bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum lipid expression correlates with function and regeneration following living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Wolf Joshua H. , Holmes Michael V. , Fouraschen Suomi , Keating Brendan J. , Baker Talia , Emond Jean , Rader Daniel J. , Shaked Abraham , Olthoff Kim M.
Published: July 2015

Following living donor liver transplantation (LDLT; and unlike deceased donor liver transplantation [DDLT]), the liver must rapidly regenerate, and sometimes segmental graft dysfunction (SGD) is observed. Hepatic regeneration requires substantial de novo lipid synthesis, and we previously reported that expression of lipid‐related genes is dysregulated in LDLT. Here, we compare serum lipid measurements in 41 LDLT recipients and 43 DDLT recipients at baseline and at serial posttransplant time points. In addition, we examined whether serum lipid/apolipoprotein (apo) levels correlate with the degree of liver regeneration (measured using percent volume increase [%VI] at 3 months) or SGD in LDLT recipients. In contrast to DDLT, lipid levels declined early after LDLT but returned to baseline by 30 days. The odds ratio (OR) for achieving robust regeneration (>90 %VI) was 2.53 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15‐5.52) for every 1 mg/dL increase in serum apoE at 30 days. The OR of SGD for every year increase in donor age was 1.19 (95% CI, 1.02‐1.39), and 0.61 for every 1 mg/dL increase in serum high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol at 7 days (95% CI, 0.34‐1.11). No associations were detected between preoperative serum lipids/apos in LDLT donors and SGD or %VI in recipients. In conclusion, we suggest that initiation of regeneration prevents the liver from participating fully in lipid transport and metabolism. Inability to meet systemic metabolic needs may result in compromised liver function and SGD. Certain serum lipid concentrations correlate with extent of liver regeneration and function. Liver Transpl 22:103‐110, 2016. © 2015 AASLD.
Study on Self‐Assembled Well‐Defined PEG Graft Copolymers as Efficient Drug‐Loaded Nanoparticles for Anti‐Inflammatory Therapy
Authors: Maksym‐Bębenek Paulina , Neugebauer Dorota
Published: July 2015

The core‐shell micelles in aqueous solutions were prepared at low CAC values (<0.1 mg · mL−1) from amphiphilic graft copolymers consisting of poly(methyl methacrylate) backbone (120–165 units) with loosely grafted (17–40%) hydroxyl‐capped PEG (9 vs 6 units in side chain) for drug loading. Hydrophobic indomethacin (IMC) was loaded into the micelles with content of 22–88%. Hydrodynamic diameters of particles were ranged in 110–200 nm. In vitro release experiments at various pH indicated faster releasing of IMC at pH 7.4 than that at pH 5.0. The studies on micellization, drug loading and release profiles verified the cumulative influence of hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance, degree of grafting, length of PEG side chains giving advantages in macromolecular design of nanocarriers in drug delivery.
Could burning fat start with a brite spark? Pharmacological and nutritional ways to promote thermogenesis
Authors: Merlin Jon , Evans Bronwyn A. , Dehvari Nodi , Sato Masaaki , Bengtsson Tore , Hutchinson Dana S.
Published: July 2015

There are two types of adipose tissue with distinct functions—white adipose tissue stores chemical energy as triglycerides, whereas brown adipose tissue consumes energy and releases heat (thermogenesis) in response to sympathetic nerve activity. In humans, treatments that promote greater brown adipose tissue deposition and/or activity would be highly beneficial in regimes aimed at reducing obesity. Adult humans have restricted populations of prototypical brown adipocytes in the neck and chest areas, but recent advances have established that adipocytes with similar properties, termed “brite” adipocytes, can be recruited in subcutaneous depots thought to be primarily white adipose tissue. These brite adipocytes express the protein machinery required for thermogenesis, but to assess brite adipocytes as viable therapeutic targets we need to understand how to promote conversion of white adipocytes to brite adipocytes and ways to increase optimal energy consumption and thermogenesis in these brite adipocytes. This can be accomplished by pharmacological and nutritional therapies to differing degrees, as reviewed in detail here.
Lack of protein kinase C‐delta (PKCδ) disrupts fertilization and embryonic development
Authors: Ma Wei , Baumann Claudia , Viveiros Maria M.
Published: July 2015

This study tested the function of protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) during fertilization and embryonic development using gene‐knockout (Prkcd−/−) mice. Fertility analysis revealed that Prkcd−/− mating pairs produce significantly fewer pups per litter than wild‐type pairs (P < 0.05), and exhibit a high incidence of embryonic loss post‐implantation. Both Prkcd−/− male as well as Prkcd−/− female mice mated to Prkcd+/+ controls also showed reduced litter sizes, with a selective loss of Prkcd‐null pups. Further analysis of the females demonstrated comparable in vitro fertilization outcomes between control and Prkcd−/− oocytes fertilized with wild‐type sperm. Pregnant Prkcd−/− females, however, exhibited a reduced number of total implantations, suggesting a possible disruption in early embryo quality and/or implantation. In turn, male gamete analysis revealed that Prkcd−/− sperm demonstrated a decreased capacity to penetrate the zona pellucida (P < 0.05), necessary for successful fertilization. Moreover, we identified phosphorylated PKCδ as a component of the sperm acrosome, indicating a potential role for this kinase in acrosome exocytosis. Therefore, loss of PKCδ disrupts key reproductive functions in both males and females that limit fertility. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 82: 797–808, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Randomized, placebo‐controlled trial of incobotulinumtoxina for upper‐limb post‐stroke spasticity
Authors: Elovic Elie Paul , Munin Michael C. , Kaňovský Petr , Hanschmann Angelika , Hiersemenzel Reinhard , Marciniak Christina
Published: July 2015

