bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of recombinant human bone morphogenic protein‐2 and human bone marrow‐derived stromal cells on in vivo bone regeneration of chitosan–poly(ethylene oxide) hydrogel
Authors: Jo Seongyeon , Kim Sumi , Cho Tae Hyung , Shin Eunkyong , Hwang Soon Jung , Noh Insup
Published: September 2012

In vivo bone regeneration of chitosan–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) hydrogel in rat carlvarial defects was evaluated by using both human bone marrow‐derived stromal cells (hMSCs) and recombinant human bone marrow protein‐2 (rhBMP‐2) for 4 and 8 weeks. In situ chitosan–PEO hydrogel was fabricated by mixing the precursor solutions of both chitosan‐acrylate and PEO‐thiol. Fabrication of the injectable hydrogels was modulated from within a minute to hours by controlling the temperature and pHs of the precursor solution. Gel swellings were dependent on the conditions of pHs and temperatures of the precursor solutions, showing higher gel swelling in basic water than in either acidic or neutral water. The compression strengths and in vitro degradation of hydrogels were also evaluated by controlling the concentrations of both precursor solutions and lysozyme, respectively, by referencing to the morphology of the control hydrogel with no enzyme added. Hydrogels showed sustained release of rhodamine‐B over time. After implantation of the injectable hydrogels in rat calvarial defects for 4 and 8 weeks, in vivo bone regenerations were compared with by evaluating the degrees of new bone formations with Soft X‐ray, microcomputed tomography, and histological stainings of hematoxylin and eosine Y and Masson's trichrome. Degrees of in vivo bone regeneration were controlled by encapsulating in advance either hMSCs, rhBMP‐2, or both in the precursor solutions of the hydrogel. The defect implanted with hydrogel only showed higher amount of bone tissue regeneration than that of the control defect site. The defect sites with hydrogel containing both hMSCs and rhBMP‐2 demonstrated highest amount of bone tissue regeneration among the samples. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 101A: 892–901, 2013.
Type 2 diabetes and bone
Authors: Leslie William D , Rubin Mishaela R , Schwartz Ann V , Kanis John A
Published: September 2012

There is a growing body of research showing that diabetes is an independent risk factor for fracture. Type 2 diabetes (T2D), which predominates in older individuals and is increasing globally as a consequence of the obesity epidemic, is associated with normal or even increased dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA)-derived areal bone mineral density (BMD). Therefore, the paradoxical increase in fracture risk has led to the hypothesis that there are diabetes-associated alterations in material and structural properties. An overly glycated collagen matrix, confounded by a low turnover state, in the setting of subtle cortical abnormalities, may lead to compromised biomechanical competence. In current clinical practice, because BMD is central to fracture prediction, a consequence of this paradox is a lack of suitable methods, including FRAX, to predict fracture risk in older adults with T2D. The option of adding diabetes to the FRAX algorithm is appealing but requires additional data from large population-based cohorts. The need for improved methods for identification of fracture in older adults with T2D is an important priority for osteoporosis research. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Accurate integration over atomic regions bounded by zero‐flux surfaces
Authors: Polestshuk Pavel M.
Published: September 2012

The approach for the integration over a region covered by zero‐flux surface is described. This approach based on the surface triangulation technique is efficiently realized in a newly developed program TWOE. The elaborated method is tested on several atomic properties including the source function. TWOE results are compared with those produced by using well‐known existing programs. Absolute errors in computed atomic properties are shown to range usually from 10−6 to 10−5 au. The demonstrative examples prove that present realization has perfect convergence of atomic properties with increasing size of angular grid and allows to obtain highly accurate data even in the most difficult cases. It is believed that the developed program can be bridgehead that allows to implement atomic partitioning of any desired molecular property with high accuracy. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Esters flash point prediction using artificial neural networks
Authors: Astray Gonzalo , Gálvez Juan F. , Mejuto Juan C. , Moldes Oscar A. , Montoya Iago
Published: September 2012

In this article, an artificial neural network to predict the flash point of 95 esters was implemented. Four variables were used for its development. A neural network with 4‐5‐8‐5‐1 topology was encountered to gain the best agreement of the experimental results with those predicted (square correlation coefficient (R2) and root mean square error were 0.99 and 5.46 K for the training phase and 0.96 and 13.02 K for the testing set). © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rethinking cardiac risk reduction after noncardiac surgery: The postoperative Carpe diem
Authors: Chopra Vineet , Eagle Kim A.
Published: September 2012

Patients undergoing noncardiac surgery frequently experience major adverse cardiac events. As a significant proportion of these patients develop cardiac complications despite optimal use of preoperative clinical risk‐prediction algorithms, physicians have long searched for better methods of forecasting and ameliorating cardiac risk in this population. Recently, postoperative troponin levels have been found to be powerful and independent predictors of cardiovascular mortality in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Importantly, the predictive properties of these markers outperform preoperative clinical risk‐prediction algorithms. We thus posit that the assessment of postoperative troponin represents an as yet untapped “golden opportunity” for cardiac risk reduction. As cardiac troponin isolates an unusually high‐risk subgroup, we outline a strategy that utilizes this marker to improve cardiac outcomes. Where pertinent, strengths and limitations of this approach are discussed and areas of uncertainty identified. As with all hypotheses, this proposition fuels many questions and calls for a research agenda dedicated to quantifying risk or benefit, and defining best practices. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Predicting bacteremia based on nurse‐assessed food consumption at the time of blood culture
Authors: Komatsu Takayuki , Onda Toshihito , Murayama Go , Yamanouchi Masashi , Inukai Minori , Sakai Ai , Kikuta Masumi , Branch Joel , Aoki Makoto , Tierney Lawrence M. , Inoue Kenji
Published: September 2012

BACKGROUND:

Bacteremia and its complications are important causes of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients. However, the yield of blood cultures is relatively low, with many false‐positive results from bacterial contamination.

