bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
From treatment to preventive actions: improving function in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Sacco Isabel C N , Sartor Cristina D.
Published: October 2015

Diabetic polyneuropathy is an insidious and long‐term complication of this disease. Synergistic treatments and preventive actions are crucial because there are no clear boundaries for determining when health professionals should intervene or what intervention would best avoid the consequences of neuropathy. Until now, most therapies to any diabetic individual were applied only after the patient's limb was ulcerated or amputated. The loss of muscle and joint functions is recognized as the main cause of plantar overloading. However, if foot and ankle exercises are performed following the early diagnosis of diabetes, they can enable the patient to maintain sufficient residual function to interact with the environment. This article summarizes the current knowledge about the musculoskeletal deficits and biomechanical alterations caused by neuropathy. It also describes the potential benefits of foot and ankle exercises for any diabetic patient that is not undergoing the plantar ulcer healing process. We concentrate on the prevention of the long‐term deficits of neuropathy. We also discuss the main strategies and protocols of therapeutic exercises for joints and muscles with deficits, which are applicable to all diabetic patients with mild to moderate neuropathy. We describe further efforts in exploiting the applicability of assistive technologies to improve the adherence to an exercise program. Following the contemporary trends towards self‐monitoring and self‐care, we developed a software to monitor and promote personalized exercises with the aim of improving autonomous performance in daily living tasks. Initiatives to prevent the complications of functional diabetes are highly recommended before it is too late for the patient and there is no longer an opportunity to reverse the tragic consequences of neuropathy progression. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Detection of muscle wasting in patients with chronic heart failure using C‐terminal agrin fragment: results from the Studies Investigating Co‐morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure (SICA‐HF)
Authors: Steinbeck Lisa , Ebner Nicole , Valentova Miroslava , Bekfani Tarek , Elsner Sebastian , Dahinden Pius , Hettwer Stefan , Scherbakov Nadja , Schefold Jörg C. , Sandek Anja , Springer Jochen , Doehner Wolfram , Anker Stefan D. , von Haehling Stephan
Published: October 2015

Aims

Skeletal muscle wasting affects 20% of patients with chronic heart failure and has serious implications for their activities of daily living. Assessment of muscle wasting is technically challenging. C‐terminal agrin‐fragment (CAF), a breakdown product of the synaptically located protein agrin, has shown early promise as biomarker of muscle wasting. We sought to investigate the diagnostic properties of CAF in muscle wasting among patients with heart failure.

Methods and results

We assessed serum CAF levels in 196 patients who participated in the Studies Investigating Co‐morbidities Aggravating Heart Failure (SICA‐HF). Muscle wasting was identified using dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in 38 patients (19.4%). Patients with muscle wasting demonstrated higher CAF values than those without (125.1 ± 59.5 pmol/L vs. 103.8 ± 42.9 pmol/L, P = 0.01). Using receiver operating characteristics (ROC), we calculated the optimal CAF value to identify patients with muscle wasting as >87.5 pmol/L, which had a sensitivity of 78.9% and a specificity of 43.7%. The area under the ROC curve was 0.63 (95% confidence interval 0.56–0.70). Using simple regression, we found that serum CAF was associated with handgrip (R = − 0.17, P = 0.03) and quadriceps strength (R = − 0.31, P < 0.0001), peak oxygen consumption (R = − 0.5, P < 0.0001), 6‐min walk distance (R = − 0.32, P < 0.0001), and gait speed (R = − 0.2, P = 0.001), as well as with parameters of kidney and liver function, iron metabolism and storage.

Conclusion

CAF shows good sensitivity for the detection of skeletal muscle wasting in patients with heart failure. Its assessment may be useful to identify patients who should undergo additional testing, such as detailed body composition analysis. As no other biomarker is currently available, further investigation is warranted.
Development and quality characteristics of shelf‐stable soy‐agushie: a residual by‐product of soymilk production
Authors: Nti Christina A. , Plahar Wisdom A. , Annan Nana T.
Published: October 2015

A process was developed for the production of a high‐protein food ingredient, soy‐agushie, from the residual by‐product of soymilk production. The product, with a moisture content of about 6%, was evaluated for its quality characteristics and performance in traditional dishes. The protein content was about 26% with similar amino acids content as that of the whole soybean. Lysine remained high in the dehydrated product (6.57 g/16 g N). While over 60% of the original B vitamins content in the beans was extracted with the milk, high proportions of the minerals were found to be retained in the residual by‐product. The process adequately reduced the trypsin inhibitor levels in the beans from 25 to 1.5 mg/g. High sensory scores were obtained for recipes developed with soy‐agushie in traditional dishes. The scope of utilization of the soy‐agushie could be widened to include several traditional foods and bakery products for maximum nutritional benefits.
CHOP or THP‐COP regimens in the treatment of newly diagnosed peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified: a comparison of doxorubicin and pirarubicin
Authors: Shibata Yuhei , Hara Takeshi , Kasahara Senji , Yamada Toshiki , Sawada Michio , Mabuchi Ryoko , Matsumoto Takuro , Nakamura Nobuhiko , Nakamura Hiroshi , Ninomiya Soranobu , Kitagawa Junichi , Kanemura Nobuhiro , Kito Yusuke , Goto Naoe , Miyazaki Tatsuhiko , Takami Tsuyoshi , Takeuchi Tamotsu , Shimizu Masahito , Tsurumi Hisashi
Published: October 2015

