bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screening strategies for colorectal cancer among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and family history
Authors: Wong Martin C.S. , Ching Jessica Y.L. , Chan Victor C.W. , Lam Thomas Y.T. , Luk Arthur K.C. , Wong Sunny H. , Ng Siew C. , Wong Vincent W.S. , Ng Simon S.M. , Wu Justin C.Y. , Chan Francis K.L. , Sung Joseph J.Y.
Published: August 2015

Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and family history of colorectal cancer (CRC) are at higher risks but how they should be screened remains uncertain. Hence, we evaluated the cost‐effectiveness of CRC screening among patients with NAFLD and family history by different strategies. A hypothetical population of 100,000 subjects aged 40–75 years receive: (i) yearly fecal immunochemical test (FIT) at 50 years; (ii) flexible sigmoidoscopy (FS) every 5 years at 50 years; (iii) colonoscopy 10 yearly at 50 years; (iv) colonoscopy 10 yearly at 50 years among those with family history/NAFLD and yearly FIT at 50 years among those without; (v) colonoscopy 10 yearly at 40 years among those with family history/NAFLD and yearly FIT at 50 years among those without and (vi) colonoscopy 10 yearly at 40 years among those with family history/NAFLD and colonoscopy 10 yearly at 50 years among those without. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) was studied by Markov modeling. It was found that colonoscopy, FS and FIT reduced incidence of CRC by 49.5, 26.3 and 23.6%, respectively. Using strategies 4, 5 and 6, the corresponding reduction in CRC incidence was 29.9, 30.9 and 69.3% for family history, and 33.2, 34.7 and 69.8% for NAFLD. Compared with no screening, strategies 4 (US$1,018/life‐year saved) and 5 (US$7,485) for family history offered the lowest ICER, whilst strategy 4 (US$5,877) for NAFLD was the most cost‐effective. These findings were robust when assessed with a wide range of deterministic sensitivity analyses around the base case. These indicated that screening patients with family history or NAFLD by colonoscopy at 50 years was economically favorable.
Crossing Numbers of Periodic Graphs
Authors: Dvořák Zdeněk , Mohar Bojan
Published: August 2015

A graph is periodic if it can be obtained by joining identical pieces in a cyclic fashion. It is shown that the limit crossing number of a periodic graph is computable. This answers a question of Richter [1, Problem 4.2].
Functional morphology of durophagy in black carp,Mylopharyngodon piceus
Authors: Gidmark Nicholas J. , Taylor Chantel , LoPresti Eric , Brainerd Elizabeth
Published: August 2015

The black carp,Mylopharyngodon piceus(Osteichthyes: Cyprinidae), crushes its snail and other molluscan prey with robust pharyngeal jaws and strong bite forces. Using gross morphology, histological sectioning, and X‐ray reconstruction of moving morphology (XROMM), we investigated structural, behavioral, and mechanical aspects of pharyngeal jaw function in black carp. Strut‐like trabeculae in their pharyngeal jaws support large, molariform teeth. The teeth occlude with a hypertrophied basioccipital process that is also reinforced with stout trabeculae. A keratinous chewing pad is firmly connected to the basioccipital process by a series of small bony projections from the base of the pedestal. The pharyngeal jaws have no bony articulations with the skull, and their position is controlled by five paired muscles and one unpaired median muscle. Black carp can crush large molluscs, so we used XROMM to compare pharyngeal jaw postures as fish crushed ceramic tubes of increasing sizes. We found that black carp increase pharyngeal jaw gape primarily by ventral translation of the jaws, with ventral rotation and lateral flaring of the jaws also increasing the space available to accommodate large prey items. A stout, robust ligament connects left and right jaws together firmly, but allows some rotation of the jaws relative to each other. Contrasting with the pharyngeal jaw mechanism of durophagous perciforms with fused left and right lower pharyngeal jaws, we hypothesize that this ligamentous connection may serve to decouple tensile and compressive forces, with the tensile forces borne by the ligament and the compressive forces transferred to the prey. J. Morphol. 276:1422–1432, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effect of increasing the flip angle during the hepatocyte phase of gadobenate dimeglumine‐enhanced 1.5T MRI in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Lee Eun Jung , Kim Dae Jung , Cho Eun‐Suk , Kim Kyoung Ah
Published: August 2015

Purpose

To evaluate the effects of increasing the flip angle during the hepatocyte phase of gadobenate dimeglumine‐enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cirrhotic patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials and Methods

Sixty‐three patients with liver cirrhosis underwent gadobenate dimeglumine‐enhanced 1.5T MRI with 90‐minute delayed hepatocyte phase with flip angles of 10°, 20°, 30°, consecutively. Relative enhancement and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of liver parenchyma at hepatocyte phase according to flip angle were calculated. The liver‐to‐lesion (low signal intensity HCCs, n = 63; ≥1 cm) and contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) at the hepatocyte phase according to flip angle were calculated. Two radiologists independently assessed the presence of HCCs using a 5‐point scale, and detection sensitivity of HCCs was calculated according to flip angle.

