bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Conditioned Medium from Chondrocyte/Scaffold Constructs Induced Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells
Authors: Liu Jinchun , Liu Xia , Zhou Guangdong , Xiao Ran , Cao Yilin
Published: May 2012

For the application of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) in cartilage tissue engineering, it is imperative to develop efficient strategies for their chondrogenic differentiation. In this study, the conditioned media derived from chondrocyte/scaffold constructs were used to direct chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The porcine articular chondrocytes were seeded on the PGA/PLA scaffolds to form chondrocyte/scaffold constructs and were cultured to form engineered cartilage in vitro. The culture media were collected as conditioned media and used for chondrogenic induction of BMSC pellets (experimental group, Exp.). The chondrocyte pellets and BMSC pellets were cultured routinely as positive control (PC) and negative control (NC), respectively. After 4 weeks, the wet weight and GAG content in Exp. group and PC group were significantly higher than that in NC group. Histological and immunohistochemical analysis showed that cartilaginous tissue was formed with typical cartilage lacuna structure and positive staining of collagen Type II (Col II) in the peripheral area of the BMSC pellets in Exp. group. Gene expression of Sox9, Col II, and COMP in Exp. group and PC group were significantly higher than that in NC group. The growth factors in the conditioned media derived from human costal chondrocytes‐scaffold constructs were tested by protein microassay. The conditioned media contained low levels of TGF‐β1,2,3, IGF‐1 and high levels of IGF‐2, FGF‐4, and IGFBP4,6, and so forth. The soluble factors derived from the engineered cartilage can induce chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs independently. Many cytokines may function in chondrogenesis in a coordinated way. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Combined modality treatment for patients with locally advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma
Authors: Cantore M , Girelli R , Mambrini A , Frigerio I , Boz G , Salvia R , Giardino A , Orlandi M , Auriemma A , Bassi C
Published: May 2012

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is an emerging treatment for patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma, and can be combined with radiochemotherapy and intra-arterial plus systemic chemotherapy.

Methods

This observational study compared two groups of patients with locally advanced pancreatic carcinoma treated with either primary RFA (group 1) or RFA following any other primary treatment (group 2).

Results

Between February 2007 and May 2010, 107 consecutive patients were treated with RFA. There were 47 patients in group 1 and 60 in group 2. Median overall survival was 25·6 months. Median overall survival was significantly shorter in group 1 than in group 2 (14·7 versus 25·6 months; P = 0·004) Patients treated with RFA, radiochemotherapy and intra-arterial plus systemic chemotherapy (triple-approach strategy) had a median overall survival of 34·0 months.

Conclusion

RFA after alternative primary treatment was associated with prolonged survival. This was further extended by use of a triple-approach strategy in selected patients. Further evaluation of this approach seems warranted.
The use of black and white infrared photography for recording blunt force injury
Authors: Bernstein Mark , Nichols George , Blair Jeff
Published: May 2012

Infrared (IR) wavelengths penetrate skin and can selectively image volumes of subsurface blood. Twenty‐eight blunt force injuries on nine decedents were photographed with color and IR film to compare the ability of each to image the injury. Of the 28 injuries, 10 were clinically interpreted as contusions, 4 as abrasions, 10 as abraded contusions, and 4 as erythematous discolorations, nos. Twenty‐four of these injuries were incised to determine the presence and extent of subsurface bleeding. It was found that contusion had been clinically missed in five cases, three because they were hidden by abrasion and two because they appeared only as a mild cutaneous erythema. All five cases were detected by IR and verified by incision. Melanin pigmentation contributed to masking of contusion in one case and postmortem lividity confounded interpretation of contusion in one case. In all 14 injuries featuring abrasion as a component, IR de‐emphasized or eliminated the visibility of abrasion. A single false negative was reported in which a visible contusion, verified by incision, was not seen with IR. In comparing injury patterns, color and IR renditions were dissimilar in a number of cases reflecting the difference between the manner in which light and IR photography imaged the depth and volume of blood within an injury. In summary, IR imaging of wounds can discover hidden bruises, verify clinical diagnosis of bruises, and augment interpretation of wound patterns. Clin. Anat. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Detail‐aware spatial deformation transfer
Authors: Yoshiyasu Yusuke , Yamazaki Nobutoshi
Published: May 2012

In this paper, we propose a deformation transfer method that is applicable to multi‐component objects and is able to transfer fine‐scale deformations. To accomplish our goal, we combine surface‐based and space‐based deformation transfers. Our system enhances the result of space deformation transfer, which is applicable to multi‐component objects but loses details, by using surface‐based deformation transfer to add fine‐scale deformations. Self‐collisions are handled by approximating spatial relationships between surfaces, from the result of space deformation. Experimental results show that our method can transfer fine‐scale deformations such as motions of a skirt and muscle bulging. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characteristics preserving racer animation: a data‐driven race path synthesis in formation space
Authors: Tan Charlie Irawan , Tai Wen Kai
Published: May 2012

