bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase 2 trial of concurrent bevacizumab and transhepatic arterial chemoembolization in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Buijs Manon , Reyes Diane K. , Pawlik Timothy M. , Blackford Amanda L. , Salem Riad , Messersmith Wells A. , Weekes Colin D. , Mulcahy Mary , Kamel Ihab R. , Geschwind Jean‐Francois H.
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND:

Vascular endothelial growth factor is up‐regulated in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and is further up‐regulated after transhepatic arterial chemoembolization. The authors of this report conducted a phase 2 trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of bevacizumab combined with chemoembolization in patients with unresectable HCC.

METHODS:

Patients who had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance of status 0 to 2, a Child‐Pugh score of A or B, and Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer stage B or C HCC were eligible. Treatment consisted of bevacizumab every 2 weeks and chemoembolization during the third week of a 6‐week cycle for up to 3 cycles over 6 months. The primary endpoints were safety and efficacy.

RESULTS:

Twenty‐five patients received chemoembolization and bevacizumab. The most common grade 3 and 4 events after the first treatment cycle were leukocytopenia (12%), fatigue (12%), and hyponatremia (12%). Serious toxicities that had a known association with bevacizumab were observed in 4 patients. Thirty‐day mortality was 0%. The median time to tumor progression for the targeted lesions was not reached, and overall survival was 10.8 months. The objective response rate was 60% using enhancement response evaluation criteria, and the disease control rate was 100%.

CONCLUSIONS:

Concurrent treatment with bevacizumab and chemoembolization was safe in carefully selected patients and demonstrated antitumor activity in patients with unresectable HCC. These results support the further development of bevacizumab combined with chemoembolization as a treatment for unresectable HCC. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Can changing the terminology for benign aspirates reduce the atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance rate in thyroid fine‐needle aspirates?
Authors: Renshaw Andrew A. , Krane Jeffrey F.
Published: November 2012

Defining 2 categories of benign thyroid aspirates may reduce the use of atypia of undetermined significance/follicular lesion of undetermined significance.
Prospective analysis of atypical epithelial cells as a high‐risk cytologic feature for malignancy in pancreatic cysts
Authors: Pitman Martha B. , Yaeger Kurt A. , Brugge William R. , Mino‐Kenudson Mari
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND:

Pancreatic cysts are aspirated to assess whether a cyst is mucinous on one hand and malignant on the other. The authors' retrospective data have indicated that high‐grade atypical epithelial cells (AECs) identified on cytology are a high‐risk feature and a better threshold than “positive” for detecting malignancy. The objective of the current study was to assess the accuracy of AECs in predicting malignancy in pancreatic cysts.

METHODS:

Cysts aspirated by endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)‐guided fine‐needle aspiration (EUS‐FNAs) obtained between January 2006 and June 2011 were evaluated. Cytologic, histologic, imaging, and cyst fluid analysis data were recorded. AECs were defined as cells that had an increased nuclear‐to‐cytoplasmic ratio and nuclear hyperchromasia with or without membrane abnormalities and with or without cytoplasmic vacuoles, but of insufficient quality and quantity for a “positive” interpretation. Malignancy included mucinous cysts with high‐grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma. Performance characteristics of cytology with AECs or worse (high‐grade atypia [HGA]) for predicting malignancy were assessed.

RESULTS:

There were 70 FNAs that had histologic confirmation from 404 EUS‐FNAs in 352 patients. Excluding 4 nondiagnostic FNAs, the study cohort consisted of 66 FNAs for analysis. There were 24 malignant cysts with 20 true‐positive, 4 false‐negative, 36 true‐negative, and 6 false‐positive results. For the detection of malignancy, HGA had 83% sensitivity, 86% specificity, a positive predictive value of 77%, a negative predictive value of 90%, and 85% overall accuracy. The lower threshold for malignancy with AECs resulted in a 12% increase in the detection of malignancy.

CONCLUSIONS:

A finding of AECs on cytology is a high‐risk feature for malignancy and is an accurate triage threshold for resection. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:29–36 © 2012 American Cancer Society.
The addition of RPMI significantly improves the cellularity of cerebrospinal fluid cytology specimens over time
Authors: Renshaw Scott A. , Gupta Suresh , Campos Michael , Hodes Lori , Renshaw Andrew A. , Gould Edwin W.
Published: November 2012

BACKGROUND

Cytology specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may be hypocellular, and the cells in CSF specimens degrade rapidly.

METHODS

In the current study, the authors attempted to determine whether the addition of RPMI media to CSF specimens at the time of their receipt in the laboratory could improve the cellularity of specimens that would be processed 24 hours and 48 hours later.

RESULTS

Compared with the initial specimen that was processed at the time of receipt in the laboratory, specimens with RPMI added preserved at least 90% of their cellularity. In contrast, specimens that were processed without RPMI lost 70% and 94% of their cellularity at 24 hours and 48 hours, respectively, even with refrigeration.

CONCLUSIONS

For CSF specimens that cannot be immediately processed, the addition of RPMI appears to significantly improve cellularity at 24 hours to 48 hours after their receipt in the laboratory. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2013;121:271–4. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Frequency Shift in Graphene‐Enhanced Raman Signal of Molecules
Authors: Yaghobian Fatemeh , Korn Tobias , Schüller Christian
Published: November 2012

Graphene‐enhanced Raman scattering (GERS) is emerging as an important method due to the need for highly reproducible, quantifiable, and biocompatible active substrates. As a result of its unique two‐dimensional carbon structure, graphene provides particularly large enhanced Raman signals for molecules adsorbed on its surface. In this work, the GERS signals of a test molecule, 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (4‐MBA), with reproducible enhancement factors are discussed and compared with surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) signals from highly active substrates, covered with spherical silver nanoparticles. It is shown that chemical interactions between the molecule and graphene can result in a frequency shift in the graphene‐enhanced Raman signal of the molecule.
Self‐Assembled Polymeric Chelate Nanoparticles as Potential Theranostic Agents
Authors: Škodová M. , Černoch P. , Štěpánek P. , Chánová E. , Kučka J. , Kálalová Z. , Kaňková D. , Hrubý M.
Published: November 2012

Improvements in cancer diagnostics and therapy have recently attracted the interest of many different branches of science. This study presents one of the new possible approaches in the diagnostics and therapy of cancer by using polymeric chelates as carriers. Graft copolymers with a backbone containing 8‐hydroxyquinoline‐5‐sulfonic acid chelating groups and poly(ethylene oxide) hydrophilic grafts are synthesized and characterized. The polymers assemble and form particles after the addition of a biometal cation, such as iron or copper. The obtained nanoparticles exhibit a hydrodynamic diameter of around 25 nm and a stability of at least several hours, which are counted as essential parameters for biomedical purposes. To prove their biodegradability, a model degradation with deferoxamine is performed and, together with high radiolabeling efficiency with copper‐64, their possible use for nuclear medicine purposes is demonstrated.
Controlled Synthesis of Monodisperse SiO2TiO2Microspheres with a Yolk–Shell Structure as Effective Photocatalysts
Authors: Yoo Jung Bo , Yoo Hyo Jin , Lim Byung Wook , Lee Kang Hyuk , Kim Mi Hyun , Kang Donghyeon , Hur Nam Hwi
Published: November 2012

Monodisperse yolk–shell SiO2–TiO2microspheres were synthesized using core–shell silica microspheres as templates. In the absence of prior surface modifications, a uniform coating of the TiO2layer on the core–shell silica was achieved through a sol–gel route. Mesoporous silica shells between the outer TiO2shell and the SiO2core were selectively removed by using a weak base, yielding yolk–shell SiO2–TiO2microspheres (ys‐SiO2@TiO2). Using the same templates, we synthesized Pt‐encased microspheres (SiO2@Pt‐TiO2), in which Pt nanoparticles are embedded between the SiO2core and the TiO2shell. Selective etching of the silica shells in SiO2@Pt‐TiO2yields Pt‐encased yolk–shell SiO2–TiO2microspheres (ys‐SiO2@${ \char60 {\rm{Pt}} \char62 }$TiO2), which contain void spaces suitable for use as nanoreactors. The ys‐SiO2@${ \char60 {\rm{Pt}} \char62 }$TiO2catalyst shows enhanced hydrogen production from water under UV‐light irradiation presumably as a result of multiple reflections within the void spaces and can be reused without losing their activity. Moreover, this core–shell template method is effective for the synthesis of other yolk–shell microspheres with different metal oxides.
Commentary on ‘Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants’
Authors: Caplan Michael
Published: November 2012

This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Alfaleh K, Anabrees J, Bassler D, Al‐Kharfi T. Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2011, Issue 3. Art. No.: CD005496. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005496.pub3.

Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Summary article. Copyright © 2012 The Cochrane Collaboration. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. The Cochrane Collaboration
The microRNA‐9/B‐lymphocyte‐induced maturation protein‐1/IL‐2 axis is differentially regulated in progressive HIV infection
Authors: Seddiki Nabila , Phetsouphanh Chansavath , Swaminathan Sanjay , Xu Yin , Rao Sudha , Li Jasmine , Sutcliffe Elissa L. , Denyer Gareth , Finlayson Robert , Gelgor Linda , Cooper David A. , Zaunders John , Kelleher Anthony D.
Published: November 2012

The fine control of T‐cell differentiation and its impact on HIV disease states is poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that B‐lymphocyte‐induced maturation protein‐1 (Blimp‐1/Prdm1) is highly expressed in CD4+ T cells from chronically HIV‐infected (CHI) patients compared to cells from long‐term nonprogressors or healthy controls. Stimulation through the T‐cell receptor in the presence ofIL‐2 induces Blimp‐1 protein expression. We show here that Blimp‐1 levels are translationally regulated by microRNA‐9 (miR‐9). Overexpression of miR‐9 induces Blimp‐1 repression, restoring IL‐2 secretion in CD4+ T cells via reduction in the binding of Blimp‐1 to the il‐2 promoter. In CHI patients where IL‐2 expression is reduced and there is generalized T‐cell dysfunction, we show differential expression of both miR‐9 and Blimp‐1 in CD4+ cells compared with levels in long‐term nonprogressors. These data identify a novel miR‐9/Blimp‐1/IL‐2 axis that is dysregulated in progressive HIV infection.
Deoxythiosugar Derivatives with Furano, Pyrano, and Septano Motifs from L‐Gulono‐1,4‐lactone and D‐Glycero‐D‐gulo‐heptono‐1,4‐lactone
Authors: Gunasundari Thanikachalam , Chandrasekaran Srinivasan
Published: November 2012

A short synthesis of thiosugar derivatives mimicking furanose, pyranose, and septanose structures has been achieved starting from L‐gulono‐1,4‐lactone and D‐glucoheptono‐1,4‐lactone. Different strategies used in the synthesis are: (1) a nucleophilic displacement and Michael addition; (2) epoxide ring opening and Michael addition; (3) epoxide ring opening and nucleophilic displacement process; and (4) double nucleophilic displacement. All of these reactions used benzyltriethylammonium tetrathiomolybdate, (BnEt3N)2MoS4 as the sulfur‐transfer reagent.
Intramolecular Carbolithiation Reactions in the Construction of Medium‐Sized Rings. Synthesis of Pyrroloisoquinolines, Benzazepines, and Benzazocines
Authors: García‐Calvo Oihane , Coya Estíbaliz , Lage Sergio , Coldham Iain , Sotomayor Nuria , Lete Esther
Published: November 2012

Mesityllithium (MesLi) was found to be superior to butyllithium for the formation of aryllithium intermediates by iodine–lithium exchange. Subsequent intramolecular carbolithiation of the 2‐alkenyl‐substituted ortho‐lithiated N‐benzylpyrroles proceeded efficiently when the alkene was substituted with an electron‐withdrawing group. The procedure is applicable to the construction of six‐, seven‐, and eight‐membered rings, thus, opening new routes to pyrroloisoquinolines, benzazepines, and benzazocines. Although the use of (–)‐sparteine as a chiral ligand led to low levels of enantioselection, enantiomerically pure isoquinolines could be synthesized by applying this protocol to the related pyrrolidines derived from proline, as the reactions proceeded with complete diastereoselectivity.
Determination of UV filters in river water samples by in‐line SPE‐CE‐MS
Authors: Maijó Irene , Fontanals Núria , Borrull Francesc , Neusüß Christian , Calull Marta , Aguilar Carme
Published: November 2012

The use of SPE coupled in‐line to CE using electrospray MS detection (in‐line SPE‐CE‐ESI‐MS) was investigated for the preconcentration and separation of four UV filters: benzophenone‐3, 2,2‐dihydroxy‐4‐methoxybenzophenone, 2,4‐dihydroxybenzophenone and 2‐phenylbenzimidazole‐5‐sulphonic acid. First, a CE‐ESI‐MS method was developed and validated using standard samples, obtaining LODs between 0.06 μg/mL and 0.40 μg/mL. For the in‐line SPE‐CE‐ESI‐MS method, three different sorbents were evaluated and compared: Oasis HLB, Oasis MCX, and Oasis MAX. For each sorbent, the main parameters affecting the preconcentration performance, such as sample pH, volume, and composition of the elution plug, and sample injection time were studied. The Oasis MCX sorbent showed the best performance and was used to validate the in‐line SPE‐CE‐ESI‐MS methodology. The LODs reached for standard samples were in the range between 0.01 and 0.05 ng/mL with good reproducibility and the developed strategy provided sensitivity enhancement factors between 3400‐fold and 34 000‐fold. The applicability of the developed methodology was demonstrated by the analysis of UV filters in river water samples.
Microfluidic synthesis of tail‐shaped alginate microparticles using slow sedimentation
Authors: Lin Yung‐Sheng , Yang Chih‐Hui , Hsu Yi‐Yao , Hsieh Chen‐Ling
Published: November 2012

This study reports the synthesis of tail‐shaped alginate particles using a microfluidic platform combined with a sedimentation strategy. By utilizing microfluidic emulsification in the cross‐junction channel, the formation of regular droplets was achieved. Following a facile and convenient sedimentation process and an ionic crosslinking process, sodium‐alginate droplets became tail‐shaped and then gradually developed into calcium‐alginate microparticles. The effects of the concentration of the CaCl2 crosslinker and the viscosity of the alginate solution on the shape and/or size of the particles were further investigated. The proposed synthesis methodology has the advantages of actively controlling the tail‐shape formation, having a narrow size distribution, as well as being a facile and convenient process with a high throughput. This approach can be applied to many applications in the pharmaceutical and biomedical arena.
Gel electrophoresis of a charge‐regulated, bi‐functional particle
Authors: Hsu Jyh‐Ping , Huang Chih‐Hua , Tseng Shiojenn
Published: November 2012

Adopting a Brinkman fluid model, we analyzed the electrophoresis of a charged‐regulated, bi‐functional particle containing both acidic and basic functional groups in a gel solution. Both the long‐range hydrodynamic effect arising from the liquid drag and the short‐range steric effect from particle–polymer interaction are considered. The type of particle considered is capable of simulating both biocolloids such as microorganisms and cells, and particles with adsorbed polyelectrolyte or membrane layer. Our model describes successfully the experimental data in the literature. The presence of gel has the effect of reducing the particle mobility and alleviating double‐layer polarization so that the particle behavior is less complicated than that in the case where gel is absent. On the other hand, both the quantitative and qualitative behaviors of a particle depend highly on solution pH and background salt concentration, yielding interesting and significant results. These results provide valuable information for both experimental data interpretation and electrophoresis devices design.
Characterization of internal structure of hydrated agar and gelatin matrices by cryo‐SEM
Authors: Rahbani Janane , Behzad Ali R. , Khashab Niveen M. , Al‐Ghoul Mazen
Published: November 2012

There has been a considerable interest in recent years in developing polymer gel matrices for many important applications such as 2DE for quantization and separation of a variety of proteins and drug delivery system to control the release of active agents. However, a well‐defined knowledge of the ultrastructures of the gels has been elusive. In this study, we report the characterization of two different polymers used in 2DE: Gelatin, a naturally occurring polymer derived from collagen (protein) and agar, a polymer of polysaccharide (sugar) origin. Low‐temperature SEM is used to examine the internal structure of these gels in their frozen natural hydrated states. Results of this study show that both polymers have an array of hollow cells that resembles honeycomb structures. While agar pores are almost circular, the corresponding Gaussian curve is very broad exhibiting a range of radii from nearly 370 to 700 nm. Gelatin pores are smaller and more homogeneous reflecting a narrower distribution from nearly 320 to 650 nm. Overall, these ultrastructural findings could be used to correlate with functions of the polymers.
Microchip CE‐LIF method for the hydrolysis of L‐glutamine by using L‐asparaginase enzyme reactor based on gold nanoparticle
Authors: Qiao Juan , Qi Li , Yan Huijuan , Li Yaping , Mu Xiaoyu
Published: November 2012

l‐Asparaginase (l‐Asnase) can suppress the growth of malignant cells by rapid depletion of two essential amino acids, l‐glutamine (l‐Gln) and l‐asparagine (l‐Asn). To study the cytotoxic effect and the secondary complications of l‐Asnase in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the development of a novel enzyme reactor of l‐Asnase for the hydrolysis of l‐Gln, employing the enzyme‐gold nanoparticle conjugates in capillary, was reported in this work. First, a microchip CE (MCE)‐LIF was established for the separation of l‐amino acids (l‐Gln and l‐glutamic acid) and studying the hydrolysis of l‐Gln by using l‐Asnase enzyme reactor. Then, using l‐Gln as target analyte, the enzyme kinetics of l‐Asnase in free solution, enzyme‐gold nanoparticle conjugates (E‐GNP), and the enzyme‐gold nanoparticle conjugates immobilized in capillary (E‐GNP‐C) were investigated in detail with the proposed MCE‐LIF method. Moreover, for optimizing the enzymatic reaction efficiency, three important parameters, including the length of capillary, the enzyme concentration reacted with gold nanoparticle and the amount of l‐Asnase immobilized on the gold nanoparticle, have been studied. Owing to the high specific activity, the E‐GNP‐C enzyme reactor exhibited the best performance for the hydrolysis of l‐Gln.
Effects of hydrophobicity on splash erosion of model soil particles by a single water drop impact
Authors: Ahn Sujung , Doerr Stefan H. , Douglas Peter , Bryant Robert , Hamlett Christopher A.E. , McHale Glen , Newton Michael I. , Shirtcliffe Neil J.
Published: November 2012

Raindrop impact can be a major contributor to particle mobilization for soils and other granular materials. In previous work, water repellent soils, comprised of hydrophobic particles, have been shown to exhibit greater splash erosion losses under multiple drop impact. However, the underlying principle differences in splash behavior between hydrophobic and hydrophilic granular surfaces have not been studied to date. In this study the effects of particle hydrophobicity on splash behaviour by a single water drop impact were examined using high‐speed videography. Water drops (4 mm in diameter) were dropped on beds of hydrophilic and hydrophobic glass beads (sieved range: 350–400 µm), serving as model soil particles. The drop velocity on impact was 2.67 m s‐1, which corresponds to ~30% of the terminal velocity of a raindrop of similar size. The resulting impact behaviour was measured in terms of the trajectories of particles ejected from the beds and their final resting positions. The response to the impacting water drop was significantly different between hydrophilic and hydrophobic particles in terms of the distance distribution, the median distance travelled by the particles and number of ejected particles. The greater ejection distances of hydrophobic particles were mainly the result of the higher initial velocities rather than differences in ejecting angles. The higher and longer ejection trajectories for hydrophobic particles, compared with hydrophilic particles, indicate that particle hydrophobicity affects splash erosion from the initial stage of rainfall erosion before a water layer may be formed by accumulating drops. The ~10% increase in average splash distance for hydrophobic particles compared with hydrophilic particles suggests that particle hydrophobicity can result in greater net erosion rate, which would be amplified on sloping surfaces, for example, by ridges in ploughed agricultural soils or hillslopes following vegetation loss by clearing or wildfire. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Changes in cognitive function associated with syndrome changes on two five‐factor models of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
Authors: Jerrell Jeanette M. , Hrisko Stephanie
Published: November 2012

Objective

This study aims to examine the association between neuropsychological function and symptom changes over time on two five‐factor models, pentagonal (PM) and Van der Gaag (VDG), of the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and to determine the added value of these syndrome models for interpreting neuropsychological changes.

Methods

Data were collected in a randomized controlled trial comparing second‐generation and conventional antipsychotic medications for 108 adult patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and monitored prospectively for 12 months using standard neuropsychological instruments and the PANSS. Random‐effects regression was used to estimate the change over time in neuropsychological function and the association of PANSS covariates.

Results

Improvements in positive, negative, and cognitive syndromes were significant predictors of change on nine neuropsychological measures. The neuropsychological function was worsening on five of these measures. The PM model represented the best set of predictors examining positive and negative syndrome covariates, whereas the VDG model consistently represented the best predictors examining cognitive syndrome covariates.

Conclusions

The PM positive and negative syndrome factors and the VDG disorganized thoughts syndrome factor are differentially associated with changes in neuropsychological function over time. Clinical investigators may want to target their use of these factors from the PANSS according to the outcome variables being measured. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prediction of remission of depression with clinical variables, neuropsychological performance, and serotonergic/dopaminergic gene polymorphisms
Authors: Gudayol‐Ferré Esteve , Herrera‐Guzmán Ixchel , Camarena Beatriz , Cortés‐Penagos Carlos , Herrera‐Abarca Jorge E. , Martínez‐Medina Patricia , Asbun‐Bojalil Juan , Lira‐Islas Yuridia , Reyes‐Ponce Celia , Guàrdia‐Olmos Joan
Published: November 2012

Objective

The aim of our work is to study the possible role of clinical variables, neuropsychological performance, and the 5HTTLPR, rs25531, and val108/58Met COMT polymorphisms on the prediction of depression remission after 12 weeks' treatment with fluoxetine. These variables have been studied as potential predictors of depression remission, but they present poor prognostic sensitivity and specificity by themselves.

Methods

Seventy‐two depressed patients were genotyped according to the aforementioned polymorphisms and were clinically and neuropsychologically assessed before a 12‐week fluxetine treatment.

Results

Only the La allele of rs25531 polymorphism and the GG and AA forms of the val 108/158 Met polymorphism predict major depressive disorder remission after 12 weeks' treatment with fluoxetine. None of the clinical and neuropsychological variables studied predicted remission.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that clinical and neuropsychological variables can initially predict early response to fluoxetine and mask the predictive role of genetic variables; but in remission, where clinical and neuropsychological symptoms associated with depression tend to disappear thanks to the treatment administered, the polymorphisms studied are the only variables in our model capable of predicting remission. However, placebo effects that are difficult to control require cautious interpretation of the results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficacy and metabolic influence of paliperidone ER, aripiprazole and ziprasidone to patients with first‐episode schizophrenia through 52 weeks follow‐up in China
Authors: Zhang Yinbo , Dai Guangzhi
Published: November 2012

Background

There are no direct comparisons of paliperidone extended‐release (ER), aripiprazole and ziprasidone in efficacy and metabolic influence in patients with first‐episode schizophrenia.

Objective

The present study examined the efficacy and metabolic influence of paliperidone ER, aripiprazole and ziprasidone in patients with first‐episode schizophrenia in China.

Methods

Subjects were recruited from outpatient and 254 patients entered the trial. These patients received treatment randomly with paliperidone ER, aripiprazole and ziprasidone and were assessed at baseline, 13, 26 and 52 weeks, respectively with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), 7‐item Clinical Global Impressions‐Severity (CGI‐S), anthropometric (weight, body mass index and waist circumference) and metabolic (fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL), low density lipoproteins and triglycerides) measures.

Results

A total of 203 patients completed the trial. Paliperidone group had significant greater reduction in PANSS than aripiprazole group and ziprasidone group from 13 weeks, although the a reduction in PANSS of each group was more than 20%. There was no difference in CGI‐S among the three groups, and all three groups had a significant reduction from baseline in CGI‐S. Aripiprazole group increased in weight and body mass index despite no statistical change in waist circumference. Other two groups showed no changes in anthropometric measure. At the end of the study, two glucose metabolic indices (fasting blood glucose and HbA1c) of aripiprazole group were significantly higher than that of baseline. In lipid metabolism, aripiprazole group reduced triglycerides significantly and had no changes in other indices. Paliperidone group reduced HDL and increased triglycerides despite no changes in glucose metabolism. Ziprasidone group also had no significant changes in glucose metabolism, but reduced cholesterol, low density lipoproteins and increased HDL. Furthermore, 22 subjects in three groups reached the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome.

Conclusions

Paliperidone ER, aripiprazole and ziprasidone are effective in treating first‐episode schizophrenia, and the ranking of efficacy from high to low is paliperidone ER > aripiprazole > ziprasidone. Paliperidone ER can impair lipid metabolism potentially but had no influence on glucose metabolism. Aripiprazole can damage glucose metabolism and has little influence on lipid metabolism. Ziprasidone is considered an atypical antipsychotic with no evidence of harm to glucose and lipid metabolism. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reproductive and hormonal factors and the risk of lung cancer: The EAGLE study
Authors: Pesatori Angela Cecilia , Carugno Michele , Consonni Dario , Caporaso Neil E. , Wacholder Sholom , Tucker Margaret , Landi Maria Teresa
Published: November 2012

Evidence about the role for reproductive and hormonal factors in the etiology of lung cancer in women is conflicting. To clarify this question, we examined 407 female cases and 499 female controls from the Environment And Genetics in Lung cancer Etiology population‐based case–control study. Subjects were interviewed in person using a computer‐assisted personal interview to assess demographics, education, smoking history, medical history, occupational history, reproductive and hormonal factors. Associations of interest were investigated using logistic regression models, adjusted for catchment area and age (matching variables), cigarette smoking (status, pack‐years and time since quitting). Additional confounding variables were investigated but did not substantially affect the results. We observed a reduced risk of lung cancer among women with later age at first live birth [≥31 years: odds ratio (OR) = 0.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.31–1.06, p‐trend = 0.05], later age at menopause (≥51 years: OR = 0.49, 95%CI = 0.31–0.79, p‐trend = 0.003) and longer reproductive periods (≥41 years: OR = 0.44, 95%CI = 0.25–0.79, p‐trend = 0.01). A reduced risk was also observed for hormone replacement therapy (OR = 0.63, 95%CI = 0.42–0.95, p = 0.03) and oral contraceptive use (OR = 0.67, 95%CI = 0.45–1.00, p = 0.05) but no trend with duration of use was detected. Menopausal status (both natural and induced) was associated with an augmented risk. No additional associations were identified for other reproductive variables. This study suggests that women who continue to produce estrogens have a lower lung cancer risk. Large studies with great number of never smoking women, biomarkers of estrogen and molecular classification of lung cancer are needed for a more comprehensive view of the association between reproductive factors and lung cancer risk.
Modeling and characterization of inflammatory breast cancer emboli grown in vitro
Authors: Lehman Heather L. , Dashner Erica J. , Lucey Michelle , Vermeulen Peter , Dirix Luc , Laere Steven Van , van Golen Kenneth L.
Published: November 2012

Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is the deadliest form of breast cancer, presenting as intralymphatic emboli. Emboli within the dermal lymphatic vessels are thought to contribute to rapid metastasis. The lack of appropriate in vitro models has made it difficult to accurately study how IBC emboli metastasize. To date, attempts at creating IBC tumor emboli in vitro have used 3D culture on a solid layer of MatrigelTM, which does not resemble the physical properties of the lymphatic system. Dermal lymphatic fluid produces oscillatory fluid shear forces and is 1.5–1.7‐fold more viscous than water with a pH range of 7.5–7.7. We have established a method for forming tumor emboli by culturing the IBC cell lines in suspension with either polyethylene glycol‐ or hyaluronic acid‐containing medium and oscillatory fluid shear forces. Non‐IBC cells do not form emboli under identical conditions. In vitro IBC emboli were analyzed for expression of markers associated with patient emboli and their ability to undergo invasion. In a direct comparison, the in vitro IBC emboli closely resemble IBC patient emboli with respect to size, composition and E‐cadherin expression. Further, cells from the emboli are able to invade in clusters via RhoC GTPase‐dependent amoeboid movement. Invasion by clusters of IBC cells is disrupted by exposure to TGFβ. This study provides a biologically relevant in vitro model to accurately grow and study inflammatory breast cancer biology and metastasis.
Prenatal Representations of Family in Parents and Coparental Interactions as Predictors of Triadic Interactions During Infancy
Authors: Favez Nicolas , Frascarolo France , Lavanchy Scaiola ChloÉ , Corboz‐Warnery Antoinette
Published: November 2012

In this study, we explored the predictive role of family interactions and family representations in mothers and fathers during pregnancy for postnatal mother–father–infant interactions during the first 2 years after birth. Families (N= 42) were seen at the fifth month of pregnancy and at 3 and 18 months after birth. During pregnancy, parents were asked to play with their baby at the first meeting by using a doll in accordance with the procedure of the prenatal Lausanne Trilogue Play (LTP; A. Corboz‐Warnery & E. Fivaz‐Depeursinge, 2001; E. Fivaz‐Depeursinge, F. Frascarolo‐Moutinot, & A. Corboz‐Warnery, 2010). Family representations were assessed by administering the Family System Test (T. Gehring, 1998). Marital satisfaction and the history of the couple were assessed through self‐reported questionnaires. At 3 and 18 months, family interactions were assessed in the postnatal LTP. Infant temperament was assessed through parent reports. Results show that (a) prenatal interactions and child temperament are the most important predictors of family interactions and (b) paternal representations are predictive of family interactions at 3 months. These results show that observational assessment of “nascent” family interactions is possible during pregnancy, which would allow early screening of family maladjustment. The findings also highlight the necessity of taking into account paternal representations as a significant variable in the development of family interactions.
AN EFFICIENT HYBRID LP‐LP METHOD FOR THE OPTIMAL UTILIZATION OF CONFINED AQUIFERS
Authors: Khadem M. , Afshar M. H.
Published: November 2012

This paper presents an efficient hybrid methodology for solution of the groundwater management problem. The problem to be addressed is the minimization of the pumping cost of a predefined number of wells of fixed position in a two‐dimensional (2D) confined aquifer. The solution of the problem is defined by the pumping rate of the wells which satisfy downstream demand, the lower/upper bound on the pumping rates, and the upper bound on the water level drawdown in the wells. This problem is one of non‐linear optimization which can be solved using conventional non‐linear programming (NLP) and modern heuristic algorithms with their corresponding advantages and shortcomings. In the proposed method, the problem is formulated as one of optimization in terms of pumping rates and water level drawdown in the wells by embedding the discretized version of the differential equation governing the aquifer in the problem formulation. The resulting constrained non‐linear optimization problem is then decomposed into two linear optimization problems with different sets of decision variables, namely pumping rates and water level drawdown. The newly formed linear problems are solved iteratively using a simplex method leading to a highly efficient hybrid method. The ability and efficiency of the proposed method are tested against three test examples and the results presented and compared to other methods. The results indicate the superiority of the proposed method over others available in the literature such as NLP and GA in both accuracy and computational effort. While the performance of the available methods is shown to deteriorate with the size of the problem, when the number of wells to be operated are increased, the proposed method is shown to be insensitive to problem size, offering a robust method for solving real‐life groundwater management problems. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Teaming With Technology: “Real” iPad Applications
Authors: Ensor Tami
Published: November 2012

This column features essays written by current middle school and high school teachers, media specialists, librarians, literacy coaches, curriculum specialists, administrators, preservice teachers, teacher educators, and adolescent and adult learners. They highlight diverse perspectives on teaching and/or learning with literacies to inspire reader reflection.
Literacy as Social Action in City Debate
Authors: Cridland‐Hughes Susan
Published: November 2012

This study examines critical literacy and the intersections of oral, aural, written, and performative literate practices in City Debate, an afterschool program dedicated to providing debate instruction to students in a major Southeastern city. Previous research into definitions and beliefs about literacy in an urban debate program over its twenty year history described literacy activities in debate as active and activist, attributes connected with a belief in literacy as critical (Author, 2008). City Debate participants facilitated the development of critical literacy as students prepared to compete in debate tournaments, but also as youth, volunteers, and organizers worked together to develop a community framed around “critical reading, critical thinking, and critical speaking.” This study offers insight into how one empowering youth literacy community prepares students to use critical literacy in debate and throughout their lives.
Critical Conversations on Whiteness With Young Adult Literature
Authors: Schieble Melissa
Published: November 2012

In this article, the author argues that whiteness remains an overwhelmingly absent dimension in literacy teaching that addresses systems of power from a critical perspective. One way literacy teachers may bring this dimension more explicitly into the classroom is by facilitating critical conversations on whiteness with young adult literature. As whiteness is neither a fixed nor static category, the author analyzes whiteness as intersected with multiple identity markers such as social class and gender in two young adult novels that are popular with adolescents and taught in middle and high school classrooms. The author concludes with recommendations for literacy teachers on how to bring whiteness more explicitly into critical literacy teaching and learning.
A 13‐week toxicity study of acrylamide administered in drinking water to hamsters
Authors: Imai Toshio , Kitahashi Tsukasa
Published: November 2012

Acrylamide (AA) is known to induce tumors in various organs/tissues in rats and mice. Epidemiological studies of oral exposure have generated controversial results but mortality studies of people who work with AA have indicated increased rates of pancreatic cancer. In the present study, for dose selection for chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity studies, 13‐week toxicity of AA was evaluated in Syrian hamsters, which are sensitive to induction of pancreatic ductal carcinogenesis, at concentrations required to provide doses of 0 (control), 20, 30 and 50 mg kg–1 body weight in drinking water. Treatment with AA caused abnormal gait advancing to hind limb paralysis in all males and females at 50 mg kg–1. Body weights in 30 and 50 mg kg–1 males and 50 mg kg–1 females were lower than in the controls. At termination of the study, red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin (Hb) were decreased or showed a tendency for a decrease at 20 and 30 mg kg–1 in females. Microscopically, axonal/myelin degeneration of sciatic nerves was observed in all AA‐treated groups with dose dependence. No obvious changes were found in pancreatic ducts/ductules in any groups of animal. These results indicated the maximum tolerated dose for long‐term studies of AA to be 20 mg kg–1 or less in both male and female Syrian hamsters. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Coupled external cavity photonic crystal enhanced fluorescence
Authors: Pokhriyal Anusha , Lu Meng , Ge Chun , Cunningham Brian T.
Published: November 2012

We report a fundamentally new approach to enhance fluorescence in which surface adsorbed fluorophore‐tagged biomolecules are excited on a photonic crystal surface that functions as a narrow bandwidth and tunable mirror of an external cavity laser. This scheme leads to ∼10× increase in the electromagnetic enhancement factor compared to ordinary photonic crystal enhanced fluorescence. In our experiments, the cavity automatically tunes its lasing wavelength to the resonance wavelength of the photonic crystal, ensuring optimal on‐resonance coupling even in the presence of variable device parameters and variations in the density of surface‐adsorbed capture molecules. We achieve ∼105× improvement in the limit of detection of a fluorophore‐tagged protein compared to its detection on an unpatterned glass substrate. The enhanced fluorescence signal and easy optical alignment make cavity‐coupled photonic crystals a viable approach for further reducing detection limits of optically‐excited light emitters that are used in biological assays. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Acute Effects of Pyrethroids on Serotonin Release in the Striatum of Awake Rats: An In Vivo Microdialysis Study
Authors: Hossain Muhammad M. , Suzuki Tadahiko , Richardson Jason R. , Kobayashi Haruo
Published: November 2012

The present study examined the acute neurotoxic effects of three different pyrethroids, allethrin, cyhalothrin, and deltamethrin on the release of serotonin (5‐HT) and its metabolite 5‐hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5‐HIAA) in the striatum of conscious rats using microdialysis. Allethrin 10 mg/kg reduced extracellular levels of 5‐HT to 46%, whereas 20 and 60 mg/kg increased the release to 177% and 243% of baseline, respectively. Cyhalothrin increased 5‐HT release to 145–204% and deltamethrin decreased to 58–32% of baseline in a dose‐dependent manner. None of the pyrethroids tested altered extracellular levels of 5‐HIAA. Local infusion of the voltage‐gated sodium channel antagonist tetrodotoxin (TTX) into striatum completely prevented the effects of allethrin, cyhalothrin, and deltamethrin (10 and 20 mg/kg) on 5‐HT release. The effect of deltamethrin at 60 mg/kg was completely abolished by striatal infusion of nimodipine (L‐type Ca++ channel antagonist) with TTX. These findings suggest that pyrethroids disrupt the serotonergic neurotransmission in striatum in a dose‐related manner with Na+ and Ca2+ channel‐dependent mechanisms. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:150‐156, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/jbt.21450
Organizational citizenship behavior in work groups: A team cultural perspective
Authors: Lai Jennifer Y. M. , Lam Long W. , Lam Simon S. K.
Published: November 2012

Although researchers have often found positive relationships between organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) and performance rating, very few studies have scrutinized the team contexts in which such relationships exist. This study examines how OCB influences job performance ratings within different team cultures, as measured by team collectivism and individualism. On the basis of multilevel data collected from 81 teams working at a multinational bank in Hong Kong, team collectivism and individualism were found to moderate the OCB–performance rating relationship such that OCB targeting individuals improved rated performance in highly collectivistic teams only, whereas only organizational OCB produced a significant improvement in highly individualistic teams. The implications of these findings and directions for future research directions are discussed here. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improvement of 3D visual image quality by using high frame rate
Authors: Kuroki Yoshihiko
Published: November 2012

The relationship between high frame rate and depth perception was investigated. Psychophysical experiments using moving random dot stereograms to study depth discrimination under several conditions showed that three‐dimensional motion images produced and displayed with a frame rate of 240 fps enable finer discrimination of depth for the viewer compared with frame rates of 120 or 60 fps. In addition, overall evaluations of natural three‐dimensional motion images by viewers confirmed that more natural motion and depth impressions were presented at 240 fps than at lower frame rates. Further, the results are discussed with reference to a recent theoretical model of the dynamic spatial frequency response of the camera/display system.
Solid‐phase microextraction based method for determination of essential oils components in herbal beverages
Authors: Adam Martin , Čížková Andrea , Eisner Aleš , Ventura Karel
Published: November 2012

A method employing the direct immersion solid‐phase microextraction followed by GC‐MS analysis is presented for the determination of essential oils components in herbal tea infusions, i.e. their direct content in the liquid phase. The extraction performances were compared using five different microextraction fibres. Significant parameters affecting sorption process such as sample amount, sorption and desorption time and temperature, stirring speed, pH adjustment and effect of ionic strength were optimised and discussed. By optimising the key parameters, a detection limits (LOD = S/N × 3) for ten target marker compounds were obtained in the range from 5.3 to 48.2 ng/mL with recoveries ranged between 93.03 and 100.50%. Intra‐day and inter‐day repeatability at three concentration levels were found to be 1.1–15.3 and 7.2–15.5% RSD, respectively. Finally, the optimised procedure enabling a rapid and simple analysis of essential oils was applied for the direct determination of these compounds in ten herbal tea infusions.
Multiple Shape‐Memory Behavior of Polyethylene/Polycyclooctene Blends Cross‐Linked by Electron Irradiation
Authors: Radusch Hans‐Joachim , Kolesov Igor , Gohs Uwe , Heinrich Gert
Published: November 2012

Covalent networks prepared by electron irradiation of binary and ternary blends of linear and/or short‐chain branched polyethylenes as well as polycyclooctene (polyoctenamer) demonstrate distinctly developed triple‐ and partly quadruple shape‐memory (SM) behavior after one‐step programming. Blends having the morphology with well‐segregated phases, where the matrix has the lower melting/switching temperature in comparison to the disperse phases, evince pronounced steps of SM recovery and modulus as well as distinct differential scanning calorimetry‐melting peaks. Phase morphology and especially phase separation in networks are noticeably affected by thermal history of blends before cross‐linking. All investigated networks show high SM performances with strain fixing and strain recovery ratios of 95–99%.

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Asymptotic analysis of positive solutions of a class of third order nonlinear differential equations in the framework of regular variation
Authors: Jaroš Jaroslav , Takaŝi Kusano , Tanigawa Tomoyuki
Published: November 2012

This paper is devoted to the asymptotic analysis of the third order sublinear differential equation

in the framework of regular variation. It is shown that in case q(t) is nearly regularly varying accurate information can be acquired about the existence of possible positive solutions of (A) and their asymptotic behavior as t → ∞.
Differential universality
Authors: Christ Thomas , Steuding Jörn , Vlachou Vagia
Published: November 2012

Voronin's universality theorem claims that the Riemann zeta‐function ζ can approximate any non‐vanishing analytic function. We give new applications of this remarkable approximation property. In particular, we prove that the function Φ(s) ≔ F(ζ(s), ζ′(s), …, ζ(n)(s)) is universal in some sense, provided that F is sufficiently smooth (continuous or holomorphic). The proof relies on the theorem of Picard–Lindelöf and the implicit function theorem. Several examples are given.