Results

The relative enhancement of hepatic parenchyma differed significantly according to flip angle (10°, mean relative enhancement = 0.69 ± 0.46; 20°, mean relative enhancement = 0.63 ± 0.47; 30°, mean relative enhancement = 0.49 ± 0.45; P = 0.043). The SNR of hepatic parenchyma was significantly different according to flip angle (10°, mean SNR = 26.2 ± 5.6; 20°, mean SNR = 25.3 ± 5.7; 30°, mean SNR = 22.8 ± 6.1; P = 0.004). The CNR of lesion was not significantly different according to flip angle (10°, mean CNR = 7.5 ± 6.6; 20°, mean CNR = 10.2 ± 6.9; 30°, mean CNR = 10.1 ± 7.1; P = 0.051). The sensitivities with 10° and 20° for HCCs were significantly higher than those with 30° for one reader (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

In patients with cirrhosis, hepatocyte phase gadobenate dimeglumine‐enhanced 1.5T MRI with 20° flip angle should be recommended rather than 10° and 30° flip angle. J. MAGN. RESON. IMAGING 2016;43:713–719.
Association of N‐cadherin levels and downstream effectors of Rho GTPases with dendritic spine loss induced by chronic stress in rat hippocampal neurons
Authors: Castañeda Patricia , Muñoz Mauricio , García‐Rojo Gonzalo , Ulloa José L. , Bravo Javier A. , Márquez Ruth , García‐Pérez M. Alexandra , Arancibia Damaris , Araneda Karina , Rojas Paulina S. , Mondaca‐Ruff David , Díaz‐Véliz Gabriela , Mora Sergio , Aliaga Esteban , Fiedler Jenny L.
Published: August 2015

Chronic stress promotes cognitive impairment and dendritic spine loss in hippocampal neurons. In this animal model of depression, spine loss probably involves a weakening of the interaction between pre‐ and postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules, such as N‐cadherin, followed by disruption of the cytoskeleton. N‐cadherin, in concert with catenin, stabilizes the cytoskeleton through Rho‐family GTPases. Via their effector LIM kinase (LIMK), RhoA and ras‐related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC) GTPases phosphorylate and inhibit cofilin, an actin‐depolymerizing molecule, favoring spine growth. Additionally, RhoA, through Rho kinase (ROCK), inactivates myosin phosphatase through phosphorylation of the myosin‐binding subunit (MYPT1), producing actomyosin contraction and probable spine loss. Some micro‐RNAs negatively control the translation of specific mRNAs involved in Rho GTPase signaling. For example, miR‐138 indirectly activates RhoA, and miR‐134 reduces LIMK1 levels, resulting in spine shrinkage; in contrast, miR‐132 activates RAC1, promoting spine formation. We evaluated whether N‐cadherin/β‐catenin and Rho signaling is sensitive to chronic restraint stress. Stressed rats exhibit anhedonia, impaired associative learning, and immobility in the forced swim test and reduction in N‐cadherin levels but not β‐catenin in the hippocampus. We observed a reduction in spine number in the apical dendrites of CA1 pyramidal neurons, with no effect on the levels of miR‐132 or miR‐134. Although the stress did not modify the RAC–LIMK–cofilin signaling pathway, we observed increased phospho‐MYPT1 levels, probably mediated by RhoA–ROCK activation. Furthermore, chronic stress raises the levels of miR‐138 in accordance with the observed activation of the RhoA–ROCK pathway. Our findings suggest that a dysregulation of RhoA–ROCK activity by chronic stress could potentially underlie spine loss in hippocampal neurons. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Analysis of wild sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) root exudates using gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry
Authors: Bowsher Alan W. , Ali Rifhat , Harding Scott A. , Tsai Chung‐Jui , Donovan Lisa A.
Published: August 2015

Plant root systems mediate ecological processes in the rhizosphere through the exudation of organic compounds. Although exudate composition is thought to depend strongly on plant nutrient status, little is known about the influence of multi‐nutrient stresses. In this study, we examined responses to short‐term (3 d) nutrient limitation in Helianthus annuus (common sunflower), and root exudates were collected for 2, 4, or 6 h with the trap‐solution method. Root exudates, analyzed by means of gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, consisted of over 60 sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids, organic acids, and phosphates, with sugars and organic acids generally detected in the highest quantities. Twenty‐five of the detected metabolites, including half of the organic acids, sugars, and sugar alcohols, differed in relative abundance among the three sampling intervals, exhibiting higher abundance in sampling intervals greater than 2 h. Similarly, 24 of the detected metabolites, including half of the amino acids, phosphates, and sugar alcohols, were affected by nutrient supply, with 20 exhibiting higher abundance in the high‐nutrient treatment. Fumaric acid, quinic acid, and glucose were detected at significantly higher levels in the low‐nutrient treatment, potentially representing an adaptive response to nutrient limitation in sunflower. However, as sampling interval exerted a strong influence on the apparent effects of nutrient supply, future studies should consider the potential impacts of sampling‐interval length in comparative analyses of genotypes or treatments.
Root morphological traits related to phosphorus‐uptake efficiency of soybean, sunflower, and maize
Authors: Fernandez Mariana Cecilia , Rubio Gerardo
Published: August 2015

