bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Detection of nonfluorescent molecules using differential interference contrast thermal lens microscope for extended nanochannel chromatography
Authors: Shimizu Hisashi , Mawatari Kazuma , Kitamori Takehiko
Published: August 2011

An ultrasensitive absorbance detector, the differential interference contrast thermal lens microscope (DIC‐TLM), was employed for a chromatography system using silica nanochannel. Recently, separation of ultrasmall volume sample has been strongly required for single‐cell biological and chemical analysis. Previously, we have developed a chromatography system using nanochannels of ∼100 nm scale (extended nanochannels) fabricated on a silica substrate. The extended nanochromatography realized highly efficient separation of samples <1 fL without packing materials. However, its detection method was limited to fluorescence method due to the small volume, and a new detector based on absorbance has been required. On the contrary, we have also developed DIC‐TLM, a photothermal spectrometer based on absorption and thermal relaxation of sample for determination of concentration of nonfluorescent molecules in extended nanochannel. In this paper, we combined the extended nanochromatography and the DIC‐TLM for separation and detection of nonfluorescent dyes. Particularly, basic performances of the DIC‐TLM including quantitative performance and sensitivity were deliberated for injected samples of ∼fL volume.
Impact of liver transplantation on the survival of patients treated for hepatorenal syndrome type 1
Authors: Boyer Thomas D. , Sanyal Arun J. , Garcia-Tsao Guadalupe , Regenstein Frederick , Rossaro Lorenzo , Appenrodt Beate , Gülberg Veit , Sigal Samuel , Bexon Alice S. , Teuber Peter
Published: August 2011

The development of hepatorenal syndrome type 1 (HRS1) is associated with a poor prognosis. Liver transplantation improves this prognosis, but the degree of the improvement is unclear. Most patients receive vasoconstrictors such as terlipressin before transplantation, and this may affect the posttransplant outcomes. We examined a cohort of patients with access to liver transplantation from our previously published study of terlipressin plus albumin versus albumin alone in the treatment of HRS1. The purpose of this analysis was the quantification of the survival benefits of liver transplantation for patients with HRS1. Ninety-nine patients were randomized to terlipressin or placebo. Thirty-five patients (35%) received a liver transplant. Among those receiving terlipressin plus albumin, the 180-day survival rates were 100% for transplant patients and 34% for nontransplant patients; among those receiving only albumin, the rates were 94% for transplant patients and 17% for nontransplant patients. The survival rate was significantly better for those achieving a reversal of hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) versus those not achieving a reversal (47% versus 4%, P < 0.001), but it was significantly lower for the responders versus those undergoing liver transplantation (97%). We conclude that the use of terlipressin plus albumin has no significant impact on posttransplant survival. Liver transplantation offers a clear survival benefit to HRS1 patients regardless of the therapy that they receive or the success or failure of HRS reversal. The most likely benefit of terlipressin in patients undergoing liver transplantation for HRS1 is improved pretransplant renal function, and this should make the posttransplant management of this difficult group of patients easier. For patients not undergoing transplantation, HRS reversal with terlipressin and/or albumin improves survival.
Waitlist survival of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis in the model for end-stage liver disease era
Authors: Goldberg David , French Benjamin , Thomasson Arwin , Reddy Rajender K. , Halpern Scott D.
Published: August 2011

The ability of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score to capture the urgency of transplantation may not be generalizable to patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) because these patients face unique risks of death or removal from the liver transplant waitlist due to disease-specific complications (eg, repeated bouts of bacterial cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma). We constructed Cox regression models to determine whether disease-based differences exist in waitlist mortality before liver transplantation. We compared the times to death or withdrawal from the waitlist due to clinical deterioration among patients with or without PSC in the United States after the implementation of the MELD allocation score. Over an 8-year period, 14,073 non-PSC patients (20.5%) and 432 PSC patients (13.6%) died or were removed (P < 0.0001). The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for PSC was 0.72 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.66-0.79], which indicated that these patients had a lower time-dependent risk of death or removal from the waitlist in comparison with patients without PSC. This difference was explained in part by the groups' different probabilities of portal hypertension complications at listing because adjustments for these intermediate endpoints moved the HR closer to the null (0.84, 95% CI = 0.74-0.97). In comparison with patients with other forms of end-stage liver disease, patients with PSC are less likely to die or be removed from the waitlist because of clinical deterioration; therefore, the prevailing practice in some centers and regions of preemptively referring PSC patients for living donor transplantation or exception points should be reconsidered.
Events in Procurement as Risk Factors for Ischemic Cholangiopathy in Liver Transplantation Using Donation After Cardiac Death Donors
Authors: Taner Burcin C. , Bulatao Ilynn G. , Willingham Darrin L. , Perry Dana K. , Sibulesky Lena , Pungpapong Surakit , Aranda-Michel Jaime , Keaveny Andrew P. , Kramer David J. , Nguyen Justin H.
Published: August 2011

