bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development of hollow fiber‐supported liquid‐phase microextraction and HPLC‐DAD method for the determination of pyrethroid metabolites in human and rat urine
Authors: Bartosz Wielgomas , Marcin Wiśniewski , Wojciech Czarnowski
Published: December 2013

A simple hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction method for the determination of synthetic pyrethroid metabolites, 3‐phenoxybenzoic acid and 4‐hydroxy‐3‐phenoxybenzoic acid, in human and rat urine was developed and validated. A polypropylene hollow fiber tightly fitted onto a Nylon rod and impregnated with organic solvent served as a disposable extraction device. Desorption of analytes was carried out in NaOH solution, analyzed further by gradient HPLC and diode array detection method. Important factors were identified using Taguchi OA16 (45) orthogonal array design and further optimized using univariate approach. The optimum method performance was observed when 1 mL of urine hydrolyzed with 0.2 mL of concentrated HCl was further supplemented with 100 mg of NaCl and extracted for 120 min into dihexyl ether immobilized in the pores of the hollow fiber. Metabolites were desorbed into 0.1 mL of 0.1 M NaOH for another 120 min. Limits of detection and quantitation of 15 and 50 ng/mL were obtained for both analytes. Relative standard deviations of 1.6–12.6% over the linear range (50–10,000 ng/mL, r > 0.9906) were observed. Intra‐ and inter‐day accuracies of the method ranged from 98.3 to 109.5% and from 93.3 to 110.9%, respectively. The optimized method was applied to the analysis of real urine samples collected from rats exposed orally to cypermethrin. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Management of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation and Subsequent Outcomes in Contemporary Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: Insights From the Society of Thoracic Surgeons CAPS‐Care Atrial Fibrillation Registry
Authors: Steinberg Benjamin A. , Zhao Yue , He Xia , Hernandez Adrian F. , Fullerton David A. , Thomas Kevin L. , Mills Roger , Klaskala Winslow , Peterson Eric D. , Piccini Jonathan P.
Published: December 2013

Background

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a well‐recognized complication of cardiac surgery; however, its management remains a challenge, and the implementation and outcomes of various strategies in clinical practice remain unclear.

Hypothesis

We hypothesize that treatment for POAF is variable, and that it is associated with particular morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery.

Methods

We compared patient characteristics, operative procedures, postoperative management, and outcomes between patients with and without POAF following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons multicenter Contemporary Analysis of Perioperative Cardiovascular Surgical Care (CAPS‐Care) registry (2004–2005).

Results

Of 2390 patients who underwent CABG, 676 (28%) had POAF. Compared with patients without POAF, those with POAF were older (median age 74 vs 71 years, P < 0.0001) and more likely to have hypertension (86% vs 83%, P = 0.04) and impaired renal function (median estimated glomerular filtration rate 56.9 vs 58.6 mL/min/1.73 m2, P = 0.0001). A majority of patients with POAF were treated with amiodarone (77%) and β‐blockers (68%); few (9.9%) underwent cardioversion. Patients with POAF were more likely to experience complications (57% vs 41%, P < 0.0001), including acute limb ischemia (1.0% vs 0.4%, P = 0.03), stroke (4.0% vs 1.9%, P = 0.002), and reoperation (13% vs 7.9%, P < 0.0001). Length of stay (median 8 days vs 6 days, P < 0.0001), in‐hospital mortality (6.8% vs 3.7%, P = 0.001), and 30‐day mortality (7.8 vs 3.9, P < 0.0001) were all worse for patients with POAF. In adjusted analyses, POAF remained associated with increased length of stay following surgery (adjusted ratio of the mean: 1.27, 95% confidence interval: 1.2‐1.34, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Postoperative AF is common following CABG, and such patients continue to have higher rates of postoperative complications. Postoperative AF is significantly associated with increased length of stay following surgery.
Scale‐free power‐laws as interaction between progress and diffusion
Authors: Hilbert Martin
Published: December 2013

While scale‐free power‐laws are frequently found in social and technological systems, their authenticity, origin, and gained insights are often questioned, and rightfully so. The article presents a newly found rank‐frequency power‐law that aligns the top‐500 supercomputers according to their performance. Pursuing a cautious approach in a systematic way, we check for authenticity, evaluate several potential generative mechanisms, and ask the “so what” question. We evaluate and finally reject the applicability of well‐known potential generative mechanisms such as preferential attachment, self‐organized criticality, optimization, and random observation. Instead, the microdata suggest that an inverse relationship between exponential technological progress and exponential technology diffusion through social networks results in the identified fat‐tail distribution. This newly identified generative mechanism suggests that the supply and demand of technology (“technology push” and “demand pull”) align in exponential synchronicity, providing predictive insights into the evolution of highly uncertain technology markets. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 19: 56–65, 2014
Lincoln estimates of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) abundance in North America
Authors: Alisauskas Ray T. , Arnold Todd W. , Leafloor James O. , Otis David L. , Sedinger James S.
Published: December 2013