Many of the plant acquisition strategies for immobile nutrients, such as phosphorus (P), are related to the maximization of soil exploration at minimum metabolic cost. Previous studies have suggested that soybean (Glycine max L.), sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), and maize (Zea mays L.) differ in their P uptake efficiency. In this investigation we employed these three species to evaluate: (1) the effect of suboptimal P conditions on root morphological traits related to root porosity and fineness and (2) how these traits are related to P‐uptake efficiency. Opaque 25‐L plastic containers were used to grow plants hydroponically. The three species were compared under two P availability levels (low P and high P). Most of the observed responses were in the direction to favor P uptake under low‐P conditions. Compared to P‐sufficient plants, P‐stressed plants of the three species showed higher root‐to‐shoot ratio, specific root length, root porosity and root aerenchyma, and a lower root density. For example, P‐stress increased root porosity by a factor of 2.0, 1.4, and 1.4 in soybean, sunflower, and maize, respectively. Soybean and sunflower were the species with the highest P‐uptake efficiency, expressed as P uptake either per unit root biomass or length. The results demonstrate the central role of aerenchyma development in modifying root length per unit root biomass and, thus, reducing the root's foraging costs. Consequently, aerenchyma is suggested to be a possible mechanism for better P‐uptake efficiency.
Sensitive determination of methadone in human serum and urine by dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on the solidification of a floating organic droplet followed by HPLC–UV
Authors: Taheri Salman , Jalali Fahimeh , Fattahi Nazir , Jalili Ronak , Bahrami Gholamreza
Published: August 2015

Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction based on solidification of floating organic droplet was developed for the extraction of methadone and determination by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. In this method, no microsyringe or fiber is required to support the organic microdrop due to the usage of an organic solvent with a low density and appropriate melting point. Furthermore, the extractant droplet can be collected easily by solidifying it at low temperature. 1‐Undecanol and methanol were chosen as extraction and disperser solvents, respectively. Parameters that influence extraction efficiency, i.e. volumes of extracting and dispersing solvents, pH, and salt effect, were optimized by using response surface methodology. Under optimal conditions, enrichment factor for methadone was 134 and 160 in serum and urine samples, respectively. The limit of detection was 3.34 ng/mmL in serum and 1.67 ng/mL in urine samples. Compared with the traditional dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, the proposed method obtained lower limit of detection. Moreover, the solidification of floating organic solvent facilitated the phase transfer. And most importantly, it avoided using high‐density and toxic solvents of traditional dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of methadone in serum and urine samples of an addicted individual under methadone therapy.
Theoretical investigation on the performance of DNA electrophoresis under programmed step electric field strength: Two‐step condition
Authors: Ni Yi , Liu Chenchen , Chen Qinmiao , Zhu Xifang , Dou Xiaoming
Published: August 2015

Programmed step electric field strength is a simple‐to‐use technique that has already been reported to be effective to enhance the efficiency or speed of DNA electrophoresis. However, a global understanding and the details of this technique are still vague. In this paper, we investigated the influence of programmed step electric field strength by theoretical calculation and concentrated on a basic format named as two‐step electric field strength. Both subtypes of two‐step electric field strength conditions were considered. The important parameters, such as peak spacing, peak width, resolution, and migration time, were calculated in theory to understand the performance of DNA electrophoresis under programmed step electric field strength. The influence of two‐step electric field strength on DNA electrophoresis was clearly revealed on a diagram of resolution versus migration time. Both resolution and speed of DNA electrophoresis under two‐step electric field strength conditions are simply expressed by the shape of curves in the diagram. The possible shapes of curve were explored by calculation and shown in this paper. The subtype II of two‐step electric field strength brings drastic variation on the resolution. Its limitations of enhancement and deterioration of resolution were predicted in theory.
Spatial Heterogeneity of Soil C:N Ratio in a Mollisol Watershed of Northeast China
Authors: Zhang Shaoliang , Yan Lilong , Huang Jing , Mu Linlin , Huang Yiquan , Zhang Xingyi , Sun Yankun
Published: August 2015

The spatial variability of the soil C:N ratio (C:N) influences C and N leaching and basic fertility in the field. This paper aims to identify the spatial heterogeneity of C:N in a Mollisol watershed of Northeast China and determine the main mechanisms that drive these differences. A random sampling method was used, with both geostatistical and traditional analysis being used to describe the spatial distribution of the C:N at various depths. C:N was also compared between slope position, previous vegetation and tillage methods in the watershed. The horizontal distribution of the C:N was mainly influenced by structural factors (88·4–99·9%) and often gradually deceased along the hydrographic flow direction, becoming lowest at the watershed outlet. The C:N increased as soil depth increased at all slope positions, and was higher on the back slope than on summit slope, followed by bottom slope in all soil depths. C:N was negatively (significant at p < 0·01) correlated to TN, and positively (significant at p < 0·05) correlated to elevation at all soil depths. Compared to the reforested area, C:N was typically greater in the agricultural area in the 20–60 cm depth. The planting of soybean (Glycine max L) can significantly increase the C:N at the 40–50 cm depth. C:N was higher in cross‐slope tillage than in down‐slope tillage, especially at soil depths of 40–50 cm. Generally, topographical factors, land use, crop planting and tillage methods can effectively influence the spatial heterogeneity of C:N in this watershed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Economic Benefits and Costs of Sustainable Land Management Technologies: An Analysis of WOCAT's Global Data
Authors: Giger Markus , Liniger Hanspeter , Sauter Caspar , Schwilch Gudrun
Published: August 2015