The use of donation after cardiac death (DCD) liver grafts is controversial because of the overall increased rates of graft loss and morbidity, which are mostly related to the consequences of ischemic cholangiopathy (IC). In this study, we sought to determine the factors leading to graft loss and the development of IC and to compare patient and graft survival rates for recipients of DCD liver grafts and recipients of donation after brain death (DBD) liver grafts in a large series at a single transplant center. Two hundred liver transplants with DCD donors were performed between 1998 and 2010 at Mayo Clinic Florida. Logistic regression models were used in the univariate and multivariate analyses of predictors for the development of IC. Additional analyses using Cox regression models were performed to identify predictors of graft survival and to compare outcomes for DCD and DBD graft recipients. In our series, the patient survival rates for the DCD and DBD groups at 1, 3, and 5 years was 92.6%, 85%, and 80.9% and 89.8%, 83.0%, and 76.6%, respectively (P = not significant). The graft survival rates for the DCD and DBD groups at 1, 3, and 5 years were 80.9%, 72.7%, and 68.9% and 83.3%, 75.1%, and 68.6%, respectively (P = not significant). In the DCD group, 5 patients (2.5%) had primary nonfunction, 7 patients (3.5%) had hepatic artery thrombosis, and 3 patients (1.5%) experienced hepatic necrosis. IC was diagnosed in 24 patients (12%), and 11 of these patients (5.5%) required retransplantation. In the multivariate analysis, the asystole-to-cross clamp duration [odds ratio = 1.161, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.021-1.321] and African American recipient race (odds ratio = 5.374, 95% CI = 1.368-21.103) were identified as significant factors for predicting the development of IC (P < 0.05). This study has established a link between the development of IC and the asystole-to-cross clamp duration. Procurement techniques that prolong the nonperfusion period increase the risk for the development of IC in DCD liver grafts.
Optimizing cost-effectiveness in perioperative care for liver transplantation: A model for low- to medium-income countries
Authors: Rando Karina , Niemann Claus U. , Taura Pilar , Klinck John
Published: August 2011

Although liver transplantation (LT) is a highly effective treatment, it has been considered too costly for publicly funded health systems in many countries with low to medium average incomes. However, with economic growth and improving results, some governments are reconsidering this position. Cost-effectiveness data for LT are limited, especially in perioperative care, and the techniques and costs vary widely between centers without overt differences in outcomes. Anesthesiologists working in new programs find it difficult to determine which modalities are essential, which are needed only in exceptional circumstances, and which may be omitted without effects on outcomes. We investigated key elements of preoperative evaluations, intraoperative management, and early postoperative care that might significantly affect costs in order to develop a best-value approach for new programs in resource-limited health systems. We identified all modalities of care commonly used in anesthesia and perioperative care for adult LT along with their costs. Those considered to be universally accepted as minimum requirements for safe care were excluded from the analysis, and so were those considered to be safe and low-cost, even when evidence of efficacy was lacking. The remaining items were, therefore, those with uncertain or context-restricted value and significant costs. A systematic review of the published evidence, practice surveys, and institutional guidelines was performed, and the evidence was graded and summarized. With respect to costs and benefits, each modality was then cited as strongly recommended, recommended or optional, or no recommendation was made because of insufficient evidence. Sixteen modalities, which included preoperative cardiovascular imaging, venovenous bypass, pulmonary artery catheterization, high-flow fluid warming devices, drug therapies for hemostasis, albumin, cell salvage, anesthetic drugs, personnel (staffing) requirements, and early extubation, were assessed. Only high-flow fluid warming was strongly recommended. The recommended modalities included preoperative echocardiography, cell salvage, tranexamic acid and early extubation. Six others were rated optional, and there was insufficient evidence for 5 modalities. We conclude that some costly techniques and treatments can be omitted without adverse effects on outcomes.
Surveillance of Epstein-Barr Virus Loads in Adult Liver Transplantation: Associations With Age, Sex, Posttransplant Times, and Transplant Indications†
Authors: Schaffer Kirsten , Hassan Jaythoon , Staines Anthony , Coughlan Suzie , Holder Paul , Tuite Gráinne , McCormick Aiden P. , Traynor Oscar , Hall William W. , Connell Jeff
Published: August 2011

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) is a life-threatening complication after adult orthotopic liver transplantation (AOLT). Besides EBV and immunosuppression, relatively little is known about the pretransplant clinical parameters associated with the risk of PTLD, and the benefit of using EBV surveillance to predict EBV-associated disease in AOLT patients is uncertain. The aims of this single-center study were to monitor EBV viral loads (VLs) in AOLT patients and to investigate any associations with age, sex, cytomegalovirus (CMV) serostatus, posttransplant times, and indications for transplantation. 1275 blood samples that were collected from 197 AOLT patients 1 day to more than 15 years after transplantation were investigated with quantitative polymerase chain reaction for EBV and CMV DNA. Seventy-two percent of the patients had EBV DNAemia less than 100 days after transplantation without clinical manifestations. No association was observed between the EBV copy numbers and the time since transplantation. EBV DNAemia was weakly associated with male sex but was not associated with age, CMV serostatus, or indications for AOLT. The highest EBV VL levels were observed in patients who presented with congenital liver diseases, whereas patients with viral hepatitis maintained high EBV VLs after transplantation. None of the patients developed PTLD during the study period; however, 3 patients presented with EBV-associated diseases. In conclusion, EBV DNAemia is common in AOLT patients, and routine EBV surveillance has limited value for predicting EBV-associated morbidity or mortality. Liver Transpl, 2011. © 2011 AASLD.
High Rate of Unemployment after Liver Transplantation
Authors: Huda Amina , Newcomer Robert , Harrington Charlene , Blegen Mary G. , Keeffe Emmet B.
Published: August 2011

