bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical course and outcome of antenatally detected atrioventricular block: experience of a single tertiary centre and review of the literature
Authors: Kuleva M. , Le Bidois J. , Decaudin A. , Villain E. , Costedoat‐Chalumeau N. , Lemercier D. , Dumez Y. , Ville Y. , Bonnet D. , Salomon L. J.
Published: December 2014

Objective

The objective is to study the course and outcome of fetuses with congenital atrioventricular block (AVB) in a single centre.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of cases diagnosed prenatally with second and third degree AVB. The clinical characteristics and outcome of fetal AVB were evaluated including in utero treatment.

Results

Sixty‐two cases were studied. AVB was associated with a congenital heart defect (CHD‐AVB) in 17 cases (27%), whereas it was isolated (i‐AVB) in 45 (73%), 42 of which were associated with maternal antibodies. There were nine (52.9%) live births in the CHD‐AVB group, five of which (55%) resulted in infant deaths. In the i‐AVB group, there were 40/45 (88.9%) live births and 1/40 (2.5%) infant death; 36 (90%) babies required a permanent pacemaker. The only factor predictive of postnatal death was the presence of CHD (5/9 vs 1/39 or 48.7 [3.6; 1457.7], p < 0.001).

Nineteen fetuses (40.5%) with i‐AVB received steroids in utero. No difference in outcome was found between the AVB treated in utero versus the no‐treatment group in terms of permanent pacemaker placement, postnatal death or development of dilated cardiomyopathy.

Conclusion

The most important prognostic factor for congenital AVB is the association with CHD. In utero treatment remains questionable. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A sarabande of tropical fruit proteomics: Avocado, banana, and mango
Authors: Righetti Pier Giorgio , Esteve Clara , D'Amato Alfonsina , Fasoli Elisa , Luisa Marina María , Concepción García María
Published: December 2014

The present review highlights the progress made in plant proteomics via the introduction of combinatorial peptide ligand libraries (CPLL) for detecting low‐abundance species. Thanks to a novel approach to the CPLL methodology, namely, that of performing the capture both under native and denaturing conditions, identifying plant species in the order of thousands, rather than hundreds, is now possible. We report here data on a trio of tropical fruits, namely, banana, avocado, and mango. The first two are classified as “recalcitrant” tissues since minute amounts of proteins (in the order of 1%) are embedded on a very large matrix of plant‐specific material (e.g., polysaccharides and other plant polymers). Yet, even under these adverse conditions we could report, in a single sweep, from 1000 to 3000 unique gene products. In the case of mango the investigation has been extended to the peel too, since this skin is popularly used to flavor dishes in Far East cuisine. Even in this tough peel 330 proteins could be identified, whereas in soft peels, such as in lemons, one thousand unique species could be detected.
Nutriproteomics: Facts, concepts, and perspectives
Authors: Sauer Sascha , Luge Toni
Published: December 2014

Nutrition is a basic component of life. Nowadays, human nutrition research focuses amongst others on health‐related aspects of food ingredients and extracts, and on analyzing the outcomes of specific diets. Usually, food ingredients such as bioactive peptides come in complex matrices. Single compounds, multiple interactions thereof and the underlying food matrix can vary physiological response of the organism. Proteins and peptides derived from food and beverages can cause adverse allergic reactions but are in general required for multiple functions such as growth and homeostatic regulation. Endogenously expressed human proteins and peptides can be used as biomarkers to monitor physiological deregulation and the effects of food consumption. The intestinal microbiome seems to play a fundamental role in establishing and maintaining physiological regulation and in digesting proteins and peptides and other biomolecules derived from food. Notably, the subtle interplay of flavor naturals in food and beverages with olfactory receptors can result in establishing human taste preferences, which again influences overall physiology. This article presents basic approaches and concepts to address scientific questions in nutritional proteomics and discusses potential benefits of proteomics‐based methodologies to help advance the field of molecular nutrition research.
Homogeneous and unimolecular gas‐phase thermal decomposition kinetics of methyl benzoylformate: experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Monascal Yeljair , Maldonado Alexis , Mora José R. , Córdova Tania , Chuchani Gabriel
Published: December 2014

The kinetics of the gas‐phase thermal decomposition of the α‐ketoester methyl benzoylformate was carried out in a static system with reaction vessel deactivated with allyl bromide, and in the presence of the free radical inhibitor propene. The rate coefficients were determined over the temperature range of 440–481 °C and pressures from 32 to 80 Torr. The reaction was found to be homogenous, unimolecular and obey a first‐order rate law. The products are methyl benzoate and CO. The temperature dependence of the rate coefficient gives the following Arrhenius parameters: log10 k (s−1) = 13.56 ± 0.31 and Ea (kJ mol−1) = 232.6 ± 4.4. Theoretical calculations of the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters are in good agreement with the experimental values using PBE1PBE/6‐311++g(d,p). A theoretical Arrhenius plot was constructed at this level of theory, and the good agreement with the experimental Arrhenius plot suggests that this model of transition state may describe reasonably the elimination process. These results suggest a concerted non‐synchronous semi‐polar three‐membered cyclic transition state type of mechanism. The most advanced coordinate is the bond breaking Cδ+‐‐‐δ‐OCH3 with an evolution of 66.7%, implying this as the limiting factor of the elimination process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Unraveling the molecular repertoire of tears as a source of biomarkers: Beyond ocular diseases
Authors: Pieragostino Damiana , D'Alessandro Michele , di Ioia Maria , Di Ilio Carmine , Sacchetta Paolo , Del Boccio Piero
Published: December 2014

