bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between acanthosis nigricans and dysglycemia in an ethnically diverse group of eighth grade students
Authors: Rafalson Lisa , Pham Trang H. , Willi Steven M. , Marcus Marsha , Jessup Ann , Baranowski Tom
Published: April 2013

Objective:

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of acanthosis nigricans (AN) and to quantify its association with dysglycemia in an ethnically diverse group of eighth‐grade students.

Design and Methods:

Data were collected in 2003 from a cross‐sectional study of students from 12 middle schools in three US states. Sex, race/ethnicity, and pubertal status were self‐reported. Anthropometric measures were recorded. Trained staff identified the presence and severity of AN by inspection of the back of the neck. Fasting and 2 h blood samples were analyzed for impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), and high‐risk glycated hemoglobin (A1C), respectively, defined as ≥100 mg/dl, ≥140 mg/dl, and ≥ 5.7‐6.4%.

Results:

Overall, 25.0%, 58.2%, and 16.8% were Black, Hispanic, and White, respectively. AN was present among 406/1,438 (28.2%) of students: 39% among Black, 30% among Hispanic, and 5.4% among White. IGT and high‐risk A1C were present among 2.1%, and 12.4%, respectively. In multivariate logistic modeling after adjusting for gender, family history of diabetes, BMI percentile, and pubertal staging, the presence (vs. absence) of AN was associated with a 59% increased likelihood of high‐risk A1C: (P = 0.04), twice the likelihood of IGT (P = 0.06), and 47% greater likelihood of IGT/IFG combined (P < 0.0001). Adjustment for insulin attenuated the ORs by 25‐70%.

Conclusion:

In a racially/ethnically diverse sample of US adolescents, AN was common, occurring in 28% of the sample. AN was associated with a 50‐100% increased likelihood of dysglycemia even after consideration of established diabetes risk factors.
Accuracy of prediction scores and novel biomarkers for predicting nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children
Authors: Koot Bart G.P. , van der Baan‐Slootweg Olga H. , Bohte Anneloes E. , Nederveen Aart J. , van Werven Jochem R. , Tamminga‐Smeulders Christine L.J. , Merkus Maruschka P. , Schaap Frank G. , Jansen Peter L.M. , Stoker Jaap , Benninga Marc A.
Published: April 2013

Background:

Accurate prediction scores for liver steatosis are demanded to enable clinicians to noninvasively screen for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Several prediction scores have been developed, however external validation is lacking.

Objective:

The aim was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of four existing prediction scores in severely obese children, to develop a new prediction score using novel biomarkers and to compare these results to the performance of ultrasonography.

Design and Results:

Liver steatosis was measured using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 119 severely obese children (mean age 14.3 ± 2.1 years, BMI z‐score 3.35 ± 0.35). Prevalence of steatosis was 47%. The four existing predictions scores (“NAFLD liver fat score,” “fatty liver index,” “hepatic steatosis index,” and the pediatric prediction score) had only moderate diagnostic accuracy in this cohort (positive predictive value (PPV): 70, 61, 61, 69% and negative predictive value (NPV) 77, 69, 68, 75%, respectively). A new prediction score was built using anthropometry, routine biochemistry and novel biomarkers (leptin, adiponectin, TNF‐alpha, IL‐6, CK‐18, FGF‐21, and adiponutrin polymorphisms). The final model included ALT, HOMA, sex, and leptin. This equation (PPV 79% and NPV 80%) did not perform substantially better than the four other equations and did not outperform ultrasonography for excluding NAFLD (NPV 82%).

Conclusion:

The conclusion is in severely obese children and adolescents existing prediction scores and the tested novel biomarkers have insufficient diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing or excluding NAFLD.
Racial/Ethnic differences in clinical and biochemical type 2 diabetes mellitus risk factors in children
Authors: Rosenbaum Michael , Fennoy Ilene , Accacha Siham , Altshuler Lisa , Carey Dennis E. , Holleran Stephen , Rapaport Robert , Shelov Steven P. , Speiser Phyllis W. , Ten S. , Bhangoo Amrit , Boucher‐Berry Claudia , Espinal Yomery , Gupta Rishi , Hassoun Abeer A. , Iazetti Loretta , Jean-Jacques Fabienne , Jean Amy M. , Klein Michelle L. , Levine Robet , Lowell Barbara , Michel Lesley , Rosenfeld Warren
Published: April 2013

Objective

To examine whether periadolescent children demonstrate the significant racial/ethnic differences in body fatness relative to BMI and in the prevalence and relationship of body composition to risk factors for type 2 diabetes (T2DM) as in adults.

Design and Methods

Family history of obesity and T2DM, anthropometry, insulin sensitivity and secretory capacity, lipids, and cytokines (IL‐6, CRP, TNF‐α, and adiponectin) were examined in a cohort of 994 middle school students (47% male, 53%, female; 12% African American, 14% East Asian, 13% South Asian, 9% Caucasian, 44% Hispanic, and 8% other).

Results

Fractional body fat content was significantly greater at any BMI among South Asians. There were racial/ethnic specific differences in lipid profiles, insulin secretory capacity, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers corrected for body fatness that are similar to those seen in adults. Family history of T2DM was associated with lower insulin secretory capacity while family history of obesity was more associated with insulin resistance.

