bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk of Subsequent Infection Among Patients Receiving Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitors and Other Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs
Authors: Accortt Neil A. , Bonafede Machaon M. , Collier David H. , Iles Jan , Curtis Jeffrey R.
Published: September 2015

Objective

To describe the incidence of subsequent serious infections in patients who received systemic drug therapy after an initial serious infection.

Methods

Patients with rheumatic conditions (rheumatoid arthritis [RA], psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis) or psoriasis who experienced a serious infection between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2011 were identified in a claims database. Patients were required to be continuously enrolled in the Truven Health Analytics MarketScan Research Database for 12 months prior to and at least 60 days after the date of discharge or the end of intravenous antibiotic therapy for the index serious infection. Subsequent serious infection incidence rates per 100 patient‐years with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated for up to 18 months post‐index, starting 60 days post‐index. Cox proportional hazards models were used to adjust for baseline demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment duration, and changes during followup.

Results

Among the 21,699 patients who met the inclusion criteria, the majority (84.3%) had RA. Patients who received tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor therapy after their index infection had a lower rate of subsequent serious infections (18.1 per 100 patient‐years for those treated with a TNF inhibitor alone and 17.3 per 100 patient‐years for those treated with a TNF inhibitor plus a nonbiologic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug [DMARD]) compared with those treated with a nonbiologic DMARD alone (21.4 per 100 patient‐years). Etanercept, either alone (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.99) or in combination with a nonbiologic DMARD (adjusted HR 0.76, 95% CI 0.66–0.88), and infliximab (only in combination with a nonbiologic DMARD) (adjusted HR 0.80, 95% CI 0.67–0.95) were associated with a significantly lower risk of subsequent serious infections compared with a nonbiologic DMARD alone.

Conclusion

We did not observe an increased risk of subsequent infection in patients who received TNF inhibitor treatment following a serious infection. The risk of a subsequent serious infection was lower in patients treated with both a TNF inhibitor and a nonbiologic DMARD compared with that in patients treated with a nonbiologic DMARD alone.
Association of Elevations of Specific T Cell and Monocyte Subpopulations in Rheumatoid Arthritis With Subclinical Coronary Artery Atherosclerosis
Authors: Winchester Robert , Giles Jon T. , Nativ Simona , Downer Kendall , Zhang Hui‐Zhu , Bag‐Ozbek Ayse , Zartoshti Afshin , Bokhari Sabahat , Bathon Joan M.
Published: September 2015

Objective

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of excess deaths in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, identification of features denoting patients with a risk of developing CAD is lacking. The composition of circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) subsets in RA patients differs markedly from that in healthy controls with regard to the extent of T cell activation, with clonal expansion and differentiation to effector memory status, and presence of inflammatory monocytes. In this study, we sought to evaluate whether elevations in these PBMC subpopulations in RA patients could denote those with an increased risk of subclinical CAD, as determined by the presence of coronary artery calcification (CAC).

Methods

The study cohort comprised 72 patients with RA who underwent cardiac computed tomography to assess CAC. PBMC subsets were determined by multiparameter flow cytometry. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the associations between PBMC subpopulations and the presence of CAC.

Results

Among the 72 patients with RA, 33% had CAC and exhibited significant increases in the levels of circulating CD4 T cell subsets denoting activation and differentiation to the effector memory phenotypes. Analogous increases in the levels of CD8 T cell subsets, as well as in the CD14highCD16+ intermediate monocyte subset, were also present in these patients, as compared to those without CAC. The increases in the CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets were highly intercorrelated, whereas the increases in CD14highCD16+ monocytes were independent of elevations in the CD4 T cell subsets. After adjustments for relevant confounders, the levels of CD4+CD56+CD57+ T cells and CD14highCD16+ monocytes remained associated with the presence of CAC.

Conclusion

These findings indicate that PBMC subsets are markers for the presence of CAC and suggest that mechanisms of atherogenesis in RA may operate in part through the elevations in these subsets, raising further questions about the mechanisms underlying the presence of such alterations in cell composition in patients with RA and the potential for shared etiologic pathways between RA and cardiovascular disease.
Gold and Silver Chains Supported by Linear Hexaphosphine Ligands
Authors: Tanase Tomoaki , Chikanishi Mio , Morita Konomi , Nakamae Kanako , Kure Bunsho , Nakajima Takayuki
Published: September 2015

A new linear hexaphosphine, rac‐cis,cis,trans‐ bis{[(diphenylphosphinomethyl)phenylphosphinomethyl]phenylphosphino}methane (P6), was synthesized and isolated as a pure isomer, confirmed by transforming to the corresponding phosphine sulfide. The methylene‐bridged linear hexaphosphine readily organized flexible gold(I) and silver(I) hexanuclear chains, [M6(μ‐P6)2]X6 (X6=(OTf)6, M=Au (1), Ag (2); X6=Cl2(PF6)4, M=Au (3)). The hexaphosphine also supported a tetrasilver(I) complex [Ag4(μ‐P6)2](OTf)4 (4), which was readily transformed by treatment with AgOTf into 3, revealing a drastic alternation of the two P6 arrangement. The hexagold(I) chains exhibited a considerably red‐shifted absorption (∼410 nm) and emission (540–580 nm) to 1[5dσ*→6pσ] and from 3[5dσ*→6pσ] excited states of the metal centers, respectively. The new linear hexaphosphine could be a useful tool to construct linear metal clusters as subnano building blocks.
Imaging characteristics of disseminatedGeosmithia argillaceacausing severe diskospondylitis and meningoencephalomyelitis in a dog
Authors: Kawalilak Lukas T. , Chen Annie V. , Roberts Greg R.
Published: September 2015