Perceived profitability is a key factor in explaining farmers' decision to adopt or not adopt sustainable land management (SLM) technologies. Despite this importance, relatively little is known about the economics of SLM. This paper contributes to the literature by analysing data on costs and perceived cost/benefit ratios of SLM technologies. Data are taken from the World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies technology database and cover 363 case studies conducted in a variety of countries between 1990 and 2012. Based on an in‐depth descriptive analysis, we determine what costs accrue to local stakeholders and assess perceived short‐term and long‐term cost/benefit ratios. Our results show that a large majority of the technologies in our sample are perceived as being profitable: 73% were perceived to have a positive or at least neutral cost/benefit ratio in the short term, while 97% were perceived to have a positive or very positive cost/benefit ratio in the long term. An additional empirical analysis confirms that economic factors are key determinants of land users' decisions to adopt or not adopt SLM technologies. We conclude that a wide range of existing SLM practices generate considerable benefits not only for land users, but for other stakeholders as well. High initial investment costs associated with some practices may, however, constitute a barrier to their adoption; short‐term support for land users can help to promote these practices where appropriate. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outcomes for liver transplant candidates listed with low model for end‐stage liver disease score
Authors: Kwong Allison J. , Lai Jennifer C. , Dodge Jennifer L. , Roberts John P.
Published: August 2015

The Model for End‐Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, which estimates mortality within 90 days, determines priority for liver transplantation (LT). However, longer‐term outcomes on the wait list for patients who are initially listed with low MELD scores are not well characterized. All adults listed for primary LT at a single, high‐volume center from 2005 to 2012 with an initial laboratory MELD score of 22 or lower were evaluated. Excluded were those patients listed with MELD exception points who underwent living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) or transplantation at another center, or who were removed from the wait list for nonmedical reasons. Outcomes and causes of death were identified by United Network for Organ Sharing, the National Death Index, and an electronic medical record review. Multivariate competing risk analysis evaluated predictors of death compared to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT); 893 patients were listed from 2005 to 2012. By the end of follow‐up, 27% had undergone DDLT, and 31% were removed from the wait list for death or clinical deterioration. In a competing risks assessment, only MELD score of 6‐9, older age, lower serum albumin, lower body mass index, and diabetes conferred an increased risk of wait‐list dropout compared to DDLT. Listing for simultaneous liver‐kidney transplantation was protective against wait‐list dropout. Of the patients included, 275 patients died or were delisted for being too sick; 87% of the identifiable causes of death were directly related to end‐stage liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma. In conclusion, patients with low listing MELD scores remain at a significant risk for death due to liver‐related causes and may benefit from early access to transplantation, such as LDLT or acceptance of high‐risk donor livers. Predictors of death compared to transplantation may allow for early identification of patients who are at risk for wait‐list mortality. Liver Transpl 21:1403‐1409, 2015. © 2015 AASLD.
A New High Sensitivity System to Detect Instabilities During the Extrusion of Polymer Melts
Authors: Naue Ingo F. C. , Kádár Roland , Wilhelm Manfred
Published: August 2015

This publication is concerned with the development of a novel high sensitivity instability detection die for a laboratory size extruder. The high sensitivity system consists of piezoelectric transducers placed along the die length to monitor local pressure fluctuations, having temporal and pressure resolution of up to Δt ≈ 10−3 s and Δp ≈ 10−5 bar, at a nominal pressure of 500 bar. The system is tested on short chain branched polyethylenes, namely on the detection and characterization of the sharkskin instability. It is shown that the determined instabilities are related to characteristic peaks in the corresponding in situ pressure Fourier‐transform spectra and that other peaks are caused by different, but defined, sources. The in situ results obtained are validated through optical image analysis of the instabilities.
Design of Aggregate Structures and Molecular Capture by Using Molecular‐Cluster‐Assembly Method
Authors: Ho Shirun
Published: August 2015

Technology for designing functional polymers needs to incorporate biomimetic structures for a new functionality. A simulation method, referred to as “molecular‐cluster‐assembly,” is used to design aggregate structures comprised of oligomers in a bottom‐up manner and predict the capability of molecular capture. Acrylic acid oligomer forms an arched and syndiotactic structure with minimum energy. In accordance with the degree of aggregation, arched oligomers form a constricted structure with a unique channel width. The aggregate structures capture ethylene carbonates (ECs) inside the constricted channel and produce attractive energy between the ECs in host‐guest complexes. The optimum numbers of ECs stably captured are determined when the binding energy at which the guests are captured at the outside wall of the channel exceeds the attractive energy between the guests in the constricted channel.
The combined transverse upper gracilis and profunda artery perforator (TUGPAP) flap for breast reconstruction
Authors: Ciudad Pedro , Maruccia Michele , Orfaniotis Georgios , Weng Hui‐Ching , Constantinescu Thomas , Nicoli Fabio , Cigna Emanuele , Socas Juan , Sirimahachaiyakul Pornthep , Sapountzis Stamatis , Kiranantawat Kidakorn , Lin Shu‐Ping , Wang Gou‐Jen , Chen Hung‐Chi
Published: August 2015

Background

Surgical options for breast reconstruction include alloplastic and autogenous reconstructions. In autologous cases where the abdomen is not a suitable primary donor site, secondary donor sites such as the thigh or buttock are considered. The aim of this report is to describe a novel approach, the combined transverse upper gracilis and profunda artery perforator (TUGPAP) flap, aimed at medium to large volume breast reconstruction, with a single donor site used per breast.

