bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design and Synthesis of Polyoxazole‐based Macrocycles Tethered with a Phosphonate Group
Authors: Qi Fuling , Gao Lianxun , Han Fushe
Published: June 2014

We present the design and synthesis of polyoxazole‐based macrocycles containing a phosphonate group. A reliable route was established that allows for convenient and versatile incorporation of various phosphonate functionalities such as phosphonate ester, acid, and salt at the macrocyclic ring periphery. Such unprecedented macrocyclic compounds are anticipated to be appealing candidates as telomerase inhibitors.
Assessing the discordance rate between local and central HER2 testing in women with locally determined HER2‐negative breast cancer
Authors: Kaufman Peter A. , Bloom Kenneth J. , Burris Howard , Gralow Julie R. , Mayer Musa , Pegram Mark , Rugo Hope S. , Swain Sandra M. , Yardley Denise A. , Chau Miu , Lalla Deepa , Yoo Bongin , Brammer Melissa G. , Vogel Charles L.
Published: June 2014

BACKGROUND

The importance of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as a prognostic and predictive marker in invasive breast cancer is well established. Accurate assessment of HER2 status is essential to determine optimal treatment options.

METHODS

Breast cancer tumor tissue samples from the VIRGO observational cohort tissue substudy that were locally HER2‐negative were retested centrally with both US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)‐approved immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays, using FDA‐approved assay cutoffs; results were compared.

RESULTS

Of the 552 unique patient samples centrally retested with local HER2‐negative results recorded, tumor samples from 22 (4.0%) patients were determined to be HER2‐positive (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.5%‐5.7%). Of these, 18 had been tested locally by only one testing methodology; 15 of 18 were HER2‐positive after the central retesting, based on the testing methodology not performed locally. Compared with the 530 patients with centrally confirmed HER2‐negative tumors, the 22 patients with centrally determined HER2‐positive tumors were younger (median age 56.5 versus 60.0 years) and more likely to have ER/PR‐negative tumors (27.3% versus 22.3%). These patients also had shorter median progression‐free survival (6.4 months [95% CI = 3.8‐15.9 months] versus 9.1 months [95% CI = 8.3‐10.3 months]) and overall survival (25.9 months [95% CI = 13.8‐not estimable] versus 27.9 months [95% CI = 25.0‐32.9 months]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the limitations of employing just one HER2 testing methodology in current clinical practice. It identifies a cohort of patients who did not receive potentially efficacious therapy because their tumor HER2‐positivity was not determined by the test initially used. Because of inherent limitations in testing methodologies, it is inadvisable to rely on a single test to rule out potential benefit from HER2‐targeted therapy. Cancer 2014;120:2657–2664. © 2014 The Authors. Cancer published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Cancer Society.
Leaf pubescence as a possibility to increase water use efficiency by promoting condensation
Authors: Konrad Wilfried , Burkhardt Jürgen , Ebner Martin , Roth‐Nebelsick Anita
Published: June 2014

There is various evidence that the presence of condensed water, e.g. dew, improves plant water relations. Because particularly plants in drier environments are expected to benefit from atmospheric water, it may be assumed that special adaptations promoting exploitation of dew water evolved in these habitats. Surface characteristics affect dewfall and retention of dew water. Leaf surface characteristics such as hairs (trichomes), which are often present in plants of arid environments, may therefore play a substantial role in dew harvesting. In this study, it is analysed to what extent (1) the presence of hygrophilic aerosoles promotes dewfall by reducing vapour saturation pressure (‘early condensation’), (2) dew water can be stored within a dense trichome layer, (3) the presence of dew water increases humidity directly above the leaf surface, thereby reducing water loss from the leaf interior by decreasing the water potential gradient between leaf interior and exterior, and (4) dew evaporation reduces transpiration further by evaporative cooling. A physical framework is provided in this contribution that shows that these processes are in fact possible under natural conditions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of cocoa butter diacylglycerols on migration induced fat bloom in filled chocolates
Authors: Clercq Nathalie De , Depypere Frédéric , Delbaere Claudia , Nopens Ingmar , Bernaert Herwig , Dewettinck Koen
Published: June 2014

As migration induced fat bloom remains one of the major quality issues in composite chocolate products, this study investigated whether cocoa butter based DAGs could delay or prevent this phenomenon. A model system consisting of a plastic cylinder with filling and chocolate was utilized for this purpose. Using an automated image analysis procedure, the surface of the chocolate was examined at regular time intervals to detect the presence of fat bloom crystals. The chocolate was cut into different layers and analyzed by HPLC and DSC to monitor the oil migration. It was noticed that the quality characteristics of the plain chocolates only slightly changed during the 1‐year storage period. DSC thermograms demonstrated that the oil migration was a triggering factor for the re‐crystallization to βVI crystals, protruding through the chocolate surface resulting in a grayer and duller appearance. The model based on Fickian diffusion with a constant diffusivity failed to accurately describe the migration of oil into chocolate. Non‐Fickian behavior occurs as besides migration, interaction between oil and cocoa butter can also play a major role. It was concluded that the presence of DAGs did not delay oil migration, nor prevented the appearance of migration induced fat bloom.