Key Clinical Message

A 4‐year‐old male castrated Labrador Retriever presented for severe spinal pain. Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging showed evidence of diskospondylitis and meningoencephalomyelitis. Blood culture revealed aGeosmithia argillaceafungal infection afterDNAsequencing, initially misdiagnosed asPenicilliumspecies.Geosmithia argillaceashould be considered as a differential for disseminated fungal diskospondylitis.
Application of Enzyme Coupling Reactions to Shift Thermodynamically Limited Biocatalytic Reactions
Authors: Abu Rohana , Woodley John M.
Published: September 2015

In recent years, much interest has been shown in the use of multi‐enzyme cascades as a tool in organic synthesis. Such enzymatic cascades can provide added value to a synthetic scheme by starting from cheaper raw materials or making more valuable products. Additionally, they can be used to help shift the equilibrium of otherwise thermodynamically unfavourable reactions to give a higher conversion of the target product. By coupling an energetically unfavourable reaction with a more favourable one, the multi‐enzyme cascade mimics the approach taken in nature in metabolic pathways. Nevertheless, it can be challenging to combine several engineered enzymes in vitro for the conversion of non‐natural substrates. In this mini‐review we focus on enzyme coupling reactions as a tool to alleviate thermodynamic constraints in synthetically useful biocatalytic reactions. The implications of thermodynamic parameters such as the equilibrium constant on the multi‐enzyme cascades and the conventional methods of equilibrium shifting are also discussed in addition to methods used to estimate such values.
Amidation of Carboxylic Acids with Amines by Nb2O5 as a Reusable Lewis Acid Catalyst
Authors: Ali Md. A. , Siddiki S. M. A. H. , Onodera Wataru , Kon Kenichi , Shimizu Ken‐ichi
Published: September 2015

Among 28 types of heterogeneous and homogenous catalysts tested, Nb2O5 shows the highest yield for direct amidation of n‐dodecanoic acid with a less reactive amine (aniline). The catalytic amidation by Nb2O5 is applicable to a wide range of carboxylic acids and amines with various functional groups, and the catalyst is reusable. A comparison of the results of the catalytic study and an infrared study of the acetic acid adsorbed on the catalyst suggests that activation of the carbonyl group of the carboxylic acid by Lewis acid sites on Nb2O5 is responsible for the high activity of the Nb2O5 catalyst. Kinetic studies show that Lewis acid sites on Nb2O5 are more water‐tolerant than conventional Lewis acidic oxides (Al2O3, TiO2). In comparison with the state‐of‐the‐art homogeneous Lewis acid catalyst for amidation (ZrCl4), Nb2O5 undergoes fewer negative effects from basic additives in the solution, which indicates that Nb2O5 is a more base‐tolerant Lewis acid catalyst than the homogeneous Lewis acid catalyst.
Highly Selective Copper Catalyst Supported on Mesoporous Carbon for the Dehydrogenation of Ethanol to Acetaldehyde
Authors: Wang Qing‐Nan , Shi Lei , Lu An‐Hui
Published: September 2015

The front cover artwork for Issue 18/2015 is provided by the Advanced Energy Materials Group of Dalian University of Technology, P.R. China. The image shows that Cu nanoparticles supported on a mesoporous carbon act as an active catalyst for the dehydrogenation of ethanol to acetaldehyde with excellent selectivity and in an atom‐economic fashion. See the Full Paper itself at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201500501.
Si–CNT/rGO Nanoheterostructures as High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion‐Battery Anodes
Authors: Xiao Lisong , Sehlleier Yee Hwa , Dobrowolny Sascha , Orthner Hans , Mahlendorf Falko , Heinzel Angelika , Schulz Christof , Wiggers Hartmut
Published: September 2015

A robust and electrochemically stable 3D nanoheterostructure consisting of Si nanoparticles (NPs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) is developed as an anode material (Si–CNT/rGO) for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). It integrates the benefits from its three building blocks of Si NPs, CNTs, and rGO; Si NPs offer high capacity, CNTs act as a mechanical, electrically conductive support to connect Si NPs, and highly electrically conductive and flexible rGO provides a robust matrix with enough void space to accommodate the volume changes of Si NPs upon lithiation/delithiation and to simultaneously assure good electric contact. The composite material shows a high reversible capacity of 1665 mAh g−1 with good capacity retention of 88.6 % over 500 cycles when cycled at 0.5 C, that is, a 0.02 % capacity decay per cycle. The high‐power capability is demonstrated at 10 C (16.2 A g−1) where 755 mAh g−1 are delivered, thus indicating promising characteristics of this material for high‐performance LIBs.
Incidence and Predictors of Left Ventricular Thrombus After Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Anterior ST‐Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Driesman Adam , Hyder Omar , Lang Christopher , Stockwell Phillip , Poppas Athena , Dawn Abbott J.
Published: September 2015

Background

The role of warfarin in anterior ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and dual antiplatelet therapy is unclear. Warfarin may prevent cardioembolic events but significantly increases bleeding in the setting of dual antiplatelet therapy.