The CHOP regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin (DOX), vincristine and prednisolone has been the most used regimen for peripheral T‐cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified (PTCL‐NOS). Pirarubicin [tetrahydropyranyladriamycin (THP)], a derivative of DOX, is an anthracycline with reportedly less cardiotoxicity than DOX. Here, we confirmed the efficacy of THP‐COP using THP instead of DOX in the treatment of PTCL‐NOS. The study protocol employed a retrospective, consecutive entry design. We retrospectively analysed 56 patients with PTCL‐NOS who had received THP‐COP or CHOP. These regimens were performed every 21 days. Twenty‐nine patients received THP‐COP, and 27 received CHOP. There were no significant differences in known prognostic factors, including in the International Prognostic Index (IPI) and the prognostic index for T‐cell lymphoma (PIT), between the two groups. Complete remission rates in patients with THP‐COP and CHOP were 52% in both groups; the 3‐year overall survival (OS) rates were 67% and 52% (p = 0.074), and the 3‐year progression‐free survival (PFS) rates were 51% and 29% (p = 0.070), respectively. In patients with low IPI (low or low‐intermediate), THP‐COP had significantly better 3‐year OS (100% vs. 64%; p < 0.001) and 3‐year PFS (75% vs. 33%; p < 0.05) than CHOP. Similar differences between THP‐COP and CHOP were observed in patients with a low PIT (groups 1 or 2). Our study showed that THP‐COP produced results equivalent to CHOP regarding efficacy and safety in patients with PTCL‐NOS. In patients with low IPI or PIT, THP‐COP resulted in significantly better prognosis. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Evaluating relative sensitivity of SWAT‐simulated nitrogen discharge to projected climate and land cover changes for two watersheds in North Carolina, USA
Authors: Gabriel Mark , Knightes Christopher , Cooter Ellen , Dennis Robin
Published: October 2015

We investigated how projected changes in land cover and climate affected simulated nitrate (NO3−) and organic nitrogen discharge for two watersheds within the Neuse River Basin, North Carolina, USA, for years 2010–2070. We applied the Soil and Water Assessment Tool watershed model to predict nitrogen discharge using (1) atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, (2) land cover change predicted by the Integrated Climate and Land Use Change project and (3) precipitation and temperature simulated by two statistically downscaled and bias‐corrected Global Circulation Models. We determined the sensitivity of simulated nitrogen discharge to separate changes in each treatment [(1) CO2, (2) land cover and (3) precipitation and temperature (PT)] by comparing each treatment to a reference condition. Results showed that nitrogen discharges were most sensitive to changes in PT over the 60‐year simulation. Nitrogen discharges had similar sensitivities to the CO2 and land cover treatments, which were only one‐tenth the influence of the PT treatment. Under the CO2 treatment, nitrogen discharges increased with increasing ambient CO2. NO3− discharge decreased with increased urbanization; however, organic nitrogen had a varied response. Under the PT treatment, there was high spatial variability in nitrogen discharges. In a single year, certain sub‐basins showed an 80% increase in nitrogen discharge relative to reference, while others showed a 400% decrease. With nitrogen discharge showing high sensitivity to PT change, we suggest that more emphasis should be placed on investigating impacts of PT on nutrient transport in the Neuse River Basin. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA
Groundwater Recharge and Capillary Rise in Irrigated Areas of the Upper Yellow River Basin Assessed by an Agro‐Hydrological Model
Authors: Xu Xu , Sun Chen , Qu Zhongyi , Huang Quanzhong , Ramos Tiago B. , Huang Guanhua
Published: October 2015

Groundwater recharge and capillary rise are key factors in water balance and management studies carried out in irrigated areas with shallow groundwater tables. In this study, the mathematical model SWAP‐EPIC was applied to analyse the processes of groundwater recharge and capillary rise in the Hetao Irrigation District of the upper Yellow River basin. The model was calibrated and validated using non‐weighing lysimeter data collected in 2007 and 2008, respectively. Simulations of soil water content, groundwater depth, leaf area index and yield fitted well with observations. The calibrated model was further used to analyse the response changes of groundwater recharge and capillary rise under different groundwater depth scenarios. Results indicated that capillary rise rate increased as crop roots developed, averaging 2.3 mm d−1during the mid‐stage while groundwater was set at 100 cm depth. Groundwater contribution to crop growth was significant when the depth of the groundwater table was less than 150 cm, but was irrelevant for depths over 200 cm. Despite similar amounts of water being applied in each irrigation event, groundwater recharge varied significantly, resulting in recharge coefficients that varied from zero to 0.59. The amount of rainfall occurring previous to an irrigation event, lower evapotranspiration rates and shallower groundwater table depths resulted in higher antecedent soil moistures during an irrigation event and subsequently more effective groundwater recharge. The analysis of groundwater recharge and capillary rise processes will be useful in increasing field irrigation efficiency, improving the accuracy of groundwater modelling by reducing uncertainties, and making relevant management decisions in Hetao. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Kinetic characterization of oxyresveratrol as a tyrosinase substrate
Authors: Ortiz‐Ruiz Carmen Vanessa , Ballesta de los Santos Manuel , Berna Jose , Fenoll Jose , Garcia‐Ruiz Pedro Antonio , Tudela Jose , Garcia‐Canovas Francisco
Published: October 2015