Proteomics and metabolomics investigations of body fluids present several challenges for biomarker discovery of several diseases. The search for biomarkers is actually conducted in different body fluids, even if the ideal biomarker can be found in an easily accessible biological fluid, because, if validated, the biomarker could be sought in the healthy population. In this regard, tears could be considered an optimum material obtained by noninvasive procedures. In the past years, the scientific community has become more interested in the study of tears for the research of new biomarkers not only for ocular diseases. In this review, we provide a discussion on the current state of biomarkers research in tears and their relevance for clinical practice, and report the main results of clinical proteomics studies on systemic and eye diseases. We summarize the main methods for tear samples analyses and report recent advances in “omics” platforms for tears investigations. Moreover, we want to take stock of the emerging field of metabolomics and lipidomics as a new and integrated approach to study protein‐metabolites interplay for biomarkers research, where tears represent a still unexplored and attractive field.
Role of phosphoproteomics in the development of personalized cancer therapies
Authors: Cutillas Pedro R.
Published: December 2014

Cell signalling pathways driven by protein and lipid kinases contribute to the onset and progression of virtually all cancer types. Consequently, several inhibitors against these enzymes have clinical utility for the treatment of different forms of cancer. A problem that hampers further development is that not all patients respond equally well to kinase inhibitors and a significant proportion of those that initially respond eventually develop resistance. This review considers how an integrative analysis of kinase signalling may be used to address this issue. Advances in the biophysics of mass spectrometry, in biochemical procedures for phosphopeptide enrichment, and in computational approaches for label‐free quantification have contributed to the development of phosphoproteomics workflows compatible with the analysis of clinical material. These developments, together with new bioinformatics tools to derive information on signalling circuitry from phosphoproteomics data, allow investigating kinase networks with unprecedented depth. Phosphoproteomics technology is starting to be used in translational research and, with further developments, such methods may also be able to measure the circuitry of cancer signalling networks in routine clinical assays. This review reflects on how this information could be used to accurately predict the best kinase inhibitor for each individual cancer patient.
The contribution of proteomic studies in humans, animal models, and after antidepressant treatments to investigate the molecular neurobiology of major depression
Authors: Carboni Lucia
Published: December 2014

The neurobiological basis of major depressive disorder (MDD) is only partially understood. The proposed hypotheses postulate dysregulations of monoaminergic and other neurotransmitter pathways, impaired stress responses, insufficient neurogenetic and neurotrophic processes generating maladaptive neuroplasticity, inappropriate inflammatory and metabolic responses. Proteomic approaches can provide useful contributions to the investigation of the molecular neurobiology of MDD due to their open‐ended nature. Studies performed in brain regions of MDD patients which had received antidepressant (AD) treatment showed that affected proteins mainly belonged to energy pathways, transport of molecules, signaling, and synaptic transmission. Studies performed in animal models offer the advantage of more controlled experimental conditions at the expense of potential loss in relevance. The design of proteomic investigations included experiments carried out in MDD models, in naive animals treated with ADs, and in animal models subjected to AD treatments. A comparison of results suggested an overlap of several modulated pathways between MDD patients and animal models. Examples include the regulation of energy metabolism, especially oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis, signal transduction pathways, including calcium‐calmodulin kinase II, synaptic proteins, and cytoskeletal proteins. Nevertheless, the paucity of studies performed in human brains requires additional studies to confirm the correspondence.
Specific ion effects on macromolecular interactions in Escherichia coli extracts
Authors: Kyne Ciara , Ruhle Brian , Gautier Virginie W. , Crowley Peter B.
Published: December 2014

Protein characterization in situ remains a major challenge for protein science. Here, the interactions of ΔTat‐GB1 in Escherichia coli cell extracts were investigated by NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). ΔTat‐GB1 was found to participate in high molecular weight complexes that remain intact at physiologically‐relevant ionic strength. This observation helps to explain why ΔTat‐GB1 was not detected by in‐cell NMR spectroscopy. Extracts pre‐treated with RNase A had a different SEC elution profile indicating that ΔTat‐GB1 predominantly interacted with RNA. The roles of biological and laboratory ions in mediating macromolecular interactions were studied. Interestingly, the interactions of ΔTat‐GB1 could be disrupted by biologically‐relevant multivalent ions. The most effective shielding of interactions occurred in Mg2+‐containing buffers. Moreover, a combination of RNA digestion and Mg2+ greatly enhanced the NMR detection of ΔTat‐GB1 in cell extracts.
Modulation of HIV protease flexibility by the T80N mutation
Authors: Zhou Hao , Li Shangyang , Badger John , Nalivaika Ellen , Cai Yufeng , Foulkes‐Murzycki Jennifer , Schiffer Celia , Makowski Lee
Published: December 2014