We propose a race path synthesis framework based on a data‐driven approach that provides good controllability for synthesizing race paths with characteristics preserved for racer animations. We introduce formation field, a data structure that samples regions in formation space that contains formations of exciting and realistic race paths, generated using a set of collected race paths in a path database. By traversing the regions according to a given constraint, we generate a path in formation space that defines how to synthesize the desired race path by interpolation. Because the new race path is synthesized from existing paths with quality guaranteed, it also provides the same level of quality. As the experimental and user study results show, our framework produces good results effectively and is suitable for both real‐time applications such as horse racing games and race‐path‐generating tools. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Examining stage IIB survival in a population‐based cohort of patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Urquhart Robin , Bu Jingyu , Grunfeld Eva , Dewar Ron , MacIntyre Maureen , Porter Geoffrey A.
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND:

In Nova Scotia, Canada, a previous study of colorectal cancer (CRC) cases diagnosed between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005, found that patients with stage IIB CRC had similar 5‐year overall survival (OS) to those with stage IIIC cancer. This study sought to examine factors contributing to the observed stage IIB outcome, specifically nodal harvest, receipt of chemotherapy, and use of a new coding system to derive stage.

METHODS:

The provincial cancer registry identified all CRC cases diagnosed during the study period and staged this cohort using the Collaborative Stage (CS) Data Collection System. All patients with stage II and III cancer in the cohort were examined. Kaplan‐Meier (KM) survival curves compared 5‐year OS for patients with stage IIB cancer based on the factors of interest, and compared patients with stage IIB cancer to those with stage IIA and III cancer.

RESULTS:

OS for patients with stage IIB cancer (n = 187) was 44.7%, and differed depending on adequacy of nodal harvest (P = .005) and whether pathological or clinical/mixed evidence was used to derive stage (P = .013). Pathologically‐staged patients with stage IIB cancer who had adequate nodal harvest had marginally improved OS compared to pathologically‐staged patients who had inadequate nodal harvest (P = .07), and improved survival compared to patients with clinical/mixed stage (P = .004). Pathologically‐staged patients with stage IIB cancer with adequate nodal harvest demonstrated similar 5‐year OS to those with stage IIA and III cancer (P = .52 and P = .25, respectively). Cox proportional hazards models supported these findings.

CONCLUSIONS:

The inclusion of clinical/mixed evidence into staging classification and, perhaps to a lesser extent, the adequacy of nodal harvest appear to contribute to the observed worse survival for patients with stage IIB versus stage III cancer. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Influence of health insurance coverage on breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening in rural primary care settings
Authors: Carney Patricia A. , O'Malley Jean , Buckley David I. , Mori Motomi , Lieberman David A. , Fagnan Lyle J. , Wallace James , Liu Betty , Morris Cynthia
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND:

The current study was performed to determine, in rural settings, the relation between the type and status of insurance coverage and being up‐to‐date for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening.

METHODS:

Four primary care practices in 2 rural Oregon communities participated. Medical chart reviews that were conducted between October 2008 and August 2009 assessed insurance coverage and up‐to‐date status for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening. Inclusion criteria involved having at least 1 health care visit within the past 5 years and being aged ≥ 55 years.

RESULTS:

The majority of patients were women aged 55 years to 70 years, employed or retired, and who had private health insurance and an average of 2.5 comorbid conditions. The overall percentage of eligible women who were up‐to‐date for cervical cancer screening was 30%; approximately 27% of women were up‐to‐date for clinical breast examination, 37% were up‐to‐date for mammography, and 19% were up‐to‐date for both mammography and clinical breast examination. Approximately 38% of men and 35% of women were up‐to‐date for colorectal cancer screening using any test at appropriate screening intervals. In general, having any insurance versus being uninsured was associated with undergoing cancer screening. For each type of screening, patients who had at least 1 health maintenance visit were significantly more likely to be up‐to‐date compared with those with no health maintenance visits. A significant interaction was found between having health maintenance visits, having any health insurance, and being up‐to‐date for cancer screening tests.

CONCLUSIONS:

Overall, the percentage of patients who were up‐to‐date for any cancer screening, especially cervical cancer screening, was found to be very low in rural Oregon. Patients with some form of health insurance were more likely to have had a health maintenance visit within the previous 2 years and to be up‐to‐date for breast, cervical, and/or colorectal cancer screening. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Comparative effectiveness and cost of adding rituximab to first‐line chemotherapy for elderly patients diagnosed with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Griffiths Robert I. , Gleeson Michelle L. , Mikhael Joseph , Dreyling Martin H. , Danese Mark D.
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND:

Clinical trials indicate that rituximab improves the survival of patients with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Economic models using multiple data sources, including clinical trials for survival outcomes, have projected cost offsets/savings and favorable cost‐effectiveness associated with rituximab. In this study, the authors evaluated survival and cost impacts of adding rituximab to first‐line chemotherapy for DLBCL using a single database that reflects routine clinical practice among elderly patients in the United States.

METHODS:

By using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data linked to Medicare, the authors identified 5484 elderly patients who were diagnosed with DLBCL between January 1999 and December 2005 who had claims through December 2007. Included patients began chemotherapy with or without rituximab within 180 days of diagnosis. Multivariate analyses were conducted to estimate the impact of rituximab on mortality and costs to Medicare. The cost per life‐year gained of rituximab was calculated using cost and survival estimates from the multivariate analyses.