Hypothesis

The incidence of LV thrombus in anterior STEMI patients treated with PCI is low, and clinical predictors might be valuable in determining patients at risk.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, single‐center study of 687 consecutive patients with anterior STEMI treated with PCI from 2006 to 2013. Baseline variables were evaluated in 310 patients at high risk for LV thrombus based on echocardiographic criteria. Patients with definite, probable, and no LV thrombus were compared by ANOVA, χ2, or t test where appropriate. Logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

The incidence of LV thrombus was 15% (n = 47 probable/definite thrombus). Cardiac arrest was the only independent characteristic associated with increased risk of LV thrombus (odds ratio [OR]: 4.06, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.3‐12.7). Trends were observed for a lower risk in cardiogenic shock (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.10‐1.05) and aspirin use at baseline (OR: 0.43, 95% CI: 0.17‐1.1). Treatment variables associated with LV thrombus included unfractionated heparin use post‐PCI (OR: 2.43, 95% CI: 1.16‐5.1) and use of balloon angioplasty without stent.

Conclusions

In contemporary practice with primary PCI, definite LV thrombus following anterior STEMI with LV dysfunction is challenging to predict. Further investigation is needed to determine if there is a subset of patients that should be treated with prophylactic warfarin.
Facile Synthesis of Rhodium Icosahedra with Controlled Sizes up to 12 nm
Authors: Choi Sang‐Il , Lee Sujin R. , Ma Cheng , Oliy Bogdan , Luo Ming , Chi Miaofang , Xia Younan
Published: September 2015

We report a facile synthesis of Rh icosahedra with average sizes up to 12.0±0.8 nm through the use of a relatively slow reduction process. By using Rh(acac)3 as a precursor to Rh and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as a reducing agent, the reduction kinetics can be manipulated such to promote the formation of twin defects in the Rh nanocrystals. When Rh(acac)3 is replaced by other precursors containing mono‐dentate ligands, single‐crystal Rh nanocrystals are obtained due to the acceleration of reduction rate. By increasing the molecular weight of PVP from 10 000 to 1 300 000, the resulting Rh nanocrystals are transformed from single‐crystal octahedra to multiply twinned icosahedra and stacking‐fault‐lined plates. These results suggest that the successful preparation of Rh icosahedra could be facilitated by varying the binding strength of a ligand to Rh in the precursor and/or the molecular weight of PVP to optimize the reduction kinetics.
A Highly Efficient Red‐Emitting Ruthenium Complex with 3,5‐Difluorophenyl Substituents
Authors: Zhu Yingying , Fei Teng , Ma Yuguang
Published: September 2015

Five 3,5‐difluorophenyl‐substituted ruthenium complexes [Ru(bpy)2(dfpbpy)(ClO4)2] (Ru‐Fbpy‐bpy; bpy=bipyridine, dfpbpy=5,5′‐di(3,5‐difluorophenyl)‐2,2′‐bipyridine), [Ru(dpp)2(dfpbpy)(ClO4)2] (Ru‐Fbpy‐dpp; dpp=4,7‐diphenyl‐1,10‐phenanthroline), [Ru(dpp)2(dfpphen)(ClO4)2] (Ru‐Fphen‐dpp; dfpphen=5,5′‐di(3,5‐difluorophenyl)‐1,10‐phenanthroline), [Ru(dpp)2(4,7‐dfpphen)(ClO4)2] (Ru‐Fdpp‐dpp; 4,7‐dfpphen=4,7‐di(3,5‐difluorophenyl)‐1,10‐phenanthroline), and [Ru(4,7‐dfpphen)3(AsF6)2] (Ru‐Fdpp) were synthesized, and their photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent properties were studied systematically. The introduction of the electron‐withdrawing group 3,5‐difluorophenyl leads to a redshift of the emission of the ruthenium complexes. In addition, the 3,5‐difluorophenyl substituent extends the π conjugation of the ligand, and thus facilitates the metal‐to‐ligand charge‐transfer process of the complexes. All the complexes display orange‐red phosphorescent emissions centered at 638, 638, 624, 614, and 605 nm, respectively. Density functional theory calculations show that the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of Ru‐Fbpy‐dpp, Ru‐Fphen‐dpp, and Ru‐Fdpp‐dpp are all distributed on the 3,5‐difluorophenyl‐substituted ligand. By using these complexes as emitters, highly luminescent single‐layer devices are obtained. The optimized device based on Ru‐Fdpp exhibits the highest luminous efficiency and power efficiency of 4.19 cd A−1 and 1.46 lm W−1, respectively.
Detection of oxidative hair treatment using fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Witt Silvana , Wunder Cora , Paulke Alexander , Verhoff Marcel A. , Schubert‐Zsilavecz Manfred , Toennes Stefan W.
Published: September 2015

In assessing abstinence from drug or alcohol abuse, hair analysis plays an important role. Cosmetic hair treatment influences the content of deposited drugs which is not always detectable during analysis. Since oxidation of melanin leads to an increase in fluorescence, a microscopic method was developed to distinguish natural from cosmetically treated hair. For validation, natural hair samples were treated with different types of cosmetics and inspected by fluorescence microscopy. Hair samples from 20 volunteers with documented cosmetic treatment and as a proof of concept 100 hair samples from forensic cases were analyzed by this method. Apart from autofluorescence with excitation at 365 nm, no obvious fluorescence was observed in untreated hair samples. Tinting and a natural plant product had no influence on fluorescence, but dyeing procedures including oxidation led to a marked increase in fluorescence. Proof of cosmetic treatment was achieved in hair samples from the 20 volunteers. In 100 forensic cases, 13 samples were characterized as oxidatively treated, which was in accordance with the respective disclosure except for one case where treatment was not admitted. This fluorescence microscopic procedure proved to be fast, easy, and reliable to identify oxidatively treated hair samples, which must be considered especially in evaluating cases of negative drug results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Photocrystallographic, Spectroscopic, and Calorimetric Analysis of Light‐Induced Linkage NO Isomers in [RuNO(NO2)2­(pyridine)2OH]
Authors: Kostin Gennadiy A. , Borodin Alexander O. , Mikhailov Artem A. , Kuratieva Natalia V. , Kolesov Boris A. , Pishchur Denis P. , Woike Theo , Schaniel Dominik
Published: September 2015