Introduction: Efficacy and safety of incobotulinumtoxinA in post‐stroke upper‐limb spasticity were studied. Methods: Subjects randomized 2:1 to incobotulinumtoxinA (fixed dose 400 U) or placebo, with fixed doses for the primary target clinical pattern (PTCP; flexed elbow, 200 U; flexed wrist, 150 U; clenched fist, 100 U). Doses for non‐primary patterns were flexible within predefined ranges. Results: At week 4, incobotulinumtoxinA led to larger improvements in PTCP Ashworth scale (AS) scores than placebo [least‐squares mean change ± standard error: –0.9 ± 0.06 (n = 171) vs. –0.5 ± 0.08 (n = 88); P < 0.001], and more subjects were PTCP AS responders (≥1‐point improvement) with incobotulinumtoxinA (69.6%) than with placebo (37.5%; P < 0.001). Investigator's Global Impression of Change confirmed superiority of incobotulinumtoxinA vs. placebo (P = 0.003). IncobotulinumtoxinA was associated with functional improvements, as demonstrated in responder rates for Disability Assessment Scale principal target at week 4 (P = 0.007). Adverse events were mainly mild/moderate, and were reported by 22.4% (incobotulinumtoxinA) and 16.8% (placebo) of subjects. Conclusions: IncobotulinumtoxinA significantly improved upper‐limb spasticity and associated disability, and was well‐tolerated. Muscle Nerve 53: 415–421, 2016
Reduced skeletal muscle quantity and quality in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy assessed by magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Moore Colin W. , Allen Matti D. , Kimpinski Kurt , Doherty Timothy J. , Rice Charles L.
Published: July 2015

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine whether diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is associated with reduced muscle quality using MRI. Methods: MRIs of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle were recorded from 9 individuals (5 men) with DPN (∼65 years) and 8 (4 men) age‐ and gender‐matched controls. A magnetization transfer ratio (MTR) and T2 relaxation times of the TA were calculated. Results: Despite equal voluntary activation, the DPN group was ∼37% weaker than controls, with a significantly lower proportion (∼8%) of contractile tissue and lower MTR (0.28 ± 0.03 vs. 0.32 ± 0.02 percent units). T2 relaxation time was significantly longer in the DPN group (77 ± 16 ms) compared with controls (63 ± 6 ms). Conclusions: These findings indicate a reduction in the structural integrity and myocellular protein density in the TA of those with DPN. Thus, muscle weakness in DPN is likely due to both a loss of muscle mass and a reduction in contractile quality. Muscle Nerve 53: 726–732, 2016
Magnetic stimulation supports muscle and nerve regeneration after trauma in mice
Authors: StÖlting Meline N.L. , Arnold Anne Sophie , Haralampieva Deana , Handschin Christoph , Sulser Tullio , Eberli Daniel
Published: July 2015

Introduction: Magnetic stimulation (MS) has the ability to induce muscle twitch and has long been proposed as a therapeutic modality for skeletal muscle diseases. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its means of action have not been defined. Methods: Muscle regeneration after trauma was studied in a standard muscle injury mouse model. The influence of MS on the formation of motor units, posttrauma muscle/nerve regeneration, and vascularization was investigated. Results: We found that MS does not cause systemic or muscle damage but improves muscle regeneration by significantly minimizing the presence of inflammatory infiltrate and formation of scars after trauma. It avoids posttrauma muscle atrophy, induces muscle hypertrophy, and increases the metabolism and turnover of muscle. It triples the expression of muscle markers and significantly improves muscle functional recovery after trauma. Conclusions: Our results indicate that MS supports muscle and nerve regeneration by activating muscle–nerve cross‐talk and inducing the maturation of neuromuscular junctions. Muscle Nerve 53: 598–607, 2016
Ultrasound combined with electrodiagnosis improves lesion localization and outcome in posterior interosseous neuropathy
Authors: Wininger Yevgeniya Dvorkin , Buckalew Neilly A. , Kaufmann Robert A. , Munin Michael C.
Published: July 2015

Introduction: Posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) syndrome is a rare compression neuropathy. Electrodiagnostic studies (EDx) combined with neuromuscular ultrasound (US) enable precise lesion localization and may improve patient outcome. Methods: In 4 patients with finger extension weakness, US was used to accurately localize concentric electromyographic (EMG) needle placement in PIN muscles and to visualize the lesion site. Results: EMG with US guidance showed decreased recruitment with abnormal configuration in PIN muscles. Active denervation was not always observed. US scanning demonstrated larger PIN diameter in the affected arm. All patients had surgical intervention to confirm EDx and US findings and had improved outcome on follow‐up. Conclusion: These cases demonstrate the benefits of augmenting EDx with US by guiding accurate electrode localization and providing diagnostic information about lesion location. Muscle Nerve 52: 1117–1121, 2015
Mapping hydraulic fractures from tiltmeter data using the ensemble Kalman filter
Authors: Pandurangan Venkataraman , Chen Zuorong , Jeffrey Robert G.
Published: July 2015