Methods

Between January 2011 and June 2013, 32 consecutive unilateral immediate breast reconstruction cases were performed using free flaps. In nine cases, patients had previously undergone abdominal surgery, therefore abdominal flaps were excluded and TUGPAP flaps were performed. The TUGPAP flap consisted of the combination of two well‐described flaps: the transverse upper gracilis (TUG) and the profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap. All TUGPAP flaps were based on two pedicles: the ascending branch of the medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) for the TUG component, and the profunda artery perforator itself for the PAP component.

Results

The mean size of the harvested skin paddle was 28.6 × 8 cm2 (range, 27 × 7 cm2 to 30 × 9 cm2). The average length of the TUG flap pedicle was 7 cm (range, 6–8 cm) and the PAP flap pedicle was 9 cm (range, 8.5–10 cm). The flap survival rate was 100% with no re‐exploration, and no partial flap loss. Post‐operatively there was one case of persistent donor site seroma, which was managed conservatively.

Conclusion

With appropriate patient selection and surgical technique the TUGPAP flap could be a valuable option as an alternative method for autologous breast reconstruction. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:359–366, 2016.
Prevalence and Correlates of Psychological Symptoms in Chinese Doctors as Measured with the SCL‐90‐R: A Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Dai Yue , Zhang Baoquan , Sun Hong , Li Zhanzhan , Shen Liangfang , Liu Yuanyuan
Published: August 2015

Poor mental health in doctors appears to be a global phenomenon, but there are limited data on changes in doctors’ psychological symptoms over time in mainland China. Through a detailed meta‐analysis of cross‐sectional studies, our aim was to examine the prevalence of psychological symptoms in Chinese physicians as measured with the Symptom Checklist 90‐R (SCL‐90‐R) and to explore the factors associated with doctors’ mental health. A comprehensive search was performed in major English and Chinese databases. Thirty studies involving a total of 6,099 subjects were included in the meta‐analysis. The pooled estimates of psychological symptoms including somatization, obsession‐compulsion, interpersonal‐sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, and paranoid ideation among doctors were significantly higher than those in the general population. Only psychoticism was similar in prevalence to Chinese population norms. The prevalence increased with the study year but decreased with physicians’ increasing age. Doctors from central and western China experienced more mental health symptoms than those from eastern China. Psychiatrists scored significantly less favorably than other doctors on most subscales of the SCL‐90‐R. Doctors’ mental health may be associated with age discrepancy, quantitative workload, effort‐reward ratio, doctor‐patient relationships, professional identity, and individual traits. To minimize the risk of poor mental health in doctors, screening and professional intervention services should be provided at early career stages to raise physicians’ awareness about the importance of maintaining psychological well‐being and to reduce the prevalence of psychological symptoms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determinants of Heart Failure Self‐Care Maintenance and Management in Patients and Caregivers: A Dyadic Analysis
Authors: Bidwell Julie T. , Vellone Ercole , Lyons Karen S. , D'Agostino Fabio , Riegel Barbara , Juárez‐Vela Raúl , Hiatt Shirin O. , Alvaro Rosaria , Lee Christopher S.
Published: August 2015

Disease self‐management is a critical component of maintaining clinical stability for patients with chronic illness. This is particularly evident in the context of heart failure (HF), which is the leading cause of hospitalization for older adults. HF self‐management, commonly known as HF self‐care, is often performed with the support of informal caregivers. However, little is known about how a HF dyad manages the patient's care together. The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of patient and caregiver contributions to HF self‐care maintenance (daily adherence and symptom monitoring) and management (appropriate recognition and response to symptoms), utilizing an approach that controls for dyadic interdependence. This was a secondary analysis of cross‐sectional data from 364 dyads of Italian HF patients and caregivers. Multilevel modeling was used to identify determinants of HF self‐care within patient‐caregiver dyads. Patients averaged 76.2 (SD = 10.7) years old, and a slight majority (56.9%) was male, whereas caregivers averaged 57.4 (SD = 14.6) years old, and about half (48.1%) were male. Most caregivers were adult children (48.4%) or spouses (32.7%) of patients. Both patients and caregivers reported low levels of HF maintenance and management behaviors. Significant individual and dyadic determinants of self‐care maintenance and self‐care management included gender, quality of life, comorbid burden, impaired ADLs, cognition, hospitalizations, HF duration, relationship type, relationship quality, and social support. These comprehensive dyadic models assist in elucidating the complex nature of patient‐caregiver relationships and their influence on HF self‐care, leading to more effective ways to intervene and optimize outcomes. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Use of time‐resolved spectroscopy as a method to monitor carotenoids present in tomato extract obtained using ultrasound treatment
Authors: Bot Francesca , Anese Monica , Lemos M. Adília , Hungerford Graham
Published: August 2015

Introduction

Compounds exhibiting antioxidant activity have received much interest in the food industry because of their potential health benefits. Carotenoids such as lycopene, which in the human diet mainly derives from tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), have attracted much attention in this aspect and the study of their extraction, processing and storage procedures is of importance. Optical techniques potentially offer advantageous non‐invasive and specific methods to monitor them.