Through photocrystallography at T = 80 K, light‐induced linkage isonitrosyl NO isomers (κO‐bound) are detected and refined in the complex fac‐[RuNO(NO2)2Py2OH]·H2O (Py = pyridine) after irradiation with light in the blue spectral range. The infrared and Raman spectra reveal the downshift of the ν(NO), ν(Ru–NO), and δ(Ru–N–O) vibrations by 120–150 cm–1 upon photoexcitation. Furthermore, the infrared spectrum show a significant downshift of the νas(NO2) and νs(NO2) bands by ca. 10 cm–1 but without any isomerization of the NO2 ligands. Furthermore, the downshifts of the ν(Ru–O–H) and δ(Ru–O–H) vibrational modes show the trans influence of the NO isomer on the OH ligand. The populations of the isonitrosyl isomer determined (66–75 % at λ = 443–445 nm) by all three techniques (X‐ray crystallography, IR and Raman spectroscopy) agree well. Such a high population of the isonitrosyl structure is visible in the photodifference map. The activation parameters Ea = 63.9 ± 1 kJ/mol and k0 = (1.8 ± 0.1) × 1013 s–1 of the reverse transition were determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The second metastable state (side‐on κ2NO mode) was generated by a two‐step irradiation with blue light followed by irradiation with light in the near‐infrared spectral range (980 nm) and identified through its characteristic NO stretching vibration at $\tilde {\nu}$ = 1592 and 1600 cm–1.
Rhodium‐Catalyzed Synthesis of 2,5‐Epoxybenzo[f][1,4]oxazepines by Tandem Reaction of 1‐Sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles and Salicylaldehydes
Authors: Shi Yinping , Yu Xing , Li Chuan‐Ying
Published: September 2015

Readily available 1‐sulfonyl‐1,2,3‐triazoles were converted into α‐imino carbenes in the presence of catalytic amounts of rhodium(II) salts. The carbenes underwent a tandem reaction with salicylaldehydes to provide a series of functionalized 2,5‐epoxybenzo[f][1,4]oxazepines in high yields.
Role of peripheral sigma‐1 receptors in ischaemic pain: Potential interactions with ASIC and P2X receptors
Authors: Kwon S.G. , Roh D.H. , Yoon S.Y. , Choi S.R. , Choi H.S. , Moon J.Y. , Kang S.Y. , Kim H.W. , Han H.J. , Beitz A.J. , Oh S.B. , Lee J.H.
Published: September 2015

Background

The role of peripheral sigma‐1 receptors (Sig‐1Rs) in normal nociception and in pathologically induced pain conditions has not been thoroughly investigated. Since there is mounting evidence that Sig‐1Rs modulate ischaemia‐induced pathological conditions, we investigated the role of Sig‐1Rs in ischaemia‐induced mechanical allodynia (MA) and addressed their possible interaction with acid‐sensing ion channels (ASICs) and P2X receptors at the ischaemic site.

Methods

We used a rodent model of hindlimb thrombus‐induced ischaemic pain (TIIP) to investigate their role. Western blot was performed to observe changes in Sig‐1R expression in peripheral nervous tissues. MA was measured after intraplantar (i.pl.) injections of antagonists for the Sig‐1, ASIC and P2X receptors in TIIP rats or agonists of each receptor in naïve rats.

Results

Sig‐1R expression significantly increased in skin, sciatic nerve and dorsal root ganglia at 3 days post‐TIIP surgery. I.pl. injections of the Sig‐1R antagonist, BD‐1047 on post‐operative days 0–3 significantly attenuated the development of MA during the induction phase, but had no effect on MA when given during the maintenance phase (days 3–6 post‐surgery). BD‐1047 synergistically increased amiloride (an ASICs blocker)‐ and TNP‐ATP (a P2X antagonist)‐induced analgesic effects in TIIP rats. In naïve rats, i.pl. injection of Sig‐1R agonist PRE‐084 alone did not produce MA; but it did induce MA when co‐administered with either an acidic pH solution or a sub‐effective dose of αβmeATP.

Conclusion

Peripheral Sig‐1Rs contribute to the induction of ischaemia‐induced MA via facilitation of ASICs and P2X receptors. Thus, peripheral Sig‐1Rs represent a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of ischaemic pain.
Pattern of gonadal differentiation and development up to sexual maturity in the frogs, Microhyla ornata and Hylarana malabarica: A comparative study
Authors: Mali Prajakta Vijay , Gramapurohit Narahari Prabhakar
Published: September 2015