Estimates of range‐wide abundance, harvest, and harvest rate are fundamental for sound inferences about the role of exploitation in the dynamics of free‐ranging wildlife populations, but reliability of existing survey methods for abundance estimation is rarely assessed using alternative approaches. North American mallard populations have been surveyed each spring since 1955 using internationally coordinated aerial surveys, but population size can also be estimated with Lincoln's method using banding and harvest data. We estimated late summer population size of adult and juvenile male and female mallards in western, midcontinent, and eastern North America using Lincoln's method of dividing (i) total estimated harvest, , by estimated harvest rate, , calculated as (ii) direct band recovery rate, , divided by the (iii) band reporting rate, . Our goal was to compare estimates based on Lincoln's method with traditional estimates based on aerial surveys. Lincoln estimates of adult males and females alive in the period June–September were 4.0 (range: 2.5–5.9), 1.8 (range: 0.6–3.0), and 1.8 (range: 1.3–2.7) times larger than respective aerial survey estimates for the western, midcontinent, and eastern mallard populations, and the two population estimates were only modestly correlated with each other (western: r = 0.70, 1993–2011; midcontinent: r = 0.54, 1961–2011; eastern: r = 0.50, 1993–2011). Higher Lincoln estimates are predictable given that the geographic scope of inference from Lincoln estimates is the entire population range, whereas sampling frames for aerial surveys are incomplete. Although each estimation method has a number of important potential biases, our review suggests that underestimation of total population size by aerial surveys is the most likely explanation. In addition to providing measures of total abundance, Lincoln's method provides estimates of fecundity and population sex ratio and could be used in integrated population models to provide greater insights about population dynamics and management of North American mallards and most other harvested species.
Determination of nitrophenolic compounds from atmospheric particles using hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction and capillary electrophoresis/mass spectrometry analysis
Authors: Teich Monique , van Pinxteren Dominik , Herrmann Hartmut
Published: December 2013

A hollow‐fiber liquid‐phase microextraction method was developed to enrich nine nitrophenolic compounds from aqueous extracts of atmospheric aerosol particles. Analysis was performed by CE coupled with ESI MS. The BGE composition was optimized to a 20 mM ammonium acetate buffer at pH 9.7 containing 15% methanol v/v. Several extraction parameters (composition of organic liquid membrane, pH of acceptor phase, salting‐out effect, extraction time) were investigated for their effect on the analyte recoveries. The donor phase consisted of a 1.8 mL sample solution kept at pH 2 while the acceptor phase was a 15 μL 100 mM aqueous ammonia solution. Dihexyl ether served as supported liquid membrane. Low detection limits in the range of nanomole per liter were achieved. Recoveries of aqueous standard solutions were found to be between 11 and 90% with enrichment factors between 10 and 100. Interday and intraday repeatabilities were in an acceptable range for most compounds (6–15% and 7–10%, respectively) but somewhat higher for 4‐nitrocatechol (59 and 48%) and 2‐nitrophenol (17 and 35%). The developed method was found to be competitive with more established method and was successfully applied to samples of atmospheric particulate matter from field experiments.
Effect of number and ratio of positive lymph nodes in hypopharyngeal cancer
Authors: Hua Yong‐hong , Hu Qiao‐ying , Piao Yong‐feng , Tang Qiu , Fu Zhen‐fu
Published: December 2013

Background

The number and ratio of positive lymph nodes are important prognostic factors in gastric cancer, but there is little data reported in hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods

Medical data from 81 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer undergoing radical hypopharyngectomy and cervical lymph node dissection were reviewed.

Results

The median survival time was 84, 54, 30, and 13 months in patients with N0, N1, N2, and N3, respectively, and 84, 51, and 17 months with positive lymph node ratios (N ratio) 0, <10%, and >10%, respectively. Of the 24 N1 patients, the 20 patients that had an N ratio <10% had a better prognosis than the 4 patients with an N ratio >10%. Similar data was seen for the N2 patients. Tumor (T) classification, adjuvant therapy, and N ratio were independent prognostic factors in multivariate analysis.

Conclusion

The positive lymph node ratio is complementary to the current N classification system. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 37: 111–116, 2015
Metallic oxide nanoparticles stimulate blood coagulation independent of their surface charge
Authors: Steuer Heiko , Krastev Rumen , Lembert Nicolas
Published: December 2013

Positively charged metallic oxides prevent blood coagulation whereas negatively charged metallic oxides are thrombogenic. This study was performed to examine whether this effect extends to metallic oxide nanoparticles. Oscillation shear rheometry was used to study the effect of zinc oxide and silicon dioxide nanoparticles on thrombus formation in human whole blood. Our data show that oscillation shear rheometry is a sensitive and robust technique to analyze thrombogenicity induced by nanoparticles. Blood without previous contact with nanoparticles had a clotting time (CT) of 16.7 ± 1.0 min reaching a maximal clot strength (CS) of 16 ± 14 Pa (G') after 30 min. ZnO nanoparticles (diameter 70 nm, +37 mV zeta‐potential) at a concentration of 1 mg/mL prolonged CT to 20.8 ± 3.6 min and provoked a weak clot (CS 1.5 ± 1.0 Pa). However, at a lower concentration of 100 µg/mL the ZnO particles dramatically reduced CT to 6.0 ± 0.5 min and increased CS to 171 ± 63 Pa. This procoagulant effect decreased at lower concentrations reaching the detection limit at 10 ng/mL. SiO2 nanoparticles (diameter 232 nm, −28 mV zeta‐potential) at high concentrations (1 mg/mL) reduced CT (2.1 ± 0.2 min) and stimulated CS (249 ± 59 Pa). Similar to ZnO particles, this procoagulant effect reached a detection limit at 10 ng/mL. Nanoparticles in high concentrations reproduce the surface charge effects on blood coagulation previously observed with large particles or solid metal oxides. However, nanoparticles with different surface charges equally well stimulate coagulation at lower concentrations. This stimulation may be an effect which is not directly related to the surface charge. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 897–902, 2014.
Effect of erythromycin‐doped calcium polyphosphate scaffold composite in a mouse pouch infection model
Authors: Ren Weiping P. , Song Wei , Esquivel Amanda O. , Jackson Nancy M. , Nelson Matthew , Flynn Jeffery C. , Markel David C.
Published: December 2013