Oxyresveratrol is a stilbenoid described as a powerful inhibitor of tyrosinase and proposed as skin‐whitening and anti‐browning agent. However, the enzyme is capable of acting on it, considering it as a substrate, as it has been proved in the case of its analogous resveratrol. Tyrosinase hydroxylates the oxyresveratrol to an o‐diphenol and oxidizes the latter to an o‐quinone, which finally isomerizes to p‐quinone. For these reactions to take place the presence of the Eox (oxy‐tyrosinase) form is necessary. The kinetic analysis of the proposed mechanism has allowed the kinetic characterization of this molecule as a substrate of tyrosinase, affording a catalytic constant of 5.39 ± 0.21 sec−1 and a Michaelis constant of 8.65 ± 0.73 µM. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(11):828–836, 2015
Toward Exact Analytical Wave Function of Helium Atom: Two Techniques for Constructing Homogeneous Functions of Kinetic Energy Operator
Authors: Bing‐Hau He , A. Witek Henryk
Published: October 2015

We discuss two general techniques for constructing homogeneous functions c of the kinetic energy operator T for the helium atom in a state of symmetry S. The first technique is based on algebraic identification of the kernel of T in a space spanned by some predetermined set of basis functions. The second technique, analytic in nature, constructs the homogeneous functions of T as formal power series with coefficients deduced from recurrence relations stemming from the requirement Tc=0. Both approaches are capable of producing a great variety of homogeneous functions c with arbitrary homogeneity that can prove useful for constructing the exact ground state wave function for the helium atom.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Boosted‐Elvitegravir in HIV‐Infected Patients
Authors: Custodio Joseph M. , Gordi Toufigh , Zhong Lijie , Ling Kah Hiing J. , Ramanathan Srini
Published: October 2015

Elvitegravir (EVG) is an HIV strand transfer integrase inhibitor approved for the treatment of HIV infection as a part of antiretroviral regimens containing cobicistat (COBI) or ritonavir (RTV) as a booster. The population pharmacokinetics of EVG in treatment‐naive and ‐experienced HIV patients was determined, and the effects of demographic, biometric, and formulation covariates on EVG pharmacokinetics (PK) were evaluated. Data from 31 clinical studies (25 in healthy subjects, 6 phase 1b to phase 3 in HIV‐1–infected patients) with COBI‐boosted EVG studies (as EVG/co or EVG/COBI/FTC/TDF single‐tablet regimen) or RTV‐boosted EVG studies (EVG/r) were analyzed using NONMEM. The effect of the covariates age, sex, race, health status (healthy volunteers vs HIV patients), weight, body mass index (BMI), body surface area (BSA), creatinine clearance (estimated GFR), and formulation were evaluated. EVG PK, with COBI or RTV, was described by a 2‐compartment model, with first‐order absorption and elimination and an absorption lag time. A statistically significant, but not clinically relevant, effect of BSA on EVG clearance (CL) was observed. Coadministration of atazanavir or lopinavir with EVG/r had an effect on EVG CL consistent with the known interaction with these agents. No other covariate had a meaningful effect on EVG PK. EVG PK was well described in a population PK model with HIV‐infected patients, with low PK variability and no relevant effect of demographic or biometric covariates.
Chromatographic purification of enzymatically synthesized alkyl glucopyranosides
Authors: Heinonen Jari , Niskakoski Henna , Yang Baoru , Kortesniemi Maaria , Sainio Tuomo
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

Enzymatic synthesis and chromatographic purification of ethyl β‐D‐glucopyranoside was investigated. Ethyl β‐D‐glucopyranoside was produced from glucose and ethanol with β‐glucosidase enzyme (EC 3.2.1.21). Cation exchange resins in Ca2+ and Na+ forms were used for the purification of ethyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside.

RESULTS

Greater than 60% conversion was obtained in the synthesis. The reaction which follows the double displacement mechanism was successfully modelled with a simple kinetic model. Good separation of ethyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside and glucose was obtained with weak acid cation exchange resins in Na+ form. 5.5 wt% crosslinked resin performed slightly better than 8 wt% crosslinked resin. The separation is based on hydrophobic interactions. Presence of ethanol disturbs the separation and should be removed before the chromatographic step. Scale‐up of the purification step (bed volume: 0.11 L to 1.9 L) was successfully carried out to produce ethyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside with 99% purity. Performance of the purification process was evaluated with numerical simulations. With respect to ethyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside, the separation performance was found to go through a shallow maximum with increasing column loading and flow rate.

CONCLUSION

An efficient chromatographic purification method was developed for enzymatically produced ethyl‐β‐D‐glucopyranoside. This method could be utilized also in the purification of other enzymatically produced glucopyranosides. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Environmentally benign downstream process for the enzymatic production of 6‐O‐L‐ascorbyl stearate
Authors: Xu Huifen , Tang Luhong
Published: October 2015

BACKGROUND

The current processes used to produce 6‐O‐L‐ascorbyl stearate are mature but far from environmentally benign. Even in the enzymatic process, a water‐washing step is still indispensable, forming a large amount of waste water. The aim of this study is to improve understanding of the behavior of the reaction mixture formed during enzymatic synthesis of ascorbyl stearate and create a novel product purification method omitting the water‐washing step.

RESULTS

Adding hot methyl stearate (65°C) will liquefy the solidified mixture composed of 6‐O‐L‐ascorbyl stearate, L‐ascorbic acid and methyl stearate, the filtrate of almost pure methyl stearate could be reused, and the cake gained could be washed and recrystallized from ethyl acetate at 4°C to gain the pure 6‐O‐L‐ascorbyl stearate. The single recovery rate of 6‐O‐L‐ascorbyl stearate is 66.0%, the purity of it is 99.8% detected by LC/MS.