The performance of the DAG chocolates containing up to 7.5% DAG on fat base, on the occurrence of fat bloom was evaluated. A model system consisting of a plastic cylinder with filling and chocolate was utilized for this purpose, plain chocolates were used as reference. The figure shows peak area of the main melting peak as determined by DSC, of the top layer as function of storage time for the plain chocolate (a) and chocolates with filling (b) (legend represents the % DAG on fat base). It could be concluded that oil migration from the filling was a triggering factor for the re‐crystallization to βVI crystals, protruding through the chocolate surface resulting in a grayer and duller appearance.
NaBH3CN: A Janus Substitute for Tin‐Free Radical‐Based Reactions
Authors: Guiard Julie , Rahali Yaniss , Praly Jean‐Pierre
Published: June 2014

Beside showing that thermal radical reactions (reduction, Giese reaction) are efficient if bromo‐/iodosugars are treated with NaBH3CN and 2,2″‐azobisisobutyronitrile, we explored new initiation conditions on the basis of CuI salts (≤0.5 equiv.) supposed to produce radicals from organobromides through a set. This was confirmed, as at about 50 °C under an inert atmosphere acetobromoglucose was reduced to the rearranged 2‐deoxyglucose and as N‐allyl α‐bromoamides reacted, depending on the conditions, either by reductive cyclization or atom‐transfer radical cyclization. A related cyclization occurred upon using Cu(OAc)2. This and other assays showed the reduction by NaBH3CN of CuII salts, either added or formed in situ. Having both ionic and radical reactivity, NaBH3CN appears as a Janus reagent that may be useful for tin‐free radical chemistry under mild and very simple conditions.
Anxiety sensitivity and fear of pain in paediatric headache patients
Authors: Cappucci S. , Simons L.E.
Published: June 2014

Background

Recent research suggests that anxiety sensitivity (AS) may be a critical factor in the maintenance of chronic pain. Converging lines of evidence also propose a relationship between AS and fear of pain (FOP) that may result from interoceptive fear conditioning in interoceptively biased individuals. While some AS and FOP research has been carried out in adults, literature exploring this relationship is sparse in clinical paediatric populations.

Methods

This study investigated the hypotheses that FOP mediates the relationships between AS and disability as well as AS and somatization in children and adolescents with chronic headache pain. Mediation models were investigated using bootstrap regression analyses.

Results

Results indicate that the AS–disability relationship is mediated by FOP, whereas AS seems to contribute both directly and indirectly to somatization.

Conclusion

These results provide evidence for the pivotal role of AS in the paediatric chronic pain model. The findings of this study further emphasize the application of the fear‐avoidance model in children and provide new evidence for the critical role of AS in a paediatric headache population.
When virtual contact is all you need: Subtle reminders of Facebook preempt social‐contact restoration after exclusion
Authors: Knausenberger Judith , Hellmann Jens H. , Echterhoff Gerald
Published: June 2014

In the Internet age, people who feel alone can use online social media to restore a sense of social connectedness. In the present experiment, participants were either excluded or included in Cyberball, a virtual ball‐tossing game. Afterwards, a Facebook icon or a control icon (Flash Player) was shown on the margin of a computer screen during a filler task. In the control condition, excluded (vs. included) participants subsequently expressed greater interest in social contact. This response to exclusion was absent after the subtle exposure to the Facebook icon. The effect of icon presentation was moderated by relational Facebook use: The interest in further social contact after exclusion was particularly low in participants who reported employing Facebook to maintain relationships to a greater (vs. lower) extent. In sum, our findings suggest that Facebook can dispense with compensatory affiliation attempts after exclusion, especially in more socially minded Facebook users. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Innovative analysis and use of high‐resolution DTMs for quantitative interrogation of Earth‐surface processes
Authors: Passalacqua Paola , Hillier John , Tarolli Paolo
Published: June 2014

This is the era of digital landscapes; the widespread availability of powerful sensing technologies has revolutionized the way it is possible to interrogate landscapes in order to understand the processes sculpting them. Vastly greater areas have now been acquired at ‘high resolution’: currently tens of metres globally to millimetric precision and accuracy locally. This permits geomorphic features to be visualized and analysed across the scales at which Earth‐surface processes operate. Especially exciting is the capturing of process dynamics in repeated surveying, which will only become more important with low‐cost accessible data generation through techniques such as Structure from Motion (SfM). But the key challenge remains; to interpret high resolution Digital Terrain Models (DTMs), particularly by extracting geomorphic features in robust and objective ways and then linking the observed features to the underlying physical processes. In response to the new data and challenges, recent years have seen improved processing of raw data into DTMs, development of data fusion techniques, novel quantitative analysis of topographic data, and innovative geomorphological mapping. The twelve papers collected in this volume sample this progress in interrogating Earth‐surface processes through the analysis of DTMs. They cover a wide range of disciplines and spatio‐temporal scales, from landslide prone landscapes, to agriculturally modified regions, to mountainous landscapes, and coastal zones. They all, however, showcase the quantitative exploitation of information contained in high‐resolution topographic data that we believe will underpin the improvement of our understanding of many elements of Earth‐surface processes. Most of the papers introduced here were first presented in a conference session at the European Geosciences Union General Assembly in 2011. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methods for identifying subject‐specific abnormalities in neuroimaging data
Authors: Mayer Andrew R. , Bedrick Edward J. , Ling Josef M. , Toulouse Trent , Dodd Andrew
Published: June 2014