We previously showed that strontium‐doped calcium polyphosphate (SCPP) scaffold with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) coating extended the impregnated erythromycin (EM) release. In this study, we examined the bactericidal effect of EM‐doped SCPP (SCPPEM) scaffolds with PVA coating in a Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infected mouse pouch. SCPP scaffolds with or without 5% EM, and SCPPEM scaffolds coated with PVA (with or without 5% EM) were prepared. Scaffolds were implanted in the pouch of BALB/c mice, followed by inoculation of 1 × 103 colony‐forming units of S. aureus. Mice were sacrificed 14 days after surgery. Pouch tissues and scaffolds were collected for histology, scanning electron microscopy, and microbiological analysis. In the absence of SCPP scaffolds, the pouch infection was eliminated by the host immune surveillance. In the presence of SCPP scaffolds, both the pouch tissues and scaffolds were infected, but SCPPEM scaffolds successfully inhibited bacterial growth. Although PVA coating of SCPPEM scaffolds enhanced bacterial growth, incorporation of EM into PVA coating inhibited growth. In conclusion, BALB/c mice were capable of eradicating a low grade S. aureus infection. SCPP protected S. aureus growth from host immune surveillance. Though PVA coating sustained EM release in vitro, it was unable to inhibit bacterial growth because PVA gel matrix provided a temporary shelter for bacteria to grow and slowed the EM release from SCPP scaffold. To guarantee a sufficient inhibition of bacterial growth at the initial stage, embedding EM or other antibiotics in the PVA coating is also essential. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 102B: 1140–1147, 2014.
Identification of the PKR Nuclear Interactome Reveals Roles in Ribosome Biogenesis, mRNA Processing and Cell Division
Authors: Blalock William L. , Piazzi Manuela , Bavelloni Alberto , Raffini Mirco , Faenza Irene , D'Angelo Antonietta , Cocco Lucio
Published: December 2013

The double‐strand RNA‐dependent protein kinase, PKR, plays a central role in inflammatory/chronic stress‐mediated pathologies such as cancer, diabetes, and neuro/muscular degenerative diseases. Although a significant amount of research has been conducted to elucidate the role of PKR signaling in the cytosol, only recently has attention been paid to the role of PKR in the nuclear compartment. Previously our group reported that phosphorylated forms of PKR are present in the nucleus of acute leukemic cell lines, representing a reservoir of active kinase that responds to stress. Using the CCRF‐CEM acute T‐cell leukemia cell line, a PKR‐specific inhibitor, co‐immunoprecipitation and a proteomics approach, which included affinity purified mass spectrometry analysis (AP/MS), we identified the proteins present in active and inactive PKR nuclear complexes. Of the proteins identified in the PKR complexes, sixty‐nine (69) were specific to the active complex, while thirty‐eight (38) were specific to the inactive complex. An additional thirteen (13) proteins associated specifically with both complexes. The majority of the proteins identified are involved in, ribosome biogenesis, RNA splicing, mRNA stability, gene expression, cell cycle, or chromatin organization, including several with known significance to normal hematopoiesis and/or hematological disease. In agreement with the AP/MS data, basal‐ or over‐expression of PKR under normal growth conditions favored cell proliferation in the tested cell lines, whereas pharmacological inhibition of PKR or shRNA‐mediated knock‐down did not. PKR was also found to influence the isoform and the level of expression of the proto‐oncogene MYC. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1047–1060, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Phosphorylation of PRAS40‐Thr246 Involved in Renal Lipid Accumulation of Diabetes
Authors: Hao Jun , Li Fan , Liu Wei , Liu Qingjuan , Liu Shuxia , Li Hongbo , Duan Huijun
Published: December 2013