RESULTS:

The mean patient age was 76 years, 43% of patients had stage III or IV disease, and 64% received rituximab. In a Cox regression model, rituximab resulted in lower 4‐year all‐cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61‐0.74) and cancer mortality, and the incremental cumulative survival was 0.37 years. In least‐squares regression, rituximab resulted in higher 4‐year total costs ($23,097; 95% CI, $19,129‐$27,298), immunochemotherapy costs ($12,069; 95% CI, $10,687‐$13,634), other cancer costs ($7655; 95% CI, $5067‐$10,489), and noncancer costs ($3461; 95% CI, $1319‐$5650). The cost per life‐year gained was $62,424.

CONCLUSIONS:

In routine clinical practice, rituximab was associated with survival benefits comparable to those observed in clinical trials. However, these benefits did not translate into the previously reported cost savings. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Long‐term results (>25 years) of a randomized, prospective clinical trial evaluating chemotherapy in patients with high‐grade, operable osteosarcoma
Authors: Bernthal Nicholas M. , Federman Noah , Eilber Frederick R. , Nelson Scott D. , Eckardt Jeffrey J. , Eilber Fritz C. , Tap William D.
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND:

The authors present the long‐term follow‐up (>25 years) data from 1 of the original prospective, randomized trials that compared adjuvant chemotherapy with expectant management in patients with high‐grade, localized osteosarcoma. In addition, the value of pathologic necrosis induced by a single cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy was analyzed as a predictive marker of disease‐free and overall survival.

METHODS:

Fifty‐nine patients with high‐grade, localized osteosarcoma were enrolled in a prospective trial that was performed between 1981 and 1984 at the University of California‐Los Angeles (UCLA). Patients were randomized to receive either adjuvant chemotherapy or observation after surgical resection. Long‐term outcomes, follow‐up, and pathologic review of all available histologic sections were performed.

RESULTS:

The 25‐year disease‐free survival rate was 28% for patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy compared with 15% for the untreated patients (P = .02). The overall survival rate at 25 years was also significantly higher for treated patients versus untreated patients (38% vs 15%; P = .02). Tumor necrosis >90% after a single round of chemotherapy was a statistically significant predictor of overall survival and disease‐free survival for patients who received adjuvant therapy (164 months vs 65 months [P = .04] and 141 months vs 14 months [P < .01], respectively).

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients with high‐grade, localized osteosarcoma who received adjuvant chemotherapy after undergoing definitive surgical resection had a statistically significant benefit in disease‐free and overall survival that was maintained through 25 years. Tumor necrosis after just 1 cycle of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiation was predictive of overall survival and disease‐free survival in patients who received adjuvant chemotherapy. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Should LSIL‐H be a distinct cytology category?
Authors: Zhou Haijun , Schwartz Mary R. , Coffey Donna , Smith Debora , Mody Dina R. , Ge Yimin
Published: May 2012

BACKGROUND:

The 2001 Bethesda System for gynecologic cervical cytology reporting classifies squamous intraepithelial lesions into low‐grade (LSIL) and high‐grade (HSIL) lesions. An intermediate term, “low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, cannot exclude high‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL‐H),” has been used in a small percentage of LSIL cases. To the authors' knowledge, little is known regarding the human papillomavirus (HPV) status in patients with LSIL‐H.

METHODS:

A total of 808 SurePath specimens obtained between December 2009 and April 2011 were tested for 40 HPV genotypes using DNA microarray, followed by a confirmatory DNA sequencing assay.

RESULTS:

The infection rate for high‐risk HPV in women with LSIL‐H (92%) was strikingly close to that for women with HSIL (91%), which was higher than that for those with LSIL (74%); atypical squamous cells, cannot rule out high‐grade lesion (ASC‐H) (78%); or LSIL and ASC‐H combined (74%). HPV type 16, the most common carcinogenic HPV genotype, was detected in 36% of women with LSIL‐H, which was significantly higher than that in women with LSIL and ASC‐H combined (13.8%), but less than that in women with HSIL (44.6%). Patients with LSIL‐H and HSIL had similar infection rates for low‐risk/intermediate‐risk HPV genotypes, which were lower than those in LSIL or LSIL and ASC‐H combined.

CONCLUSIONS:

Women found to have LSIL‐H on a Papanicolaou test appear to have a unique HPV distribution pattern that clearly differs from LSIL and is comparable to that for HSIL, suggesting an increased risk of high‐grade lesions over that of women with LSIL. Recognizing LSIL‐H as an independent diagnostic category may help in the early identification of the high‐risk subgroup that may require a management algorithm comparable to that for patients with HSIL. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Evaluating the effectiveness of the abstract transaction model in testing Web services transactions
Authors: Casado Rubén , Tuya Javier , Younas Muhammad
Published: May 2012

Web services transactions are used to build efficient and reliable Web applications that are distributed across the Internet and are accessed by multiple simultaneous users. Current research develops various models and protocols to improve the performance and reliability of Web services transactions. However, there is little research on testing the different models and protocols of Web services transactions. This paper presents an abstract transaction model that patterns different Web services transactions standards. This model is capable of deriving concrete models to automatically generate test cases for different Web services transactions standards. The proposed model is implemented as a prototype system and is evaluated using a case of the Jboss Transaction. The evaluation shows that the proposed system has the capability to automatically generate test cases and detect possible failures of transactions running under different Web services transactions standards. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Scattering of Light by Plasmonic Nanoparticles on a Silicon Substrate
Authors: Yang Meng , Li Jie , Li Jiaming , Zhu Xing
Published: May 2012

