bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute liver failure impairs function and expression of breast cancer‐resistant protein (BCRP) at rat blood–brain barrier partly via ammonia‐ROS‐ERK1/2 activation
Authors: Li Ying , Zhang Ji , Xu Ping , Sun Binbin , Zhong Zeyu , Liu Can , Ling Zhaoli , Chen Yang , Shu Nan , Zhao Kaijing , Liu Li , Liu Xiaodong
Published: May 2016

We once reported that P‐glycoprotein (P‐GP) and multidrug resistance‐associated protein 2 (MRP2) were oppositely regulated at the blood–brain barrier (BBB) of thioacetamide‐induced acute liver failure (ALF) rats. This study aimed to investigate whether ALF affected function and expression of breast cancer‐resistant protein (BCRP) at the BBB of rats and the role of ammonia in the regulation. ALF rats were developed by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of thioacetamide (300 mg/kg) for 2 days. Hyperammonemic rats were developed by NH4Ac (i.p. 4.5 mmol/kg). BCRP function and expression were measured by brain distribution of specific substrates (prazosin and methotrexate) and western blot, respectively. MDCK‐BCRP cells and primarily cultured rat brain microvessel endothelial cells (rBMECs) were employed to investigate possible mechanisms through which ammonia regulated BCRP function and expression. The results showed that both ALF and hyperammonemia significantly weakened function and expression of BCRP in the brain of rats. The function and expression of BCRP in MDCK‐BCRP cells and rBMECs were strikingly decreased after exposure to NH4Cl and H2O2, accompanied by remarkable increases in the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and reactive oxygen species (ROS). The altered BCRP expression and function by ammonia and H2O2 were restored by ROS scavenger N‐acetylcysteine and ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126. Markedly increased levels of ERK1/2 phosphorylation and ROS were found in the brains of ALF rats and hyperammonemic rats. All above results indicated ALF down‐regulated expression and function of BCRP at BBB of rats partly via hyperammonemia. Activation of ROS‐mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation may be one of the reasons that ammonia impaired BCRP expression and function at the BBB.

image

The present study showed that the expression and function of breast cancer resistant protein (BCRP) at blood‐brain barrier (BBB) of thioacetamide‐induced ALF rats were down‐regulated which partly attribute to hyperammonemia. Activation of ROS‐mediated ERK1/2 phosphorylation may be one of the reasons that ammonia suppressed BCRP expression and function. Impaired BCRP at BBB might enhanced pharmacological/toxic effects of corresponding substrates on CNS.
Comparing Military and Civilian Household Finances: Descriptive Evidence from Recent Surveys
Authors: Skimmyhorn William L.
Published: May 2016

Despite significant media and policy attention to the financial conditions of military and civilian households in American over the past few years, little is known about their relative standing and decision making. Using data from large national surveys, this analysis provides descriptive evidence on key differences for comparable young, low‐moderate income and education military and civilian respondents. I find that military members have more types of savings accounts, more problematic credit card behaviors, and equivalent use of alternative financial services. I briefly discuss directions for future research and some policy implications.
Psychosocial factors and ageing in older lesbian, gay and bisexual people: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: McParland James , Camic Paul M
Published: May 2016

Aims and objectives

To synthesise and evaluate the extant literature investigating the psychosocial influences on ageing as a lesbian, gay or bisexual person, to develop understanding about these influences and guide future research in the area.

Background

Research suggests there may be specific psychological and social factors relevant to ageing for individuals with a nonheterosexual identity.

Design

A systematic review was conducted on empirical research involving lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals aged 60 or above.

Methods

The Cochrane Database, PsychINFO, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched and 41 studies met inclusion criteria. The majority had not been reviewed in earlier review articles.

Results

Findings were within two domains: psychological, consisting of sub‐themes relating to identity, mental health and body image; and social, consisting of relationships, social support, discrimination, caregiving and receiving, community, accessing services and housing. The results suggest lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals mostly adjust well to ageing identities, with mediating influences including self‐acceptance and connection with peers. Challenges experienced included ageism and heteronormative health and social care services; intimate friendships, social support and respectful professionals mitigated such threats and facilitated successful ageing. Methodological issues related to sampling procedures, such as purposive sampling through the gay community and limited generalisability due to the homogeneity of participants. Additionally, there was a widespread lack of heterosexual control groups. However, most studies used appropriate measures and acknowledged inherent limitations.

Conclusion

Psychosocial influences included the challenge of societal stigma, but also resilience individuals demonstrate through a positive attitude. These factors must continue to be investigated for services to best meet the needs of this population.

