bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Differences in the expression of cell cycle genes in osteoblasts and endothelial cells cultured on the surfaces of Ti6Al4V and Ti6Al7Nb alloys
Authors: Walkowiak‐Przybyło M. , Komorowski P. , Walkowiak B.
Published: December 2016

Three medically used alloys (Ti6Al4V, Ti6Al7Nb, and AISI 316 L) are compared due to proliferative potential and metabolic response of human cells (osteoblasts line Saos‐2 and endothelial cells line EA.hy‐926) seeded on the surfaces of these alloys. Although no statistically significant difference in the proliferative potential of the cells cultured on the surfaces of examined biomaterials was observed, it does not exclude relevant differences in metabolic response of these cells assessed as changes in genes’ expression. As a result of our studies it was demonstrated that the changes in the expression of examined genes were very common. Our observation suggests the presence of the process of selective recognition of the contacted biomaterials by the cells seeded on their surfaces. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1607–1617, 2017.
Hemocompatibility evaluation of poly(1,8‐octanediol citrate) blend polyethersulfone membranes
Authors: Zailani Muhamad Zulhilmi , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi , Sheikh Abdul Kadir Siti Hamimah , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Goh Pei Sean , Hasbullah Hasrinah , Abdullah Mohd Sohaimi , Ng Be Cheer , Kamal Fatmawati
Published: December 2016

In this study, poly (1,8‐octanediol citrate) (POC) was used to modify polyethersulfone (PES)‐based membrane to enhance its hemocompatibility. Different compositions of POC (0–3%) were added into the polyethersulfone (PES) dope solutions and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used as pore forming agent. The hemocompatible POC modified PES membranes were fabricated through phase‐inversion technique. The prepared membranes were characterized using attenuated total reflectance‐Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic‐force microscopy (AFM), contact angle, Zeta‐potential, membrane porosity and pore size and pure water flux (PWF) and BSA rejection. The hemocompatibility of the modified PES membranes was evaluated by human serum fibrinogen (FBG) protein adsorption, platelet adhesion, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin–antithrombin III (TAT), complement (C3a and C5a) activation and Ca2+absorption on membrane. Results showed that by increasing POC concentration, FBG adsorption was reduced, less platelets adhesion, prolonged APTT and PT, lower TAT, C5a and C3a activation and absorb more Ca2+ion. These results indicated that modification of PES with POC has rendered improved hemocompatibility properties for potential application in the field of blood purification, especially in hemodialysis. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 1510–1520, 2017.
Cell adhesive peptides functionalized on CoCr alloy stimulate endothelialization and prevent thrombogenesis and restenosis
Authors: Castellanos Maria Isabel , Guillem‐Marti Jordi , Mas‐Moruno Carlos , Díaz‐Ricart Maribel , Escolar Ginés , Ginebra Maria Pau , Gil Francisco Javier , Pegueroles Marta , Manero Jose María
Published: December 2016

Immobilization of bioactive peptide sequences on CoCr surfaces is an effective route to improve endothelialization, which is of great interest for cardiovascular stents. In this work, we explored the effect of physical and covalent immoblization of RGDS, YIGSR and their equimolar combination peptides on endothelial cells (EC) and smooth muscle cell (SMC) adhesion and on thrombogenicity. We extensively investigated using RT‐qPCR, the expression by ECs cultured on functionalised CoCr surfaces of different genes. Genes relevant for adhesion (ICAM‐1 and VCAM‐1), vascularization (VEGFA, VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2) and anti‐thrombogenicity (tPA and eNOS) were over‐expressed in the ECs grown to covalently functionalized CoCr surfaces compared to physisorbed and control surfaces. Pro‐thrombogenic genes expression (PAI‐1 and vWF) decreased over time. Cell co‐cultures of ECs/SMCs found that functionalization increased the amount of adhered ECs onto modified surfaces compared to plain CoCr, independently of the used peptide and the strategy of immobilization. SMCs adhered less compared to ECs in all surfaces. All studied peptides showed a lower platelet cell adhesion compared to TCPS. Covalent functionalization of CoCr surfaces with an equimolar combination of RGDS and YIGSR represented prevailing strategy to enhance the early stages of ECs adhesion and proliferation, while preventing SMCs and platelet adhesion. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 973–983, 2017.
Simulating demand for cigarettes among pregnant women: A Low‐Risk method for studying vulnerable populations
Authors: Higgins Stephen T. , Reed Derek D. , Redner Ryan , Skelly Joan M. , Zvorsky Ivori A. , Kurti Allison N.
Published: December 2016

A substantive obstacle to experimentally studying cigarette smoking and use of other tobacco products in pregnant women is the risk of adverse effects on mother and fetus from experimenter administration of the product of interest. The purpose of this study is to investigate bypassing that obstacle by using behavioral economic simulation tasks. In the present study we used the Cigarette Purchase Task (CPT) to simulate changes in demand for hypothetical cigarettes as a function of varying cigarette prices. Participants were 95 pregnant women who completed the CPT prior to participation in a smoking‐cessation trial. Aggregate and individual participant demand varied as an orderly function of price and those changes were well fitted by an exponential equation. Demand also varied in correspondence to two well‐validated predictors of individual differences in smoking cessation among pregnant women (cigarettes smoked per day, pre‐pregnancy quit attempts). Moreover, CPT indices were more effective than these two conventional variables in predicting individual differences in whether women made a quit attempt during the current pregnancy. Overall, these results represent a promising step in demonstrating the validity and utility of the CPT for experimentally examining demand for cigarettes, and potentially other tobacco and nicotine delivery products, among pregnant women.
Prenatal transplantation of epidermal neural crest stem cells in malformation of cortical development mouse model
Authors: Omidi Ameneh , Akbari Mohammad , Mortezaee Keywan , Eqlimi Ehsan , Beyer Cordian , Zendedel Adib , Ragerdi Kashani Iraj
Published: December 2016