Objectives

To obtain both fluorescence and Raman information to ascertain if ultrasound assisted extraction from tomato pulp has a detrimental effect on lycopene.

Method

Use of time‐resolved fluorescence spectroscopy to monitor carotenoids in a hexane extract obtained from tomato pulp with application of ultrasound treatment (583 kHz). The resultant spectra were a combination of scattering and fluorescence. Because of their different timescales, decay associated spectra could be used to separate fluorescence and Raman information. This simultaneous acquisition of two complementary techniques was coupled with a very high time‐resolution fluorescence lifetime measurement of the lycopene.

Results

Spectroscopic data showed the presence of phytofluene and chlorophyll in addition to lycopene in the tomato extract. The time‐resolved spectral measurement containing both fluorescence and Raman data, coupled with high resolution time‐resolved measurements, where a lifetime of ~5 ps was attributed to lycopene, indicated lycopene appeared unaltered by ultrasound treatment. Detrimental changes were, however, observed in both chlorophyll and phytofluene contributions.

Conclusion

Extracted lycopene appeared unaffected by ultrasound treatment, while other constituents (chlorophyll and phytofluene) were degraded. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The β‐Lactams Strike Back: Ceftazidime‐Avibactam
Authors: Zasowski Evan J. , Rybak Jeffrey M. , Rybak Michael J.
Published: August 2015

Gram‐negative resistance has reached a crucial point, with emergence of pathogens resistant to most or all available antibiotics. Ceftazidime‐avibactam is a newly approved agent combining ceftazidime and a novel β‐lactamase inhibitor with activity against multidrug‐resistant gram‐negative bacteria. Avibactam has increased potency and expanded spectrum of inhibition of class A and C β‐lactamases relative to available β‐lactamase inhibitors, including extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases, AmpC, and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) enzymes. Avibactam expands ceftazidime's spectrum of activity to include many ceftazidime‐ and carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Early clinical data indicate that ceftazidime‐avibactam is effective and well tolerated in patients with complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) and complicated intraabdominal infections (cIAI). In a phase II trial of patients with cUTIs, ceftazidime‐avibactam produced similar rates of clinical and microbiologic success compared with imipenem‐cilastatin (70.5% and 71.4% microbiologic success rates, respectively). Likewise, patients receiving ceftazidime‐avibactam plus metronidazole in a phase II study of patients with cIAI had similar response rates to those receiving meropenem (91.2% and 93.4% clinical success rates, respectively). Based on available in vitro, in vivo, and phase II trial data, as well as preliminary phase III trial results in ceftazidime‐resistant, gram‐negative cUTI and cIAI, ceftazidime‐avibactam received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval for treatment of cUTI, including pyelonephritis, and cIAI, in combination with metronidazole, in adult patients with limited or no alternative treatment options. The approved dosage, ceftazidime 2 g–avibactam 0.5 g administered as a 2‐hour infusion every 8 hours, was selected based on pharmacodynamic analysis and available clinical data. This dosage is under further investigation in patients with cUTI, cIAI, and nosocomial or ventilator‐associated pneumonia. The current body of evidence suggests that ceftazidime‐avibactam is a promising addition to our therapeutic armamentarium with potential to answer an urgent unmet medical need. Further data in highly resistant gram‐negative infections, particularly those caused by KPC‐producing Enterobacteriaceae, are needed. As it is introduced into clinical use, careful stewardship and rational use are essential to preserve ceftazidime‐avibactam's potential utility.
Shared health characteristics in Hispanic colorectal cancer patients and their primary social support person following primary diagnosis
Authors: Black David S. , Li Michael J. , Ihenacho Ugonna , Nguyen Nathalie T. , de Fatima Reyes Maria , Milam Joel , Pentz Mary Ann , Figueiredo Jane C.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

The aim of this paper was to determine individual and shared levels of psychosocial, behavioral, and symptomological health characteristics among Hispanics with recent history of cancer and their primary social support person (PSSP) in the years following diagnosis.

Patients and Methods

Recruited from a population‐based cohort study were 409 Hispanic patients with a previous diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Forty‐seven patients identified a PSSP, who assists with medical decision‐making and health‐related matters, who also participated in the study. Current behavioral (smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, and complementary and alternative medicine use), psychosocial (stress and mindfulness), and physical symptom (fatigue) data were obtained using validated instruments. Analyses tested the individual and shared (between patients and PSSPs) variance in these health measures.

Results

The sample was diagnosed on average 3.1 years (standard deviation = 1.7) prior to assessment. PSSPs were mainly spouses/partners (63%) or children (28%) of patients. Among patients, stress was positively associated with being a current smoker (p < 0.01) and with fatigue (r = 0.45, p < 0.001); stress was negatively correlated with mindfulness (r = −0.41, p < 0.001); mindfulness was negatively associated with smoking (odds ratio (OR) = 0.72, p < 0.01) and alcohol consumption (OR = 0.83, p < 0.05); the inverse relationship between mindfulness and fatigue was partially mediated through lower levels of stress (β = −0.17, p < 0.001). Similar patterns were observed among PSSPs. Patient mindfulness was negatively correlated with PSSP stress (r = −0.45, p < 0.01). Complementary and alternative medicine use showed interdependence between patients and PSSPs for use of herbal remedies (OR = 6.2; p < 0.01) and bodywork (OR = 8.3, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Hispanic colorectal cancer patients and their PSSP share a common health milieu in the years following a cancer diagnosis, offering opportunities for advancing interpersonal intervention approaches in cancer care. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Theoretical Analysis about the Driving Mechanism of Mild Detonating Fuse
Authors: Wen Xuejun , Lu Fangyun , Chen Rong , Lin Yuliang
Published: August 2015