METHODS:

We investigated the relationship between patient food consumption and the presence of bacteremia. This was an observational analysis of a cohort of 1179 patients who underwent blood culture analysis between January 2005 and December 2009. Patients with anorexia‐inducing conditions, such as gastrointestinal illness and malignant disease treated with chemotherapy, were excluded. Food consumption was rated by nurses as the percentage of food consumed during the meal preceding the blood culture. Groupings were as follows: low consumption (<50%), moderate (>50% to <80%), and high (>80%).

RESULTS:

Low consumption was observed in 39.8% of patients, moderate in 17.8%, and high in 41.6%. The average body temperature was 38.1 ± 1.1°C. Bacteremia was present in 18.5%, 3.9%, and 1.4% of patients in the low, moderate, and high food consumption groups, respectively. The negative predictive value was 98.3%, suggesting that bacteremia is very unlikely in the setting of good food intake.

CONCLUSION:

Bacteremia is an unlikely occurrence in hospitalized patients who maintain adequate food consumption at the time of blood culture. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2012. © 2012 Society of Hospital Medicine
Multi‐system repeatability and reproducibility of apparent diffusion coefficient measurement using an ice‐water phantom
Authors: Malyarenko Dariya , Galbán Craig J. , Londy Frank J. , Meyer Charles R. , Johnson Timothy D. , Rehemtulla Alnawaz , Ross Brian D. , Chenevert Thomas L.
Published: September 2012

Purpose:

To determine quantitative quality control procedures to evaluate technical variability in multi‐center measurements of the diffusion coefficient of water as a prerequisite to use of the biomarker apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in multi‐center clinical trials.

Materials and Methods:

A uniform data acquisition protocol was developed and shared with 18 participating test sites along with a temperature‐controlled diffusion phantom delivered to each site. Usable diffusion weighted imaging data of ice water at five b‐values were collected on 35 clinical MRI systems from three vendors at two field strengths (1.5 and 3 Tesla [T]) and analyzed at a central processing site.

Results:

Standard deviation of bore‐center ADCs measured across 35 scanners was <2%; error range: −2% to +5% from literature value. Day‐to‐day repeatability of the measurements was within 4.5%. Intra‐exam repeatability at the phantom center was within 1%. Excluding one outlier, inter‐site reproducibility of ADC at magnet isocenter was within 3%, although variability increased for off‐center measurements. Significant (>10%) vendor‐specific and system‐specific spatial nonuniformity ADC bias was detected for the off‐center measurement that was consistent with gradient nonlinearity.

Conclusion:

Standardization of DWI protocol has improved reproducibility of ADC measurements and allowed identifying spatial ADC nonuniformity as a source of error in multi‐site clinical studies. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:1238–1246. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tumor volume and subvolume concordance between FDG‐PET/CT and diffusion‐weighted MRI for squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix
Authors: Olsen Jeffrey R. , Esthappan Jacqueline , DeWees Todd , Narra Vamsi R. , Dehdashti Farrokh , Siegel Barry A. , Schwarz Julie K. , Grigsby Perry W.
Published: September 2012

Purpose:

To compare [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) / positron emission tomography (PET) / computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for evaluating patients with cervical cancer. We compared tumor characteristics on FDG‐PET and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps on diffusion‐weighted MRI (DWI) to evaluate concordance of two functional imaging techniques.

Materials and Methods:

Twenty women with cervical cancer underwent pretreatment FDG‐PET/CT and pelvic MRI. Images were rigidly fused by pelvic anatomy using coregistration software. Tumor contours on PET images were generated by autosegmentation of the region containing at least 40% of the maximum standardized uptake value (SUV). DWI contours were generated by manual segmentation. Tumor volume similarity was evaluated using the [PET]/[ADC] volume proportion, Dice's coefficient, and the mean SUV isothreshold at the surface of each ADC contour. Tumor subvolume similarity was evaluated with analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results:

The [PET]/[ADC] volume proportion was 0.88 ± 0.14. Dice's coefficient between PET and ADC tumor contours was 0.76 ± 0.06. The mean SUV isothreshold at the ADC‐delineated tumor surface was 34 ± 4%. Subvolumes with increased metabolic activity on FDG‐PET also had more restricted diffusion on DWI (P < 0.0001, ANOVA).