The goal of liver transplantation (LT) is to maximize the length and quality of a patient's life and facilitate his or her return to full productivity. The aims of this study were (1) to use the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data set to determine the proportions of recipients who were employed and unemployed within 24 months after LT between 2002 and 2008 and (2) to examine the factors associated with a return to employment. UNOS data that were collected since the adoption of the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scoring system on February 27, 2002 were analyzed. There were 21,942 transplant recipients who met the inclusion criteria. The employment status of the recipients was analyzed within a 60-day window at the following times after transplantation: 6, 12, and 24 months. Approximately one-quarter of the LT recipients (5360 or 24.4%) were employed within 24 months after transplantation, and the remaining recipients had not returned to work. The demographic variables that were independently associated with posttransplant employment included an age of 18 to 40 years, male sex, a college degree, Caucasian race, and pretransplant employment. Patients with alcoholic liver disease had a significantly lower rate of employment than patients with other etiologies of liver disease. The recipients who were employed after transplantation had significantly better functional status than those who were not employed. In conclusion, the employment rate after LT is low, with only one-quarter of LT recipients employed. New national and individual transplant program policies are needed to assess the root causes of unemployment in recipients who wish to work after LT.
Effect of Intermittent Hepatic Inflow Occlusion with the Pringle Maneuver During Donor Hepatectomy in Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation with Right Hemiliver Grafts
Authors: Park Jae Berm , Joh Jae-Won , Kim Sung-Joo , David Kwon Choon-Hyuck , Min Chun Jae , Man Kim Jong , Ik Moon Ju , Lee Suk-Koo
Published: August 2011

To evaluate the effects of intermittent hepatic inflow occlusion (IHIO) during donor hepatectomy for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in recipients and donors, we performed a single-center, open-label, prospective, parallel, randomized controlled study. Adult donor-recipient pairs undergoing LDLT with right hemiliver grafts were randomized into IHIO and control groups (1:1). In the IHIO group, IHIO was performed during donor hepatectomy. The primary endpoint was the peak serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) concentration in the recipients within 5 days after the operation. Blood samples for measurements of interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were taken from the donors and the recipients during the operation and postoperatively. Biopsy samples for measurements of caspase-3 and malondialdehyde (MDA) were taken from the donors and the recipients. In all, 50 donor-recipient pairs (ie, 25 pairs in each group) completed this study. The mean peak serum ALT levels within 5 days after the operation did not differ in the recipients between the 2 groups (P = 0.32) but were higher in the donors of the IHIO group (P = 0.002). There were no differences in the prothrombin times or total bilirubin levels in the recipients or donors between the 2 groups. The amount of blood loss during donor hepatectomy was significantly lower in the IHIO group versus the control group (P = 0.02). The mean hospital stay for donors was 19.3 ± 7.2 days in the control group and 15.8 ± 4.6 days in the IHIO group (P = 0.046). There were no in-hospital deaths within 1 month and no cases of primary nonfunction or initially poor function in the 2 groups. The concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and HGF did not differ between the 2 groups, nor did the concentrations of caspase-3 and MDA. In conclusion, although we found differences in postoperative peak serum ALT levels in donors, donor hepatectomy with IHIO for LDLT using a right hemiliver graft with a graft-to-recipient body weight ratio > 0.9% and <30% steatosis can be a tolerable procedure for donors and recipients.
NATb/NAT1*4 promotes greater arylamine N‐acetyltransferase 1 mediated DNA adducts and mutations than NATa/NAT1*4 following exposure to 4‐aminobiphenyl
Authors: Millner Lori M. , Doll Mark A. , Cai Jian , States J. Christopher , Hein David W.
Published: August 2011

N‐acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) is a phase II metabolic enzyme responsible for the biotransformation of aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens such as 4‐aminobiphenyl (ABP). NAT1 catalyzes N‐acetylation of arylamines as well as the O‐acetylation of N‐hydroxylated arylamines. O‐acetylation leads to the formation of electrophilic intermediates that result in DNA adducts and mutations. NAT1 is transcribed from a major promoter, NATb, and an alternative promoter, NATa, resulting in mRNAs with distinct 5′‐untranslated regions (UTR). NATa mRNA is expressed primarily in the kidney, liver, trachea, and lung while NATb mRNA has been detected in all tissues studied. To determine if differences in 5′‐UTR have functional effect upon NAT1 activity and DNA adducts or mutations following exposure to ABP, pcDNA5/FRT plasmid constructs were prepared for transfection of full‐length human mRNAs including the 5′‐UTR derived from NATa or NATb, the open reading frame, and 888 nucleotides of the 3′‐UTR. Following stable transfection of NATb/NAT1*4 or NATa/NAT1*4 into nucleotide excision repair (NER) deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells, N‐acetyltransferase activity (in vitro and in situ), mRNA, and protein expression were higher in NATb/NAT1*4 than NATa/NAT1*4 transfected cells (P < 0.05). Consistent with NAT1 expression and activity, ABP‐induced DNA adducts and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase mutants were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in NATb/NAT1*4 than in NATa/NAT1*4 transfected cells following exposure to ABP. These differences observed between NATa and NATb suggest that the 5′‐UTRs are differentially regulated. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The predicted truncation from a cancer‐associated variant of the MSH2 initiation codon alters activity of the MSH2‐MSH6 mismatch repair complex
Authors: Cyr Jennifer L. , Brown Graham D. , Stroop Jennifer , Heinen Christopher D.
Published: August 2011

