bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cationic DOPC–Detergent Conjugates for Safe and Efficient in Vitro and in Vivo Nucleic Acid Delivery
Authors: Pierrat Philippe , Casset Anne , Didier Pascal , Kereselidze Dimitri , Lux Marie , Pons Françoise , Lebeau Luc
Published: July 2016

The ability of a nonviral nucleic acid carrier to deliver its cargo to cells with low associated toxicity is a critical issue for clinical applications of gene therapy. We describe biodegradable cationic DOPC–C12E4 conjugates in which transfection efficiency is based on a Trojan horse strategy. In situ production of the detergent compound C12E4 through conjugate hydrolysis within the acidic endosome compartment was expected to promote endosome membrane destabilization and subsequent release of the lipoplexes into cytosol. The transfection efficiency of the conjugates has been assessed in vitro, and associated cytotoxicity was determined. Cellular uptake and intracellular distribution of the lipoplexes have been investigated. The results show that direct conjugation of DOPC with C12E4 produces a versatile carrier that can deliver both DNA and siRNA to cells in vitro with high efficiency and low cytotoxicity. SAR studies suggest that this compound might represent a reasonable compromise between the membrane activity of the released detergent and susceptibility of the conjugate to degradation enzymes in vitro. Although biodegradability of the conjugates had low impact on carrier efficiency in vitro, it proved critical in vivo. Significant improvement of transgene expression was obtained in the mouse lung tuning biodegradability of the carrier. Importantly, this also allowed reduction of the inflammatory response that invariably characterizes cationic‐lipid‐mediated gene transfer in animals.
Percutaneous alcohol septal ablation to acutely reduce left ventricular outflow tract obstruction induced by transcatheter mitral valve replacement
Authors: Guerrero Mayra , Wang Dee Dee , O'Neill William
Published: July 2016

Transcatheter implantation of balloon expandable valves in native mitral valves (MV) has been performed in patients with severe MV annular calcification who are not good candidates for standard surgical MV replacement. Significant left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction with hemodynamic compromise has been described as one of the potential complications of transcatheter MV replacement. Surgical rescue carries significant risk in this high‐risk patient population. We describe a percutaneous technique to acutely decrease transcatheter MV replacement‐induced LVOT obstruction. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electron‐Catalyzed Fluoroalkylation of Vinyl Azides
Authors: Mackay Emily G. , Studer Armido
Published: July 2016

The transition‐metal free fluoroalkylation of vinyl azides is herein reported. This operationally simple reaction employs the Togni reagent as a CF3 source, Bu4NI as an initiator, and occurs under electron catalysis. A range of readily prepared starting materials are functionalized using this approach to produce both phenanthridines and quinoxalin‐2‐ones.
First Isolation and Characterization of the Highly Coordinated Group 14 Enolates: Effects of the Coordination Controls on the Geometry and Tautomerization of Germyl Enolates
Authors: Konishi Akihito , Minami Yohei , Hosoi Takahisa , Chiba Kouji , Yasuda Makoto
Published: July 2016

The Group 14 enolates play an important part in many organic reactions. Herein, the reduction of an α‐bromo ketone with germanium(II) salts cleanly afforded the corresponding germyl enolate as an isolatable species. This experimental reductive generation of a germyl enolate enabled us to characterize both C‐ and O‐bound tautomers derived from an identical precursor and to unveil the tautomeric mechanisms, including the kinetic parameters and the relative stability of these tautomers, along with confirmation from DFT calculations. Moreover, the highly coordinated germyl enolates were isolated by a stabilization process induced by adding ligands. All products were characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X‐ray crystallography.
Synthese von porösen Voll‐ und Core‐Shell‐Glaskugeln zur Trennung von chiralen Anästhetika
Authors: Münzner Maximilian , Dornberg Gregor , Küster Christian , Enke Dirk
Published: July 2016

Zur Trennung chiraler Anästhetika werden für die Selektoren maßgeschneiderte kugelförmige Trägermaterialien benötigt. Dabei zeigen poröse Gläser besondere Eignung, da deren Textureigenschaften gezielt einstellbar sind. Durch die Nutzung einer speziellen Wirbelschichtapparatur sowie das Verfahren der ionotropen Gelierung konnten poröse Glaskugeln mit Durchmessern von 40 – 400 µm bzw. 2 – 4 mm synthetisiert werden. Zur Erzeugung von Core‐Shell‐Kugeln wurden erstmals die Prozesse des Ionenaustausches und der Phasenseparation in Alkaliborosilikatgläsern kombiniert, wodurch eine kontrollierbare mesoporöse Schicht an der Oberfläche unporöser Alkaliborosilikatglaskugeln erhalten wurde.
Experimental study on the mixing and dispersing of floating particles in viscous system
Authors: Liu Baoqing , Zheng Yijun , Chen Mingqiang , Huang Bolin , Jin Zhijiang
Published: July 2016