Algorithms that are capable of capturing subject‐specific abnormalities (SSA) in neuroimaging data have long been an area of focus for diverse neuropsychiatric conditions such as multiple sclerosis, schizophrenia, and traumatic brain injury. Several algorithms have been proposed that define SSA in patients (i.e., comparison group) relative to image intensity levels derived from healthy controls (HC) (i.e., reference group) based on extreme values. However, the assumptions underlying these approaches have not always been fully validated, and may be dependent on the statistical distributions of the transformed data. The current study evaluated variations of two commonly used techniques (“pothole” method and standardization with an independent reference group) for identifying SSA using simulated data (derived from normal, t and chi‐square distributions) and fractional anisotropy maps derived from 50 HC. Results indicated substantial group‐wise bias in the estimation of extreme data points using the pothole method, with the degree of bias being inversely related to sample size. Statistical theory was utilized to develop a distribution‐corrected z‐score (DisCo‐Z) threshold, with additional simulations demonstrating elimination of the bias and a more consistent estimation of extremes based on expected distributional properties. Data from previously published studies examining SSA in mild traumatic brain injury were then re‐analyzed using the DisCo‐Z method, with results confirming the evidence of group‐wise bias. We conclude that the benefits of identifying SSA in neuropsychiatric research are substantial, but that proposed SSA approaches require careful implementation under the different distributional properties that characterize neuroimaging data. Hum Brain Mapp 35:5457–5470, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A Statutory Basis for the Anti‐Deprivation Rule?
Authors: Kulkarni Nishad
Published: June 2014

This article argues that material confusions remain in the English anti‐deprivation rule. It begins by considering the statutory framework and demonstrates that there are a number of distinct positions as to the legal foundation of the rule. In examining these positions, of particular concern is the relationship between the rule and the pari passu principle and the notion that the rule serves a broader collectivity principle inherent in insolvency law. The article seeks to identify the proper basis of the rule, thereby shedding light on the policy that the rule is intended to protect. It contends that while it is possible, consistently with authority, to rationalise the rule on a particular footing, the uncertainties under the existing law must be resolved by legislative reform. Copyright © 2014 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Debt Agreements for Consumers under Bankruptcy Law in Australia and Developing International Principles and Standards for Personal Insolvency
Authors: Wyburn Mary
Published: June 2014

The debt agreement option under bankruptcy law was introduced in Australia in 1996. Since its introduction, it has undergone significant review, and two sets of amendments have been crafted to meet issues as they have been raised. Its popularity is reflected in the increasing proportion of debt agreements compared with the other two debt relief options available under bankruptcy legislation, bankruptcy and the personal insolvency agreement. A review of the debt agreement scheme has recently been undertaken, but the government has yet to respond to its recommendations. Meanwhile, the work of comparative bankruptcy scholars has found new impetus from the treatment of consumer debtors during the Global Financial Crisis. At the same time, at the international level, there is growing interest in developing general principles for the treatment of personal insolvency, despite the acknowledged diversity of approach to personal insolvency at the national level. This paper examines the debt agreement framework and how it fits within the comparative bankruptcy literature and the developing international principles for the treatment of personal insolvency. Copyright © 2014 INSOL International and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Cancer survival among First Nations people of Ontario, Canada (1968–2007)
Authors: Nishri E. Diane , Sheppard Amanda J. , Withrow Diana R. , Marrett Loraine D.
Published: June 2014

We aimed to compare cancer survival in Ontario First Nations people to that in other Ontarians for five major cancer types: colorectal, lung, cervix, breast and prostate. A list of registered or “Status” Indians in Ontario was used to create a cohort of over 140,000 Ontario First Nations people. Cancers diagnosed in cohort members between 1968 and 2001 were identified from the Ontario Cancer Registry, with follow‐up for death until December 31st, 2007. Flexible parametric modeling of the hazard function was used to compare the survival experience of the cohort to that of other Ontarians. We considered changes in survival from the first half of the time period (1968–1991) to the second half (1992–2001). For other Ontarians, survival had improved over time for every cancer site. For the First Nations cohort, survival improved only for breast and prostate cancers; it either declined or remained unchanged for the other cancers. For cancers diagnosed in 1992 or later, all‐cause and cause‐specific survival was significantly poorer for First Nations people diagnosed with breast, prostate, cervical, colorectal (male and female) and male lung cancers as compared to their non‐First Nations peers. For female lung cancer, First Nations women appeared to have poorer survival; however, the result was not statistically significant. Ontario's First Nations population experiences poorer cancer survival when compared to other Ontarians and strategies to reduce these inequalities must be developed and implemented.
Perceived Racism as Moderator Between Self‐Esteem/Shyness and Psychological Distress Among African Americans
Authors: Chao Ruth Chu‐Lien , Longo Joseph , Wang Canzi , Dasgupta Deepta , Fear Jessica
Published: June 2014

