonly consumed fish species from the Nigerian coastal waters were investigated. The selected fish species were Polydactylus quadratifilis, Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus and Cynoglossus senegalensis. The culinary practices lead to increased protein, fat, and ash contents and decreased moisture contents of these fish species. The culinary practices resulted significant increase in the concentrations of most of the studied metals and decrease in the concentrations of Fe, Cr, and Pb in some fish types. The concentrations and estimated dietary intakes of Cd, Pb, Cr, Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Hg from consumption of the processed fish were within their statutory safe limits. The individual metal target hazard quotient (THQ) values and the total THQs were less than 1 which indicates that no health risks would arise from the long‐term consumption of these fish species.
Hyperactive glial cells contribute to axonal pathologies in the spinal cord of Npc1 mutant mice
Authors: Yan Xin , Yang Fan , Lukas Jan , Witt Martin , Wree Andreas , Rolfs Arndt , Luo Jiankai
Published: March 2014

Niemann‐Pick disease type C1 (NPC1) is a neurodegenerative disease with various progressive pathological features, for example, neuronal loss, dysmyelination, abnormal axon swelling, and gliosis, in the brain. Pathological activation of p38‐mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) results in hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, which contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, axonal varicosities or spheroids and presynaptic aggregates in the spinal cord of the Npc1 mutant mice were found from postnatal day (P) 35 onwards, as indicated by the increased hyperphosphorylated neurofilament and synaptophysin immunoreactivity as well as the findings from electron microscopy. However, activities of astrocytes and microglia in the Npc1 mutant spinal cord were progressively increased earlier from P10 onwards, accompanied by increased expression of interleukin‐1β and apolipoprotein E, as well as up‐regulated p38‐MAPK activity and enhanced phosphorylated tau protein, but not cyclin‐dependent kinase 5/p35 complex and glycogen synthase kinase‐3β. Taken together, our data suggest that the axonal pathologies in the Npc1 mutant spinal cord are strongly correlated with the increase of activated glial cells, which produce IL‐1β and ApoE, resulting in the activation of p38‐MAPK signaling pathway and enhanced phosphorylated tau protein. GLIA 2014;62:1024–1040
Tissue Crosstalk in Lung Development
Authors: Hines Elizabeth A. , Sun Xin
Published: March 2014

Lung development follows a stereotypic program orchestrated by key interactions among epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. Deviations from this developmental program can lead to pulmonary diseases including bronchopulmonary dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension. Significant efforts have been made to examine the cellular and molecular basis of the tissue interactions underlying these stereotypic developmental processes. Genetically engineered mouse models, lung organ culture, and advanced imaging techniques are a few of the tools that have expanded our understanding of the tissue interactions that drive lung development. Intimate crosstalk has been identified between the epithelium and mesenchyme, distinct mesenchymal tissues, and individual epithelial cells types. For interactions such as the epithelial–mesenchymal crosstalk regulating lung specification and branching morphogenesis, the key molecular players, FGF, BMP, WNT, and SHH, are well established. Additionally, VEGF regulation underlies the epithelial–endothelial crosstalk that coordinates airway branching with angiogenesis. Recent work also discovered a novel role for SHH in the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal (EMT) transition of the mesothelium. In contrast, the molecular basis for the crosstalk between upper airway cartilage and smooth muscle is not yet known. In this review we examine current evidence of the tissue interactions and molecular crosstalk that underlie the stereotypic patterning of the developing lung and mediate injury repair. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 1469–1477, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sonographic detection of a patency capsule prior to capsule endoscopy: Case report
Authors: Kobayashi Yuka , Yamada Atsuo , Watabe Hirotsugu , Takahashi Ryota , Suzuki Hirobumi , Hirata Yoshihiro , Yamaji Yutaka , Yoshida Haruhiko , Koike Kazuhiko
Published: March 2014