The effects of baffle configuration, impeller type, impeller diameter ratio, and immersion depth on the critical drawdown speed and power of floating particles were investigated by experiment, and the advantageous stirred vessel was determined on the basis of the low energy consumption principle. Furthermore, the effects of system viscosity, mean solid concentration, and particle size on the dispersing characteristic of floating particles were also researched with the advantageous stirred vessel. The results show that, (1) when the stirred vessel is equipped with a single baffle, the critical drawdown speed and power of floating particles are lower than those of others. (2) Among the propeller, six flat‐blade disc turbine (Rushton), and six 45° pitched‐blade turbine (PBT‐6), the Rushton turbine has the lowest critical drawdown speed, and the down‐pumping propeller (TXL) has the lowest critical drawdown power. (3) The critical drawdown speed and power are lower with a larger impeller diameter and a smaller immersion depth. (4) The critical drawdown speed and power increase with increasing system viscosity, mean solid concentration, and particle size. The experimental results provide useful guidelines for the advantageous design of the stirred vessel used for the dispersing of floating particles in a viscous system.
Effect of additives on formation and decomposition kinetics of methane clathrate hydrates: Application in energy storage and transportation
Authors: Kumar Asheesh , Kushwaha Omkar Singh , Rangsunvigit Pramoch , Linga Praveen , Kumar Rajnish
Published: July 2016

Methane gas storage and transportation via clathrate hydrates is proposed to be a potential solution for large‐scale energy storage. In this work, we study the formation and decomposition kinetics of methane hydrates (MH) in a laboratory‐scale unstirred crystallizer. The present investigation demonstrates comparative studies of hydrate formation and dissociation kinetics in the presence of tetrahydrofuran (55.6 and 27.8 mmol/mol, 5.56 and 2.78 mol % THF) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (1 mg/g, 0.1 wt% SDS). Moreover, the storage capacity and hydrate formation kinetics in both the systems are discussed. In a recent work, enhanced methane hydrate growth in the presence of THF at close to atmospheric conditions was demonstrated. The emphasis of the current work is to study the stability of hydrates to understand dissociation kinetics by measuring the rate of hydrate decomposition at different temperatures. Hydrate stability measurements were performed at −8, −3, 2, 10, and 20 °C to study the decomposition rates of MH and self‐preservation in presence of the two additives THF and SDS.
Risk of second primary malignancies among cancer survivors in the United States, 1992 through 2008
Authors: Donin Nicholas , Filson Christopher , Drakaki Alexandra , Tan Hung‐Jui , Castillo Alex , Kwan Lorna , Litwin Mark , Chamie Karim
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

In the current study, the authors attempted to describe the incidence, most common sites, and mortality of second primary malignancies among survivors of common cancers.

METHODS

The authors identified patients aged ≥18 years who were diagnosed with a primary malignancy from the 10 most common cancer sites (prostate, breast, lung, colon, rectum, bladder, uterus, kidney, melanoma, and non‐Hodgkin lymphoma) between 1992 and 2008 from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data. Factors associated with the incidence of second primary malignancies were explored using bivariable and multivariable models, and mortality attributable to first and second primary malignancies was examined.

RESULTS

A cohort of 2,116,163 patients was identified, 170,865 of whom (8.1%) developed a second primary malignancy. Survivors of bladder cancer had the highest risk of developing a second cancer. In a multivariable model controlling for age, race, tumor grade, stage of disease, marital status, educational level, and income, a history of non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (hazard ratios of 2.70 and 2.88, respectively, for men and women) and bladder cancer (hazard ratios of 1.88 and 1.66, respectively, for men and women) predicted the highest risk of developing a second cancer. For patients with 2 incident cancers, 13% died of their initial cancer, but greater than one‐half (55%) died of their second primary malignancy. Lung cancer was the cause of death in 12% of patients with 2 incident cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly 1 in 12 patients diagnosed with a common cancer developed a second malignancy, the most common of which was lung cancer. Greater than one‐half of patients with 2 incident cancers died of their secondary malignancy. The findings from the current study may inform care strategies among cancer survivors. Cancer 2016;122:3075‐3086. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
Graphene‐Coated ZnO and SiO2 as Supports for CoO Nanoparticles with Enhanced Reducibility
Authors: Luo Wen , Zafeiratos Spyridon
Published: July 2016

The insertion of a graphene layer between cobalt and a substrate modifies the morphology and the oxidation/reduction properties of supported cobalt particles. Co forms a relatively flat structure on ZnO and SiO2, whereas individual Co nanoparticles are formed after graphene coating of these substrates. The graphene layer moderates the formation of cobalt oxide in 5×10−7 mbar O2 and promotes the reduction of oxidized Co in H2 at lower temperature. Angle‐resolved XPS measurements indicate that this is mainly a consequence of the restricted interaction of cobalt with the oxide supports. After the low‐pressure redox treatments, the graphene layer maintains a relatively high quality with a small number of defect sites.
A rapid and simple method for the determination of psychoactive alkaloids by CE‐UV: application to Peganum Harmala seed infusions
Authors: Tascón Marcos , Benavente Fernando , Vizioli Nora M. , Gagliardi Leonardo G.
Published: July 2016