Lipid accumulation of kidney is a threat to renal physiological function of diabetes. The previous studies on diabetic nephropathy have demonstrated that activated Akt was involved in renal lipogenesis through enhancing transcription factor SREBP‐1. PRAS40 is one of the downstream targets of activated Akt that was reported to involve in lipid metabolism in hepatic cells. However, it is still not clear whether PRAS40 is also involved in the renal lipogenesis of diabetes. Our study revealed that phosphorylation of PRAS40‐Thr246 known as inactivated style increased in renal tubular cells of diabetic rats accompanied with over‐expression of phospho‐Akt, SREBP‐1, and ADRP. In addition, in vitro experiment also found that high glucose enhanced expression of phospho‐PRAS40‐Thr246 followed by increased SREBP‐1 and lipid droplets in HKC cells. After treated with LY294002, high glucose‐induced HKC cells showed decreased phospho‐PRAS40‐Thr246, phospho‐Akt‐Ser473, and SREBP‐1. Furthermore, wild type PRAS40 vector‐caused increased phospho‐PRAS40‐Thr246 exaggerated lipid deposits in high glucose‐treated HKC cells, which was effectively prevented in cells transfected with mutant PRAS40 vector (T246A). These above data suggested that phosphorylation of PRAS40‐Thr246 mediated abnormal lipid metabolism in kidney of diabetes and might be the potential target for treating lipogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 1069–1077, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Eyewitness Memory for Typical and Atypical Weapons in Cognitive Context
Authors: McRae Kaichen , Sharps Matthew J. , Power Justin , Newton Alanna
Published: December 2013

The present research addressed eyewitness memory for weapons, specifically for a modern semi‐automatic pistol and an antique flintlock, in order to address the influence of weapon novelty on recall for the given weapon. Additionally, the effect of explanatory backstory was examined in the same context; respondents were given prior information, which was either consistent or inconsistent with the presence of the flintlock in the scene, in order to gauge the influence of appropriate or inappropriate explanatory cognitive context. Finally, the effects of these variables on line‐up identification of the ‘suspect’ holding the given weapon were addressed. The results showed that weapon type did not influence recall accuracy for given weapons, although explanatory backstory did have a significant effect here, as initially predicted. Both weapon type and explanatory backstory produced significant effects on weapon recall errors, with the exotic weapon and the more prosaic backstory producing larger numbers of mistakes. Neither of these variables was associated with significant differences in line‐up performance. These results indicate the importance of prior cognitive context, as well as the physical appearance of weapons, in a full understanding of eyewitness processing of scenes involving firearms. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The inverse electron demand Diels–Alder click reaction in radiochemistry
Authors: Reiner Thomas , Zeglis Brian M.
Published: December 2013

The inverse electron‐demand Diels‐Alder (IEDDA) cycloaddition between 1,2,4,5‐tetrazines and strained alkene dienophiles is an emergent variety of catalyst‐free ‘click’ chemistry that has the potential to have a transformational impact on the synthesis and development of radiopharmaceuticals. The ligation is selective, rapid, high‐yielding, clean, and bioorthogonal and, since its advent in 2008, has been employed in a wide variety of chemical settings. In radiochemistry, the reaction has proven particularly useful with 18 F and has already been utilized to create a number of 18 F‐labeled agents, including the PARP1‐targeting small molecule 18 F‐AZD2281, the αvβ3 integrin‐targeting peptide 18 F‐RGD, and the GLP‐1‐targeting peptide 18 F‐exendin. The inherent flexibility of the ligation has also been applied to the construction of radiometal‐based probes, specifically the development of a modular strategy for the synthesis of radioimmunoconjugates that effectively eliminates variability in the construction of these agents. Further, the exceptional speed and biorthogonality of the reaction have made it especially promising in the realm of in vivo pretargeted imaging and therapy, and pretargeted imaging strategies based on the isotopes 111In, 18 F, and 64Cu have already proven capable of producing images with high tumor contrast and low levels of uptake in background, nontarget organs. Ultimately, the characteristics of inverse electron‐demand Diels–Alder click chemistry make it almost uniquely well‐suited for radiochemistry, and although the field is young, this ligation has the potential to make a tremendous impact on the synthesis, development, and study of novel radiopharmaceuticals. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Diagnostic accuracy of dynamic gadoxetic‐acid–enhanced MRI and PET/CT compared in patients with liver metastases from neuroendocrine neoplasms
Authors: Armbruster Marco , Zech Christoph J. , Sourbron Steven , Ceelen Felix , Auernhammer Christoph J. , Rist Carsten , Haug Alexander , Singnurkar Amit , Reiser Maximilian F. , Sommer Wieland H.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of dynamic‐contrast–enhanced (DCE) MRI in comparison to both 18F‐FDG‐ and 68Ga‐DOTATATE‐PET/CT in patients with liver metastases of neuroendocrine neoplasms (NEN).

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐two patients with hepatic metastases from NEN were examined both in DCE‐MRI and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), using either 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) or 68Ga‐DOTATATE as tracer. DCE‐MRI was performed at 3 Tesla with Gd‐EOB‐DTPA acquiring 48 slices every 2.2 s for 5 min. Three regions of interest (ROIs) representing liver background and liver metastases were defined in fat‐saturated T1w three‐dimensional GRE MRI sequences in the hepatobiliary phase. Corresponding ROIs were then defined in the DCE‐MRI‐ and in the PET/CT‐dataset. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated for the differentiation between metastases and liver background for DCE‐MRI and PET‐CT parameters.

Results

AUC was very high for SUVmean (mean standardized uptake value) derived from 68Ga‐DOTATATE‐ (AUC = 0.966), and 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT (AUC = 0.989). For DCE‐MRI parameters, arterial flow fraction and intracellular uptake fraction showed the highest AUCs (AUC = 0.826, AUC = 0.819, respectively). The combination of those two had an AUC of 0.949. The combination of DCE‐MRI and PET‐CT parameters resulted in the highest AUC.