Conclusion:

Concordance of functional imaging was observed between FDG‐PET and DWI for cervical cancer. Tumor subvolumes with increased metabolic activity on FDG‐PET also have greater cell density by DWI. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:431–434. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Comparison of multiple API techniques for the simultaneous detection of microconstituents in water by on‐line SPE‐LC‐MS/MS
Authors: Wang Chengtao , Gardinali Piero R.
Published: September 2012

This study described a fully automated method using on‐line solid phase extraction of large volume injections coupled with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to simultaneously detect a group of recalcitrant microconstituents (pharmaceuticals and personal care products, steroid hormones and sterols) in aqueous matrices. Samples (1 mL to 20 mL) were loaded to the preconcentration column at 1 mL/min, and the column was washed with 1000 μL of 25% methanol in LC/MS water to remove polar and ionic interferences before LC‐MS/MS analysis. Three different atmospheric pressure ionization (API) techniques, including photoionization (APPI) with four different dopants (acetone, anisole, chlorobenzene and toluene), heated electrospray ionization (HESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), were evaluated on the basis of method detection limits (MDLs) and recoveries from different aqueous matrixes. Results indicated that APPI with toluene as dopant was the most sensitive ionization method for the majority of the analytes. When using 5 mL of sample, MDLs for pharmaceuticals and personal care products, including carbamazepine, DEET, caffeine, naproxen, acetaminophen and primidone, were between 0.3 ng/L and 15 ng/L. MDLs of hormones, including testosterone, equilenin, progesterone, equilin, 17β‐estradiol, 17α‐ethynylestradiol, estrone, androsterone, mestranol and estriol, were between 1.2 ng/L and 37 ng/L. The combination of APPI with dopant allowed the detection of two difficult to ionize fecal related sterols, such as coprostan‐3‐ol and coprostan‐3‐one with MDLs of 5.4 ng/L and 11 ng/L, respectively. Calculated MDLs are more than adequate for analysis of wastewater using 1 to 5 mL sample size and for surface waters using up to 20 mL sample size. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Investigation and reduction of sub‐microgram peptide loss using molecular weight cut‐off fractionation prior to mass spectrometric analysis
Authors: Cunningham Robert , Wang Jingxin , Wellner Daniel , Li Lingjun
Published: September 2012

This work investigates the introduction of methanol and a salt modifier to molecular weight cut‐off membrane‐based centrifugal filters (MWCO) to enrich sub‐microgram peptide quantities. Using a neuropeptide standard, bradykinin, sample loss was reduced over two orders of magnitude with and without undigested protein present. Additionally, a bovine serum albumin tryptic digestion was investigated. Twenty‐seven tryptic peptides were identified from MALDI mass spectra after enriching with methanol while only two tryptic peptides were identified after MWCO separation using H2O. The strategy presented here enhances recovery from MWCO separation for sub‐µg peptide samples. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural determination of glycopeptidolipids of Mycobacterium smegmatis by high‐resolution multiple‐stage linear ion‐trap mass spectrometry with electrospray ionization
Authors: Hsu Fong‐Fu , Pacheco Sophia , Turk John , Purdy Georgiana
Published: September 2012

Glycopeptidolipids (GPLs) are abundant in the cell walls of different species of mycobacteria and consist of tripeptide‐amino‐alcohol core of D‐Phe‐D‐allo‐Thr‐D‐Ala‐L‐alaninol linked to 3‐hydroxy or 3‐methoxy C26–34 fatty acyl chain at the N‐terminal of D‐Phe via amide linkage, and a 6‐deoxytalose (6‐dTal) and an O‐methyl rhamnose residues, respectively, attach to D‐allo‐Thr and the terminal L‐alaninol. They are important cell‐surface antigens that are implicated in the pathogenesis of opportunistic mycobacteria belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex. In this contribution, we described multiple‐stage linear ion trap in conjunction with high‐resolution mass spectrometry towards structural characterization of complex GPLs as [M + Na]+ ions isolated from Mycobacterium smegmatis, a fast‐growing and non‐pathogenic mycobacterial species. Following resonance excitation in an ion trap, MSn spectra of the [M + Na]+ ions of GPLs contained mainly b and y series ions that readily determine the peptide sequence. Fragment ions from MSn also afford locating the 6‐dTal and O‐methyl rhamnose residues linked to the D‐allo‐Thr and terminal L‐alaninol of the peptide core, respectively, as well as recognizing the modifications of the glycosides, including their acetylation and methylation states and the presence of succinyl group. The GPL families consisting of 3‐hydroxy fatty acyl and of 3‐methoxy fatty acyl substituents are readily distinguishable. The MS profiles of the GPLs from cells are dependant on the conditions they were grown, and several isobaric isomers were identified for many of the molecular species. These multiple‐stage mass spectrometric approaches give detailed structures of GPL in complex mixtures of which the isomeric structures are difficult to define using other analytical methods. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A UFLC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous quantitation of spinosin, mangiferin and ferulic acid in rat plasma: application to a comparative pharmacokinetic study in normal and insomnic rats
Authors: He Bosai , Li Qing , Jia Ying , Zhao Longshan , Xiao Feng , Lv Chunxiao , Xu Huarong , Chen Xiaohui , Bi Kaishun
Published: September 2012