The β‐carboline alkaloids of the harmala (HAlks) group are compounds widely spread in many natural sources, but found at relatively high levels in some specific plants like Peganum harmala (Syrian rue) or Banisteriopsis caapi. HAlks are a reversible Mono Amino Oxidase type A Inhibitor (MAOI) and, as a consequence, these plants or their extracts can be used to produce psychotropic effects when are combined with psychotropic drugs based on amino groups. Since the occurrence and the levels of the HAlks in natural sources are subject to significant variability, more widespread use is not clinical but recreational or ritual, for example B. caapi is a known part of the Ayahuasca ritual mixture. The lack of simple methods to control the variable levels of these compounds in natural sources restricts the possibilities to dose in strict quantities and, as a consequence, limits its use with pharmacological or clinical purposes. In this work, we present a fast, simple, and robust method of quantifying simultaneously the six HAlks more frequently found in plants, i.e., harmine, harmaline, harmol, harmalol, harmane, and norharmane, by capillary electrophoresis instruments equipped with the more common detector UV. The method is applied to analyze these HAlks in P. Harmala seeds infusion which is a frequent intake form for these HAlks. The method is validated in three different instruments in order to evaluate the transferability and to compare the performances between them. In this case, harmaline, harmine, and harmol were found in the infusion samples. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diversity and ecotypic variation in the antioxidant and antigenotoxic effects of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss & Hohen
Authors: Afshari Vahid , Elahian Fatemeh , Ayari Yasaman , Yazdinezhad Alireza , Mirzaei Seyed Abbas
Published: July 2016

Thymus species are amongst the most popular medicinal plants because of their biological effects and pharmacological properties, and they are widely used in folk medicine for many disorders. Fourteen ecotypic Thymus kotschyanus essential oils were isolated, and the biological functionalities of ecotypic oils were characterized in terms of free radical scavenging and antigenotoxic properties. The most abundant ecotypic oil constituents were thymol and carvacrol (27.2–75.6%). The oils produced scavenging capacity, bleaching inhibitory capacity, and COMET‐inhibitory capacity values in a dose‐dependent manner ranging from 0.15 to 4.79 mg/ml, 0.04 to 3.1 mg/ml and 0.03 to 5.00 mg/ml, respectively. The benefits of T. kotschyanus essential oils from different regions vary, and they represent an inexpensive source of natural substances that have the potential to be used as antioxidative and antigenotoxic agents. Although the impacts of the microenvironment, climate difference and agronomical condition on the medical benefits of the plant were complex and highly context dependent, some correlations among the biological effects, main essential constituents, and the geographical environment were predicted. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Occurrence of 4‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐2‐butanethiol in blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.) berries
Authors: Jung Kathrin , Fastowski Oxana , Engel Karl‐Heinz
Published: July 2016

4‐Methoxy‐2‐methyl‐2‐butanethiol is a powerful sulfur‐containing aroma compound identified several decades ago in blackcurrant buds (Ribes nigrum L.). However, an unambiguous identification in blackcurrant fruits has been lacking. In this study the occurrence of 4‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐2‐butanethiol in blackcurrant berries has been demonstrated for the first time by the analysis of seven cultivars. After isolation of the volatiles by vacuum‐headspace‐extraction, the sulfur‐containing compound was enriched on mercurated agarose gel. Identification was performed via capillary gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Quantitation was performed in the single ion monitoring mode using 4‐methyl‐4‐sulfanylpentan‐2‐one as internal standard. The concentration of 4‐methoxy‐2‐methyl‐2‐butanethiol in Andega (4.5 µg/kg) was significantly higher than those in the other cultivars investigated in this study (from 0.16 to 0.72 µg/kg). Calculation of the odour activity values indicated that this sulfur‐containing volatile contributes to the aroma of blackcurrant berries. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of process parameters on carbonation rate and conversion of steelmaking slags – Introduction of the ‘carbonation weathering rate’
Authors: Georgakopoulos Evangelos , Santos Rafael M. , Chiang Yi Wai , Manovic Vasilije
Published: July 2016

Alkaline industrial wastes are considered potential resources for the mitigation of CO2 emissions by simultaneously capturing and sequestering CO2 through mineralization. Mineralization safely and permanently stores CO2 through its reaction with alkaline earth metals. These elements are found in a variety of abundantly available industrial wastes that have high reactivity with CO2, and that are generated close to the emission point‐sources. Among all suitable industrial wastes, steelmaking slag has been deemed the most promising given its high CO2 uptake potential. In this paper, we review recent publications related to the influence of process parameters on the carbonation rate and conversion extent of steelmaking slags, comparing and analyzing them in order to define the present state of the art. Furthermore, the maximum conversions resulting from different studies are directly compared using a new index, the Carbonation Weathering Rate (CWR), which normalizes the results based on particle size and reaction duration. To date, the carbonation of Basic Oxygen Furnace steelmaking slag, under mild conditions, presents both the highest carbonation conversion and CWR, with values equal to 93.5% and 0.62 μm/min, respectively. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Do physicians clean their hands? Insights from a covert observational study
Authors: Kovacs‐Litman Adam , Wong Kimberly , Shojania Kaveh G. , Callery Sandra , Vearncombe Mary , Leis Jerome A.
Published: July 2016