Relevance to clinical practice

Clinicians are well placed to assist individuals draw on resilience when facing ageing challenges. Also, clinicians should be aware older people may have prior negative experiences of accessing services and try to involve ‘families of choice’ in care planning.
Current and future treatment of amyloid diseases
Authors: Ankarcrona M. , Winblad B. , Monteiro C. , Fearns C. , Powers E. T. , Johansson J. , Westermark G. T. , Presto J. , Ericzon B.‐G. , Kelly J. W.
Published: May 2016

There are more than 30 human proteins whose aggregation appears to cause degenerative maladies referred to as amyloid diseases or amyloidoses. These disorders are named after the characteristic cross‐β‐sheet amyloid fibrils that accumulate systemically or are localized to specific organs. In most cases, current treatment is limited to symptomatic approaches and thus disease‐modifying therapies are needed. Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder with extracellular amyloid β‐peptide (Aβ) fibrils and intracellular tau neurofibrillary tangles as pathological hallmarks. Numerous clinical trials have been conducted with passive and active immunotherapy, and small molecules to inhibit Aβ formation and aggregation or to enhance Aβ clearance; so far such clinical trials have been unsuccessful. Novel strategies are therefore required and here we will discuss the possibility of utilizing the chaperone BRICHOS to prevent Aβ aggregation and toxicity. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is symptomatically treated with insulin. However, the underlying pathology is linked to the aggregation and progressive accumulation of islet amyloid polypeptide as fibrils and oligomers, which are cytotoxic. Several compounds have been shown to inhibit islet amyloid aggregation and cytotoxicity in vitro. Future animal studies and clinical trials have to be conducted to determine their efficacy in vivo. The transthyretin (TTR) amyloidoses are a group of systemic degenerative diseases compromising multiple organ systems, caused by TTR aggregation. Liver transplantation decreases the generation of misfolded TTR and improves the quality of life for a subgroup of this patient population. Compounds that stabilize the natively folded, nonamyloidogenic, tetrameric conformation of TTR have been developed and the drug tafamidis is available as a promising treatment.
Precision medicine in pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma: current and future concepts
Authors: Björklund P. , Pacak K. , Crona J.
Published: May 2016

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL) are rare diseases but are also amongst the most characterized tumour types. Hence, patients with PPGL have greatly benefited from precision medicine for more than two decades. According to current molecular biology and genetics‐based taxonomy, PPGL can be divided into three different clusters characterized by: Krebs cycle reprogramming with oncometabolite accumulation or depletion (group 1a); activation of the (pseudo)hypoxia signalling pathway with increased tumour cell proliferation, invasiveness and migration (group 1b); and aberrant kinase signalling causing a pro‐mitogenic and anti‐apoptotic state (group 2). Categorization into these clusters is highly dependent on mutation subtypes. At least 12 different syndromes with distinct genetic causes, phenotypes and outcomes have been described. Genetic screening tests have a documented benefit, as different PPGL syndromes require specific approaches for optimal diagnosis and localization of various syndrome‐related tumours. Genotype‐tailored treatment options, follow‐up and preventive care are being investigated. Future new developments in precision medicine for PPGL will mainly focus on further identification of driver mechanisms behind both disease initiation and malignant progression. Identification of novel druggable targets and prospective validation of treatment options are eagerly awaited. To achieve these goals, we predict that collaborative large‐scale studies will be needed: Pheochromocytoma may provide an example for developing precision medicine in orphan diseases that could ultimately aid in similar efforts for other rare conditions.
DNA barcoding of East Asian Amentotaxus (Taxaceae): Potential new species and implications for conservation
Authors: Gao Lian‐Ming , Li Yan , Phan Loc Ke , Yan Li‐Jun , Thomas Philip , Phan Long Ke , Möller Michael , Li De‐Zhu
Published: May 2016

DNA barcoding is a useful tool for species identification using standardized genomic DNA fragments. The genus Amentotaxus, consisting of five or six species, is confined to South China, Northeast India, Laos, and Vietnam. All species have been assessed as globally or nationally threatened. However, there is uncertainty about the number of species involved, especially in the border areas of southern China, northern Vietnam, and Laos. We selected five DNA barcodes (rbcL, matK, trnH‐psbA, trnL‐F, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS)) to evaluate their discrimination ability in this genus, and to investigate the current taxonomy of Amentotaxus. Our results indicate that all the selected barcoding regions showed a high level of universality for PCR and sequencing. When six species are recognized, the nuclear ribosomal DNA region ITS and the chloroplast DNA region trnL‐F used on their own provided the highest identification success (60%). Two barcode combinations that included either ITS or trnL‐F had the same species discrimination ability. Combinations using additional barcodes did not improve the species identification success. When only five species are recognized, with A. hatuyenensis T. H. Nguyen treated as a synonym of A. yunnanensis H. L. Li, the discrimination rate rises to 100%. Our results also indicate that recent collections from Yunnan province, China, Lao Cai province, Vietnam, and Laos may represent a potential new species. The findings from this study will be very useful for the formulation of appropriate conservation strategies for threatened Amentotaxus species in national and trans‐boundary regions.
Prospective Randomized Comparison of Monopolar TURP, Bipolar TURP and Photoselective Vaporization of the Prostate in Patients with Benign Prostatic Obstruction: 36 Months Outcome
Authors: KUMAR Niraj , VASUDEVA Pawan , KUMAR Anup , SINGH Harbinder
Published: May 2016

Objectives

To assess durability of efficacy of monopolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), bipolar TURP, and photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) using 120W Green light laser at 36 months follow up.

Method

The 186 patients who presented with benign prostatic obstruction and planned for surgery were randomized into three groups: Group A ‐ monopolar TURP; group B ‐ bipolar TURP; and group C ‐ PVP. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), International Index of Erectile Function‐5 (IIEF‐5) score, quality of life (QoL) score, maximum flow rate (Qmax), prostate volume and postvoid residual urine (PVRU) were analyzed up to 36 months follow up.