Suan‐Zao‐Ren (SZR) decoction, consisting of Ziziphi Spinosae Semen, Poria, Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma and Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma, is a Traditional Chinese Medicine prescription, clinically used for the treatment of insomnia. The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive and reliable UFLC‐MS/MS method for simultaneous quantitation of spinosin, mangiferin and ferulic acid, the main active ingredients in SZR decoction, and to compare the pharmacokinetics of these active ingredients in normal and insomnic rats orally administrated with the prescription. Analytes and IS were separated on a Shim‐pack XR‐ODS column (75 mm × 3.0 mm, 2.2 µm particles) using gradient elution with the mobile phase consisting of methanol and 0.1% formic acid in water at a flow rate of 0.4 mL/min. The detection of the analytes was performed on 4000Q UFLC‐MS/MS system with turbo ion spray source in the negative ion and multiple reaction‐monitoring mode. The lower limits of quantification were 1, 6 and 1 ng/mL for spinosin, mangiferin and ferulic acid, respectively. Intra‐ and inter‐day precision and accuracy of analytes were well within acceptance criteria (15%). The mean extraction recoveries of analytes and IS from rats plasma were all more than 85.0%. The validated method has been successfully applied to comparing pharmacokinetic profiles of analytes in rat plasma. The results indicated that no significant difference in pharmacokinetic parameters of ferulic acid was observed between two groups, while absorptions of spinosin and mangiferin in insomnic group were significantly lower than those in normal group. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Interactions of Zn(II) with single and multiple amino acids. Insights from density functional and ab initio calculations
Authors: Yang Gang , Zhu Rongxiu , Zhou Lijun , Liu Chengbu
Published: September 2012

Calculations were performed to study the interactions of metal ions (M) with (multiple) amino acids (AA) and fill the gap between single AA and proteins. A complete conformational search results in nine and eleven ZnGly isomers at B3P86 and MP2 levels, respectively, and four populated conformers of glycine are responsible for production of these isomers. For all M, the isomers via the OO and NO binding modes are the main constituents, and the OO mode is favored by stronger electrostatic interactions. Binding with more glycines causes larger structural distortions, improves relative stabilities of monodentate binding isomers and generates new binding modes (e.g. ZnBIII via only the hydroxyl group). The scaling factor of Zn(Gly)n structures, the ratio of its binding affinity versus the sum of comprising ZnGly isomers, is linear with glycine number (n), and the linear relationship may not be altered by mutations of glycines and M. It thus allows to estimate M(AA)n binding affinities (n ≥ 2) from the comprising MAA structures and analyze their structures with kinetic methods. The DFT and MP2 results become comparable by increasing metal coordination, e.g. the ZnBIII versus ZnAI (zwitterionic) relative energy differs by 41.9 kcal mol−1 at B3P86 and MP2 levels and is close by addition of three water molecules (4.1 kcal mol−1). The presence of water solvent improves the relative stabilities of monodentate binding isomers and results in a broader conformational distribution. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of protein adducts formed by toxic alkaloids by nano‐scale liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry
Authors: Chou Chi‐Hsien , Chuang Lea‐Yea , Tseng Wei‐Lung , Lu Chi‐Yu
Published: September 2012

Betel quid chewing is associated with cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenicity in diseases such as oral cancer, liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma and diabetes mellitus. Arecoline and arecaidine, which are the main alkaloids in the areca nut, are potential exposure biomarkers in habitual betel quid users. This study developed a method of detecting arecoline‐ and arecaidine‐protein adducts by mass spectrometry (MS). First, bovine serum albumin was used to predict and confirm the binding sites of proteins modified by arecoline or arecaidine. Cells were then treated with arecoline to identify new protein adducts after cellular metabolic processing. Finally, human plasma was used to model long‐term exposure to arecoline and arecaidine. Following isolation proteins were tryspin digested. The peptides afforded were separated and analyzed by nano‐scale liquid chromatography with MS using an LTQ Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The experimental findings showed that cysteine is the predominant amino acid in protein adduct formation. The goal of this study was to establish a screening platform for identifying novel protein adducts that form covalent bonds with arecoline or arecaidine. Use of this strategy to survey new protein‐toxic adducts may help to identify novel biomarkers of betel nut exposure. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PSAQ™ standards for accurate MS–based quantification of proteins: from the concept to biomedical applications
Authors: Picard Guillaume , Lebert Dorothée , Louwagie Mathilde , Adrait Annie , Huillet Céline , Vandenesch François , Bruley Christophe , Garin Jérôme , Jaquinod Michel , Brun Virginie
Published: September 2012