In the spirit of the mission of social justice in counseling, this study examined perceived racism as a moderator on the association between self‐concept (i.e., self‐esteem, shyness) and distress among African Americans. The authors examined whether perceived racism changed the relationship between self‐esteem/shyness and psychological distress by investigating a sample of 394 African Americans. With a moderation analysis, the authors found significant interaction effects of Self‐Esteem × Perceived Racism and Shyness × Perceived Racism on distress.
American Indian Acculturation: Tribal Lands to Predominately White Postsecondary Settings
Authors: Flynn Stephen V. , Olson Seth D. , Yellig Adriana D.
Published: June 2014

Grounded theory provided a framework for examining 25 acculturating American Indian college students, 12 relatives of acculturating American Indians, and 7 postsecondary administrators. Acculturation was defined as the transformative process resulting from the integration of tribal culture and predominately White culture. Data sources included individual interviews, focus groups, and artifact analysis. The 16 emergent themes form an acculturation theory centered on a strength‐based acculturation process affecting American Indians’ transition to predominately White postsecondary settings.
“You Got to Apply Seriousness”: A Phenomenological Inquiry of Liberian Refugees' Coping
Authors: Clarke Leah K. , Borders L. DiAnne
Published: June 2014

Liberian women's coping with refugee resettlement in the United States was examined. The authors analyzed interviews of 10 women according to van Manen's () hermeneutic phenomenology. Nine themes, grouped within 3 coping categories (adopting culturally sanctioned attitudes, engaging with a new environment, and situating oneself in a narrative), were identified. Implications include the need for counselors to use holistic and advocacy‐based counseling approaches and facilitate coping by cultural meaning making of experiences.
Counselor Education Doctoral Program Faculty Members’ Refereed Article Publications
Authors: Lambie Glenn W. , Ascher David L. , Sivo Stephen A. , Hayes B. Grant
Published: June 2014

This study investigated articles published in refereed journals by counselor educators (N = 378) employed by 55 doctoral programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. The counselor educators published in 321 different journals, and the variables that predicted publications rates included (a) year earned doctoral degree, (b) academic rank, (c) Carnegie category classification of current university, and (d) gender. Implications for counselor education and scholarly productivity are discussed.
Effects of Group Activity Play Therapy on Problem Behaviors of Preadolescent Ugandan Orphans
Authors: Ojiambo Deborah , Bratton Sue C.
Published: June 2014

This randomized controlled study examined the effectiveness of group activity play therapy (GAPT) with 60 displaced Ugandan orphans, ages 10 to 12 years, exhibiting clinical levels of behavior problems. Teachers and housemothers reported that experimental group children demonstrated statistically significant reductions (p < .025) in behavior problems compared with children in the active control condition and that GAPT demonstrated moderate to large treatment effects. Results support GAPT as an effective intervention for troubled Ugandan orphans.
Recent advances, challenges and prospects of in situ production of hydrogen peroxide for textile wastewater treatment in microbial fuel cells
Authors: Asghar Anam , Abdul Raman Abdul Aziz , Daud Wan Mohd Ashri Wan
Published: June 2014

Application of the Fenton process for textile wastewater treatment is limited due to high treatment cost, substantially contributed by the un‐availability of cheap hydrogen peroxide. Therefore, alternative methods for hydrogen peroxide production are in demand. One such option is in situ hydrogen peroxide production using a wastewater based microbial fuel cell (WBMFC). However, not much have been published regarding in situ production of hydrogen peroxide for textile wastewater treatment in a WBMFC. Therefore, in this work the concept, advantages, challenges and prospects of using WBMFC to treat textile wastewater by simultaneously producing hydrogen peroxide (hence in situ hydrogen peroxide) and power are reviewed. The concept of WBMFC is the reduction of oxygen in the presence of electrons and protons from the anode chamber to produce hydrogen peroxide with simultaneous power production. This review confirms that use of dual chambers, proton exchange membrane, domestic or municipal wastewater/Geobacter Sulfurreducens or Shewanella species, pure graphite cathode, ammonia and heat treated carbon‐based anode can treat most textile wastewaters. However, single chamber WBMFCs can be used as a low power source for an electro‐Fenton reactor. Power produced can be used to provide energy for aeration required in the WBMFC, thus providing an integrated and sustainable solution for textile wastewater treatment. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Transabdominal ultrasound‐guided injection of methotrexate in the treatment of ectopic interstitial pregnancies
Authors: Framarino‐dei‐Malatesta Marialuisa , Piccioni Maria Grazia , Derme Martina , Polidori Nicoletta Fabiana , Tibaldi Valentina , Iannini Isabella , Masselli Gabriele
Published: June 2014

Purpose

In a retrospective observational study, we evaluated the feasibility and safety of medical therapy with transabdominal ultrasound‐guided injection of methotrexate (MTX) into the gestational sac (GS) in patients with interstitial ectopic pregnancies.

Methods

Fourteen interstitial ectopic pregnancies were treated with transabdominal ultrasound‐guided injection of MTX (25 mg). All patients were hemodynamically stable. In all patients, the 10‐cm distance between the GS and vaginal fornices was ≥10 cm, making transvaginal injection difficult. To evaluate feasibility and safety of the procedure, we assessed complications clinically and with imaging during a 1‐year follow‐up.