Lynch syndrome (LS) is caused by germline mutations in DNA mismatch repair (MMR) genes. MMR recognizes and repairs DNA mismatches and small insertion/deletion loops. Carriers of MMR gene variants have a high risk of developing colorectal, endometrial, ovarian, and other extracolonic carcinomas. We report on an ovarian cancer patient who carries a germline MSH2 c.1A>C variant which alters the translation initiation codon. Mutations affecting the MSH2 start codon have been described previously for LS‐related malignancies. However, the patients often lack a clear family history indicative of LS and their tumors often fail to display microsatellite instability, a hallmark feature of LS. Therefore, the pathogenicity of start codon variants remains undefined. Loss of the MSH2 start codon has been predicted to result in a truncated protein translated from a downstream in‐frame AUG that would lack the first 25 amino acids. We therefore purified recombinant MSH2(NΔ25)‐MSH6 and MSH2(NΔ25)‐MSH3 to examine their DNA lesion recognition and adenosine nucleotide processing functions in vitro. We found that the MSH2(NΔ25) mutant confers distinct biochemical defects on MSH2‐MSH6, but does not have a significant effect on MSH2‐MSH3. We confirmed that expression of the MSH2 c.1A>C cDNA results in the production of multiple protein products in human cells that may include the truncated and full‐length forms of MSH2. An in vivo MMR assay revealed a slight reduction in MMR efficiency in these cells. These data suggest that mutation of the MSH2 initiation codon, while not a strong, high‐risk disease allele, may have a moderate impact on disease phenotype. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tg737 inhibition results in malignant transformation in fetal liver stem/progenitor cells by promoting cell‐cycle progression and differentiation arrest
Authors: You Nan , Liu Weihui , Zhong Xiao , Ji Ru , Zhang Ming , You Houcheng , Dou Kefeng , Tao Kaishan
Published: August 2011

Cancer stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs) may originate from the malignant transformation of normal stem cells. However, the mechanism by which normal stem cells undergo such transformation is not understood. Our previous studies provided evidence that Tg737 may play an important role in carcinogenesis of liver stem cells. In this study, we investigated the role of Tg737 in the malignant transformation of fetal liver stem/progenitor cells (FLSPCs). We inhibited Tg737 in FLSPCs using short hairpin RNA (shRNA). The microscopic observations of freshly purified Tg737 normal FLSPCs (nFLSPCs) and Tg737‐silent FLSPCs (sFLSPCs), which showed high expression levels of stem cell markers, revealed no significant morphological changes in sFLSPCs. Following RNAi of Tg737, the mRNA and protein levels of sFLSPCs decreased by 81.81% and 80.10% as shown by PCR, Western blot and immunocytochemistry analyses. Excluding apoptosis‐related effects, we found that silencing of Tg737 resulted in enhanced cell proliferation through promoting cell‐cycle progression via upregulation of cyclin D1 and cyclin B expression (P < 0.05). Silencing of Tg737 also resulted in significant arrest of cell differentiation (P < 0.05), stable expression of both albumin (ALB) and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) (P > 0.05) and quiescent ultrastructure. Assessment of cell malignant traits by transwell migration assays and by growth of xenograft tumors in athymic mice showed that reduced expression of Tg737 greatly promoted cell invasion and hepatocarcinogenesis of FLSPCs (P < 0.05). This work shows that inactivation of Tg737 may play an important role in malignant transformation of FLSPCs. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Mathematical Modeling of Hyperbranched Water‐soluble Polymers with Applications in Drug Delivery
Authors: Zargar Amin , Chang Kai , Taite Lakeshia J. , Schork F. Joseph
Published: August 2011

Although the method of moments has been used to determine the properties of copolymerizations, accounting for branching has either been ignored or required multiple dimensions to simulate. In this work, we extend our previous modeling efforts to account for hyperbranching, a form of polymerization that is particularly useful in the synthesis of targeted delivery vehicles capable of encapsulating drugs for localized therapeutics, without invoking higher dimension moment treatments. Specifically, the case of RAFT polymerization with a polymerizable double bond incorporated into the RAFT agent is modeled. This gives a very highly‐branched material without the complexity of dendrimer synthesis. The model is then used to simulate three copolymerizations that illustrate the power of this model to accurately predict the copolymer properties and illustrate the polydispersity of the individual segments of the hyperbranched polymer, and the overall hyperbranched polymer. This paper models three different hyperbranched copolymer blends: acrylamide–acrylic acid, acrylonitrile–methacrylic acid, and ethylene–styrene. The first case is of specific interest in the development of hyperbranched polymers for drug delivery. The other two are included in order to explore the effects of specific kinetics on branching.