Conclusion

Both PET/CT parameters and DCE‐MRI perfusion parameters show a high diagnostic accuracy in the distinction between liver metastases and liver tissue. Our data suggest that both modalities provide complementary information. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2014;40:457–466. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Texture‐based classification of liver fibrosis using MRI
Authors: House Michael J. , Bangma Sander J. , Thomas Mervyn , Gan Eng K. , Ayonrinde Oyekoya T. , Adams Leon A. , Olynyk John K. , St. Pierre Tim G.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To investigate the ability of texture analysis of MRI images to stage liver fibrosis. Current noninvasive approaches for detecting liver fibrosis have limitations and cannot yet routinely replace biopsy for diagnosing significant fibrosis.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐nine patients with a range of liver diseases and biopsy‐confirmed fibrosis were enrolled in the study. For texture analysis all patients were scanned with a T2‐weighted, high‐resolution, spin echo sequence and Haralick texture features applied. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC) was used to assess the diagnostic performance of the texture analysis.

Results

The best mean AUROC achieved for separating mild from severe fibrosis was 0.81. The inclusion of age, liver fat and liver R2 variables into the generalized linear model improved AUROC values for all comparisons, with the F0 versus F1–4 comparison the highest (0.91).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that a combination of MRI measures, that include selected texture features from T2‐weighted images, may be a useful tool for excluding fibrosis in patients with liver disease. However, texture analysis of MRI performs only modestly when applied to the classification of patients in the mild and intermediate fibrosis stages. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;41:322–328.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prediction of the density of interfacial state produced by radiation in NMOS
Authors: Changshi Liu , Feng Li
Published: December 2013

This paper is aimed at the description of the mathematical relationships between energy position in the band gap and the density of interfacial state in N‐type metal‐oxide‐semiconductor (NMOS) capacitor irradiated by 60Co. Substantial differences of density of interfacial state caused by physical environment are observed. On the basis of non‐linear curve fitting, a typical numerical method is used to quantitatively analyze the energy‐dependent density of interfacial state. The simulations agree very well with the observed spectra (density of interfacial state versus the energy position in the band gap). The minimum correlation coefficient between the actual data and calculated one is 0.953. The average relative errors between the measured and modeled quantities do not exceed 6.32% in all considered cases. To my knowledge, it is the first time that the density of interfacial state can be predicted via energy level in the full range of band gap. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Gradient Structure‐Induced Temperature Responsiveness in Styrene/Methyl Methacrylate Gradient Copolymers Micelles
Authors: Zheng Chao , Huang Haiying , He Tianbai
Published: December 2013

In this work, micelles are formed by gradient copolymer of styrene and methyl methacrylate in acetone–water mixture and their temperature responsiveness is investigated in a narrow range near room temperature. Three different kinds of structural transitions could be induced by temperature: unimers to micelle transition, shrinkage/stretching of micelles, and morphological transition from spherical micelles to vesicles. In addition, a model analysis on the interface of gradient copolymer micelle is made to better understand these phenomena. It is found that both position and composition of the interface could alter in response to the change in temperature. According to the experiments and model analysis, it is proposed that temperature responsiveness might be an intrinsic and universal property of gradient copolymer micelles, which only originates from the gradient structure.

image
Manufacturing and Characterization of Controlled Foaming of Single Layers in Bilayer Constructs Differing in Pore Morphology
Authors: Saatchi Mersa , Behl Marc , Lendlein Andreas
Published: December 2013

Bilayer porous constructs from degradable polymers are considered as scaffold materials with beneficial elastic properties for cell culture application in tissue engineering. Here, we explored whether such bilayer constructs, in which only one layer was porous while the other layer enhanced the compressive mechanical properties, could be created by specific foaming of one layer with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). The bilayer constructs of a poly(L‐lactide) (PLLA) and a poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) (PCL) layer were prepared by sequential injection molding and subsequent specific foaming with scCO2. Foaming conditions of T = 45 °C and P = 100 bar resulted in the formation of a porous PCL layer and a non‐porous PLLA layer. When the time intervals of the foaming process were increased the pore size was increased and the shape of the pores was changed from a circular to an unidirectional lamellar shape, which reduced the compressive elastic modulus of the porous PCL layer. Furthermore, the foaming process increased the adhesion force between the PLLA and PCL layers, which was attributed to a higher degree of diffusion of molten PCL into the PLLA layer. In summary, it was demonstrated that scCO2 foaming is a suitable method for the creation of layered scaffolds with only one foamed layer, in which the compressive elastic modulus and pore morphology of single porous layers can be controlled by the time interval of scCO2 process.
Does abnormal interhemispheric inhibition play a role in mirror dystonia?
Authors: Sattler Virginie , Dickler Maya , Michaud Martin , Meunier Sabine , Simonetta‐Moreau Marion
Published: December 2013

