bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abusive Head Trauma During a Time of Increased Unemployment: A Multicenter Analysis
Authors: Berger Rachel P. , Fromkin Janet B. , Stutz Haley , Makoroff Kathi , Scribano Philip V. , Feldman Kenneth , Tu Li Chuan , Fabio Anthony
Published: September 2011

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the rate of abusive head trauma (AHT) in 3 regions of the United States before and during an economic recession and assess whether there is a relationship between the rate of AHT and county-level unemployment rates.

METHODS:

Clinical data were collected for AHT cases diagnosed in children younger than 5 years from January 1, 2004 until June 30, 2009, by hospital-based child protection teams within 3 geographic regions. The recession was defined as December 1, 2007 through June 30, 2009. Quarterly unemployment rates were collected for every county in which an AHT case occurred.

RESULTS:

During the 5½-year study period, a total of 422 children were diagnosed with AHT in a 74-county region. The overall rate of AHT increased from 8.9 in 100 000 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.8–10.0) before the recession to 14.7 in 100 000 (95% CI: 12.5–16.9) during the recession (P < .001). There was no difference in the clinical characteristics of subjects in the prerecession versus recession period. There was no relationship between the rate of AHT and county-level unemployment rates.

CONCLUSIONS:

The rate of AHT increased significantly in 3 distinct geographic regions during the 19 months of an economic recession compared with the 47 months before the recession. This finding is consistent with our understanding of the effect of stress on violence. Given the high morbidity and mortality rates for children with AHT, these results are concerning and suggest that prevention efforts might need to be increased significantly during times of economic hardship.
Inhaled Nitric Oxide in Preterm Infants: An Individual-Patient Data Meta-analysis of Randomized Trials
Authors: Askie Lisa M. , Ballard Roberta A. , Cutter Gary R. , Dani Carlo , Elbourne Diana , Field David , Hascoet Jean-Michel , Hibbs Anna Maria , Kinsella John P. , Mercier Jean-Christophe , Rich Wade , Schreiber Michael D. , Wongsiridej Pimol (Srisuparp) , Subhedar Nim V. , Van Meurs Krisa P. , Voysey Merryn , Barrington Keith , Ehrenkranz Richard A. , Finer Neil N. ,   on behalf of the Meta-analysis of Preterm Patients on Inhaled Nitric Oxide (MAPPiNO) Collaboration
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is an effective therapy for pulmonary hypertension and hypoxic respiratory failure in term infants. Fourteen randomized controlled trials (n = 3430 infants) have been conducted on preterm infants at risk for chronic lung disease (CLD). The study results seem contradictory.

DESIGN/METHODS:

Individual-patient data meta-analysis included randomized controlled trials of preterm infants (<37 weeks' gestation). Outcomes were adjusted for trial differences and correlation between siblings.

RESULTS:

Data from 3298 infants in 12 trials (96%) were analyzed. There was no statistically significant effect of iNO on death or CLD (59% vs 61%: relative risk [RR]: 0.96 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92–1.01]; P = .11) or severe neurologic events on imaging (25% vs 23%: RR: 1.12 [95% CI: 0.98–1.28]; P = .09). There were no statistically significant differences in iNO effect according to any of the patient-level characteristics tested. In trials that used a starting iNO dose of >5 vs ≤5 ppm there was evidence of improved outcome (interaction P = .02); however, these differences were not observed at other levels of exposure to iNO. This result was driven primarily by 1 trial, which also differed according to overall dose, duration, timing, and indication for treatment; a significant reduction in death or CLD (RR: 0.85 [95% CI: 0.74–0.98]) was found.

CONCLUSIONS:

Routine use of iNO for treatment of respiratory failure in preterm infants cannot be recommended. The use of a higher starting dose might be associated with improved outcome, but because there were differences in the designs of these trials, it requires further examination.
Formation of Foamy Coatings by Laser Ablation of Glass-ceramic Substrates in the Nanosecond Regime Substrate - Temperature and Wavelength Dependence
Authors: Sola Daniel , Escartín Andrés , Peña Jose I.
Published: September 2011

A study of the formation mechanisms of foamy coatings on the surface of glass-ceramic substrates produced by laser ablation is presented. Three laser systems emitting at 1064, 532 and 355 nm with pulse-widths in the nanosecond range were used. In the NIR range the formation of the coating is only possible when the temperature of the surface is higher than 300 ºC. In this case, the generation is related to an increase of the layer in liquid-phase produced in the interaction zone. However, when the sample is machined at 532 or 355 nm, it is not necessary to heat the whole surface to be processed. In this case, the local temperature and the pressure exerted over the interaction zone produce the generation of this coating, obtaining the layer at room temperature. Furthermore, the coating can be produced at higher speeds. In this way, it is possible to reduce the energetic cost improving the efficiency of the process.