The flexibility of HIV protease (HIVp) plays a critical role in enabling enzymatic activity and is required for substrate access to the active site. While the importance of flexibility in the flaps that cover the active site is well known, flexibility in other parts of the enzyme is also critical for function. One key region is a loop containing Thr 80, which forms the walls of the active site. Although not situated within the active site, amino acid Thr80 is absolutely conserved. The mutation T80N preserves the structure of the enzyme but catalytic activity is completely lost. To investigate the potential influence of the T80N mutation on HIVp flexibility, wide‐angle X‐ray scattering (WAXS) data was measured for a series of HIVp variants. Starting with a calculated WAXS pattern from a rigid atomic model, the modulations in the intensity distribution caused by structural fluctuations in the protein were predicted by simple analytic methods and compared with the experimental data. An analysis of T80N WAXS data shows that this variant is significantly more rigid than the WT across all length scales. The effects of this single point mutation extend throughout the protein, to alter the mobility of amino acids in the enzymatic core. These results support the contentions that significant protein flexibility extends throughout HIVp and is critical to catalytic function. Proteins 2015; 83:1929–1939. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamics on human Toll‐like receptor 4 complexation to MD‐2: The coreceptor stabilizing function
Authors: de Aguiar Carla , Costa Mauricio G. S. , Verli Hugo
Published: December 2014

The interaction between human Toll‐like receptor 4 (hTLR4) and its coreceptor, myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD‐2), is important in Gram‐negative bacteria lipopolysaccharide (LPS) recognition. In this process, MD‐2 recognizes LPS and promotes the dimerization of the complex hTLR4–MD‐2–LPS, triggering an intracellular immune signaling. In this study, we employed distinct computational methods to explore the dynamical properties of the hTLR4–MD‐2 complex and investigated the implications of the coreceptor complexation to the structural biology of hTLR4. We characterized both global and local dynamics of free and MD‐2 complexed hTLR4, in both (hTLR4–MD‐2)1 and (hTLR4–MD‐2)2 states. Both molecular dynamics and normal mode analysis reveled a stabilization of the terminal regions of hTLR4 upon complexation to MD‐2. We are able to identify conserved important residues involved on the hTLR4–MD‐2 interaction dynamics and disclose C‐terminal motions that may be associated to the signaling process upon oligomerization. Proteins 2015; 83:373–382. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of the goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus auroguttatus, on the health of coast live oak before and after treatment with two systemic insecticides
Authors: Chen Yigen , Flint Mary L , Coleman Tom W , Doccola Joseph J , Grosman Donald M , Wood David L , Seybold Steven J
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

The invasive goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus auroguttatus, is threatening the health and survival of oak trees in San Diego County, California. From two sites in the core area of the infestation, we report a 2.5 year investigation of the impact of A. auroguttatus on coast live oak, Quercus agrifolia, before and after treatment with two systemic insecticides, emamectin benzoate (EB) and imidacloprid (IC).

RESULTS

None of the 446 survey trees died during the study. The crown dieback rating of most trees at both study sites remained unchanged, regardless of insecticide treatment. A higher cumulative increase in the number of A. auroguttatus emergence holes was observed on trees that were previously infested and on trees with larger diameters. Over the 2.5 year period, the new infestation rates of initially uninfested trees across the untreated and treated groups were 50% (EB) and 32% (IC), and neither EB nor IC treatment affected cumulative increases in the number of emergence holes. EB‐injected trees did not have significant annual increases in the number of A. auroguttatus emergence holes at either 1.5 or 2.5 years compared with that at 0.5 years, whereas untreated trees had significant annual increases. Although IC‐injected trees had a significantly greater annual increment in the number of emergence holes than untreated trees during the last year of the study, treated trees had significant reductions in annual increases in emergence holes at both 1.5 and 2.5 years compared with that at 0.5 years. Untreated trees had no significant reduction in the annual increase in emergence holes at 1.5 and 2.5 years.

CONCLUSIONS

A. auroguttatus preferentially attacked previously infested and larger (diameter at breast height > 15–30 cm) oak trees, but the attacks led to very gradual changes in the health of the trees. Both EB and IC provided minor suppressive effects on A. auroguttatus emergence. Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
State‐to‐state reaction dynamics for the reactions of atom N with radicals
Authors: Hu Xixi , Xie Changjian , Xie Daiqian
Published: December 2014

Much progress has been achieved in the developments of accurate and efficient algorithms for quantum dynamics calculations in the past two decades. Based on the reliable potential energy surfaces (PESs) constructed with state‐of‐the‐art ab initio calculations, quantum reactive scattering calculations for the atom‐diatom collisions can be performed accurately at the state‐to‐state level. In this review, we described the general strategies of constructing a PES and the Chebyshev real wave packet method briefly, and summarized our recent studies on the PESs and state‐to‐state reaction dynamics for the reactions of the atom N with radicals OH, CH, and C2. Such barrierless complex‐forming reactions are very important for understanding low‐temperature reaction dynamics and still difficult to treat accurately. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On designing overlapping group mode‐dependent H∞ controllers of discrete‐time Markovian jump linear systems with incomplete mode transition probabilities
Authors: Ge Xiaohua , Han Qing‐Long
Published: December 2014