Results

The improvement observed in the mean IPSS, QoL score, Qmax, prostate volume and PVRU at 12‐month was sustained till 36 months follow up. However, the mean IIEF‐5 score did not show improvement in any group. Few complications noted in second and third year of follow up compared to first year follow up. The results of subgroups analysis did not reveal any significant finding, different from group analysis, for efficacy parameters.

Conclusion

Monopolar TURP, Bipolar TURP and PVP provides durable and comparable efficacy at 36 months follow up in patients with prostate size <80 mL.
Igneous cooling history of olivine‐phyric shergottite Yamato 980459 constrained by dynamic crystallization experiments
Authors: First Emily , Hammer Julia
Published: May 2016

Dynamic crystallization experiments were performed on a liquid having the bulk composition of olivine‐phyric shergottite Yamato 980459, to constrain the igneous thermal history of this meteorite. Key characteristics of the meteorite's mineralogy and texture, including several morphologically distinct olivine and pyroxene crystal populations and a glassy mesostasis devoid of plagioclase, were replicated upon cooling from 1435 to 909 °C at 1 atmosphere under reducing conditions. Three sequential cooling ramps are required to produce synthetic samples with textures and compositions matching Yamato 980459. Olivine phenocrysts formed at <1 °C h−1, presumably at depth in the Martian crust. Pyroxene phenocrysts formed mainly at ~10 °C h−1, consistent with crystallization within a lava flow at depths of 25–45 cm. Increased cooling rate (~100 °C h−1) in a third stage suppressed the formation of plagioclase and produced groundmass crystals, consistent with crystallization at lava flow depths of 5–7 cm. Although Y 980459 is unique among Martian meteorites (i.e., preserving a primary glassy mesostasis), its emplacement did not require unique physical conditions. Rather, the second and third cooling stages may reflect cooling within the core of a pāhoehoe‐like flow and subsequent breakout on the surface of Mars.
Serum sclerostin values are associated with abdominal aortic calcification and predict cardiovascular events in patients with chronic kidney disease stages 3–5D
Authors: Wang Xue‐Rong , Yuan Liang , Zhang Jing‐Jing , Hao Li , Wang De‐Guang
Published: May 2016

Aim

The purpose of this study was to investigate the possible association of circulating concentrations of sclerostin with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with chronic kidney disease stage 3–5.

Methods

One hundred and sixty‐one patients with CKD3–5D were enrolled. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence of AAC: an AAC group (n = 99) and a non‐AAC group (n = 62). The concentration of serum sclerostin was measured using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). AAC was evaluated using abdominal lateral X‐ray examination. The follow‐up intervals ranged from 7 to 29 months (median 16 months), and cardiovascular events (CVEs) were recorded.

Results

The prevalence of vascular calcification (VC) was 61.5% (99/161). Serum sclerostin was significantly higher in an AAC group than in a non‐AAC group (P < 0.001), but the concentration in the moderate‐to‐severe AAC group was lower than in the mild AAC group (P < 0.001). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that high serum sclerostin, high serum calcium, diabetes, and old age were independently correlated with AAC. Patients with higher sclerostin values had a reduced risk of major cardiovascular events (log‐rank test, P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Serum sclerostin values are associated with the presence of AAC, but are lower when AAC is moderate to severe. Higher values are predictive of reduced short‐term cardiovascular events. Taken together, these results suggest that sclerostin may have a role in the development of or the response to vascular calcification.
Diagnosis and prevalence of protein‐energy wasting and its association with mortality in Japanese haemodialysis patients
Authors: Kanazawa Yoshie , Nakao Toshiyuki , Murai Seizo , Okada Tomonari , Matsumoto Hiroshi
Published: May 2016

Aim

The International Society of Renal Nutrition and Metabolism (ISRNM) has proposed the diagnostic criteria for protein‐energy wasting (PEW). We studied Japanese haemodialysis (HD) patients to verify the diagnostic method, especially with respect to the body mass index (BMI) criterion, as well as the prevalence of PEW and its association with mortality.

Methods

Japanese patients receiving maintenance HD at three outpatient clinics in Tokyo (n = 210) were enrolled, and prospectively followed‐up for 3 years. PEW was diagnosed at baseline, according to the four categories (serum chemistry, body mass, muscle mass and dietary intake) recommended by the ISRNM. For the category of body mass, we select a body mass index (BMI) and set up three thresholds, <18.5, <20.0 and <23.0 kg/m2, as the diagnostic criterion. The patients who satisfied at least three out of the four categories were diagnosed as PEW.