We introduce an effective refractive‐index model to predict the spectral positions of localized surface plasmon (LSP) modes of a silver nanoparticle on a thin‐film silicon substrate using a semi‐analytical method. The enhanced scattering into the substrate caused by the nanoparticle dipole and quadrupole modes is verified by comparing theoretical and simulation results. We suggest that the LSP modes can be tuned linearly with the thickness of the silicon substrate and the size of the nanoparticles. These findings provide simple and important physical insights for optimizing the absorption in a thin‐film silicon solar cell by tuning the LSP modes of the nanoparticles deployed on the surface.
Cytopathology: A useful technique for diagnosing oral lesions?: A systematic literature review
Authors: Dolens Eder da Silva , Nakai Fabrícia Venâncio Dolens , Santos Parizi José Luiz , Alborghetti Nai Gisele
Published: May 2012

Oropharyngeal cancer is the 11th most common cancer worldwide. The diagnostic method of choice for oral cavity lesions is biopsy and pathological examination. Cytopathology is a simple and inexpensive method, but it is not yet widespread among dental professionals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of cytopathology in diagnosing oral lesions. We conducted a systematic literature review of randomized clinical trials that compared the diagnostic accuracies of oral lesion cytology and histopathology. We used the following search terms: cytology, oral lesions, and oral cancer. The meta‐analysis was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guidelines. Between 1967 and 2010, there were 80 relevant articles in the literature, 14 of which were included in this study. The I‐square for sensitivity was 80.2%, and the specificity value was 96.7%. The pooled sensitivity was 0.942 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.926–0.955], and the pooled specificity was 0.970 (95% CI: 0.963–0.975). The area under the curve was 0.9901. Our study suggests that cytology has good sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of oral lesions and allows the use of other associated techniques, such as DNA analysis, which may improve the accuracy of cytology. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fine‐needle aspiration diagnosis of sclerosing hemangioma (pneumocytoma): Report of a case and review of the literature
Authors: Dettrick Andrew , Meikle Anne , Fong Kwun M.
Published: May 2012

Sclerosing hemangioma (pneumocytoma) is a rare benign lung tumor with uncertain histogenesis but characteristic histology. Reports of the cytopathology of this tumor are even rarer with only a handful of cases in the literature—many of these incorrectly diagnosed by cytology initially. Herein, we describe a case of sclerosing hemangioma diagnosed prima facie by fine‐needle aspiration cytology. A cell block preparation with accompanying immunohistochemistry was instrumental in making the diagnosis. A review of the literature is also presented. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:242–246. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Large volume sample stacking with EOF and sweeping in CE for determination of common preservatives in cosmetic products by chemometric experimental design
Authors: Cheng Yi‐Cian , Wang Chun‐Chi , Chen Yen‐Ling , Wu Shou‐Mei
Published: May 2012

This study proposes a capillary electrophoresis method incorporating large volume sample stacking, EOF and sweeping for detection of common preservatives used in cosmetic products. The method was developed using chemometric experimental design (fractional factorial design and central composite design) to determine multiple separation variables by efficient steps. The samples were loaded by hydrodynamic injection (10 psi, 90 s), and separated by phosphate buffer (50 mM, pH 3) containing 30% methanol and 80 mM SDS at −20 kV. During method validation, calibration curves were found to be linear over a range of 5–100 μg/mL for butyl paraben and isobutyl paraben; 0.05–10 μg/mL for ethyl paraben; 0.2–50 μg/mL for dehydroacetic acid; 0.5–70 μg/mL for methyl paraben; 5–350 μg/mL for sorbic acid; 0.02–450 μg/mL for p‐hydroxybenzoic acid and 0.05–10 μg/mL for salicylic acid and benzoic acid. The analytes were analysed simultaneously and their detection limits (S/N = 3) were down to 0.005–2 μg/mL. The analysis method was successfully used for detection of preservatives used in commercial cosmetics.
A novel multiplex method for the simultaneous detection and relative quantitation of pollen allergens
Authors: Morales Sonia , Castro Antonio Jesús , Jimenez-Lopez Jose Carlos , Florido Fernando , Rodríguez‐García María Isabel , de Dios Alché Juan
Published: May 2012

Standardization of pollen protein extracts is essential in order to ensure efficiency and safety in allergy diagnosis and immunotherapy. In this paper, we have optimized a multiplex Western blotting method for the simultaneous detection of four olive pollen allergens (Ole e 1, Ole e 2, Ole e 5, and Ole e 9) on a single blot using a monoclonal antibody from mouse and three polyclonal antibodies raised in rabbit. We utilized unconjugated Fab antibody fragments for blocking rabbit primary antibodies, and fluorescence‐based detection. These changes allowed an accurate and reliable comparative quantitation of these allergens among pollen‐protein samples from six olive cultivars. In addition, we also tested the IgE‐binding capacity of these pollen extracts by reprobing the same blot with a pool of sera from eight patients allergic to olive and detection with enzyme conjugated antibodies. A noticeable variability regarding allergen content and IgE‐reactivity was found among the olive cultivars analyzed. Moreover, we could easily confirm the identity of some of the IgE‐binding proteins by simply overlapping both fluorescence and chemiluminescence images. This method is versatile since it can be applied to other allergogenic plant species and extended to other allergens.
Relationship between biodegradation and sorption of phthalate esters and their metabolites in natural sediments
Authors: Kickham Peter , Otton S. Victoria , Moore Margo M. , Ikonomou Michael G. , Gobas Frank A.P.C.
Published: May 2012