Prenatal interventions may offer an immense opportunity in therapeutic protocols of malformations of cortical development (MCD). Epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI‐NCSCs) of the hair follicle bulge exhibit features of both embryonic and adult stem cells; these cells maintain their neurologic differentiation capability because of their neural crest origin. However, it is unknown if prenatal use of EPI‐NCSCs could be beneficial in targeting methylazoxymethanol (MAM)‐induced MCD, which further addressed in the present work. EPI‐NCSCs were prenatally infused to the MAM‐exposed mice. Thicknesses of various cerebral cortex areas as well as corpus callosum was measured; there were markedly decrease in MAM group (p < .001 vs. untreated), but a significant increase in EPI‐NCSC group (p < .05 vs. MAM), except for corpus callosum. Real‐time PCR analysis showed high expressions for absent, small, or homeotic 2‐like protein, nestin, doublecortin (DCX), neuronal specific nuclei protein (NeuN), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in MAM group (p < .001 vs. untreated), except for G‐protein‐coupled C‐X‐C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4) and CXC motif ligand 12 (CXCL12), whereas there were low expressions in EPI‐NCSCs group (p < .01 vs. MAM). Immunohistochemistry of NeuN, GFAP, ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule (Iba1), and oligodendrocyte lineage transcription factor 2 (Olig2) was also revealed the same pattern as real‐time PCR (p < .001 MAM vs. untreated, and p < .05 EPI‐NCSCs vs. MAM). Our findings suggest prenatal use of EPI‐NCSCs as a possible candidate for cell‐based therapy of cortical injury through affecting neural markers and their relationship with glial.
Optimal dosage regimen for rituximab in ABO‐incompatible living donor liver transplantation
Authors: Egawa Hiroto , Umeshita Koji , Uemoto Shinji
Published: December 2016

Background

Rituximab has greatly improved the outcomes of ABO‐incompatible living donor liver transplantation (ABO‐I LDLT). To clarify the optimal regimen for rituximab in adult ABO‐I LDLT, a multicenter study was conducted in Japan.

Methods

Clinical data of 33 adult patients undergoing ABO‐I LDLT at 15 centers in 2013 were retrospectively corrected.

Results

The targeted blood type was A1 in 18, B in 14, and AB in one patient. Rituximab was administered at 7 to 48 days before LT, at a dose of 375 mg/m2 in 12 patients, 500 mg in 15 patients, 300 mg in five patients, and 100 mg in one patient. Adverse effects of rituximab were tolerable. Overall 1‐year patient survival was 81%; antibody‐mediated rejection (AMR) occurred in three patients (9%), two of whom died. Rituximab dose was significantly lower in patients with AMR (P < 0.001, 137 ± 61 vs. 307 ± 66 mg/m2). Among rituximab dose (n = 28), local infusion (n = 11), splenectomy (n = 23), prophylactic intravenous immunoglobulins (n = 12), preoperative tacrolimus (n = 9), preoperative antimetabolites (n = 21), and plasmapheresis (n = 23), only rituximab dose was a significantly favorable factor for AMR (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The use of rituximab at sufficient doses is recommended in adult ABO‐I LDLT.
Nonstationary extreme flood/rainfall frequency analysis informed by large‐scale oceanic fields for Xidayang Reservoir in North China
Authors: Zeng Hang , Sun Xun , Lall Upmanu , Feng Ping
Published: December 2016

Climate is a primary driver for extreme rainfall and flood events. In this paper, the temporally changing flood risk associated with the annual maximum 30‐day rainfall (30‐day AMR) and the annual maximum daily inflow (AMDI) related to the Xidayang Reservoir catchment is analysed from a climatic context. This is the largest catchment in Daqing River Basin in North China and is highly prone to floods related to the East Asian summer monsoon. Two climate factors, the average May‐June‐July sea surface temperature anomalies in areas of the northern Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean, are identified. They show a high negative correlation with the AMDI and 30‐day AMR. Bayesian nonstationary models are then developed for the AMDI and 30‐day AMR using the climate predictors identified as covariates. We compared three types of models of AMDI and 30‐day AMR: (1) time‐invariant, (2) linear temporal trend and (3) climate informed, and found that the climate‐informed models exhibit the best performance according to Deviance Information Criterion (DIC) and 90th percentile Bayesian coverage rate for both AMDI and 30‐day AMR. A significant decreasing trend is identified in the AMDI and the 30‐day AMR, which is found to be associated with the climate predictors. Leave one out cross validation (LOOCV) is used to demonstrate that these models have decent skill in predicting year‐to‐year variability in flood risk. This can help to provide flood/rainfall dynamic management measures for reservoirs in Daqing River Basin using information from before the beginning of monsoon season, thus facilitating adaptation to a changing climate.
Gogadget: An R Package for Interpretation and Visualization of GO Enrichment Results
Authors: Nota Benjamin
Published: December 2016