CONCLUSION

Taking advantage of the phase behavior and the solubility differences of 6‐O‐L‐ascorbyl stearate, L‐ascorbic acid and methyl stearate in ethyl acetate at different temperatures, it is possible to produce 6‐O‐L‐ascorbyl stearate in an environment‐friendly way. The process developed in this study is easy to scale up and suitable for the synthesis of similar 6‐O‐L‐ascorbyl derivatives of other fatty acids, such as palmitic acid. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Dopaminergic lesioning impairs adult hippocampal neurogenesis by distinct modification of α‐synuclein
Authors: Schlachetzki Johannes C.M. , Grimm Thomas , Schlachetzki Zinayida , Ben Abdallah Nada M.B. , Ettle Benjamin , Vöhringer Patrizia , Ferger Boris , Winner Beate , Nuber Silke , Winkler Jürgen
Published: October 2015

Nonmotor symptoms of cognitive and affective nature are present in premotor and motor stages of Parkinson's disease (PD). Neurogenesis, the generation of new neurons, persists throughout the mammalian life span in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Adult hippocampal neurogenesis may be severely affected in the course of PD, accounting for some of the neuropsychiatric symptoms such as depression and cognitive impairment. Two important PD‐related pathogenic factors have separately been attributed to contribute to both PD and adult hippocampal neurogenesis: dopamine depletion and accumulation of α‐synuclein (α‐syn). In the acute 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine model, altered neurogenesis has been linked merely to a reduced dopamine level. Here, we seek to determine whether a distinct endogenous α‐syn expression pattern is associated, possibly contributing to the hippocampal neurogenic deficit. We observed a persistent reduction of striatal dopamine and a loss of tyrosine hydroxylase‐expressing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta in contrast to a complete recovery of tyrosine hydroxylase‐immunoreactive dopaminergic fibers within the striatum. However, dopamine levels in the hippocampus were significantly decreased. Survival of newly generated neurons was significantly reduced and paralleled by an accumulation of truncated, membrane‐associated, insoluble α‐syn within the hippocampus. Specifically, the presence of truncated α‐syn species was accompanied by increased activity of calpain‐1, a calcium‐dependent protease. Our results further substantiate the broad effects of dopamine loss in PD‐susceptible brain nuclei, gradually involved in the PD course. Our findings also indicate a detrimental synergistic interplay between dopamine depletion and posttranslational modification of α‐syn, contributing to impaired hippocampal plasticity in PD. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Desorption of myo‐inositol hexakisphosphate and phosphate from goethite by different reagents
Authors: Yan Yupeng , Koopal Luuk K. , Liu Fan , Huang Qiaoyun , Feng Xionghan
Published: October 2015

Inositol phosphates are abundant organic phosphates found widely in the environment. The sorption and desorption of organic phosphate (Po) are important processes in controlling the mobility, bioavailability and fate of phosphorus (P) in soil and sediment. The desorption characteristics of myo‐inositol hexakisphosphate (IHP) and inorganic phosphate (Pi) from goethite were studied by pre‐sorption of IHP or Pi followed by desorption by KCl, H2O, and citrate. Batch experiments and in situ attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy were used to investigate the desorption of IHP/Pi. The desorption percentage of IHP/Pi by citrate was much higher than that by H2O/KCl. The desorption of P by citrate was mainly achieved through ligand exchange, and the desorption increased with decreasing pH. Desorption by H2O was slightly greater than that by 0.02 M KCl because the electrostatic repulsion between the P molecules is larger in H2O. Due to the higher affinity of IHP for goethite than that of Pi, the maximum desorption of IHP was lower than that of Pi. Desorption curves (desorption concentration in solution vs. sorption density) of IHP or Pi on goethite by KCl or H2O was well fitted by an exponential equation, while those by citrate were well fitted by a linear equation. The desorption amounts of P in the first cycle account for more than 58% of the total desorption followed by substantial decreases in the second and third cycles. There was a re‐sorption of Pi from solution in the late stage of desorption by KCl and H2O, resulting in a sharp decrease in desorption. Re‐sorption of IHP did not occur, which is probably due to its poor diffusion into goethite. The initial desorption rate of Pi with KCl and H2O decreased with increasing pre‐sorption time, whereas that of IHP was opposite. This study indicates that strong sorption on and weak desorption of IHP from iron (hydr)oxides may explain the accumulation of IHP in soils.
Laryngeal adenosquamous carcinoma: A population‐based perspective
Authors: Dubal Pariket M. , Unsal Aykut A. , Echanique Kristen A. , Vazquez Alejandro , Reder Lindsay S. , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: October 2015

Objectives/Hypothesis

Adenosquamous carcinoma (ASC) is a rare entity, with fewer than 100 cases having been reported in the upper aerodigestive tract. Thus, no large samples characterizing its clinical behavior are available in the literature. Investigation of ASC has been further limited by difficulty in establishing histopathologic diagnosis. Our objective was to use a national population‐based resource to evaluate patient demographics, clinical behavior, incidence, and survival for laryngeal adenosquamous carcinoma (LASC).

Study Design

Retrospective population‐based analysis.

Methods

The National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to search for patients diagnosed with LASC between 1973 and 2012. Patient demographics, tumor characteristics, incidence, and survival trends were analyzed.