Results

Protein‐energy wasting, when the threshold of a BMI among the diagnostic criteria was defined as <18.5 kg/m2, was recognized as an independent risk factor for mortality. However, PEW was not recognized as a risk factor when the BMI diagnostic criterion was set at <20.0 or <23.0 kg/m2. Overall, 14.8% of the patients had PEW. The survival rate of PEW patients was significantly lower than that of non‐PEW patients (log rank, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The diagnosis algorithm of PEW proposed by an expert panel of the ISRNM strongly associates with mortality. However, given differences in body size in Japan, we suggest to revise the BMI criterion from <23.0 kg/m2 to <18.5 kg/m2.
Ecological mismatches are moderated by local conditions for two populations of a long‐distance migratory bird
Authors: Senner Nathan R. , Stager Maria , Sandercock Brett K.
Published: May 2016

Ecological mismatches between reproductive events and seasonal resource peaks are frequently proposed to be a key driver of population dynamics resulting from global climate change. Many local populations are experiencing reduced reproductive success as a consequence of mismatches, but few mismatches have led to species‐level population declines. To better understand this apparent paradox, we investigated the breeding phenology and chick survival of two disjunct populations of Hudsonian godwits Limosa haemastica breeding at Churchill, Manitoba and Beluga River, Alaska. Only one population experienced a mismatch: godwits bred nearly one week after the onset of the invertebrate peak at Churchill because of asynchronous climatic change occurring throughout their annual cycle. However, chicks were not uniformly affected by the mismatch — growth rates and survival of young chicks were not correlated with invertebrate abundance, but older chicks tended to suffer lower survival rates on days of low invertebrate abundance. Ecological mismatches thus resulted in a complex array of consequences, but nonetheless contributed to reductions in chick survival. In contrast, godwits at Beluga River hatched their chicks just before the invertebrate peak, such that the period of highest energetic need coincided with the period of highest invertebrate abundance. As a result, growth rates and survival of godwit chicks were unaffected by invertebrate abundance. Godwits at Beluga River were able to properly time their reproduction because of predictable rates of climatic change and strong selection imposed by high predation on late‐hatched chicks. Taken together, our results suggest that population‐specific, local‐scale selection pressures play a critical role in determining the degree and severity of ecological mismatches. The potential for global climate change to induce species‐level population declines may therefore be mediated by the spatial variation in the selection pressures acting across a species’ range.
Aging and/or tissue‐specific regulation of patchoulol and pogostone in two Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. cultivars
Authors: Ouyang Puyue , Liu Yongliang , Wang Ying , Mo Xiaolu , Zeng Shaohua
Published: May 2016

In Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. essential oil, patchoulol and pogostone are the two major bioactive phytochemicals while their in vivo biosynthesis remains largely unknown. In this study, seven genes of the plastidic methylerythritol 4‐phosphate pathway (MEP) and three genes of the cytoplasmic mevalonate pathway (MVA) in two cultivars, HN and YN, were isolated. Gene expression and phytochemical profiles across leaves and stems at different developmental stages of the two cultivars were evaluated using quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, respectively. Hierarchical analysis showed that the expression of MVA‐ and MEP‐related genes was clustered similarly in the two cultivars. Phytochemical assay revealed that the contents of patchoulol in leaves and pogostone in stems were regulated in an aging‐dependent manner. Pogostone was only detected in stems but not in leaves of the two cultivars. The Pearson correlation analysis suggested that several genes were presumably involved in the biosynthesis of patchoulol and pogostone. In the YN cultivar, the 1‐deoxy‐d‐xylulose‐5‐phosphate reductoisomerase and isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase 2 genes, and 2‐C‐methyl‐d‐erythritol 4‐phosphate cytidylyltransferase were positively responsible for patchoulol and pogostone biosynthesis, respectively. In the HN cultivar, 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐coenzyme A reductase and mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase, and mevalonate kinase expression were positively associated with pogostone and patchoulol biosynthesis, respectively. The genes identified in this study are good candidates for the enhancement of patchoulol content in the leaves or pogostone content in the stems of P. cablin. Taken together, our results lay a solid foundation for better understanding of the mechanism underlying patchoulol and pogostone biosynthesis, which in turn may help to improve their content in P. cablin.
Very hot, very shallow hydrothermal dolomitization: An example from the Maritime Alps (north‐west Italy–south‐east France)
Authors: Barale Luca , Bertok Carlo , Salih Talabani Namam , d'Atri Anna , Martire Luca , Piana Fabrizio , Préat Alain
Published: May 2016

In the Maritime Alps (north‐west Italy – south‐east France), the Middle Triassic–lowermost Cretaceous platform carbonates of the Provençal Domain locally show an intense dolomitization. Dolomitized bodies, irregularly shaped and variable in size from some metres to hundreds of metres, are associated with tabular bodies of dolomite‐cemented breccias, cutting the bedding at a high angle, and networks of dolomite veins. Field and petrographic observations indicate that dolomitization was a polyphase process, in which episodes of hydrofracturing and host‐rock dissolution, related to episodic expulsion of overpressured fluids through faults and fracture systems, were associated with phases of host‐rock dolomitization and void cementation. Fluid inclusion analysis indicates that dolomitizing fluids were relatively hot (170 to 260°C). The case study represents an outstanding example of a fossil hydrothermal system, which significantly contributes to the knowledge of such dolomitization systems in continental margin settings. The unusually favourable stratigraphic framework allows precise constraint of the timing of dolomitization (earliest Cretaceous) and, consequently, direct evaluation of the burial setting of dolomitization which, for the upper part of the dolomitized succession, was very shallow or even close to the surface. The described large‐scale hydrothermal system was probably related to deep‐rooted faults, and provides indirect evidence of a significant earliest Cretaceous fault activity in this part of the Alpine Tethys European palaeomargin.
Influence of exercise in normal and hot ambient conditions on the pharmacokinetics of inhaled terbutaline in trained men
Authors: Kreiberg M. , Becker V. , Jessen S. , Rzeppa S. , Hemmersbach P. , Backer V. , Hostrup M.
Published: May 2016