magnified image
Twitch potentiation after voluntary contraction and neuromuscular electrical stimulation at various frequencies in human quadriceps femoris
Authors: Miyamoto Naokazu , Fukutani Atsuki , Yanai Toshimasa , Kawakami Yasuo
Published: August 2011

Introduction: In this study we aimed to compare the extent of twitch potentiation (TP) after voluntary contraction and percutaneous electrical stimulation of muscles (neuromuscular electrical stimulation: NMES) with various stimulation frequencies at equivalent target levels. Methods: Isometric knee extensions of 10 s were performed at a 40% maximal voluntary contraction level by voluntary or NMES conditioning contractions at 20, 40, and 80 HZof the quadriceps femoris muscle. Twitch responses were elicited by stimulating the femoral nerve transcutaneously at supramaximal intensity. Results: NMES at 80 HZinduced significantly less TP (128.7 ± 17.1%) than voluntary contraction (156.2 ± 23.1%), whereas no statistical difference was found in TP among voluntary and 20‐ and 40‐HZNMES conditioning contractions (170.8 ± 21.1% and 162.7 ± 16.9% for 20‐ and 40‐HZNMES, respectively). Conclusion: Stimulation frequency of NMES determines whether NMES can induce TP comparable to that after voluntary contraction. Muscle Nerve 45: 110–115, 2012
Granulomatous myositis associated with brucellosis: A case report and literature review
Authors: Kojan Suleiman , Alothman Adel , Althani Ziad , Alshehri Ali , Mansour Nouf , Khathaami Ali , Haider Abdulrazzaq , Al‐Jumah Mohammed
Published: August 2011

Brucellosis, a multisystem infectious disorder, continues to be a serious public health problem in some parts of the world. Neurobrucellosis constitutes about 4% of all brucellosis cases. Brucellosis‐associated myositis is extremely rare, and there is only 1 reported case in the English literature. We report a 16‐year‐old boy with subacute, fluctuating, progressive muscle pain, with tenderness, swelling, and diffuse, asymmetric weakness. He also had significantly elevated serum Brucella titers and a muscle biopsy showed inflammatory granulomatous myositis. We review the literature on myositis associated with brucellosis. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Effective zone of botulinum toxin a injections in hallux claw toe syndrome: An anatomical study
Authors: Lee Je‐Hun , Han Seung‐Ho , Ye Jun‐Feng , Lee Be‐Na , An Xiaochun , Kwon Seong‐Oh
Published: August 2011

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the anatomical location of the motor points of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) and brevis (FHB) muscles for an effective motor point block. Methods: Twenty cadavers were used for this study. For the FHL, we identified the line between the medial and lateral epicondyle of the femur and the line joining the prominent point on the surface of the medial malleolus of the tibia and the lateral malleolus of the fibula. For the FHB, we identified the line between the middle–lowest point of the great toe and the middle–lowest point of the sole of the foot. Results: The dense area of the motor points was located at 40–70% for the FHL and 50–70% for the FHB. Conclusion: An injection area of 50–60% on the reference line for the FHL and FHB is suggested. Muscle Nerve, 2012
Effects of fatigue on motor unit firing rate versus recruitment threshold relationships
Authors: Stock Matt S. , Beck Travis W. , Defreitas Jason M.
Published: August 2011

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of fatigue on the average firing rate versus recruitment threshold relationships for the vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis. Methods: Nineteen subjects performed ten maximum voluntary contractions of the dominant leg extensors. Before and after this fatiguing protocol, the subjects performed a trapezoid isometric muscle action of the leg extensors, and bipolar surface electromyographic signals were detected from both muscles. These signals were then decomposed into individual motor unit action potential trains. For each subject and muscle, the relationship between average firing rate and recruitment threshold was examined using linear regression analyses. Results: For the VL, the linear slope coefficients and y‐intercepts for these relationships increased and decreased, respectively, after fatigue. For both muscles, many of the motor units decreased their firing rates. Conclusion: With fatigue, recruitment of higher threshold motor units resulted in an increase in slope for the VL. Muscle Nerve 45: 100–109, 2012
Differences in capillary architecture, hemodynamics, and angiogenic factors in rat slow and fast plantarflexor muscles
Authors: Fujino Hidemi , Kondo Hiroyo , Murakami Shinichiro , Nagatomo Fumiko , Fujita Naoto , Takeda Isao , Ishihara Akihiko , Roy Roland R.
Published: August 2011

Introduction:

The capillary architecture in skeletal muscles is unique in that it has anastomoses that interconnect individual capillaries.

Methods:

We used new techniques to measure velocity of red blood cells (VRBC) in both capillaries and anastomoses in situ. The volume of capillaries/anastomoses was determined, and the levels of several angiogenic regulators were compared between the soleus and the superficial gastrocnemius (LGsup).

Results:

The VRBC in both capillaries and anastomoses was slower in soleus than in LGsup. The numbers of capillaries and anastomoses were higher, diameter of capillaries smaller, and tortuosity greater in soleus than in LGsup. Consequently, the capillary/anastomoses volume was larger in soleus than in LGsup. Furthermore, several angiogenic regulators (HIF‐1α, VEGF, Flt‐1, KDR, angiopoietin‐1 and ‐2, and Tie‐2) were higher in soleus than in LGsup.