Results

Of the 68 identified LASC patients, 79.4% were male and 20.6% were female. The mean age at diagnosis was 66.0 ± 10.8 years. Whites represented 80.9% of patients, but no racial predominance was noted. LASC most commonly affected the glottis (47.1%), followed closely by the supraglottis (42.6%). Most cases were poorly differentiated (59.2%) and presented with stage IV disease (40.7%). Metastasis (M1) was noted in 10.7% of cases. The overall incidence was 0.003/100,000. The 5‐year disease‐specific survival rate was 36.6%, with a median observed survival of 33.6 months.

Conclusions

This study notes that LASC has low overall incidence. It has a predilection for males, but does not demonstrate racial predominance. LASC tends to present with stage IV disease, with distant metastasis noted in approximately one in 10 cases. Overall prognosis is poor, with a median survival under 3 years.

Level of Evidence

4 Laryngoscope, 126:858–863, 2016
Improving the analysis of routine outcome measurement data: what a Bayesian approach can do for you
Authors: de Vries Rivka M. , Meijer Rob R. , van Bruggen Vincent , Morey Richard D.
Published: October 2015

Since recent decades, clinicians offering interventions against mental problems must systematically collect data on how clients change over time. Since these data typically contain measurement error, statistical tests have been developed which should disentangle true changes from random error. These statistical tests can be subdivided into two types: classical tests and Bayesian tests. Over the past, there has been much confusion among analysts regarding the questions that are answered by each of these tests. In this paper we discuss each type of test in detail and explain which questions are, and which are not, answered by each of the types of tests. We then apply a test of each type on an empirical data set and compare the results. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Wedge‐shaped slice‐selective adiabatic inversion pulse for controlling temporal width of bolus in pulsed arterial spin labeling
Authors: Guo Jia , Buxton Richard B. , Wong Eric C.
Published: October 2015

Purpose

In pulsed arterial spin labeling (PASL) methods, arterial blood is labeled by inverting a slab with uniform thickness, resulting in different temporal widths of boluses in vessels with different flow velocities. This limits the temporal resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) efficiency gains in PASL‐based methods intended for high temporal resolution and SNR efficiency, such as turbo‐ASL and turbo‐QUASAR.

Theory and Methods

A novel wedge‐shaped (WS) adiabatic inversion pulse is developed by adding in‐plane gradient pulses to a slice‐selective (SS) adiabatic inversion pulse to linearly modulate the inversion thicknesses at different locations while maintaining the adiabatic properties of the original pulse. A hyperbolic secant (HS)‐based WS inversion pulse was implemented. Its performance was tested in simulations and in phantom and human experiments and compared with an SS HS inversion pulse.

Results

Compared with the SS inversion pulse, the WS inversion pulse was capable of inducing different inversion thicknesses at different locations. It could be adjusted to generate a uniform temporal width of boluses in arteries at locations with different flow velocities.

Conclusion

The WS inversion pulse can be used to control the temporal widths of labeled boluses in PASL experiments. This should benefit PASL experiments by maximizing labeling duty cycle and improving temporal resolution and SNR efficiency. Magn Reson Med 76:838–847, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of skeletal muscle DTI in patients with duchenne muscular dystrophy
Authors: Hooijmans M. T. , Damon B. M. , Froeling M. , Versluis M. J. , Burakiewicz J. , Verschuuren J. J. G. M. , Niks E. H. , Webb A. G. , Kan H. E.
Published: October 2015

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) is a popular method to assess differences in fiber organization in diseased and healthy muscle tissue. Previous work has shown that muscle DTI measurements depend on signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), %fat, and tissue T2. The goal of this study was to evaluate the potential biasing effects of these factors on skeletal muscle DTI data in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). MR images were obtained of the right lower leg of 21 DMD patients and 12 healthy controls on a Philips 3T system. DTI measurements were combined with quantitative in‐vivo measures of mean water T2, %fat and SNR to evaluate their effect on DTI parameter estimation. All outcome measures were determined within ROIs drawn for six lower leg muscles. Between group analysis, using all ROIs, revealed a significantly elevated FA in the GCL, SOL and PER muscles (p<0.05) and an increased mean diffusivity (p<0.05) and λ3 (p<0.05) in the TA muscle of DMD patients. In‐vivo evaluation of the individual confounders showed behaviour in line with predictions from previous simulation work. To account for these confounders, subsequent analysis used only ROIs with SNR greater than 20. With this criterion we found significantly greater MD in the TA muscle of DMD patient (p<0.009) and λ3 in the TA and GCL muscles (p<0.001) of DMD patients, but no differences in FA. As both increased %fat and lower SNR are expected to reduce the apparent MD and λ3, these between‐group differences are likely due to pathophysiology. However, the increased FA, observed when using all ROIs, likely reflects the effect of low SNR and %fat on the DTI parameter estimation. These findings suggest that measuring mean water T2, %fat and SNR is essential to ascribe changes in DTI measures to intrinsic diffusion changes or to confounding influences. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring the potential of public proteomics data
Authors: Vaudel Marc , Verheggen Kenneth , Csordas Attila , Ræder Helge , Berven Frode S. , Martens Lennart , Vizcaíno Juan A. , Barsnes Harald
Published: October 2015