Physicians are notorious for poor hand hygiene (HH) compliance. We wondered if lower performance by physicians compared with other health professionals might reflect differences in the Hawthorne effect. We introduced covert HH observers to see if performance differences between physicians and nurses decreased and to gain further insights into physician HH behaviors. Following training and validation with a hospital HH auditor, 2 students covertly measured HH during clinical rotations. Students rotated off clinical services every week to increase exposure to different providers and minimize risk of exposing the covert observation. We compared covertly measured HH compliance with data from overt observation by hospital auditors during the same time period. Covert observation produced much lower HH compliance than recorded by hospital auditors during the same time period: 50.0% (799/1597) versus 83.7% (2769/3309) (P < 0.0002). The difference in physician compliance between hospital auditors and covert observers was 19.0% (73.2% vs 54.2%); for nurses this difference was much higher at 40.7% (85.8% vs 45.1%) (P < 0.0001). Physician trainees showed markedly better compliance when attending staff cleaned their hands compared with encounters when attending did not (79.5% vs 18.9%; P < 0.0002). Our study suggests that traditional HH audits not only overstate HH performance overall, but can lead to inaccurate inferences about performance by professional groupings due to relative differences in the Hawthorne effect. We suggest that future improvement efforts will rely on more accurate HH monitoring systems and strong attending physician leadership to set an example for trainees. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;11:862–864. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Long length of hospital stay in children with medical complexity
Authors: Gold Jessica M. , Hall Matt , Shah Samir S. , Thomson Joanna , Subramony Anupama , Mahant Sanjay , Mittal Vineeta , Wilson Karen M. , Morse Rustin , Mussman Grant M. , Hametz Patricia , Montalbano Amanda , Parikh Kavita , Ishman Stacey , O'Neill Margaret , Berry Jay G.
Published: July 2016

BACKGROUND

Hospitalizations of children with medical complexity (CMC) account for one‐half of hospital days in children, with lengths of stays (LOS) that are typically longer than those for children without medical complexity. The objective was to assess the impact of, risk factors for, and variation across children's hospitals regarding long LOS (≥10 days) hospitalizations in CMC.

METHODS

A retrospective study of 954,018 CMC hospitalizations, excluding admissions for neonatal and cancer care, during 2013 to 2014 in 44 children's hospitals. CMC were identified using 3M's Clinical Risk Group categories 6, 7, and 9, representing children with multiple and/or catastrophic chronic conditions. Multivariable regression was used to identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with LOS ≥10 days. Hospital‐level risk‐adjusted rates of long LOS generated from these models were compared using a covariance test of the hospitals' random effect.

RESULTS

Among CMC, LOS ≥10 days accounted for 14.9% (n = 142,082) of all admissions and 61.8% ($13.7 billion) of hospital costs. The characteristics most strongly associated with LOS ≥10 days were use of intensive care unit (ICU) (odds ratio [OR]: 3.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.4‐3.5), respiratory complex chronic condition (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 2.6‐2.7), and transfer from another medical facility (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 2.0‐2.1). After adjusting for severity, there was significant (P < 0.001) variation in the prevalence of LOS ≥10 days for CMC across children's hospitals (range, 10.3%–21.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Long hospitalizations for CMC are costly. Their prevalence varies significantly by type of chronic condition and across children's hospitals. Efforts to reduce hospital costs in CMC might benefit from a focus on prolonged LOS. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:750–756. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Sitting at patients' bedsides may improve patients' perceptions of physician communication skills
Authors: Merel Susan E. , McKinney Christy M. , Ufkes Patrick , Kwan Alan C. , White Andrew A.
Published: July 2016

Sitting at a patient's bedside in the inpatient setting is recommended as a best practice but has not been widely adopted. Previous studies suggest that a physician's seated posture may increase the patient's perception of time spent in the room but have not included hospitalists. We performed a cluster‐randomized trial of seated versus standing physician posture during inpatient rounds on a hospitalist service at an academic medical center. Patients whose physician sat were significantly more likely to rate their physician highly on measures of listening carefully and explaining things in a way that was easy to understand. The average time spent in the patient's room was approximately 12 minutes and was not affected by physician posture. Patients' perception of the time their physician spent in their room was not affected by physician posture. Sitting at the bedside during rounds does not increase the amount of time spent with the patient but may improve patient‐physician communication. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2015;11:865–868. © 2015 Society of Hospital Medicine
Ethiopia's Productive Safety Net Program: Power, Politics and Practice
Authors: Cochrane Logan , Tamiru Y.
Published: July 2016

With one third of the population living in poverty and millions experiencing chronic food insecurity, the government of Ethiopia faces difficult and complex challenges. One of the most robust and effective social protection efforts is the Productive Safety Net Program, which has served more than seven million people since 2005. This article explores the role of power and politics and posits that the maintenance of political control explains why components of the program are not implemented as planned. We focus upon everyday mundane aspects of life in rural communities wherein governmental programs entrench political control while making progress towards stated objectives. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A snow climatology of the Andes Mountains from MODIS snow cover data
Authors: Saavedra Freddy A. , Kampf Stephanie K. , Fassnacht Steven R. , Sibold Jason S.
Published: July 2016