This paper is concerned with overlapping group mode‐dependent H∞ control for a discrete‐time Markovian jump linear system, where global modes of the system are not completely available for controller design. Firstly, a randomly overlapping decomposition method is developed to reformulate the system by a set of locally overlapping switched groups with accessible group modes. The reformulated system switches among different group modes in an overlapping manner. Secondly, an overlapping group mode‐dependent state feedback controller is delicately constructed. Compared with some existing mode‐dependent controllers in the literature, the proposed controller has three features: (i) it does not require all exact knowledge of global modes; (ii) it takes full advantage of group mode information of the reformulated system; and (iii) it allows overlapping local modes to exist in the formed groups. Thirdly, sufficient conditions on the existence of a desired overlapping group mode‐dependent state feedback controller are derived such that the resultant closed‐loop system is stochastically stable with prescribed H∞ performance. Furthermore, the proposed method is extended to design overlapping group mode‐dependent state feedback controllers subject to incomplete mode transition probabilities. The proposed overlapping group mode‐dependent framework is shown to be more general and includes traditional Markovian jump linear systems with completely accessible global modes as its special case. In the case of only one group in the reformulated system, it is shown that some existing result in existing literature can be retrieved. Finally, two illustrative examples are given to show the effectiveness of the obtained theoretical results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluation of microcrack formation in root canals after instrumentation with different NiTi rotary file systems: A scanning electron microscopy study
Authors: Çiçek Ersan , Koçak Mustafa Murat , Sağlam Baran Can , Koçak Sibel
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the dentinal microcrack formation of ProTaper Universal, ProTaper Next, and WaveOne. Sixty extracted mandibular molars were selected. The mesial roots were resected and randomly divided into four groups (n = 15). The canals were prepared with hand files (group 1), ProTaper Universal (group 2), ProTaper Next (group 3), and WaveOne (group 4) instrument systems. The roots were separated horizontally at 3, 6, and 9 mm from the apex. Digital images were captured at ×40 magnification using scanning electron microscopy to detect microcrack formation. Statistical analysis was performed by Pearson Chi‐square test. The prevalence of microcracks in group 2, group 3, and group 4 were significantly higher when compared to group 1 (p < 0.001). Group 2, group 3, and group 4 demonstrated similar prevalence of microcracks without significant difference (p > 0.05) in all sections. All instruments caused microcracks except for hand file. The highest percentage of microcrack was recorded in 3 mm section for all groups. SCANNING 37:49–53, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Predictive distributions for between‐study heterogeneity and simple methods for their application in Bayesian meta‐analysis
Authors: Turner Rebecca M. , Jackson Dan , Wei Yinghui , Thompson Simon G. , Higgins Julian P. T.
Published: December 2014

Numerous meta‐analyses in healthcare research combine results from only a small number of studies, for which the variance representing between‐study heterogeneity is estimated imprecisely. A Bayesian approach to estimation allows external evidence on the expected magnitude of heterogeneity to be incorporated.

The aim of this paper is to provide tools that improve the accessibility of Bayesian meta‐analysis. We present two methods for implementing Bayesian meta‐analysis, using numerical integration and importance sampling techniques. Based on 14 886 binary outcome meta‐analyses in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, we derive a novel set of predictive distributions for the degree of heterogeneity expected in 80 settings depending on the outcomes assessed and comparisons made. These can be used as prior distributions for heterogeneity in future meta‐analyses.

The two methods are implemented in R, for which code is provided. Both methods produce equivalent results to standard but more complex Markov chain Monte Carlo approaches. The priors are derived as log‐normal distributions for the between‐study variance, applicable to meta‐analyses of binary outcomes on the log odds‐ratio scale. The methods are applied to two example meta‐analyses, incorporating the relevant predictive distributions as prior distributions for between‐study heterogeneity.

We have provided resources to facilitate Bayesian meta‐analysis, in a form accessible to applied researchers, which allow relevant prior information on the degree of heterogeneity to be incorporated. © 2014 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Increasing the power of the Mann‐Whitney test in randomized experiments through flexible covariate adjustment
Authors: Vermeulen Karel , Thas Olivier , Vansteelandt Stijn
Published: December 2014

The Mann‐Whitney U test is frequently used to evaluate treatment effects in randomized experiments with skewed outcome distributions or small sample sizes. It may lack power, however, because it ignores the auxiliary baseline covariate information that is routinely collected. Wald and score tests in so‐called probabilistic index models generalize the Mann‐Whitney U test to enable adjustment for covariates, but these may lack robustness by demanding correct model specification and do not lend themselves to small sample inference. Using semiparametric efficiency theory, we here propose an alternative extension of the Mann‐Whitney U test, which increases its power by exploiting covariate information in an objective way and which lends itself to permutation inference. Simulation studies and an application to an HIV clinical trial show that the proposed permutation test attains the nominal Type I error rate and can be drastically more powerful than the classical Mann‐Whitney U test. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Longitudinal quantile regression in the presence of informative dropout through longitudinal–survival joint modeling
Authors: Farcomeni Alessio , Viviani Sara
Published: December 2014