Gonadogenesis was studied in Microhyla ornata (Family: Microhylidae) and Hylarana malabarica (Family: Ranidae) up to sexual maturity. Indifferent gonads of M. ornata directly differentiated into either testes or ovaries while those of H. malabarica differentiated into ovaries in all the individuals followed by testicular differentiation in males through an ovarian phase. In some tadpoles of M. ornata, formation of a central cavity at Gosner stage 27 marked ovary differentiation while meiosis was initiated at stage 29. Folliculogenesis was evident at stage 39. Vitellogenesis was initiated in females 9 months post‐metamorphosis that attained maturity around 11 months after the completion of metamorphosis. Gonads of males with uniformly distributed germ and somatic cells remained undifferentiated until stage 41. Germ and somatic cells reorganized into seminiferous cords at stage 42. One month after completing metamorphosis, testes contained seminiferous tubules while those of 3 months old males exhibited all spermatogenic stages. In H. malabarica, germ cells entry into meiosis marked ovary differentiation at stage 29 while, ovarian cavity was discernable around stage 35. Post‐metamorphosis, ovaries of 1–6 month old females contained pre‐diplotene oocytes. Females were immature even 1 year after the completion of metamorphosis. In all the tadpoles, ovaries with central cavity and meiocytes were present up to the completion of metamorphosis. Gonads of prospective males displayed an obliterating ovarian cavity along with degenerating oocytes at the end of metamorphosis. Germ and somatic cells reorganized into seminiferous cords in males 3 months after the completion of metamorphosis. Testes of 4 months old males exhibited distinct seminiferous tubules while those of 6 months old exhibited meiosis. All spermatogenic stages were observed in testes of 9 months old males indicating maturity. J. Exp. Zool. 323A: 666–678, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cricopharyngeal dysfunction: A systematic review comparing outcomes of dilatation, botulinum toxin injection, and myotomy
Authors: Kocdor Pelin , Siegel Eric R. , Tulunay‐Ugur Ozlem E.
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Cricopharyngeal dysfunction may lead to severe dysphagia and aspiration. The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the existing studies on the effectiveness of myotomy, dilatation, and botulinum toxin (BoT) injection in the management of cricopharyngeal dysphagia.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched to identify eligible studies by using the terms “cricopharyngeal dysfunction,” “cricopharyngeal myotomy,” “cricopharyngeal botox,” “cricopharyngeal dilation,” and their combinations from 1990 to 2013. This was supplemented by hand‐searching relevant articles. Eligible articles were independently assessed for quality by two authors. Statistical analysis was performed.

Results

The database search revealed 567 articles. Thirty‐two articles met eligibility criteria and were further evaluated. The reported success rates of BoT injections was between 43% and 100% (mean = 76%), dilation 58% and 100% (mean = 81%), and myotomy 25% and 100% (mean = 75%). In logistic regression analysis of the patient‐weighted averages, the 78% success rate with myotomy was significantly higher than the 69% success rate with BoT injections (P = .042), whereas the intermediate success rate of 73% with dilation was not significantly different from that of either myotomy (P = .37) or BoT (P = .42). There was a statistically significant difference between endoscopic and open myotomy success rates (P = .0025). Endoscopic myotomy had a higher success rate, with a 2.2 odds ratio.

Conclusions

The success rate of myotomy is significantly higher than the success rate of BoT injections in cricopharyngeal dysfunction. Moreover, endoscopic myotomy was found to have a higher success rate compared to open myotomy.

Level of Evidence

NALaryngoscope, 126:135–141, 2016
Stability of transonic shock for supersonic flow past a wedge
Authors: Peng Weimin , Hu Dian
Published: September 2015

When steady supersonic flow hits a slim wedge, there may appear an oblique transonic shock attached to the vertex of the wedge, if the downstream pressure is rather large. This paper studies stability in certain weighted partial Hölder spaces of the oblique transonic shock attached to the vertex of a wedge, which is against steady supersonic flows, under perturbations of the upstream flow and the profile of the wedge. We show that under reasonable conditions on the upcoming supersonic flow and the slope of the wedge, such transonic shocks are structural stable. Mathematically, we solve an elliptic–hyperbolic mixed type in an unbounded domain, and the flow field is proved to be C1. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A rational approximate solution for generalized pantograph‐delay differential equations
Authors: Isik Osman Rasit , Turkoglu Turgay
Published: September 2015

In this paper, a new rational approximation based on a rational interpolation and collocation method is proposed for the solutions of generalized pantograph equations. A comprehensive error analysis is provided. The first part of the error analysis gives an upper bound for the absolute error. The second part is based on residual error procedure that estimates the absolute error. Some numerical examples are given to illustrate the method. The theoretical results support the numerical results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of colorectal cancer glyco‐secretome identifies laminin β‐1 (LAMB1) as a potential serological biomarker for colorectal cancer
Authors: Lin Qifeng , Lim Hannah S.R. , Lin Hui Ling , Tan Hwee Tong , Lim Teck Kwang , Cheong Wai Kit , Cheah Peh Yean , Tang Choong Leong , Chow Pierce K. H. , Chung Maxey C. M.
Published: September 2015

The high mortality rate in colorectal cancer is mostly ascribed to metastasis, but the only clinical biomarker available for disease monitoring and prognosis is the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). However, the prognostic utility of CEA remains controversial. In an effort to identify novel biomarkers that could be potentially translated for clinical use, we collected the secretomes from the colon adenocarcinoma cell line HCT‐116 and its metastatic derivative, E1, using the hollow fiber culture system, and utilized the multilectin affinity chromatography approach to enrich for the secreted glycoproteins (glyco‐secretome). The HCT‐116 and E1 glyco‐secretomes were compared using the label‐free quantitative SWATH‐MS technology, and a total of 149 glycoproteins were differentially secreted in E1 cells. Among these glycoproteins, laminin β‐1 (LAMB1), a glycoprotein not previously known to be secreted in colorectal cancer cells, was observed to be oversecreted in E1 cells. In addition, we showed that LAMB1 levels were significantly higher in colorectal cancer patient serum samples as compared to healthy controls when measured using ELISA. ROC analyses indicated that LAMB1 performed better than CEA at discriminating between colorectal cancer patients from controls. Moreover, the diagnostic performance was further improved when LAMB1 was used in combination with CEA.
Charge correlations in cobaltates La2–xSrx CoO4
Authors: Guo H. , Schmidt W. , Tjeng L. H. , Komarek A. C.
Published: September 2015