Conclusion:

The differences in microvascular architecture, VRBC, and levels of angiogenic regulators between soleus and LGsup reflect the greater oxygen demands of the highly active soleus muscle. Muscle Nerve, 2012
A FE‐BE coupling for a fluid‐structure interaction problem: Hierarchical a posteriori error estimates
Authors: Domínguez Catalina , Stephan Ernst P. , Maischak Matthias
Published: August 2011

In this article, we establish a hierarchical a posteriori error estimate for a coupling of finite elements and boundary elements for a fluid‐structure interaction problem posed in two and three dimensions. These methods combine boundary elements for the exterior fluid and finite elements for the elastic structure. We consider two weak formulations, a nonsymmetric one and a symmetric one, which are both uniquely solvable. We present the reliability and efficiency of the error estimates. For the two dimensional case, we compute local error indicators which allow us to develop an adaptive mesh refinement strategy on triangles. For the three dimensional case, we use hexahedrons as elements. Numerical experiments underline our theoretical results. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Numer Methods Partial Differential Eq 2012
Screening for personality disorder in probationers: Validation of the Standardised Assessment of Personality—Abbreviated Scale (SAPAS)
Authors: Pluck G. , Sirdifield C. , Brooker C. , Moran P.
Published: August 2011

Personality disorder (PD) is an important indicator of future recidivism, and a brief assessment of PD would be of great value to those working in the criminal justice system. There is insufficient research on PD among probation populations. We examined the concurrent validity of a mini‐interview for PD, the Standardised Assessment of Personality—Abbreviated Scale (SAPAS), by comparing its performance with that of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM‐IV Personality Disorders (SCID‐II) in a sample of 40 individuals on probation in Lincolnshire, UK. The SCID‐II identified 30/40 (75%) of the sample as having a PD. The most common category was antisocial PD, for which 20/40 (50%) were positive. A cut score of 3 on the SAPAS produced a good balance of sensitivity (0.73) and specificity (0.9) for case identification. We conclude that the SAPAS is a valid screening tool for PD among those on probation and is of potential value to those working in the criminal justice system. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Monitoring photopolymerization of trimethylolpropane triacrylate using a quartz crystal resonator
Authors: Kim Byoung Chul , Kim Young Han
Published: August 2011

The UV photopolymerization of trimethylolpropane triacrylate with a photoinitiator of 2‐ethylanthraquinone is monitored using the variation of resonant resistance of a quartz crystal resonator to investigate the polymerization kinetics. The roles of initiator concentration and irradiation time are experimentally examined, and it is found that two different kinetics are involved in the photopolymerization. The initiator radicals produced by the UV light proceed the polymerization as long as the monomer remains even after the UV illumination has stopped. The experimental results indicate that the photopolymerization has the first‐order kinetics at the first‐ and the zeroth‐order kinetics followed. With the high concentration of initiator the polymerization occurs in the first‐order kinetics only, and so does with long irradiation time. The polymerization constants of the first and zeroth‐order kinetics are estimated from monitoring monomer amounts at different polymerization conditions. The photopolymerization is characterized with the FTIR spectroscopy. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Structure modification and annealing effect of polymer bulk heterojunction solar cells based on polyfluorene derivatives
Authors: Lee Jung‐Feng , Hsu Steve Lien‐Chung , Lee Po‐I , Chuang Hung‐Yi , Chen Jen‐Sue , Chou Wei‐Yang
Published: August 2011

Three low bandgap polyfluorene copolymers containing a donor–acceptor–donor moiety have been synthesized via Suzuki and Stille polymerization reactions. Their bandgaps and molecular energy levels (highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) varied with different polymerization methods. The molecular weight of the copolymer increased significantly through copolymerizing with a monomer having a long alkyl side chain. In order to investigate their photovoltaic properties, polymer solar cell devices based on the copolymers were fabricated with a structure of indium tin oxide/poly(styrene sulfonic acid)‐doped poly(ethylene dioxythiophene)/copolymers:[6,6]‐phenyl‐C61‐butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)/LiF/Al under the illumination of AM 1.5G, 100 mW/cm2. We found that the annealing temperature had a profound effect on the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the devices with a blend of poly[9,9‐didodecylfluorene‐alt‐(bis‐thienylene) benzothiadiazole] (PF12‐TBT) and PCBM. The PCE of the solar cell based on PF12‐TBT/PCBM (1:4) annealing at 70 °C for 20 min was 4.13% with an open‐circuit voltage (Voc) of 1.02 V, fill factor of 55.9%, and a short‐circuit current (Jsc) of 7.24 mA/cm2. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Living regioselective copolymerization of ethylene with nonconjugated bicyclic dienes using (salicylaldiminato)(β‐enaminoketonato) titanium catalysts
Authors: Long Ying‐Yun , Wang Yong‐Xia , Liu Jing‐Yu , Li Xiao‐Fang , Li Yue‐Sheng
Published: August 2011