This study investigated the pharmacokinetics of inhaled terbutaline at rest and after exercise in normal and hot ambient conditions with respect to doping analysis. Thirteen trained young men participated in the study. Urine and blood samples were collected after inhalation of 4 mg terbutaline during three trials: exercise in hot ambient conditions (30–35 °C) (EXH), exercise in normal ambient conditions (20–25 °C) (EX), and rest (20–25 °C) (R). Exercise consisted of 130 min at various intensities. Adjustment of urine concentrations of terbutaline to a specific gravity (USG) of 1.02 g/mL was compared with no adjustment. Area under the serum concentration–time curve within the first 6 h was higher for EX (27 ± 3 ng/mL/h) (P ≤ 0.01) and EXH (25 ± 4 ng/mL/h) (P ≤ 0.05) than for R (20 ± 3 ng/mL/h). When unadjusted for USG, urine concentrations of terbutaline after 4 h were different in the order EXH > EX > R (P ≤ 0.01). When unadjusted for USG, urine concentrations of terbutaline were 299 ± 151 ng/mL higher (P ≤ 0.001) after 4 h compared with adjusted concentrations in EXH. Excretion rate of terbutaline was higher (P ≤ 0.001) for EX than for EXH and R within the first 0–1½ h. In conclusion, EXHs results in higher urine concentrations of terbutaline. This should be considered when evaluating doping cases of terbutaline.
Return to sport matters—longer‐term quality of life after ACL reconstruction in people with knee difficulties
Authors: Filbay S. R. , Ackerman I. N. , Russell T. G. , Crossley K. M.
Published: May 2016

Many individuals experience long‐term quality of life (QOL) impairment following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Factors contributing to poor QOL and psychological health >5 years after ACLR remain unclear. This study aimed to describe QOL and psychological health outcomes in people with knee difficulties (pain, symptoms, or functional limitations) 5–20 years following ACLR and identify factors explaining variability in these outcomes. Participants with knee difficulties 5–20 years following ACLR completed a battery of validated patient‐reported outcomes [including the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), ACL‐QOL, and the Assessment of QOL (AQoL‐8D) instrument]. Multivariable linear regression was used to identify factors explaining variability in outcomes. One hundred sixty‐two participants aged 38 ± 9 (mean ± SD) years completed questionnaires 9 ± 4 (range 5–20) years following ACLR. Thirty‐nine percent of participants returned to competitive sport, 28% returned to a lower level, and 32% did not return to sport after ACLR. Not returning to sport after ACLR was associated with worse KOOS‐QOL (β = 0.29, P = 0.001 [mean ± SD (55 ± 20)], ACL‐QOL [β = 0.48, P < 0.001; (57 ± 21)], and AQoL‐8D [β = 0.22, P = 0.02 (0.80 ± 0.14)]) scores. Increased body mass index (56% were overweight/obese) was related to worse QOL and more depressive symptoms. Subsequent knee surgery and contralateral ACLR were also associated with poorer QOL outcomes in these individuals.
Will pathogen reduction of blood components harm more people than it helps in developed countries?
Authors: Hess John R. , Pagano Monica B. , Barbeau James D. , Johannson Pär I.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND

Blood‐borne infectious diseases are a major impediment to the provision of safe blood. Pathogen reduction (PR) technologies have been approved for the treatment of plasma and platelet (PLT) concentrates to reduce infectious complications and graft‐versus‐host disease but product potency is adversely affected

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

We reviewed published data describing PR technology for estimates of treated blood component physical and functional loss. These physical and functional losses were summed and projected onto measured effects of plasma and PLT dose in trauma resuscitation. The net benefits estimated as reduced infectious disease deaths were compared to net losses estimated as increased deaths from uncontrolled hemorrhage.

RESULTS

Transfusion‐transmitted infectious diseases caused five or fewer acute deaths each year from 2009 through 2014 in the United States according to the Food and Drug Administration. In‐hospital deaths from uncontrolled hemorrhage after trauma number more than 10,000 yearly and are reduced by 4% to 15% with concentrated blood product resuscitation. The loss of 20% of plasma potency and 30% of PLT potency to PR is likely to be associated with 400 extra trauma deaths each year. Trauma represents a small fraction, perhaps 15%, of all massively transfused individuals.

CONCLUSIONS

Resuscitation of massive hemorrhage may be limited by blood component potency as shown in our literature review and analysis. The safety‐versus‐potency trade involved with current blood plasma and PLT PR technology is likely to result in a net loss of life. Hemorrhagic risk from reduced blood product potency for patients with trauma and other indications for massive transfusion is an important consideration in risk‐based decision making for implementing PR.
A comparison of the cardiopulmonary effects of pressure controlled ventilation and volume controlled ventilation in healthy anesthetized dogs
Authors: Fantoni Denise T. , Ida Keila K. , Lopes Thomas F. T. , Otsuki Denise A. , Auler José Otávio C. , Ambrósio Aline M.
Published: May 2016

Objective

To compare the effects of pressure controlled ventilation (PCV) with volume‐controlled ventilation (VCV) on lung compliance, gas exchange, and hemodynamics in isoflurane‐anesthetized dogs.