Gene expression profiling followed by gene ontology (GO) term enrichment analysis can generate long lists of significant GO terms. To interpret these results and get biological insight in the data, filtering and rearranging these long lists of GO terms might be desirable. The R package gogadget provides functions to modify GO analysis results, with a simple filter strategy. Furthermore, it groups redundant GO terms with hierarchical clustering and presents the results in a colorful heatmap. The filtered GO term enrichment results can also be exported by the package for subsequent analysis in Cytoscape Enrichment Map. The R package is freely available under the terms of the GNU GPLv3 at https://sourceforge.net/projects/gogadget/.
Ion recombination and polarity corrections for small‐volume ionization chambers in high‐dose‐rate, flattening‐filter‐free pulsed photon beams
Authors: Hyun Megan A. , Miller Jessica R. , Micka John A. , DeWerd Larry A.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To investigate ion recombination and polarity effects in scanning and microionization chambers when used with digital electrometers and high‐dose‐rate linac beams such as flattening‐filter‐free (FFF) fields, and to compare results against conventional pulsed and continuous photon beams.

Methods

Saturation curves were obtained for one Farmer‐type ionization chamber and eight small‐volume chamber models with volumes ranging from 0.01 to 0.13 cm3 using a Varian TrueBeam™ STx with FFF capability. Three beam modes (6 MV, 6 MV FFF, and 10 MV FFF) were investigated, with nominal dose‐per‐pulse values of 0.0278, 0.0648, and 0.111 cGy/pulse, respectively, at dmax. Saturation curves obtained using the Theratronics T1000 60Co unit at the UWADCL and a conventional linear accelerator (Varian Clinac iX) were used to establish baseline behavior. Jaffé plots were fitted to obtain Pion, accounting for exponential effects such as charge multiplication. These values were compared with the two‐voltage technique recommended in TG‐51, and were plotted as a function of dose‐per‐pulse to assess the ability of small‐volume chambers to meet reference‐class criteria in FFF beams.

Results

Jaffé‐ and two‐voltage‐determined Pion values measured for high‐dose‐rate beams agreed within 0.1% for the Farmer‐type chamber and 1% for scanning and microionization chambers, with the exception of the CC01 which agreed within 2%. With respect to ion recombination and polarity effects, the Farmer‐type chamber, scanning chambers and the Exradin A26 microchamber exhibited reference‐class behavior in all beams investigated, with the exception of the IBA CC04 scanning chamber, which had an initial recombination correction that varied by 0.2% with polarity. All microchambers investigated, with the exception of the A26, exhibited anomalous polarity and ion recombination behaviors that make them unsuitable for reference dosimetry in conventional and high‐dose‐rate photon beams.

Conclusions

The results of this work demonstrate that recombination and polarity behaviors seen in conventional pulsed and continuous photon beams trend accordingly in high‐dose‐rate FFF linac beams. Several models of small‐volume ionization chambers used with a digital electrometer have been shown to meet reference‐class requirements with respect to ion recombination and polarity, even in the high‐dose‐rate environment. For such chambers, a two‐voltage technique agreed well with more rigorous methods of determining Pion. However, the results emphasize the need for careful reference detector selection, and indicate that ionization chambers ought to be extensively tested in each beam of interest prior to their use for reference dosimetry.
Heterogeneous multiscale Monte Carlo simulations for gold nanoparticle radiosensitization
Authors: Martinov Martin P. , Thomson Rowan M.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

To introduce the heterogeneous multiscale (HetMS) model for Monte Carlo simulations of gold nanoparticle dose‐enhanced radiation therapy (GNPT), a model characterized by its varying levels of detail on different length scales within a single phantom; to apply the HetMS model in two different scenarios relevant for GNPT and to compare computed results with others published.

Methods

The HetMS model is implemented using an extended version of the EGSnrc user‐code egs_chamber; the extended code is tested and verified via comparisons with recently published data from independent GNP simulations. Two distinct scenarios for the HetMS model are then considered: (a) monoenergetic photon beams (20 keV to 1 MeV) incident on a cylinder (1 cm radius, 3 cm length); (b) isotropic point source (brachytherapy source spectra) at the center of a 2.5 cm radius sphere with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) diffusing outwards from the center. Dose enhancement factors (DEFs) are compared for different source energies, depths in phantom, gold concentrations, GNP sizes, and modeling assumptions, as well as with independently published values. Simulation efficiencies are investigated.

Results

The HetMS MC simulations account for the competing effects of photon fluence perturbation (due to gold in the scatter media) coupled with enhanced local energy deposition (due to modeling discrete GNPs within subvolumes). DEFs are most sensitive to these effects for the lower source energies, varying with distance from the source; DEFs below unity (i.e., dose decreases, not enhancements) can occur at energies relevant for brachytherapy. For example, in the cylinder scenario, the 20 keV photon source has a DEF of 3.1 near the phantom's surface, decreasing to less than unity by 0.7 cm depth (for 20 mg/g). Compared to discrete modeling of GNPs throughout the gold‐containing (treatment) volume, efficiencies are enhanced by up to a factor of 122 with the HetMS approach. For the spherical phantom, DEFs vary with time for diffusion, radionuclide, and radius; DEFs differ considerably from those computed using a widely applied analytic approach.