Hydraulic fracturing involves the initiation and propagation of fractures in rock formations by the injection of pressurized fluid. The largest use of hydraulic fracturing is in enhancing oil and gas production. Tiltmeters are sometimes used in the process to monitor the generated fracture geometry by measuring the fracture‐induced deformations. Fracture growth parameters obtained from tiltmeter mapping can be used to study the effectiveness of such stimulations. In this work, we present a novel scheme that uses the ensemble Kalman Filter (EnKF) to assimilate tiltmeter data using a simple process model to describe the evolution of fracture growth parameters, and an observation model that maps the fracture geometry with the observed tilt. The forward observation model is based on the analytical solution for computing the displacements and tilts due to a point source displacement discontinuity in an elastic half‐space developed by Okada . The displacement and tilts for any given fracture geometry are then obtained by numerical integration of this solution, by considering multiple point sources to be located at the quadrature points. The proposed method is validated using synthetic data sets generated from polygon and elliptical shaped fracture geometries. Finally, real data from a field site, where asymmetry was measured from the intersections of the hydraulic fracture with offset boreholes, have been analyzed. Preliminary results show that, in addition to extracting the fracture dip, orientation, and volume, the procedure is able to satisfactorily predict fracture growth parameters when the fracture is relatively close to the tiltmeter array and provides some insight into the development of asymmetry when the measurements are relatively far from the fracture plane. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detecting malicious activities with user‐agent‐based profiles
Authors: Zhang Yang , Mekky Hesham , Zhang Zhi‐Li , Torres Ruben , Lee Sung‐Ju , Tongaonkar Alok , Mellia Marco
Published: July 2015

Hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) has become the main protocol to carry out malicious activities. Attackers typically use HTTP for communication with command‐and‐control servers, click fraud, phishing and other malicious activities, as they can easily hide among the large amount of benign HTTP traffic. The user‐agent (UA) field in the HTTP header carries information on the application, operating system (OS), device, and so on, and adversaries fake UA strings as a way to evade detection. Motivated by this, we propose a novel grammar‐guided UA string classification method in HTTP flows. We leverage the fact that a number of ‘standard’ applications, such as web browsers and iOS mobile apps, have well‐defined syntaxes that can be specified using context‐free grammars, and we extract OS, device and other relevant information from them. We develop association heuristics to classify UA strings that are generated by ‘non‐standard’ applications that do not contain OS or device information. We provide a proof‐of‐concept system that demonstrates how our approach can be used to identify malicious applications that generate fake UA strings to engage in fraudulent activities. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Critical nodes for distance‐based connectivity and related problems in graphs
Authors: Veremyev Alexander , Prokopyev Oleg A. , Pasiliao Eduardo L.
Published: July 2015

This study considers a class of critical node detection problems that involves minimization of a distance‐based connectivity measure of a given unweighted graph via the removal of a subset of nodes (referred to as critical nodes) subject to a budgetary constraint. The distance‐based connectivity measure of a graph is assumed to be a function of the actual pairwise distances between nodes in the remaining graph (e.g., graph efficiency, Harary index, characteristic path length, residual closeness) rather than simply whether nodes are connected or not, a typical assumption in the literature. We derive linear integer programming (IP) formulations, along with additional enhancements, aimed at improving the performance of standard solvers. For handling larger instances, we develop an effective exact algorithm that iteratively solves a series of simpler IPs to obtain an optimal solution for the original problem. The edge‐weighted generalization is also considered, which results in some interesting implications for distance‐based clique relaxations, namely, ‐clubs. Finally, we conduct extensive computational experiments with real‐world and randomly generated network instances under various settings that reveal interesting insights and demonstrate the advantages and limitations of the proposed approach. In particular, one important conclusion of our work is that vulnerability of real‐world networks to targeted attacks can be significantly more pronounced than what can be estimated by centrality‐based heuristic methods commonly used in the literature. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 66(3), 170–195 2015
Analysis on low velocity impact damage of laminated composites toughened by structural toughening layer
Authors: Sun Xiaochen , Qu Peng , Liu Gang , Yi Xiaosu , Su Hao , Jia Yuxi
Published: July 2015

