bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
North Central Cancer Treatment Group/Alliance trial N08CA—the use of glutathione for prevention of paclitaxel/carboplatin‐induced peripheral neuropathy: A phase 3 randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study
Authors: Leal Alexis D. , Qin Rui , Atherton Pamela J. , Haluska Paul , Behrens Robert J. , Tiber Charles H. , Watanaboonyakhet Patanit , Weiss Matthias , Adams Paul T. , Dockter Travis J. , Loprinzi Charles L. ,   for the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a significant side effect of taxane and platinum‐based chemotherapy. Several studies have supported the potential benefit of glutathione for the prevention of platinum‐induced CIPN. The current trial was designed to determine whether glutathione would prevent CIPN as a result of carboplatin/paclitaxel therapy.

METHODS

In total, 185 patients who received treatment with paclitaxel and carboplatin were accrued between December 4, 2009 and December 19, 2011. Patients were randomized to receive either placebo (n = 91) or 1.5 g/m2glutathione (n = 94) over 15 minutes immediately before chemotherapy. CIPN was assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality‐of‐Life (EORTC‐QLQ) 20‐item, CIPN‐specific (CIPN20) sensory subscale and the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE), version 4.0.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 study arms with regard to: 1) peripheral neurotoxicity, as assessed using both the EORTC‐QLQ‐CIPN20 (P = .21) and the CTCAE scales (P = .449 for grade ≥2 neurotoxicity;P = .039 for time to development of grade ≥2 neuropathy, in favor of the placebo); 2) the degree of paclitaxel acute pain syndrome (P = .30 for patients who received paclitaxel every 3‐4 weeks andP = .002, in favor of the placebo, for patients who received weekly paclitaxel); 3) the time to disease progression (P = .63); or 4) apparent toxicities. Subgroup analyses did not reveal any evidence of benefit in any particular subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from this study do not support the use of glutathione for the prevention of paclitaxel/carboplatin‐induced CIPN.Cancer2014;120:1890–1897. ©2014 American Cancer Society.
Advancements of the UltraScan scientific gateway for open standards‐based cyberinfrastructures
Authors: Memon Shahbaz , Riedel Morris , Janetzko Florian , Demeler Borries , Gorbet Gary , Marru Suresh , Grimshaw Andrew , Gunathilake Lahiru , Singh Raminder , Attig Norbert , Lippert Thomas
Published: March 2014

The UltraScan data analysis application is a software package that is able to take advantage of computational resources in order to support the interpretation of analytical ultracentrifugation experiments. Since 2006, the UltraScan scientific gateway has been used with Web browsers in TeraGrid by scientists studying the solution properties of biological and synthetic molecules. UltraScan supports its users with a scientific gateway in order to leverage the power of supercomputing. In this contribution, we will focus on several advancements of the UltraScan scientific gateway architecture with a standardized job management while retaining its lightweight design and end user interaction experience. This paper also presents insights into a production deployment of UltraScan in Europe. The approach is based on open standards with respect to job management and submissions to the Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment in the USA and to similar infrastructures in Europe such as the European Grid Infrastructure or the Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe (PRACE). Our implementation takes advantage of the Apache Airavata framework for scientific gateways that lays the foundation for easy integration into several other scientific gateways. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeted Manipulation of Metal–Organic Frameworks To Direct Sorption Properties
Authors: Schneemann Andreas , Henke Sebastian , Schwedler Inke , Fischer Roland A.
Published: March 2014

Metal–organic frameworks are promising materials for manifold applications. This Minireview highlights approaches for the fine‐tuning of specific sorption properties (e.g. capacity, selectivity, and breathing behavior) of this interesting class of materials. Central aspects covered are the control over the crystal morphology, the targeted tuning of sorption properties by judicious choice of metal centers and linkers, and the preparation of host–guest systems. We want to introduce the reader to these topics on the basis of the manipulation of a handful of outstanding prototypical metal–organic frameworks.
Flow‐mediated plasticity in the expression of stickleback nesting glue genes
Authors: Seear Paul J. , Head Megan L. , Tilley Ceinwen A. , Rosato Ezio , Barber Iain
Published: March 2014

Nest construction is an essential component of the reproductive behavior of many species, and attributes of nests – including their location and structure – have implications for both their functional capacity as incubators for developing offspring, and their attractiveness to potential mates. To maximize reproductive success, nests must therefore be suited to local environmental conditions. Male three‐spined sticklebacks (Gasterosteus aculeatus) build nests from collected materials and use an endogenous, glue‐like multimeric protein – “spiggin” – as an adhesive. Spiggin is encoded by a multigene family, and differential expression of spiggin genes potentially allows plasticity in nest construction in response to variable environments. Here, we show that the expression of spiggin genes is affected significantly by both the flow regime experienced by a fish and its nesting status. Further, we show the effects of flow on expression patterns are gene‐specific. Nest‐building fish exhibited consistently higher expression levels of the three genes under investigation (Spg‐a,Spg‐1,andSpg‐2) than non‐nesting controls, irrespective of rearing flow treatment. Fish reared under flowing‐water conditions showed significantly increased levels of spiggin gene expression compared to those reared in still water, but this effect was far stronger forSpg‐athan forSpg‐1orSpg‐2. The strong effect of flowing water onSpg‐aexpression, even among non‐nesters, suggests that the increased production of spiggin – or of spiggin rich in the component contributed bySpg‐a– may allow more rapid and/or effective nest construction under challenging high flow conditions.
Color expression in experimentally regrown feathers of an overwintering migratory bird: implications for signaling and seasonal interactions
Authors: Tonra Christopher M. , Marini Kristen L. D. , Marra Peter P. , Germain Ryan R. , Holberton Rebecca L. , Reudink Matthew W.
Published: March 2014