Conclusions

Children show some of the same racial/ethnic differences in risk factors for adiposity‐related comorbidities as adults. BMI and waist circumference cutoffs to identify children at‐risk for adiposity‐related comorbidities should be adjusted by racial/ethnic group as well as other variables such as birthweight and family history.
Effect of degradation on electronic properties of polymer solar cells
Authors: Gaur Ankita , Kumar Pankaj
Published: April 2013

We present here the effect of degradation on electronic properties of polymer solar cells. Investigations were performed on two types of solar cells based on the bulk‐heterojunction network of poly(3‐hexylthiophene) and phenyl [6,6] C61 butyric acid methyl ester, one with slow degradation whereas other with faster degradation. Samples were prepared in identical conditions with controlled atmosphere, but for faster degradation, one of the samples was exposed to ambient air (rich in O2 and H2O molecules) before deposition of top metal electrode. The sample with slow degradation showed linear degradation in short circuit current density (Jsc), whereas the sample with faster degradation exhibited exponential degradation in Jsc. Linear degradation happens due to degradation in the active layer only whereas the exponential degradation is because of through degradation of the solar cell. The effect of degradation is investigated on different diode parameters. Because of different degradation processes in the two samples, the variations in diode parameters with time are different. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
White and green screening with circular polymerase extension cloning for easy and reliable cloning
Authors: Speltz Elizabeth B. , Regan Lynne
Published: April 2013

Cloning is an essential prerequisite to test protein design and engineering ideas. However, it is often time consuming, unreliable, and therefore frustrating. Here, we present a streamlined cloning strategy that incorporates a powerful white and green screening protocol to identify colonies with inserts. We use circular polymerase extension cloning, which is both ligation and sequence independent. Furthermore, our entire procedure requires only three quick steps and one enzyme making it easy to use, inexpensive, and tractable. We anticipate that this method will be particularly useful for protein engineers who frequently subclone or make focused deletion, insertion, or substitution libraries.
Metal–supported catalysts encapsulated in mesoporous solids: Challenges and opportunities of a model concept
Authors: Grünert Wolfgang , Gies Hermann , Muhler Martin , Polarz Sebastian , Lehmann Christian W. , Großmann Dennis , van den Berg Maurits , Tkachenko Olga P. , De Toni Andrea , Sinev Ilya , Bandyopadhyay Mahuya , Narkhede Vaishali , Dreier Axel , Klementiev Konstantin V. , Birkner Alexander , Löffler Elke
Published: April 2013

An overview of work with model systems designed to study metal–support interactions in heterogeneous catalysts is given. In these models, metal and support are both miniaturized by introduction as guests into a mesoporous host. The use of such models is demonstrated with AuTiO2 clusters encaged in MCM‐48, and CuZnO clusters encapsulated in siliceous mesopore systems and in carbon nanotubes. The models promise a better opportunity to track changes in the support component during catalyst activation and catalysis, including the action of poisons that may at first be trapped on the support surface. Challenges to be met are the stabilization of the mesoporous matrix during synthesis and catalysis, possible reactivity of the matrix surface towards any of the catalyst components, as well as clustering and segregation of the latter from the matrix. The challenges were encountered as pore damage during preparation of AuTiO2/MCM‐48 catalysts, as deactivating interactions of siliceous walls with zinc ions during deposition of zinc species from aqueous media, and as clustering of the Cu component during calcination and reduction. Among the conclusions drawn from the studies are the irrelevance of order at the AuTiO2 interface (and, hence, of epitaxy and of crystal strain in gold) for high activity of Au/TiO2 catalysts in CO oxidation. In the models for CuZnO methanol synthesis catalysts, two different types of CuZn interaction could be observed: a direct contact between Zn2+ and Cu(0) under strong reducing conditions, and the formation of alloy nanoparticles (nano‐brass). A discussion of the relevance of these interactions for the methanol synthesis reaction is given.
Glycophthalocyanines: structural differentiation and isomeric differentiation by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Soares Ana R. M. , Neves Maria G. P. M. S. , Santos Sérgio M. , Tomé João P. C. , Tomé Augusto C. , Cavaleiro José A. S. , Torres Tomás , Domingues M. Rosário M.
Published: April 2013

RATIONALE

Glycophthalocyanines have a great promising potential in many scientific areas. However, their structural characterization is not an easy task. To overcome this drawback, it is urgent to develop simple and efficient methodologies to characterize this type of compounds. In this work, we describe the use of matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI‐MS) and MALDI‐MS/MS of the [M+H]+ to distinguish between two isomeric glycophatholocyanines bearing four galactose units with protected (1a and 2a) or unprotected hydroxyl groups (1b and 2b).

METHODS

The MALDI‐MS and MALDI‐MS/MS spectra were acquired using a MALDI‐TOF/TOF Applied Biosystems 4800 Proteomics Analyzer instrument equipped with a nitrogen laser and using dithranol as matrix. Computational studies were performed in order to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying the different fragmentation pathways observed for the isomeric species.