A series of heteroligated (salicylaldiminato)(β‐enaminoketonato)titanium complexes [3‐tBu‐2‐OC6H3CHN(C6F5)] [PhNC(CF3)CHCRO]TiCl2 [3a: R = Ph, 3b: R = C6H4Cl(p), 3c: R = C6H4OMe(p), 3d: R = C6H4Me(p), 3e: R = C6H4Me(o)] were synthesized and characterized. Molecular structures of 3b and 3c were further confirmed by X‐ray crystallographic analyses. In the presence of modified methylaluminoxane as a cocatalyst, these unsymmetric catalysts displayed favorable ability to incorporate 5‐vinyl‐2‐norbornene (VNB) and 5‐ethylidene‐2‐norbornene (ENB) into the polymer chains, affording high‐molecular weight copolymers with high‐comonomer incorporations and alternating sequence under the mild conditions. The comonomer concentration in the polymerization medium had a profound influence on the molecular weight distribution of the resultant copolymer. At initial comonomer concentration of higher than 0.4 mol/L, the titanium complexes with electron‐donating groups in the β‐enaminoketonato moiety mediated room‐temperature living ethylene/VNB or ENB copolymerizations. Polymerization results coupled with density functional theory calculations suggested that the highly controlled living copolymerization is probably a consequence of the difficulty in chain transfer of VNB (or ENB)‐last‐inserted species and some characteristics of living ethylene polymerization under limited conditions. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Ethnic differences in the caregiver's attitudes and preferences about the treatment and care of advanced lung cancer patients
Authors: Zhang Amy Y. , Zyzanski Stephen J. , Siminoff Laura A.
Published: August 2011

Objective

This study examined differences in attitudes and preferences between African American and White caregivers about cancer treatment and care.

Methods

There were 173 White and 26 African American caregivers of advanced lung cancer patients who were recruited as a convenience sample. A telephone interview was conducted to collect information using a semi‐structured questionnaire. Using logistic regression, we examined differences between racial groups concerning therapeutic and caregiving issues controlling for socioeconomic and demographic variables.

Results

The regression analyses showed that African American caregivers had higher expectations for treatment outcomes (p ≤ 0.05) but poorer understanding of hospice and a stronger preference for hospice care outside the home (p ≤ 0.05). They were more likely to believe that the patient communicates with the family about cancer treatment to meet the family's expectations rather than seek emotional support (p ≤ 0.01). They were also more reluctant to endorse children's responsibility to make a treatment decision and are less likely to be fully satisfied with the decision‐making process (p ≤ 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings suggest some differences in beliefs and cultural values between African American and White caregivers. African American caregivers appear to believe more in the possibility of curative care for advanced lung cancer and eschew hospice care. The findings inform possible challenges regarding communication about end‐of‐life treatment and care with African American caregivers and a need for the provision of adequate information and education. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An integrated proteomic approach to identifying circulating biomarkers in high‐risk neuroblastoma and their potential in relapse monitoring
Authors: Egler Rachel A. , Li Yiting , Dang Tu Anh T. , Peters Tricia L. , Leung Eastwood , Huang Shixia , Russell Heidi V. , Liu Hao , Man Tsz‐Kwong
Published: August 2011

Purpose: Despite intensive treatment regimens, overall survival for high‐risk neuroblastoma (HRNB) is still poor. This is in part due to an inability to cure the disease once a patient has reached clinical relapse. Identifying plasma biomarkers of active disease may provide a way of relapse monitoring in HRNB.

Experimental design: In this study, we developed an integrated proteomic approach to identify plasma biomarkers for HRNB.

Results: We identified seven candidate biomarkers (SAA, APOA1, IL‐6, EGF, MDC, sCD40L and Eotaxin) for HRNB. These biomarkers were then used to create a multivariate classifier of HRNB, which showed a specificity of 90% (95% confidence interval (CI), 73%, 98%), and a sensitivity of 81% (95%CI, 54%, 96%) for classifying HRNB in a training set. When evaluated on independent test samples, the classifier exhibited 86% accuracy (95% CI, 42%, 100%) of identifying diagnostic samples, and 86% accuracy (95% CI, 70%, 100%) of detecting post‐diagnosis longitudinal samples that having active disease.

Conclusion and clinical relevance: Further validation of these biomarkers may improve patients' outcomes by developing a simple blood test for the detection of relapse prior to the development of clinically evident disease. Understanding the role of these biomarkers in immune surveillance of neuroblastoma may also provide a new direction of therapeutic strategies.
A pilot study to investigate the potential of mass spectrometry profiling in the discovery of novel serum markers in chronic renal disease
Authors: Thompson Douglas , Develter Willem , Cairns David A. , Barrett Jennifer H. , Perkins David A. , Stanley Anthea J. , Mooney Andrew , Selby Peter J. , Banks Rosamonde E.
Published: August 2011

Purpose: There has been significant criticism of how technologies such as SELDI have been used in biomarker discovery and how the data have been analysed. We initiated a proof‐of‐principle pilot study using SELDI with stringent pre‐analytic and analytical procedures with robust statistical analysis, to determine whether, under such conditions, using different degrees of renal dysfunction as a model, useful data could be obtained.

Experimental design: SELDI‐TOF‐MS profiling with stringent quality control measures was used to examine the proteomic profile of serum from healthy controls (n=30), patients with end‐stage renal failure being treated by dialysis (n=30) and renal transplant patients (n=50) with varying degrees of graft stability.