Plumage coloration in birds plays a critical role in communication and can be under selection throughout the annual cycle as a sexual and social signal. However, for migratory birds, little is known about the acquisition and maintenance of colorful plumage during the nonbreeding period. Winter habitat could influence the quality of colorful plumage, ultimately carrying over to influence sexual selection and social interactions during the breeding period. In addition to the annual growth of colorful feathers, feather loss from agonistic interactions or predator avoidance could require birds to replace colorful feathers in winter or experience plumage degradation. We hypothesized that conditions on the wintering grounds of migratory birds influence the quality of colorful plumage. We predicted that the quality of American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) tail feathers regrown after experimental removal in Jamaica, West Indies, would be positively associated with habitat quality, body condition, and testosterone. Both yearling (SY) and adult (ASY) males regrew feathers with lower red chroma, suggesting reduced carotenoid content. While we did not observe a change in hue in ASY males, SY males shifted from yellow to orange plumage resembling experimentally regrown ASY feathers. We did not observe any effects of habitat, testosterone, or mass change. Our results demonstrate that redstarts are limited in their ability to adequately replace colorful plumage, regardless of habitat, in winter. Thus, feather loss on the nonbreeding grounds can affect social signals, potentially negatively carrying over to the breeding period.
Electrochemistry and Ion Sensing Properties of Conducting Hydrogel Layers Based on Polypyrrole and Alkoxysulfonated Poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT‐S)
Authors: Sobkowiak Marek , Sokalski Tomasz , Lewenstam Andrzej , Gabrielsson Roger , Inganäs Olle , Milczarek Grzegorz
Published: March 2014

Acidic aqueous solutions containing pyrrole and alkoxysulfonated PEDOT derivative (PEDOT‐S) were found to undergo polymerization in the absence of an external oxidizing agent. The product was a nearly black‐colored conducting hydrogel that after separation could be dispersed in water or acetone. The suspensions could be used to deposit cast films on a polycrystalline gold electrode. The polymer modified electrode showed a nearly Nernstian potentiometric response to Ag+ cations in the concentration range of 10−5–10−1 M with the slope of 54 mV/decade. The response was specific to Ag+ compared to a series of alkali and transition‐metal cations (pKAg/M>3.7).
Petrous and sphenoid arachnoid cysts: Diagnosis and management
Authors: Adrien Judith , Verillaud Benjamin , Bresson Damien , Tran Hugo , Kania Romain , Sauvaget Elisabeth , Guichard Jean‐Pierre , Herman Philippe
Published: March 2014

Background

Intraosseous arachnoid cysts are rare and difficult to diagnose. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical and radiological semiology of petrous and sphenoid arachnoid cysts and to propose a specific management strategy.

Methods

This was a retrospective, descriptive study of patients with arachnoid cysts, which utilized CT, MRI, and the patients' medical histories.

Results

Ten patients were included in this study. On CT, the lesions were lytic with bony delineation. On MRI, the lesions exhibited the same signals as cerebrospinal fluid and were not enhanced after contrast. On fluid‐attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) and diffusion‐weighted sequences, the arachnoid cysts' signal disappeared, which is a key feature for eliminating the diagnosis of cholesteatoma. Two patients underwent surgery because of misdiagnosis, either with a meningocele or a cholesteatoma.

Conclusion

MRI FLAIR and diffusion‐weighted sequences, together with osseous CT scans, help to distinguish arachnoid cysts from meningoceles and avoid unnecessary surgeries with potential complications. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 823–828, 2015
Century‐long records reveal slight, ecoregion‐localized changes in Athabasca River flows
Authors: Rood Stewart B. , Stupple Geoff W. , Gill Karen M.
Published: March 2014

Reports of abruptly declining flows of Canada's Athabasca River have prompted concern because this large, free‐flowing river could be representative for northern North America, provides water for the massive Athabasca oil‐sands projects and flows to the extensive and biodiverse Peace–Athabasca, Slave and Mackenzie River deltas. To investigate historic hydrology along the river and its major tributaries, we expanded the time series with interpolations for short data gaps; calculations of annual discharges from early, summer‐only records; and by splicing records across sequential hydrometric gauges. These produced composite, century‐long records (1913–2011) and trend detection with linear Pearson correlation provided similar outcomes to nonparametric Kendall τ‐b tests. These revealed that the mountain and foothills reaches displayed slight increases in winter discharges versus larger declines in summer discharges and consequently declining annual flows (~0.16% per year at Hinton; p < 0.01). Conversely, with contrasting boreal contributions, the Athabasca River at Athabasca displayed no overall trend in monthly or annual flows, but there was correspondence with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation that contributed to a temporary flow decline from 1970 to 2000. These findings from century‐long records contrast with interpretations from numerous shorter‐term studies and emphasize the need for sufficient time series for hydrologic trend analyses. For Northern Hemisphere rivers, the study interval should be at least 80 years to span two Pacific Decadal Oscillation cycles and dampen the influence from phase transitions. Most prior trend analyses considered only a few decades, and this weakens interpretations of the hydrologic consequences of climate change. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Stress and chytridiomycosis: Exogenous exposure to corticosterone does not alter amphibian susceptibility to a fungal pathogen
Authors: Searle Catherine L. , Belden Lisa K. , Du Pang , Blaustein Andrew R.
Published: March 2014