Results

In all 14 patients, MTX injected locally into the GS successfully terminated the interstitial pregnancy, thereby avoiding surgery. There was no complications during follow‐up.

Conclusions

The successful outcome in our patients suggests that the transabdominal route is feasible and safe as a nonsurgical option for terminating an ectopic interstitial pregnancy in patients in whom the transvaginal route is contraindicated or difficult, provided the patients are properly selected and operators have sufficient experience with the technique. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 42:522–526, 2014
Improved survival with combined gemcitabine and S‐1 for locally advanced pancreatic cancer: pooled analysis of three randomized studies
Authors: Yanagimoto Hiroaki , Ishii Hiroshi , Nakai Yousuke , Ozaka Masato , Ikari Takaaki , Koike Kazuhiko , Ueno Hideki , Ioka Tatsuya , Satoi Sohei , Sho Masayuki , Okusaka Takuji , Tanaka Masao , Shimokawa Toshio , Kwon A‐Hon , Isayama Hiroyuki
Published: June 2014

Background

The long‐term prognosis for localized pancreatic cancer (PC) remains poor. Three randomized trials (GEST phase III, JACCRO PC‐01 phase II and GEMSAP phase II) evaluated gemcitabine (Gem) with or without S‐1 for patients with metastatic and locally advanced PC. A pooled analysis based on published data examined whether Gem with S‐1 (GS) is superior to Gem alone in overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced PC.

Methods

Data were extracted on 193 patients: 31 (JACCRO), 28 (GEMSAP), and 134 (GEST). OS was used for primary endpoint and progression‐free survival (PFS) was used for secondary endpoint. A general variance‐based method was used to estimate the pooled HR and 95% CI between GS (n = 96) and Gem (n = 97).

Results

Meta‐analysis demonstrated that the overall risk of death was significantly different between the two chemotherapies (hazard ratio = 0.673, 95% confidence interval: 0.488–0.929, P = 0.016). The median PFSs for GS and GEM in the JACCRO, GEMSAP, and GEST studies were 12.0, 12.6, and 10.7 months, and 4.1, 8.1, and 6.2 months, respectively (P = 0.001). The random‐effect pooled estimate for 165 patients showed the objective response rate (ORR) in the GS group (28.4%) was better in the Gem group (8.3%, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

GS improved ORR, PFS and OS in patients with locally advanced PC over Gem alone. GS could become one of the front‐line chemotherapeutic agents.
1,4‐Dioxo‐1,4‐dihydronaphthalene‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile and 1,1,2,2‐Tetracyanoethene in Heterocyclization
Authors: Aly Ashraf A.
Published: June 2014

This survey is mainly concerned with selected reactions of 1,4‐dioxo‐1,4‐dihydronaphthalene‐2,3‐dicarbonitrile and 1,1,2,2‐tetracyanoethene, which have use or potential use in heterocyclic synthesis.
Comparison on the fatty acid profiles of liver, subcutaneous fat and muscle from feedlot steers finished on diets supplemented with or without cinnamaldehyde or monensin
Authors: He Maolong , Jia Jianjie , Yang Wenzhu
Published: June 2014

BACKGROUND

Cinnamaldehyde (CIN) is the main active component of cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) oil and has been tested as alternative feed additive in cattle production. Little information was available on the effect of dietary CIN in comparison to monensin (MO) on beef fatty acid (FA) profile. This study analyzed FA profiles of liver, subcutaneous fat and pars costalis diaphragmatis (PCD) muscle obtained from steers (n = 70) finished on diets: control, a barley grain–silage feedlot diet; 330 mg/head.day MO; and 400, 800 or 1600 mg/head.day CIN treatments.

RESULTS

Inclusion of MO or CIN did not affect total saturated, unsaturated, polyunsaturated FA and individual FA in the various tissues with exceptions that proportion of palmitic acid in PCD muscle was increased by 800 mg/steer.day CIN (P < 0.05). There were positive correlations (P < 0.05) on oleic, linoleic, conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)‐c9,t11 and 18:1‐t10 between the subcutaneous fat and PCD muscle, and on α‐linolenic acid, CLA‐c9,t11 and 18:1‐t10 between PCD muscle and liver, whereas correlations on the FA between the subcutaneous fat and liver were not significant except for 18:1‐t10 (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that the supplementation of CIN and MO to feedlot diet has limited effect on beef FA profiles. © 2014 Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry
Cytoskeleton of newborn vocal fold stellate cells
Authors: Sato Kiminori , Kurita Takashi , Chitose Shun‐ichi , Umeno Hirohito , Nakashima Tadashi
Published: June 2014

Objectives/Hypothesis

Vocal fold stellate cells (VFSCs) in the human maculae flavae located at both ends of the vocal fold mucosa are inferred to be involved in the metabolism of extracellular matrices of the vocal fold mucosa. Tension caused by phonation (vocal fold vibration) likely regulates the behavior of the VFSCs in the human maculae flava. Tensile and compressive strains have direct effects on cell morphology and structure, including changes in cytoskeletal structure and organization. Cytoskeletons play a role as mechanoreceptors for the cells.

