bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Olmesartan-Associated Enteropathy: A Review of Clinical and Histologic Findings
Authors: Choi Eun-Young Karen , McKenna Barbara J.
Published: September 2015

Olmesartan is an antihypertensive medication belonging to the angiotensin II receptor blocker class of drugs that has recently been associated with severe enteropathy. Olmesartan-associated enteropathy is uncommon and may be difficult to recognize because of its clinical and histologic similarities to other clinical entities, including celiac sprue and autoimmune enteropathy. The purpose of this article is to review the clinical and histologic findings of olmesartan-associated enteropathy that have been reported in the literature and to discuss clinical entities to consider in the differential diagnosis of olmesartan-associated enteropathy.
Oligomerization of p62 allows for selection of ubiquitinated cargo and isolation membrane during selective autophagy
Authors: Wurzer Bettina , Zaffagnini Gabriele , Fracchiolla Dorotea , Turco Eleonora , Abert Christine , Romanov Julia , Martens Sascha
Published: September 2015

Autophagy is a major pathway for the clearance of harmful material from the cytoplasm. During autophagy, cytoplasmic material is delivered into the lysosomal system by organelles called autophagosomes. Autophagosomes form in a de novo manner and, in the course of their formation, isolate cargo material from the rest of the cytoplasm. Cargo specificity is conferred by autophagic cargo receptors that selectively link the cargo to the autophagosomal membrane decorated with ATG8 family proteins such as LC3B. Here we show that the human cargo receptor p62/SQSTM-1 employs oligomerization to stabilize its interaction with LC3B and linear ubiquitin when they are clustered on surfaces. Thus, oligomerization enables p62 to simultaneously select for the isolation membrane and the ubiquitinated cargo. We further show in a fully reconstituted system that the interaction of p62 with ubiquitin and LC3B is sufficient to bend the membrane around the cargo.
Effects of Stem Cell Treatment in Human Patients With Peyronie Disease
Authors: Levy Jason A. , Marchand Melissa , Iorio Leanne , Zribi Gilles , Zahalsky Michael P.
Published: September 2015

Context: Peyronie disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder involving the formation of fibrous plaques in the tunica albuginea. Abnormal plaques and scar tissue create a chronic state of inflammation, causing increased curvature of the penis as well as erectile dysfunction.

Objective: To determine the feasibility and effects of using placental matrix–derived mesenchymal stem cells (PM-MSCs) in the management of PD.

Methods: In a prospective study, patients with PD were injected with PM-MSCs, and followed up at 6-week, 3-month, and 6-month intervals to assess changes in plaque volume, penile curvature, and erectile function status (measured using peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire).

Results: In the 5 patients enrolled in the study, statistically significant increases in peak systolic velocity occurred after PM-MSC injection (P<.01). Of a total of 10 plaques managed, 7 had disappeared completely at 3-month follow-up. Changes in end-diastolic velocity, stretched penile length, and penile girth were not statistically significant.

Conclusion: To our knowledge, this study is the first on the use of stem cells to manage PD in humans. The results suggest that PM-MSCs may be beneficial and effective as a nonsurgical treatment in patients with PD. Future studies with long-term follow-up in a larger sample of patients are warranted. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT02395029)
Giant Extra-Adrenal Retroperitoneal Myelolipoma With Incidental Gastric Mesenchymal Neoplasias
Authors: Yildiz Baris D.
Published: September 2015

Extra-adrenal myelolipomas are rare, benign tumors composed of adipose tissue and hematopoietic cells. Almost all myelolipomas occur within the adrenal gland. Only 50 cases of myelolipomas were described in literature and none of these were associated with gastric mesenchymal neoplasia. A 72-year-old male patient presented to a family medicine outpatient clinic with dyspnea and urinary urgency. His abdominal sonography revealed a 9-cm intra-abdominal mass. An incidental finding was 2 separate masses 1 cm each on the serosal surface of the stomach. The pathology specimen of the retroperitoneal mass revealed myelolipoma histopathology while gastric masses were reported as spindle cell mesenchymal neoplasias. The association of gastric spindle cell tumor and myelolipoma was not reported before in medical literature. Extra-adrenal myelolipomas are rare lesions, but should be considered in the differential diagnosis of fat containing retroperitoneal masses that are well circumscribed.
Prevention of Incisional Surgical Site Infection Using a Subcuticular Absorbable Suture in Elective Surgery for Gastrointestinal Cancer
Authors: Bou Hideki , Suzuki Hideyuki , Maejima Kentarou , Uchida Eiji , Tokunaga Akira
Published: September 2015

This study examined whether subcuticular absorbable sutures actually reduce incisional SSI in patients undergoing surgery for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Surgical site infection (SSI) is still a source of major complications in digestive tract surgery. Reportedly, incisional SSI can be reduced using subcuticular suturing. We performed subcuticular suturing using a 4-0 absorbable monofilament in patients undergoing elective surgery for GI cancer beginning in 2008. Using an interrupted technique, sutures were placed 1.5-2.0cm from the edge of the wound, with everted subcuticular sutures created at intervals of 1.5-2.0cm. The control group consisted of cases in which the common subcutaneous suture method using clip. One hundred cases were examined in the subcuticular group. The incidence of SSI was 0% in the subcuticular suture group, compared with 13.9% in the control group; this difference was significant. Incisional SSI can be prevented using the devised subcuticular absorbable sutures in patients undergoing elective surgery for GI cancer.
Pneumoretroperitoneum and Pneumomediastinum Revealing a Left Colon Perforation
Authors: Montori Giulia , Di Giovanni Giacomo , Mzoughi Zeineb , Angot Cedric , Al Samman Sophie , Solaini Leonardo , Cheynel Nicolas
Published: September 2015