Two theoretical models based on momentum conservation, energy conservation, and law of motion were constructed to predict the velocity of fragments driven by mild detonating fuse (MDF). In the models, it is assumed that the driven velocity includes two parts: instant velocity coming from the impact of metal sheath and velocity increment caused by detonation products. Two groups of experiments were designed and carried out to validate the models. The experiment results show that the model based on momentum method better describes the fragments driving process. Furthermore, a series of finite‐element simulations using LS‐DYNA3D were done to fully verify the model. The simulation results show that the assumption of the fragment velocity composed of instant velocity and velocity increment is reasonable. Both theoretical predictions and simulation results all indicate that instant velocity coming from the impact of the metal sheath accounts for majority (average 89 %) of the final velocity, which shows that lead sheath plays a key role in the accelerating progress of fragment driven by MDF. As a result, a certain distance should be allowed for the lead sheath to be accelerated to make full use of the MDF. This research may relate to the design of linear pyrotechnic separation device in aerospace engineering.
Scanning electron microscopy of the nail plate in onychomycosis patients with negative fungal culture
Authors: Yue Xueping , Li Qing , Wang Hongwei , Sun Yilin , Wang Aiping , Zhang Qi , Zhang Cuiping
Published: August 2015

Onychomycosis is a common dermatological problem and can be identified by direct microscopic examination and fungal culture. However, the positive rate of fungal culture is low. This study investigated the application of scanning electron microscopy in the diagnosis of onychomycosis in 20 patients with negative fungal culture. In this study, a routine glutaraldehyde fixation method was used to prepare specimens for electron microscope examination. Results showed that under the scanning electron microscope, significant structural damage was observed in the nail plate in all patients. Hyphaes were seen in 70% of cases. A mixture of scattered hyphaes, pseudohyphaes, and spores was observed in 30% of cases. A mixture of spores and bacteria was observed in 10% of cases. A mixture of hyphaes and bacteria was observed in 20% of cases. The typical hyphae pierced a thin layer or single layer of corneocytes. Hyphaes could be smooth, sleek, and straight with visible separation, or dry, bent, and folded with a smooth surface. The diameter of hyphaes was 1–2 µm. The scattered spores were the main form of spore growth, and the growth of budding spores can be seen attached to the surface of layered armor. Most of the bacteria were gathered in clumps on the ventral surface, especially in grooves. In conclusion, scanning electron microscopy can be used to preliminarily identify the pathogen involved and the degree of damage in cases where onychomycosis is clinically diagnosed, but fungal culture is negative. SCANNING 38:172–176, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An environmental crisis: science has failed; let us send in the machines
Authors: Death Russell G.
Published: August 2015

The ecological condition of the world's waterways continues to decline under increasing pollution, human land use intensification, and/or demand for water abstraction. This is occurring despite the fact that freshwater ecologists and other water scientists have been investigating these environmental concerns for many years. Freshwater science has made considerable advances understanding the causes of this ecological decline, but we still appear to be further from halting that decline than ever before. Perhaps the scientific solutions are clear but political, social, legal or economic constraints intervene? Irrespective of the reasons, in my opinion freshwater science is failing to deal effectively with this environmental crisis. I believe that artificial intelligence devices and machine learning software may offer potential for dealing with the environmental crisis facing the world's freshwater. There are numerous, free and easy to use software packages that would enable freshwater ecologists to better understand some of the complex, nonlinear relationships in their data, and to potentially make better predictions about the effects of stressors and/or how best to mitigate them. I see a not too distant future where these devices will take over direct management of river reaches to hopefully provide more effective balancing of economic and environmental needs for water. I would like to encourage more scientists to embrace the ease and power of machine learning as a way to better interpret collected data, or at least provide an alternative perspective that may prove useful. WIREs Water 2015, 2:595–600. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1102

This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Methods
New 1.9-2.0 Ga, Pb-Pb (PbSL), Age of Dolomites from Vempalle Formation, Lower Cuddapah Supergroup, Eastern Dharwar Craton, India
Authors: Rai A. K. , Pandey U. K. , Zakaulla Syed , Parihar P. S.
Published: August 2015