RESULTS

The fragmentation pattern observed in MALDI‐MS/MS spectra of the [M+H]+ ion was dependent on the peripheral distribution of the sugar units. Phthalocyanines (Pcs) with a sugar unit in each isoindole ring show the typical loss of sugar units (cleavage of C6–O bond) while Pcs with the four sugar units linked to the same isoindole ring show a major and unusual fragmentation pathway corresponding to the cleavage of the C5–C6 bond of the sugar units. This type of fragmentation is not usually observed in the MS/MS of oligosaccharides.

CONCLUSIONS

MALDI–MS is a valuable tool for the structural characterization/differentiation of isomeric glycophthalocyanines. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Laser‐induced dissociation of singly protonated peptides at 193 and 266 nm within a hybrid linear ion trap mass spectrometer
Authors: Lai Cheuk‐Kuen , Ng Dominic C. M. , Pang H. F. , Le Blanc J. C. Yves , Hager James W. , Fang De‐Cai , Cheung A. S.‐C. , Chu Ivan K.
Published: April 2013

RATIONALE

We implemented, for the first time, laser‐induced dissociation (LID) within a modified hybrid linear ion trap mass spectrometer, QTrap, while preserving the original scanning capabilities and routine performance of the instrument.

METHODS

Precursor ions of interest were mass‐selected in the first quadrupole (Q1), trapped in the radiofrequency‐only quadrupole (q2), photodissociated under irradiation with a 193‐ or 266‐nm laser beam in the third quadrupole (q3), and mass‐analyzed using the linear ion trap.

RESULTS

LID of singly charged protonated peptides revealed, in addition to conventional amide‐bond cleavages, preferential fragmentation at Cα–C/N–Cα bonds of the backbone as well as at the Cα–Cβ/Cβ–Cγ bonds of the side‐chains. The LID spectra of [M+H]+ featured product ions that were very similar to the observed radical‐induced fragmentations in the CID spectra of analogous odd‐electron radical cations generated through dissociative electron‐transfer in metal‐ligand–peptide complexes or through laser photolysis of iodopeptides.

CONCLUSIONS

LID of [M+H]+ ions results in fragmentation channels that are comparable with those observed upon the CID of M•+ ions, with a range of fascinating radical‐induced fragmentations. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fragmentations of [M − H]− anions of peptides containing tyrosine sulfate. Does the sulfate group rearrange? A joint experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Nha Tran T. T. , Wang Tianfang , Hack Sandra , Bowie John H.
Published: April 2013

RATIONALE

To investigate the fragmentations in the negative‐ion electrospray mass spectra of peptides containing tyrosine sulfate.

METHODS

Possible fragmentation mechanisms were explored using a Waters QTOF2 tandem mass spectrometer in concert with calculations at the CAM‐B3LYP/6‐311++g(d,p) level of theory.

RESULTS

The major negative ion formed in the ESI‐MS of peptides containing tyrosine sulfate is [(M − H) − SO3]− and this process normally yields the base peak of the spectrum. The basic backbone cleavages of [(M − H) − SO3]− allowed the sequence of the peptide to be determined. Rearrangement reactions involving the formation of HOSO3− and [(M − H)−H2SO4]− yielded minor peaks with relative abundances ≤ 10% and ≤ 2%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

The mass spectra of the [M − H]− and [(M − H)−SO3]− anions of peptides containing tyrosine sulfate allowed the position of the tyrosine sulfate group to be determined, together with the amino acid sequence of the peptide. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Covalent protein immobilization with a parylene‐H film for matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Kim Jo‐Il , Lee Ga‐Yeon , Ko Hyuk , Kang Min‐Jung , Pyun Jae‐Chul
Published: April 2013

RATIONALE

For the sensitive analysis of receptor‐ligand interactions by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight (MALDI‐TOF) mass spectrometry (MS), receptor proteins should be immobilized on a target plate with a high surface density. In this work, a parylene‐H film with formyl groups was developed for the efficient covalent immobilization of receptor proteins for MALDI‐TOF MS.

METHODS

The parylene‐H film was thermally deposited on a target plate and receptor proteins were covalently immobilized. The surface properties of the parylene‐H film were analyzed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The immobilization efficiency of the parylene‐H film was analyzed by fluorescence imaging with streptavidin and fluorescence‐labeled biotin. MALDI‐TOF MS was performed using the parylene‐H‐coated target plate with streptavidin and different concentrations of biotinylated peptide as the receptor and ligand, respectively.

RESULTS

The parylene‐H film on a target plate had a flat surface (Rq: ±2.755 nm) without any pinholes and could be regarded to be electrically conductive under an electric potential of 30 kV. The fluorescence image proved that the parylene‐H film improved the protein immobilization efficiency as well as ligand detection sensitivity. The mass spectra quantitatively revealed peaks from the ligand molecules without any interference peaks from the immobilized receptor proteins.