Design

Prospective randomized study.

Setting

Veterinary teaching hospital.

Animals

Forty client‐owned bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy.

Interventions

Dogs were randomly assigned to be ventilated with 100% oxygen using PCV (n = 20) or VCV (n = 20). The respiratory rate was 20/min and positive end‐expiratory pressure (PEEP) was 5 cm H2O, with a tidal volume of 10 mL/kg. Cardiac output (CO) was measured using thermodilution. Cardiopulmonary and blood gas data were obtained during spontaneous ventilation and after 30 (T30) and 60 minutes (T60) of controlled ventilation.

Measurements and Main Results

In dogs ventilated with PCV, at T30 and T60, PIP was lower (11.4 ± 1.9 and 11.1 ± 1.5 cm H2O, respectively) and static compliance (CST) was higher (51 ± 7 and 56 ± 6 mL/cm H2O, respectively) than in VCV group (PIP of 14.3 ± 1.3 and 15.5 ± 1.4 cm H2O; CST of 34 ± 8 and 33 ± 9 mL/cm H2O, P < 0.0001). Compared with spontaneous ventilation, both groups had decreased alveolar‐arterial oxygen difference at T30 and T60 (PCV: 128 ± 32 mm Hg vs 108 ± 20 and 104 ± 16 mm Hg, respectively; VCV: 131 ± 38 mm Hg vs 109 ± 19 and 107 ± 14 mm Hg, respectively; P < 0.01), while CO was maintained at all time points.

Conclusions

Compared to spontaneous ventilation, both ventilatory modes effectively improved gas exchange without hemodynamic impairment. PCV resulted in higher lung CST and lower PIP compared to VCV.
Contribuciones de la institución educativa al postconflicto: Humanizarte, una propuesta pedagógica para la construcc ión de paz
Authors: Echavarria Grajales Carlos Valerio , Bernal Ospina Julián , Murcia Suárez Niky Alexander , González Meléndez Lorena , Castro Beltrán Leyder Alonso
Published: May 2016

Este artículo propone asumir la construcción de paz intrínsecamente
relacionada con la constitución de un sujeto político y el fortalecimiento
del ejercicio ciudadano de los actores. Las metodologías son cartografías
sociales, entrevistas a profundidad y grupos focales. Un hallazgo es la
necesidad de discutir la construcción de paz en relación con las virtudes
públicas y el ejercicio ciudadano desde los derechos. Se concluye que
la construcción de paz está relacionada con la transformación de imaginarios
sociales, el desarrollo de capacidades y la implementación de
pedagogías para la humanización, de lo cual se diseña la propuesta de
formación política Humanizarte a ser implementada y validada.
Enhanced Experimental Testing of New Erosion-Resistant Compressor Blade Coatings
Authors: Leithead Sean G. , Allan William D. E. , Zhao Linruo , Yang Qi
Published: May 2016

Performance differences between bare 17-4PH steel V103 profile (NACA 6505 with rounded leading edge (LE) and trailing edge (TE)) gas turbine engine axial compressor blades, and those coated with either a chromium-aluminum-titanium nitride (CrAlTiN) or a titanium-aluminum nitride (TixAl1−xN) erosion-resistant coating were tested. A coating thickness of 16 μm was used, based on experimental results in the literature. Coatings were applied using arc physical vapor deposition at the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). All blades were tested under identical operating conditions in the Royal Military College of Canada (RMC) turbomachinery erosion rig. Based on a realism factor (RF) defined by the authors, this experimental rig was determined to provide the best known approximation to actual compressor blade erosion in aircraft gas turbine engine axial compressors. An average brown-out erosive media concentration of 4.9 g/m3 of air was used during testing. An overall defined Leithead–Allan–Zhao (LAZ) score metric, based on mass and blade dimension changes, compared the erosion-resistant performance of the bare and coated blades. Blade surface roughness data were also obtained. Based on the LAZ Score, CrAlTiN-coated blades performed at least 79% better than bare blades, and TixAl1−xN-coated blades performed at least 93% better than bare blades. The TixAl1−xN-coated blades performed at least 33% better than the CrAlTiN-coated blades. Extrapolation of results predicted that a V-22 Osprey tiltrotor military aircraft, for example, could fly up to 79 more missions with TixAl1−xN-coated compressor blades in brown-out sand concentrations than with uncoated blades.
Structure and Management of an Engineering Senior Design Course
Authors: Tanaka Martin L. , Fischer Kenneth J.
Published: May 2016