This study develops a method for characterizing snow climatology in the Andes Mountains using the 8‐day maximum binary snow cover product from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer sensor. The objectives are to: (1) identify regions with similar snow patterns and (2) identify snow persistence zones within these regions. Within a study area between 8° and 39°S, snow regions are defined using the (1) minimum elevation of snow cover, (2) rate of change of snow persistence with elevation, and (3) timing of the minimum elevation snow cover. In tropical latitudes (8°–23°S), snow cover is constrained to high elevations (>5000 m), and these areas have steep changes in snow persistence with elevation. Minimal differences in the elevation of snow on the east and west sides of the range suggest that temperature is a primary control on snow presence. Snow cover has minimal seasonal variability in the Tropics between 8° and 14°S, but it peaks in austral fall (March) after the wet season from 14° to 23°S. In mid‐latitudes (south of 23°S) snowline decreases in elevation with increasing latitude, and snow persistence changes with elevation are more gradual than in tropical regions. Snow cover peaks in the austral winter throughout the mid‐latitudes. Differences in elevations of snow accumulation between the east and west sides of the Andes are greatest between 28° and 37°S, where high mountain peaks produce a strong orographic effect and precipitation shadow. Within the snow regions, four snow zones are defined based on the average fraction of the year that snow persists: (1) little or no snow, (2) intermittent, (3) seasonal, and (4) permanent snow zones. Tropical latitudes have snow cover only on the highest peaks. Areas of seasonal and permanent snow zones are greatest between latitudes 28° and 37°S as a result of higher precipitation than mountains further north and higher elevations than mountains further south.
Identification of intracellular squalene in living algae, Aurantiochytrium mangrovei with hyper‐spectral coherent anti‐Stokes Raman microscopy using a sub‐nanosecond supercontinuum laser source
Authors: Ishitsuka Kei , Koide Masahiro , Yoshida Masaki , Segawa Hiroki , Leproux Philippe , Couderc Vincent , Watanabe Makoto M. , Kano Hideaki
Published: July 2016

We applied hyper‐spectral coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering imaging to intracellular lipid identification in living microalgae, Aurantiochytrium mangrovei 18W‐13a. Two different lipids, squalene and triacylglycerol, were found inside living cells with clear vibrational contrast. Based on the endogenous lipid band as a result of the cis CC stretch vibrational mode, squalene and triacylglycerol were clearly distinguished in different intracellular areas. In particular, squalene was detected solely in vacuoles as lipid particles, which was also supported by electron microscopy. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inflammatory reaction to hyaluronic acid: A newly described complication in vocal fold augmentation
Authors: Dominguez Laura M. , Tibbetts Kathleen M. , Simpson C. Blake
Published: July 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

To establish the rate of inflammatory reaction to hyaluronic acid (HA) in vocal fold injection augmentation, determine the most common presenting signs and symptoms, and propose an etiology.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review.

Methods

Patients injected with HA over a 5‐year period were reviewed to identify those who had a postoperative inflammatory reaction. Medical records were reviewed for patient demographic information, subjective complaints, Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) scores, medical intervention, and resolution time. Videolaryngostroboscopy examinations were also evaluated.

Results

A total of 186 patients (245 vocal folds) were injected with HA over a 5‐year period, with a postoperative inflammatory reaction rate of 3.8%. The most common complaints in these patients were odynophagia, dysphonia, and dyspnea with vocal fold erythema, edema, and loss of pliability on videolaryngostroboscopy. All patients were treated with corticosteroids. Return of vocal fold vibration ranged from 3 weeks to 26 months, with VHI‐10 scores normalizing in 50% of patients.

Conclusions

This reaction may be a form of hypersensitivity related to small amounts of protein linked to HA. Alternatively, extravascular compression from the HA could lead to venous congestion of the vocal fold. The possibility of equipment contamination is also being investigated. Further studies are needed to determine the etiology and best treatment.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 2016 127:445–449, 2017
Soil Quality Indicators as Affected by Shallow Tillage in a Vineyard Grown in a Semiarid Mediterranean Environment
Authors: Laudicina Vito Armando , Palazzolo Eristanna , Catania Pietro , Vallone Mariangela , García Antonio Delgado , Badalucco Luigi
Published: July 2016

Within the Mediterranean basin, soil tillage enhances the mineralisation of soil organic matter. We assessed the short‐term impact of shallow tillage [field cultivator (FC), rotary tiller (RT) and spading machine (SM)] on some soil quality indicators [bulk density, water‐stable aggregates, total and labile organic C pools (microbial biomass and extractable organic C), soil respiration and related eco‐physiological indexes] in a Sicilian vineyard. Also no tillage was included. We hypothesized that (i) RT and FC worsened soil quality indicators more than SM, and (ii) within the same tillage system, labile C pools, soil respiration and eco‐physiological indexes will respond more efficiently than chemical and physical soil properties since the tillage starts. The experiment started at March 2009, and each tillage type was applied three times per year (March or April, May and June), with soil tilled up to 15‐cm depth. Soil was sampled (0–15 and 15–30‐cm depth) in March 2009, April 2010, May 2012 and June 2014. SM was very effective in preserving soil organic matter pool and in improving any monitored soil quality indicator, similarly to no tillage. By contrast, RT was the most deleterious machine as it worsened most investigated indicators. Such deleterious effects were due to drastic disruption of soil aggregates and consequent exposition of protected soil organic matter to further microbial mineralization. Labile organic C pools and microbial quotients were the most responsive soil parameters for assessing the impact of shallow tillage on soil quality, even in the short term (<5 years). Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On maximal immediate extensions of valued fields
Authors: Blaszczok Anna , Kuhlmann Franz‐Viktor
Published: July 2016