Regulatory evaluations of commercial chemicals in Canada, the United States, the European Union, and other countries aim to identify biodegradation rates of chemicals in natural soils and sediments. However, commonly used biodegradation testing methods are limited in their capacity to determine biodegradation rates under natural environmental conditions. As a result, widely varying biodegradation rates have been reported for many very hydrophobic substances. This variability causes difficulties in regulatory evaluations, potentially leading to chemical misclassification. In the present study, the authors developed a model of the relationship between biodegradation, sorption, and hydrophobicity, and tested the model in experiments that measured the biodegradation rates of a range of di-phthalate esters (DPEs) and mono-phthalate esters (MPEs) in natural sediments. The results indicate that DPEs and MPEs have the inherent capacity to be quickly degraded by microbes in sediments at a common rate, but that DPE biodegradation rates in natural sediments decrease with increasing phthalate ester sorption to sediments. The results show that inherently biodegradable substances that are subject to a high degree of sorption can be expected to exhibit long half-lives in natural sediments. The model provides a potential methodology for assessing biodegradation rates in natural sediments from inherent biodegradation rates measured in screening tests by accounting for chemical sorption. The present study indicates that a reduced rate of biodegradation is due to a reduced fraction of freely dissolved chemical concentration in the interstitial water, and that the environmental significance of sorption-reduced biodegradation rates needs to be viewed in the context of risk in chemical evaluations. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 1730–1737. © 2012 SETAC
Comparing soil chemistries of leached and nonleached copper-amended soils
Authors: Schwertfeger D.M. , Hendershot W.H.
Published: May 2012

Leaching metal-spiked samples has been proposed as a means to reduce the artifacts of the spiking procedure (e.g., salt effect, increased metal solubility) that can artificially increase metal bioaccessibility and toxicity in laboratory ecotoxicity tests. The effects on soil chemistry from leaching Cu-spiked samples were investigated by comparing chemistries of freshly spiked samples to samples that underwent the spike/leach procedure. Chemical parameters investigated included electrical conductivity (EC), pH, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid- and CaCl2-extractable Cu, soil-solution Cu, Cu2+ activity (estimated using Visual MINTEQ), and other solution parameters (dissolved organic carbon [DOC], Ca, Mg, Al). In leached samples, the electrical conductivity values of the spiked samples did not vary significantly from those of the control samples (p > 0.05), confirming that the leaching procedure had sufficiently minimized the salt effect. In the range of soil Cu concentrations where Cu ecotoxicity is expected, the pH in freshly spiked samples was as much as 0.52 units lower than the pH from leached samples at the same total-soil Cu concentration. The CaCl2-extractable fraction was up to 2.3-fold smaller in leached samples and inversely related to the pH of the spiked soil. Despite little to no difference in soil-solution Cu, up to 100-fold less Cu2+ activity was observed in leached samples. Reduced Cu2+ activity was related to less Al3+ competition for DOC. Leaching resulted in solution chemistries that were more consistent with those of the control samples and reduced the artifacts of traditional soil-spiking procedures. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2012; 31: 2253–2260. © 2012 SETAC
Change in hip bone mineral density and risk of subsequent fractures in older men
Authors: Cawthon Peggy M , Ewing Susan K , Mackey Dawn C , Fink Howard A , Cummings Steven R , Ensrud Kristine E , Stefanick Marcia L , Bauer Doug C , Cauley Jane A , Orwoll Eric S ,   for the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Research Group
Published: May 2012

Low bone mineral density (BMD) increases fracture risk; how changes in BMD influence fracture risk in older men is uncertain. BMD was assessed at two to three time points over 4.6 years using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) for 4470 men aged ≥65 years in the Osteoporotic Fractures in Men (MrOS) Study. Change in femoral neck BMD was estimated using mixed effects linear regression models. BMD change was categorized as “accelerated” (≤−0.034 g/cm2), “expected” (between 0 and −0.034 g/cm2), or “maintained” (≥0 g/cm2). Fractures were adjudicated by central medical record review. Multivariate proportional hazards models estimated the risk of hip, nonspine/nonhip, and nonspine fracture over 4.5 years after the final BMD measure, during which time 371 (8.3%) men experienced at least one nonspine fracture, including 78 (1.7%) hip fractures. Men with accelerated femoral neck BMD loss had an increased risk of nonspine (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4–2.8); nonspine/nonhip (HR = 1.6; 95% CI 1.1–2.3); and hip fracture (HR = 6.3; 95% CI 2.7–14.8) compared with men who maintained BMD over time. No difference in risk was seen for men with expected loss. Adjustment for the initial BMD measure did not alter the results. Adjustment for the final BMD measure attenuated the change in BMD-nonspine fracture and the change in BMD-nonspine/nonhip relationships such that they were no longer significant, whereas the change in the BMD-hip fracture relationship was attenuated (HR = 2.6; 95% CI 1.1–6.4). Total hip BMD change produced similar results. Accelerated decrease in BMD is a strong, independent risk factor for hip and other nonspine fractures in men. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Negative predictive value for cancer in patients with “Gray‐Zone” PSA level and prior negative biopsy: Preliminary results with multiparametric 3.0 tesla MR
Authors: Girometti Rossano , Bazzocchi Massimo , Como Giuseppe , Brondani Giovanni , Del Pin Matteo , Frea Bruno , Martinez Guillermo , Zuiani Chiara
Published: May 2012

Purpose:

To investigate the negative predictive value (NPV) for malignancy of 3.0 Tesla (T) MRI in patients with “gray zone” PSA level and prior negative biopsies.