Morphology, microstructure, composition and thermal properties of the layer are described.
A Theoretical Study of the Magnetic Structure of Bulk Iron with Radiation Defects
Authors: Wang Yang , Nicholson D.M.C. , Stocks G.M. , Rusanu Aurelian , Eisenbach Markus , Stoller R. E.
Published: September 2011

A fundamental understanding of the radiation damage effects in solids is of great importance in assisting the development of improved materials with ultra-high strength, toughness, and radiation resistance for nuclear energy applications. In this presentation, we show our recent theoretical investigation on the magnetic structure evolution of bulk iron in the region surrounding the radiation defects. We applied the locally self-consistent multiple scattering method (LSMS), a linear scaling ab-initio method based on density functional theory with local spin density approximation, to the study of the magnetic structure in a low energy cascade in a 10,000-atom sample for a series of time steps for the evolution of the defects. The primary damage state and the evolution of all defects in the sample were simulated using molecular dynamics with empirical, embedded-atom inter-atomic potentials. We also discuss the importance of thermal effect on the magnetic structure evolution.
MOF Films for Microsensor Coatings
Authors: Robinson Alex L. , Allendorf Mark , Stavila Vitalie , Thornberg Steve M.
Published: September 2011

Metal organic framework (MOF) materials are a class of hybrid organic-inorganic crystalline materials whose pore structures and chemical properties can be tailored by the selection of component chemical moieties. Many MOFs have extraordinary intrinsic surface areas, capable of adsorbing large quantities of other chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds or moisture. Upon absorption of guest molecules, many MOFs undergo reversible changes in the dimensions of their unit cells. These properties suggest several routes to chemical sensing in which the transduction mechanisms are: 1) the stress induced at an interface between a flexible MOF layer and a static microcantilever fabricated with a built-in piezoresistive stress sensor; 2) the change in the resonant frequency of an oscillating microcantilever induced by mass adsorption; and 3) the change in the resonant frequency of a acoustic sensor, such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor through changes in mass loading and film moduli. This paper focuses on humidity sensing by SAWs coated with Cu3(BTC)2 (HKUST-1) over a very broad concentration range.

Sandia National Laboratories is a multi-program laboratory managed and operated by Sandia Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000.
High Photosensitivity Two-Photon Photoresists for Large Area Surface Microstructuring
Authors: DeVoe Robert J. , Lee Tzu-Chen , Larsen Jeremy K. , Ender David A. , Sahlin Jennifer J. , Sykora Craig R. , Patnaude Cheryl A. , Atkinson Matthew R. , Griffin Michael E. , Gates Brian J. , Redinger David H.
Published: September 2011

Two-Photon initiated polymerization (TPIP) has shown great promise for fabrication of complex micro- and nano-structures. The method has been used to fabricate such structures over small areas (< 1 mm2) because of slow fabrication speeds and resulting long fabrication times. In order for TPIP to reach practical application in a commercial setting fabrication times need to be reduced by orders of magnitude. We report results on a highly photosensitive initiation system for photoresists based on free radical and cationic polymerization, where photosensitivity is increased 102- to 103-fold compared to previously reported photoinitiation systems. Threshold writing speeds are determined for critical exposure conditions, including laser power, type and concentration of photoinitiation system, and photoresist type. Surface roughness, a critical parameter in applications such as optics and microfluidics, for example, is also used to determine threshold writing speed. The utility of the approach is demonstrated by making a cell phone keypad light guide from a microreplication tool fabricated using the highly photosensitive photoresist.
True Atomic Level Imaging of Shaped Nanoparticles Composed of Bismuth, Antimony and Tellurium using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy.
Authors: Mott Derrick , Mai Nguyen T. , Sakata Teruyoshi , Koyano Mikio , Higashimine Koichi , Maenosono Shinya
Published: September 2011

Nanotechnology is an area of research that is highly intriguing because of the novel properties often observed for materials whose sizes are reduced to the nanoscale. However, one of the biggest challenges is understanding the underlying principles that dictate the particles resulting properties. The atomic level structure for nanoparticles is suspected to vary from that for the corresponding bulk materials, however, direct observation of this phenomenon has proven difficult. Until recently only indirect information on the atomic level structure of such materials could be obtained with techniques such as XRD, HR-TEM, XPS, etc… However, recent advances in Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques now allow true atomic scale resolution, leading to definitive confirmation of the atomic structure. Namely, Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy coupled with a High-angle Annular Dark Field detector (STEM-HAADF) has been demonstrated to be capable of achieving a nominal resolution of 0.8 nm (the JEOL JEM-ARM200F instrument). The ability is highly exciting because it will lead to an enhanced understanding of the relationship between atomic structure of nanoparticles and the resulting novel properties. In our own study, we focus on the analysis of the atomic level structure for nanoparticles composed of bismuth, antimony and tellurium for thermoelectric materials. This area has recently received much interest because of the realization that nanotechnology can be employed to greatly enhance the efficiency (dimensionless figure of merit ZT) of this class of materials. One of the most intriguing parameters leading to the enhanced TE activity is the relationship between composition and structure that exists within individual nanoparticles. We report our results on a study of the atomic level structure for both nanowires and nanodiscs composed of bismuth, antimony and tellurium. It was found that the nanoparticles have a complex structure that cannot be elucidated by conventional techniques such as XRD or HR-TEM. In addition, by employing Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), a greater understanding of the composition-structure dependence was gained. The results are primarily discussed in terms of the atomic level resolution images obtained with the STEM-HAADF technique.
Estratégias de responsabilidade social e esfera pública: um debate sobre stakeholders e dimensões sociopolíticas de ações empresariais
Authors: Sauerbronn Fernanda Filgueiras , Sauerbronn João Felipe Rammelt
Published: September 2011