We propose a joint model for a time‐to‐event outcome and a quantile of a continuous response repeatedly measured over time. The quantile and survival processes are associated via shared latent and manifest variables. Our joint model provides a flexible approach to handle informative dropout in quantile regression. A Monte Carlo expectation maximization strategy based on importance sampling is proposed, which is directly applicable under any distributional assumption for the longitudinal outcome and random effects. We consider both parametric and nonparametric assumptions for the baseline hazard. We illustrate through a simulation study and an application to an original data set about dilated cardiomyopathies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sculpting Asymmetric, Hollow‐Core, Three‐Dimensional Nanostructures Using Colloidal Particles
Authors: Zhang Xu A. , Dai Bin , Xu Zhiyuan , Chang Chih‐Hao
Published: December 2014

Colloidal elements have historically played a key role in “bottom‐up” self‐assembly processes for nanofabrication. However, these elementary components can also interact with light to generate complex intensity distributions and facilitate “top‐down” lithography. Here, a nanolithography technique is demonstrated based on oblique illuminations of colloidal particles to fabricate hollow‐core 3D nanostructures with complex symmetry. The light–particle interaction generates an angular light distribution as governed by Mie scattering, which can be compounded by multiple illuminations to sculpt novel 3D structures in the underlying photoresist. The fabricated geometry can be controlled by the particle parameters and illumination configurations, enabling the fabrication of a large variety of asymmetric hollow nanostructures. The proposed technique has high pattern versatility, is low cost and high throughput, and can find potential application in nanoneedles, nanonozzles, and materials with anisotropic properties.
GloudSim: Google trace based cloud simulator with virtual machines
Authors: Di Sheng , Cappello Franck
Published: December 2014

In 2011, Google released a 1‐month production trace with hundreds of thousands of jobs running across over 12,000 heterogeneous hosts. In order to perform in‐depth research based on the trace, it is necessary to construct a close‐to‐practice simulation system. In this paper, we devise a distributed cloud simulator (or toolkit) based on virtual machines, with three important features. (1) The dynamic changing resource amounts (such as CPU rate and memory size) consumed by the reproduced jobs can be emulated as closely as possible to the real values in the trace. (2) Various types of events (e.g., kill/evict event) can be emulated precisely based on the trace. (3) Our simulation toolkit is able to emulate more complex and useful cases beyond the original trace to adapt to various research demands. We evaluate the system on a real cluster environment with 16×8=128 cores and 112 virtual machines constructed by XEN hypervisor. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to reproduce Google cloud environment with real experimental system setting and real‐world large scale production trace. Experiments show that our simulation system could effectively reproduce the real checkpointing/restart events based on Google trace, by leveraging Berkeley Lab Checkpoint/Restart tool. It can simultaneously process up to 1200 emulated Google jobs over the 112 virtual machines. Such a simulation toolkit has been released as a GNU GPL v3 software for free downloading, and it has been successfully applied to the fundamental research on the optimization of checkpoint intervals for Google tasks. Copyright © 2014 © Published 2014. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Correlation bias correction in two‐way fixed‐effects linear regression
Authors: Gaure Simen
Published: December 2014

When doing two‐way fixed‐effects ordinary least squares estimations, both the variances and covariance of the fixed effects are biased. A formula for a bias correction is known, but in large datasets, it involves inverses of impractically large matrices. We detail how to compute the bias correction in this case. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bayesian variable selection in generalized additive partial linear models
Authors: Banerjee Sayantan , Ghosal Subhashis
Published: December 2014

Variable selection in regression models has been well studied in the literature, with many non‐Bayesian and Bayesian methods available in this regard. An important class of regression models is generalized linear models, which involve situations where the response variable is discrete. To add more flexibility, generalized additive partial linear models can be considered, where some predictors can have a non‐linear effect while some predictors have a strictly linear effect. We consider Bayesian variable selection in these models. The functions in the non‐parametric additive part of the model are expanded in a B‐spline basis and multivariate Laplace prior put on the coefficients with point mass at zero. The coefficients corresponding to the strictly linear components are assigned a univariate Laplace prior with point mass at zero. The prior times the likelihood is mathematically intractable, but we find an approximation by expansion around the posterior mode, which is the group lasso solution in generalized linear model setting for the choice of prior. We thus completely avoid Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, which are extremely slow and unreliable in high‐dimensional models. We evaluate the performance of the Bayesian method by conducting simulation studies and real data analyses. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vitro inhibitory effects of Sardinian Pistacia lentiscus L. and Pistacia terebinthus L. on metabolic enzymes: Pancreatic lipase, α‐amylase, and α‐glucosidase
Authors: Foddai Marzia , Kasabri Violet , Afifi Fatma U. , Azara Emanuela , Petretto Giacomo L. , Pintore Giorgio
Published: December 2014