The intralaminar and interlaminar damages of U3160/3266 laminated composites toughened by polyamide nonwoven fabric (PNF) under low velocity impact are investigated through a numerical model which considers both the three‐dimensional continuum damage mechanics (CDM) and the bilinear cohesive zone model (CZM). The analysis of the intralaminar damage is implemented by the ABAQUS/Explicit finite element code coupled with a user‐defined subroutine VUMAT where the longitudinal failure, transverse matrix cracking, and nonlinear shear of the material are taken into account. Then the effects of the thickness and strength of PNF/3266 interlayer on the damage of composites are numerically analyzed. The results reveal that damage morphology can be simulated qualitatively compared to the experimental counterparts. With the decreasing interlayer thickness or the increasing interlayer strength, the damage area is effectively reduced. This work provides an effective model to predict the low velocity impact damage of composites, and is helpful for the optimization of interlayer toughened composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:1280–1291, 2017. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers
Absolute quantification of dengue virus serotype 4 chimera vaccine candidate in Vero cell culture by targeted mass spectrometry
Authors: Rougemont Blandine , Simon Romain , Carrière Romain , Biarc Jordane , Fonbonne Catherine , Salvador Arnaud , Huillet Céline , Berard Yves , Adam Olivier , Manin Catherine , Lemoine Jérôme
Published: July 2015

Infection by dengue flavivirus is transmitted by mosquitoes and affects tens to hundreds of millions people around the world each year. Four serotypes have been described, all of which cause similar disease. Currently, there no approved vaccines or specific therapeutics for dengue, although several vaccine prototypes are in different stages of clinical development. Among them, a chimeric vaccine, built from the replication machinery of the yellow fever 17D virus, has shown promising results in phase III trials. Accurate quantitation of expressed viral particles in alive attenuated viral antigen vaccine is essential and determination of infectious titer is usually the method of choice. The current paper describes an alternative or orthogonal strategy, namely, a multiplexed and absolute assay of four proteins of the chimera yellow fever/dengue serotype 4 virus using targeted MS in SRM mode. Over 1 month, variability of the assay using a partially purified Vero cell extract was between 8 and 17%, and accuracy was between 80 and 120%. In addition, the assay was linear between 6.25 and 200 nmol/L and could therefore be used in the near future to quantify dengue virus type 4 during production and purification from Vero cells.
Saliva proteome profiling reveals potential salivary biomarkers for detection of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wu Chih‐Ching , Chu Hao‐Wei , Hsu Chia‐Wei , Chang Kai‐Ping , Liu Hao‐Ping
Published: July 2015

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is frequently associated with poor prognosis and mortality, is a leading cause of cancer‐related death worldwide. Discovery of body fluid accessible biomarkers is needed to improve OSCC screening. To this end, we profiled proteomes of saliva from the healthy volunteers, the individuals with oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), and the OSCC patients by means of SDS‐PAGE coupled with LC‐MS/MS. In the control, the OPMD, and the OSCC groups, 958, 845, and 1030 salivary proteins were detected, respectively. With spectral counting‐based label‐free quantification, 22 overexpressed salivary proteins were identified in the OSCC group compared with the healthy controls and the OPMD individuals. Among them, resistin (RETN) was subjected to further validation with an independent cohort using ELISA. The data confirmed that the salivary RETN levels in the OSCC patients were significantly higher than that in the healthy or in the OPMD group. Moreover, the elevated levels of salivary RETN were highly correlated with late‐stage primary tumors, advanced overall stage, and lymph‐node metastasis. Our results not only reveal that profiling of saliva proteome is feasible for discovery of OSCC biomarkers, but also identify RETN as a potential salivary biomarker for OSCC detection.
Metformin effects on biochemical recurrence and metabolic signaling in the prostate
Authors: Winters Brian , Plymate Stephen , Zeliadt Steven B. , Holt Sarah , Zhang Xiaotun , Hu Elaine , Lin Daniel W. , Morrissey Colm , Wooldridge Bryan , Gore John L. , Porter Michael P. , Wright Jonathan L.
Published: July 2015

Background

Metformin has received considerable attention as a potential anti‐cancer agent. Animal and in‐vitro prostate cancer (PCa) models have demonstrated decreased tumor growth with metformin, however the precise mechanisms are unknown. We examine the effects of metformin on PCa biochemical recurrence (BCR) in a large clinical database followed by evaluating metabolic signaling changes in a cohort of men undergoing prostate needle biopsy (PNB).

Methods

Men treated for localized PCa were identified in a comprehensive clinical database between 2001 and 2010. Cox regression was performed to determine association with BCR relative to metformin use. We next identified a separate case‐control cohort of men undergoing prostate needle biopsy (PNB) stratified by metformin use. Differences in mean IHC scores were compared with linear regression for phosphorylated IR, IGF‐IR, AKT, and AMPK.

Results

One thousand seven hundred and thirty four men were evaluated for BCR with mean follow up of 41 months (range 1–121 months). “Ever” metformin use was not associated with BCR (HR 1.12, 0.77–1.65), however men reporting both pre/post‐treatment metformin use had a 45% reduction in BCR (HR = 0.55 (0.31–0.96)). For the tissue‐based study, 48 metformin users and 42 controls underwent PNB. Significantly greater staining in phosphorylated nuclear (p‐IR, p‐AKT) and cytoplasmic (p‐IR, p‐IGF‐1R) insulin signaling proteins were seen in patients with PCa detected compared to those with negative PNB (P‐values all <0.006). When stratified by metformin use, IGF‐1R remained significantly elevated (P = 0.01) in men with PCa detected whereas p‐AMPK (P = 0.05) was elevated only in those without PCa.