CONCLUSIONS

A parylene‐H film with formyl groups was thermally deposited on a target plate and the receptor protein was covalently immobilized on the target plate. The interactions of ligand molecules with the immobilized receptor proteins were quantitatively analyzed by MALDI‐TOF MS. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Professionalization of Ethics in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – from Servant of Science to Ethical Master?
Authors: Skoglund Annika , Jensen Tommy
Published: April 2013

Solutions to climate change have been academically criticized for their continued economic growth, managerialism and lack of real politics. In comparison, the IPCC's socio‐economic assessments of climate change have accentuated the ethical implications of their own policy recommendations. Our analysis of ten IPCC reports (1990–2012) shows a turn from a claimed non‐political position in human‐induced climate change to an outspoken ethical position in climate‐induced disasters. We argue that a professionalization of climate ethics is sought through ecological reason, specifically by calls for resilience to foster adaptable subjects. This neoliberal position leans on a problematization of vulnerable subjects' resistance to social adaptation, underpinned by an aim to redirect resistance towards physical disasters to stimulate climate adaptation. Conclusively, climate ethical mastery is formed by detailed elaborations of how the vulnerable subject should not only subsume to ecological reason, but also ethically embrace physical threats and dangers as if productive of life supportive qualities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Bayesian analysis and classification of two enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay tests without a gold standard
Authors: Zhang Jingyang , Chaloner Kathryn , McLinden James H. , Stapleton Jack T.
Published: April 2013

Reconciling two quantitative enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay tests for an antibody to an RNA virus, in a situation without a gold standard and where false negatives may occur, is the motivation for this work. False negatives occur when access of the antibody to the binding site is blocked. On the basis of the mechanism of the assay, a mixture of four bivariate normal distributions is proposed with the mixture probabilities depending on a two‐stage latent variable model including the prevalence of the antibody in the population and the probabilities of blocking on each test. There is prior information on the prevalence of the antibody, and also on the probability of false negatives, and so a Bayesian analysis is used. The dependence between the two tests is modeled to be consistent with the biological mechanism. Bayesian decision theory is utilized for classification.The proposed method is applied to the motivating data set to classify the data into two groups: those with and those without the antibody. Simulation studies describe the properties of the estimation and the classification. Sensitivity to the choice of the prior distribution is also addressed by simulation. The same model with two levels of latent variables is applicable in other testing procedures such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction tests, where false negatives occur when there is a mutation in the primer sequence. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Function Representation for the Strain Field during the Steel Forging and Its Application on the Deformation of Void Defects
Authors: Chen Kun , Liu Kejia , Chen Huifen , Yang Yitao
Published: April 2013

A novel method for description of the strain field distributions during the steel forging was proposed in the present study, i.e., function representation for the strain field. Through deduction and calculation of the strain field function, the deformation characteristic of the void defects was obtained and the empirical features of void closure were quantitatively calculated based on the method. The analytical results of the deformation degree in size of the void and the critical condition of void closure were verified by numerical simulation, which shows the deviation is within 7%. During the practical process, the void closing region determined by the method can be developed to prediction of internal void closure, which simplifies the models with void. This methodology provides the scientific basis for process design in consideration of elimination of internal void defects.
Epigenetic Regulation of SOX9 by the NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Sun Lei , Mathews Lesley A. , Cabarcas Stephanie M. , Zhang Xiaohu , Yang Acong , Zhang Ying , Young Matthew R. , Klarmann Kimberly D. , Keller Jonathan R. , Farrar William L.
Published: April 2013

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the world. Pancreatic cancer can be localized, locally advanced, or metastatic. The median 1- and 5-year survival rates are 25% and 6%, respectively. Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation play a significant role during both normal human development and cancer progression. To investigate epigenetic regulation of genes in the tumor-initiating population of pancreatic cancer cells, which are also termed cancer stem cells (CSCs), we conducted epigenetic arrays in PANC1 and HPAC pancreatic cancer cell lines and compared the global DNA methylation status of CpG promoters in invasive cells, demonstrated to be CSCs, to their noninvasive counterparts, or non-CSCs. Our results suggested that the NF-κB pathway is one of the most activated pathways in pancreatic CSCs. In agreement with this, we determined that upon treatment with NF-κB pathway inhibitors, the stem cell-like properties of cells are significantly disrupted. Moreover, SOX9, demethylated in CSCs, is shown to play a crucial role in the invasion process. Additionally, we found a potential NF-κB binding site located in the SOX9 promoter and determined that the NF-κB subunit p65 positively regulates SOX9 expression by binding to its promoter directly. This interaction can be efficiently blocked by NF-κB inhibitors. Thus, our work establishes a link between the classic NF-κB signaling transduction pathway and the invasiveness of pancreatic CSCs, which may result in the identification of novel signals and molecules that function at an epigenetic level, and could potentially be targeted for pharmaceutical investigations and clinical trials.
Toward a formal definition of water scarcity in natural‐human systems
Authors: Jaeger W. K. , Plantinga A. J. , Chang H. , Dello K. , Grant G. , Hulse D. , McDonnell J. J. , Lancaster S. , Moradkhani H. , Morzillo A. T. , Mote P. , Nolin A. , Santelmann M. , Wu J.
Published: April 2013