We study the maximal immediate extensions of valued fields whose residue fields are perfect and whose value groups are divisible by the residue characteristic if it is positive. In the case where there is such an extension which has finite transcendence degree we derive strong properties of the field and the extension and show that the maximal immediate extension is unique up to isomorphism, although these fields need not be Kaplansky fields. If the maximal immediate extension is an algebraic extension, we show that it is equal to the perfect hull and the completion of the field.
Existence of least energy nodal solution with two nodal domains for a generalized Kirchhoff problem in an Orlicz–Sobolev space
Authors: Figueiredo Giovany M. , Santos Jefferson A.
Published: July 2016

We show the existence of a nodal solution with two nodal domains for a generalized Kirchhoff equation of the type
urn:x-wiley:0025584X:media:mana201500286:mana201500286-math-0001where Ω is a bounded domain in is a general C1 class function, f is a superlinear C1 class function with subcritical growth, Φ is defined for by setting is the operator . The proof is based on a minimization argument and a quantitative deformation lemma.
Metal Coordination Stoichiometry Controlled Formation of Linear and Hyperbranched Supramolecular Polymers
Authors: Lin Cuiling , Xu Luonan , Huang Libo , Chen Jia , Liu Yuanyuan , Ma Yifan , Ye Feixiang , Qiu Huayu , He Tian , Yin Shouchun
Published: July 2016

Controlling the topologies of polymers is a hot topic in polymer chemistry because the physical and/or chemical properties of polymers are determined (at least partially) by their topologies. This study exploits the host–guest interactions between dibenzo‐24‐crown‐8 and secondary ammonium salts and metal coordination interactions between 2,6‐bis(benzimidazolyl)‐pyridine units with metal ions (ZnII and/or EuIII) as orthogonal non‐covalent interactions to prepare supramolecular polymers. By changing the ratios of the metal ion additives (Zn(NO3)2 and Eu(NO3)3) linkers to join the host–guest dimeric complex, the linear supramolecular polymers (100 mol% Zn(NO3)2 per ligand) and hyperbranched supramolecular polymers (97 mol% Zn(NO3)2 and 3 mol% Eu(NO3)3 per ligand) are separately and successfully constructed. This approach not only expands topological control over polymeric systems, but also paves the way for the functionalization of smart and adaptive materials.

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A flexible and efficient system for removing support materials from rapid prototypes
Authors: Kuo C. C. , Tsou Y. C.
Published: July 2016

Removing support material from rapid prototypes fabricated by fused deposition modeling system is required once the physical model is completed. Removing support materials from Rapid prototypes efficiently is an important concern because the product life cycle is shorter than before. A highly flexible and highly efficient system for removing the support materials from rapid prototypes was implemented. The effects of process parameters on the removal efficiency of support materials were investigated. The efficiency of removing support materials was investigated using optimal processing parameters. The removing time can be predicted directly from the volume of the support materials according to the equation proposed in this work. The relative error can be controlled within 5.18 %. Surface roughness improvement of up to 41.89 % is achieved using the optimal processing parameters. Mechanisms of removing support materials for the general and hollow Rapid prototypes were also presented.
Design and manufacturing of a human standardised hip cup out of titanium
Authors: Behrens B. A. , Escobar S. B. , Niemeier H. , Vucetic M. , Bouguecha A. , Lucas K. , Nolte I. , Wefstaedt P. , Lerch M. , Stukenborg‐Colsman C. , Almohallami A.
Published: July 2016

Background: In recent years, the use of hip prostheses has become a routine procedure. Despite this experience and good clinical results different complications arise which have a negative influence on the lifetime of prostheses. Especially the migration or loosening of the hip cup prosthesis due to strain adaptive bone remodelling is still a problem. Patient‐individual prostheses represent a possible solution to this problem. Individual hip cups, however, are just implanted for the treatment of massive deformities or tumours. This study aimed at developing an innovative concept for the production of patient‐specific human hip prostheses made of titanium plates by sheet metal forming.

Methods: For the realisation of this innovative concept, a reproducible design method for the generation of standardised human hip cup prosthesis was generated based on 13 original human geometries. By means of this methodology a hip cup was designed. Based on this design a human hip cup was produced by a developed high‐pressure sheet metal forming process. The development of the process was accompanied by a numerical preliminary design.

Results: A comparison between the simulation and the fabricated hip cup leads to a standard deviation of 0.404 mm. Furthermore, an implantation of the prosthesis in a synthetic bone model shows a satisfactory fit accuracy at the edge of the prosthesis.