Pancreatic triacylglycerol lipase (PL), α‐amylase, and α‐glucosidase are appealing pharmacological targets for the management of dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, and obesity‐diabetes. Presently, in vitro screening for considerable inhibition of these digestive hydrolases by endemic Sardinian Pistacia lentiscus L. and P. terebinthus L. leaves and fruits aqueous extracts (AEs) (Anacardiaceae) was undertaken. The AEs PL‐IC50 (µg/mL) in an ascending order were: P. lentiscus leaves; 6.1 ± 0.2<P. terebinthus leaves; 9.0 ± 0.4<P. terebinthus fruits; 125.2 ± 12.1<P. lentiscus fruits; 230.7 ± 38.4. Comparable to acarbose, all different parts of Sardinian Pistacia spp. AEs were identified as in vitro potent and efficacious dual inhibitors of α‐amylase and α‐glucosidase with respective IC50: P. lentiscus leaves; 65.3 ± 7.4 µg/mL<P. terebinthus leaves; 76.5 ± 4.5 µg/mL<P. terebinthus fruits; 237.7 ± 33.5 µg/mL<P. lentiscus fruits; 1.4 ± 0.2 mg/mL. Taken together, Sardinian Pistacia spp. as functional foods and nutraceuticals modulating gastrointestinal carbohydrate and lipid digestion and absorption, maybe be advocated as potential candidate for obesity‐diabetes prevention and phytotherapy.
4‐hydroxy tempo improves mitochondrial and neurobehavioral deficits in experimental model of Huntington's disease
Authors: Sandhir Rajat , Mahajan Namita , Mehrotra Arpit , Aggarwal Aanchal , Sunkaria Aditya
Published: December 2014

Mitochondrial dysfunctions have been implicated in the progression of Huntington's disease (HD). To date, several free radical scavengers have been tested in experimental HD, but only a few have shown promise. Although most antioxidants rapidly reduce ROS but in the process they are oxidized, which limits their ability to protect. Therefore, in the present study we employed a potent recycling antioxidant, 4‐hydroxy tempo (4‐HT), because it can reinstate its reduced state even after its oxidation during scavenging of ROS. Female Wistar rats were administered 3‐nitropropionic acid (3‐NP) and/or 4‐HT for 21 days, after which animals were subjected to biochemical and behavioral assessments. Our results showed that 4‐HT treatment significantly attenuated the 3‐NP induced decrease in the activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain enzymes. In addition, 4‐HT administration restored the increased nitrite and lipid peroxidation levels. Apart from this, 4‐HT also attenuated the 3‐NP induced decrease in superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Further, 4‐HT administration resulted in significant improvement in 3‐NP induced cognitive and motor impairments. Taken together, the results of the study demonstrate that 4‐HT is beneficial in 3‐NP induced model of HD and thus could be a potential therapeutic agent in management of this disease. Synapse 69:128–138, 2015.  © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Efficient reconfiguration of distribution networks using extended pruning‐grafting operators
Authors: RamezanJamaat Saeed , Akimoto Youhei , Aguirre Hernan , Tanaka Kiyoshi
Published: December 2014

Network reconfiguration is a complicated, combinatorial, constrained optimization problem with many candidate switching options as well as structural and operational constraints. Introduction of evolutionary algorithms (EAs) to distribution network operation has opened many new opportunities. However, many applications of these methods suffer from high computational burden. In addition, conventional crossover/mutation operators cannot generally produce radial configurations. Performance of EAs is significantly affected by modeling of the problem and the employed operators. This paper employs a branch‐based modeling of a distribution network and proposes two new EA operators that are an extension and redefinition of the preserve ancestor operator (PAO) and change ancestor operator (CAO). They are fast, exclusively produce radial configurations, and remove PAO/CAO operators' limitation. Hence, they can be utilized for a more efficient application of EAs to the network reconfiguration problem. Performance of the new operators is compared to the original PAO/CAO operators, two sets of operators in a binary representation (conventional crossover/mutation operators and an enhanced version of them), and a set of operators in an integer representation (conventional crossover and directed mutation operators). Simulations show the efficiency of the proposed method in terms of convergence speed, response time, and the quality of results. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Atrial dominance in the human embryonic heart: a study of cardiac function at 6–10 weeks of gestation
Authors: Wloch A. , Rozmus‐Warcholinska W. , Cnota W. , Huhta J. C. , Acharya G.
Published: December 2014

Objective

To investigate the difference in forces developed by atrial and ventricular myocardium during contraction in human embryos using a novel method.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of 115 pregnancies examined at 6–10 weeks of gestation. Ventricular inflow and outflow velocities were obtained by Doppler echocardiography and the relative force development was evaluated by calculating the ratio between atrial and ventricular ejection force (EF).

Results

Data from 97 embryos with monophasic ventricular filling were analyzed. Both inflow and outflow cardiac velocities increased with advancing gestational age (P < 0.001). The mean peak inflow velocity (31.7 ± 10.2 cm/s) was significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than the outflow velocity (19.6 ± 6.1 cm/s). The EFinflow/EFoutflow ratio was more than 1.0 in all but four (96%) cases.