Conclusion

Metformin use is associated with reduced BCR after treatment of localized PCa when considering pre‐diagnostic and cumulative dosing. In men with cancer detected on PNB, insulin signaling markers were significantly elevated compared to negative PNB patients. The finding of IGF‐1R elevation in positive PNBs versus p‐AMPK elevation in negative PNBs suggests altered metabolic pathway activation precipitated by metformin use. Prostate 75:1694–1703, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Exploring retailers' ordering decisions under delays
Authors: Villa Sebastián , Gonçalves Paulo , Arango Santiago
Published: July 2015

When final customer demand exceeds available supply, retailers often hedge against shortages by inflating orders to their suppliers. While this amplification in orders is clearly described in the literature, there is little experimental research quantifying the factors influencing these amplifications. We use an experiment to test subjects’ ordering decisions under different ordering and supplier's capacity acquisition delays. Subjects in the experiment display limited ability to process the impact of delays and feedback. The order trajectories follow a pattern of overshoot and subsequent undershoot until reaching an equilibrium. However, the initial overshoot is less intense and lasts longer than the optimal behavior, when subjects face longer delays. In addition, subjects inflate their orders when the supplier faces longer capacity acquisition delays and when orders take longer to be perceived by the supplier. Econometric estimates show that the proposed anchoring and adjustment heuristic is a possible heuristic for explaining subjects’ ordering behavior. Copyright © 2015 System Dynamics Society
Error adjustments for file linking methods using encrypted unique client identifier (eUCI) with application to recently released prisoners who are HIV+
Authors: Gutman R. , Sammartino C.J. , Green T.C. , Montague B.T.
Published: July 2015

Incarceration provides an opportunity to test for HIV, provide treatment such as highly active anti‐retroviral therapy, as well as link infected persons to comprehensive HIV care upon their release. A key factor in assessing the success of a program that links released individuals to care is the time from release to receiving care in the community (linkage time). To estimate the linkage time, records from correction systems are linked to Ryan White Clinic data using encrypted Unique Client Identifier (eUCI). Most of the records that were linked using eUCI belong to the same individual; however, in some cases, it may link records incorrectly, or not identify records that should have been linked. We propose a Bayesian procedure that relies on the relationships between variables that appear in either of the data sources, as well as variables that exists in both to identify correctly linked records among all linked records. The procedure generates K datasets in which each pair of linked records is identified as a true link or a false link. The K datasets are analyzed independently, and the results are combined using Rubin's multiple imputation rules. A small validation dataset is used to examine different statistical models and to inform the prior distributions of the parameters. In comparison with previously proposed methods, the proposed method utilizes all of the available data and is both flexible and computationally efficient. In addition, this approach can be applied in other file linking applications. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ice detection on wind turbines using the observed power curve
Authors: Davis Neil N. , Byrkjedal Øyvind , Hahmann Andrea N. , Clausen Niels‐Erik , Žagar Mark
Published: July 2015

Icing on the blades of a wind turbine can lead to significant production losses during the winter months for wind parks in cold climate regions. However, there is no standard way of identifying ice‐induced power loss. This paper describes three methods for creating power threshold curves that can be used to separate iced production periods from non‐iced production periods. The first approach relies on a percentage deviation from the manufacturer's power curve. The other two approaches fit threshold curves based on the observed variance of non‐iced production data. These approaches are applied to turbines in four wind parks and compared with each other and to observations of icing on the nacelle of one of the turbines in each park. It is found that setting an ice threshold curve using 0.1 quantile of the observed power data during normal operation with a 2‐h minimum duration is the best approach for icing identification. The quantile should be fit based on at least 1year of data, and a smoothing function should be applied to the quantile results to remove any outliers caused by limited numbers of data points. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Distal Enteral Feeding Helps Blood Sugar Control in Pancreatectomized Patients
Authors: Wu Jin‐Ming , Yang Ching‐Yao , Kuo Ting‐Chun , Lai Hong‐Shiee , Chiang Pin‐Yi , Hsieh Su‐Hua , Tien Yu‐Wen
Published: July 2015

Background

The change in the route of food passage after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is quite similar to the change after gastric bypass surgery; both procedures bypass the duodenum and directly connect to the distal jejunum. Moreover, both procedures result in resolution of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, more distal enteral anastomosis after PD may further improve glycemic status.

Methods

To test the effect of distal enteral feeding on glucose metabolism in patients after PD, we performed a meal test on 20 patients via a nasogastric tube [proximal feeding group (PFG)] on post‐operative day 5 and then via an intra‐operatively placed jejunostomy feeding tube [distal feeding group (DFG)] on post‐operative day. Blood samples were assessed for hormones and glucose.

Results

The AUC0–120 min levels of GLP‐1, C‐peptide, and insulin after distal feeding were significantly higher than after proximal feeding. The AUC0–120 min levels of glucose in the DFG were significantly lower than in the PFG.