The design of products and processes is an important area in engineering. Students in engineering schools learn fundamental principles in their courses but often lack an opportunity to apply these methods to real-world problems until their senior year. This article describes important elements that should be incorporated into a senior capstone design course. It includes a description of the general principles used in engineering design and a discussion of why students often have difficulty with application and revert to trial and error methods. The structure of a properly designed capstone course is dissected and its individual components are evaluated. Major components include assessing resources, identifying projects, establishing teams, understanding requirements, developing conceptual designs, creating detailed designs, building prototypes, testing performance, and final presentations. In addition to the course design, team management and effective mentoring are critical to success. This article includes suggested guidelines and tips for effective design team leadership, attention to detail, investment of time, and managing project scope. Furthermore, the importance of understanding business culture, displaying professionalism, and considerations of different types of senior projects is discussed. Through a well-designed course and proper mentoring, students will learn to apply their engineering skills and gain basic business knowledge that will prepare them for entry-level positions in industry.
Modeling of a Refrigerator in Disaster Vehicle, Using Solar Energy and Engine Exhaust Gases Heat
Authors: Derakhshan Shahram , Yazdani Alireza
Published: May 2016

In critical situations such as floods and earthquakes, the relief forces require a refrigeration for pharmaceuticals and vaccines, which could operate without an electrical energy and the alternative energies, such as solar energy, engine exhaust gases heat, and wind energy. In this paper, a refrigeration cycle has been modeled as an adsorption refrigeration cycle with an activated carbon/methanol as adsorbent/adsorbate pair and two sources of energy—solar energy and engine exhaust gases heat. The solar cycle had a collector with area of 1 m2 and the exhaust gas cycle included a heat exchanger with 100 °C temperature difference between inlet and outlet gases. The temperature profile in adsorbent bed, evaporator, and condenser was obtained from modeling. Moreover, the pressure profile, overall heat transfer coefficient of collector and adsorbent bed, concentration, and the solar radiation were reported. Results represented the coefficient of performance (COP) of 0.55, 0.2, and 0.56 for complete system, solar adsorption refrigeration, and exhaust heat adsorption refrigeration, respectively. In addition, exhaust heat adsorption refrigeration has a value of 2.48 of specific cooling power (SCP). These results bring out a good performance of the proposed model in the climate of Iran.
Experimental Study on In-Cylinder Pressure Oscillations of Homogenous Charge Compression Ignition–Direct Injection Combustion Engine Fueled With Dimethyl Ether
Authors: Hou Junxing , Liu Jianwei , Wei Yongqiang , Jiang Zhiqiang
Published: May 2016

The in-cylinder pressure oscillations of a homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI)-DI engine fueled with dimethyl ether (DME) have been investigated using discrete wavelet transform (DWT) based on four different wavelet functions. The in-cylinder pressure is decomposed into three levels that contain three details D1, D2, and D3, and an approximation A1. In normal combustion, there are no obvious pressure impacts in three details due to smooth combustion process. The abnormal pressure oscillations occur in three details in knocking combustion, and the oscillation is most intense in D1. Its frequency band 5–10 kHz is the knock frequency band, and most high-frequency pressure oscillations and wavelet energy are in this frequency band. The pressure oscillations are located in the premixed combustion stage and diffusion combustion stage. Characteristics of in-cylinder pressure oscillations can be extracted using four wavelet functions “db4,” “db8,” “sym4,” and “sym8.” Extract abilities of four wavelet functions are different and wavelet db4 is suitable for pressure oscillation detection.
Products and Pathways of Aldehydes Oxidation in the Negative Temperature Coefficient Region
Authors: Barari Ghazal , Koroglu Batikan , Masunov Artëm E. , Vasu Subith
Published: May 2016

Aldehydes are major intermediates in oxidation and pyrolysis of hydrocarbons and particularly biofuels. While the high temperature oxidation chemistry of C3–C5 aldehydes have been studied in the literature, a comprehensive low temperature kinetics remains unaddressed. In this work, acetaldehyde, propanal, and 2-propenal (acrolein) oxidation was investigated at low-temperature combustion condition (500–700 K). The isomer-specific product concentrations as well as the time-resolved profiles were studied using Sandia's multiplexed photoionization mass spectroscopy (MPIMS) with synchrotron radiation from the advanced light source (ALS). The laser-pulsed photolysis generates chlorine atoms which react with aldehydes to form the parent radicals. In the presence of excess oxygen, these radicals react with O2 and form RO2 radicals. The temperature-dependent product yields are determined for 500 K to 700 K and the competition between the channels contributing to the formation of each product is discussed. In acetaldehyde oxidation, the formation of the main products is associated with HO2 elimination channel from QOOH or direct H atom elimination from the parent radicals. In propanal oxidation, the most intensive signal peak was associated with acetaldehyde (m/z = 44) which was formed through the reaction of α′-R with O2.The α′-RO2 intermediate decomposes to acetaldehyde+OH+CO via Waddington mechanism and formation of five-member ring transition state. In 2-propenal oxidation, the unsaturated radical produced from α-R reacts with O2 to form the primary products.
He plasma pretreatment of organic masking materials for performance improvement during pattern transfer by plasma etching
Authors: Metzler Dominik , Weilnboeck Florian , Engelmann Sebastian , Bruce Robert L. , Oehrlein Gottlieb S.
Published: May 2016