Conclusion

Our study indicates the possibility of atrial dominance in the embryonic period of heart development, which may have clinical implications, as deviations from this normal pattern may indicate human embryonic cardiac dysfunction. Copyright © 2014 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Helium‐Testlecks
Authors: Jitschin Wolfgang , Farangis Baker
Published: December 2014

Die Lecksuche und Dichtheitsprüfung mit Helium ist ein sehr empfindliches Verfahren. Häufig kommt es darauf an, die Qualität einer Prüfung quantitativ anzugeben. Insbesondere in der Qualitätssicherung ist es notwendig, die Nachweisgrenze eines Verfahren oder eines Gerätes zuverlässig zu verifizieren. Hierzu werden Testlecks eingesetzt, die eine genau bekannte Helium‐Leckagerate liefern. Im Artikel werden verschiedene Typen von Testlecks und ihre Eigenschaften beschrieben. Testlecks in einem weiten Bereich von Leckageraten sind kommerziell erhältlich. Ihr Leckagestrom kann mit guter Genauigkeit durch Kalibrierung bestimmt werden. Beim Einsatz der Testlecks ist die Temperaturabhängigkeit der Leckagerate zu beachten, ebenso wie die allmähliche Abnahme der Leckagerate infolge der Entleerung des Gasreservoirs.
Hydrothermal Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Luminescent Properties of Two Cadmium(II) Coordination Polymers Based on Dicarboxylate and Imidazole‐Containing Coligands
Authors: Yang Bin , Chen Ning , Tse Kwong‐Ming , Lee Heow‐Pueh
Published: December 2014

In this paper, two cadmium(II) coordination polymers [Cd(sdb)(bib)]n (1) and {[Cd2(pda)2(bib)2]·0.5H2O}n (2) [H2sdb = 4,4′‐sulfonyl‐dicarboxylic acid, H2pda = 1,3‐phenylenediacetic acid, and bib = 1,4‐bis(1‐imidazolyl) benzene] were synthesized and characterized by hydrothermal methods. Complex 1 displays a 3,5‐connected topological net and complex 2 shows a 4‐connected non‐interpenetrated pcu framework. Furthermore, the luminescent properties for complexes 1 and 2 were investigated.
A compositional automata-based semantics and preserving transformation rules for testing property patterns
Authors: Taha Safouan , Julliand Jacques , Dadeau Frédéric , Castillos Kalou Cabrera , Kanso Bilal
Published: December 2014

Dwyer et al. provide a language to specify dynamic properties based on a limited number of predefined patterns and scopes. The semantics of these properties is defined by translating each combination of a pattern and a scope into usual temporal logics (linear temporal logic, CTL, etc.). This translational semantics suffers from two main issues. It is not easily extensible to other patterns or scopes, and it is not always faithful to the natural semantics. In this article, we propose a compositional automata-based approach defining the semantics of each pattern and each scope by an automaton, after which the semantics is composed. Hence, the semantics is compositional and the language is easily extensible. We compare the two semantics by model checking. In some cases, our semantics reveals a lack of homogeneity within Dwyer et al.’s semantics. Finally, we apply this approach in the context of property-based testing, in order to evaluate the quality of a test suite, by measuring the coverage of the property automaton. To allow the tester to adapt the coverage criteria to its goals, we propose transformation rules over the patterns automata that implement relevant unfolding strategies for loops, or predicates labeling the automata transitions. We illustrate these principles by means of an industrial case study.
A Pilot Survey of Pediatric Surgical Capacity in West Africa
Authors: Okoye Mekam T. , Ameh Emmanuel A. , Kushner Adam L. , Nwomeh Benedict C.
Published: December 2014

Background

While some data exist for the burden of pediatric surgical disease in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), little is known about pediatric surgical capacity. In an effort to better plan and allocate resources for pediatric surgical care in LMICs, a survey of pediatric surgical capacity using specific tool was needed.

Methods

Based on the previously published Surgeons OverSeas Personnel, Infrastructure, Procedure, Equipment, and Supplies (PIPES) survey, a pediatric PIPES (PediPIPES) survey was created. To ensure relevance to local needs and inclusion of only essential items, a draft PediPIPES survey was reviewed by nine pediatric surgeons and modifications were incorporated into a final tool. The survey was then distributed to surgeons throughout sub‐Saharan Africa. Data from West Africa (37 hospitals in 10 of the 16 countries in the subregion) were analyzed.

Results

Fewer than 50 % (18/37) of the hospitals had more than two pediatric surgeons. Neonatal or general intensive care units were not available in 51.4 % (19/37) of hospitals. Open procedures such as appendectomy were performed in all the hospitals whereas less‐invasive interventions such as non‐operative intussusception reduction were done in only 41 % (15/37). Life‐saving pediatric equipment such as apnea monitors were not available in 65 % (24/37) of the hospitals.