Os autores apresentam um argumento favorável ao desenvolvimento de pesquisas fundamentadas no diálogo entre diferentes perspectivas epistemológicas objetivando uma compreensão mais adequada das estratégias de responsabilidade social empresarial (RSE) e seus impactos sobre a esfera pública. A justificativa para tal argumentação está associada ao crescimento das ações de RSE no Brasil desde o final da década de 1990, como um reflexo do avanço da globalização e o aumento do poder das grandes empresas ante o Estado e a sociedade civil. O artigo destaca a limitação de grande parte da literatura de RSE em reconhecer estratégias voltadas para stakeholders como um fenômeno equivocadamente centrado na empresa, desconhecendo relevantes questões mais amplas associadas a dimensões políticas e sociais.
Efeito do Programa Bolsa Família sobre a oferta de trabalho das mães
Authors: Tavares Priscilla Albuquerque
Published: September 2011

Este artigo investiga a existência de um possível incentivo adverso à oferta de trabalho (participação no mercado e jornada) das mães beneficiadas pelo Programa Bolsa Família. Utiliza-se o procedimento de propensity score matching para encontrar mães não atendidas pelo programa comparáveis às mães atendidas, a partir de três grupos de controle. Os resultados apontam a existência de um efeito-renda associado ao valor do benefício, uma vez que quanto maior a transferência recebida, menor o engajamento da mãe no mercado de trabalho. Entretanto, o efeito líquido de ser beneficiário do programa é positivo, indicando a existência de um efeito-substituição, provavelmente decorrente da redução da oferta de trabalho dos filhos, da maior disponibilidade de tempo das mães para trabalhar ou mesmo do estigma em participar do programa.
Temporal turnover in the composition of tropical tree communities: functional determinism and phylogenetic stochasticity
Authors: Swenson Nathan G. , Stegen James C. , Davies Stuart J. , Erickson David L. , Forero-Montaña Jimena , Hurlbert Allen H. , Kress W. John , Thompson Jill , Uriarte María , Wright S. Joseph , Zimmerman Jess K.
Published: September 2011

The degree to which turnover in biological communities is structured by deterministic or stochastic factors and the identities of influential deterministic factors are fundamental, yet unresolved, questions in ecology. Answers to these questions are particularly important for projecting the fate of forests with diverse disturbance histories worldwide. To uncover the processes governing turnover we use species‐level molecular phylogenies and functional trait data sets for two long‐term tropical forest plots with contrasting disturbance histories: one forest is older‐growth, and one was recently disturbed. Having both phylogenetic and functional information further allows us to parse out the deterministic influences of different ecological filters. With the use of null models we find that compositional turnover was random with respect to phylogeny on average, but highly nonrandom with respect to measured functional traits. Furthermore, as predicted by a deterministic assembly process, the older‐growth and disturbed forests were characterized by less than and greater than expected functional turnover, respectively. These results suggest that the abiotic environment, which changes due to succession in the disturbed forest, strongly governs the temporal dynamics of disturbed and undisturbed tropical forests. Predicting future changes in the composition of disturbed and undisturbed forests may therefore be tractable when using a functional‐trait‐based approach.
Antimicrobial Aspects of Inflammatory Resolution in the Mucosa: A Role for Proresolving Mediators
Authors: Campbell Eric L. , Serhan Charles N. , Colgan Sean P.
Published: September 2011

Mucosal surfaces function as selectively permeable barriers between the host and the outside world. Given their close proximity to microbial Ags, mucosal surfaces have evolved sophisticated mechanisms for maintaining homeostasis and preventing excessive acute inflammatory reactions. The role attributed to epithelial cells was historically limited to serving as a selective barrier; in recent years, numerous findings implicate an active role of the epithelium with proresolving mediators in the maintenance of immunological equilibrium. In this brief review, we highlight new evidence that the epithelium actively contributes to coordination and resolution of inflammation, principally through the generation of anti-inflammatory and proresolution lipid mediators. These autacoids, derived from ω-6 and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, are implicated in the initiation, progression, and resolution of acute inflammation and display specific, epithelial-directed actions focused on mucosal homeostasis. We also summarize present knowledge of mechanisms for resolution via regulation of epithelial-derived antimicrobial peptides in response to proresolving lipid mediators.
Functional Complement C1q Abnormality Leads to Impaired Immune Complexes and Apoptotic Cell Clearance
Authors: Roumenina Lubka T. , Sène Damien , Radanova Maria , Blouin Jacques , Halbwachs-Mecarelli Lise , Dragon-Durey Marie-Agnes , Fridman Wolf H. , Fremeaux-Bacchi Veronique
Published: September 2011

C1q plays a key role in apoptotic cell and immune complex removal. Its absence contributes to the loss of tolerance toward self structures and development of autoimmunity. C1q deficiencies are extremely rare and are associated with complete lack of C1q or with secretion of surrogate C1q fragments. To our knowledge, we report the first case of a functional C1q abnormality, associated with the presence of a normal C1q molecule. Homozygous GlyB63Ser mutation was found in a patient suffering from lupus with neurologic manifestations and multiple infections. The GlyB63Ser C1q bound to Igs, pentraxins, LPSs, and apoptotic cells, similarly to C1q from healthy donors. However, the interaction of C1r2C1s2 and C1 complex formation was abolished, preventing further complement activation and opsonization by C3. The mutation is located between LysB61 and LysB65 of C1q, suggested to form the C1r binding site. Our data infer that the binding of C1q to apoptotic cells in humans is insufficient to assure self-tolerance. The opsonization capacity of C4 and C3 fragments has to be intact to fight infections and to prevent autoimmunity.
Monitoring Temperature and Heart Rate during Surgical Field Implantation of PTT-100 Satellite Transmitters in Greenland Sea Birds
Authors: Sonne Christian , Andersen Steen , Mosbech Anders , Flagstad Annette , Merkel Flemming
Published: September 2011