The microstructure of the intermediate filaments and the expression of their characteristic proteins were investigated regarding the human newborn VFSCs.

Study Design

Histopathologic analysis of the human newborn vocal fold.

Methods

Three newborn vocal fold mucosae were investigated by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy.

Results

The intermediate filaments in the cytoplasm of the newborn VFSCs were few in number. However, their characteristic proteins (vimentin, desmin, GFAP [Glial fibrillary acidic protein], cytokeratin) had already expressed.

Conclusion

The function and fate of VFSCs are regulated by various microenvironmental factors. Not only chemical factors but also mechanical factors could also modulate VFSC behaviors. The cytoskeletal structure of the newborn VFSCs is under development. And the newborn VFSCs have not acquired mechanical regulation.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 124:2551–2554, 2014
Metabolic Syndrome After Pediatric Liver Transplantation
Authors: Kosola Silja , Lampela Hanna , Makisalo Heikki , Lohi Jouko , Arola Johanna , Jalanko Hannu , Pakarinen Mikko
Published: June 2014

Half of adult liver transplantation (LT) recipients develop metabolic syndrome, but the prevalence after childhood LT remains unknown. We conducted a national cross-sectional study of all living patients who had undergone LT between 1987 and 2007 at an age less than 18 years. We gathered information on blood pressure, body composition, serum lipids, glucose metabolism, and histological liver fat content. The diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome of the American Heart Association and the International Diabetes Federation were used. After a median post-LT follow-up time of 12 years, half of all patients had no components of metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 20%, and the prevalence of hypertension was 24%. Serum triglycerides were high in 9%, and high-density lipoprotein levels were low in 23%. Fasting glucose levels were impaired in 14%, but none had diabetes. Altogether, 9 patients (14%) had metabolic syndrome. Moderate liver steatosis found in protocol liver biopsy samples was associated with the accumulation of metabolic syndrome features (P = 0.01). No significant associations were found between immunosuppressive medications and metabolic syndrome. In conclusion, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome after childhood LT is similar to the prevalence in the general population of the same age. Guidelines for the general population, therefore, seem valid for the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome after pediatric LT as well. Liver Transpl 20:1185–1192, 2014. © 2014 AASLD.
The resolution of the degree‐2 Abel‐Jacobi map for nodal curves‐I
Authors: Pacini Marco
Published: June 2014

Let be a regular local smoothing of a nodal curve. In this paper, we find a modular description of the Néron maps associated to Abel‐Jacobi maps with values in Esteves's fine compactified Jacobian and with source the B‐smooth locus of either the double product of over B or the degree‐2 Hilbert scheme of the family f. This is the first of a series of two papers dedicated to the construction of a resolution of the degree‐2 Abel‐Jacobi map for a regular smoothing of a nodal curve.
Propagation of SH‐wave in an initially stressed orthotropic medium sandwiched by a homogeneous and an inhomogeneous semi‐infinite media
Authors: Kundu Santimoy , Manna Santanu , Gupta Shishir
Published: June 2014

The paper presents a study of propagation of shear wave (SH‐wave) in an orthotropic elastic medium under initial stress sandwiched by a homogeneous semi‐infinite medium and an inhomogeneous half‐space. The technique of separation of variables has been adopted to get the analytical solutions for the dispersion relation in a closed form. The propagation of SH‐waves is influenced by inhomogeneity parameters and initial stress parameter. Velocities of SH‐waves are calculated numerically for different cases. As a special case when the intermediate layer and half‐space are homogeneous, computed frequency equation coincides with general equation of Love wave. To study the effect of inhomogeneity parameters and initial stress parameter, we have plotted the velocity of SH‐wave in several figures and observed that the velocity of wave decreases with the increases of non‐dimensional wave number. It can be found that the phase velocity decreases with the increase of inhomogeneity parameters. We observed that the velocity of SH‐wave decreases with the increases of initial stress parameter in both homogeneous and inhomogeneous media. GUI has been developed by using MATLAB to generalize the effect of the parameters discussed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Korovkin type theorem for non‐tensor Balázs type Bleimann, Butzer and Hahn operators
Authors: Özarslan Mehmet Ali , Aktuğlu Hüseyin
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we prove a certain Korovkin type approximation theorem by introducing new test functions. We introduce the non‐tensor Balázs type Bleimann, Butzer and Hahn operators and give the approximation property by using this new Korovkin theorem. Furthermore, we obtain the rate of convergence of these operators by means of modulus of continuity. Finally, we state the multivariate version of the abovementioned Korovkin type theorem. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of a test meal on meal responses of satiation hormones and their association to insulin resistance in obese adolescents
Authors: Beglinger Svetlana , Meyer‐Gerspach Anne Christin , Graf Steffi , Zumsteg Urs , Drewe Jürgen , Beglinger Christoph , Gutzwiller Jean‐Pierre
Published: June 2014

Objective

The role of gastrointestinal (GI) hormones in the pathophysiology of obesity is unclear, although they are involved in the regulation of satiation and glucose metabolism. To (i) examine glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1), amylin, ghrelin, and glucagon responses to a meal in obese adolescents and to (ii) test which GI peptides are associated with insulin resistance are presented.