Conclusions

By combining geometric models of varying complexity on different length scales within a single simulation, the HetMS model can effectively account for both macroscopic and microscopic effects which must both be considered for accurate computation of energy deposition and DEFs for GNPT. Efficiency gains with the HetMS approach enable diverse calculations which would otherwise be prohibitively long. The HetMS model may be extended to diverse scenarios relevant for GNPT, providing further avenues for research and development.
Adiabatic excitation for 31P MR spectroscopy in the human heart at 7 T: A feasibility study
Authors: Valkovič Ladislav , Clarke William T. , Purvis Lucian A.B. , Schaller Benoit , Robson Matthew D. , Rodgers Christopher T.
Published: December 2016

Purpose

Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P‐MRS) provides a unique tool for assessing cardiac energy metabolism, often quantified using the phosphocreatine (PCr)/adenosine triphosphate (ATP) ratio. Surface coils are typically used for excitation for 31P‐MRS, but they create an inhomogeneous excitation field across the myocardium, producing undesirable, spatially varying partial saturation. Therefore, we implemented adiabatic excitation in a 3D chemical shift imaging (CSI) sequence for cardiac 31P‐MRS at 7 Tesla (T).

Methods

We optimized an adiabatic half passage pulse with bandwidth sufficient to excite PCr and γ‐ATP together. In addition, the CSI sequence was modified to allow interleaved excitation of PCr and γ‐ATP, then 2,3‐DPG, to enable PCr/ATP determination with blood correction. Nine volunteers were scanned at 2 transmit voltages to confirm that measured PCr/ATP was independent of
(i.e. over the adiabatic threshold). Six septal voxels were evaluated for each volunteer.

Results

Phantom experiments showed that adiabatic excitation can be reached at the depth of the heart using our pulse. The mean evaluated cardiac PCr/ATP ratio from all 9 volunteers corrected for blood signal was 2.14 ± 0.16. Comparing the two acquisitions with different voltages resulted in a minimal mean difference of
0.005.

Conclusion

Adiabatic excitation is possible in the human heart at 7 T, and gives consistent PCr/ATP ratios. Magn Reson Med 78:1667–1673, 2017. © 2016 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Multifocal sensory demyelinating neuropathy: Report of a case
Authors: Oh Shin J.
Published: December 2016

Introduction: Multifocal sensory demyelinating neuropathy has not been adequately reported in the literature. Methods: A 42‐year‐old man with numbness of the left hand for 3 years and of the right hand for 6 months had a pure multifocal sensory neuropathy involving both hands, most prominently affecting 2‐point discrimination, number writing, and object recognition of the left hand. Near‐nerve needle sensory and mixed nerve conduction studies were performed on the left ulnar nerve. Results: Studies of the left ulnar nerve documented a demyelinating neuropathy characterized by temporal dispersion and marked decrease in the amplitudes of the sensory and mixed compound nerve potentials in the above‐elbow‐axilla segment. With intravenous immunoglobulin treatment, there was improvement in his neuropathic condition. Conclusion: In this study I describe a case of multifocal sensory demyelinating neuropathy as a counterpart of multifocal motor neuropathy. Muscle Nerve 56: 825–828, 2017
Head‐drop: A frequent feature of late‐onset myasthenia gravis
Authors: Sih Marvin , Soliven Betty , Mathenia Nicholas , Jacobsen John , Rezania Kourosh
Published: December 2016

Introduction

Head‐drop is often encountered in myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, but its frequency and clinical course have not been studied systematically.

Methods

In a retrospective study of a cohort of MG patients seen over a period of 11 years in a tertiary medical center, we assessed the clinical characteristics of patients who had head‐drop.

Results

Of 146 generalized MG patients, 15 had head‐drop during the course of their disease. Head‐drop patients had older age of onset than those who did not have head‐drop (mean age of onset 59.1 vs. 42.3 years) and were predominantly men. Head‐drop was present in 23% of patients > 60 versus 6% of those < 60 years, and it improved in 9 of 11 patients with treatment directed to generalized MG.

Conclusions

Head‐drop is a common, treatment‐responsive manifestation of late‐onset MG. Muscle Nerve 56: 441–444, 2017
The role of radiation therapy in palliative care of children with advanced cancer: Clinical outcomes and patterns of care
Authors: Varma Sumeeta , Friedman Debra L. , Stavas Mark J.
Published: December 2016

Background

There are few published data to guide the use and timing of palliative radiation therapy (RT) in children. We aimed to determine the clinical outcomes of palliative RT in children and the relationship with palliative care and hospice referrals.

Procedure

A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients younger than 18 years who received palliative RT in our clinic from January 2005 to January 2015.

Results

In the specified time period, 50 children underwent 83 courses of palliative RT. Median survival after treatment was 124 days (range, 1–1141 days). Fifteen courses were delivered to children in the last 30 days of life (dol). Palliative RT was successful in 89% of courses delivered before the last 30 dol versus 28% of courses delivered in the last 30 dol (p < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test). At the time of data collection, 43 children were deceased. Altogether, 88% of children who received palliative RT were also referred to our institution's pediatric palliative care team or to hospice at some time in their course. Of the children who died, 74% were referred to hospice and 34% were on hospice while receiving palliative RT. For children not already on hospice, the median time to hospice referral was 96 days after the last fraction (range, 0–924 days).