Information on cloacae temperature (CT), heart rate (HR), Isoflurane use, and oxygen flow was collected during field implantation of Platform Terminal Transmitters (PTT-) 100 satellite transmitters in Greenland sea birds. Information was obtained from 14 intracoelomic and 5 subcutaneous implantations in thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia) and 9 intracoelomic implantations in common eiders (Somateria mollissima). CT decreased in the order subcutaneous murres > intracoelomic eiders > intracoelomic murres due to the explorative exposure to the surroundings and increased heat loss (murres smaller than eiders) and were preheated to 35∘C. During all implantations, heat loss was prevented using electric heat and rescue blankets. Regarding HR, the fluctuations were most pronounced during the intracoelomic murre implantations as a result of lower PTT temperature and lower body size leading to more pronounced digital manipulations and stimulation of the pelvic nerve plexus. Based on these results, we therefore suggest that HR and CT are carefully monitored in order to adjust anaesthesia and recommend the use of an electric heat blanket and preheating of PTTs to body temperature in order to prevent unnecessary heat loss causing physiological stress to the birds.
Thymoma in Myasthenia Gravis: From Diagnosis to Treatment
Authors: Romi Fredrik
Published: September 2011

One half of cortical thymoma patients develop myasthenia gravis (MG), while 15% of MG patients have thymomas. MG is a neuromuscular junction disease caused in 85% of the cases by acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies. Titin and ryanodine receptor (RyR) antibodies are found in 95% of thymoma MG and 50% of late-onset MG (MG onset ≥50 years), are associated with severe disease, and may predict thymoma MG outcome. Nonlimb symptom profile at MG onset with bulbar, ocular, neck, and respiratory symptoms should raise the suspicion about the presence of thymoma in MG. The presence of titin and RyR antibodies in an MG patient younger than 60 years strongly suggests a thymoma, while their absence at any age strongly excludes thymoma. Thymoma should be removed surgically. Prethymectomy plasmapheresis/iv-IgG should be considered before thymectomy. The pharmacological treatment does not differ from nonthymoma MG, except for tacrolimus which is an option in difficult thymoma and nonthymoma MG cases with RyR antibodies.
Regularity of optimal transport maps and partial differential inclusions
Authors: Ambrosio Luigi , De Philippis Guido , Kirchheim Bernd
Published: September 2011

In this work we address the issue of Sobolev regularity of solutions of Monge-Ampere equations in a borderline case and show how this question is related to a rigidity problem for partial di¤erential inclusions.
Relativistic Anandan quantum phase in the Lorentz violation background
Authors: Bakke K. , Belich H. , Silva E.O.
Published: September 2011

We study the influence of a classical background based on the violation of the Lorentz symmetry on the relativistic Anandan quantum phase. We show that the choice of the Lorentz symmetry violation background provides an abelian contribution for the relativistic Anandan quantum phase.
Antibody purification from human plasma by metal‐chelated affinity membranes
Authors: Yavuz Handan , Bereli Nilay , Armutçu Canan , Yılmaz Fatma , Denizli Adil
Published: September 2011

The aim of this study is to investigate in detail the feasibility of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate‐N‐methacryloyl‐(L)‐histidine methyl ester), PHEMAH membranes for purification of immunoglobulin G (IgG) from human plasma. PHEMAH membranes were prepared by photo‐polymerization technique. Then, Zn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, and Cu2+ ions were chelated directly on the PHEMAH membranes. Elemental analysis assay was performed to determine the nitrogen content and polymerized MAH was calculated as 168.5 μmol/g. The nonspecific IgG adsorption onto the plain PHEMA membranes was negligible (about 0.25 mg/mL). A remarkable increase in the IgG adsorption capacities were achieved from human plasma with PHEMAH membranes (up to 68.4 mg/mL). Further increase was observed with the metal‐chelated PHEMAH membranes (up to 118 mg/mL). The metal‐chelate affinity membranes allowed the one‐step separation of IgG from human plasma. The binding range of metal ions for surface histidines from human plasma followed the order: Cu2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+ > Co2+. Adsorbed IgG was eluted using 250 mM EDTA with a purity of 94.1%. IgG molecules could be repeatedly adsorbed and eluted with the metal‐chelated PHEMAH membranes without noticeable loss in their IgG adsorption capacity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Polymerization of 3‐glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane with different catalysts
Authors: Kayan Asgar
Published: September 2011

Polymerization reactions of 3‐glycidyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTS) were carried out by different catalysts, potassium hydroxide, potassium tert‐butoxide, and tetraphenylporphyrin aluminum chloride (TPP–AlCl), and tetrafluorophthalate zironium isopropoxide complex. Polymer samples obtained from the ring‐opening polymerization of GPTS were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy, and gel permeation chromatography. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Towards the Synthesis of Massadine: A Unified Strategy for the Stereoselective Synthesis of the Carbocyclic C,D‐Ring Subunit
Authors: Breder Alexander , Chinigo Gary M. , Waltman Andrew W. , Carreira Erick M.
Published: September 2011