Recent emergence and spread of the amphibian fungal pathogen, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has been attributed to a number of factors, including environmental stressors that increase host susceptibility to Bd. Physiological stress can increase circulating levels of the hormone, corticosterone, which can alter a host's physiology and affect its susceptibility to pathogens. We experimentally elevated whole‐body levels of corticosterone in both larval and post‐metamorphic amphibians, and subsequently tested their susceptibility to Bd. Larvae of three species were tested (Anaxyrus boreas, Rana cascadae, and Lithobates catesbeianus) and one species was tested after metamorphosis (R. cascadae). After exposure to Bd, we measured whole‐body corticosterone, infection, mortality, growth, and development. We found that exposure to exogenous corticosterone had no effect on Bd infection in any species or at either life stage. Species varied in whole‐body corticosterone levels and exposure to corticosterone reduced mass in A. boreas and R. cascadae larvae. Exposure to Bd did not affect mortality, but had a number of sublethal effects. Across species, larvae exposed to Bd had higher corticosterone levels than unexposed larvae, but the opposite pattern was found in post‐metamorphic R. cascadae. Bd exposure also increased larval length in all species and increased mass in R. cascadae larvae. Our results indicate that caution is warranted in assuming a strong link between elevated levels of corticosterone and disease susceptibility in amphibians. The role of physiological stress in altering Bd prevalence in amphibian populations is likely much more complicated than can be explained by examining a single “stress” endpoint. J. Exp. Zool. 321A:243–253, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The evolution of bacterial DNA base composition
Authors: Agashe Deepa , Shankar Nachiket
Published: March 2014

Bacterial genomes exhibit a large amount of variation in their base composition, which ranges from 13% to 75% GC. The evolution and maintenance of this variation has proved to be an enduring puzzle despite decades of theoretical and empirical work. We present an overview of various aspects of this problem, focusing on results from a diverse set of recent studies that use whole‐genome sequencing in combination with bioinformatic, phylogenetic, molecular biological, and experimental evolution approaches. We propose that analysis of within‐genome variance in GC content is also important to understand how genome‐wide base composition has evolved. We close with a discussion of open questions and fruitful avenues of inquiry that may bring us closer to understanding the evolutionary dynamics of bacterial DNA base composition.J. Exp. Zool. (Mol. Dev. Evol.) 322B: 517–528, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Measuring efficiency of cotton cultivation in Pakistan: a restricted production frontier study
Authors: Watto Muhammad Arif , Mugera Amin
Published: March 2014

BACKGROUND

Massive groundwater pumping for irrigation has started lowering water tables rapidly in different regions of Pakistan. Declining water tables have thus prompted research efforts to improve agricultural productivity and efficiency to make efficient use of scarce water resources. This study employs a restricted stochastic production frontier to estimate the level of, and factors affecting, technical efficiency of groundwater‐irrigated cotton farms in the Punjab province of Pakistan.

RESULTS

The mean technical efficiency estimates indicate substantial technical inefficiencies among cotton growers. On average, tube‐well owners and water buyers can potentially increase cotton production by 19% and 28%, respectively, without increasing the existing input level. The most influential factors affecting technical efficiency positively are the use of improved quality seed, consultation with extension field staff and farmers' perceptions concerning the availability of groundwater resources for irrigation in the future.

CONCLUSIONS

This study proposes that adopting improved seed for new cotton varieties and providing better extension services regarding cotton production technology would help to achieve higher efficiency in cotton farming. Within the context of falling water tables, educating farmers about the actual crop water requirements and guiding them about groundwater resource availability may also help to achieve higher efficiencies. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Olfactory changes after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for skull base tumors
Authors: Kim Boo‐Young , Kang Seok‐Gu , Kim Sung W. , Hong Yong K. , Jeun Sin‐Soo , Kim Soo W. , Kim Hyun B. , Kim Min , Maeng Jae H. , Lee Dong C. , Cho Jin H. , Park Yong J.
Published: March 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

The increased number of endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches (EETSA) has been associated with sinonasal complications such as olfactory dysfunction. Current studies have compared preoperative and postoperative olfactory function according to surgical type and age.

Study Design

Retrospective review of medical records at a tertiary referral center.

Methods

Patients were divided into two groups according to surgical type and into four groups according to age. The two surgical groups were defined based on the bilateral nasoseptal flap technique (group A: right conventional nasoseptal flap and left modified nasoseptal rescure flap; group B: bilateral modified nasoseptal rescue flap). The four age groups were ≤ 30, 31–45, 46–60, and ≥ 61 years. Patients underwent preoperative olfactory function evaluation using a visual analogue scale (VAS), the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center Test (CCCRC), and the Cross‐Cultural Smell Identification Test (CCSIT). Repeat testing was performed 6‐months postoperatively.