Results: Principal component analysis of the data suggests that the continuum from normality to end‐stage renal failure through ‘stable’ and ‘unstable’ transplant may be detected by SELDI profiling. Serum β2 microglobulin was identified as a major component and this was validated using immunonephelometry.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: This pilot study suggests that stringently controlled SELDI analysis is able to detect proteins which may be useful in the stratification of patients post‐renal transplant. Further studies using a larger cohort of patients with chronic allograft dysfunction, defined by protocol biopsies, are indicated.
Axial anomalies of Lifshitz fermions
Authors: Bakas I. , Lüst D.
Published: August 2011

We compute the axial anomaly of a Lifshitz fermion theory with anisotropic scaling z = 3 which is minimally coupled to geometry in 3+1 space‐time dimensions. We find that the result is identical to the relativistic case using path integral methods. An independent verification is provided by showing with spectral methods that the η‐invariant of the Dirac and Lifshitz fermion operators in three dimensions are equal. Thus, by the integrated form of the anomaly, the index of the Dirac operator still accounts for the possible breakdown of chiral symmetry in non‐relativistic theories of gravity. We apply this framework to the recently constructed gravitational instanton backgrounds of Hořava–Lifshitz theory and find that the index is non‐zero provided that the space‐time foliation admits leaves with harmonic spinors. Using Hitchin's construction of harmonic spinors on Berger spheres, we obtain explicit results for the index of the fermion operator on all such gravitational instanton backgrounds with SU(2) × U(1) isometry. In contrast to the instantons of Einstein gravity, chiral symmetry breaking becomes possible in the unimodular phase of Hořava–Lifshitz theory arising at λ = 1/3 provided that the volume of space is bounded from below by the ratio of the Ricci to Cotton tensor couplings raised to the third power. Some other aspects of the anomalies in non‐relativistic quantum field theories are also discussed.
The interleukin 6 receptor is a direct transcriptional target of E2F3 in prostate tumor derived cells
Authors: Libertini Stephen J. , Chen Honglin , al‐Bataina Bushra , Koilvaram Tilak , George Michael , Gao Allen C. , Mudryj Maria
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND

The E2F/RB pathway is frequently disrupted in multiple human cancers. E2F3 levels are elevated in prostate tumors and E2F3 overexpression independently predicts clinical outcome. The goals of this study were to identify direct transcriptional targets of E2F3 in prostate tumor derived cells.

METHODS

Expression array studies identified the interleukin 6 receptor (IL‐6R) as an E2F3 target. E2F3‐dependent expression of IL‐6R was analyzed by real time PCR and Western immunoblot analysis in several cell lines. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and IL‐6R‐luciferase reporter plasmid studies were used to characterize the IL‐6R promoter.

RESULTS

Expression array studies identified genes that were regulated by E2F3 in prostate tumor derived cell lines. The network most significantly associated with E2F3‐regulated transcripts was cytokine signaling and the IL‐6R was a component of several of the most prominent E2F3‐regulated pathways. The transcriptional regulation of IL‐6R by E2F3 knockdown was validated in several prostate tumor‐derived cell lines at the RNA level and protein level. The IL‐6R regulatory region containing ChIP‐identified E2F3 binding sites was cloned into a reporter and co‐transfected with an E2F3a expression plasmid. The luciferase assay showed that E2F3a transactivated the IL‐6R promoter in a dose dependent manner. The functional consequence of IL‐6R decrease was a reduction in the levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation, indicating that IL‐6R initiated signaling was altered.

CONCLUSION

These studies connect the E2F and IL‐6 signaling cascade, thus providing the mechanistic link between two major regulatory networks that are perturbed during prostate tumorigenesis. Prostate 72:649–660, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Can the prostate risk calculator based on western population be applied to asian population?
Authors: Yoon Duck Ki , Park Jae Young , Yoon Sungroh , Park Man Sik , Moon Du Geon , Lee Jeong Gu , Schröder Fritz H.
Published: August 2011

BACKGROUND

We developed a Korean Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator (KPCRC) for predicting the probability of a positive initial prostate biopsy using clinical and laboratory data from a Korean male population (http://pcrc.korea.ac.kr). We compared its performance to prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) testing and the Prostate Risk Calculator 3 (PRC 3) based on data from the Dutch part of European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC), which predicts biopsy results for previously unscreened men.

METHODS

Data were collected from 602 Korean men who were previously unscreened and underwent initial ten‐core prostate biopsies. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the significant predictors. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and calibration plots of both calculators were evaluated.

RESULTS

Prostate cancer (PCa) was detected in 172 (28.6%) men. Independent predictors of a positive biopsy included advanced age, elevated PSA levels, reduced volume of the transition zone, and abnormal digital rectal examination findings. The AUC of the KPCRC was higher than the PRC 3 and PSA alone on internal and external validation. Calibration plots of the KPCRC showed better performance than the other models on internal and external validation. Applying a cut‐off of 10% of KPCRC implied that 251 of the 602 men (42%) would not have been biopsied and that 12 of the 172 PCa cases (7%) would not have been diagnosed.

CONCLUSIONS

The KPCRC improves the performance of the PRC 3 and PSA testing in predicting Korean population's risk of PCa. It implies that Asian populations need their own risk calculators for PCa. Prostate 72:721–729, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.