We report on an elastic neutron scattering study of the charge correlations in La2–xSrx CoO4 with x = 1/3, 0.4 and 0.5. We found that the checkerboard charge ordering correlations present in the x = 0.5 sample persist in the x = 0.4 and 1/3 materials. These checkerboard charge ordering correlations are robust and explain the occurrence of nano‐phase separation in layered cobaltates for Sr‐concentrations away from half‐doping. The half‐integer reflections then arise from the nanometer‐sized hole‐rich regions (blue areas in title figure) instead of the undoped ones (red areas in title figure). The appearance of nano‐phase separation is an important ingredient for understanding the formation of hour‐glass shaped magnetic excitation spectra in La2–xSrx CoO4.

Nano‐phase separation in La2–xSrx CoO4 (schematically). Red areas: undoped La2CoO4 islands, blue areas: checkerboard charge ordered regions; black, green and blue balls represent nonmagnetic Co3+ ions, magnetic Co2+ ions and oxygen ions, respectively; green arrows indicate Co2+ spins [1, 2].

magnified image

Nano‐phase separation in La2–xSrx CoO4 (schematically). Red areas: undoped La2CoO4 islands, blue areas: checkerboard charge ordered regions; black, green and blue balls represent nonmagnetic Co3+ ions, magnetic Co2+ ions and oxygen ions, respectively; green arrows indicate Co2+ spins [1, 2].

(© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH &Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The Memory Function of the B Cell Antigen Receptor
Authors: Wienands Jürgen , Engels Niklas
Published: September 2015

Activated B lymphocytes preserve their antigen experience by differentiating into long-lived pools of antibody-secreting plasma cells or various types of memory B cells (MBCs). The former population constantly produces serum immunoglobulins with sufficient specificity and affinity to thwart infections with recurrent pathogens. By contrast, memory B cell populations retain their antigen receptors on the cell surface and hence need pathogen-induced differentiation steps before they can actively contribute to host defense. The terminal differentiation of MBCs into antibody-secreting plasma cells is hallmarked by the absence of the lag phase characteristic for primary antibody responses. Moreover, secondary antibody responses are predominantly driven by MBCs that bear an antigen receptor of the IgG class on their surface although IgM-positive memory populations exist as well. These fundamental principles of B cell memory were enigmatic for decades. Only recently, we have begun to understand the underlying mechanisms. This review summarizes our current understanding of how different subpopulations of MBCs are generated during primary immune responses and how their functional heterogeneity on antigen recall is controlled by different signaling capabilities of B cell antigen receptor (BCR) isotypes and by the nature of the antigen.
Polio revisited: Reviving knowledge and skills to meet the challenge of resurgence
Authors: Joseph Benjamin , Watts Hugh
Published: September 2015

Purpose

To date, polio has not been eradicated and there appears to be a resurgence of the disease. Hence, there is a need to revive decision-making skills to treat the effects of polio.

Methods

Here, we outline the aspects of treatment of paralysis following polio based on the literature and personal experience of the authors. The surgical treatment of the lower and upper extremities and the spine have been reviewed. The scope of bracing of the lower limb has been defined.

Results

The effects of polio can be mitigated by judicious correction of deformities, restoration of muscle balance, stabilising unstable joints and compensating for limb length inequality.

Conclusions

As polio has not been eradicated and there is a risk of resurgence of the disease, paediatric orthopaedic surgeons need to be prepared to deal with fresh cases of polio. Revival of old techniques for managing the effects of paralysis following polio is needed.
Caput valgum associated with developmental dysplasia of the hip: Management by transphyseal screw fixation
Authors: Torode Ian P. , Young Jeffrey L.
Published: September 2015

Purpose

A late finding of some hips treated for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a growth disturbance of the lateral proximal femoral physis, which results in caput valgum and possibly osteoarthritis. Current treatment options include complete epiphysiodesis of the proximal femoral physis or a corrective proximal femoral osteotomy. Alternatively, a transphyseal screw through the inferomedial proximal femoral physis that preserves superolateral growth might improve this deformity.

Methods

This study evaluates the effect of such a transphyseal screw on both femoral and acetabular development in patients with caput valgum following open treatment of DDH. These patients were followed clinically and radiographically until skeletal maturity. Preoperative and postoperative radiographs were assessed, measuring the proximal femoral physeal orientation (PFPO), the head–shaft angle (HSA), Sharp's angle and the center edge angle of Wiberg (CE angle).

Results

Thirteen hips of 11 consecutive patients were followed prospectively. The age at the time of transphyseal screw placement was between 5 and 14 years. The mean improvement of the PFPO and HSA was 14° ( p < 0.01) and 11° ( p < 0.001), respectively. The mean improvement of Sharp's angle and CE angle was 4.7° ( p < 0.01) and 5.8° ( p < 0.02), respectively. Five patients underwent screw revision.