Massadine is a hexacyclic marine natural product, which belongs to the family of pyrrole–imidazole alkaloids. Herein, we describe a unified approach to the C,D‐ring subunit of this sponge metabolite based on the exploitation of a norbornene scaffold for the stereocontrolled construction of massadine’s carbon skeleton. Highlights of the sequence presented include the application of a stereospecific norbornyl rearrangement for facile introduction of an oxygen at the C7‐position within the norbornene nucleus, a highly regioselective and end group differentiating ozonolytic scission of a CC double bond, and an oxidative decarboxylation reaction for the installation of the hindered secondary C2‐alcohol function. Furthermore, the iterative assembly of the two guanidine entities as well as the implementation of the spirocyclic junction between the C‐ and the D‐rings are described. Collectively, these key transformations permit an entry to an appropriately functionalized carbon framework, which will serve as a starting point for our efforts toward the completion of the synthesis of massadine.
Immobilization and chromatographic evaluation of novel regioselectively substituted amylose‐based chiral packing materials for HPLC
Authors: Shen Jun , Li Pengfei , Liu Shuangyan , Shen Xiande , Okamoto Yoshio
Published: September 2011

The regioselectively substituted amylose derivatives bearing a 4‐tert‐butylbenzoate or 4‐chlorobenzoate group at 2‐position, and 3,5‐dichlorophenylcarbamate and a small amount of 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propylcarbamate groups at 3‐ and 6‐positions were synthesized by a two‐step process based on the esterification of 2‐position of a glucose unit. The obtained derivatives were effectively immobilized onto macroporous silica gel by intermolecular polycondensation of triethoxysilyl groups. Their chiral recognition abilities were evaluated as chiral packing materials (CPMs) for high‐performance liquid chromatography. These CPMs showed high chiral recognition as well as the conventional coated‐type CPM, and can be used with the eluents‐containing chloroform and tetrahydrofuran. With the extended use of these eluents, improvement of chiral recognition and reversed elution orders were realized. For some racemates, the immobilized CPM exhibited ability comparable or better to the commercial immobilized amylose‐ or cellulose‐based columns, Chiralpak IA, IB, and IC. Chirality, 2011. © 2011 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Conditional survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma resected with curative intent
Authors: Mayo Skye C. , Nathan Hari , Cameron John L. , Olino Kelly , Edil Barish H. , Herman Joseph M. , Hirose Kenzo , Schulick Richard D. , Choti Michael A. , Wolfgang Christopher L. , Pawlik Timothy M.
Published: September 2011

BACKGROUND:

Prognosis after surgery for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is typically reported from the date of surgery. Survival estimates, however, are dynamic and may change based on the time already survived. The authors sought to assess conditional survival among a large cohort of patients who underwent resection of PDAC.

METHODS:

Between 1970 and 2008, 1822 patients who underwent resection for PDAC with curative intent were identified. Kaplan‐Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to validate established predictors of survival, and results were compared with 2‐year conditional survival.

RESULTS:

Actuarial survival was 18% at 5 years, with a median survival of 18 months. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size, lymph node ratio, and positive margins were associated with worse survival (all P < .001). Differences in actuarial versus conditional survival estimates were greater the more years already survived by the patient. The 2‐year conditional survival at 3 years—the probability of surviving to postoperative year 5 given that the patient had already survived 3 years—was 66% versus a 5‐year actuarial survival calculated from the time of surgery of 18%. Stratification of 2‐year conditional survival by lymph node ratio and margin status revealed that patients with high lymph node ratio or positive margins saw the greatest increase in 2‐year conditional survival as more time elapsed (both P ≤ .01).

CONCLUSIONS:

Differences in actuarial versus conditional survival estimates were more pronounced based on the additional years already survived by the patient. Conditional survival may be a helpful tool in counseling patients with PDAC, as it is a more accurate assessment of future survival for those patients who have already survived a certain amount of time. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
A Polypyrrole‐Imprinted Electrochemical Sensor Based on Nano‐SnO2/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Film Modified Carbon Electrode for the Determination of Oleanolic Acid
Authors: Zhang Zhaohui , Luo Lijuan , Chen Hongjun , Zhang Minglei , Yang Xiao , Yao Shouzhuo , Li Jiaxing , Peng Mijun
Published: September 2011

A sensitive molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor with specific recognition ability for oleanolic acid was synthesized by modification of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) decorated with tin oxide nanoparticles (nano‐SnO2/MWNTs) and polypyrrole‐imprinted polymer on a carbon electrode. The morphology and electrochemical performance of the imprinted sensor were investigated by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and amperometric i–t curve. The results showed that the imprinted sensor displayed excellent selectivity toward oleanolic acid. A linear relationship between the response currents and oleanolic acid concentrations ranging from 5.0×10−8 g/L to 2.0×10−5 g/L was obtained for the imprinted sensor. The limit of detection (LOD) of the imprinted sensor toward oleanolic acid was calculated as 8.6×10−9 g/L at a signal to noise ratio (S/N) of 3. This imprinted sensor was successfully applied to the determination of oleanolic acid in Acitinidia deliciosa root samples.
Capillary Electrophoresis Assisted Flow System for In Situ Analysis of Products of Heterogeneous Electrocatalytic and Catalytic Processes: Application to the Oxidation of Glycerol
Authors: Lopes Fernando Silva , Nogueira Thiago , do Lago Claudimir Lucio , Gutz Ivano G. R.
Published: September 2011