Conclusions

The PediPIPES survey was useful in documenting the pediatric surgical capacity in West Africa. Many hospitals in West Africa are not optimally prepared to undertake pediatric surgery. Our study showed shortages in personnel, infrastructure, procedures, equipment, and supplies necessary to adequately and appropriately provide surgical care for pediatric patients.
A Bayesian Multinomial Probit Model for The Analysis of Panel Choice Data
Authors: Fong Duncan K. H. , Kim Sunghoon , Chen Zhe , DeSarbo Wayne S.
Published: December 2014

A new Bayesian multinomial probit model is proposed for the analysis of panel choice data. Using a parameter expansion technique, we are able to devise a Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm to compute our Bayesian estimates efficiently. We also show that the proposed procedure enables the estimation of individual level coefficients for the single-period multinomial probit model even when the available prior information is vague. We apply our new procedure to consumer purchase data and reanalyze a well-known scanner panel dataset that reveals new substantive insights. In addition, we delineate a number of advantageous features of our proposed procedure over several benchmark models. Finally, through a simulation analysis employing a fractional factorial design, we demonstrate that the results from our proposed model are quite robust with respect to differing factors across various conditions.
Performance of New Biodegradable Di‐Sulfonate Surfactants as Hydrotropes in High‐Temperature and Salinity Environments
Authors: Behr Anastasia Mardilovich , Tucker Christopher J. , Daugs Edward D.
Published: December 2014

Propyl alkyl ether sulfonate (PAES) surfactants, recently developed by The Dow Chemical Company, show excellent electrolyte, hard water and caustic solubility, with attractive ECOTOX profile and biodegradability. Due to their unique structure and properties, they are good candidates for use as hydrotropes in formulations containing nonionic surfactants. The goal of these studies was to evaluate hydrotropic efficiency of PAES materials via cloud point analysis. The effects of PAES alkyl tail length, concentration, and mono‐ and di‐sulfonate components on the cloud point of TERGITOL™ 15‐S‐9 in solutions of varying electrolyte strength were investigated. In the presence of high electrolyte levels, PAES 12C had the highest hydrotropic efficiency of all materials tested, including commonly used commercial hydrotropes. Di‐sulfonate components of the PAES materials were found to be more efficient hydrotropes than mono‐sulfonate in high electrolyte environments for all tail lengths tested. The di/mono ratio and tail length were found to be critical parameters.
Steuern oder fördern? Die Sicherung der Nahversorgung in den ländlichen Räumen Deutschlands und Südtirols im Vergleich
Authors: Küpper Patrick , Scheibe Christian
Published: December 2014

Shops for basic commodities such as food, beverages, and drugstore products have been closing in rural areas in many countries. Looking to other European countries helps to realize the specific attempts made for maintaining local supply and enables mutual learning. This paper compares Germany with South Tyrol using statistical data, expert interviews, literature review as well as documentary analysis. The system for the provision of basic commodities differs remarkably between Germany and South Tyrol. Large supermarkets and food discounters have superseded small scale shops in Germany. In South Tyrol, traditional retail structures have however sustained an area wide presence with small, locally owned stores. The paper investigates the reasons for this distinction. Strong spatial planning regulations turned out to be very effective in South Tyrol in order to maintain facilities within walking distance. By contrast, the German approach, which tries to subsidize mainly new shops with huge amounts of money, could not stop the thinning out of stores in rural areas. In fact, both strategies have specific advantages and disadvantages. Thus, both countries can learn from each other.
The triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is associated with enhanced inflammation, neuropathological lesions and increased risk for Alzheimer's dementia
Authors: Roussos Panos , Katsel Pavel , Fam Peter , Tan Weilun , Purohit Dushyant P. , Haroutunian Vahram
Published: December 2014

Introduction

The objective of this study was to elucidate the relationship between the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) risk variant, neuropathological lesions, alterations in gene and protein expression, and the severity of neuroinflammation.

Methods

The genetic association study of the R47 H TREM2 variant with Alzheimer's disease (AD), neuropathology, and changes in TREM2 and TYRO protein tyrosine kinase‐binding protein (TYROBP) gene and protein expression, and neuroinflammatory markers.

Results

The TREM2 variant is associated with: (i) AD (odds ratio: 4.76; P = .014); (ii) increased density of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in multiple brain regions; (iii) increased TREM2 (P = .041) and TYROBP (P = .006) gene expression; (iv) decreased TREM2 protein levels (P = .016); and (v) upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted [RANTES] and interferon [IFN] gamma) (P = .003) and nominal downregulation of protective markers (α2‐macroglobulin, interleukin 4 or IL‐4, and ApoA1) (P = .018).

Discussion

These findings link the TREM2 missense mutation with specific molecular abnormalities and increases in neuropathological lesions in the human brain.
Wilderness Medical Society Practice Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Altitude Illness: 2014 Update
Authors: Luks Andrew M. , McIntosh Scott E. , Grissom Colin K. , Auerbach Paul S. , Rodway George W. , Schoene Robert B. , Zafren Ken , Hackett Peter H.
Published: December 2014

To provide guidance to clinicians about best practices, the Wilderness Medical Society convened an expert panel to develop evidence-based guidelines for prevention and treatment of acute mountain sickness, high altitude cerebral edema, and high altitude pulmonary edema. These guidelines present the main prophylactic and therapeutic modalities for each disorder and provide recommendations about their role in disease management. Recommendations are graded based on the quality of supporting evidence and balance between the benefits and risks/burdens according to criteria put forth by the American College of Chest Physicians. The guidelines also provide suggested approaches to prevention and management of each disorder that incorporate these recommendations. This is an updated version of the original WMS Consensus Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Acute Altitude Illness published in Wilderness & Environmental Medicine 2010;21(2):146–155.