Materials and Methods:

We enrolled 26 patients with PSA level between 2.5 and 10 ng/mL and no cancer at previous biopsies. Examinations were performed on a 3.0T system using T2‐weighted imaging, diffusion‐weighted imaging, spectroscopy, and postcontrast dynamic study. A regional scheme was used to record MRI findings and to perform subsequent transrectal‐ultrasonography‐guided biopsy. Based on the matching between imaging and biopsy findings we estimated MRI predictive values, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy on a per‐patient and per‐region basis.

Results:

On a per patient basis, MRI had five true‐positive (5/26; 19.2%), eight true‐negative (8/26; 30.8%) and no false‐negative cases, corresponding to a NPV and sensitivity of 100% each. Thirteen patients were assessed as false‐positive cases (13/26; 50.0%) (specificity of 38.1%). Five of them (5/26; 19.2%) showed high‐grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) and atypical small‐acinar proliferation (ASAP) at biopsy. T2‐weighted imaging alone showed per‐region NPV (96.8%).

Conclusion:

Because of the high NPV, MRI had the potential to avoid unnecessary biopsy in approximately one‐third of “gray‐zone” patients with a negative examination. Additionally, MRI was useful to address to biopsy more than one‐third of patients with cancer or high‐risk lesions as HGPIN and ASAP. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2012;36:943–950. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A new statistical downscaling model for autumn precipitation in China
Authors: Liu Ying , Fan Ke
Published: May 2012

Effective statistical downscaling schemes based on singular value decomposition (SVD) for boreal autumn (September‐October‐November) precipitation over China were developed. It was found that rainfall over China is closely tied to large‐scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation over specific regions. The general circulation models (GCMs), which are from DEMETER project (Development of a European Multi‐model Ensemble System for Seasonal to Interannual Prediction), perform reasonably well in simulating the mean states of geopotential height at 500 hPa (GH5) during autumns from 1960 to 2001. Consequently, the variable GH5 over East Asia from DEMETER GCMs was used as one predictor for downscaling. Meanwhile, another predictor is the preceding sea surface temperature (SST) signal from observed data over the tropical Pacific. The downscaling results involving only the GH5 predictor (GH5 scheme) or both the GH5 and SST predictors (GH5 + SST scheme) were discussed and compared in this study. Downscaling based on two kinds of schemes showed considerable improvement compared with original DEMETER GCMs in predicting regional autumn precipitation. In particular, downscaling predictions based on the GH5 + SST scheme showed lower root mean square errors than those based on the GH5 scheme, especially for the precipitation anomaly pattern of the El Niño event in 1997 and the La Niña event in 1998. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
Patient experience in outpatient pediatric otolaryngology
Authors: Boss Emily F. , Thompson Richard E.
Published: May 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Patient experience scores are emerging as a key measure of healthcare quality. This report evaluated differences in outpatient otolaryngology patient satisfaction scores by age.

Study Design:

Patient‐level analysis of Press Ganey Medical Practice surveys completed by otolaryngology patients or parents in 2010.

Methods:

Surveys were grouped by child (<18 years old) or adult age. Children were evaluated in three subgroups (0–5 years, 6–12 years, and 13–17 years). The survey contains 29 items, which comprise six service domains of access, visit, nursing, provider, personal issues, and assessment. Comparison of mean scores was performed using the Kruskal‐Wallis rank test for nonparametric data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate association of age with receipt of highest scores (HI‐SCORES) in each domain.

Results:

Of 44,010 surveys analyzed, 5,996 (13.6%) were pediatric. The majority of children were <6 years (n = 3,141; 52.4%). Mean scores were lower for children overall (88.4 children vs. 90.2 adults) and in domains of access, visit, nursing, issues, and assessment (P < .005, all comparisons); scores were equal for care provider. Mean scores were lowest for children 0 to 5 years across all domains (overall means: 88.0, 0–5; 88.4, 6–12; 89.4, 13–17; 90.2 >18; P = .0001) and increased with age. Multivariate analysis showed that children were less likely than adults to give HI‐SCORES overall (odds ratio, 0.81, 95% confidence interval, 0.76‐0.86; P < .001) and in all domains (P = .0001) except for provider.

Conclusions:

Compared to adults, satisfaction is lower in all service domains except care provider for pediatric otolaryngology patients, and is lowest for younger children. Otolaryngologists should consider the unique needs of the child and family to improve overall patient experience.
Retrograde cochlear implantation in postmeningitic basal turn ossification
Authors: Senn Pascal , Rostetter Claudio , Arnold Andreas , Kompis Martin , Vischer Mattheus , Häusler Rudolf , Ozdoba Christoph , Mantokoudis Georgios , Caversaccio Marco
Published: May 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Postmeningitic basal turn ossification is a challenge for successful cochlear implantation despite the availability of sophisticated implants and advanced drill‐out procedures. A less complex concept consisting of a cochleostomy near the apex with retrograde array insertion is evaluated clinically and experimentally with emphasis on imaging of intracochlear array morphology.