To avoid retention of the capsule used in capsule endoscopy (CE), the patency capsule (PC), a self‐disintegrating sham capsule, is administered prior to CE in patients suspected of small intestinal stenosis. If the PC is excreted intact within 30 hours of ingestion, the patient can undergo CE without retention. However, if the PC is not excreted within 30 hours, its location must be confirmed as in either the small intestine or the colon because of the potential for small intestinal stenosis in the former case. It is often difficult to confirm the location of the PC by abdominal radiograph. We report the case of one patient who did not excrete the PC within 30 hours and for whom it was difficult to distinguish whether the PC was in the small intestine or the colon on abdominal series. Abdominal sonography revealed the PC in the colon and subsequent CE was performed without complication. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:554–556, 2014
Antennal sensilla and ovipositor morphology of the European birch sawfly Arge pullata Zadd (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae, Argidae)
Authors: Zhang Lu , Feng Yu‐qian , Ren Li‐li , Luo You‐qing , Zong Shi‐xiang
Published: March 2014

Arge pullata Zadd is an important phytophagous pest that damages red birch Betula albo‐sinensis in Hubei Province, South China. Massive ecological and economic losses have been caused by this species, which threatens the ecological security of the Shennongjia Nature Reserve. To investigate the mechanoreception, chemoreception, and oviposition processes of A. pullata, scanning electron microscopy and optical confocal microscopy were used to reveal the typology, morphology, and distribution of ovipositor and antennal sensilla. The results show that A. pullata has clavate antennae and eight types of sensilla in total, including sensilla chaetica, sensilla trichodea (types 1–3), sensilla basiconica, sensilla coeloconica (types 1 and 2), and Böhm's bristles. Sensilla trichodea type 1 distributed only on male antennae; the densities of sensilla trichodea type 2 and sensilla basiconica differed between the sexes. The binding pattern of ovipositor valvulae was discovered, and one type of sensilla chaetica, two types of sensory pits, and tooth‐like cones as well as two types of microtrichia were found in the ovipositor. Based on morphological evidence and research on Hymenoptera, putative functions are suggested to increase our understanding of the mechanisms by which this species finds hosts and mates, and how oviposition takes place. Microsc. Res. Tech. 77:401–409, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predictors of rehospitalization after admission for pneumonia in the veterans affairs healthcare system
Authors: Tang Victoria L. , Halm Ethan A. , Fine Michael J. , Johnson Christopher S. , Anzueto Antonio , Mortensen Eric M.
Published: March 2014

INTRODUCTION

Although some factors associated with rehospitalization after community‐acquired pneumonia have been identified, other factors such as medical care utilization and medication usage have not been previously studied. We investigated novel predictors of rehospitalization in patients admitted with pneumonia.

METHODS

Using Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) administrative data from October 2001 to September 2007, we examined a cohort of patients 65 years old and older, who were hospitalized with pneumonia, in 150 VA acute care hospitals. The cohort was randomly split into derivation and validation samples, and then logistic regression models were used to identify and validate predictors of all‐cause rehospitalization within 30 days.

RESULTS

Of the 45,134 subjects, 13% were rehospitalized within 30 days. No significant differences were noted between the derivation and validation cohorts. Factors associated with readmission included age, marital status, chronic renal disease, prior malignancy, nursing home residence, congestive heart failure, use of oral corticosteroids, number of emergency department visits a year prior, prior admission, number of outpatient clinic visits in a year prior, and length of hospital stay. The C statistics for the derivation and validation models were 0.615 and 0.613, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Factors associated with readmission were largely unrelated to the underlying pneumonia, but were related to demographics, comorbidities, healthcare utilization, and length of stay on index admission. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2014;9:379–383. 2014 Society of Hospital Medicine
Effect of Silica Nanoparticles Modification on the Thermal, Structural, and Decomposition Properties of a β‐Nucleated Poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) Matrix
Authors: Papageorgiou Dimitrios G. , Vourlias George , Bikiaris Dimitrios N. , Chrissafis Konstantinos
Published: March 2014

In the current investigation, nanocomposites containing a β‐nucleated poly(propylene‐co‐ethylene) (PPR) matrix filled with untreated (SiO2) and methacrylate‐modified silica nanoparticles (SiO2‐MAA) are prepared. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals the improvement in the quality of dispersion due to the surface modification of the nanoparticles. Also, from differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD), it is found that the β‐nucleating agent and silica nanoparticles work synergistically in order to increase the relative β‐content in the nanocomposite samples. The thermal stability of each samples is evaluated by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the enhancement of the thermal stability of the nanocomposites is attributed to the nanoconfinement of the macromolecular chains caused by the presence of the fillers.