Methods

A total of 16 obese (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 97th percentile for age and gender) and 14 control (BMI between 25th and 75th percentiles) adolescents were included. Subjects were instructed to eat a test meal (490 kcal). Plasma samples were collected for hormone and glucose analysis.

Results

Obese adolescents were insulin resistant as expressed by the Homeostasis Model Assessment (HOMA) index and had significantly increased fasting glucagon and amylin levels compared to the control group (P = 0.003 and 0.044, respectively).

In response to the meal, the increase in GLP‐1 levels was reduced in obese adolescents (P < 0.001). In contrast, amylin secretion was significantly increased in the obese population compared to the control group (P < 0.005).

Conclusions

Obese adolescents have increased fasting glucagon and amylin levels and attenuated post‐prandial GLP‐1 concentrations compared with the control group. These factors could contribute to the metabolic syndrome.
No effect of weight loss on LINE‐1 methylation levels in peripheral blood leukocytes from postmenopausal overweight women
Authors: Duggan Catherine , Xiao Liren , Terry Mary Beth , McTiernan Anne
Published: June 2014

Objectives

Obesity and weight‐loss are associated with methylation patterns in specific genes, but their effect on Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements (LINE‐1) methylation, a measure of global methylation is largely unknown.

Methods

Three hundred overweight/obese post‐menopausal women (50‐75 years) were part of a completed, 1‐year randomized controlled trial, comparing independent and combined effects of a reduced‐calorie weight‐loss diet, and exercise program, versus control. DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes collected at baseline and 12‐months, and LINE‐1 methylation analyzed by pyrosequencing. Mean changes between groups using generalized estimating equations and examined effects of weight‐loss on LINE‐1 methylation using stratified analyses (gained weight/no weight‐loss [N = 84]; <5% [N = 45]; 5%‐10% [N = 45]; >10% of baseline weight‐loss [N = 126]) within each arm, adjusted by blood cell counts were compared. Associations between LINE‐1 methylation and previously measured biomarkers, and anthropometrics were also examined.

Results

No significant difference in LINE‐1 methylation levels was detected in any intervention group versus controls. The magnitude of weight‐loss was not associated with LINE‐1 methylation at 12‐months. There were no associations between baseline characteristics of participants, or previously measured biomarkers, and LINE‐1 methylation.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that lifestyle changes sufficient to significantly reduce weight over 12‐months may not change LINE‐1 DNA methylation levels.
Antiobesity medication use across the veterans health administration: Patient‐level predictors of receipt
Authors: Del Re A. C. , Frayne Susan M. , Harris Alex H. S.
Published: June 2014

Objective

Pharmacotherapy is an effective adjunct to behavioral interventions to treat obesity; although it is unclear how often medications are integrated into obesity treatment plans and for which patients in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted that examined variation in and predictors of antiobesity medication receipt (orlistat) among > 2 million obese Veterans within 140 facilities nationwide.

Results

One‐percent of all obese patients using VHA services filled a prescription for orlistat. Veterans were more likely to be treated with orlistat if they had a higher BMI, were female, unmarried, younger, a minority, had home instability, prescribed obesogenic psychiatric medications, had a psychiatric or obesity‐related comorbidity, and used MOVE! weight management services. Among those who likely met the criteria for use, 2.5% had at least one orlistat prescription. Facility‐level prescription rates varied from 0 to 1% of all obese patients in a VA facility receiving a prescription and 0 to 21% among those who met the criteria for use.

Conclusions

Consistent with guidelines recommending that obesity pharmacotherapy be prescribed in conjunction with behavioral therapy, the strongest predictor of receiving orlistat was being enrolled in the MOVE! weight‐loss management program.
Inhibition of Let‐7 microRNA attenuates myocardial remodeling and improves cardiac function postinfarction in mice
Authors: Tolonen Anna‐Maria , Magga Johanna , Szabó Zoltán , Viitala Pirkko , Gao Erhe , Moilanen Anne‐Mari , Ohukainen Pauli , Vainio Laura , Koch Walter J. , Kerkelä Risto , Ruskoaho Heikki , Serpi Raisa
Published: June 2014

The members of lethal‐7 (Let‐7) microRNA (miRNA) family are involved in regulation of cell differentiation and reprogramming of somatic cells into induced pluripotent stem cells. However, their function in the heart is not known. In this study, we examined the effect of inhibiting the function of Let‐7c miRNA on the progression of postinfarction left ventricular (LV) remodeling in mice. Myocardial infarction was induced with permanent ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery with a 4‐week follow‐up period. Let‐7c miRNA was inhibited with a specific antagomir administered intravenously. The inhibition of Let‐7c miRNA downregulated the levels of mature Let‐7c miRNA and its other closely related members of Let‐7 family in the heart and resulted in increased expression of pluripotency‐associated genes Oct4 and Sox2 in cardiac fibroblasts in vitro and in adult mouse heart in vivo. Importantly, Let‐7c inhibitor prevented the deterioration of cardiac function postinfarction, as demonstrated by preserved LV ejection fraction and elevated cardiac output. Improvement in cardiac function by Let‐7c inhibitor postinfarction was associated with decreased apoptosis, reduced fibrosis, and reduction in the number of discoidin domain receptor 2–positive fibroblasts, while the number of c‐kit+ cardiac stem cells and Ki‐67+ proliferating cells remained unaltered. In conclusion, inhibition of Let‐7 miRNA may be beneficial for the prevention of postinfarction LV remodeling and progression of heart failure.
Contour regression: A distribution‐regularized regression framework for climate modeling
Authors: Abraham Zubin , Tan Pang‐Ning , Perdinan  , Winkler Julie A. , Zhong Shiyuan , Liszewska Malgorzata
Published: June 2014