Water scarcity may appear to be a simple concept, but it can be difficult to apply to complex natural‐human systems. While aggregate scarcity indices are straightforward to compute, they do not adequately represent the spatial and temporal variations in water scarcity that arise from complex systems interactions. The uncertain effects of future climate change on water scarcity add to the need for clarity on the concept of water scarcity. Starting with a simple but robust definition—the marginal value of a unit of water we—highlight key aspects of water scarcity and illustrate its many biophysical and socioeconomic determinants. We make four central observations. First, water scarcity varies greatly across location, time, and a multitude of uses that are valued either directly or indirectly by society. Second, water scarcity is fundamentally a normative, anthropocentric concept and, thus, can and should be distinguished from the related, purely descriptive notion of water deficit. While such an anthropocentric perspective may seem limiting, it has the potential to encompass the vast range of interests that society has in water. Third, our ability to understand and anticipate changes in water scarcity requires distinguishing between the factors that affect the value or benefits of water from those affecting the costs of transforming water in space, time and form. Finally, this robust and rigorous definition of water scarcity will facilitate better communication and understanding for both policymakers and scientists.
Improving Accuracy and Confidence in Distal Radius Volar Plate Screw Placement through Supplemental Radiography: Examining Specialty, Education, and Experience Levels
Authors: Patel Archit , Culbertson Maya Deza , Lahey Philip , Semenovski Michael , Choueka Jack
Published: April 2013

Background

The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which a supplemental radiographic view increases accuracy and confidence ratings when determining screw placement in volar plating of distal radius fractures for evaluators of different specialties and experience levels.

Methods

Thirty-four distal radius fractures treated with volar plate fixation were imaged using standard AP and lateral, and supplemental lateral tilt views. Each case was then evaluated for penetration of distal screw tips into the articular space. Sixty-five physicians then completed a two-phase analysis and survey of these cases. In the first phase, presentation consisted only of AP and lateral views; in the second, the lateral tilt view was added. Participants were asked to determine whether distal screws penetrated the joint and rate their confidence in the determination. Assessments were scored for correctness; changes in accuracy and confidence levels between phases were analyzed using paired t tests. Comparisons between groups were performed by ANOVA.

Results

Supplementation increased accuracy and confidence in all position, specialty, and experience groups. Confidence scores were significantly higher following evaluation of three views versus two views. Residents exhibited the greatest improvements in accuracy and confidence. For first-phase (standard view) assessments, accuracy scores were significantly better for attendings with less than 10 years post-fellowship experience than those with more.

Conclusions

A supplemental view of the distal radius combined with AP and lateral views significantly improves the ability of all evaluators, regardless of specialty or training level, to correctly assess placement of fixation screws. The greatest improvements are seen for resident trainees.
Building Organizational Capacity for Evidence Use: The Experience of Two Canadian Healthcare Organizations
Authors: Humphries Serena , Hampe Tanis , Larsen Derrick , Bowen Sarah
Published: April 2013

The use of evidence to inform decisions at the program level within healthcare organizations is a priority. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of an innovative collaboration between two Canadian healthcare organizations to build organizational capacity for evidence use in program planning, implementation, and evaluation. The lessons learned from the initiative suggest that other healthcare organizations would find the capacity-building strategies identified and developed through the initiative useful.
A Method for Identifying Research Priorities for Health Systems Research on Health and Aging
Authors: Sivananthan Saskia N. , Chambers Larry W.
Published: April 2013

A rapid and feasible priority-setting method conducted within a limited budget was used to identify research topics that would have an influence on health services for older adults. Health and aging researchers, policy makers, and caregivers were recruited to complete Delphi surveys that generated and ranked topics and identified other potential researchers. An interdisciplinary team of researchers was selected to produce and submit a proposal to a peer-review-granting agency. This method can be adapted by organizations to determine the focus of their research agenda and to engage individuals for collaboration on future research projects.
A Mental Health Initiative to Enhance Schizophrenia Treatment Efficacy
Authors: Lalla Fiore , Arshoff Larry
Published: April 2013

Improving patient outcomes while containing costs can be a challenging goal to achieve. This article describes the initiatives undertaken by one mental health department to improve medication adherence among patients with schizophrenia by increasing psychoeducation, psychosocial services, and use of long-acting injectable antipsychotic agents. Achievement of this objective depended on a sustained departmental education program. The successful clinical outcome also significantly reduced the hospitalization and costs.
Evaluating the Success of a Hospital's Community Engagement Process
Authors: Chan Yolande E. , Benecki Leslie A.
Published: April 2013

This case study outlines how an Ontario hospital initiated an intensive Citizens' Advisory Panel related to budget and service provision decisions. The article describes the community and management context, community engagement process, resulting recommendations, and board response. It article further identifies the process and findings of a concurrent independent evaluation and highlights important takeaways, such as the required time commitment, the need for skilled facilitators, and the value of transparent board decisions.
Building Physician Capacity for Transformational Leadership—Revisited
Authors: Vimr Mark , Dickens Peter
Published: April 2013

In 2001, St. Joseph's Health Centre reported on its efforts to design and deliver a physician leadership program. The program was launched in Fall 2010 and has just completed its second cohort with a total of 29 physicians participating. The results and associated learning have been very encouraging.
Parameters that influence the isolation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells from human umbilical cord blood
Authors: Vasaghi Attiyeh , Dehghani Atefeh , Khademalhosseini Zeinab , Maharlooei Mohsen Khosravi , Monabati Ahmad , Attar Armin
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Umbilical cord blood is an important source of stem cells. However, isolating multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from umbilical cord blood presents methodological challenges. We compared the effectiveness of six approaches to improve the success rate of MSC isolation and proliferation from umbilical cord blood.