image
A randomized method for one‐step extrapolation in reverse time migration
Authors: Yang Haoxing , Wang Hongxia
Published: March 2014

Reverse time migration has drawn great attention in exploration geophysics because it can be used successfully in areas with large structural and velocity complexity. But its computational cost is considerably high. This paper concerns the fast implementation of the optimized separable approximation of the two‐way propagator, which is the most computational expensive step in reverse time migration. On the basis of the low‐rank property of the propagator and the idea of randomized algorithm, a randomized method is introduced for optimized separable approximation‐based one‐step extrapolation. Numerical results of approximating the propagator show that the randomized method is more efficient than the conventional interpolation method. At the same time, numerical experiments of wavefield extrapolation show that the proposed method is much more accurate than the conventional finite‐difference plus pseudo‐spectrum scheme. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High permittivity pads reduce specific absorption rate, improve B1 homogeneity, and increase contrast‐to‐noise ratio for functional cardiac MRI at 3 T
Authors: Brink Wyger M. , Webb Andrew G.
Published: March 2014

Purpose

To improve image quality and reduce specific absorption rate in functional cardiac imaging at 3 T.

Methods

Two high permittivity dielectric pads on the anterior and posterior sides of the thorax were numerically designed and implemented using an aqueous suspension of barium titanate. The effects on the average transmit efficiency, B1 homogeneity, reception sensitivity, and contrast‐to‐noise ratio were verified in vivo on a dual‐transmit system with the body coil driven in conventional quadrature and radiofrequency‐shimmed mode.

Results

Statistically significant improvements in average transmit efficiency, B1 homogeneity, and contrast‐to‐noise ratio were measured in healthy volunteers (n = 11) with body mass indices between 20.3 and 34.9. Simulations show that no radiofrequency hot spots are introduced by the dielectric material.

Conclusion

High permittivity pads are shown to reduce specific absorption rate, improve B1 homogeneity, and increase contrast‐to‐noise ratio in functional cardiac magnetic resonance at 3 T. The results presented in this work show that the current approach is more effective than dual‐channel radiofrequency shimming. Magn Reson Med 71:1632–1640, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Proficiency of nerve conduction using standard methods and reference values (cl. NPhys Trial 4)
Authors: Litchy William J. , Albers James W. , Wolfe James , Bolton Charles F. , Walsh Nancy , Klein Christopher J. , Zafft Andrew J. , Russell James W. , Zwirlein Melanie , Overland Carol J. , Davies Jenny L. , Carter Rickey E. , Dyck Peter J. ,   the CI. Nphys Trial 4 Investigators
Published: March 2014

Introduction

The Cl. NPhys Trial 3 showed that attributes of nerve conduction (NC) were without significant intraobserver differences, although there were significant interobserver differences. Methods: Trial 4 tested whether use of written instructions and pretrial agreement on techniques and use of standard reference values, diagnostic percentile values, or broader categorization of abnormality could reduce significant interobserver disagreement and improve agreement among clinical neurophysiologists. Results: The Trial 4 modifications markedly decreased, but did not eliminate, significant interobserver differences of measured attributes of NC. Use of standard reference values and defined percentile values of abnormality decreased interobserver disagreement and improved agreement of judgment of abnormality among evaluators. Therefore, the same clinical neurophysiologist should perform repeat NCs of therapeutic trial patients. Conclusions: Differences in interobserver judgment of abnormality decrease with use of common standard reference values and a defined percentile level of abnormality, providing a rationale for their use in therapeutic trials and medical practice. Muscle Nerve 50: 900–908, 2014
The Effect of Providing Breakfast in Class on Student Performance
Authors: Imberman Scott A. , Kugler Adriana D.
Published: March 2014