Regression methods are commonly used to learn the mapping from a set of predictor variables to a continuous‐valued target variable such that their prediction errors are minimized. However, minimizing the errors alone may not be sufficient for some applications, such as climate modeling, which require the overall predicted distribution to resemble the actual observed distribution. On the other hand, histogram equalization methods, such as quantile mapping, are often used in climate modeling to alter the distribution of input data to fit the distribution of observed data, but they provide no guarantee of accurate predictions. This paper presents a flexible regression framework known as contour regression that simultaneously minimizes the prediction error and removes biases in the predicted distribution. The framework is applicable to linear, nonlinear, and conditional quantile models and can utilize data from heterogenous sources. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the framework in fitting the daily minimum and maximum temperatures as well as precipitation for 14 climate stations in Michigan. The framework showed marked improvement over standard regression methods in terms of minimizing their distribution bias.
A Multi‐agent System for Policy Design of Tick Size in Stock Index Futures Markets
Authors: Wei Lijian , Zhang Wei , Xiong Xiong , Zhao Yu
Published: June 2014

This paper proposes a multi‐agent system for policy design on tick size in the China Securities Index (CSI) 300 index futures market. According to the investors' structure, trading frequency and order submission in the real CSI 300 index futures market, our multi‐agent system includes informed and uninformed traders, and the uninformed traders are classified into three types: intelligent traders, simple traders, and liquidity traders. We examine how tick size affects information dissemination efficiency and market liquidity by observing trading interaction between traders. In particular, we focus on examining price forecasting and order submission strategies. This multi‐agent system reproduces key characteristics of the price dynamics and stylized facts observable in the real CSI 300 index futures market. Simulations show that tick size has a contrary impact on information dissemination efficiency and market liquidity. While reducing tick size improves market liquidity, it also reduces information dissemination efficiency. Therefore, decision‐makers have to make a trade‐off between information dissemination efficiency and market liquidity in terms of tick size. Our model contributes to building a multi‐agent system realistically and thus reduces the modelling risk in policy design. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A split reliable transport protocol over the vehicular ad hoc network communication environment
Authors: Huang Chung‐Ming , Lin Shih‐Yang , Lin Ching‐Yuan
Published: June 2014

To have reliable transmission in the vehicular ad hoc network (VANET) environment, a split reliable transport protocol (SRTP) is proposed in this paper. The basic idea of SRTP is to separate a long connection into several subconnections in order to reduce the overhead of packet retransmission, in which the length of each subconnection depends on links’ states between vehicles. Three main issues that need to be resolved for SRTP are the following: (i) how to decide the length of each subconnection when a connection is established initially; (ii) how to enhance the connection's stability after the connection is established to deal with the fast topology change in the VANET environment; and (iii) how to deal with packet congestion. An estimative scheme using location and speed information of vehicles to estimate the connectivity time of the links between vehicles are used in SRTP. The estimated values can be used to decide the lengths of subconnections and adjust them dynamically. Another mechanism named channel busy rate aware congestion avoidance is proposed to avoid network congestion in the ad hoc network environment. The simulation results show that SRTP can be operated well in the VANET environment, and the aforementioned three issues can be appropriately resolved. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
User behavior modeling of voice communications: an empirical study
Authors: Büyükçorak Saliha , Karabulut Kurt Gunes , Toprakkiran Guven
Published: June 2014

In this study, analysis and modeling of arrival and service processes are presented in a comprehensive fashion in order to determine statistical properties of voice traffic from end‐user perspective in accordance with the queueing theory. For the first time in the literature, we introduce a user centric approach and examine these services considering both flow directions of voice traffic, the uplink and the downlink as opposed to existing studies with the network centric approach. In our study, we use experimental data composed of actual phone calls collected from 2G/3G networks. To achieve this, we designed and implemented a data collection system for mobile users and compared the results by using data from an operational cellular network. In order to determine the time correlation of voice calls, Hurst parameter estimation methods are used. On the basis of the outcomes, independency of call arrivals is shown. Additionally, it is shown that calls acquired from user and network centric approaches are both Poisson distributed. Next, looking at the problem from service process perspective, thorough analyses are performed to determine mathematical models that can best characterize call holding times. Maximum likelihood estimation and expectation maximization algorithm are used, and it is shown that the optimum mathematical model for the characterization of call holding times is the lognormal distribution family. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.