Conclusions

More distal enteral feeding contributed to better glucose metabolism after PD.
A constructive approach to positive solutions of Δpu + f(u,∇u)≤0 on Riemannian manifolds
Authors: Wang Yuzhao , Xiao Jie
Published: July 2015

Grigor'yan–Sun in [6] (with

p = 2

) and Sun in [10] (with

p > 1

) proved that if

\sup_{r \gg 1}⁡\mathrm{vol}(B(x_{0},r))r^{\frac{p\sigma }{p−\sigma −1}}(\mathrm{\ln }⁡r)^{\frac{p−1}{p−\sigma −1}} < \infty

then the only non-negative weak solution of

\mathrm{\Delta }_{p}u + u^{\sigma } \leq 0

on a complete Riemannian manifold is identically 0; moreover, the powers of
r
and

\mathrm{\ln }⁡r

are sharp. In this note, we present a constructive approach to the sharpness, which is flexible enough to treat the sharpness for

\mathrm{\Delta }_{p}u + f(u,\mathrm{∇}u) \leq 0

. Our construction is based on a perturbation of the fundamental solution to the
p
-Laplace equation, and we believe that the ideas introduced here are applicable to other nonlinear differential inequalities on manifolds.
Do Ethnic Cues Improve Advertising Effectiveness for Ethnic Consumers?
Authors: Khan Huda , Lee Richard , Lockshin Larry
Published: July 2015

This research investigates how the presence of ethnic cues in advertisements may influence ethnic consumers. Although past research has established the advertising effectiveness of ethnic cues particularly using the race of models as a cue, none have discussed the effectiveness across different types of ethnic cues. Yet, consumers may process visual and textual cues differently. Drawing on the elaboration likelihood model, we argue that the use of ethnic visual and textual cues in advertising may engender different outcomes. The results show that the presence of ethnic cues increases the likeability of advertisements and brand likeability for ethnic consumers. Visual cues are more effective than textual cues in enhancing advertisement likeability, but both cue types are just as effective for increasing brand likeability. The type of products (generic versus ethnic) makes no significant difference to advertising effectiveness for ethnic consumers. Academic and managerial implications are identified and discussed.
Cognitive testing in older primary care patients: A cluster‐randomized trial
Authors: Fowler Nicole R. , Morrow Lisa , Chiappetta Laurel , Snitz Beth , Huber Kimberly , Rodriguez Eric , Saxton Judith
Published: July 2015

Introduction

This study investigated whether neuropsychological testing in primary care (PC) offices altered physician‐initiated interventions related to cognitive impairment (CI) or slowed the rate of CI progression.

Methods

This 24‐month, cluster‐randomized study included 11 community‐based PC practices randomized to either treatment as usual (5 practices) or cognitive report (CR; 6 practices) arms. From 2005 to 2008, 533 patients aged ≥65 years and without a diagnosis of CI were recruited; 423 were retested 24 months after baseline.

Results

CR physicians were significantly more likely to order cognitive‐related interventions (P = .02), document discussions about cognition (P = .003), and order blood tests to rule out reversible CI (P = .002). At follow‐up, significantly more CR patients had a medication for cognition listed in their chart (P = .02). There was no difference in the rate of cognitive decline between the groups.

Discussion

Providing cognitive information to physicians resulted in higher rates of physician‐initiated interventions for patients with CI.
White matter hyperintensity burden in elderly cohort studies: The Sunnybrook Dementia Study, Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, and Three‐City Study
Authors: Ramirez Joel , McNeely Alicia A. , Scott Christopher J.M. , Masellis Mario , Black Sandra E. ,   Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: July 2015

Given the recent acknowledgement of the complex mixed pathologies that contribute to the clinical expression of dementia, various cohort studies have aimed to examine Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular disease as comorbid pathologies, with neuroimaging playing a central role in these studies. Using white matter hyperintensities (WMH) as a biomarker of cerebrovascular disease, we compared WMH burden between the Sunnybrook Dementia Study, the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI‐1), the Three‐City Study, and various other studies around the world. Based on our findings, it was evident that ADNI‐1 had minimal WMH burden relative to other large studies that examine aging and dementia. This low WMH burden in ADNI‐1 may be considered as both an advantage, representing a relatively “pure” sample with little confounding vasculopathy, and a disadvantage, as it limits generalizability to “real‐world” patient populations with mixed pathologies and to nondemented groups with baseline vascular disease. We explore possible reasons for this distinction, including management of vascular risk factors, gaps in diagnostic criteria, and future directions for clinical research.
The protective effects of tadalafil on renal damage following ischemia reperfusion injury in rats
Authors: Erol Bulent , Turker Tugrul , Tok Adem , Bektas Sibel , Mungan Gorkem , Ozkanli Seyma , Karakas Bugra , Tokgoz Husnu , Akduman Bulent , Mungan Aydin
Published: July 2015

Ischemia‐reperfusion injury can cause renal damage, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors are reported to regulate antioxidant activity. We investigated the prevention of renal damage using tadalafil after renal ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. A total of 21 adult male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into three groups of seven, including Group 1‐control, Group 2‐I/R, and Group 3‐tadalafil + I/R group (I/R‐T group) received tadalafil intraperitoneally at 30 minutes before ischemia. Inducible nitric oxide synthase, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, malondialdehyde, and total antioxidant capacity levels were evaluated, and histopathological changes and apoptosis in the groups were examined. Tadalafil decreased malondialdehyde levels in the I/R group and increased the total antioxidant capacity level. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings revealed that tadalafil decreased renal injury scores and the ratios of injured cells, as measured through apoptotic protease activating factor 1, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase levels. We suggest that tadalafil has protective effects against I/R‐related renal tissue injury.
Challenges and promises of comparative research into post-Soviet fascism: Methodological and conceptual issues in the study of the contemporary East European extreme right
Authors: Umland Andreas
Published: July 2015