Many schools have recently experimented with moving breakfast from the cafeteria to the classroom. We examine whether such a program increases achievement, grades, and attendance rates. We exploit quasi‐random timing of program implementation that allows for a difference‐in‐differences identification strategy. We find that providing breakfast in class relative to the cafeteria raises math and reading achievement by 0.09 and 0.06 standard deviations, respectively. These effects are most pronounced for low‐performing, free lunch‐eligible, Hispanic, and low body mass index students. A lack of differences by exposure time and effects on grades suggest that these impacts are on test‐taking performance rather than learning. At the same time, the results highlight the possibility that measured achievement may be biased downwards, and accountability penalties may be inappropriately applied, in schools where many students do not consume breakfast.
Evaluation of Dabigatran Bleeding Adverse Reaction Reports in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System during the First Year of Approval
Authors: McConeghy Kevin W. , Bress Adam , Qato Dima M. , Wing Coady , Nutescu Edith A.
Published: March 2014

Study Objective

Evaluate dabigatran adverse event reports with a reported bleeding event and/or reported fatal outcome compared with warfarin.

Design

Retrospective analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.

Measurements and Main Results

We identified reports from October 1, 2010, through December 31, 2011, in the United States listing dabigatran or warfarin as the primary suspected agent. Bleeding events and related outcomes were determined. A bleeding‐related mortality rate was calculated based on national dabigatran treatment data.

Results

Dabigatran was the primary suspected agent in 9029 adverse reports. Of these, 2347 (26%) were bleeding events; a fatal outcome was reported in 348 (15%) of the bleeding events. In comparison, warfarin was the suspected agent in 2038 reports, of which 647 (32%) were reported as bleeding events. Among the warfarin bleeding reports, 46 (7.1%) reported a fatal outcome. Based on national dabigatran use and adverse bleed reports with fatal outcomes, we estimate a lower bound of 150 bleeding‐related fatalities per 100,000 dabigatran patient‐years. Because of underreporting bias, these estimates represent a lower bound on the population bleeding mortality rates.

Conclusion

Reports from FAERS are subject to significant bias but suggest that fatal outcomes among dabigatran reports are higher in clinical practice than they were in controlled clinical trials.
Size‐Dependent Room Temperature Oxidation of Tin Particles
Authors: Sutter Eli , Ivars‐Barcelo Francisco , Sutter Peter
Published: March 2014

Using transmission electron microscopy, the size‐dependent room temperature oxidation of tin nanoparticles is studied. The oxide that forms during room temperature oxidation of Sn particles is amorphous SnO, and it retains this stoichiometry and structure over extended time periods. From the investigation of arrays of Sn nanoparticles with broad size distribution, under identical conditions, the Sn oxide thickness is evaluated as a function of size and oxidation time. The oxide thickness depends strongly on the size of the Sn nanoparticles, which is in excellent agreement with predictions for a Mott–Cabrera model corrected for a non‐uniform electric field. The results demonstrate the accelerated oxidation kinetics of nanoscale particles with high curvature, due to the amplified electric field at the interface to a continuously shrinking metal core.
Magnetotransport and magnetization dynamics of GaMnAs thin films and magnetic tunnel junctions
Authors: Hamida Aymen Ben , Sievers Sibylle , Bergmann Florian , Racu Ana‐Maria , Bieler Mark , Pierz Klaus , Schumacher Hans Werner
Published: March 2014

We describe the comprehensive characterization of GaMnAs epitaxial thin films and magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJ) by complementary techniques ranging from high‐resolution imaging to magnetometry, magnetotransport, time‐resolved magneto‐optics, and coplanar broadband ferromagnetic resonance (FMR). Magnetometry and magnetotransport on macroscopic samples allow deriving the saturation magnetization and quasi‐static reversal fields. Perpendicular transport experiments on patterned MTJ pillars further reveal the tunneling magnetoresistance ratio. Additionally the precessional dynamics are characterized by time‐resolved magneto‐optics and broadband network analyzer FMR yielding the effective Gilbert damping and the sample anisotropies. The combination of the different techniques allows a comprehensive characterization of the key magnetostatic and dynamic material parameters of GaMnAs‐based thin films and devices.
In‐situ growth condition analysis of AlN interlayers for wafer curvature control in GaN MOVPE on Si (111)
Authors: Liu Cai , Kumamoto Akihito , Sodabanlu Hassanet , Sugiyama Masakazu , Nakano Yoshiaki
Published: March 2014