Uranium mineralised and non-mineralised dolomites from Vempalle Formation, Lower Cuddapah Supergroup, were analysed by Pb-Pb systematics (Pb Sequential Leaching-PbSL), to ascertain the age of deposition, uranium mineralization, diagenesis and dolomitisation. PbSL technique is a well established tool to be used for direct dating of carbonate rocks world wide. Based on present study, using PbSL technique, it is established that the age of deposition, diagenesis, dolomitisation and syn-diagenetic uranium mineralization, in the Vempalle dolomites, is c. 1900-2000 Ma. Such older ages were not reported earlier from any part of the Cuddapah basin. The present age is within the existing stratigraphic time frame, as mafic sill intruding the Vempalle Formation is dated as c.1885 Ma and this indicates that Vempalle dolomites and syn-diagenetic uranium mineralization in it, have to be older than c.1885 Ma. The deposition of carbonate sediments, diagenesis, dolomitisation and syn-diagentic uranium mineralization in the Vempalle Formation took place in a short duration of 100 Ma, similar to the Wittenoon Formation and Carawine Dolomite of Hamersley Group, Western Australia, in which time between initial deposition, diagenesis and late dolomitisation is 100-150 Ma. The Cuddapah basin might have formed during the period c. 2200–2100 Ma, as evidenced by widespread mafic dyke activity around Cuddapah basin during that time. Present study infers that the minimum age of the onset of sedimentation in the Cuddapah Supergroup was at around c. 2000 Ma and the diagenesis, dolomitisation and syn-diagenetic uranium mineralisation took place up to 1900 Ma.
Mineralogy and Mineral Chemistry of Placer Deposit around Jhatipodar, Odisha
Authors: Acharya B. C. , Nayak B. K. , Das S. K.
Published: August 2015

The heavy mineral placer sands of Jhatipodar deposit, Odisha, India extends in NE-SW parallel to the coast over a width of 750-980m. A total of 195 samples were collected vertically in a grid pattern from 46 bore holes in 5 transects from beach and dunes covering an area of 75 hectares. The total heavy minerals (THM) content of the samples vary from 3.01% to 44.38%. The heavy minerals as observed from field and laboratory investigations are ilmenite, leucoxene, garnet, sillimanite, zircon, rutile, monazite, magnetite and corundum together with hornblende, diopside, tourmaline, sphene, apatite and epidote. The heavy minerals show similar pattern of grain size distribution from beach to dunes and are dominantly in the size of 90 - 350 μm with a peak distribution in -180, +125 μm. A bulk sample of dunal sands analysed 20.48% THM, contain 7.85% ilmenite, 7.65% garnet, 4.09% sillimanite, 0.20% zircon, 0.18% rutile and 0.13% monazite. The mineral grains are well liberated, rounded to sub-rounded and mostly free from surface coatings. The ilmenites contain 47.87-56.59% TiO2 with an average of 51.76% TiO2. The high TiO2 content (9.86-16.30%) in exsolved hematite is due to Fe2O3-FeTiO3 solid solution. Compared to ilmenite, leucoxene has higher amounts of Ti, Al, Si, Cr and lower amounts of Fe and Mn. The Ti/(Ti+Fe) in ilmenite varies between 0.46% and 0.55% while that in leucoxene has a range from 0.64% to 0.96%. The provenance rocks for this deposit are the khondalites, quartzites, calcsilicate granulites, granitic gneisses, charnockite, basic granulite, anorthosite and pegmatites of the Eastern Ghats Mobile Belt in the catchment areas of Rushikulya river. This paper deals with the distribution of heavy minerals in beaches and dunes, mineralogical association and chemistry of different minerals to evaluate the economic potentiality of Jhatipodar placer deposit and to decipher the amenability of different heavy minerals for mineral processing.
Suitability of Groundwater Quality for Drinking, Irrigation and Industrial Purposes in the Western Delta Region of the River Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
Authors: Nageswara Rao P. V. , Appa Rao S. , Subba Rao N.
Published: August 2015

The people of the Western Delta Region of the River Godavari, Andhra Pradesh are in a dilemma whether to use or not to use the groundwater for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes due to influences of geogenic, marine and anthropogenic activities on aquifer system. To clarify this doubt, the present study has been taken up. Geologically, the region is underlain by coarse sand with black clay of buried channel (BC) zone, black silty clay of flood plain (FP) zone and grey/white fine sand of beach sediment of coastal (C) zone. The results of the chemical analysis of groundwater suggest that the quality of water is of alkaline, low to high salinity and hard to very hard. The trilinear diagram shows that the quality of groundwater is dominated by non-carbonate alkali and mixed types. Because of the deterioration of groundwater quality, the concentrations of TH, Mg2+, Na+, Cl– and SO4–2 exceed their drinking water quality standards in most of the region. The groundwater quality is not suitable with respect to SAR, %Na+ and MH, but they are safe in respect of RSC and PI in some locations for irrigation. In a few locations, the quality of groundwater is useful for industrial purpose. As a whole, the groundwater quality in BC zone is found to be superior to that in FP and C zones. Suitable management measures are suggested to improve the water quality.
Direct Resistivity Measurements of Core Sample using a Portable In-situ DC Resistivity Meter in Comparison with HERT Data
Authors: Rekapalli Rajesh , Sarma V. S. , Phukon Parag
Published: August 2015

An indigenous apparatus was devised for measuring the true resistivity of core samples in laboratory or at the drilling site and tested for its efficacy. The true resistivities of selected core samples from a shallow borehole of Brahmaputra alluvium were measured using an in-situ DC resistivity meter and compared with corresponding High-resolution Electrical Resistivity Tomography (HERT) cross section acquired across the borehole site. We find a very good match between the direct measurements and inverse model data of HERT within the limits of resolution. Thus, the present work proves the validity and utility of the resistivity survey in identifying the nature of the sub-surface material and its stratification by measuring the core sample resistivity with the help of in-situ DC resistivity meter.