Absolute protein quantification, i.e. determining protein concentrations in biological samples, is essential to our understanding of biological and physiopathological phenomena. Protein quantification methods based on the use of antibodies are very effective and widely used. However, over the last ten years, absolute protein quantification by mass spectrometry has attracted considerable interest, particularly for the study of systems biology and as part of biomarker development. This interest is mainly linked to the high multiplexing capacity of MS analysis, and to the availability of stable‐isotope‐labelled standards for quantification. This article describes the details of how to produce, control the quality and use a specific type of standard: Protein Standard Absolute Quantification (PSAQ™) standards. These standards are whole isotopically labelled proteins, analogues of the proteins to be assayed. PSAQ standards can be added early during sample treatment, thus they can correct for protein losses during sample prefractionation and for incomplete sample digestion. Because of this, quantification of target proteins is very accurate and precise using these standards. To illustrate the advantages of the PSAQ method, and to contribute to the increase in its use, selected applications in the biomedical field are detailed here. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Switching to darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg once‐daily containing regimen maintains virological control in fully suppressed pre‐treated patients infected with HIV‐1
Authors: Ghosn Jade , Slama Laurence , Chermak Aziza , Houssaini Allal , Lambert‐Niclot Sidonie , Schneider Luminita , Fourn Erwan , Duvivier Claudine , Simon Anne , Courbon Eve , Murphy Robert , Flandre Philippe , Peytavin Gilles , Katlama Christine ,   for the RADAR Study Group
Published: September 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the switch to once‐daily darunavir/ritonavir 800/100 mg in treatment‐experienced patients with suppressed HIV‐1 replication on a twice‐daily ritonavir‐boosted protease‐inhibitor (bid PI/r) containing regimen, that is in a setting where genotypic resistance test cannot be performed. In this open label, non‐comparative, multicenter study, patients on a bid PI/r‐containing triple combination, with suppressed viral replication, were switched to once‐daily darunavir/r 800/100 mg containing triple combination. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with plasma HIV‐RNA < 50 copies/ml 24 weeks after the switch. Intensive darunavir pharmacokinetic evaluation was performed at Week 4 (W4) in 11 patients. Eighty‐five patients were enrolled. All had HIV‐RNA < 50 copies/ml at screening with a pre‐exposure to a median of 2 PI/r (1–5). By intent‐to‐treat analysis (missing = failure), 78/85 patients (92%, 95% CI [83;96]) maintained an HIV‐RNA < 50 copies/ml at W24. Seven patients experienced protocol‐defined treatment failure between baseline and W24: Two had confirmed low‐level viral rebound, one discontinued study treatment for adverse event, three withdrew their consent, and one was lost to follow‐up. By on‐treatment analysis, 78/80 patients (97%, 95% CI [91;99]) maintained an HIV‐RNA < 50 copies/ml at W24. Results were similar at Week 48. The median area under the darunavir plasma concentration–time curve measured in 11 patients was 61,380 ng hr/ml; darunavir median trough concentration 1,340 ng/ml and darunavir half‐life was 12.2 hr. Tolerability of once‐daily darunavir/r 800/100 mg was excellent. Optimally suppressed, treatment‐experienced patients can switch safely from a twice‐daily PI/r regimen to a once‐daily darunavir/r 800/100 mg containing regimen. J. Med. Virol. 85:8–15, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Temporal correspondence between pluvial lake highstands in the southwestern US and Heinrich Event 1
Authors: Munroe Jeffrey S. , Laabs Benjamin J. C.
Published: September 2012

Pluvial lakes were abundant in the southwestern United States during Pleistocene glaciations, particularly in the Great Basin. Many of these lakes occupied closed basins; therefore, fluctuations of their water surface elevations are valuable sources of paleoclimate information. Histories of the largest lakes are well constrained, whereas dozens of smaller lakes that were present in this region have received relatively little scientific attention. Given their dimensions, these smaller lakes were climatically sensitive and can offer important information about Quaternary climate variability. Here we present new ages for the highstands of three previously undated small lakes based on radiocarbon dating of gastropod shells recovered from beach ridges. These results are combined with other published and unpublished 14C ages to yield an extensive compilation of highstand shoreline ages for lakes of all sizes throughout the southwestern US. The results indicate that although some lakes reached highstands during the Last Glacial Maximum, the strongest temporal correspondence is between highstands and Heinrich Event H1. These results are consistent with speleothem‐based reconstructions of effective moisture in the southwestern US, which show increased precipitation during stadials of the last glacial cycle. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Readability analysis of healthcare‐oriented education resources from the american academy of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery
Authors: Misra Poonam , Agarwal Nitin , Kasabwala Khushabu , Hansberry David R. , Setzen Michael , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: September 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Deficient health literacy remains a widespread public issue. As such, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that all patient resources should be written around a sixth‐grade level. The authors evaluate healthcare‐oriented resources specified for patient use on the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) Web site in order to identify potential areas of improvement and highlight those sections that may serve as paradigms for future revisions.

Study Design:

Descriptive and correlational design.

Methods:

Seventeen healthcare‐oriented resources specifically for patients were downloaded in February 2012 from the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Web site. Readability assessments of each article were performed using Readability Studio Professional Edition Version 2012.1. These tests included the Flesch Reading Ease, Flesch‐Kincaid Grade Level, SMOG Grading, Coleman‐Liau Index, Gunning‐Fog Index, the New Fog Count, the New Dale‐Chall Readability Formula, FORCAST formula, Raygor Readability Estimate, and the Fry Graph.

Results:

Patient health education material found on the AAFPRS Web site has been found to be written at an average grade level of 12th grade using 10 different readability scales.