Effects of AlN interlayers growth conditions including thickness, temperature and V/III ratio on wafer bowing control in GaN MOVPE on Si (111) were studied by in‐situ curvature analysis. Simple methodology was applied, namely, multi‐condition growth and single‐condition growth, to survey the effects of growth conditions. Based on the results of this study, a proper AlN interlayer, which can introduce largest compressive stress in overly‐ing GaN layer, was approximately 6 ˜ 9 nm in thickness and grown at 900 °C, and V/III ratio of 1503. Based on in‐situ curvature observation, strategies were proposed for obtaining an AlN interlayer that applies the maximum compressive strain to an overlying GaN and to minimize the wafer bow at room temperature: (1) The bottom interface of an AlN interlayer should be incoherent and relaxed as much as possible with respect to the underlying GaN, for which lower temperature is preferable, (2) the top interface of an AlN interlayer should be coherent so that the overlying GaN can grow without high dislocation density at the interface and rapid relaxation, for which a moderate temperature and V/III ratio are preferable, (3) the thickness of an AlN interlayer should be limited less than the critical value for cracking. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
All‐epitaxial fabrication of a nanowire plasmon laser structure
Authors: Mastro Michael A. , Freitas Jaime A. , Hite Jennifer K. , Eddy Charles R.
Published: March 2014

An all‐epitaxial approach was demonstrated to create coaxial plasmon laser structures composed of an aluminum plasmonic metal/SiNx dielectric/InGaN quantum well shell surrounding a p‐GaN nanowire core. Strong UV luminescence was observed from as‐grown vertically‐aligned arrays as well as horizontally‐aligned nanowires transferred to a transparent carrier wafer. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Influence of Selected Flavonoids from the Leaves of Cirsium palustre (L.) Scop. on Collagen Expression in Human Skin Fibroblasts
Authors: Nazaruk Jolanta , Galicka Anna
Published: March 2014

Ten flavonoids belonging to the subclasses of flavones, flavanones and aurones were isolated from methanolic extract of Cirsium palustre leaves after multistep chromatographic separation. Their structures were elucidated with spectroscopic methods. All compounds, except for luteolin 7‐O‐glucoside, were isolated for the first time. Four compounds—eriodictyol 7‐O‐glucoside (6), 6‐hydroxyluteolin 7‐O‐glucoside (11), scutellarein 7‐O‐glucoside (12) and pedalitin (14)—were tested for their effect on collagen expression in normal human dermal fibroblasts. Among them, compound 11 at 40 μM and compound 14, at all concentrations used (1, 20, 40 μM), significantly enhanced the level of total collagen secreted into the medium. Furthermore, compound 11 significantly stimulated type I collagen expression, whereas compound 14 activated type I and III collagen expression at the mRNA level, depending on concentration. MMP‐2 activity was inhibited by all study compounds, with the greatest effect recorded with compound 14 at 20 μM. The lack of effect on collagen content in the medium of compound 6‐ and compound 12‐treated cells, besides an increase in COL1A1 and COL1A2 expression, might be caused by diminished expression of HSP47 gene, resulting in decreased procollagen secretion. Future study of compounds 11 and 14 for their potential therapeutic use in conditions connected with collagen biosynthesis deficiency is required. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stimulative Effect of Ginsenosides Rg5:Rk1 on Murine Osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 Cells
Authors: Siddiqi Muhammad Hanif , Siddiqi Muhammad Zubair , Ahn Sungeun , Kang Sera , Kim Yeon‐Ju , Veerappan Karpagam , Yang Dong‐Uk , Yang Deok‐Chun
Published: March 2014

Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (P. ginseng), hereafter referred to as P. ginseng, is known to exert a wide range of pharmacological effects both in vitro and in vivo; however, few studies have investigated the effects of ginseng on bone metabolism. We therefore investigated the potential antiosteoporotic properties of ginseng on the growth and differentiation of murine MC3T3‐E1 cells. Rg5:Rk1 is a mixture of protopanaxadiol‐type ginsenosides, isolated from fresh P. ginseng root, via a repetitive steaming and drying process. In this study, we examined the stimulatory effects of Rg5:Rk1 on the differentiation and mineralization of MC3T3‐E1 cells. Undifferentiated cells were treated with a range of concentrations of Rg5:Rk1 (1–50 µg/mL), and cell viability was measured with the 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐thiazol‐2yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Treatment with Rg5:Rk1 significantly increased cell viability in a dose‐dependent manner. To investigate the possible mechanisms by which Rg5:Rk1 affects the early differentiation phase of MC3T3‐E1 cells, the cells were treated with Rg5:Rk1 for 14–24 days before assessing the levels of multiple osteoblastic markers. The markers examined included alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity type I collagen content (Coll‐I), calcium deposition (by Alizarin Red S staining), extracellular mRNA expression of bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP‐2), and the level of Runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). Rg5:Rk1 treatment also increased the activities of proteins associated with osteoblast growth and differentiation in a dose‐dependent manner. Overall, we found that the Rg5:Rk1 mixture of ginsenosides improved the osteoblastic function of MC3T3‐E1 cells by increasing their proliferative capacity. This improvement is due to the action of Rg5:Rk1 on BMP‐2, which is mediated by Runx2‐dependent pathways. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessment of dispersion‐improved exchange‐correlation functionals for the simulation of CO2 binding by alcoholamines
Authors: Li Hsueh‐Chien , Chai Jeng‐Da , Tsai Ming‐Kang
Published: March 2014

In this study, 12 bound complexes were selected to construct a database for testing 15 dispersion‐improved exchange‐correlation (XC) functionals, including hybrid generalized gradient approximation (GGA), modified using the Grimme's pairwise strategy, and double hybrid XC functionals, for specifically characterizing the CO2 binding by alcoholamines. Bound complexes were selected based on the characteristics of their hydrogen bonds, dispersion, and electrostatic (particularly between the positive charge of CO2 and the lone pair of N of alcoholamines) interactions. The extrapolated binding energy from the aug‐cc‐pVTZ (ATZ) to aug‐cc‐pVQZ (AQZ) basis set at the CCSD(T)/CBS(MP2+DZ) level was used as the reference for the XC functional comparison. M06‐2X produced the optimal agreement if the optimized geometries at MP2/ATZ level were chosen for all the test bound complexes. However, M06‐L, ωB97X, and ωB97, and were preferred if the corresponding density functional theory (DFT) optimized geometries were adapted for the benchmark. Simple bimolecular reaction between CO2 and monoethanolamine simulated using polarizable continuum solvation model confirmed that ωB97, ωB97X, and ωB97XD qualitatively reproduced the energetics of MP2 level. The inconsistent performance of the tested XC functionals, observed when using MP2 or DFT optimized geometries, raised concerns regarding using the single‐point ab initio correction combined with DFT optimized geometry, particularly for determining the nucleophilic attack by alcoholamines to CO2. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Parathyroid Hormone Enhances Hematopoietic Expansion Via Upregulation of Cadherin-11 in Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Yao Hisayuki , Miura Yasuo , Yoshioka Satoshi , Miura Masako , Hayashi Yoshihiro , Tamura Akihiro , Iwasa Masaki , Sato Atsushi , Hishita Terutoshi , Higashi Yayoi , Kaneko Hitomi , Ashihara Eishi , Ichinohe Tatsuo , Hirai Hideyo , Maekawa Taira
Published: March 2014

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates hematopoiesis in mouse models. The involvement of osteoblasts in this process has been well investigated; however, the effects of PTH on human hematopoiesis and bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) are unclear. Here, we show that BM-MSCs contribute to the hematopoiesis-stimulating effects of PTH via upregulation of cadherin-11 (CDH11). When culture-expanded human BM-MSCs were stimulated with PTH, their ability to expand cocultured CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) was enhanced. Furthermore, when PTH-treated BM-MSCs were subcutaneously implanted into NOD/SCID mice, the induction of hematopoietic cells was enhanced. Culture-expanded human BM-MSCs expressed CDH11, and the level of CDH11 expression increased following PTH stimulation. Depletion of CDH11 expression in BM-MSCs using small interfering RNA abolished the enhancement of HPC expansion by PTH-treated BM-MSCs. In lethally irradiated mice that underwent BM transplantation, CDH11 expression in BM-MSCs was higher and survival was better in PTH-treated mice than in control mice. The number of hematopoietic cells in BM and the number of red blood cells in peripheral blood were higher in PTH-treated mice than in control mice. Our results demonstrate that PTH stimulates hematopoiesis through promoting the upregulation of CDH11 expression in BM-MSCs, at least in part. PTH treatment may be an effective strategy to enhance the ability of BM-MSCs to support hematopoiesis. Stem Cells  2014;32:2245–2255
Efficient Specification of Interneurons from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells by Dorsoventral and Rostrocaudal Modulation
Authors: Kim Tae-Gon , Yao Ruiqin , Monnell Travis , Cho Jun-Hyeong , Vasudevan Anju , Koh Alice , Peeyush Kumar T. , Moon Minho , Datta Debkanya , Bolshakov Vadim Y. , Kim Kwang-Soo , Chung Sangmi
Published: March 2014

GABAergic interneurons regulate cortical neural networks by providing inhibitory inputs, and their malfunction, resulting in failure to intricately regulate neural circuit balance, is implicated in brain diseases such as Schizophrenia, Autism, and Epilepsy. During early development, GABAergic interneuron progenitors arise from the ventral telencephalic area such as medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) and caudal ganglionic eminence (CGE) by the actions of secreted signaling molecules from nearby organizers, and migrate to their target sites where they form local synaptic connections. In this study, using combinatorial and temporal modulation of developmentally relevant dorsoventral and rostrocaudal signaling pathways (SHH, Wnt, and FGF8), we efficiently generated MGE cells from multiple human pluripotent stem cells. Most importantly, modulation of FGF8/FGF19 signaling efficiently directed MGE versus CGE differentiation. Human MGE cells spontaneously differentiated into Lhx6-expressing GABAergic interneurons and showed migratory properties. These human MGE-derived neurons generated GABA, fired action potentials, and displayed robust GABAergic postsynaptic activity. Transplantation into rodent brains results in well-contained neural grafts enriched with GABAergic interneurons that migrate in the host and mature to express somatostatin or parvalbumin. Thus, we propose that signaling modulation recapitulating normal developmental patterns efficiently generate human GABAergic interneurons. This strategy represents a novel tool in regenerative medicine, developmental studies, disease modeling, bioassay, and drug screening. Stem Cells  2014;32:1789–1804
Effect of operating modes on simultaneous anaerobic sulfide and nitrate removal in microbial fuel cell
Authors: Cai Jing , Zheng Ping , Qaisar Mahmood , Xing Yajuan
Published: March 2014

The effect of operating modes on the simultaneous sulfide and nitrate removal were studied in two-chamber microbial fuel cells (MFCs). The batch and continuous operating modes were compared and evaluated in terms of substrate removal and electricity generation. Upon gradual increase in the influent sulfide concentration from 60 to 1,020 S mg L−1, and the hydraulic retention time decrease from 17.2 to 6 h, the MFC accomplished a good substrate removal efficiency whereby nitrogen and sulfate were the main end products. The removal efficiency of the MFC in the continuous mode was much higher than that in the batch mode, and its current densities in the continuous mode were more stable and higher than in the batch mode, which could be explained by the linear relationship between electrons released by the substrates and accepted on the electrodes. The electricity output in the continuous mode of the MFC was higher than that in the batch mode. MFC's operation in the continuous mode was a better strategy for the simultaneous treatment of sulfide and nitrate.
Japanese consensus guidelines for pediatric nuclear medicine
Authors:   The Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine,   Optimization Committee for Pediatric Nuclear Medicine Studies, Koizumi Kiyoshi , Masaki Hidekazu , Matsuda Hiroshi , Uchiyama Mayuki , Okuno Mitsuo , Oguma Eiji , Onuma Hiroshi , Kanegawa Kimio , Kanaya Shinichi , Kamiyama Hiroshi , Karasawa Kensuke , Kitamura Masayuki , Kida Tetsuo , Kono Tatsuo , Kondo Chisato , Sasaki Masayuki , Terada Hitoshi , Nakanishi Atsushi , Hashimoto Teisuke , Hataya Hiroshi , Hamano Shin-ichiro , Hirono Keishi , Fujita Yukihiko , Hoshino Ken , Yano Masayuki , Watanabe Seiichi
Published: March 2014

The Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine has recently published the consensus guidelines for pediatric nuclear medicine. This article is the English version of the guidelines. Part 1 proposes the dose optimization in pediatric nuclear medicine studies. Part 2 comprehensively discusses imaging techniques for the appropriate conduct of pediatric nuclear medicine procedures, considering the characteristics of imaging in children.
Uniqueness of the minimizer for a random non-local functional with double-well potential in
\( d\leq2 \)
Authors: Dirr Nicolas , Orlandi Enza
Published: March 2014

We consider a small random perturbation of the energy functional

[u]_{H^{s}(\Lambda ,\mathbb{R}^{d})}^{2} + \int \limits_{\Lambda }W\left(u(x)\right)\:\mathrm{d}x

for

s \in (0,1)

, where the non-local part

[u]_{H^{s}(\Lambda ,\mathbb{R}^{d})}^{2}

denotes the total contribution from

\Lambda \subset \mathbb{R}^{d}

in the

H^{s}(\mathbb{R}^{d})

Gagliardo semi-norm of
u
and
W
is a double well potential. We show that there exists, as
Λ
invades

\mathbb{R}^{d}

, for almost all realizations of the random term a minimizer under compact perturbations, which is unique when

d = 2

,

s \in (\frac{1}{2},1)

and when

d = 1

,

s \in [\frac{1}{4},1)

. This uniqueness is a consequence of the randomness. When the random term is absent, there are two minimizers which are invariant under translations in space,

u = \pm 1

.
MiR‐129‐5p is down‐regulated and involved in the growth, apoptosis and migration of medullary thyroid carcinoma cells through targeting RET
Authors: Duan Lijun , Hao Xiaofang , Liu Zhiyong , Zhang Yang , Zhang Guangling
Published: March 2014

Dysregulation of the REarranged during Transfection proto‐oncogene (RET) pathway and microRNA (miRNAs) are crucial for the development of medullary thyroid carcinomas (MTC). Here we demonstrate that miR‐129‐5p is down‐regulated in MTC tissues and cell lines and inhibits RET expression by directly binding its 3′ untranslated regions. Ectopic expression of miR‐129‐5p significantly decreases cell growth, induces apoptosis and suppresses migration ability in MTC cells through decreasing the phosphorylated AKT, thus functioning as a tumor suppressor. These findings give new clues for understanding MTC carcinogenesis and may help in developing a therapeutic approach for the treatment of RET‐activated MTC.
Ubiquitin ligase Cbl‐b acts as a negative regulator in discoidin domain receptor 2 signaling via modulation of its stability
Authors: Yu Jiangtian , Zhao Hu , Zhang Yan , Liu Yun-Cai , Yao Libo , Li Xia , Su Jin
Published: March 2014

Discoidin domain receptor 2 (DDR2), a collagen receptor tyrosine kinase, initiates signal transduction upon collagen binding, but little is known as to how DDR2 signaling is negatively regulated. Herein we demonstrate that Cbl family member Cbl‐b predominantly promotes the ubiquitination of DDR2 upon collagen II stimulation. Cbl‐b‐mediated ubiquitination accelerates the degradation of activated DDR2. Finally, the production of MMP‐13, a downstream target of DDR2, is enhanced in Cbl‐b‐knocked down MC3T3‐E1 cells and Cbl‐b‐deficient mouse primary synovial fibroblasts. Thus, Cbl‐b, by promoting the ubiquitination and degradation of DDR2, functions as a negative regulator in the DDR2 signaling pathway.
Type 2 ryanodine receptors are highly sensitive to alcohol
Authors: Ye Yanping , Jian Kuihuan , Jaggar Jonathan H. , Bukiya Anna N. , Dopico Alex M.
Published: March 2014

Exposure to ethanol levels reached in circulation during alcohol intoxication (10 mM) constricts cerebral arteries in rats and humans. Remarkably, targets and mechanisms underlying this action remain largely unidentified. Artery diameter is regulated by myocyte Ca2+ sparks, a vasodilatory signal contributed to by type 2 ryanodine receptors (RyR2). Using laser confocal microscopy in rat cerebral arteries and bilayer electrophysiology we unveil that ethanol inhibits both Ca2+ spark and RyR2 activity with IC50

20 mM, placing RyR2 among the ion channels that are most sensitive to ethanol. Alcohol directly targets RyR2 and its lipid microenvironment, leading to stabilization of RyR2 closed states.