The international study of fascism has, over the last 25 years, experienced considerable consolidation. Inspired by influential theoretical publications of Roger D. Griffin and others, a new sub-discipline, “comparative fascist studies,” has emerged that proceeds from a largely common conceptualization of fascism. It explicitly includes and particularly promotes the cross-cultural, as well as inter-epochal investigation into ultra-nationalisms outside Central and Western Europe after the year 1945. The concepts, approaches and hypotheses of this new sub-discipline are well-suited to be applied to the study of interwar and post-Soviet right-wing radicalism in Eastern Europe. However, before comprehensive classification and informative comparison becomes possible, the putative fascist phenomena of Eastern Europe need more thorough descriptive analysis, field research, and empirical investigation by researchers, in the region.
Alzheimer's disease progression model using disability assessment for dementia scores from bapineuzumab trials
Authors: Xu Steven X. , Samtani Mahesh N. , Russu Alberto , Adedokun Omoniyi J. , Lu Ming , Ito Kaori , Corrigan Brian , Raje Sangeeta , Brashear H. Robert , Styren Scot , Hu Chuanpu
Published: July 2015

Objective

Disability assessment for dementia (DAD) measurements from two phase‐3 studies of bapineuzumab in APOE ε4 noncarrier and carrier Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients were integrated to develop a disease progression model.

Methods

We evaluated longitudinal changes in DAD scores, baseline factors affecting disease progression, and bapineuzumab effect on disease progression.

Results

A beta regression model best described DAD disease progression. The estimated treatment effect of bapineuzumab was not significant, consistent with lack of clinical efficacy observed in the primary analysis. The model suggested that progression of DAD tended to decrease with increase in bapineuzumab exposure. The exposure‐response relationship was similar regardless of APOE ε4 status but more pronounced in patients with mild AD. Baseline disease status, age, memantine use, and years since onset (YSO) had significant effects on baseline DAD scores. AD concomitant medication use, baseline disease status, and YSO had significant effects on disease progression rate, measured by DAD score.

Conclusions

The beta regression model is a sensible modeling approach to characterize functional decline in AD patients. This analysis suggested a possible effect of bapineuzumab exposure on DAD progression. Further evaluation may be warranted in future studies.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00575055 and NCT00574132.
DUAL EQUIVALENCE GRAPHS I: A NEW PARADIGM FOR SCHUR POSITIVITY
Authors: ASSAF SAMI H.
Published: July 2015

We make a systematic study of a new combinatorial construction called a dual equivalence graph. We axiomatize these graphs and prove that their generating functions are symmetric and Schur positive. This provides a universal method for establishing the symmetry and Schur positivity of quasisymmetric functions.
High-speed X-ray imaging of a ball impacting on loose sand
Authors: Homan Tess , Mudde Rob , Lohse Detlef , van der Meer Devaraj
Published: July 2015

When a ball is dropped in fine very loose sand, a splash and subsequently a jet are observed above the bed, followed by a granular eruption. To directly and quantitatively determine what happens inside the sand bed, high-speed X-ray tomography measurements are carried out in a custom-made set-up that allows for imaging of a large sand bed at atmospheric pressures. Herewith, we show that the jet originates from the pinch-off point created by the collapse of the air cavity formed behind the penetrating ball. Subsequently, we measure how the entrapped air bubble rises through the sand, and show that this is consistent with bubbles rising in continuously fluidized beds. Finally, we measure the packing fraction variation throughout the bed. From this we show that there is (i) a compressed area of sand in front of and next to the ball while the ball is moving down, (ii) a strongly compacted region at the pinch-off height after the cavity collapse and (iii) a relatively loosely packed centre in the wake of the rising bubble.
Prevalence of nutritional risk in the non-demented hospitalised elderly: a cross-sectional study from Norway using stratified sampling
Authors: Eide Helene K. , Šaltytė Benth Jūratė , Sortland Kjersti , Halvorsen Kristin , Almendingen Kari
Published: July 2015

There is a lack of accurate prevalence data on undernutrition and the risk of undernutrition among the hospitalised elderly in Europe and Norway. We aimed at estimating the prevalence of nutritional risk by using stratified sampling along with adequate power calculations. A cross-sectional study was carried out in the period 2011 to 2013 at a university hospital in Norway. Second-year nursing students in acute care clinical studies in twenty hospital wards screened non-demented elderly patients for nutritional risk, by employing the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) form. In total, 508 patients (48·8 % women and 51·2 % men) with a mean age of 79·6 (sd 6·4) years were screened by the students. Mean BMI was 24·9 (sd 4·9) kg/m2, and the patients had been hospitalised for on average 5·3 (sd 6·3) d. WHO's BMI cut-off values identified 6·5 % as underweight, 48·0 % of normal weight and 45·5 % as overweight. Patients nutritionally at risk had been in hospital longer and had lower average weight and BMI compared with those not at risk (all P < 0·001); no differences in mean age or sex were observed. The prevalence of nutritional risk was estimated to be 45·4 (95 % CI 41·7 %, 49·0) %, ranging between 20·0 and 65·0 % on different hospital wards. The present results show that the prevalence of nutritional risk among elderly patients without dementia is high, suggesting that a large proportion of the hospitalised elderly are in need of nutritional treatment.
ALMOST GALOIS ω-STABLE CLASSES
Authors: BALDWIN JOHN T. , LARSON PAUL B. , SHELAH SAHARON
Published: July 2015