Conclusions:

Modifications of the patient education section of the AAFPRS Web site can increase the readability of the literature, and allow greater comprehension among a wider audience. Laryngoscope, 2013
Rapid 3D‐imaging of phosphocreatine recovery kinetics in the human lower leg muscles with compressed sensing
Authors: Parasoglou Prodromos , Feng Li , Xia Ding , Otazo Ricardo , Regatte Ravinder R.
Published: September 2012

The rate of phosphocreatine (PCr) resynthesis following physical exercise is an accepted index of mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and has been studied extensively with unlocalized 31P‐MRS methods and small surface coils. Imaging experiments using volume coils that measure several muscles simultaneously can provide new insights into the variability of muscle function in healthy and diseased states. However, they are limited by long acquisition times relative to the dynamics of PCr recovery. This work focuses on the implementation of a compressed sensing technique to accelerate imaging of PCr resynthesis following physical exercise, using a modified three‐dimensional turbo‐spin‐echo sequence and principal component analysis as sparsifying transform. The compressed sensing technique was initially validated using 2‐fold retrospective undersampling of fully sampled data from four volunteers acquired on a 7T MRI system (voxel size: 1.6 mL, temporal resolution: 24 s), which led to an accurate estimation of the mono‐exponential PCr resynthesis rate constant (mean error <6.4%). Acquisitions with prospective 2‐fold acceleration (temporal resolution: 12 s) demonstrated that three‐dimensional mapping of PCr resynthesis is possible at a temporal resolution that is sufficiently high for characterizing the recovery curve of several muscles in a single measurement. Magn Reson Med, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Acetaminophen glucuronide and plasma glucose report identical estimates of gluconeogenesis and glycogenolysis for healthy and prediabetic subjects using the deuterated water method
Authors: Barosa Cristina , Jones John G. , Rizza Robert , Basu Ananda , Basu Rita
Published: September 2012

Plasma glucose 2H‐enrichment in positions 5 (2H5) and 2 (2H2) from deuterated water (2H2O) provides a measure of the gluconeogenic contribution to endogenous glucose production. Urinary glucuronide analysis can circumvent blood sampling but it is not known if glucuronide and glucose enrichments are equal. Thirteen subjects with impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance and 11 subjects with normal fasting glucose and normal glucose tolerance ingested 2H2O to ∼0.5% body water and acetaminophen. Glucose and glucuronide 2H5 and 2H2 were measured by 2H NMR spectroscopy of monoacetone glucose. For normal fasting glucose/normal glucose tolerance, 2H5 was 0.23 ± 0.02% and 0.25 ± 0.02% for glucose and glucuronide, respectively, whereas 2H2 was 0.47 ± 0.01% and 0.49 ± 0.02%, respectively. For impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance, 2H5 was 0.22 ± 0.01% and 0.26 ± 0.02% for glucose and glucuronide, respectively, whereas 2H2 was 0.46 ± 0.01% and 0.49 ± 0.02%, respectively. The gluconeogenic contribution to endogenous glucose production measured from glucose and glucuronide were identical for both normal fasting glucose/normal glucose tolerance (48 ± 4 vs. 51 ± 3%) and impaired fasting glucose/impaired glucose tolerance (48 ± 2 vs. 53 ± 3%). Magn Reson Med 70:315–319, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Multi‐step solution for QoS management in wireless mesh networks
Authors: Asgari Abolghasem (Hamid) , Stansfield Edward V.
Published: September 2012

Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) as community‐ and city‐wide type networks are required to extend their capability to offer real‐time multimedia services. While technologies exist to support quality of service (QoS) at node level, we propose here a network‐wide multi‐step solution to manage and offer QoS across a WMN. From a provider perspective, the provisioning and fulfillment of QoS‐based services fall under the realms of service management, network and traffic engineering functions. We describe the relevant functions required to design, implement and operate a WMN for providing a qualitative QoS to end‐users. Our proposed solution considers network planning aspects, including node placement, node clustering and frequency assignments, route discovery between ingress–egress points and appropriate QoS provisioning across the network. Route‐level QoS provisioning is defined as the process of allocating resources to the nodes along the identified routes to meet a priori known aggregated traffic demands in order to satisfy the QoS requirements for different types of application. Simulation and experimental tests are conducted to validate the correct behavior of processes/algorithms and to access the solution in achieving QoS for aggregate user traffic. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Choice as a Strategy to Enhance Engagement in a Colouring Task in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Lough Christine L. , Rice Martin S. , Lough Larry G.
Published: September 2012

This study investigated the effect of choice on a colouring task in children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Children with ASD typically have difficulty engaging in purposeful activities, which makes progress toward skill development difficult in therapeutic or educational settings. Participants included 26 male and female children with ASD, aged 8 to 15 years. In this counterbalanced design, participants either chose which picture to colour or were given a picture to colour. When given a choice, participants spent more time colouring (p = 0.005) and used more coloured markers (p = 0.016), but did not colour more of the page (p = 498). This study demonstrated that when offering a choice in a colouring activity, children with ASD participated and engaged in the colouring task for a longer period of time and used a larger array of markers while doing so. However, associated small effect sizes require caution with generalization. Future research should focus upon offering choice with other age‐appropriate activities to determine its efficacy as a useful strategy for facilitating activity engagement for children with ASD. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Physical and chemical microenvironmental cues orthogonally control the degree and duration of fibrosis‐associated epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transitions
Authors: Brown Ashley C , Fiore Vincent F , Sulchek Todd A , Barker Thomas H
Published: September 2012