METHODS:

Thirty umbilical cord blood units underwent investigation. In 10 samples, MNCs from each sample were divided into four groups to test the effect of negative immunodepletion (NI) alone (group A); NI plus basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF) supplementation together (group B); bFGF supplementation alone (group C); and culture with neither NI nor bFGF (group D). The cells of each group were isolated from 10 mL of umbilical cord blood. For investigating the effect of sample volume (group E) and MesenCult Proliferation Kits (group F), cells were isolated from 45 ± 2 ml. MSCs were identified on the basis of morphological, flow cytometric and differentiation potential characteristics.

RESULTS:

In groups of A–D, one week after the initial seeding, the cells showed a rounded appearance, and in the fourth week, many of them died. MSCs outgrowth was seen in 40% of the samples from group F, and this yield was further enhanced to 60% in cultures done with the MesenCult Proliferation Kit (group F). The fibroblast-like cells expanded rapidly and showed features of MSCs.

CONCLUSION:

Sample volume was the parameter that showed the greatest influence on the isolation yield of MSCs from umbilical cord blood. This could be further enhanced by adding the MesenCult Proliferation Kit.
Hematopoietic stem cell transplant versus chemotherapy plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor in the treatment of pediatric Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Authors: Salami Khadra , Alkayed Khaldoun , Halalsheh Hadeel , Ahmed Hussein Ayad , Riziq Maha , Madanat Faris
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND:

Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) remained until recently the molecular genetic abnormality associated with the worst outcome. Hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) was considered the treatment of choice, however, recent data have indicated that chemotherapy plus tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) maybe an alternative effective therapy.

METHODS:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of children (<18 years) with Ph+ ALL who were treated at King Hussein Cancer Center (KHCC) from January 2003 till December 2011.

RESULTS:

Over a 9 year period, 411 children were diagnosed and treated for ALL at KHCC. Twenty three (6.6%) had Ph+ ALL; 16 males and 7 females. Median age at diagnosis was 9.5 years (range 1.67–17). The median white blood cell count was 58.6 × 103/μL (range 1.6–459). Twelve patients underwent HSCT from a full matched related donor; and 10 were treated with intensive chemotherapy plus TKI (imatinib). Those who underwent HSCT were significantly older (P =0.004) and had a higher leukocyte count at diagnosis (P =0.53). After a median follow up of 42.2 months (range 12.7–107), the estimated 5 year event free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) were 75% and 91.6%, respectively, for those who underwent HSCT as primary therapy and 49.3% and 83.3%, respectively, for those treated with chemotherapy plus imatinib. There was no significant difference in EFS (P =0.98) or OS (P =1) between the two treatment modalities.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our results indicate that chemotherapy plus TKI may be a reasonable treatment option for some children with Ph+ ALL.
Do favic patients resume fava beans ingestion later in their life, a study for this, and a new hypothesis for favism etiology
Authors: Ahmed Salah Noori
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

The etiology of favism remains unclear and the fate of favic patients has not previously been studied. Therefore, individuals who had experienced an episode of favism were studied regarding subsequent fava bean ingestion, including the reason for fava bean ingestion after the initial favic attack and any adverse reactions. In addition, a new hypothesis for the etiology of favism is proposed.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

From June 2005 to June 2012, a total of 38 patients with a history of favism were included in this study. Circumstances regarding the initial favic attack were obtained from medical records and patient interviews, and subsequent fava bean ingestion and recurrence of symptoms were investigated.

RESULTS:

Three of the 38 patients (7.9%) were female, and 35 (92.1%) were male. The mean age was 27.9 years (14–63 years). The first attack of favism occurred before 10 years of age for 31 patients (81.6%) and in the springtime for 35 patients (92.1%). Thirty-three patients (86.7%) regularly ate fava beans before the attack, and 35 (92.1%) resumed eating fava beans within 1–17 years after the attack without symptoms. Two patients (5.2%) experienced a single recurrence of symptoms. No evidence of hemolysis was found in the four patients checked after fava bean re-ingestion.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients resumed eating fava bean for various reasons, and the recurrence of symptoms was uncommon. An infectious agent such as a virus may play a role in the development of favism.
Experience of a low‐dose magnesium sulfate regimen for the management of eclampsia over a decade
Authors: Jana Narayan , Dasgupta Subhendu , Das Anindya Kumar , Santra Debjyoti , Samanta Balaram
Published: April 2013

Objective

To assess the safety and efficacy of a low‐dose magnesium sulfate regimen for the management of eclampsia in Indian women.

Methods

A loading dose consisting of 3 g of magnesium sulfate intravenously plus 5 g intramuscularly (2.5 g in each buttock) was followed by 2.5 g intramuscularly every 4 hours, for 24 hours beyond the last seizure. In a first phase, which spanned 2001 and 2002, the regimen was evaluated prospectively with 554 women with eclampsia, and the results were compared with results from the Collaborative Eclampsia Trial. Regarding the second phase, which spanned the 9 following years, mortality was analyzed retrospectively for 2929 women treated by the same regimen at the same hospital.

Results

The mean ± SD maternal weight and height were 41.7 ± 5.3 kg and 151 ± 7 cm, respectively. The low‐dose regimen was associated with a lower seizure recurrence (6.1% vs 9.7%; P = 0.02) and a slightly lower maternal mortality (2.7% vs 3.2%; P = 0.6) compared with the Collaborative Eclampsia Trial. The overall case fatality rate for the second phase was 3.3%.

Conclusion

The low‐dose regimen was safe and effective for the management of eclampsia in a region where most women are of light weight.
Vitamin E and memantine in Alzheimer's disease: Clinical trial methods and baseline data
Authors: Dysken Maurice W. , Guarino Peter D. , Vertrees Julia E. , Asthana Sanjay , Sano Mary , Llorente Maria , Pallaki Muralidhar , Love Susan , Schellenberg Gerard D. , McCarten J. Riley , Malphurs Julie , Prieto Susana , Chen Peijun , Loreck David J. , Carney Sara , Trapp George , Bakshi Rajbir S. , Mintzer Jacobo E. , Heidebrink Judith L. , Vidal‐Cardona Ana , Arroyo Lillian M. , Cruz Angel R. , Kowall Neil W. , Chopra Mohit P. , Craft Suzanne , Thielke Stephen , Turvey Carolyn L. , Woodman Catherine , Monnell Kimberly A. , Gordon Kimberly , Tomaska Julie , Vatassery Govind
Published: April 2013

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has been associated with both oxidative stress and excessive glutamate activity. A clinical trial was designed to compare the effectiveness of (i) alpha‐tocopherol, a vitamin E antioxidant; (ii) memantine (Namenda), an N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate antagonist; (iii) their combination; and (iv) placebo in delaying clinical progression in AD.

Methods

The Veterans Affairs Cooperative Studies Program initiated a multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial in August 2007, with enrollment through March 2012 and follow‐up continuing through September 2012. Participants with mild‐to‐moderate AD who were taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor were assigned randomly to 2000 IU/day of alpha‐tocopherol, 20 mg/day memantine, 2000 IU/day alpha‐tocopherol plus 20 mg/day memantine, or placebo. The primary outcome for the study is the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study/Activities of Daily Living Inventory. Secondary outcome measures include the Mini‐Mental State Examination; the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive portion; the Dependence Scale; the Neuropsychiatric Inventory; and the Caregiver Activity Survey. Patient follow‐up ranged from 6 months to 4 years.

Results

A total of 613 participants were randomized. The majority of the patients were male (97%) and white (86%), with a mean age of 79 years. The mean Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study/Activities of Daily Living Inventory score at entry was 57 and the mean Mini‐Mental State Examination score at entry was 21.

Conclusion

This large multicenter trial will address the unanswered question of the long‐term safety and effectiveness of alpha‐tocopherol, memantine, and their combination in patients with mild‐to‐moderate AD taking an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. The results are expected in early 2013.
Participation of Iatrogenically Coagulopathic Patients in Wilderness Activities
Authors: Hawkins Seth C. , Caudell Michael J. , Deloughery Thomas G. , Murray William
Published: April 2013

An increasing number of patients routinely undergo long-term anticoagulation with warfarin or other pharmacological agents. There is little evidence and no consensus documents in the literature regarding the appropriateness and relative risk of their participation in wilderness activities. We present a case report, conduct an analysis of the limited literature that is available, and make recommendations for wilderness medicine practitioners and screening personnel.
Hegel, Naturalism and the Philosophy of Nature
Authors: Stone Alison
Published: April 2013

In this article I consider whether Hegel is a naturalist or an anti-naturalist with respect to his philosophy of nature. I adopt a cluster-based approach to naturalism, on which positions are more or less naturalistic depending how many strands of the clusternaturalismthey exemplify. I focus on two strands: belief that philosophy is continuous with the empirical sciences, and disbelief in supernatural entities. I argue that Hegel regards philosophy of nature as distinct, but not wholly discontinuous, from empirical science and that he believes in the reality of formal and final causes insofar as he is a realist about universal forms that interconnect to comprise a self-organizing whole. Nonetheless, for Hegel, natural particulars never fully realize these universal forms, so that empirical inquiry into these particulars and their efficient-causal interactions is always necessary. In these two respects, I conclude, Hegel's position sits in the middle of the naturalism/anti-naturalism spectrum.
Low-Thiamine Diet Increases Mammary Tumor Latency in FVB/N-Tg(MMTVneu) Mice
Authors: Daily Abigail , Liu Shuqian , Bhatnagar Saloni , Karabakhtsian Rouzan G. , Moscow Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2013

We have previously described the down-regulation of thiamine transporter gene expression in breast cancer, and others have shown an epidemiologic relationship between obesity and breast cancer. To further explore the relationship of thiamine, fat, and breast cancer, we exposed FVB/N-Tg(MMTVneu)202Mul/J female mice to four diets that varied in fat and thiamine content (15 mice per group). The high-fat (HF) diet contained 60 % of calories from fat and the normal-fat (NF) diet contained 10 % of calories from fat. The normal-thiamine (NT) diet contained 6 mg thiamine per 4057 kcal and the low-thiamine (LT) diet contained 2 mg thiamine/4057 kcal. Tumor latency was 203 days from date of birth for the HF/NT group, 210 days for the HF/LT group, 225 days for the NF/NT group, and 295 days for the NF/LT group (p = 0.01). The time to endpoint of a mammary tumor volume > 1000 mm3 was 231 days for the HF/NT group, 238 days for the HF/LT group, 257 days for the NF/NT group, and undefined (>310 days) for the NF/LT group (p < 0.001). The high-fat groups were heavier than the normal-fat groups, and the low-thiamine group had a lower serum thiamine level than the normal-thiamine group. There were no differences in the number of pulmonary metastases between groups. This study demonstrates a potential role for dietary thiamine, and an interaction between thiamine and fat, in breast cancer progression.
Substrate integrated waveguide filter with mixed coupled modified trisections
Authors: Xu Z.Q. , Wang P. , Liao J.X. , Shi Y.
Published: April 2013

A novel multilayer substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) filter with an improved stopband using mixed coupled modified trisections (MCMTs) is presented. The proposed filter is composed of two cascade MCMTs embedded in LTCC substrate. Four transmission zeros (TZs) can be generated with only three resonators, where two TZs near the passband are utilised to achieve sharper skirt selectivity, and another two TZs for the upper wide stopand. A 10 GHz experimental filter has been designed, fabricated and measured to validate the proposed method.
Improvement of nonlinear diffusion equation using relaxed geometric mean filter for low PSNR images
Authors: Nadernejad E.
Published: April 2013

A new method to improve the performance of low PSNR image denoising is presented. The proposed scheme estimates edge gradient from an image that is regularised with a relaxed geometric mean filter. The proposed method consists of two stages; the first stage consists of a second order nonlinear anisotropic diffusion equation with new neighboring structure and the second is a relaxed geometric mean filter, which processes the output of nonlinear anisotropic diffusion equation. The proposed algorithm enjoys the benefit of both nonlinear PDE and relaxed geometric mean filter. In addition, the algorithm will not introduce any artefacts, and preserves image details, sharp corners, curved structures and thin lines. Comparison of the results obtained by the proposed method, with those of other methods, shows that a noticeable improvement in the quality of the denoised images, that were evaluated subjectively and quantitatively, is produced.
E‐band (71–76 GHz) wireless link using compact modules
Authors: Montero‐de‐Paz J. , Oprea I. , Rymanov V. , Babiel S. , García‐Muñoz L.E. , Lisauskas A. , Hoefle M. , Jimenez A. , Cojocari O. , Segovia‐Vargas D. , Stöhr A. , Carpintero G.
Published: April 2013

Wireless links using carrier waves in the millimetre‐wave spectrum above 70 GHz provide a cost‐effective solution to increase the data rate. Reported is the development of a photonically enabled link, based on two compact modules, both operated uncooled, transmitting a 1 Gbit/s data signal over several metres. The first module includes an optimised high‐speed photodiode, delivering an output RF power exceeding 0 dBm (1 mW). Also reported is the development of a direct envelope receiver based on a quasi‐optical Schottky barrier diode (SBD) module. Over the carrier frequency range, the broadband log‐periodic antenna impedance has been optimised to match the SBD, while at the baseband frequency, the receiver was optimised to a 50 Ω output through an impedance transition. These have been key issues for the excellent performance of the compact receiver module over the entire E‐band.
How imperfect interfaces affect the nonlinear transport properties in composite nanomaterials
Authors: Pavanello Fabio , Giordano Stefano
Published: April 2013

Nanomaterials composed of a population of particles dispersed in a matrix represent the building block for the next generation of several technologies: energy storage and conversion, thermal management, electronics, and photovoltaics. When interfaces between particles and matrix are imperfect, the size of the particles may strongly influence the effective linear and nonlinear response of the whole system. Here, we study these scale effects mainly focussing on the nonlinear transport behavior of composite structures. The theory is developed, in the framework of the electrical conductivity, for an arbitrary nonlinearity of the constituents; however, explicit results are discussed for Kerr-like nonlinear responses. Two kinds of imperfect interfaces are considered: the T-model and the Π-model, which represent a generalization of the classical schemes largely employed in literature, namely the low and the high conducting interface models. The dependence of the nonlinear effective properties on the size of the dispersed particles is explained through intrinsic length scales governing some universal scaling laws.
Correlation between optical emission spectroscopy of hydrogen/germane plasma and the Raman crystallinity factor of germanium layers
Authors: Klement P. , Feser C. , Hanke B. , Maydell K. v. , Agert C.
Published: April 2013

Optical emission measurements were recorded during microcrystalline germanium layer growth on glass with plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition. A significant difference for the intensities of SiH and GeH could be identified in the optical emission spectra of hydrogen/silane (H2/SiH4) and hydrogen/germane (H2/GeH4) plasma. In H2/SiH4 plasma, Si and SiH are present, whereas Ge but no GeH could be detected in H2/GeH4 plasma. The specific Raman crystallinity factor (ϕc) was evaluated for the layers after deposition. In H2/GeH4 plasma, the ratio of optical emission intensities of Hα (I(Hα), λ = 656.28 nm) and Ge (I(Ge), λ = 303.90 nm) is proportional to ϕc,Ge.