Left colon perforation usually occurs in complicated diverticulitis or cancer. The most frequent signs are intraperitoneal abscess or peritonitis. In cases of retroperitoneal colonic perforation, diagnosis may be difficult. A 59-year-old woman presented with left thigh pain and with abdominal discomfort associated with mild dyspnea. Computed tomography scan showed air bubbles and purulent collection in the retroperitoneum, with subcutaneous emphysema extending from the left thigh to the neck. Computed tomography scan also revealed portal vein gas and thrombosis with multiple liver abscesses. An emergency laparotomy revealed a perforation of the proximal left colon. No masses were found. A left colectomy was performed. The retroperitoneum was drained and washed extensively. A negative pressure wound therapy was applied. A second-look laparotomy was performed 48 hours later. The retroperitoneum was drained and an end colostomy was performed. Intensive Care Unit postoperative stay was 9 days, and the patient was discharged on the 32nd postoperative day. Pneumoretroperitoneum and pneumomediastinum are rare signs of colonic retroperitoneal perforation. The diagnosis may be delayed, especially in the absence of peritoneal irritation. Clinical, laboratory, and especially radiologic parameters might be useful. Surgical treatment must be prompt to improve prognosis.
Surgical Mortality Audit–lessons Learned in a Developing Nation
Authors: Bindroo Sandiya , Saraf Rakesh
Published: September 2015

Surgical audit is a systematic, critical analysis of the quality of surgical care that is reviewed by peers against explicit criteria or recognized standards. It is used to improve surgical practice with the ultimate goal of improving patient care. As the pattern of surgical care is different in the developing world, we analyzed mortalities in a referral medical institute of India to suggest interventions for improvement. An analysis of total admissions, different surgeries, and mortalities over 1 year in an urban referral medical institute of northern India was performed, followed by “peer review” of the mortalities. Mortality rates as outcomes and classification was done to provide comparative results. Of 10,005 surgical patients, 337 (male = 221, female = 116) deaths were reported over 1 year. The overall mortality rate was 3.36%, while mortality in operative cases was 1.76%. Total deaths were classified into (1) Viable: 153 (45%), (2) Nonviable: 174 (52%), and (3) Indeterminate: 10 (3%). Exclusion of the nonviable group reduced the mortality rate from 3.36% to 1.62%. Trauma was the major cause of mortality (n = 235; 70%) as compared to other surgical patients (n = 102; 30%). Increased mortality was also associated with emergency procedures (3.66%) as compared to elective surgeries (0.34%). In conclusion, audit of mortality and morbidity helps in initiating and implementing preventive strategies to improve surgical practice and patient care, and to reduce mortality rates. The mortality and morbidity forum is an important educational activity. It should be considered a mandatory activity in all postgraduate training programs.
Giant Cholangiolocellular Carcinoma With Early Recurrence That Was Difficult to Distinguish From Cholangiocellular Carcinoma: Report of a Case
Authors: Ishii Norihiro , Suzuki Hideki , Tsukagoshi Mariko , Watanabe Akira , Kubo Norio , Araki Kenichiro , Wada Satoshi , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: September 2015

Cholangiolocellular carcinoma (CoCC) is a rare type of malignant liver tumor derived from hepatic stem cells, which exist in the canals of Hering. However, the characteristics of CoCC have not been clarified. In general, CoCC is associated with a better prognosis than cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC). Here, we report a case of giant CoCC, which was difficult to distinguish from CCC and showed early recurrence and necrosis inside the tumor. A 59-year-old man was diagnosed with CCC based on preoperative imaging. The diameter of the tumor was approximately 14 cm, and he subsequently underwent extended right lobectomy of the liver. Histopathologic analysis revealed that tumor cells proliferated and replaced the surrounding normal liver cell cords in front of the tumor. Furthermore, the tumor cells were positive for cytokeratin 19 and epithelial membrane antigen. Epithelial membrane antigen staining pattern was positive on the membranous area of the lumen. Therefore, the tumor was diagnosed as CoCC. Although adjuvant chemotherapy was performed, intrahepatic recurrence occurred at 4 months after surgery. We present here the novel characteristics of CoCC that show early recurrence and necrosis within the tumor. These characteristics have not previously been reported in patients with CoCC.
Phase I Dose-Escalation Study of Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-Fluorouracil Combination Chemotherapy in Patients With Advanced Esophageal Carcinoma
Authors: Satomura Hitoshi , Nakajima Masanobu , Sasaki Kinro , Yamaguchi Satoru , Domeki Yasushi , Takahashi Masakazu , Muroi Hiroto , Kubo Tsukasa , Kikuchi Maiko , Otomo Haruka , Ihara Keisuke , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: September 2015

A dose-escalation study of docetaxel (DOC), cisplatin (CDDP), and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU; DCF combination regimen) was performed to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD), recommended dose (RD) and dose-limiting toxicities (DLT) in advanced esophageal carcinoma. Eighteen patients with esophageal carcinoma were enrolled and received DCF combination therapy at different dose levels. DLTs included febrile neutropenia and oral mucositis. DLT occurred in 2 out of 6 patients at level 2 and 3. The study proceeded to level 4, according to the protocol. The level 4 dose was defined as the MTD and the level 3 dose was defined as the RD. The RD for DCF combination chemotherapy for advanced esophageal carcinoma in the present study was 70 mg/m2 DOC plus 70 mg/m2 CDDP on day 1 plus 700 mg/m2 5-FU on days 1–5 at 4-week intervals. This regimen was tolerable and highly active. A phase II study has been started.
A Left-Sided Approach for Resection of Hepatic Caudate Lobe Hemangioma: Two Case Reports and a Literature Review
Authors: Feng Xielin , Hu Yong , Peng Junping , Liu Aixiang , Tian Lang , Zhang Hui
Published: September 2015

Resection of the hemangioma located in the caudate lobe is a major challenge in current liver surgery. This study aimed to present our surgical technique for this condition. Two consecutive patients with symptomatic hepatic hemangioma undergoing caudate lobectomy were investigated retrospectively. First, all the blood inflow of hemangioma from the portal vein and the hepatic artery at the base of the umbilical fissure was dissected. After the tumors became soft and tender, the short hepatic veins and the ligaments between the secondary porta hepatis were severed. At last the tumors were resected from the right lobe of the liver. The whole process was finished by a left-sided approach. Blood lost in Case 1 was 1650 mL because of ligature failing in one short hepatic vein, and in the other case, 210 mL. Operation time was 236 minutes and 130 minutes, respectively. Postoperative hospital stays were 11 and 5 days, respectively. The diameter of tumors was 9.0 cm and 6.5 cm. Case 1 required blood transfusion during surgery. No complications such as biliary fistula, postoperative bleeding, and liver failure occurred. The left-sided approach produced the best results for caudate lobe resection in our cases. The patients who recovered are living well and asymptomatic. Caudate lobectomy can be performed safely and quickly by a left-sided approach, which is carried out with optimized perioperative management and innovative surgical technique.
A new dynamic fluid‐kinetic model for plasma transport within the plasmasphere
Authors: Wang Yan , Tu Jiannan , Song Paul
Published: September 2015

A new dynamic fluid‐kinetic model is developed for investigating the plasma transport along a closed magnetic flux tube in the plasmasphere by coupling the field line interhemispheric plasma (FLIP) model with a generalized semikinetic (GSK) model. The coupling is achieved via an overlapped transition region (800 km–1100 km altitude) in each of the hemispheres. The flux tube is allowed to move both radially away from, toward, and azimuthally around the Earth. In addition to H+, ion species O+ and He+ are for the first time treated as simulation particles in a numerical model of the plasmasphere. The simulation particles are subjected to the field‐aligned electric field, magnetic mirror force, gravity, centrifugal force, and interspecies and intraspecies Coulomb collisions. The plasmaspheric refilling processes as an application of the model are studied. The simulation results show that the behaviors of O+ ions are substantially different from those of H+ and He+ ions.
Nighttime atomic oxygen in the mesopause region retrieved from SCIAMACHY O(1S) green line measurements and its response to solar cycle variation
Authors: Zhu Yajun , Kaufmann Martin , Ern Manfred , Riese Martin
Published: September 2015

This paper presents new data sets relating to the abundance of atomic oxygen in the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere, which were derived from the nighttime green line emission measurements of the SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric CHartographY) instrument on the European Environmental Satellite (Envisat). These are compared to recently published data sets from the same SCIAMACHY green line measurements through the application of a different photochemical model and to data collected by the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry instrument. We find that the retrieved atomic oxygen concentration depends on the choice of the underlying photochemical model. These dependencies explain a large proportion of the differences between recently published data sets. The impact of the 11 year solar cycle on volume emission rates and atomic oxygen abundances was analyzed for various data sets, with the finding that the solar cycle effect varies with the atomic oxygen data set used. The solar cycle impact on the SCIAMACHY data increases with altitude. Above 96 km, it is significantly larger than predicted by Hamburg Model of the Neutral and Ionized Atmosphere. Investigations indicate that these variations are primarily driven by total density compression/expansion variations during the solar cycle, rather than different photolysis rates.
MeV proton flux predictions near Saturn's D ring
Authors: Kollmann P. , Roussos E. , Kotova A. , Cooper J. F. , Mitchell D. G. , Krupp N. , Paranicas C.
Published: September 2015

Radiation belts of MeV protons have been observed just outward of Saturn's main rings. During the final stages of the mission, the Cassini spacecraft will pass through the gap between the main rings and the planet. Based on how the known radiation belts of Saturn are formed, it is expected that MeV protons will be present in this gap and also bounce through the tenuous D ring right outside the gap. At least one model has suggested that the intensity of MeV protons near the planet could be much larger than in the known belts. We model this inner radiation belt using a technique developed earlier to understand Saturn's known radiation belts. We find that the inner belt is very different from the outer belts in the sense that its intensity is limited by the densities of the D ring and Saturn's upper atmosphere, not by radial diffusion and satellite absorption. The atmospheric density is relatively well constrained by EUV occultations. Based on that we predict an intensity in the gap region that is well below that of the known belts. It is more difficult to do the same for the region magnetically connected to the D ring since its density is poorly constrained. We find that the intensity in this region can be comparable to the known belts. Such intensities pose no hazard to the mission since Cassini would only experience these fluxes on timescales of minutes but might affect scientific measurements by decreasing the signal‐to‐contamination ratio of instruments.
Learning By Tracing Worked Examples
Authors: Ginns Paul , Hu Fang‐Tzu , Byrne Erin , Bobis Janette
Published: September 2015

Cognitive load theorists have only recently begun to test the role of the body in learning. Tracing the index finger over the surface of instructions while reading, an embodied pedagogy based on Montessori's sandpaper letters, may hold substantial promise for learning by reducing cognitive load. Two experiments tested whether students who traced their index fingers against paper‐based worked example instructions in triangle geometry (Experiment 1; N = 52) and order of operations (Experiment 2; N = 54) would perform better on a subsequent test than students who only studied the materials visually. Students in the tracing condition outperformed the non‐tracing condition on transfer problems in both Experiment 1 (d = .78) and Experiment 1 (d = .50), but hypotheses regarding self‐reports of cognitive load during testing were not supported. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Eyewitness Evidence Obtained with the Self‐Administered Interview© Is Unaffected by Stress
Authors: Krix Alana C. , Sauerland Melanie , Raymaekers Linsey H. C. , Memon Amina , Quaedflieg Conny W. E. M. , Smeets Tom
Published: September 2015

The Self‐Administered Interview© (SAI) serves to elicit eyewitness statements directly after the crime. Witnesses could still experience stress then. Because stress during retrieval produces memory‐impairing effects, this study sought to compare the SAI with free recall under stress. An interaction between stress and interview was expected such that the SAI would elicit more comprehensive accounts than free recall in the control, but not in the stress group. One hundred and twenty‐seven participants underwent a stress or control task. They witnessed a live staged crime and completed an SAI or a free recall. The SAI elicited a higher number of correct verifiable event details and a higher number of correct and incorrect perpetrator details than free recall. Accuracy rates were unaffected. Unexpectedly, despite causing moderate stress‐induced cortisol elevations, stress exposure did not influence memory performance and did not interact with interview type. Hence, the SAI can safely be used, when witnesses are moderately stressed.Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prednisone Use and Risk of Mortality in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Moderation by Use of Disease‐Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs
Authors: Chester Wasko Mary , Dasgupta Abhijit , Ilse Sears Genevieve , Fries James F. , Ward Michael M.
Published: September 2015

Objective

Medications for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may affect survival. However, studies often include limited followup and do not account for selection bias in treatment allocation. Using a large longitudinal database, we examined the association between prednisone use and mortality in RA, and whether this risk was modified with concomitant disease‐modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) use, after controlling for propensity for treatment with prednisone and individual DMARDs.

Methods

In a prospective study of 5,626 patients with RA followed for up to 25 years, we determined the risk of death associated with prednisone use alone and combined treatment of prednisone with methotrexate (MTX) or sulfasalazine. We used the random forests method to generate propensity scores for prednisone use and each DMARD at study entry and during followup. Mortality risks were estimated using multivariate Cox models that included propensity scores.

Results

During followup (median 4.97 years), 666 patients (11.8%) died. In a multivariate, propensity‐adjusted model, prednisone use was associated with an increased risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] 2.83 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.03–7.76]). However, there was a significant interaction between prednisone use and MTX use (P = 0.03), so that risk was attenuated when patients were treated with both medications (HR 0.99 [95% CI 0.18–5.36]). However, combination treatment also weakened the protective association of MTX with mortality. Results were similar for sulfasalazine.

Conclusion

Prednisone use was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality in patients with RA. This association was mitigated by concomitant DMARD use, but combined treatment also negated the previously reported beneficial association of MTX with survival in RA.
Efficacy of an Interinstitutional Mentoring Program Within Pediatric Rheumatology
Authors: Moorthy Lakshmi Nandini , Muscal Eyal , Riebschleger Meredith , Klein‐Gitelman Marisa , Nigrovic Lise E. , Horon Jeffrey R. , Rouster‐Stevens Kelly , Ferguson Polly J. , Eberhard B. Anne , Brunner Hermine I. , Prahalad Sampath , Schneider Rayfel , Nigrovic Peter A. ,   for the American College of Rheumatology Special Committee on Pediatrics and the Investigators of the Childhood Arthritis & Rheumatology Research Alliance
Published: September 2015

Objective

The small size of many pediatric rheumatology programs translates into limited mentoring options for early career physicians. To address this problem, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the Childhood Arthritis and Rheumatology Research Alliance (CARRA) developed a subspecialty‐wide interinstitutional mentoring program, the ACR/CARRA Mentoring Interest Group (AMIGO). We sought to assess the impact of this program on mentoring within pediatric rheumatology.

Methods

In a longitudinal 3‐year study, participant ratings from the AMIGO pilot program were compared with those after the program was opened to general enrollment. Access to mentoring as a function of career stage was assessed by surveys of the US and Canadian pediatric rheumatologists in 2011 and 2014, before and after implementation of AMIGO.

Results

Participants in the pilot phase (19 dyads) and the general implementation phase (112 dyads) reported comparable success in establishing mentor contact, suitability of mentor‐mentee pairing, and benefit with respect to career development, scholarship, and work‐life balance. Community surveys showed that AMIGO participation as mentee was high among fellows (86%) and modest among junior faculty (31%). Implementation correlated with significant gains in breadth of mentorship and in overall satisfaction with mentoring for fellows but not junior faculty.

Conclusion

AMIGO is a career mentoring program that serves most fellows and many junior faculty in pediatric rheumatology across the US and Canada. Program evaluation data confirm that a subspecialty‐wide interinstitutional mentoring program is feasible and can translate into concrete improvement in mentoring, measurable at the level of the whole professional community.
Traditional Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Management in Rheumatoid Arthritis Compared to Matched Nonrheumatoid Arthritis in a US Managed Care Setting
Authors: An Jaejin , Cheetham T. Craig , Reynolds Kristi , Alemao Evo , Kawabata Hugh , Liao Katherine P. , Solomon Daniel H.
Published: September 2015

Objective

To compare traditional cardiovascular (CV) risk factor management among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to that of matched non‐RA controls within a large US managed care setting.

Methods

Adult patients with RA and age‐ and sex‐matched general population (general controls) or osteoarthritis (OA) controls were identified between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2011. We compared health care utilization, measurement, treatment, and treatment target achievement of traditional CV risk factors among subgroups of CV comorbidity during 1 year of followup between RA and controls.

Results

A total of 9,440 RA patients, 31,009 general controls, and 10,352 OA controls were included. The proportions with measurements (blood pressure [BP], low‐density lipoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, or hemoglobin A1c), treatment (antihypertensive, statin, or anti–diabetes mellitus medications), and treatment target achievement were slightly higher in patients with RA compared with general controls. Controlling for other factors, RA patients were more likely to have a measurement of BP (odds ratio [OR] 16.77 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 10.01–28.08]) or LDL cholesterol (OR 1.25 [95% CI 1.13–1.39]), and to receive antihypertensive (OR 1.84 [95% CI 1.47–2.30]) or anti–diabetic medications (OR 1.26 [95% CI 1.01–1.56]) compared to general controls. RA was not associated with receiving a statin (OR 1.01 [95% CI 0.92–1.12]); however, a target LDL level was more likely to be achieved in RA compared to general controls (OR 1.27 [95% CI 1.17–1.37]) as well as target levels of BP and hemoglobin A1c. These results were consistent with results for OA controls except for a lower probability of receiving a statin in RA compared to OA.

Conclusion

Traditional CV risk factors in patients with RA were not less aggressively managed compared to non‐RA controls.
Ambient‐Dried Cellulose Nanofibril Aerogel Membranes with High Tensile Strength and Their Use for Aerosol Collection and Templates for Transparent, Flexible Devices
Authors: Toivonen Matti S. , Kaskela Antti , Rojas Orlando J. , Kauppinen Esko I. , Ikkala Olli
Published: September 2015

The application potential of cellulose nanofibril (CNF) aerogels has been hindered by the slow and costly freeze‐ or supercritical drying methods. Here, CNF aerogel membranes with attractive mechanical, optical, and gas transport properties are prepared in ambient conditions with a facile and scalable process. Aqueous CNF dispersions are vacuum‐filtered and solvent exchanged to 2‐propanol and further to octane, followed by ambient drying. The resulting CNF aerogel membranes are characterized by high transparency (>90% transmittance), stiffness (6 GPa Young's modulus, 10 GPa cm3 g−1 specific modulus), strength (97 MPa tensile strength, 161 MPa m3 kg−1 specific strength), mesoporosity (pore diameter 10–30 nm, 208 m2 g−1 specific surface area), and low density (≈0.6 g cm−3). They are gas permeable thus enabling collection of nanoparticles (for example, single‐walled carbon nanotubes, SWNT) from aerosols under pressure gradients. The membranes with deposited SWNT can be further compacted to transparent, conductive, and flexible conducting films (90% specular transmittance at 550 nm and 300 Ω ◻−1 sheet resistance with AuCl3‐salt doping). Overall, the developed aerogel membranes pave way toward use in gas filtration and transparent, flexible devices.
Stability of Metal Halide Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Leijtens Tomas , Eperon Giles E. , Noel Nakita K. , Habisreutinger Severin N. , Petrozza Annamaria , Snaith Henry J.
Published: September 2015

In recent years, there has been an unprecedented rise in the performance of metal halide perovskite solar cells. They are now in a position to compete on performance with traditional crystalline solar cells, and as such the most pressing questions concern the long term operational stability of this class of solar cell. Here, recent developments in understanding and overcoming stability concerns of metal halide perovskite solar cells are highlighted. An overview of possible instability issues due to electrical, atmospheric, heat, and light stresses is provided and the different implications to the most commonly used device architectures are discussed.
Plasma amino acid profiles in healthy East Asian subpopulations living in Japan
Authors: Nakamura Hidehiro , Nishikata Natsumi , Kawai Nobuhiro , Imaizumi Akira , Miyano Hiroshi , Mori Maiko , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Noguchi Yasushi
Published: September 2015

Objectives

Profiles of plasma free amino acids (PFAAs) have been utilized as biomarkers to detect various diseases. However, few studies have investigated whether ethnicity or specific subpopulations within East Asia influence PFAA concentrations.

Methods

A total of 95 healthy volunteers living in Japan, including 31 Japanese individuals, 36 Korean individuals and 28 Chinese individuals, were enrolled. Participants’ PFAA levels were measured by high‐performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry, and the effects of factors such as sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and subpopulation on PFAA profiles were analyzed.

Results

With the exception of glutamine and α‐aminobutyric acid, there were no significant differences among the three examined subpopulations with respect to either the means or the distributions of PFAA concentrations. A multiple regression analysis revealed that most of the PFAA concentrations were significantly related to sex. Ornithine concentrations, glutamate concentrations, and glutamine and α‐aminobutyric acid concentrations were significantly associated with age, BMI, and Chinese subpopulation, respectively.

Conclusion

The study results indicate that the contributions of subpopulation within East Asia to PFAA profiles are small, particularly relative to the contributions provided by sex. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:236–239, 2016. © 2015 The Authors American Journal of Human Biology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reconfigurable Photonic Capsules Containing Cholesteric Liquid Crystals with Planar Alignment
Authors: Lee Sang Seok , Kim Su Kyung , Won Jong Chan , Kim Yun Ho , Kim Shin‐Hyun
Published: September 2015

Cholesteric liquid crystals (CLCs) reflect selected wavelengths of light owing to their periodic helical structures. The encapsulation of CLCs leads to photonic devices that can be easily processed and might be used as stand‐alone microsensors. However, when CLCs are enclosed by polymeric membranes, they usually lose their planar alignment, leading to a deterioration of the optical performance. A microfluidics approach was employed to integrate an ultrathin alignment layer into microcapsules to separate the CLC core and the elastomeric solid membrane using triple‐emulsion drops as the templates. The thinness of the alignment layer provides high lubrication resistance, preserving the layer integrity during elastic deformation of the membrane. The CLCs in the microcapsules can thus maintain their planar alignment, rendering the shape and optical properties highly reconfigurable.
Melamine formaldehyde/polyvinyl alcohol composite fiber: Structures and properties controlled by reaction‐induced phase separation
Authors: Xu Weixing , Yu Cihang , Zhao Xiangsen , Xu Jianjun , Jiang Mengjin
Published: September 2015

Melamine−formaldehyde resin (MF)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite fibers with different phase structures and properties were prepared through reaction induced phase separation by wet spinning. Raman spectroscopy, rotary viscometer, and miscibility index were used to characterize the MF resins with different reaction degrees (RD). The phase structures of composite spinning dopes and composite fibers were observed by optical microscope (OM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Mechanical properties, flame retardant properties, and thermal stability of the composite fibers were also tested. Results show that the composite fibers made from MF resins with different RD have different phase structures and properties; when the miscibility index (MI) of MF resin is 1.60, the obtained MF/PVA composite fiber shows a sea‐island phase structure, which endues the fiber with the best comprehensive properties: the breaking strength, breaking elongation, rupture work and limiting oxygen index (LOI) are 4.29 cN/dtex, 13.55%, 8.46 × 10−5 J/dtex and 43.1%, respectively. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 42918.
Enhanced oil resistance and mechanical properties of nitrile butadiene rubber/lignin composites modified by epoxy resin
Authors: Yu Peng , He Hui , Jiang Can , Jia Yunchao , Wang Dongqing , Yao Xiaojie , Jia Demin , Luo Yuanfang
Published: September 2015

This is probably the first report on developing nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) composites with enhanced performancesvia lignin bridged epoxy resin in the rubber matrix. NBR/lignin masterbatch has been prepared through latex‐compounding method, and then epoxy resin (F51) was added in the NBR/lignin compounds by the melt compounding method. Lignin‐epoxy resin networks were synthesizedin situduring the curing process of rubber compounds through epoxide−hydroxyl reactions. Compared with lignin filler, lignin‐F51 networks showed an improved oil resistance ability and led to increased mechanical properties, crosslinking density, and thermal stability of the rubber composites. This method provides a new insight into the fabrication of novel interpenetrating polymer networks in rubber composites and enlarges the potential applications of lignin in high performance rubber composites. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci.2016,133, 42922.
Do collaborative practical tests encourage student‐centered active learning of gross anatomy?
Authors: Green Rodney A. , Cates Tanya , White Lloyd , Farchione Davide
Published: September 2015

Benefits of collaborative testing have been identified in many disciplines. This study sought to determine whether collaborative practical tests encouraged active learning of anatomy. A gross anatomy course included a collaborative component in four practical tests. Two hundred and seven students initially completed the test as individuals and then worked as a team to complete the same test again immediately afterwards. The relationship between mean individual, team, and difference (between team and individual) test scores to overall performance on the final examination (representing overall learning in the course) was examined using regression analysis. The overall mark in the course increased by 9% with a decreased failure rate. There was a strong relationship between individual score and final examination mark (P < 0.001) but no relationship for team score (P = 0.095). A longitudinal analysis showed that the test difference scores increased after Test 1 which may be indicative of social loafing and this was confirmed by a significant negative relationship between difference score on Test 4 (indicating a weaker student) and final examination mark (P < 0.001). It appeared that for this cohort, there was little peer‐to‐peer learning occurring during the collaborative testing and that weaker students gained the benefit from team marks without significant active learning taking place. This negative outcome may be due to insufficient encouragement of the active learning strategies that were expected to occur during the collaborative testing process. An improved understanding of the efficacy of collaborative assessment could be achieved through the inclusion of questionnaire based data to allow a better interpretation of learning outcomes. Anat Sci Educ 9: 231–237. © 2015 American Association of Anatomists.
Time trends in prevalence of gastroschisis in Texas, 1999 to 2011: Subgroup analyses by maternal and infant characteristics
Authors: Vo Loc‐Uyen T. , Langlois Peter H.
Published: September 2015

Background

The prevalence of gastroschisis, a birth defect of the abdominal wall, has been increasing in several areas around the world. Suggested risk factors for gastroschisis include maternal age, race/ethnicity, nativity, body mass index, and socioeconomic status.

Methods

Data for cases of gastroschisis and live births were taken from the Texas Birth Defects Registry and Texas vital records for deliveries between 1999 and 2011. Prevalence by subgroups over time was calculated for: infant sex, maternal age, race/ethnicity, nativity, education, parity, plurality, body mass index, and payer type. Stratified, adjusted, and interaction analyses of the trends were conducted using Poisson regression. A joinpoint trend analysis was also conducted for each subgroup.

Results

A total of 2,549 gastroschisis cases and 4,970,979 live births were delivered in 1999 to 2011, for an overall prevalence of 5.13 cases per 10,000 live births (95% confidence interval = 4.93–5.33). On average, the prevalence increased 4.8% each year; this overall time trend was statistically significant (p‐value < 0.0001). The time trend remained significant after adjusting for all variables, except payer type. The stratified analysis showed the increasing time trend was significant in many of the subgroups. However, there were no significant differences in the magnitude of the time trends between subgroups according to the interaction analysis.

Conclusion

This study confirms the increasing prevalence of gastroschisis over the time period 1999 to 2011 in Texas. The results suggest that no population subgroups are experiencing a significantly different increase in gastroschisis prevalence over time than others. Birth Defects Research (Part A), 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:928–940, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
MTHFD1 formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase deficiency, a model for the MTHFD1 R653Q variant, leads to congenital heart defects in mice
Authors: Christensen Karen E. , Deng Liyuan , Bahous Renata H. , Jerome‐Majewska Loydie A. , Rozen Rima
Published: September 2015

Background

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the synthetase domain of the trifunctional folate‐dependent enzyme MTHFD1 (c.1958G>A, R653Q) has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, neural tube defects, and possibly congenital heart defects. Maternal folate deficiency may also modify the risk associated with these disorders. We recently established a mouse model with a mild deficiency of 10‐formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activity in MTHFD1 (Mthfd1S+/− mice) to investigate disorders associated with SNPs in this gene. The effect of synthetase deficiency on embryonic heart development has not yet been examined.

Methods

Female Mthfd1S+/+ and +/‐ mice were placed on control and folate‐deficient diets for 6 weeks before mating to Mthfd1S+/‐ males. Embryos and placentae were collected at embryonic day 14.5. Embryos were evaluated for congenital heart defects by histological examination.

Results

Embryonic Mthfd1S+/‐ genotype was associated with an increased incidence of heart defects, primarily ventricular septal defects. Other markers of embryonic development (crown‐rump length, embryonic weight, embryonic delay, placental weight, and thickness of the ventricular myocardium) were not affected by embryonic genotype. Maternal genotype and diet did not have a significant effect on these outcomes.

Conclusion

Deficiency of the MTHFD1 10‐formyltetrahydrofolate synthetase activity in embryos is associated with increased incidence of congenital heart defects. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:1031–1038, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Antitumor activity of melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed extract in human and murine tumor models in vitro and in a colon‐26 tumor‐bearing mouse model in vivo
Authors: Narayanan Narayanan K. , Kunimasa Kazuhiro , Yamori Yukio , Mori Mari , Mori Hideki , Nakamura Kazuki , Miller George , Manne Upender , Tiwari Amit K. , Narayanan Bhagavathi
Published: September 2015

Melinjo (Gnetum gnemon L.) seed extract (MSE) and its active ingredient gnetin C (GC), a resveratrol dimer, have been shown to possess a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities. In this study, we investigated the antitumor activity of MSE and GC using human and murine tumor cell culture models in vitro. The antitumor activity of GC was compared with trans‐resveratrol (tRV), a stilbenoid polyphenol. Our results show that MSE and GC at clinically achievable concentrations significantly inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic, prostate, breast, and colon cancer cell types (P < 0.05), without affecting normal cells. Interestingly, GC exerts enhanced antitumor activity than that of tRV (P < 0.05). MSE and GC significantly induced apoptosis in all the cancer cells, indicating MSE and GC inhibit tumor cell growth by inducing apoptosis (P < 0.001). Our findings provide evidence that MSE might induce apoptosis in cancer cells via caspase‐3/7‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms. However, GC might trigger both early and late stage apoptosis in cancer cells, at least in part by activating caspase 3/7‐dependent mechanisms. Furthermore, the antitumor efficacy of MSE observed in vitro was also validated in a widely used colon‐26 tumor‐bearing mouse model. Oral administration of MSE at 50 and 100 mg/kg per day significantly inhibited tumor growth, intratumoral angiogenesis, and liver metastases in BALB/c mice bearing colon‐26 tumors (P < 0.05). In conclusion, our findings provide evidence that MSE and GC have potent antitumor activity. Most importantly, we provide the first evidence that MSE inhibits tumor growth, intratumoral angiogenesis, and liver metastasis in a colon‐26 tumor‐bearing mice.
High‐flux hemodialysis after administering high‐dose methotrexate in a patient with posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease and impaired renal function
Authors: Reshetnik Alexander , Scheurig‐Muenkler Christian , van der Giet Markus , Tölle Markus
Published: September 2015

Key Clinical Message

A young patient develops cerebral posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder. Despite concurrent significantly impaired transplant kidney function use of add‐on high‐flux hemodialysis for additional clearance made the administration of high‐dose methotrexate feasible in this patient without occurence of acute chronic kidney failure and significant hematological toxicity.
Severe traumatic vulva hematoma in teenage girl
Authors: Ernest Alex , Knapp Gregory
Published: September 2015

Key Clinical Message

Nonobstetric hematomas of the vulva are rare and not extensively reported in literature. There are no consensus guidelines and a paucity of literature to guide best practices with regard to management. We present a case of vulva hematoma in a teenage girl. Our experience highlights the importance of prompt surgical intervention to reduce associated morbidity and minimize hospital stay.
Solving the 170‐Year‐Old Mystery About Red‐Violet and Blue Transient Intermediates in the Gmelin Reaction
Authors: Gao Yin , Toubaei Abouzar , Kong Xianqi , Wu Gang
Published: September 2015

The Gmelin reaction between nitroprusside and sulfides in aqueous solution is known to produce two transient intermediates with distinct colors: an initial red‐violet intermediate that subsequently converts into a blue intermediate. In this work, we use a combination of multinuclear (17O, 15N, 13C) NMR, UV/Vis, IR spectroscopic techniques and quantum chemical computation to show unequivocally that the red‐violet intermediate is [Fe(CN)5N(O)S]4− and the blue intermediate is [Fe(CN)5N(O)SS)]4−. While the formation of [Fe(CN)5N(O)S]4− has long been postulated in the literature, this study provides the most direct proof of its structure. In contrast, [Fe(CN)5N(O)SS)]4− represents the first example of any metal coordination complex containing a perthionitro ligand. The new reaction pathways found in this study not only provide clues for the mode of action of nitroprusside for its pharmacological activity, but also have broader implications to the biological role of H2S, potential reactions between H2S and nitric oxide donor compounds, and the possible biological function of polysulfides.
T‐cell receptor repertoire variation may be associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in humans
Authors: Frankl Joseph A. , Thearle Marie S. , Desmarais Cindy , Bogardus Clifton , Krakoff Jonathan
Published: September 2015

Background

Recent work in Pima Indians, a population with high rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), demonstrated that human leukocyte antigen haplotype DRB1*02 carriers have an increased acute insulin response and decreased risk for the development of T2DM, implicating loss of self‐tolerance in the pathogenesis of T2DM. Advances in genomic sequencing have made T‐cell receptor repertoire analysis a practical mode of investigation.

Methods

High‐throughput sequencing of T‐cell receptor complementarity‐determining region 3 was carried out in male Pima Indians with normal glucose regulation (n = 11; age = 31 ± 8 years; %fat = 30.2 ± 8.7%) and the protective DRB1*02 haplotype versus those with T2DM without DRB1*02 (n = 7; age = 34 ± 8 years; %fat = 31.2 ± 4.7%). Findings were partially replicated in another cohort by assessing the predictive ability of T‐cell receptor variation on risk of T2DM in Pima Indian men (n = 27; age = 28.9 ± 7.1 years; %fat = 28.8 ± 7.1%) and women (n = 20; age = 29 ± 7.0 years; %fat = 37.1 ± 6.8%) with baseline normal glucose regulation but without the protective haplotype who were invited to follow‐up examinations as frequently as every 2 years where diabetes status was assessed by a 75‐g oral glucose tolerance test. Of these subjects, 13 developed diabetes.

Results

T‐cell receptor complementarity‐determining region 3 length was shorter in those with T2DM, and a one‐nucleotide decrease in complementarity‐determining region 3 length was associated with a nearly threefold increase in risk for future diabetes. The frequency of one variable gene, TRBV7‐8, was higher in those with T2DM. A 1% increase in TRBV7‐8 frequency was associated with a greater than threefold increase in diabetes risk.

Conclusions

These results indicate that T‐cell autoimmunity may be an important component in progression to T2DM in Pima Indians. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.