Conclusion: The high‐pressure sheet metal forming process is suitable to manufacture the designed standardised hip cup. However, further optimisation is necessary.
Polymeric black tea polyphenols (PBPs) inhibit benzo(a)pyrene and 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐ butanone‐induced lung carcinogenesis potentially through down‐regulation of p38 and Akt phosphorylation in A/J mice
Authors: Hudlikar Rasika R. , Venkadakrishnan Varadha Balaji , Kumar Rajiv , Thorat Rahul A. , Kannan Sadhana , Ingle Arvind D. , Desai Saral , Maru Girish B. , Mahimkar Manoj B.
Published: July 2016

The aim of our study was to evaluate chemopreventive efficacy and possible mechanism of most abundant polyphenolic fraction in black tea, polymeric black tea polyphenols (PBPs), in experimental lung carcinogenesis model. Effect of 1.5% black tea derived PBPs on benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] and 4‐(methylnitrosamino)‐1‐(3‐pyridyl)‐1‐butanone (NNK) induced lung lesions were studied over 28 wks. Chemopreventive efficacy was studied using decrease in tumor incidence and/or multiplicity and/or delay in the latency period in A/J mice. Histopathological analysis of lung was carried out post‐carcinogen treatment weeks to analyze the microscopic lung lesions. Inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis markers along with signaling kinases like p38, Akt, and their phosphorylated forms were studied using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry at 4th, 10th, and 18th wk post‐carcinogen treatment. Administration of PBPs throughout the treatment period significantly decreased the multiplicity of surface tumors as well as microscopic lung lesions, including adenomas. Although tumor incidence and latency period remains unaffected, histopathological evaluation of lung at 6, 10, and 18 wks post‐ carcinogen treatment period showed decrease in tumor multiplicity which was also correlated with different molecular markers. Anti‐ inflammatory action of PBPs was demonstrated by reduced Cox‐2 expression. PBPs down‐regulated the B(a)P and NNK‐induced cell proliferation (diminished PCNA expression, proliferation index, and Bcl‐2 expression) and enhanced apoptosis (increased Bax expression and apoptotic index) potentially through phosphorylation of p38 and Akt. PBPs, most abundant polyphenolic component in the black tea, have chemopreventive effect through inhibition of inflammation, cellular proliferation, and induction of apoptosis possibly via modulation of signaling kinases. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rb silencing mediated by the down‐regulation of MeCP2 is involved in cell transformation induced by long‐term exposure to hydroquinone
Authors: Liu Linhua , Ling Xiaoxuan , Wu Minhua , Chen Jialong , Chen Shaoqiao , Tan Qiang , Chen Jiansong , Liu Jiaxian , Zou Fei
Published: July 2016

Hydroquinone (HQ), a metabolite of benzene, is a well‐known human carcinogen; however, its molecular mechanisms of action remain unclear. MeCP2 has been traditionally described as a transcriptional repressor, though growing evidence indicates that it also activates gene expression. Here, we investigated whether some epigenetic machinery genes are aberrantly expressed as target tumor suppressor genes in HQ‐transformed TK6 lymphoblastoid cells. Our results showed that treatment with 5‐Aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine or trichostatin A enhanced the expression of Rb, resulting in cell arrest in G1‐phase, and subsequently, an increase in apoptosis and a decrease in cell growth. Moreover, we hypothesised that Rb was silenced by the down‐regulation of MeCP2 in HQ‐transformed cells, resulting in the dynamic expression of Rb and epigenetic machinery proteins in HQ‐transformed cells at different time points. The expression of Rb and MeCP2 in patients with B‐cell non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma (B‐NHL) showed that positive staining for MeCP2 or Rb was significantly lower in B‐NHL tumor tissues, and these changes were significantly and negatively correlated with the grade of B‐NHL. The restoration of MeCP2 in HQ‐transformed cells enhanced the expression of Rb, promoted cell apoptosis, and inhibited cell growth. The changes in the expression patterns of MeCP2 and Rb were inversely correlated with the degree of DNA methylation. A ChiP assay revealed that MeCP2 proteins were recruited to the Rb promoter with lower 5′‐methylcytosine levels. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the down‐regulation of MeCP2 silences Rb, a process involved in cell transformation resulting from long‐term exposure to HQ. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The four‐dimensional Martínez Alonso–Shabat equation: nonlinear self‐adjointness and conservation laws
Authors: Zhang∗† Zhi‐Yong , Guo Lei‐Lei , Huang Ji‐Zheng
Published: July 2016

We show that the four‐dimensional Martínez Alonso–Shabat equation is nonlinearly self‐adjoint with differential substitution and the required differential substitution is just the admitted adjoint symmetry and vice versa. By means of computer algebra system, we obtain a number of local and nonlocal symmetries admitted by the equations under study. Then such symmetries are used to construct conservation laws of the equation under study and its reductions. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Combined boundary integral equations for acoustic scattering‐resonance problems
Authors: Steinbach Olaf , Unger Gerhard
Published: July 2016

In this paper, boundary integral formulations for a time‐harmonic acoustic scattering‐resonance problem are analyzed. The eigenvalues of eigenvalue problems resulting from boundary integral formulations for scattering‐resonance problems split in general into two parts. One part consists of scattering‐resonances, and the other one corresponds to eigenvalues of some Laplacian eigenvalue problem for the interior of the scatterer. The proposed combined boundary integral formulations enable a better separation of the unwanted spectrum from the scattering‐resonances, which allows in practical computations a reliable and simple identification of the scattering‐resonances in particular for non‐convex domains. The convergence of conforming Galerkin boundary element approximations for the combined boundary integral formulations of the resonance problem is shown in canonical trace spaces. Numerical experiments confirm the theoretical results. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO) response to animal source foods varies among healthy young men and is influenced by their gut microbiota composition: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cho Clara E. , Taesuwan Siraphat , Malysheva Olga V. , Bender Erica , Tulchinsky Nathan F. , Yan Jian , Sutter Jessica L. , Caudill Marie A.
Published: July 2016

Scope

Trimethylamine‐N‐oxide (TMAO), a metabolite linked to the gut microbiota, is associated with excess risk of heart disease. We hypothesized that (i) TMAO response to animal source foods would vary among healthy men and (ii) this response would be modified by their gut microbiome.