Results

A total of 226 patients who underwent binostril four‐hand EETSA were included in this study. In both groups A and B, the olfactory function was significantly decreased according to CCCRC and CCSIT scores (P < 0.05). The VAS scores were significantly decreased in both groups (P < 0.05). The symptom scores and olfactory test results were significantly changed in >30‐year‐old patients who had undergone EETSA.

Conclusion

EETSA might contribute to olfactory dysfunction independent of surgery type. In addition, age may affect the restoration of olfaction after EETSA. Patients who plan to undergo EETSA must be informed that their olfaction may be impaired.

Level of Evidence

4. Laryngoscope, 124:2470–2475, 2014
Uniqueness of complete spacelike hypersurfaces via their higher order mean curvatures in a conformally stationary spacetime
Authors: de Lima Henrique Fernandes , Velásquez Marco Antonio Lázaro
Published: March 2014

We study complete noncompact spacelike hypersurfaces immersed into conformally stationary spacetimes, that is, Lorentzian manifolds endowed with a timelike conformal vector field V. In this setting, by using as main analytical tool a suitable maximum principle for complete noncompact Riemannian manifolds, we establish new characterizations of totally umbilical hypersurfaces in terms of their higher order mean curvatures. For instance, supposing an appropriated restriction on the norm of the tangential component of the vector field V, we are able to show that such hypersurfaces must be totally umbilical provided that either some of their higher order mean curvatures are linearly related or one of them is constant. Applications to the so‐called generalized Robertson‐Walker spacetimes are given. In particular, we extend to the Lorentzian context a classical result due to Jellett .
PPARδ deficiency disrupts hypoxia‐mediated tumorigenic potential of colon cancer cells
Authors: Jeong Eunshil , Koo Jung Eun , Yeon Sang Hyeon , Kwak Mi‐Kyoung , Hwang Daniel H. , Lee Joo Young
Published: March 2014

Peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) δ is highly expressed in colon epithelial cells and closely linked to colon carcinogenesis. However, the role of PPARδ in colon cancer cells in a hypoxic tumor microenvironment is not fully understood. We found that expression of the tumor‐promoting cytokines, IL‐8 and VEGF, induced by hypoxia (<1% O2) and deferoxamine (a hypoxia mimetic) was significantly attenuated in PPARδ‐deficient HCT116 colon cancer cells. Consequently, PPARδ‐knockout colon cancer cells exposed to hypoxia and deferoxamine failed to stimulate endothelial cell vascularization and macrophage migration/proliferation, whereas wild‐type cells were able to induce angiogenesis and macrophage activation in response to hypoxic stress. Hypoxic stress induced transcriptional activation of PPARδ, but not its protein expression, in HCT116 cells. Exogenous expression of p300 potentiated deferoxamine‐induced PPARδ transactivation, while siRNA knockdown of p300 abolished hypoxia‐ and deferoxamine‐induced PPARδ transactivation. PPARδ associated with p300 upon hypoxic stress as demonstrated by coimmunoprecipitation studies. PI3K inhibitors or siRNA knockdown of Akt suppressed the PPARδ transactivation induced by hypoxia and deferoxamine in HCT116 cells, leading to decreased expression of IL‐8 and VEGF. Collectively, these results reveal that PPARδ is required for hypoxic stress‐mediated cytokine expression in colon cancer cells, resulting in promotion of angiogenesis, macrophage recruitment, and macrophage proliferation in the tumor microenvironment. p300 and the PI3K/Akt pathway play a role in the regulation of PPARδ transactivation induced by hypoxic stress. Our results demonstrate the positive crosstalk between PPARδ in tumor cells and the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and provide potential therapeutic targets for colon cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Src mediates extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 activation and autophagic cell death induced by cardiac glycosides in human non‐small cell lung cancer cell lines
Authors: Wang Yan , Zhan Yuechen , Xu Rong , Shao Rongguang , Jiang Jiandong , Wang Zhen
Published: March 2014

Aberrant Na+/K+‐ATPases (NKA) expression is closely related to the incidence and development of cancer, making NKA targeted cancer therapy more intriguing. Cardiac glycosides (CGs) belong to NKA inhibitors and possess potent anti‐cancer properties in many cancers. Our previous work demonstrates that CGs family member digoxin or ouabain induces autophagic cell death in human non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines through regulation of both mammalian target of rapamycin and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) pathway. However, what acts as an upstream regulator of ERK1/2 activation during autophagy induction remains obscure. In the present study, the role of Src in the ERK1/2 signaling pathway as well as autophagic cell death induced by either digoxin or ouabain was examined in A549 and H460 cells. Src is significantly activated simultaneously with mitogen‐activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) and ERK1/2 activation upon the drug treatment. Moreover, Src inhibitor PP2 could block either drug induced MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, together with autophagic phenotypes in the cells. Knockdown of Src with siRNA causes the similar effect as PP2, both of which markedly alleviate the drugs' cytotoxicity. In addition, increased levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are found to be involved in Src mediated autophagy. Together, this work provides evidences showing that Src mediates MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 pathway as well as ROS generation, and regulates autophagic cell death induced by the cardiac glycosides. These observations may further help understand the molecular mechanisms of autophagy induced by NKA inhibitors in NSCLC cells. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Telomere length, family history, and paternal age in schizophrenia
Authors: Malaspina Dolores , Dracxler Roberta , Walsh‐Messinger Julie , Harlap Susan , Goetz Raymond R. , Keefe David , Perrin Mary C.
Published: March 2014

Leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is longer in association with advanced paternal age, but this association has not been examined along with family history (FH) in schizophrenia. LTL was measured by PCR and compared across cases and controls as part of a study to examine the characteristics of paternal age related schizophrenia. The 53 schizophrenia cases had similar mean LTL as 20 controls, although cases were significantly older than controls and overwhelmingly smoked cigarettes. Multivariate analyses showed that a FH of schizophrenia was associated with longer LTL in both male and female cases. Later paternal age was also related to longer LTL in male cases, but with shorter LTL in female cases. Male cases with older fathers and a FH had the longest LTL. The genetic architecture associated with a familial risk for schizophrenia may include pathways that lengthen LTL. Paternal aging conferred an additional increase in LTL lengthening in male cases, but reduced LTL in female cases. The gender difference in LTL for paternal aging is consistent with the severe illness features reported for female cases with older fathers and could implicate epigenetic alterations in the paternal X chromosomal region with advanced paternal age in association with the risk for schizophrenia.
Performance comparison between a surface‐volume hybrid integrated mixer and a surface integrated mixer
Authors: Li Zhaolong , Chen Rushan
Published: March 2014

Two mixers using a “surface‐volume” hybrid integration approach and a “surface” integration approach are designed and fabricated. Their performances are compared with different measurement methods. Experiment results show that this so‐called surface‐volume hybrid integration approach demonstrates advantages when compared with a monotonous integration approach under certain circumstances. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1015–1019, 2014
Compact dual‐mode dual‐band bandpass filter using slotted stepped‐impedance resonator
Authors: Song Lan , Guan Xuehui , Zhang Xiaoyan
Published: March 2014

A compact dual‐mode dual‐band bandpass filter (BPF) is proposed in this article. A T‐shaped slot is etched on the center of the low‐impedance part of a stepped‐impedance resonator, which mainly impact on the pairs of high‐order modes of the resonator. By tuning the length and width of the slot, both pairs of dual‐modes the resonator can be controlled, implying that the bandwidth of the filter can be controlled. The feed line is folded to fulfill the external coupling of the dual‐passband. A dual‐band BPF for 2.4 and 3.5 GHz application is designed, fabricated, and measured. Agreements between measured results and the simulated results verify the proposed structure. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1057–1060, 2014
Differential transmissive fiber‐optic distance sensor
Authors: Shan Mingguang , Min Rui , Zhong Zhi , Wang Ying , Hao Bengong , Zhang Yabin
Published: March 2014

Based on the characteristic of a transmissive intensity‐modulated fiber‐optic distance sensor (IFDS) that the offset distance between the axes of emitting fiber and receiving fiber changes the distance‐power response phase, a novel differential fiber distance sensor is constructed by one emitting fiber and twin receiving fibers, thereby, achieving high sensitivity and anti‐interference capacity without reducing the linear range through subtraction of two power signals with given phase received by the detection systems and data processing. Simulation and experimental results indicate that the new differential fiber distance sensor improves sensitivity by about 108%, results in the significant improvement of IFDS anti‐interference capability, and enables IFDS to be more suitable for high accuracy bipolar absolute distance measurement. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1104–1107, 2014
Analysis of slow‐wave propagation in coplanar transmission lines with inkjet printed multiwalled carbon nanotubes network
Authors: Oueriemi Ibtissem , Raskin Jean‐Pierre , Neve César‐Roda , Choubani Fethi , Dupont Védi , Lardot Véronique , Huynen Isabelle
Published: March 2014

This article investigates the propagation along coplanar waveguide (CPW) structures, where multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) network layers are deposited using inkjet printing. Electrical parameters are extracted from measured S‐parameters data over the frequency range from 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz. The results clearly demonstrate two distinct propagation modes. At low‐frequencies, a slow‐wave factor up to 7 is achieved. With increasing frequency, attenuation becomes significant, while the propagation constant tends to a linear TEM regime. An equivalent lumped element circuit for CPW structure with MWCNTs network is developed and describes well the measured behavior up to 26.5 GHz. Thanks to the extracted equivalent circuit, the origin of the observed slow‐wave phenomenon is confirmed: it is ascribed to a larger capacitance per unit length of the CPW line induced by the presence of the CNTs network that prevents/limits the expansion of fields into air. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1118–1124, 2014
Fast operational wavelength initialization technique of wavelength division multiplexed‐passive optical network based on tunable laser diode using back reflection of tunable filtered light
Authors: Jung Eui‐Suk , Lee Eun‐Gu , Moon Sil‐Gu , Lee Sang‐Soo , Won Yong‐Yuk , Han Sang‐Kook
Published: March 2014