The presence of mirror dystonia (dystonic movement induced by a specific task performed by the unaffected hand) in the dominant hand of writer's cramp patients when the nondominant hand is moved suggests an abnormal interaction between the 2 hemispheres. In this study we compare the level of interhemispheric inhibition (IHI) in 2 groups of patients with writer's cramp, one with the presence of a mirror dystonia and the other without as well as a control group. The level of bidirectional IHI was measured in wrist muscles with dual‐site transcranial magnetic stimulation with a 10‐millisecond (short IHI) and a 40‐millisecond (long IHI) interstimulus interval during rest and while holding a pen in 9 patients with mirror dystonia 7 without mirror dystonia, and 13 controls. The group of patients without mirror dystonia did not differ from the controls in their IHI level. In contrast, IHI was significantly decreased in the group of patients with mirror dystonia in comparison with the group without mirror dystonia and the controls in both wrist muscles of both the dystonic and unaffected hand whatever the resting or active condition (P = 0.001). The decrease of IHI level in the group of patients with mirror dystonia was negatively correlated with the severity and the duration of the disease: the weaker the level of IHI, the more severe was the disease and the longer its duration. Interhemispheric inhibition disturbances are most likely involved in the occurrence of mirror dystonia. This bilateral deficient inhibition further suggests the involvement of the unaffected hemisphere in the pathophysiology of unilateral dystonia. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Comprehensive integrated care for patients with sickle cell disease in a remote aboriginal tribal population in southern India
Authors: Nimgaonkar Vivek , Krishnamurti Lakshmanan , Prabhakar Hari , Menon Nandakumar
Published: December 2013

Background

Healthcare delivery for sickle cell disease (SCD) can be challenging, in low resource settings. We studied the feasibility of delivering comprehensive SCD care in a community‐based network for remote, economically, and socially disadvantaged tribes in Gudalur, India.

Procedure

We reviewed medical records for all patients followed at the Gudalur Adivasi Hospital. We used published quality of care indicators to benchmark screening and routine healthcare maintenance.

Results

We screened 9,646 individuals (60.4%) under the age of 30 of a population of 25,000 individuals. Of 111 active patients with SCD, 71% have had at least one annual comprehensive clinic visit at a median visit interval of 57 days. We provided pneumococcal immunization and penicillin prophylaxis to 56 (50%) patients and HU to 68 (61%). Median spleen size was 1 cm (range 1–6 cm), mean was Hb 9.3 g/dl and we reported a mean of 0.7 painful episodes/year. Premature deaths occurred in 19 patients at a median age of 23 years due to acute chest syndrome, sepsis, severe anemia, stroke, mesenteric infarction, puerperal sepsis, or sudden unexplained death. Healthcare maintenance met 11 of 17 published SCD quality of care indicators. Average cost was 1,343 Indian Rupees (INR) (approximately US$ 25) per hospitalization and 173 INR (approximately US$ 4) per clinic visit.

Conclusion

High quality comprehensive care for SCD can be delivered for a low income, aboriginal population in India through a community driven network of care. This model can serve as a template for healthcare delivery for SCD in low‐income communities. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:702–705. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of risk factors for an unsuccessful transition from pediatric to adult sickle cell disease care
Authors: Andemariam Biree , Owarish‐Gross Jasmine , Grady James , Boruchov Donna , Thrall Roger S. , Hagstrom J. Nathan
Published: December 2013

Background

A successful transition from pediatric to adult sickle cell disease (SCD) care is paramount to continued improvements in survival. In order to enhance transition success, our pediatric SCD transition process was modified to include combined adult and pediatric provider clinics that incorporated participation by our local SCD community‐based organization. All children ages 16 and over participated in this newly‐formed transition program.

Procedure

After 5 years of implementation of the modified SCD transition program, we retrospectively studied clinical and non‐clinical risk factors for an unsuccessful transition. Risk factor categories studied included patient demographics, transition clinic attendance, and disease severity.

Results

Thirty‐two percent of patients did not transition successfully. Demographic factors such as gender, race, and type of insurance did not influence transition outcome, although travel distance to the adult SCD center was an identifiable risk factor for an unsuccessful transition. While transition clinic attendance rate did not affect transition outcomes, older age at first modified combined transition clinic visit was a significant risk factor for lack of transition. Patients with clinical markers of milder disease severity (SC and Sβ+ genotypes and no chronic transfusion therapy) were at higher risk for an unsuccessful transition than patients with severe disease.

Conclusions

We have identified several risk factors for lack of transition success which will allow us to modify our transition efforts going forward to capture this highest risk subset. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:697–701. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A chemotherapy only therapeutic approach to pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma: AHOPCA LH 1999
Authors: Castellanos E. Mauricio , Barrantes José Carlos , Báez L. Fulgencio , Gamboa Yessica , Peña Armando , Alabi Soad , Bonilla Miguel , Wang Huaping , Metzger Monika L. , de Alarcón Pedro A.
Published: December 2013

Background

AHOPCA is a collaborative group that designs uniform treatment regimens (protocols) for children diagnosed with cancer in Central America. Based on a preliminary report from one of the AHOPCA centers, AHOPCA adopted a treatment regimen to maintain a good event‐free survival (EFS) as well as eliminate radiation therapy from the treatment of children with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Procedure

Newly diagnosed patients with histologically proven Hodgkin lymphoma were staged according to the Ann Arbor classification and divided into favorable (stage I, stage IIA, and IIIA) and unfavorable (stage IIB, IIIB, and IV) groups. Subjects classified as group 1 (favorable) were treated with six 28‐day cycles of chemotherapy (COPP/COPP ± ABV). Subjects classified as group 2 (unfavorable) were treated with eight 28‐day cycles of COPP/ABV chemotherapy.