Analysis by capillary electrophoresis (CE) of nanoliter samples taken 0.05 mm away from the electrode/solution interface assisted in the evaluation of glycerol electrooxidation on noble metals (Pt, Au and Pd). The fully automated all electrochemical flow system generates a conductometric electropherogram every few minutes, while exploring experimental parameters. Products like glycerate, glycolate, formate and hydroxymalonate were observed in different ratios by changing the electrocatalyst and the applied potential. On Pd, dissolved oxygen oxidizes glycerol at zero current. This new approach holds promise for fast in situ study of reaction products of heterogeneous catalysis reactions and electrode processes in general.
Design of a High Throughput 25‐Well Parallel Electrolyzer for the Accelerated Discovery of CO2 Reduction Catalysts via a Combinatorial Approach
Authors: Dang Tram , Ramsaran Richard , Roy Sayak , Froehlich Jesse , Wang Joseph , Kubiak Clifford P.
Published: September 2011

A combinatorial approach is described for screening homogeneous CO2 reduction electrocatalysts by means of a high‐throughput 25‐well parallel electrolyzer. Active catalysts were then screened by three methods: (1) the presence of CO gas in the electrolyzer head space; (2) a pH change for the individual solutions before and after bulk electrolysis due to proton consumption during CO2 reduction; and (3) other physical attributes. Based on these screening methods, two solutions out of the 25 were selected for further study. One out of two selected solutions, nickel cyclam, a well‐known CO2 reduction electrocatalyst, was correctly identified to be the most active.
Comparison of Planar and 3‐D Interdigitated Electrodes as Electrochemical Impedance Biosensors
Authors: Rana Sunil , Page Robin H , McNeil Calum J.
Published: September 2011

It has been reported that the introduction of a dielectric barrier between adjacent digits of an interdigitated electrode array can improve the sensitivity of the array as an electrochemical impedance biosensor. Here we present an in‐depth analysis of the impedance in planar interdigitated electrodes and 3‐D interdigitated electrodes (with dielectric barriers). The analysis indicates that the planar geometry not only provides lower impedance but also a higher change impedance as a result of molecular immobilization on the electrode array surface.
A new perspective on the Dunnett procedure: Filling the gap between NOEC/LOEC and ECx concepts
Authors: Delignette-Muller Marie-Laure , Forfait Carole , Billoir Elise , Charles Sandrine
Published: September 2011

The no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) is known to be based on a wrong usage of hypothesis tests, and the use of confidence intervals is preferred. The purpose of the present study is to provide an easy and proper way to interpret ecotoxicological tests based on simultaneous confidence intervals associated with the commonly used Dunnett procedure, and to show how these intervals may allow one to infer ECx values (effective concentrations). Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2888–2891. © 2011 SETAC
Modulation of estrogen synthesis through activation of protein kinase A in H295R cells by extracts of estuary sediments
Authors: Huang Chong , Wu Shimin , Zhang Xiaowei , Chang Hong , Zhao Yanbin , Giesy John P , Hu Jianying
Published: September 2011

Sediments from two estuaries within Liaodong Bay, China, were examined for the effects on steroidogenesis using H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cells. Total extracts (TE) isolated from sediments by Soxhlet extraction were separated into three fractions (F1, F2, and F3) using Florisil columns. After exposing H295R cells to each TE and fractions, the expressions of six steroidogenic genes (cytochrome P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage [CYP11A], 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 [3β-HSD1], 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 [3β-HSD2], cytochrome P450 17-hydroxylase/17-20 lyase [CYP17], cytochrome P450 aromatase [CYP19], 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [17β-HSD]), and the production of six steroid hormones (progesterone [PGT], 17-hydroxyprogesterone [17-HPT], testosterone [TTR], androstenedione [ADD], estrone [E1], and 17β-estradiol [17β-E2]) were measured. The gene expressions of CYP11A, CYP17, 3β-HSD2, and CYP19, and hormone productions of PGT, 17-HPT, TTR, ADD, E1, and 17β-E2 were significantly increased after exposure to F3 extracts from the Daliao River. In particular, greater concentrations of E1 (up to 48-fold) and 17β-E2 (up to 20-fold), as well as up-regulation of CYP19 gene expression (up to tenfold), were caused by exposure to the F3 fraction from the Daliao River, but not from the Daling River. Insight into the mechanism of action was obtained by use of principal component analysis (PCA), the results of which were consistent with unidentified constituents in F3 from the Daliao River activating the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. This hypothesis was confirmed by reversal of the effects caused by F3 through a co-exposure of a PKA inhibitor (H89) and F3 extract. The H89 down-regulated CYP19 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression with concomitant lesser production of E1 and 17β-E2 in the co-exposure group, indicating unidentified constituents that could modulate estrogen synthesis, primarily through a mechanism of PKA activation. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2793–2801. © 2011 SETAC
Does social facilitation affect responses to natural and anthropogenic stressors in the freshwater snail Planorbella trivolvis?
Authors: Plautz Stephanie C , Salice Christopher J
Published: September 2011