A new wavelength initialization technique for wavelength division multiplexed‐passive optical network system is proposed and verified experimentally in this article. The proposed system is implemented using the back‐reflection of tunable filtered light over optical access link. At first, a wavelength band for allocated channel is determined using the power difference between two filtered lights with the help of two different optical tunable filters. Next, an accurate operational wavelength is obtained in the determined wavelength band using the back‐reflection of dedicated light path in the determined wavelength band. Experimental results show that the required time for wavelength initialization is measured below 3 s using the proposed technique. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1084–1087, 2014
Notch frequency of dielectric resonator‐loaded monopole antenna for UWB application
Authors: Tseng Ching‐Fang , Lu Shu‐Cheng
Published: March 2014

A dielectric resonator (DR)‐loaded monopole antenna with band‐notched characteristics is proposed for ultrawideband applications. The proposed antenna consists of a microstrip fed circular monopole printed on a FR4 substrate loaded with a DR, having relatively high dielectric constant and near zero temperature coefficient of the resonant frequency (τf) compared with FR4. A wide bandwidth from 2.966 to more than 12 GHz, omitting the undesired frequency band of 5.15–5.9 GHz with a reference level of S11 = −6 dB can be obtained. The gain and surrounding environment temperature stability can be enhanced by mounting the GYA DR. Experimental and simulated results showed a good agreement. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1189–1193, 2014
Optically controlled frequency reconfigurable band stop filter with multifrequency switching
Authors: Pendharker Sarang , Shevgaonkar Raghunath K. , Chandorkar Arun N.
Published: March 2014

A novel technique of optically switching the notch frequency of a band stop filter using photoconductive switch is presented. The effect of finite switch photoconductance on the frequency response and the design limitations is analyzed using transmission line model. The proposed design is generalized for multifrequency switching and multipole filter responses. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1204–1211, 2014
Multimode interference couplers based on photosensitive hybrid sol‐gel material
Authors: Abdullah Ahmad S. , Ibrahim Mohd H. , Mohd Noor Muhamad Y. , Kassim Norazan M.
Published: March 2014

Multimode interference couplers (optical splitter and cross coupler) based on photosensitive hybrid sol‐gel material derived from vinyltriethoxysilane, tetraethoxysilane, and tetrabutoxytitanate precursors are demonstrated. The couplers are fabricated on quartz substrate. A cost effective chemical etching technique is used in the couplers fabrication process to take advantage of the photosensitive nature of the hybrid material. The output power imbalance is measured to be less than 0.8 dB while the measured maximum crosstalk is −19.2 dB. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1214–1218, 2014
Polarization properties of a one dimensional metamaterial lens
Authors: McGillivray Duncan A. , Cravey Robin L. , Dudley Kenneth L. , Vedeler Erik , Gupta Mool C.
Published: March 2014

The control of microwave (MW) radiation transmission through the polarization state of the incident beam is the basis for many applications in sensors and optics. Altering the polarization state of electromagnetic radiation by transmission through a metamaterial (MTM) lens could lead to novel devices and sensors. The polarization properties of 1D split ring resonator and rod type MTM structures were investigated and compared to a previously reported corresponding 2D MTM lens. Unlike the 2D lens, the 1D MTM did not contribute to a change in polarization state of transmitted MWs. The transmission response, however, was found to be determined by the coupling mechanisms between the MTMs constituent elements and orientation of the incident MW polarization. For the 1D lens, changing incident polarization from alignment parallel to the MTMs rod elements to alignment perpendicular to the rods, at resonance frequency, changes the effective index of refraction from net negative to positive. For a MTM structure, facing perpendicular to the incident radiation, the effective electromagnetic properties change from negative permittivity and positive permeability (for polarization parallel to the rod elements) to positive permittivity and negative permeability (for polarization perpendicular to the rod elements). © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 56:1218–1222, 2014
Validation of lay‐administered mental health assessments in a large Army National Guard cohort
Authors: Prescott Marta R. , Tamburrino Marijo , Calabrese Joseph R. , Liberzon Israel , Slembarski Renee , Shirley Edwin , Fine Thomas , Goto Toyomi , Wilson Kimberly , Ganocy Stephen , Chan Philip , Derus Alphonse , Serrano Mary Beth , Sizemore James , Kauffman Jeremy , Galea Sandro
Published: March 2014

To report the reliability and validity of key mental health assessments in an ongoing study of the Ohio Army National Guard (OHARNG). The 2616 OHARNG soldiers received hour‐long structured telephone surveys including the post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) checklist (PCV‐C) and Patient Health Questionnaire – 9 (PHQ‐9). A subset (N = 500) participated in two hour clinical reappraisals, using the Clinician‐Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM (SCID). The telephone survey assessment for PTSD and for any depressive disorder were both highly specific [92% (standard error, SE 0.01), 83% (SE 0.02)] with moderate sensitivity [54% (SE 0.09), 51% (SE 0.05)]. Other psychopathologies assessed included alcohol abuse [sensitivity 40%, (SE 0.04) and specificity 80% (SE 0.02)] and alcohol dependence [sensitivity, 60% (SE 0.05) and specificity 81% (SE 0.02)].The baseline prevalence estimates from the telephone study suggest alcohol abuse and dependence may be higher in this sample than the general population. Validity and reliability statistics suggest specific, but moderately sensitive instruments. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constitutive modeling of dense gravelly soils subjected to cyclic loading
Authors: Liu Huabei , Zou Degao , Liu Jingmao
Published: March 2014