In a global effort for scientific transparency, it has become feasible and good practice to share experimental data supporting novel findings. Consequently, the amount of publicly available MS‐based proteomics data has grown substantially in recent years. With some notable exceptions, this extensive material has however largely been left untouched. The time has now come for the proteomics community to utilize this potential gold mine for new discoveries, and uncover its untapped potential. In this review, we provide a brief history of the sharing of proteomics data, showing ways in which publicly available proteomics data are already being (re‐)used, and outline potential future opportunities based on four different usage types: use, reuse, reprocess, and repurpose. We thus aim to assist the proteomics community in stepping up to the challenge, and to make the most of the rapidly increasing amount of public proteomics data.
Rehabilitation of women with gynaecological cancer: the association between adult attachment, post‐traumatic stress disorder and depression
Authors: Adellund Holt K. , Jensen P. T. , Gilså Hansen D. , Elklit A. , Mogensen O.
Published: October 2015

Objective

We hypothesised that being diagnosed with gynaecological cancer influences adult attachment and occurrence of depression and post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The main aim of the study was to assess changes in the attachment dimensions, PTSD and depression from baseline to 5‐month post‐treatment. Further, we evaluated the association between attachment avoidance/anxiety dimensions and PTSD/depression among women newly diagnosed with ovarian, endometrial, or cervical cancer.

Methods

Consecutive Danish‐speaking women aged 20 to 75 years and treated surgically for primary gynaecological cancer were eligible. All patients were offered a rehabilitation programme consisting of two face‐to‐face sessions and two phone calls carried out by a nurse. Patients were asked to complete the Revised Adult Attachment Scale, the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire and the Major Depression Inventory at baseline and at 5‐month follow‐up. In all, 151 women consent to participate in the sessions where 51 fulfilled Revised Adult Attachment Scale questionnaire and contribute with socio‐demographic data.

Results

We found significant positive changes within the attachment anxiety dimension among women with ovarian cancer, a significant reduction of PTSD among endometrial cancer patients and insignificant changes in depression among all cancer types. The attachment anxiety dimension significantly increased the odds for PTSD and depression.

Conclusions

Depression and PTSD were prevalent among ovarian and cervical cancer patients. The adjustment of rehabilitation according to patients' attachment anxiety dimension contains possibilities for indirect impact on PTSD and depression symptoms. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Nanogap Electrodes towards Solid State Single‐Molecule Transistors
Authors: Cui Ajuan , Dong Huanli , Hu Wenping
Published: October 2015

With the establishment of complementary metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (CMOS)‐based integrated circuit technology, it has become more difficult to follow Moore's law to further downscale the size of electronic components. Devices based on various nanostructures were constructed to continue the trend in the minimization of electronics, and molecular devices are among the most promising candidates. Compared with other candidates, molecular devices show unique superiorities, and intensive studies on molecular devices have been carried out both experimentally and theoretically at the present time. Compared to two‐terminal molecular devices, three‐terminal devices, namely single‐molecule transistors, show unique advantages both in fundamental research and application and are considered to be an essential part of integrated circuits based on molecular devices. However, it is very difficult to construct them using the traditional microfabrication techniques directly, thus new fabrication strategies are developed. This review aims to provide an exclusive way of manufacturing solid state gated nanogap electrodes, the foundation of constructing transistors of single or a few molecules. Such single‐molecule transistors have the potential to be used to build integrated circuits.
Colloidal Particles that Rapidly Change Shape via Elastic Instabilities
Authors: Epstein Eric , Yoon Jaewon , Madhukar Amit , Hsia K. Jimmy , Braun Paul V.
Published: October 2015

The fabrication and properties of pH‐responsive colloidal particles are reported, which change shape rapidly (less than 200 ms), nearly independent of the diffusion of the pH altering species that trigger their actuation, and far more rapid than their Brownian motion. These particles are mechanically bistable, as revealed by their hysteretic shape response. Finite element analysis (FEA) shows that mechanical hysteresis and bistability derives from the colloids' spherical curvature. Mechanical characterization of the bilayered polymers comprising the colloidal particles shows that viscoelastic relaxation plays a non‐negligible role in limiting the shape switching rate; however, energy landscapes obtained from FEA simulations suggest that by tuning the elastic moduli and thicknesses of the constituent polymer layers, microparticles of the size shown here may be fabricated to actuate on timescales as fast as 1 μs.
Effectiveness of sliding isolators with variable curvature in near‐fault ground motions
Authors: Shaikhzadeh Ali Akbar , Karamoddin Abbas
Published: October 2015

Recent studies have revealed that a sliding isolator with variable curvature (SIVC) can mitigate the resonance phenomenon likely to occur in seismic response of a conventional friction pendulum system (FPS) isolator due to its constant isolation frequency. The present study simulates four SIVC isolators and an FPS to find the optimum range of initial isolation period and coefficient of friction and employ them in comparing the effectiveness of SIVC in different peak ground acceleration (PGA) scales of near‐fault earthquakes. Velocity‐dependent coefficient of friction and modified viscoplasticity model have been used to simulate nonlinear friction force of the isolators. Results indicate identical performance of all SIVC isolators in PGA scales up to 0.4 g. When subjected to PGA scales from 0.4 g to 1.0 g, polynomial friction pendulum isolator (PFPI) and variable curvature friction pendulum system (VCFPS) reduce base displacement greatly, while conical friction pendulum isolator (CFPI) and variable frequency pendulum isolator (VFPI) show amplified responses. However, in mitigating structural acceleration, performance of CFPI and VFPI, unlike PFPI and VCFPS, which perform poorly, is excellent. Thus, in a strong near‐fault earthquake, PFPI and VCFPS or CFPI and VFPI can be chosen based on whether reduction of base displacement or super‐structural acceleration is the main concern of designer, respectively. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease: Diagnostic accuracy and prediction of dementia
Authors: Forlenza Orestes V. , Radanovic Marcia , Talib Leda L. , Aprahamian Ivan , Diniz Breno S. , Zetterberg Henrik , Gattaz Wagner F.
Published: October 2015

Introduction

Guidelines for the use of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) establish that each laboratory must use internally qualified cutoff values. We determined the concentrations of biomarkers that discriminate cases from controls and combinations that predict the progression to dementia in a Brazilian cohort.

Methods

Concentrations of amyloid‐beta peptide (Aβ1–42), total tau (T‐tau), and 181Thr‐phosphorylated‐tau (P‐tau) were determined in CSF samples from 184 older adults (68 mild cognitive impairment, 41 AD, 34 non‐AD cognitive impairment, and 41 controls) by the INNO‐BIA AlzBio3 assay.

Results

Cutoff values discriminating AD from controls are as follows: Aβ1–42: 416.0 pg/mL (sensitivity [SE]: 83%, specificity (SP): 70%); T‐tau: 76.7 pg/mL (SE: 82%, SP: 67%); P‐tau: 36.1 pg/mL (SE: 83%, SP: 49%); Aβ1–42/P‐tau <9.53 (SE: 88%, SP: 78%); and Aβ1–42/T‐tau <4.13 (SE: 80%; SP: 80%). Combining values Aβ1–42 <416.5 pg/mL and Aβ1–42/P‐tau <9.5 best predicted the conversion in 2 years (Cox regression: hazard ratio 7.24 [2.09–25.06], P = .002, SE: 74%, Sp: 73%).

Discussion

Our findings are in line with most of the available evidence in this field; yet, our cutoff values are different from those derived from other laboratories.
THE DIMENSION OF A SUBCATEGORY OF MODULES
Authors: DAO HAILONG , TAKAHASHI RYO
Published: October 2015

Let$R$be a commutative noetherian local ring. As an analog of the notion of the dimension of a triangulated category defined by Rouquier, the notion of the dimension of a subcategory of finitely generated$R$-modules is introduced in this paper. We found evidence that certain categories over nice singularities have small dimensions. When$R$is Cohen–Macaulay, under a mild assumption it is proved that finiteness of the dimension of the full subcategory consisting of maximal Cohen–Macaulay modules which are locally free on the punctured spectrum is equivalent to saying that$R$is an isolated singularity. As an application, the celebrated theorem of Auslander, Huneke, Leuschke, and Wiegand is not only recovered but also improved. The dimensions of stable categories of maximal Cohen–Macaulay modules as triangulated categories are also investigated in the case where$R$is Gorenstein, and special cases of the recent results of Aihara and Takahashi, and Oppermann and Št́ovíček are recovered and improved. Our key technique involves a careful study of annihilators and supports of$\mathsf{Tor}$,$\mathsf{Ext}$, and$\underline{\mathsf{Hom}}$between two subcategories.
Calcium requirements from dairy foods in France can be met at low energy and monetary cost
Authors: Drewnowski Adam , Tang Wesley , Brazeilles Rémi
Published: October 2015

Inadequate Ca intakes are a concern for global public health. In France, most dietary Ca is provided by dairy products: milks, fermented milks (mostly yogurts), dairy desserts and cheeses. The present dairy database (n 837) included milks (n 101), fermented milks, yogurts and other fresh dairy products (n 326), desserts (n 162) and a wide variety of cheeses (n 248). Energy and nutrient values were obtained from industry sources and the French national nutrient composition database. Retail prices were from Paris supermarkets. Products in each group were aggregated into twenty-one categories using clustering analyses. The costs in energy (kJ (kcal)), euros (€), and in SFA, added sugar and Na (defined here as nutrients to LIMit) associated with providing 120 mg of Ca (equivalent to 15 % daily value (15 % DV)) were calculated for each product group and category. The milk group supplied Ca at the lowest energy, monetary and LIM cost. Fresh plain and ‘light’ yogurts and fermented milks were next, followed by sweetened yogurts and flavoured milks. Light dairy desserts provided Ca with relatively few energy but were more expensive. Cheeses were a heterogeneous group. Hard cheeses (Comté) provided the most Ca per serving. Semi-hard cheeses (Camembert) and cream and blue cheeses (Roquefort) provided Ca at a cost comparable with sweetened yogurts and flavoured milks. Double cream, soft and goat cheeses were not optimal Ca sources. New value metrics can help identify affordable dairy foods that provide Ca without excessive energy or nutrients to limit. These conditions were satisfied by a wide variety of dairy products in France.
Radical Theatre Mobility: Unity Theatre, UK, and the New Theatre, Australia
Authors: Brigden Cathy , Milner Lisa
Published: October 2015

For two radical theatres formed in the 1930s, taking performances to their audiences was an important dimension of commitment to working-class politics and civic engagement. Separated by distance but joined ideologically, the New Theatre in Australia and Unity Theatre in the United Kingdom engaged in what they described as ‘mobile work’, as well as being ‘stage curtain’ companies. Based on archival research and drawing on mobility literature, Cathy Brigden and Lisa Milner examine in this article the rationale for mobile work, the range of spaces that were used both indoor (workplaces, halls, private homes) and outdoor (parks, street corners beaches), and its decline. Emerging from this analysis are parallels between the two theatres’ motivation for mobile work, their practice in these diverse performance spaces, and the factors leading to the decline. Cathy Brigden is an associate professor in the School of Management and Deputy Director, Centre for Sustainable Organizations and Work at RMIT University, Australia. Her current research interests include the historical experiences of women in trade unions, gender in performing arts industries, and union strategies and regulation. Lisa Milner is a lecturer in the School of Arts and Social Sciences at Southern Cross University, Coffs Harbour, Australia. Current research interests include a comparative study of workers’ theatre, representations of workers and trade unions on screen, and labour biography.
Put-call parity, the triple contract, and approaches to usury in medieval contracting
Authors: Wilson Arthur J. , Kim Geetae
Published: October 2015