Social facilitation is the initiation or increase of a trait, such as stressor tolerance, when in the presence of conspecifics, members of the same species. It has been shown to alter the outcome of toxicity experiments in colonial organisms. We evaluated whether social facilitation would impact responses to stressors in the noncolonial New Mexico ramshorn snail (Planorbella trivolvis) by exposing snails to stressors either singly or in groups of three. Social facilitation did not impact snail responses to malathion but did affect responses to predator cues and temperature stress. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011;30:2883–2887. © 2011 SETAC
Prostate stem cell antigen, a presumable organ‐dependent tumor suppressor gene, is down‐regulated in gallbladder carcinogenesis
Authors: Ono Hiroe , Hiraoka Nobuyoshi , Lee Yeon‐Su , Woo Sang Myung , Lee Woo Jin , Choi Il Ju , Saito Akira , Yanagihara Kazuyoshi , Kanai Yae , Ohnami Sumiko , Chiwaki Fumiko , Sasaki Hiroki , Sakamoto Hiromi , Yoshida Teruhiko , Saeki Norihisa
Published: September 2011

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is relatively rare but has a high mortality rate. One candidate molecule which might be involved in GBC development is prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol‐anchored cell surface antigen with a tissue‐specific pattern of expression in the epithelium of several organs, such as the prostate, stomach, bladder, and gallbladder. It is up‐regulated in a number of cancers including prostate, urinary bladder, and pancreatic cancers, while it is down‐regulated in esophageal and gastric cancers, suggesting that PSCA has an oncogenic activity in the former but a tumor suppressor activity in the latter. However, the precise function of PSCA and the regulatory mechanism for its expression in normal and cancer cells are yet to be determined. In this study, immunohistochemical analyses with a specific antibody revealed that PSCA is down‐regulated in non‐neoplastic gallbladder lesions such as cholesterolosis, cholecystolithiasis, and cholecystitis (9/17; 53%), and also in adenocarcinoma (40/44; 91%), a common neoplasm in gallbladder. Analyses of the DNA methylation status in the GBC cell lines by bisulfite‐Pyrosequencing and a reporter assay for the PSCA promoter activity suggested that the down‐regulation is explained, at least partly, by DNA methylation. Moreover, colony formation assay revealed that PSCA has cell‐proliferation inhibition activity in the GBC cell lines, which was also observed in vivo. These lines of in vivo and in vitro evidence suggest that PSCA is acting as a tumor suppressor in GBC development. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Propofol disrupts functional interactions between sensory and high‐order processing of auditory verbal memory
Authors: Liu Xiaolin , Lauer Kathryn K. , Ward Barney D. , Rao Stephen M. , Li Shi‐Jiang , Hudetz Anthony G.
Published: September 2011

Current theories suggest that disrupting cortical information integration may account for the mechanism of general anesthesia in suppressing consciousness. Human cognitive operations take place in hierarchically structured neural organizations in the brain. The process of low‐order neural representation of sensory stimuli becoming integrated in high‐order cortices is also known as cognitive binding. Combining neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, and anesthetic manipulation, we examined how cognitive networks involved in auditory verbal memory are maintained in wakefulness, disrupted in propofol‐induced deep sedation, and re‐established in recovery. Inspired by the notion of cognitive binding, an functional magnetic resonance imaging‐guided connectivity analysis was utilized to assess the integrity of functional interactions within and between different levels of the task‐defined brain regions. Task‐related responses persisted in the primary auditory cortex (PAC), but vanished in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and premotor areas in deep sedation. For connectivity analysis, seed regions representing sensory and high‐order processing of the memory task were identified in the PAC and IFG. Propofol disrupted connections from the PAC seed to the frontal regions and thalamus, but not the connections from the IFG seed to a set of widely distributed brain regions in the temporal, frontal, and parietal lobes (with exception of the PAC). These later regions have been implicated in mediating verbal comprehension and memory. These results suggest that propofol disrupts cognition by blocking the projection of sensory information to high‐order processing networks and thus preventing information integration. Such findings contribute to our understanding of anesthetic mechanisms as related to information and integration in the brain. Hum Brain Mapp33:2487–2498, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The fusiform response to faces: Explicit versus implicit processing of emotion
Authors: Monroe Justin F. , Griffin Mark , Pinkham Amy , Loughead James , Gur Ruben C. , Roberts Timothy P.L. , Christopher Edgar J.
Published: September 2011

Regions of the fusiform gyrus (FG) respond preferentially to faces over other classes of visual stimuli. It remains unclear whether emotional face information modulates FG activity. In the present study, whole‐head magnetoencephalography (MEG) was obtained from fifteen healthy adults who viewed emotionally expressive faces and made button responses based upon emotion (explicit condition) or age (implicit condition). Dipole source modeling produced source waveforms for left and right primary visual and left and right fusiform areas. Stronger left FG activity (M170) to fearful than happy or neutral faces was observed only in the explicit task, suggesting that directed attention to the emotional content of faces facilitates observation of M170 valence modulation. A strong association between M170 FG activity and reaction times in the explicit task provided additional evidence for a role of the fusiform gyrus in processing emotional information. Hum Brain Mapp, 2013. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
On the potential of MetOp ASCAT‐derived soil wetness indices as a new aperture for hydrological monitoring and prediction: a field evaluation over Luxembourg
Authors: Matgen P. , Heitz S. , Hasenauer S. , Hissler C. , Brocca L. , Hoffmann L. , Wagner W. , Savenije H. H. G.
Published: September 2011