Conclusions

Palliative RT is effective in children with advanced cancer, although less so in the last 30 dol. With careful care coordination and multidisciplinary collaboration, RT can be successfully integrated into supportive and end‐of‐life care for children with advanced cancer.
A Phase II feasibility study of oral etoposide given concurrently with radiotherapy followed by dose intensive adjuvant chemotherapy for children with newly diagnosed high‐risk medulloblastoma (protocol POG 9631): A report from the Children's Oncology Group
Authors: Esbenshade Adam J. , Kocak Mehmet , Hershon Linda , Rousseau Pierre , Decarie Jean‐Claude , Shaw Susan , Burger Peter , Friedman Henry S. , Gajjar Amar , Moghrabi Albert
Published: December 2016

Background

Children with high‐risk medulloblastoma historically have had a poor prognosis. The Children's Oncology Group completed a Phase II study using oral etoposide given with radiotherapy followed by intensive chemotherapy.

Procedure

Patients enrolled in the study had high‐risk disease defined as ≥1.5 cm2 of residual disease postsurgery or definite evidence of central nervous metastasis. All patients underwent surgery followed by radiotherapy. During radiation, the patients received oral etoposide (21 days on, 7 off) at an initial dose of 50 mg/m2 per day (treatment 1), which was reduced to 35 mg/m2 per day (treatment 2) due to toxicity. After radiotherapy, the patients received chemotherapy with three cycles of cisplatin and oral etoposide, followed by eight courses of cyclophosphamide and vincristine.

Results

Between November 1998 and October 2002, 53 patients were accrued; 15 received treatment 1 and 38 treatment 2. Forty‐seven patients (89%) were eligible. Response to radiation was excellent, with 19 (40.4%) showing complete response, 24 (51.1%) partial response, and four (8.5%) no recorded response. The overall 2‐ and 5‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) was 76.6 ± 6% and 70.2 ± 7%, respectively. The 2‐ and 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 80.9 ± 6% and 76.6 ± 6%, respectively. Clinical response postradiation and PFS/OS were not significantly different between the treatment groups. There was a trend toward a difference in 5‐year PFS between those without and with metastatic disease (P = 0.072).

Conclusions

Oral etoposide was tolerable at 35 mg/m2 (21 days on and 7 days off) when given during full‐dose irradiation in patients with high‐risk medulloblastoma with encouraging survival data.
Emergency department utilization by Californians with sickle cell disease, 2005–2014
Authors: Paulukonis Susan T. , Feuchtbaum Lisa B. , Coates Thomas D. , Neumayr Lynne D. , Treadwell Marsha J. , Vichinsky Elliott P. , Hulihan Mary M.
Published: December 2016

Background

Clinical care for children and adults living with sickle cell disease (SCD) is often provided in the emergency department (ED). Population‐based surveillance data can be used to describe the ED utilization patterns of this patient population.

Procedure

A cohort of pediatric and adult California patients with SCD was identified from multiple data sources, and 10 years (2005–2014) of their treat‐and‐release ED utilization data were analyzed.

Results

Among a cohort of 4,636 patients with SCD, 4,100 (88%) had one or more treat‐and‐release ED visits. There were 2.1 mean annual visits per person for the cohort (median 0.7; range 0–185). In a single year (2005), 53% had 0 treat‐and‐release ED visits, 35% had 1–3 visits, 9% had 4–10 visits, and 3% had 11 or more visits; this highest utilization group accounted for 45% of all patients’ ED visits. ED utilization in this cohort was highest among young adults and also higher among older adults than pediatric patients.

Conclusion

The majority of identified patients in each of the 10 years did not go to the ED, but nearly all had one or more such visits over the full span of time. This study highlights the power and utility of a multisource longitudinal data collection effort for SCD. Further study of the segment of the population with highest ED utilization may highlight areas where changes in healthcare and health policy could improve and extend the lives of patients with SCD.
Incidence and survival of childhood leukemia in Recife, Brazil: A population‐based analysis
Authors: Lins Mecneide Mendes , Santos Marceli de Oliveira , de Albuquerque Maria de Fátima Pessoa Militão , de Castro Claudia Cristina Lima , Mello Maria Julia Gonçalves , de Camargo Beatriz
Published: December 2016

Background

Leukemia is the most common pediatric cancer with incidence rates of around 48 per million for children under 15 years of age. The median age‐adjusted incidence rate (AAIR) in children aged 0–14 years in Brazil is 53.3 per million. While overall survival rates for children with leukemia have improved significantly, data for incidence, trends, and relative survival among children and adolescents with leukemia in Recife, Brazil, remain incomplete, which hampers our analyses and provision of the best healthcare. The objective of this report is to provide that data.

Methods

Data from the Population‐Based Cancer Registry of Recife were analyzed from 1998 to 2007. Our analyses included frequencies and AAIR, together with age‐specific incidence rates for all leukemias, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and acute myeloid leukemia. To evaluate incidence trends, joinpoint regression, including annual average percent change, were analyzed. Relative survival was calculated using the life‐table method.

Results

One hundred seventy‐five cases were identified, 51% in females. The review reduced the not otherwise specified (NOS) leukemia category by 50% and diagnosis by death certificate only from 5.7% to 1.1%. The AAIR for leukemia was 41.1 per million, with a peak among children aged 1–4 (78.3 per million). Incidence trends during the period were stable. The five‐year relative survival rate was 69.8%.

Conclusions

These data represent the incidence rate and survival of childhood leukemia in Recife, located in the northeast region of Brazil, using a high‐quality database.
Intraindividual variability in reaction time before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy in women diagnosed with breast cancer
Authors: Yao Christie , Rich Jill B. , Tirona Kattleya , Bernstein Lori J.
Published: December 2016

Objective

Women treated with chemotherapy for breast cancer experience subtle cognitive deficits. Research has focused on mean performance level, yet recent work suggests that within‐person variability in reaction time performance may underlie cognitive symptoms. We examined intraindividual variability (IIV) in women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods

Patients (n = 28) were assessed at baseline before chemotherapy (T1), approximately 1 month after chemotherapy but prior to surgery (T2), and after surgery about 9 months post chemotherapy (T3). Healthy women of similar age and education (n = 20) were assessed at comparable time intervals. Using a standardized regression‐based approach, we examined changes in mean performance level and IIV (eg, intraindividual standard deviation) on a Stroop task and self‐report measures of cognitive function from T1 to T2 and T1 to T3.

Results

At T1, women with breast cancer were more variable than controls as task complexity increased. Change scores from T1 to T2 were similar between groups on all Stroop performance measures. From T1 to T3, controls improved more than women with breast cancer. IIV was more sensitive than mean reaction time in capturing group differences. Additional analyses showed increased cognitive symptoms reported by women with breast cancer from T1 to T3. Specifically, change in language symptoms was positively correlated with change in variability.

Conclusions

Women with breast cancer declined in attention and inhibitory control relative to pretreatment performance. Future studies should include measures of variability, because they are an important sensitive indicator of change in cognitive function.
Computer Simulation in Low‐Temperature Plasma Physics: Future Challenges
Authors: Turner Miles M.
Published: December 2016

Computer simulations can be carried out with various aims. Perhaps the most challenging is prediction under conditions where experiments are difficult or inaccessible, especially when failure to predict adequately may have unhappy consequences. There is, probably, not much confidence at present in the capability of low‐temperature plasma physics simulations in such a context. Other fields have attempted to meet this challenge using a collection of techniques collectively known as “Verification and Validation,” or “V&V.” These are methods for enhancing confidence in the correctness and fidelity of computer simulations. This paper surveys these techniques and discusses their application to improvements of simulation capability in low‐temperature plasma physics.
Influence of substrate outgassing on the plasma properties during wood treatment in He dielectric barrier discharges at atmospheric pressure
Authors: Levasseur Olivier , Kumar Gangwar Reetesh , Profili Jacopo , Naudé Nicolas , Gherardi Nicolas , Stafford Luc
Published: December 2016

This work analyzes the effect of wood outgassing on the properties of He dielectric barrier discharges operated in a homogenous regime. Over the 60 min wood treatment investigated, the discharge current increased by almost a factor of two due to the release of air and humidity. Based on optical emission spectroscopy and collisional‐radiative modeling, these effects further yield to an increase of the electron temperature and a significant decrease of the relative number density of He metastable atoms. Experiments were also performed in presence of trace amounts of N2, O2, and dry air to simulate wood outgassing. The amount of air released from the wood sample decreased with plasma treatment time, with a two‐slope first‐order decay behavior.
Acute Toxicity Resulting from Human Exposures to Military Smokes
Authors: van Hulst Monique , Langenberg Jan P. , de Klerk Wim P. C. , Alblas Marcel J.
Published: December 2016

The toxicity of smoke‐generating ammunition can be established by looking at the complete hand grenade or only at the smoke composition. In this paper both approaches are described. The toxicity of a signalling smoke was assessed as a complete smoke hand grenade whereas for a 76 mm screening smoke canister only a red phosphorus (RP) pellet was studied. For both smokes the particle size distribution and the toxic effect of the smoke on A549 lung cells in culture in an Air‐Liquid Interface (ALI) system were determined. The assessment of the complete smoke hand grenades also included the determination of the mutagenicity using an Ames test. RP pellets are destined to be burnt on the surface and for this reason the influence of small sand particles on the acute toxicity was also investigated. For both types of smoke the majority of the formed particles were smaller than 2.1 μm, which means that they are capable to penetrate deep into the airways after inhalation. The complete hand grenade approach showed that smoke grenade design can have influence on the final toxicity and mutagenicity of the formed smoke. Sand upon which an RP pellet is burnt can function as a carrier material resulting in an indirect exposure.
Disrupting a key hydrophobic pair in the oligomerization interface of the actinoporins impairs their pore‐forming activity
Authors: Mesa‐Galloso Haydeé , Delgado‐Magnero Karelia H. , Cabezas Sheila , López‐Castilla Aracelys , Hernández‐González Jorge E. , Pedrera Lohans , Alvarez Carlos , Peter Tieleman D. , García‐Sáez Ana J. , Lanio Maria E. , Ros Uris , Valiente Pedro A.
Published: December 2016

Crystallographic data of the dimeric and octameric forms of fragaceatoxin C (FraC) suggested the key role of a small hydrophobic protein–protein interaction surface for actinoporins oligomerization and pore formation in membranes. However, site‐directed mutagenesis studies supporting this hypothesis for others actinoporins are still lacking. Here, we demonstrate that disrupting the key hydrophobic interaction between V60 and F163 (FraC numbering scheme) in the oligomerization interface of FraC, equinatoxin II (EqtII), and sticholysin II (StII) impairs the pore formation activity of these proteins. Our results allow for the extension of the importance of FraC protein–protein interactions in the stabilization of the oligomeric intermediates of StII and EqtII pointing out that all of these proteins follow a similar pathway of membrane disruption. These findings support the hybrid pore proposal as the universal model of actinoporins pore formation. Moreover, we reinforce the relevance of dimer formation, which appears to be a functional intermediate in the assembly pathway of some different pore‐forming proteins.
Universality of black hole quantum computing
Authors: Dvali Gia , Gomez Cesar , Lüst Dieter , Omar Yasser , Richter Benedikt
Published: December 2016

By analyzing the key properties of black holes from the point of view of quantum information, we derive a model‐independent picture of black hole quantum computing. It has been noticed that this picture exhibits striking similarities with quantum critical condensates, allowing the use of a common language to describe quantum computing in both systems. We analyze such quantum computing by allowing coupling to external modes, under the condition that the external influence must be soft‐enough in order not to offset the basic properties of the system. We derive model‐independent bounds on some crucial time‐scales, such as the times of gate operation, decoherence, maximal entanglement and total scrambling. We show that for black hole type quantum computers all these time‐scales are of the order of the black hole half‐life time. Furthermore, we construct explicitly a set of Hamiltonians that generates a universal set of quantum gates for the black hole type computer. We find that the gates work at maximal energy efficiency. Furthermore, we establish a fundamental bound on the complexity of quantum circuits encoded on these systems, and characterize the unitary operations that are implementable. It becomes apparent that the computational power is very limited due to the fact that the black hole life‐time is of the same order of the gate operation time. As a consequence, it is impossible to retrieve its information, within the life‐time of a black hole, by externally coupling to the black hole qubits. However, we show that, in principle, coupling to some of the internal degrees of freedom allows acquiring knowledge about the micro‐state. Still, due to the trivial complexity of operations that can be performed, there is no time advantage over the collection of Hawking radiation and subsequent decoding.
Risk of extrapyramidal reactions with aripiprazole
Authors: Lam Y. W. Francis
Published: December 2016

Aripiprazole is a third‐generation antipsychotic with a distinct pharmacological profile. It is a partial agonist at the dopamine D2 receptor, and as such has comparatively fewer D2 receptor‐related adverse effects, such as extrapyramidal reactions. Despite this unique receptor activity, case reports have provided evidence that aripiprazole use could be associated with an increased risk of extrapyramidal reactions, primarily in antipsychotic‐naïve patients.
Financial Optimism and Entrepreneurial Satisfaction
Authors: Dawson Chris
Published: December 2016

Research Summary

Adding to the literature that optimists are attracted to entrepreneurship, this article finds that prior financial optimism has detrimental consequences for entrepreneurial pay satisfaction. Optimists overestimate the likelihood of positive events and will, therefore, tend to overestimate their prospects in entrepreneurship. It follows that conditional on realized entrepreneurial performance, optimists’ subsequent pay satisfaction is lower through disappointment. These findings are consistent with theories of self‐discrepancy from social psychology. Evidence is also provided that optimism reduces employee pay satisfaction, but since self‐employment widens the scope for prospects to be exaggerated, the effects are stronger in self‐employment. While selection on optimism implies that entry into entrepreneurship is likely to be excessive, optimism by reducing entrepreneurial pay satisfaction may increase entrepreneurial exits.

Managerial summary

This article examines how prior financial optimism affects entrepreneurial pay satisfaction. Optimists have a generalized tendency to overestimate the likelihood of positive events and will, therefore, tend to overestimate their prospects in self‐employment. The results suggest that prior financial optimism reduces entrepreneurial pay satisfaction through disappointment. The same is true for employee pay satisfaction, but since entrepreneurship is typically a more uncertain and turbulent environment, making prospects harder to evaluate, the effects are found to be stronger in self‐employment. Copyright © 2016 Strategic Management Society.
Double/single phase segregation and vertical stratification induced by crystallization in all‐crystalline tri/diblock copolymers and homopolymer blends of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and poly(ethylene glycol)
Authors: Agbolaghi Samira , Abbasi Farhang , Abbaspoor Saleheh
Published: December 2016

Distinct stratified and non‐stratified morphologies were developed in poly(3‐hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)‐based homopolymer blends and diblock and triblock copolymer systems. By applying X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, only a double‐percolation mechanism including assembling of P3HT chains into the nanofibers in solution aging process with a marginal solvent like p‐xylene as well as crystallization of PEG phase in the cast thin films resulted in vertical stratification and networked fibrils. In cast thin films whose PEG phase, due to low molecular weight or being constrained between two rigid P3HT blocks in triblock copolymers was not crystallized, a non‐stratified discrete fibrillar morphology was acquired. Crystallization of PEGs in the thin films mainly participated in networking and expelling pre‐organized P3HT fibrils to the film surface. By performing the solution aging step in a good solvent such as o‐dichlorobenzene, the P3HTs remained in a coily‐like conformation, and casting the corresponding thin films reflected the non‐stratified discrete granular and featureless morphologies. Assembling the P3HT chains in the presence of PEG phase in cast films at most led to the low‐crystalline granules instead of highly crystalline nanofibrils. No significant crystallization in either homopolymer blends or block copolymer systems conduced to a featureless morphology with homogeneous distribution of existed materials. The surface morphology and ordering in various morphologies were studied employing atomic force microscopy, grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction, and ultraviolet–visible analyses. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis of 2‐Carbonylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines via Iodine–mediated Intramolecular Cyclization of 2‐Amino‐N‐propargylpyridinium Bromides
Authors: Pandey Khima , Kaswan Pinku , Saroj  , Kumar Anil
Published: December 2016

A facile and novel, metal free method has been described for the synthesis of 2‐carbonylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridines by iodine mediated intramolecular cyclization of 2‐amino‐N‐propargyl‐pyridinium bromides in the presence of a base. Variously substituted imidazo[1,2‐a]pyridine derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields (45‐89 %) and good functional group tolerance was observed.
Molecular Weight Determination by Luminescent Chemo–enzymatics
Authors: Pires Rita F. , Moro Artur , Lourenço Anita , Lima João C. , Casimiro Teresa , Bonifácio Vasco D. B.
Published: December 2016

A novel methodology for the determination of the number‐average molecular weight (Mw) of linear, branched and crosslinked polymers is disclosed. The method relies on chemo‐enzymatic‐triggered fluorescence of dormant CdTe polymer‐caged quantum dots synthesised in supercritical carbon dioxide. Polyurea (PURE) dendrimers (G1, G4, G5 and G6) are presented as a case study using the enzyme urease but the protocol is applicable to other synthetic and natural polymers. Simple, versatile and accurate, luminescent chemo‐enzymatics is a low cost alternative to conventional techniques (e. g. GPC/SEC, MALDI‐TOF).
Dual Electrocatalytic Behavior of Oxovanadium(IV) Salen Immobilized Carbon Materials Towards Cysteine Oxidation and Cystine Reduction: Graphene Versus Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Sonkar Piyush K. , Ganesan Vellaichamy , Yadav Dharmendra K. , Gupta Rupali
Published: December 2016

Oxovanadium(IV) salen (VO(salen)) (where salen=N,N’‐bis(salicylidene)ethylenediamine) is embedded onto reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). The resulting materials, VO(salen) embedded rGO (rGO‐VO(salen)) and VO(salen) embedded SWCNTs (SWCNTs‐VO(salen)) show remarkable electrocatalytic activity for cysteine oxidation and cystine (the oxidized product of cysteine) reduction as demonstrated by cyclic voltammetry (CV). The materials, rGO‐VO(salen) and SWCNTs‐VO(salen) are characterized through spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Transmission electron microscopy exhibits nanocrystalline view of VO(salen) on rGO‐VO(salen) while it appears like aggregated nodules in the SWCNTs‐VO(salen) revealing the nano‐structures excellently. Electrochemical cysteine oxidation is studied using rGO‐VO(salen) coated glassy carbon (GC) electrode (GC/rGO‐VO(salen)) and SWCNTs‐VO(salen) coated GC electrode (GC/SWCNTs‐VO(salen)). The efficiency of the catalytic platforms is compared. Overall number of electrons and electron transfer rate constant are obtained using rotating disc electrode for cysteine oxidation at GC/rGO‐VO(salen) and GC/SWCNTs‐VO(salen). Calibration curves for the determination of cysteine at GC/rGO‐VO(salen) and GC/SWCNTs‐VO(salen) exhibit linear range from 1.0 μM to 5.0 mM and 1.0 μM to 4.0 mM, respectively. GC/rGO‐VO(salen) and GC/SWCNTs‐VO(salen) are successfully applied for the real samples analysis with remarkable recovery.
Ultrasound‐Assisted Synthesis of Novel Pyrrole Dihydropyrimidinones in Lactic Acid
Authors: Li Yi‐Hang , Wang Ling‐ting , Wang Zhi , Yuan Shuai , Wu Shu , Wang Shi‐Fan
Published: December 2016

An efficient and green method has been developed for the Biginelli reaction for the first time. Sixteen novel pyrrole dihydropyrimidinones were synthesized using ultrasound assisted one‐pot condensation of 1,3‐dicarbonyl compounds, aldehydes and urea/thiourea in lactic acid as green solvent. All of the compounds have been characterized by 1H NMR, IR and ESI‐MS. Compared with the conventional Biginelli synthesis, the current progress strongly indicates that this sonochemical procedure is simple, safe, eco‐friendly and low‐cost synthetic approach for the synthesis of the pyrrole dihydropyrimidinone derivatives.
Role of Noncovalent Interactions in Designing Inhibitors for H+,K+‐ATPase: Combined QM and MD Based Investigations
Authors: Jana Kalyanashis , Chandar Nellore Bhanu , Bandyopadhyay Tusar , Ganguly Bishwajit
Published: December 2016

Reversible acid suppressants represent a new therapeutic option for the treatment of acid‐related diseases. The forces responsible for the interaction of reversible inhibitors with gastric pump H+,K+‐ATPase is less explored. Quantum chemical calculations reveals that the drug molecule is mainly stabilized by non‐covalent interactions, such as π‐π, cation‐π, and NH‐π, with the active amino acid residues of the H+,K+‐ATPase enzyme. The M062X/6‐311++G(d,p) level of theory calculated interaction energy of SCH28080 is 149.52 kJ/mol and 148.26 kJ/mol for K+ ion with the inhibitor binding site amino acid residues. The results suggest that SCH28080 can block the acid secretion activity of gastric proton pump in the parietal cells. The designed Inhibitor‐3 structurally similar to the SCH28080 enjoys better non‐covalent interactions. We have also performed well‐tempered metadynamics (WTMtD) simulations of the protein‐drug complexes which corroborate the findings from DFT calculations. Our computational study demonstrated that noncovalent interactions are responsible for the inhibitor binding at the inhibitor binding site of H+,K+‐ATPase.