Previous work on 193 nm photoresist (PR) material has shown that a significant improvement of pattern transfer performance can be obtained by applying a helium plasma pretreatment (PPT) prior to the pattern transfer plasma etching step [Weilnboeck et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 99, 261501 (2011)]. This work explores whether this PPT is applicable to other organic masking materials commonly employed in resist multilayer masking schemes. The materials investigated include an antireflection coating, a thermally activated hard mask, a near frictionless carbon similar to a 248 nm PR, and an extreme ultraviolet resist. These materials have substantially different ultraviolet/vacuum ultraviolet sensitivity among each other and relative to 193 nm PR. The authors find that the surface roughness seen after a combination of helium PPT and Ar plasma main etching step is either the same or increased slightly relative to a single Ar main etching step, in contrast to 193 nm PR materials. The fragile adamantane group removed during PPT from 193 nm PR is absent for these materials. This indicates that the He PPT efficacy and improved pattern transfer performance is specific to adamantane containing resists.
Spatial and rotational quality assurance of 6DOF patient tracking systems
Authors: Belcher Andrew H. , Liu Xinmin , Grelewicz Zachary , Wiersma Rodney D.
Published: May 2016

Purpose:

External tracking systems used for patient positioning and motion monitoring during radiotherapy are now capable of detecting both translations and rotations. In this work, the authors develop a novel technique to evaluate the 6 degree of freedom 6(DOF) (translations and rotations) performance of external motion tracking systems. The authors apply this methodology to an infrared marker tracking system and two 3D optical surface mapping systems in a common tumor 6DOF workspace.

Methods:

An in‐house designed and built 6DOF parallel kinematics robotic motion phantom was used to perform motions with sub‐millimeter and subdegree accuracy in a 6DOF workspace. An infrared marker tracking system was first used to validate a calibration algorithm which associates the motion phantom coordinate frame to the camera frame. The 6DOF positions of the mobile robotic system in this space were then tracked and recorded independently by an optical surface tracking system after a cranial phantom was rigidly fixed to the moveable platform of the robotic stage. The calibration methodology was first employed, followed by a comprehensive 6DOF trajectory evaluation, which spanned a full range of positions and orientations in a 20 × 20 × 16 mm and 5° × 5° × 5° workspace. The intended input motions were compared to the calibrated 6DOF measured points.

Results:

The technique found the accuracy of the infrared (IR) marker tracking system to have maximal root‐mean square error (RMSE) values of 0.18, 0.25, 0.07 mm, 0.05°, 0.05°, and 0.09° in left–right (LR), superior–inferior (SI), anterior–posterior (AP), pitch, roll, and yaw, respectively, comparing the intended 6DOF position and the measured position by the IR camera. Similarly, the 6DOF RSME discrepancy for the HD optical surface tracker yielded maximal values of 0.46, 0.60, 0.54 mm, 0.06°, 0.11°, and 0.08° in LR, SI, AP, pitch, roll, and yaw, respectively, over the same 6DOF evaluative workspace. An earlier generation 3D optical surface tracking unit was observed to have worse tracking capabilities than both the IR camera unit and the newer 3D surface tracking system with maximal RMSE of 0.69, 0.74, 0.47 mm, 0.28°, 0.19°, and 0.18°, in LR, SI, AP, pitch, roll, and yaw, respectively, in the same 6DOF evaluation space.

Conclusions:

The proposed technique was found to be effective at evaluating the performance of 6DOF patient tracking systems. All observed optical tracking systems were found to exhibit tracking capabilities at the sub‐millimeter and subdegree level within a 6DOF workspace.
The multiple contributions of interaural differences to improved speech intelligibility in multitalker scenarios
Authors: Schoenmaker Esther , Brand Thomas , van de Par Steven
Published: May 2016

Spatial separation of talkers is known to improve speech intelligibility in a multitalker scenario. A contribution of binaural unmasking, in addition to a better-ear effect, is usually considered to account for this advantage. Binaural unmasking is assumed to result from the spectro-temporally simultaneous presence of target and masker energy with different interaural properties. However, in the case of speech targets and speech interference, the spectro-temporal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) fluctuates strongly, resulting in audible and localizable glimpses of target speech even at adverse global SNRs. The disparate interaural properties of target and masker may thus lead to improved segregation without requiring simultaneity. This study addresses the binaural contribution to spatial release from masking due to simultaneous disparities in interaural cues between target and interferers. For that purpose stimuli were designed that lacked simultaneously occurring disparities, but yielded a percept of spatially separated speech nearly indistinguishable from that of non-modified stimuli. A phoneme recognition experiment with either three collocated or spatially separated talkers showed a substantial spatial release from masking for the modified stimuli. The results suggest that binaural unmasking made a minor contribution to spatial release from masking, and that rather the interaural cues mediated by dominant speech components were essential.
A meshless method for unbounded acoustic problems
Authors: Shojaei Arman , Boroomand Bijan , Soleimanifar Ehsan
Published: May 2016

In this paper an effective meshless method is proposed to solve time-harmonic acoustic problems defined on unbounded domains. To this end, the near field is discretized by a set of nodes and the far field effect is taken into account by considering radiative boundary conditions. The approximation within the near field is performed using a set of local residual-free basis functions defined on a series of finite clouds. For considering the far field effect, a series of infinite clouds are defined on which another set of residual-free bases, satisfying the radiation conditions, are considered for the approximation. Validation of the results is performed through solving some acoustic problems.