Conclusions

A transphyseal screw across the proximal femoral physis improved the proximal femur and acetabular geometry.
The campaign for the Catholic workhouse children, 1834–68
Authors: Maynard Jean Olwen
Published: September 2015

The systematic proselytisation of Catholic children institutionalised under the New Poor Law of 1834 was felt by the Catholic community as a very serious grievance. The legislation was framed so as to make the ministrations of the state church an integral part of the workhouse regime, while providing safeguards for the religious rights of non-Anglicans, both adults and children, through a conscience clause which however was not envisaged as applicable to children perceived as having no meaningful family connections. Loose wording allowed locally elected poor law bodies to frustrate the intentions of Parliament, and nullify all efforts of relatives and others to secure appropriate religious upbringing for Catholic children. The problem was particularly acute in the London area. Earlier lobbying initiatives came to nothing, but a fresh campaign begun in 1859, waged with the participation of Catholics at all levels of society, and persisting in the face of repeated setbacks, succeeded in 1868 in bringing about a change in the law, whereby procedures were established to enable the transfer of all poor law children of proven Catholic background to voluntary institutions under Catholic management, with funding for their maintenance paid from the poor rates.
Flow of Second Grade Fluid between two Walls Induced by Rectified Sine Pulses Shear Stress
Authors: Sultan Q. , Nazar M. , Ahmad I. , Ali U.
Published: September 2015

This paper concerns with the unsteady MHD flow of a second grade fluid between two parallel walls through porous media induced by rectified sine pulses shear stress. The analytical expressions for the velocity field and the adequate shear stress are determined by means of the Laplace transform technique and Fourier cosine and sine transforms and are written as a sum of steady state and transient solutions. The influence of side walls on the fluid motion, the distance between walls for which the velocity of the fluid in the middle of the channel is negligible, and the required time to reach the steady state are presented by graphical illustrations. As the second grade fluid parameter → 0 the problem reduces to the Newtonian fluids performing the same motion.
Trends in the informal and formal home-care use of older adults in the Netherlands between 1992 and 2012
Authors: SWINKELS JOUKJE C. , SUANET BIANCA , DEEG DORLY J. H. , BROESE VAN GROENOU MARJOLEIN I.
Published: September 2015

This study investigates trends in, and the interdependence of, the use of informal and formal home care of community-dwelling older people over the last two decades in the context of governmental reform of long-term care services and modernisation of informal relationships. Seven observations of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam covering the time span between 1992 and 2012 were analysed using multi-level logistic regression analysis. The sample entailed 9,585 observations from 3,574 respondents, aged between 65 and 85 years and living independently at each time of measurement. Measures included formal and informal care use, health, physical and cognitive limitations, socio-demographics, partner status, social network, privately paid help and sense of mastery. Results showed that between 1992 and 2012, formal home-care use increased slightly while there was a large decrease in the use of informal care. Multivariate multi-level logistic regression analyses showed a substitution effect between formal and informal care use which decreased over time. Analyses also showed improved cognitive functioning, increased partner availability and social network size, as well as increased use of privately paid care over time. Nevertheless, these positive trends did not explain the large decrease in informal care use. The results regarding informal care use suggest a societal trend of weakened informal solidarity, reflecting increased individualisation and increased availability of formal home care. The decreased substitution effect suggests that, in agreement with current reforms of long-term care, complementary or supplementary forms of care use may be more common in the near future.
African perceptions of Europeans in the early period of Portuguese expeditions to West Africa
Authors: Tymowski Michal
Published: September 2015

The aim to this article is to analyse the judgments and opinions of Africans about Europeans during the early Portuguese expeditions to West Africa in the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries. While opinions of Europeans about Africans are for that period certified by numerous and varied sources, the opinions of Africans are difficult to examine. Cultures of the West African coast in the fifteen and early sixteen century were illiterate. Local oral traditions do not go back – within the scope of this field of interest – to such distant centuries. There are two types of sources: Firstly, African statements written down in European texts, which require a particularly critical approach; secondly, some Africans expressed their opinions about Europeans in works of Art. These include the statues of Europeans from the area of present-day Sierra Leone (the Sapi people), and from the state of Benin (the Edo people). In this article the author examines: 1) the circumstances in which the Africans expressed their opinions (ad hoc meetings, political negotiations, trade, court ceremonies); 2) the authors (individuals or social and ethnic groups), which were attributed the judgments; 3) the content of speeches; and 4) the motives which guided the Africans. Then author compares individual cases, analyses the common characteristics and the distinct features of judgments and opinions known to us, and discusses the possibility of identification of general traits of Africans’ opinions about Europeans.
Apprentices of freedom: Atlantic histories of the africanos livres in mid-nineteenth century Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Nelson Jennifer
Published: September 2015

This article examines the journey undertaken by the slave ship Brilhante, captured by a British anti-slave trade patrol off the coast of Brazil in 1838. The ship and its crew were engaged in slave trafficking in contravention of international treaty agreements. In accordance with prize law the Brilhante was condemned by the Anglo-Brazilian mixed commission court in Rio de Janeiro and the slaves on-board were freed and apprenticed for a prescribed number of years. This article argues that during their apprenticeships not only were these Africans treated in the same way as slaves, but they formed similar bonds for survival. Both ethnic solidarity and shipmate bonds, which transcended ethnic boundaries, allowed them to forge new identities. The article demonstrates how the liberated Africans from the ship, who belonged to a larger marginalised group of “recaptives” within the Atlantic World, were thus able to facilitate the achievement of their eventual freedom, and improve the conditions in which they lived.
MOF nanoparticles coated by lipid bilayers and their uptake by cancer cells
Authors: Wuttke Stefan , Braig Simone , Preiß Tobias , Zimpel Andreas , Sicklinger Johannes , Bellomo Claudia , Rädler Joachim O. , Vollmar Angelika M. , Bein Thomas
Published: September 2015