Study Design:

Retrospective case–control study.

Methods:

Outcome, hearing performance, and radiological findings including three‐dimensional (3D) reconstructions were assessed in the long term in eight retrograde implanted ears of seven postmeningitic deaf patients and compared to an etiology‐ and device‐matched control group of 17 basal turn implanted ears of 14 patients. Experimental insertions into three autopsy‐derived human temporal bones were evaluated using high‐resolution microtomography, 3D reconstruction, and histology.

Results:

No complications occurred. At the long‐term follow‐up, the average monosyllabic word test scores were 41% for the study group and 67% for the control group (P = .03). Radiological follow‐up revealed insertion sites into either the apical or middle turn and frequent intracochlear array direction changes (n = 5). Experimental implantations in temporal bones resulted in folding‐free, retrograde, middle turn insertions (n = 3).

Conclusions:

The retrograde cochlear implantation is a safe and efficient alternative approach in basal turn ossification. Despite a high occurrence of intracochlear array direction changes, open set speech discrimination was achieved in all patients. Postoperative computed tomography is recommended for fitting the speech processor according to intracochlear array positions. The experimental insertion in temporal bones helped to optimize the approach.
Polymeric Fibrous Matrices for Substrate‐Mediated Human Embryonic Stem Cell Lineage Differentiation
Authors: Cooper Ashleigh , Leung Matthew , Zhang Miqin
Published: May 2012

Chitosan‐based fibrous matrices are prepared to mimic the ECM architecture and elucidate substrate‐mediated hESC differentiation due to topographical scale and anisotropy without exogenic morphogens. Fibrous matrices support fewer pluripotent hESCs than films but enable topography‐mediated hESC differentiation. Matrices composed of 400 nm and 1.1 µm diameter fibers support increased expression of neural markers indicative of ectodermal commitment while matrices of 200 nm diameter fibers increase expression of osteogenic and hepatic markers indicative of endodermal and mesodermal commitment. The fibrous‐mediated hESC differentiation highlights the significant implication of tailored ECM‐like substrates for hESC‐based therapies.

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A single‐question screen for rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder: A multicenter validation study
Authors: Postuma Ronald B. , Arnulf Isabelle , Hogl Birgit , Iranzo Alex , Miyamoto Tomoyuki , Dauvilliers Yves , Oertel Wolfgang , Ju Yo‐El , Puligheddu Monica , Jennum Poul , Pelletier Amelie , Wolfson Christina , Leu‐Semenescu Smaranda , Frauscher Birgit , Miyamoto Masayuki , Cochen De Cock Valerie , Unger Marcus M. , Stiasny‐Kolster Karin , Livia Fantini Maria , Montplaisir Jacques Y.
Published: May 2012

Background:

Idiopathic rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that is an important risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) and Lewy body dementia. Its prevalence is unknown. One barrier to determining prevalence is that current screening tools are too long for large‐scale epidemiologic surveys. Therefore, we designed the REM Sleep Behavior Disorder Single‐Question Screen (RBD1Q), a screening question for dream enactment with a simple yes/no response.

Methods:

Four hundred and eighty‐four sleep‐clinic–based participants (242 idiopathic RBD patients and 242 controls) completed the screen during a multicenter case‐control study. All participants underwent a polysomnogram to define gold‐standard diagnosis according to standard criteria.

Results:

We found a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 87.2%. Sensitivity and specificity were similar in healthy volunteers, compared to controls or patients with other sleep diagnoses.

Conclusions:

A single‐question screen for RBD may reliably detect disease, with psychometric properties favorably comparable to those reported for longer questionnaires. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Blow up criterion for three‐dimensional nematic liquid crystal flows with partial viscosity
Authors: Wang Yu‐Zhu , Wang Yin‐Xia
Published: May 2012

In this paper, we investigate the Cauchy problem for the three‐dimensional nematic liquid crystal flows with partial viscosity, and a blow up criterion of smooth solutions is established. This result is analogous to the celebrated Beale‐Kato‐Majda breakdown criterion for the incompressible Euler equations. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
2′‐Hydroxyflavanone induces apoptosis through Egr‐1 involving expression of Bax, p21, and NAG‐1 in colon cancer cells
Authors: Shin Soon Young , Kim Ji Ho , Lee Jung Ho , Lim Yoongho , Lee Young Han
Published: May 2012

Scope

Natural flavanones exhibit cancer preventive and/or therapeutic effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the action of the antitumor activity of hydroxyflavanone using the HCT116 colon cancer cell line.

Methods and results

We investigated the effect of hydroxyflavanones on antitumor activity. We found that 2′‐hydroxyflavanone (2′‐HF) potently inhibited the clonogenicity of HCT116 cells. 2′‐HF triggered apoptosis in both wild‐type and p53‐null HCT116 cells, as revealed by DNA fragmentation and caspase activation. 2′‐HF upregulated nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug‐activated gene 1 (NAG‐1) expression through induction of Egr‐1. Silencing of NAG‐1 or Egr‐1 using small interfering RNA (siRNA) could attenuate 2′‐HF‐induced apoptosis. Egr‐1 also upregulated the proapoptotic gene Bax and the cell cycle inhibitor p21.