Methods and results

A crossover feeding trial in healthy young men (n = 40) was conducted with meals containing TMAO (fish), its dietary precursors, choline (eggs) and carnitine (beef), and a fruit control. Fish yielded higher circulating and urinary concentrations of TMAO (46–62 times; p < 0.0001), trimethylamine (8–14 times; p < 0.0001), and dimethylamine (4‐6‐times; P<0.0001) than eggs, beef, or the fruit control. Circulating TMAO concentrations were increased within 15 min of fish consumption, suggesting that dietary TMAO can be absorbed without processing by gut microbes. Analysis of 16S rRNA genes indicated that high‐TMAO producers (≥20% increase in urinary TMAO in response to eggs and beef) had more Firmicutes than Bacteroidetes (p = 0.04) and less gut microbiota diversity (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Consumption of fish yielded substantially greater increases in circulating TMAO than eggs or beef. The higher Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes enrichment among men exhibiting a greater response to dietary TMAO precursor intake indicates that TMAO production is a function of individual differences in the gut microbiome.
The DSM‐5 Dimensional Anxiety Scales in a Dutch non‐clinical sample: psychometric properties including the adult separation anxiety disorder scale
Authors: Möller Eline L. , Bögels Susan M.
Published: July 2016

With DSM‐5, the American Psychiatric Association encourages complementing categorical diagnoses with dimensional severity ratings. We therefore examined the psychometric properties of the DSM‐5 Dimensional Anxiety Scales, a set of brief dimensional scales that are consistent in content and structure and assess DSM‐5‐based core features of anxiety disorders. Participants (285 males, 255 females) completed the DSM‐5 Dimensional Anxiety Scales for social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, specific phobia, agoraphobia, and panic disorder that were included in previous studies on the scales, and also for separation anxiety disorder, which is included in the DSM‐5 chapter on anxiety disorders. Moreover, they completed the Screen for Child Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders Adult version (SCARED‐A). The DSM‐5 Dimensional Anxiety Scales demonstrated high internal consistency, and the scales correlated significantly and substantially with corresponding SCARED‐A subscales, supporting convergent validity. Separation anxiety appeared present among adults, supporting the DSM‐5 recognition of separation anxiety as an anxiety disorder across the life span. To conclude, the DSM‐5 Dimensional Anxiety Scales are a valuable tool to screen for specific adult anxiety disorders, including separation anxiety. Research in more diverse and clinical samples with anxiety disorders is needed. © 2016 The Authors International Journal of Methods in Psychiatric Research Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Discrete element modeling of dynamic behaviors of railway ballast under cyclic loading with dilated polyhedra
Authors: Ji S. , Sun S. , Yan Y.
Published: July 2016

The dynamic behaviors of railway ballast under cyclic loading are simulated with discrete element method (DEM). Dilated polyhedra are constructed based on the Minkowski sum operator in order to resemble the irregular shapes of ballast particles. The polyhedral particle generation, contact detection between particles and contact laws are presented. Ballast box tests with periodic lateral boundaries are conducted to simulate the dynamics of the sleeper and ballast particles. The settlement and effective stiffness of ballast bed are investigated under cyclic loadings with five distinct frequencies. The settlement of ballast bed is significant in the first several cycles and increases with the number of cycles gradually. The higher frequency loading generates larger displacement in the same simulation time. The effective stiffness of ballast bed increases gradually. To study the effect of particles' sharpness, dilated polyhedra with different dilating radii and spherical particles are also developed. Simulation results show the sharper the ballast particles are, the smaller the produced settlement. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The improved H∞ controller design for nonlinear networked control systems with random communication delays
Authors: Nian Xiaohong , Dai Liqiong , Sun Miaoping , Wang Haibo , Guo Hua
Published: July 2016

This paper is concerned with the observer‐based H∞ controller design problem for nonlinear networked control systems with random communication delays. Firstly, the dynamic observer‐based control scheme is modelled, where the control input of the observer is different from the control input of the plant. Then, a less conservative delay‐dependent H∞ stabilization criterion is derived by using an improved Lyapunov function. And the proof of stabilization criterion is completed in terms of four cases when the time delays in two communication channels are constant or time‐varying, respectively. The derived stabilization criterion is formulated in the form of a non‐convex matrix inequality, which can be solved by an optimal cone complementary linearization iteration algorithm to obtain the minimum disturbance attenuation level. Finally, several numerical examples and an illustrative example are provided to clarify the effectiveness and merits of the proposed method. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.