Results

Of 269 patients registered, 216 were eligible for evaluation. The mean age at diagnosis was 7.5 years with a male to female ratio of 3.7–1. The predominant histology was nodular sclerosis (44%) but with a relatively high proportion of mixed cellularity (35.2%) The EFS at 5 and 10 years was 71% and 68%, respectively. There was a 14% rate of abandonment of therapy.

Conclusion

This treatment regimen for children with Hodgkin lymphoma, when applied as a multi‐institutional regimen, had poorer outcome than our previously reported preliminary data and was inferior to the EFS reported in high‐income countries. The major contributor adversely affecting EFS in this report is abandonment of therapy. Given these results, AHOPCA initiated a concerted effort to decrease abandonment of therapy. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2014;61:997–1002. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dynamic Ultrasonic Nebulisation Extraction Coupled with Headspace Ionic Liquid‐based Single‐drop Microextraction for the Analysis of the Essential Oil in Forsythia suspensa
Authors: Yang Jinjuan , Wei Hongmin , Teng Xiane , Zhang Hanqi , Shi Yuhua
Published: December 2013

Introduction

Ionic liquids have attracted much attention as an extraction solvent instead of traditional organic solvent in single‐drop microextraction. However, non‐volatile ionic liquids are difficult to couple with gas chromatography. Thus, the following injection system for the determination of organic compounds is described.

Objective

To establish an environmentally friendly, simple, and effective extraction method for preparation and analysis of the essential oil from aromatic plants.

Methods

The dynamic ultrasonic nebulisation extraction was coupled with headspace ionic liquid‐based single‐drop microextraction(UNE–HS/IL/SDME)for the extraction of essential oils from Forsythia suspense fruits. After 13 min of extraction for 50 mg sample, the extracts in ionic liquid were evaporated rapidly in the gas chromatography injector through a thermal desorption unit (5 s). The traditional extraction method was carried out for comparative study.

Results

The optimum conditions were: 3 μL of 1‐methyl‐3‐octylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate was selected as the extraction solvent, the sample amount was 50 mg, the flow rate of purging gas was 200 mL/min, the extraction time was 13 min, the injection volume was 2 μL, and the thermal desorption temperature and time were 240 °C and 5 s respectively. Comparing with hydrodistillation (HD), the proposed method was environment friendly and efficient.

Conclusion

The proposed method is environmentally friendly, time saving, with high efficiency and low consumption. It would extend the application range of the HS/SDME and would be useful especially for aromatic plants analysis. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Geometric invariants of the horizontal velocity gradient tensor and their dynamics in shallow water flow
Authors: Roulstone I. , White A. A. , Clough S. A.
Published: December 2013

Divergence and vorticity are well known to be geometrically invariant quantities in that their mathematical forms are independent of the orientation of the coordinate axes. Various other functions of the elements of the horizontal velocity gradient tensor are invariants in the same sense: examples are the resultant deformation and the determinant and Frobenius norm of the tensor. A brief account of these quadratic invariants is given, including expressions relating them to divergence and vorticity and to one another, and noting their occurrence in the divergence equation. Assuming shallow‐water dynamics with background rotation, time‐evolution equations for the resultant deformation and the other quadratic invariants are derived and compared. None rivals the vorticity and potential vorticity equations for compactness, but each may be written quite concisely in terms of familiar quantities. Corresponding time‐evolution equations under quasi‐geostrophic shallow‐water dynamics are also derived, and lead to a simple prognostic equation for the ageostrophic vorticity.
Impact of analyses on the dynamical balance of global and limited‐area atmospheric models
Authors: Chikhar K. , Gauthier P.
Published: December 2013

Dynamical imbalances can induce spurious variability which can be diagnosed from the physical tendencies observed in the first moments of short‐term forecasts using as initial conditions analyses obtained from an assimilation system using this model. In this article this approach is taken to investigate differences in the balance obtained from 3D‐ and 4D‐Var analyses, using the forecast–assimilation system of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC). The results indicate that the model is then in good balance globally but the 4D‐Var analyses slightly upset the balance in the Tropics, thereby altering the characteristics of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). As the assimilation is driven by a particular model, the resulting analyses keep an imprint of the dynamics of that model and use of this analysis with another model may not be as well in balance due to the differences between the two models. To study this point, ERA‐Interim 4D‐Var reanalyses were used as initial conditions first at a lower horizontal and vertical resolution, and then at a resolution closer to that of the Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) model. The higher‐resolution reanalyses led to a better balance than that with a lower‐resolution version of the ERA‐Interim reanalyses. The coarser analyses create significant imbalances in the Canadian global model which persist for more than 5 days. In particular, it was noted that convection is nearly absent early on as if at a lower resolution, the ERA‐interim analyses did not inject sufficient humidity to trigger convection. It was also noted that reducing the vertical resolution is more damaging than using a coarser horizontal resolution.

In limited‐area regional climate models, external analyses are used to define the boundary conditions and the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM) was used to assess the impact of different ways to define the boundary conditions. The CRCM is a limited‐area configuration of the GEM global model used in the 3D‐ and 4D‐Var assimilation. Experiments were conducted in which the boundary conditions driving the CRCM are provided every 6 h as is usually done for the CRCM climate simulations. When using 4D‐Var analyses and ERA‐Interim reanalyses (coarse and full resolution) to define the boundary conditions, the results indicate that imbalances persist even after 15 days and are more significant for the coarser analyses. Moreover, even though the model exhibits relatively good balance initially, after 5 days imbalances appear gradually in the interior of the regional model domain.
Effect of acute hexavalent chromium exposure on pituitary–thyroid axis of a freshwater fish, Channa punctatus (Bloch)
Authors: Mishra Ashish K. , Mohanty Banalata
Published: December 2013

Acute exposure to hexavalent chromium (10 mg L−1, 20 mg L−1, and 40 mg L−1 potassium dichromate for 96 h) dose‐dependently affected the pituitary–thyroid axis of teleost, Channa punctatus. Significant hypertrophy of the thyroid follicle was observed in 20 mg L−1 and 40 mg L−1 groups; the follicular epithelium was however hypertrophied only in 40 mg L−1 group. The colloid depletion in the lumen of thyroid follicle was evident in 20 mg L−1 and 40 mg L−1 groups. Serum thyroid hormones (thyroxine/T4 and triiodothyronine/T3) level increased significantly at both the higher doses. Increased immunointensity and significant hypertrophy of the pituitary thyrotrophs (anti TSHβ‐immunoreactive cells) was observed in both 20 mg L−1 and 40 mg L−1 chromium‐exposed fish. The increased thyroid hormones secretion observed in this study might be an adaptive response of the pituitary–thyroid axis under acute chromium‐induced stress condition to maintain homeostasis. The long‐term Cr(VI) exposures, however, may lead to attenuation/exhaustion of the pituitary–thyroid axis and pose serious threat to fish health and affect their population. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 30: 621–627, 2015.
Climate change and apocalyptic faith
Authors: Skrimshire Stefan
Published: December 2013

For at least as long as the birth of environmentalism, discourses of ecological crisis have adopted, both consciously and unconsciously, themes and concepts derived from Jewish and Christian Apocalypses. These are ancient texts remembered best for their cosmic and spiritual revelations about the world and the world to come. The scope and methods of this adoption have varied widely: from symbolic representation (images of the Four Horsemen, for instance) to the influence of end‐time belief upon environmental policy. More recently, references to apocalypse have accompanied the study of climate change specifically. However, they have tended to do so without more than a superficial engagement with the theological and philosophical underpinnings of apocalyptic faith. This review article addresses this issue by engaging the meanings of apocalyptic faith within four distinct areas in the interdisciplinary study of climate change: (1) Christian ecotheology; (2) critical and social scientific discourse; (3) policy and media communications; and (4) contemporary philosophy and ethics.WIREs Clim Change2014, 5:233–246. doi: 10.1002/wcc.264

This article is categorized under:

Climate, History, Society, Culture > Ideas and Knowledge

Trans‐Disciplinary Perspectives > Humanities and the Creative Arts
OCTs, OATs, and OCTNs: structure and function of the polyspecific organic ion transporters of the SLC22 family
Authors: Volk Christopher
Published: December 2013

The SLC22 protein family includes more than 30 different proteins that operate as transporters for organic cations (OCTs), organic cations and zwitterions (OCTNs) or organic anions (OATs). These transporters play a pivotal role in the secretion of organic ions in kidney and liver. Furthermore, they contribute to the homeostasis of organic ions in several other tissues such as brain, placenta, intestine, and lung. Substrates include not only endogenous compounds such as monoamine neurotransmitters, choline, carnitine, α‐ketoglutarate, urate, or steroid hormones, but also a broad spectrum of therapeutic drugs. Therefore, they control the bioavailability of many drugs and are responsible for several side effects or drug–drug interactions. SLC22 proteins are polyspecific transporters as they are able to transport structurally different compounds. All SLC22 proteins share a common membrane topology with 12 α‐helical transmembrane domains. Mutational analyses and homology modeling of the steric structure of the proteins led to the conclusion that they possess a large cleft that is accessible from the aqueous phase. Located within this cleft is an inner cavity containing different interaction sites for different substrates. During the transport cycle the transporter undergoes conformational changes including an outward‐open conformation, a transient occluded state and an inward‐open conformation. WIREs Membr Transp Signal 2014, 3:1–13. doi: 10.1002/wmts.100

Conflict of interest: The author has declared no conflicts of interest for this article.

For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.
The brain’s role in human obesity
Authors: Horstmann A. , Villringer A.
Published: December 2013

The most common cause for obesity is a positive energy balance, i.e. more energy is being consumed than is expended. The rise in obesity rates cannot be explained on the basis of our obesogenic environment alone, because large interindividual differences in weight status exist between people. Therefore, the cause is most probably to be found in an interaction between individual behaviour and our changed environment. This warrants the investigation of the brain’s role in the devel­opment and maintenance of obesity that in­deed has become a growing field in the neu­rosciences. This article will give an overview about the findings in neuroimaging associ­ated with human obesity. Further, this article will elucidate the relationship between common genetic variation, eating behaviour and brain structure in the context of obesity. Finally, important open questions in the field will be summarised.