Theorem. Suppose that k = (K, $$\prec_k$$) is an ℵ0-presentable abstract elementary class with Löwenheim–Skolem number ℵ0, satisfying the joint embedding and amalgamation properties in ℵ0. If K has only countably many models in ℵ1, then all are small. If, in addition, k is almost Galois ω-stable then k is Galois ω-stable. Suppose that k = (K, $$\prec_k$$) is an ℵ0-presented almost Galois ω-stable AEC satisfying amalgamation for countable models, and having a model of cardinality ℵ1. The assertion that K is ℵ1-categorical is then absolute.
SAFE RECURSIVE SET FUNCTIONS
Authors: BECKMANN ARNOLD , BUSS SAMUEL R. , FRIEDMAN SY-DAVID
Published: July 2015

We introduce the safe recursive set functions based on a Bellantoni–Cook style subclass of the primitive recursive set functions. We show that the functions computed by safe recursive set functions under a list encoding of finite strings by hereditarily finite sets are exactly the polynomial growth rate functions computed by alternating exponential time Turing machines with polynomially many alternations. We also show that the functions computed by safe recursive set functions under a more efficient binary tree encoding of finite strings by hereditarily finite sets are exactly the quasipolynomial growth rate functions computed by alternating quasipolynomial time Turing machines with polylogarithmic many alternations.

We characterize the safe recursive set functions on arbitrary sets in definability-theoretic terms. In its strongest form, we show that a function on arbitrary sets is safe recursive if and only if it is uniformly definable in some polynomial level of a refinement of Jensen's J-hierarchy, relativized to the transitive closure of the function's arguments.

We observe that safe recursive set functions on infinite binary strings are equivalent to functions computed by infinite-time Turing machines in time less than ωω. We also give a machine model for safe recursive set functions which is based on set-indexed parallel processors and the natural bound on running times.
DIFFERENTIAL-ALGEBRAIC JET SPACES PRESERVE INTERNALITY TO THE CONSTANTS
Authors: CHATZIDAKIS ZOE , HARRISON-TRAINOR MATTHEW , MOOSA RAHIM
Published: July 2015

Suppose p is the generic type of a differential-algebraic jet space to a finite dimensional differential-algebraic variety at a generic point. It is shown that p satisfies a certain strengthening of almost internality to the constants. This strengthening, which was originally called “being Moishezon to the constants” in [9] but is here renamed preserving internality to the constants, is a model-theoretic abstraction of the generic behaviour of jet spaces in complex-analytic geometry. An example is given showing that only a generic analogue holds in the differential-algebraic case: there is a finite dimensional differential-algebraic variety X with a subvariety Z that is internal to the constants, such that the restriction of the differential-algebraic tangent bundle of X to Z is not almost internal to the constants.
UNIFICATION IN INTERMEDIATE LOGICS
Authors: IEMHOFF ROSALIE , ROZIÈRE PAUL
Published: July 2015

This paper contains a proof–theoretic account of unification in intermediate logics. It is shown that many existing results can be extended to fragments that at least contain implication and conjunction. For such fragments, the connection between valuations and most general unifiers is clarified, and it is shown how from the closure of a formula under the Visser rules a proof of the formula under a projective unifier can be obtained. This implies that in the logics considered, for the n-unification type to be finitary it suffices that the m-th Visser rule is admissible for a sufficiently large m. At the end of the paper it is shown how these results imply several well-known results from the literature.
Hazards or Hassles The Effect of Sanctions on Leader Survival
Authors: Licht Amanda A.
Published: July 2015

Recent empirical work scrutinizes the ability of economic sanctions to destabilize targeted leaders. Limitations in data and modeling choices, however, may have inflated estimates of sanctions’ efficacy. I propose a unified theoretical model, incorporating the possibility that leaders targeted with threats and imposed sanctions differ in baseline risks from those who are not. I combine this hazards approach with an empirical strategy to account for differences in ex ante risks and improved data on leader failure. This approach uncovers a considerably more modest effect. Sanctions rarely destabilize their targets.
Nucleation barriers at corners for a cubic-to-tetragonal phase transformation
Authors: Bella Peter , Goldman Michael
Published: July 2015

We are interested in the energetic cost of a martensitic inclusion of volume V in austenite for the cubic-to-tetragonal phase transformation. In contrast with the work of Knüpfer, Kohn and Otto (Commun. Pure Appl. Math.66 (2013), 867–904), we consider a domain with a corner and obtain a better scaling law for the minimal energy (Emin ∼ min(V2/3, V7/9)). Our predictions are in good agreement with physical experiments where nucleation of martensite is usually observed near the corners of the specimen.