Increased tissue stiffness and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transitions (EMTs) are two seemingly discrete hallmarks of fibrotic diseases. Despite recent findings highlighting the influence of tissue mechanical properties on cell phenotype, it remains unclear what role increased tissue stiffness has in the regulation of previously reported fibronectin‐mediated EMTs associated with pulmonary fibrosis. Nano‐indentation testing of lung interstitial spaces showed that in vivo cell‐level Young's moduli increase with the onset of fibrosis from ∼2 to ∼17 kPa. In vitro, we found that stiff, but not soft, fibronectin substrates induce EMT, a response dependent on cell contraction‐mediated integrin activation of TGFβ. Activation or suppression of cell contractility with exogenous factors was sufficient to overcome the effect of substrate stiffness. Pulse‐chase experiments indicate that the effect of cell contractility is dose‐ and time‐dependent. In response to low levels of TGFβ on soft surfaces, either added exogenously or produced through thrombin‐induced contraction, cells will initiate the EMT programme, but upon removal revert to an epithelial phenotype. These results identify matrix stiffness and/or cell contractility as critical targets for novel therapeutics for fibrotic diseases.
The use of palliative chemotherapy in pediatric oncology patients: A national survey of pediatric oncologists
Authors: Kang Tammy I. , Hexem Kari , Localio Russell , Aplenc Richard , Feudtner Chris
Published: September 2012

Background

Many children continue receiving chemotherapy after there is no realistic hope for cure. One factor that influences parental decisions to pursue medical therapies is physician preference. To date, no studies have described pediatric oncologists' perspectives and practices regarding palliative chemotherapy (PC).

Procedure

We surveyed via email pediatric oncologists practicing in the U.S who are members of the Children's Oncology Group to achieve the following objectives: (1) Describe pediatric oncologists treatment considerations regarding the use of PC. (2) Assess treatment considerations that influenced pediatric oncologists' therapy recommendations for their most recent patient receiving PC. There were 422 participants (40.8%) who completed the survey.

Results

The most important factors considered by pediatric oncologists when prescribing PC were the toxicity of the chemotherapy (4.90 mean SD = 0.36 utilizing 5 point scale with 1 = not important to 5 = very important), the preferences of the family (4.57; SD = 0.60), and the potential to decrease symptoms arising from tumor burden (4.42; SD = 0.65). These treatment considerations were not as important when PC was prescribed for their most recent patient. Similarly, the chief aims in prescribing PC were not achieved for recent patients receiving PC. For their most recent patient who received PC, 40.8% believe this treatment was primarily for parental wishes.

Conclusion

According to 80.2% of pediatric oncologists completing the survey, some patients receive chemotherapy beyond medical benefit and 40.8% of these oncologists have prescribed PC for the purpose of parental wishes to a recent patient. The chief aims in prescribing palliative chemotherapy were not achieved for recent patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 88–94. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New health conditions identified at a regional childhood cancer survivor clinic visit
Authors: Staba Hogan Mary‐Jane , Ma Xiaomei , Kadan‐Lottick Nina S.
Published: September 2012

Background

Specialty childhood cancer survivorship clinics have been established to screen for potential treatment‐related effects. Given the limited empirical data regarding the merit of survivorship clinics, we assessed the frequencies of newly identified, therapy‐related effects in survivors who attended Health, Education, Research, Outcomes for Survivors (HEROS) clinic at Yale during 2003–2009.

Procedure

A total of 213 survivors in remission, who were diagnosed with cancer at an age ≤21 years and were ≥3 years after cancer diagnosis, underwent screening based on cancer treatment exposures according to the children's oncology group long‐term follow‐up guidelines. The frequencies and associated factors of newly identified health conditions were determined. Odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated using multivariate regression models with stepwise selection.

Results

Prior to the HEROS clinic visit, 49% of patients had at least one previously known late complication of therapy. After the visit, a total of 98 new health conditions were identified in 73 patients (34%). Newly identified complications in screened patients included pulmonary dysfunction (23%), endocrinopathy (19%), osteoporosis (17%), dyslipidemia (8%), neurologic impairment (4%), cardiovascular deficit (3%) and subsequent cancer (3%). Age at cancer diagnosis (OR = 1.06 [1.00–1.11]), chest irradiation (OR = 2.92 [1.58–5.40]), and history of ≥1 other treatment‐related complication(s) (OR = 2.20 [1.18–4.07]) were associated with a higher likelihood of having new conditions identified.