In this article we use put-call parity to show that ambiguity about ownership played a role in medieval businessmen's efforts to circumvent the Catholic Church's usury restrictions. That ambiguity created fertile ground for a financial innovation, the triple contract, that allowed some merchants to accomplish a kind of regulatory arbitrage. We also show that medieval clerics and merchants appear to have had at least an intuitive grasp of put-call parity, and that this insight shaped the Catholic Church's approach to medieval business contracts, and usury, nearly five centuries before put-call parity was described in the scholarly literature.
Field Report: Medical Response to Super Typhoon Haiyan
Authors: Noone Michael
Published: October 2015

Event: Typhoon (high-velocity winds and flooding from storm surge/rains)

Event Onset Date: November 8, 2013

Location of Report: Tacloban, Leyte Island, Philippines

Geographic Coordinates: latitude 11°13m N, longitude 125°1m E; elevation: 3 meters

Response Dates: November 18-28, 2013

Response Type: Medical Relief (Humanitarian)
Die deutsche Selbstbeurteilungsversion des Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Deu-S)
Authors: Lohbeck Annette , Schultheiß Jan , Petermann Franz , Petermann Ulrike
Published: October 2015

Zusammenfassung. Die vorliegende Studie überprüft die Faktorenstruktur, psychometrischen Eigenschaften und Grenzwerte der deutschen Selbstbeurteilungsversion des Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ-Deu-S). Die Daten dieser Studie basieren auf einer Stichprobe von N = 1 501 Kindern und Jugendlichen im Alter von 11 bis 16 Jahren. Die angenommene Fünf-Faktoren-Struktur des SDQ-Deu-S konnte anhand exploratorischer und konfirmatorischer Faktorenanalysen bestätigt werden. Die Reliabilitäten der fünf Skalen (Cronbachs Alpha .55 – .77, Retest .58 – .67) fielen jedoch gering aus. Lediglich die SDQ-Gesamtproblemskala erreichte eine zufriedenstellende interne Konsistenz. Es werden alters- und geschlechtsspezifische Grenzwerte vorgeschlagen, die sich an die von Goodman (1997) empfohlenen Zielvorgaben von 80 – 10 – 10 % für die Bestimmung von Grenzwerten in die drei Kategorien unauffällig, grenzwertig und auffällig anlehnen: Die Grenzwerte für die meisten SDQ-Subskalen liegen um etwa einen Punkt und für die SDQ-Gesamtproblemskala um max. zwei Punkte niedriger als die Grenzwerte für die SDQ-Selbstberichtsversion von Goodman, Meltzer und Bailey (1998) .
Subglacial lake drainage detected beneath the Greenland ice sheet
Authors: Palmer Steven , McMillan Malcolm , Morlighem Mathieu
Published: October 2015

The contribution of the Greenland ice sheet to sea-level rise has accelerated in recent decades. Subglacial lake drainage events can induce an ice sheet dynamic response—a process that has been observed in Antarctica, but not yet in Greenland, where the presence of subglacial lakes has only recently been discovered. Here we investigate the water flow paths from a subglacial lake, which drained beneath the Greenland ice sheet in 2011. Our observations suggest that the lake was fed by surface meltwater flowing down a nearby moulin, and that the draining water reached the ice margin via a subglacial tunnel. Interferometric synthetic aperture radar-derived measurements of ice surface motion acquired in 1995 suggest that a similar event may have occurred 16 years earlier, and we propose that, as the climate warms, increasing volumes of surface meltwater routed to the bed will cause such events to become more common in the future.
KCNJ15/Kir4.2 couples with polyamines to sense weak extracellular electric fields in galvanotaxis
Authors: Nakajima Ken-ichi , Zhu Kan , Sun Yao-Hui , Hegyi Bence , Zeng Qunli , Murphy Christopher J. , Small J. Victor , Chen-Izu Ye , Izumiya Yoshihiro , Penninger Josef M. , Zhao Min
Published: October 2015

Weak electric fields guide cell migration, known as galvanotaxis/electrotaxis. The sensor(s) cells use to detect the fields remain elusive. Here we perform a large-scale screen using an RNAi library targeting ion transporters in human cells. We identify 18 genes that show either defective or increased galvanotaxis after knockdown. Knockdown of the KCNJ15 gene (encoding inwardly rectifying K+ channel Kir4.2) specifically abolishes galvanotaxis, without affecting basal motility and directional migration in a monolayer scratch assay. Depletion of cytoplasmic polyamines, highly positively charged small molecules that regulate Kir4.2 function, completely inhibits galvanotaxis, whereas increase of intracellular polyamines enhances galvanotaxis in a Kir4.2-dependent manner. Expression of a polyamine-binding defective mutant of KCNJ15 significantly decreases galvanotaxis. Knockdown or inhibition of KCNJ15 prevents phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) from distributing to the leading edge. Taken together these data suggest a previously unknown two-molecule sensing mechanism in which KCNJ15/Kir4.2 couples with polyamines in sensing weak electric fields.