We report the synthesis of MOF@lipid nanoparticles as a versatile and powerful novel class of nanocarriers based on metal–organic frameworks (MOFs).
Titanate and titania nanostructured materials for environmental and energy applications: a review
Authors: Zhang Yanyan , Jiang Zhelong , Huang Jianying , Lim Linda Y. , Li Wenlong , Deng Jiyang , Gong Dangguo , Tang Yuxin , Lai Yuekun , Chen Zhong
Published: September 2015

The state-of-the-art development of fabrication strategies of multi-dimensional titanate and titania nanostructures is reviewed first. This is followed by an overview of their potential applications in environmental, energy, and biomedical sectors.
Combinatorial discovery of self-color-mixing phosphors Bi4(1−x)Si3O12 : RE4x3+ (RE3+ = Dy3+, Eu3+) for direct white light emission
Authors: Wei Qinhua , Liu Guanghui , Zhou Zhenzhen , Wan Jieqiong , Wang Jiacheng , Liu Qian
Published: September 2015

Phosphors with direct white light emission have been successfully found in the rare earth doped bismuth silicate systems, Bi4(1−x)Si3O12(BSO) : RE4x3+ (RE3+ = Eu3+, Dy3+), using a fast combinatorial design and screening method.
Tribological properties of nanodiamonds in aqueous suspensions: effect of the surface charge
Authors: Liu Zijian , Leininger Dustin , Koolivand Amir , Smirnov Alex I. , Shenderova Olga , Brenner Donald W. , Krim Jacqueline
Published: September 2015

The sign of nanodiamond surface charge is discovered to profoundly impact friction at both nanometer and macroscopic scales.
Three-dimensional fabrication of cell-laden biodegradable poly(ethylene glycol-co-depsipeptide) hydrogels by visible light stereolithography
Authors: Elomaa Laura , Pan Chi-Chun , Shanjani Yaser , Malkovskiy Andrey , Seppälä Jukka V. , Yang Yunzhi
Published: September 2015

3D defined cell-laden hydrogel constructs were fabricated using stereolithography and a new biodegradable photocrosslinkable poly(ethylene glycol-co-depsipeptide) prepolymer.
Design of silk–vaterite microsphere systems as drug carriers with pH-responsive release behavior
Authors: Liu S. S. , Liu L. J. , Xiao L. Y. , Lu Q. , Zhu H. S. , Kaplan D. L.
Published: September 2015

A simple thermal treatment method was developed to control the stability of silk–vaterite microspheres and achieve tunable drug release behaviors.
Thickness-dependent Raman spectra, transport properties and infrared photoresponse of few-layer black phosphorus
Authors: Liu Sijie , Huo Nengjie , Gan Sheng , Li Yan , Wei Zhongming , Huang Beiju , Liu Jian , Li Jingbo , Chen Hongda
Published: September 2015

The thickness-dependent Raman spectra, transport properties and photoresponse (from the visible light up to the communication band) of few-layer black phosphorus were studied systematically.
A closer look at the light-induced changes in the mechanical properties of azobenzene-containing polymers by statistical nanoindentation
Authors: Sorelli Luca , Fabbri Filippo , Frech-Baronet Jessy , Vu Anh-Duc , Fafard Mario , Gacoin Thierry , Lahlil Khalid , Martinelli Lucio , Lassailly Yves , Peretti Jacques
Published: September 2015

Statistical instrumented nanoindentation measurements demonstrate the large decrease in the viscosity of azo-polymer thin films under light excitation.
Sensing single molecules with carbon–boron-nitride nanotubes
Authors: Algharagholy Laith , Pope Thomas , Al-Galiby Qusiy , Sadeghi Hatef , Bailey Steve W. D. , Lambert Colin J.
Published: September 2015

We investigate the molecular sensing properties of carbon nanotube–boron nitride–carbon nanotube (CNT–BN–CNT) junctions.
Fluxons in a triangular set of coupled long Josephson junctions
Authors: Yukon Stanford P. , Malomed Boris A.
Published: September 2015

We report results of an analysis of the dynamics of magnetic flux solitons in the system of three long Josephson junctions between three bulk superconductors that form a prism. The system is modeled by coupled sine-Gordon equations for the phases of the junctions. The Aharonov-Bohm constraint takes into account the axial magnetic flux enclosed by the prism and reduces the system from three independent phases to two. The equations of motion for the phases include dissipative terms, and a control parameter δ which accounts for the deviation of the enclosed flux from half a quantum. Analyzing the effective potential of the coupled equations, we identify different species of topological and non-topological phase solitons (fluxons) in this system. In particular, subkinks with fractional topological charges ±1/3 and ±2/3, confined inside integer-charge fluxons, may be mapped onto the root diagrams for mesons and baryons in the original quark model of hadrons. Solutions for straight-line kinks and for two types of non-topological solitons are obtained in an explicit analytical form. Numerical tests demonstrate that the former species is unstable against breakup into pairs of separating single-fluxon kinks. The non-topological kinks feature metastability, eventually breaking up into fluxon-antifluxon pairs. Free fractional-fluxon kinks, that connect different potential minima and are, accordingly, pulled by the potential difference, are also considered. Using the momentum-balance method, we predict the velocity at which these kinks should move in the presence of the dissipation. Numerical tests demonstrate that the analysis predicts the velocity quite closely. Higher-energy static solutions for all of the stable kink types mentioned above, as well as kinks connecting false vacua, are found by means of the shooting method. Inelastic collisions among the stable fractional and single-fluxon kinks are investigated numerically.