Conclusion

Dietary 2′‐HF may possess antitumor activity against human colon cancer.
Ellagitannin metabolites, urolithin A glucuronide and its aglycone urolithin A, ameliorate TNF‐α‐induced inflammation and associated molecular markers in human aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Giménez‐Bastida Juan A. , González‐Sarrías Antonio , Larrosa Mar , Tomás‐Barberán Francisco , Espín Juan C. , García‐Conesa María‐Teresa
Published: May 2012

Scope

Numerous in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that ellagitannins exhibit anti‐inflammatory, anti‐atherosclerotic and anti‐angiogenic activity which support their potential preventive effect against cardiovascular diseases. Ellagitannins exhibit low bioavailability and are transformed in the gut to ellagic acid and its microbiota metabolites urolithin A (Uro‐A) and urolithin B (Uro‐B). Urolithins are found in plasma mostly as glucuronides at low μM concentrations. We investigated whether urolithin glucuronides and their aglycones exhibit vascular protective effects.

Methods and results

Human aortic endothelial cells were exposed to tumor necrosis factor alpha and to Uro‐A glucuronide, Uro‐B glucuronide or their corresponding aglycones at low μM concentrations to determine their effects on monocytes adhesion and endothelial cell migration. The levels of related adhesion cytokines and growth molecular markers were also measured. Uro‐A glucuronide (∼5–15 μM) inhibited monocyte adhesion and endothelial cell migration in a significant manner. These effects were associated with a moderate but significant down‐regulation of the levels of chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1 (PAI‐1). Uro‐A inhibited endothelial cell migration and was able to decrease the expression of CCL2 and interleukin‐8 (IL‐8).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that these metabolites might be involved, at least in part, in the beneficial effects against cardiovascular diseases attributed to the consumption of ellagitannin‐containing foods.
Squalene ameliorates atherosclerotic lesions through the reduction of CD36 scavenger receptor expression in macrophages
Authors: Granados‐Principal Sergio , Quiles Jose L. , Ramirez‐Tortosa Cesar L. , Ochoa‐Herrera Julio , Perez‐Lopez Patricia , Pulido‐Moran Mario , Ramirez‐Tortosa MCarmen
Published: May 2012

Scope

Anti‐atherogenic features of olive oil (OO) have been attributed, in part, to minor compounds, via diverse mechanisms, although its effects on the CD36 receptor have not been examined. We investigated the effects of minor compounds of OO (squalene (SQ), tyrosol (Tyr) and hydroxytyrosol (OH‐Tyr)), on the expression of the CD36 receptor, as well as on monocyte/macrophage differentiation and proliferation.

Methods and results

U937 monocytic cells and macrophages (obtained with 10 nM phorbol‐myristate‐acetate) were exposed to Tyr, OH‐Tyr or SQ at 0, 10, 75 and 200 μM with/without native or oxidised LDL(oxLDL). Flow cytometry was used to achieve the expression of CD36 in both cell types exposed to oxLDL plus antioxidants, as well as the inhibition of monocyte/macrophage differentiation after oxLDL and apoptosis. SQ caused a dose‐dependent reduction of CD36 in the presence of native and moderate LDL in monocytes and macrophages. Phenotype‐dependent cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects were found for OH‐Tyr (p < 0.05), while SQ affected neither monocytes nor macrophages (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

SQ does not prevent monocyte migration and activation into macrophages, but it would inhibit oxLDL uptake by macrophages, by reducing CD36 expression. This study provides new data about the role of the components of OO in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Effect of supplementation with an 80:20 cis9,trans11 conjugated linoleic acid blend on the human platelet proteome
Authors: Bachmair Eva‐Maria , Bots Michiel L. , Mennen Louise I. , Kelder Thomas , Evelo Chris T. , Horgan Graham W. , Ford Isobel , de Roos Baukje
Published: May 2012

Scope

The dietary fatty acid cis9,trans11 conjugated linoleic acid (cis9,trans11 CLA) has been shown to modify the function of endothelial cells, monocytes, and platelets, all of which are involved in the development of atherosclerosis. Potential mechanisms for the platelet effects have not been assessed previously. In this study, we assessed how supplementation of the diet with an 80:20 cis9,trans11 CLA blend affects the platelet proteome.

Methods and results

In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, parallel‐group trial, 40 overweight but apparently healthy adults received either 4 g per day of cis9,trans11 CLA‐enriched oil or placebo oil, consisting of palm oil and soybean oil, for 3 months. Total platelet proteins were extracted from washed platelets, separated using two‐dimensional gel electrophoresis and differentially regulated protein spots were identified by LC‐ESI‐MS/MS. Supplementation with the CLA blend, compared with placebo, resulted in significant alterations in levels of 46 spots (p < 0.05), of which 40 were identified. Network analysis revealed that the majority of these proteins participate in regulation of the cytoskeleton and platelet structure, as well as receptor action, signaling, and focal adhesion.

Conclusion

The platelet proteomics approach revealed novel insights into regulation of cellular biomarkers of atherogenic and thrombotic pathways by an 80:20 cis9,trans11 CLA blend.