A constitutive model for dense gravelly soils was developed to reproduce their responses under cyclic loadings. Its application aims at nonlinear dynamic analyses of earth structures involving gravelly soils, such as rockfill dams and railroad ballasts. The framework of generalized plasticity was modified to incorporate the concept of stress distance for better simulation of unloading and reloading responses. It was then combined with the theory of critical state soil mechanics to develop the constitutive model. The model has the following important features: unified simulation of particle breakage through translating critical state line, smooth transition from unloading to reloading in the stress space, and proper modeling of cyclic hysteresis, cyclic densification, and cyclic hardening of dense gravelly soils. Most of the model parameters can be obtained through simple calculation using conventional triaxial test results, and their calibration process was discussed. The model was used to simulate the cyclic responses of three gravelly soils with satisfactory accuracy. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Liquid paraffin is superior to 2% lidocaine gel in reducing urethral pain during urodynamic study in men: A pilot study
Authors: Stav Kobi , Taleb Eyal , Sabler Itay M. , Siegel Yoram I. , Beberashvili Ilia , Zisman Amnon
Published: March 2014

Aims

To compare the pain perception between intraurethral instillation of 2% lidocaine gel and liquid paraffin during Urodynamic study in men.

Methods

A randomized, single‐blind comparison trial was conducted. Forty men scheduled to undergo multichannel Urodynamic study were randomized to receive either 10 ml of 2% lidocaine gel (group 1, n = 20) or 10 ml of liquid paraffin (group 2, n = 20). Patients recorded their pain on a 0–10 visual analog scale prior to lubricant instillation, immediately after lubricant instillation, after the introduction of the Urodynamic catheter, 5 and 30 min after the catheter was taken out.

Results

pain scores were significantly higher in group 1 compared to group 2 immediately after the instillation of the lubricants (4.2 ± 1.5 vs. 2.6 ± 0.9, P < 0.001) and after catheterization (4.8 ± 1.5 vs. 3.5 ± 1.1, P < 0.01). There were no differences in the pain scores between the two groups in the other time points that were evaluated.

Conclusions

Liquid paraffin is more efficient than 2% lidocaine gel in reducing urethral pain during Urodynamic study in men. Pain scores were specifically better during the instillation of the lubricant and during the delivery of the urethral catheter. Neurourol. Urodynam. 34:450–453, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optische Schichtdickenbestimmung
Authors: Quinten Michael
Published: March 2014

Die diskrete Fouriertransformation in Form der Schnellen Fouriertransformation (Fast Fourier Transform FFT) basiert auf zwei unabhängigen Variablen ν und t. Bei der Schichtdickenmessung ist diese Unabhängigkeit nicht mehr gegeben, weil der Brechungsindex n des Schichtmaterials eine Funktion von ν ist, n = n(ν), wodurch die Variable t auch eine Funktion von ν wird, t = t(ν). Dieses Problem verstärkt insbesondere den Leakage‐Effekt der diskreten Fouriertransformation und führt zu Fehlern in der Dickenbestimmung von bis zu 5 % bei hochbrechenden Materialien wie Silizium. Eine einfache, aber effiziente Korrektur der Formel zur Schichtdickenberechnung in der FFT führt zur Reduktion des Fehlers auf unter 2 % bei hochbrechenden Materialien und unter 1 % bei allen anderen Materialien.
Concurrent juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma with a shared missense mutation in NRAS
Authors: Ly Brenda , Modi Arunkumar , Rogers Heesun J. , Makishima Hideki , Hanna Rabi , Cook James R. , Theil Karl S. , Maciejewski Jaroslaw P.
Published: March 2014

Single cases of B‐ and T‐lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma occurring after remission of JMML, and JMML occurring after remission of B‐lymphoblastic leukemia have been reported in the literature. We present a unique case of a child with concurrent JMML and T‐lymphoblastic lymphoma in which an identical missense mutation in NRAS was found in both the neoplastic JMML and T‐LBL cells. JMML has been considered a stem cell disorder, and our case provides additional molecular evidence for a stem cell lesion underlying the two different disease phenotypes. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:946–948. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Updates on histiocytic disorders
Authors: Vaiselbuh Sarah R. , Bryceson Yenan T. , Allen Carl E. , Whitlock James A. , Abla Oussama
Published: March 2014

Histiocytic disorders are rare entities that are becoming more recognized as our understanding of the molecular pathogenesis lead to novel diagnostic tests and targeted drug development. A symposium held at the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology (ASPHO) 2013 Annual Meeting discussed new insights into histiocytic disorders. This review highlights the symposium presentations, divided into three sections encompassing Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and Rosai Dorfman disease (RDD) including subsections on pathogenesis, clinical diagnostic criteria and novel insights into treatment. Details of other histiocytic disorders as well as the standard treatment guidelines have been published elsewhere and are beyond the scope of this discussion [Haupt et al. (2013). Pediatr Blood Cancer 60:175–184; Henter et al. (2007). Pediatr Blood Cancer 48:124–131]. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1329–1335. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Braching news about rhabdomyosarcoma
Authors: Marcus Karen J.
Published: March 2014

Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:1151–1151. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Aerosol interleukin‐2 induces natural killer cell proliferation in the lung and combination therapy improves the survival of mice with osteosarcoma lung metastasis
Authors: Guma Sergei R. , Lee Dean A. , Ling Yu , Gordon Nancy , Kleinerman Eugenie S.
Published: March 2014

Background

We have previously shown that aerosol interleukin‐2 (IL‐2) increased the number of intravenously injected human natural killer (NK) cells in the lungs. In this study we investigated whether this increase was secondary to NK cell proliferation and determined the site of the proliferation.

Materials and Methods

Nude mice with osteosarcoma lung metastases were injected with NK cells and treated with aerosol IL‐2 or aerosol PBS. BrdU was injected prior to euthanasia to identify proliferating NK cells. The percentage of proliferating NK cells in the lung, bone marrow, spleen, and liver was determined using flow cytometry. Survival studies for mice with osteosarcoma lung metastasis treated with aerosol PBS, aerosol IL‐2 alone, aerosol PBS plus NK cells, and aerosol IL‐2 plus NK cells were also performed.

Results

Treatment with aerosol IL‐2 induced the proliferation of injected NK cells in the lung. Aerosol IL‐2 did not increase the proliferation of NK cells in the spleen and liver. Treatment with aerosol IL‐2 and aerosol IL‐2 plus NK cells increased the overall survival of mice with osteosarcoma lung metastasis.

Conclusion

Aerosol IL‐2 increases lung NK cell numbers by stimulating local NK cell proliferation. Aerosol IL‐2's effect on NK cell proliferation is organ specific, which makes it ideal for the specific targeting of lung metastasis. Aerosol IL‐2 plus NK cell therapy induced metastatic regression and increased overall survival demonstrating the potential of this therapeutic approach for patients with osteosarcoma. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1362–1368. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The initial experience with RENAL nephrometry in children, adolescents, and young adults with renal tumors
Authors: Cost Nicholas G. , DeFoor W. Robert , Crotty Eric J. , Geller James I.
Published: March 2014

Background

No standardized manner exits to objectively compare renal tumor complexity in children and adolescents. However, the RENAL Nephrometry scoring system has been recently developed in adults and shown to predict tumor complexity and correlate with clinical outcomes. Thus, the study objective was to evaluate RENAL Nephrometry tumor score in a population of children, adolescents, and young adults and correlate it with tumor features and pathology.

Methods

Patients at the study institution who underwent attempted renal tumor resection from 2002 to 2012, and had pre‐operative imaging available for scoring were retrospectively reviewed. A Nephrometry score for each affected kidney was calculated separately by two blinded reviewers and the final score was based on consensus review. Tumor characteristics and oncologic outcomes were compared between the low‐, moderate‐, and high‐complexity masses.

Results

Sixty‐five patients and 67 kidneys met study criteria. This included: 5 (7.5%) low‐complexity, 11 (16.4%) moderate‐complexity, and 51 (76.1%) high‐complexity lesions. In comparing the clinical and pathologic features between groups, it was observed that less complex masses were observed in older patients, were more commonly managed with nephron‐sparing surgery, and more often represented renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and other non‐Wilms tumor pathology. No statistically significant correlation was observed between tumor complexity score and blood loss, operative time, transfusion requirement, positive margins or tumor rupture.

Conclusion

In general, renal lesions in this population are highly complex. In its current form, RENAL Nephrometry appears most useful in evaluating tumor complexity in RCC and masses in older children and adolescents. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014; 61:1434–1439. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Proteomic analyses of genes regulated by heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A/B in Jurkat cells
Authors: Yeh Yuan‐Ming , Chen Chi‐Yuan , Huang Pei‐Rong , Hsu Chia‐Wei , Wu Chih‐Ching , Wang Tzu‐Chien V.
Published: March 2014

Several lines of evidence suggest that hnRNPs A/B (hnRNPs A1, A2/B1, and A3) play an important role in proliferation, although the functional overlap among members of hnRNPs A/B remains largely unknown. In this study, we have employed RNAi knockdown and proteomic approaches to investigate the biological functions of hnRNPs A/B. Depletion of hnRNP A2, but not A1 or A3, produced a significant inhibition of cellular proliferation in Jurkat cells. Analysis of the proteomes in the cells depleted for hnRNP A1, A2, or A3 has identified a total of 167 differentially expressed proteins in the depleted cells. Network analysis of the proteins altered in the cells depleted for hnRNP A2 revealed that the biological processes likely affected by these proteins are related to cell cycle, cytoskeleton rearrangement, and transcription regulation. Indeed, we have confirmed that the level of RhoA and CrkL was selectively reduced in the cells depleted of hnRNP A2, but not in the cells depleted for hnRNP A1 or A3. Therefore, we suggest that the reduced proliferation observed in the cells depleted of hnRNP A2 may result from its effects on cell adhesion processes in the Jurkat cells.