In situ soil moisture data from the Bibeschbach experimental catchment in Luxembourg are used to evaluate relative surface soil moisture observed with the MetOp‐A Advanced Scatterometer (ASCAT). Filtered and bias‐corrected surface soil wetness indices (SWIs) derived from coarse‐resolution (25 km) C‐band scatterometer observations are shown to be highly correlated (r = 0.86) with catchment‐averaged soil moisture measured in the field. The combination of ASCAT and ENVISAT Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (ASAR) data sets yields high‐resolution (1 km) relative surface soil moisture that is equally well correlated with in situ measurements. It is concluded that for soil moisture monitoring applications at a catchment scale, the two soil moisture products are equivalent. The best correlation between the SWI derived from ASCAT and ASCAT‐ASAR with in situ soil moisture observations at ca. 5 cm depth is obtained with a characteristic time length parameter T equal to 288 h. These results suggest that satellite‐derived surface soil wetness may serve as proxy for soil storage that enables the monitoring of abrupt switches in river system dynamics to appear when an effective field capacity is exceeded and rapid subsurface stormflow is initiated. In catchments where soil moisture is the main controlling factor of rapid subsurface flow, MetOp ASCAT–derived SWI has the potential to monitor how a river system approaches a critical threshold. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Zyflamend suppresses growth and sensitizes human pancreatic tumors to gemcitabine in an orthotopic mouse model through modulation of multiple targets
Authors: Kunnumakkara Ajaikumar B. , Sung Bokyung , Ravindran Jayaraj , Diagaradjane Parmeswaran , Deorukhkar Amit , Dey Sanjit , Koca Cemile , Tong Zhimin , Gelovani Juri G. , Guha Sushovan , Krishnan Sunil , Aggarwal Bharat B.
Published: September 2011

Agents that can potentiate the efficacy of standard chemotherapy against pancreatic cancer are of great interest. Because of their low cost and safety, patients commonly use a variety of dietary supplements, although evidence of their efficacy is often lacking. One such commonly used food supplement is Zyflamend, a polyherbal preparation with potent anti‐inflammatory activities and preclinical efficacy against prostate and oral cancer. Whether Zyflamend has any efficacy against human pancreatic cancer alone or in combination with gemcitibine, a commonly used agent, was examined in cell cultures and in an orthotopic mouse model. In vitro, Zyflamend inhibited the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cell lines regardless of p53 status and also enhanced gemcitabine‐induced apoptosis. This finding correlated with inhibition of NF‐κB activation by Zyflamend and suppression of cyclin D1, c‐myc, COX‐2, Bcl‐2, IAP, survivin, VEGF, ICAM‐1 and CXCR4. In nude mice, oral administration of Zyflamend alone significantly inhibited the growth of orthotopically transplanted human pancreatic tumors, and when combined with gemcitabine, further enhanced the antitumor effects. Immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses of tumor tissue showed that the suppression of pancreatic cancer growth correlated with inhibition of proliferation index marker (Ki‐67), COX‐2, MMP‐9, NF‐κB and VEGF. Overall, these results suggest that the concentrated multiherb product Zyflamend alone can inhibit the growth of human pancreatic tumors and, in addition, can sensitize pancreatic cancers to gemcitabine through the suppression of multiple targets linked to tumorigenesis.
Plasma hydroxyproline, MMP‐7 and collagen I as novel predictive risk markers of hepatobiliary disease‐associated cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Prakobwong Suksanti , Charoensuk Lakhanawan , Hiraku Yusuke , Pinlaor Porntip , Pairojkul Chawalit , Mairiang Eimorn , Sithithaworn Paiboon , Yongvanit Puangrat , Khuntikeo Narong , Pinlaor Somchai
Published: September 2011

Chronic opisthorchiasis caused by Opisthorchis viverrini infection is characterized by advanced periductal fibrosis leading to hepatobiliary diseases (HBD), including cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). We aimed to determine fibrotic markers to differentiate HBD status including opisthorchiasis, benign biliary disease (BBD) and CCA. Candidate fibrotic markers in plasma of healthy individuals (n = 14) and patients with opisthorchiasis (n = 32, pre‐ and post‐treatment with praziquantel), BBD (n = 31), CCA (n = 37) and other types of tumors (n = 14) were measured by ELISA and zymography. Plasma levels of hydroxyproline (HYP), collagen I, MMP‐7 and TIMP2 in opisthorchiasis patients were significantly higher than those in healthy individuals, and MMP9/TIMP2 balance may be associated with tissue resorption after praziquantel treatment. HYP and TIMP‐2 levels were significantly correlated with periductal fibrosis status evaluated by ultrasonography. Plasma HYP level of CCA patients was the highest among HBD patients (p < 0.05). ROC curves revealed HYP, MMP‐7 and collagen I levels significantly distinguished opisthorchiasis, BBD and CCA (p < 0.001). Odd ratio (OR) analysis demonstrated these markers in opisthorchiasis were predictable for BBD risk (p < 0.05; OR = 28.50, 10.12 and 4.63 for collagen I, MMP‐7 and HYP, respectively), and the risk was reduced by praziquantel treatment. Interestingly, only plasma HYP level in BBD was predictable for CCA risk (OR = 3.69; p = 0.020). In conclusion, plasma HYP, collagen I and MMP‐7 may be useful as novel predictive markers of opisthorchiasis‐related BBD, and HYP may be used as a diagnostic marker for CCA.