Conclusion

Risk‐based screening at a specialty childhood cancer survivor clinic detected a substantial number of previously unrecognized, treatment‐related health complications in a group of survivors already receiving regular medical care elsewhere. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2013; 60: 682–687. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of β‐nucleation on polymorphism and properties in random copolymers and terpolymers of propylene
Authors: Benavente Rosario , Caveda Susana , Pérez Ernesto , Blazquez Enrique , Peña Begoña , Grieken Rafael van , Suárez Inmaculada
Published: September 2012

The competition between α, β, and γ polymorphs has been studied in several random copolymers and terpolymers of propylene, by performing X‐ray diffraction and differential scanning calorimetry experiments. Formation of β‐crystals, achieved by the addition of a β‐nucleating agent, was found to be highly dependent on comonomer type and crystallization conditions. Additionally, the mechanical properties have been evaluated from stress‐strain, microhardness and dynamic‐mechanical thermal analyses. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Extrusion of humidity‐resistant starch foam sheets
Authors: Yang Zhiguan , Graiver Daniel , Narayan Ramani
Published: September 2012

An annular die is used to extrude cylindrical starch foams which are then sliced to yield foam sheets suitable for cushioning protection and insulation of shipping containers. Although starch foams, as a possible replacement of petroleum‐based foams, have been prepared in the past, their sensitivity to humidity remained a problem. Extensive research in the last few years has been focused on resolving the collapse of the foam at high humidity, improve the cushioning protection, and develop an economical foaming process. However, these issues are still problematic and need to be resolved before such biobased foams can gain entry into the marketplace. In this study, a Box–Behnken statistical design of experiment was used to optimize the properties of foams extruded with various additives. It was found that the density, cell structure, and the rate of water penetration of these foams were affected by the feed rates (e.g., foam composition) of the water, talc, and poly(hydroxy ether) (PHE). The use of PHE was found to be extremely effective to minimize the water sensitivity and it significantly increased the water penetration time of the foam sheets. These starch foams efficiently absorb impacts and recover its physical shape quickly to provide multiple cushion protection for moderately delicate products. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Morphological aspects of injected polypropylene/clay nanocomposite materials
Authors: Salah Hend Ben Hadj , Daly Hachmi Ben , Denault Johanne , Perrin Florence
Published: September 2012

Polypropylene (PP) clay nanocomposites were injection‐molded using two different coupling agents based on maleic anhydride‐grafted PP (MA‐g‐PP) and two clay loadings. The morphological aspects of these materials were studied by depth profiling. Molecular chain and clay orientations were characterized using attenuated total reflectance‐infrared analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Both clay platelets and PP molecular chain orientations were found to decrease from the surface toward the core of the injection–molded specimens. Clay intercalation, characterized by both complementary X‐ray diffraction and TEM, was found to be significantly influenced by both the characteristics of the coupling agent used and the type of residual stresses generated at each layer across the thickness of the injection‐molded parts. The use of low‐molecular weight (Mw) MA‐g‐PP led to a uniform intercalation but with no further exfoliation. The use of higher molecular weight MA‐g‐PP led to a heterogeneous intercalation with some signs of exfoliation. The crystallization behavior of PP clay nanocomposites studied by differential scanning calorimetry showed an increase in the level of crystallinity from the surface to the core of the specimens; these results were also confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Preparation and characterization of poly(trimethylene terephthalate)‐poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) segmented copolymer/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composites by in situ polymerization
Authors: Chen Zhenming , Liu Yan , Yao Chenguang , Yang Guisheng
Published: September 2012

Poly(trimethylene terephthalate)‐poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) block copolymer (PTG)/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composites were prepared via in situ polymerization. To improve the dispersion of MWCNTs in the PTG matrix, the poly(ethylene glycol)‐grafted multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT‐PEG) were produced by the “graft to” method. The transmission electron microscopy observation demonstrated that a homogeneous dispersion of MWCNT‐PEG was obtained. As a consequence, the percolation threshold for the rheology was around 0.5 wt% and the conductivity was ∼1 wt%, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry and polarized optical microscopy results confirmed that MWCNT‐PEG can act as an effective heterogeneous nucleating agent. Interestingly, the effects of MWCNT‐PEG on crystallization and melting of the poly(ethylene oxide terephthalate) blocks were more pronounced than on those of the PTT blocks. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers
Physical extruder foaming of poly(lactic acid)—processing and foam properties
Authors: Larsen Åge , Neldin Christoffer
Published: September 2012

The article describes extrusion foaming of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) using carbon dioxide in the supercritical state as foaming agent emphasizing the steps required to establish a stable extrusion process. Low melt strength of PLA plays a role in optimizing processing conditions. The tests included PLA grades of different viscosity in addition to a chain extender. Processing at low temperature is possible due to the plasticizing effect of the CO2 on the PLA melt and a sufficiently low melt temperature is also a prerequisite in production of stable foams due to improved melt strength. Foams were characterized by density, cell structure, crystallinity, and mechanical properties in compression. Low density, microcellular foams with density down to 20–30 kg/m3 were obtained for three different PLA grades. Varying die temperature and pressure drop rate we can explain observed abrupt drops in density with increasing CO2 content by the interplay between cell nucleation and gas diffusivity at given temperatures. An effect on melt strength similar to using a chain extender is achieved by lowering the melt temperature at the die. Observed variations in sample crystallinity do not correlate with foam density. The PLA foams have good energy absorption capability. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2013. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers