bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Dasatinib, Nilotinib, and Imatinib in the Treatment of Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Ciarcia Roberto , Damiano Sara , Puzio Maria Valeria , Montagnaro Serena , Pagnini Francesco , Pacilio Carmen , Caparrotti Giuseppe , Bellan Cristiana , Garofano Tiziana , Polito Maria Sole , Giordano Antonio , Florio Salvatore
Published: August 2015

To overcome the drug resistance phenomenon induced by Imatibib (IM), in clinical practice, are often used second generation of tyrosine kinase inhibitors as Nilotinib (NIL); a such potent inhibitor of the BCR/ABL kinase and Dasatinib (DAS), a inhibitor of BCR/ABL kinase, and inhibitor SrC family kinase. In this study we evaluated the in vivo effect of DAS, NIL, and IM on intracellular calcium concentration, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in peripheral blood leukocytes of 45 newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML‐PBM). Our data demonstrated that treatment with DAS and NIL showed an higher modulating potential than IM on intracellular calcium concentration by inhibiting the thapsigargin, a sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor, and Lithium (Li) an inositol 1,4,5‐triphosphate (InsP3) receptor inhibitor activities. Moreover our data demonstrated that NIL and DAS have significantly increased apoptosis more than IM by involving both intracellular calcium signaling as well as oxidative stress. The acquisition of the oxidative stress and calcium channels receptors values data could help the hematologist to modulate and improve the treatment of chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) pathology. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 680–687, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization and selection of PDMS solvents for the absorption and biodegradation of hydrophobic VOCs
Authors: Guillerm Maxime , Couvert Annabelle , Amrane Abdeltif , Dumont Éric , Norrant Edith , Lesage Nicolas , Juery Catherine
Published: August 2015

BACKGROUND

Four silicone oils (PolyDiMethylSiloxane, PDMS) of different viscosities, namely 5, 20, 50, and 100 mPa s were characterized to select the most suitable polymer for the biological treatment of toluene. The PDMS volatilities and the partition coefficients of toluene between air and PDMS were investigated. Toluene biodegradation tests were also carried out to assess the absence of toxicity of the considered PDMS vis‐a‐vis the microorganisms.

RESULTS

PDMS 20, 50 and 100 had negligible volatilities at 25 °C and 35 °C, whereas PDMS 5 was volatile even at 25 °C. The results indicate that the amount of VOCs emitted by PDMS increased with the temperature according to a logarithmic law. The partition coefficient of toluene between air and the four PDMS were similar (H = 2.9 Pa m3 mol−1) indicating that the affinity between toluene and PDMS was identical whatever their viscosity. Moreover, biodegradation tests allowed the conclusion that the four PDMS tested are not toxic for microorganisms.

CONCLUSION

PDMS 20, 50 and 100 were suitable at 25 °C for the biological treatment of toluene. Since all these PDMS were satisfactory at 25 °C, it could make sense to select the least viscous oil for use in the process, i.e. PDMS 20. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Regionalverband Nord — Tagung am 09./10.03.2015 in Oldenburg
Authors: Kombal R.
Published: August 2015

Chlorat‐ und Perchlorat in Lebensmitteln pflanzlicher Herkunft
The ultrasonographic evaluation of hemodynamic changes in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy after tarsal tunnel decompression
Authors: Tekin Fatih , Ağladioğlu Kadir , Sürmeli Mehmet , Ceran Candemir , Bektaş Hesna , Falcioğlu Mehmet Çağatay , Yildirim Ismail Okan , Taner Ömer Faruk
Published: August 2015

Background

Nerve decompression procedures have shown to have promising roles in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. It is known that not only nerves but also arteries pass through the same compressed anatomical tunnels. The aim of the study is to reveal whether the surgical decompression procedures have a positive effect on hemodynamic and morphological parameters of the arterial structures passing through these anatomic tunnels.

Methods

Twenty‐seven patients who underwent posterior and anterior tarsal tunnel release procedures were retrospectively scanned for preoperative and 3 months postoperative arterial Doppler ultrasound imaging. The preoperative and third month postoperative measurements were compared for flow pattern of artery, flow lumen diameter, pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), and flow volumes by evaluating the hemodynamic and morphological parameters of dorsalis pedis (DPA) and tibialis posterior arteries (TPA).

Results

For TPA, mean PI values were 5.76 ± 2.78 preoperatively, 7.17 ± 3.08 postoperatively. Mean RI values were 0.94 ± 0.04 preoperatively and 0.89 ± 0.05 postoperatively. For DPA, mean PI values were 5.06 ± 2.14 preoperatively and 6.35 ± 2.31 postoperatively. Mean RI values were 0.93 ± 0.05 preoperatively and 0.86 ± 0.06 postoperatively. When the results are analyzed for both of the arteries, PI values were significantly increased; RI values were significantly decreased when the preoperative measurements were compared with the postoperative measurements (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

According to these results, it can be suggested that the nerve release procedures have a positive effect on the hemodynamic and morphological parameters of the arteries as they pass through the anatomical tunnels as well as its positive effects on the neurological functions of the entrapped nerves. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:457–462, 2015.
Diet‐induced obesity causes insulin resistance in mouse brown adipose tissue
Authors: Roberts‐Toler Carla , O'Neill Brian T. , Cypess Aaron M.
Published: August 2015

Objective

Diet‐induced obesity (DIO) causes several pathophysiological changes in adipose tissue. Increased inflammation reduces white adipose tissue (WAT) insulin sensitivity and contributes to the development of diabetes. However, little is known about how DIO alters the function of brown adipose tissue (BAT), an organ that consumes calories by β3‐adrenergic receptor (AR)‐mediated thermogenesis and helps regulate energy balance.

Methods

To test the effects of DIO on BAT, we fed 6‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice either a normal chow diet (NCD) or a high‐fat diet (HFD). After 16 additional weeks, we measured body fat, WAT, and BAT mRNA expression, glucose tolerance, and rates of glucose uptake in response to insulin and the β3‐AR agonist mirabegron.

Results

Compared with NCD, HFD increased body fat and impaired glucose tolerance. Both WAT and BAT had higher mRNA levels of markers of inflammation, including TNFα and F4/80. Insulin signaling in BAT and WAT was reduced, with decreased Akt phosphorylation. Diet‐normalized BAT glucose uptake rates were lower in response to mirabegron.

Conclusions

These results support a model in which DIO leads to BAT inflammation and insulin resistance, leading to a broader impairment of BAT function.
Trends in breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and exclusivity by maternal prepregnancy weight: 2004–2011
Authors: Kachoria Rashmi , Moreland Jennifer J. , Cordero Leandro , Oza‐Frank Reena
Published: August 2015

Objective

To examine trends in breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and exclusivity by prepregnancy weight from 2004 to 2011 and the associations between these outcomes and prepregnancy weight.

Methods

Data from the 2004 to 2011 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a survey of women with a recent live birth from 34 states and New York City, were used. Trends in breastfeeding initiation, continuation, and exclusivity at 12 weeks postpartum were evaluated by prepregnancy BMI. Logistic regression was used to identify the association between prepregnancy BMI and the breastfeeding outcomes.

Results

Among 244,196 women, with increasing BMI, a decreasing number of women initiated, continued, and breastfed exclusively. From 2004 to 2011, the rates of breastfeeding initiation increased significantly for women of all weight classes (P < 0.01), and the disparity between normal‐weight women and women with obesity class III narrowed. Among all women, breastfeeding continuation increased significantly for women of almost all weight classes (P < 0.01), although the disparity between normal‐weight women and women with obesity class III worsened. From 2009 to 2011, among all women, exclusive breastfeeding increased significantly among women with normal and overweight BMI (P < 0.01) but decreased among obese class III; the disparity between women with normal and obese class III BMI worsened.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the need for more concentrated efforts on breastfeeding continuation and exclusivity, particularly for women with obesity.
Weight loss outcomes in patients with pain
Authors: Masheb Robin M. , Lutes Lesley D. , Kim Hyungjin Myra , Holleman Robert G. , Goodrich David E. , Janney Carol A. , Kirsh Susan , Higgins Diana M. , Richardson Caroline R. , Damschroder Laura J.
Published: August 2015

Objective

To determine whether the presence or severity of pain is predictive of suboptimal weight loss outcomes in behavioral weight management programs.

Methods

This is a secondary data analysis comparing weight loss among participants with overweight/obesity who participated in a 12‐month randomized controlled trial. Of the 481 participants randomized, 394 (81.9%) had available pain data and were categorized by Pain Type (back pain, arthritis pain, both, or neither) and Pain Severity (no pain, moderate pain, or severe pain). Dietary and physical activity outcomes were also explored.

Results

High rates of moderate and severe (80.2%), and back and arthritis (72.6%), pain were observed. Linear mixed models showed significant differences in % weight loss among Pain Severity, but not Pain Type, groups. Patients with severe pain lost significantly less weight (−0.1 kg, 95% CI = −1.5, −1.2) compared to those with either moderate or no pain (−1.9 kg, 95% CI = −2.5, −1.3; −2.1 kg, 95% CI = −3.3, −1.0, respectively). Patients with arthritis pain lost a significant amount of weight despite only minor improvements in walking distance.

Conclusions

Pain severity, but not pain type, is predictive of suboptimal weight loss outcomes.
Circulating persistent organic pollutants and body fat distribution: Evidence from NHANES 1999‐2004
Authors: Zong Geng , Grandjean Philippe , Wu Hongyu , Sun Qi
Published: August 2015

Objective

To evaluate and compare the correlations of various circulating persistent organic pollutants (POPs) with fat mass percentages (FM%) of trunk, leg, and whole body measured by dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry.

Methods

This study included 2358 adults (≥20 years) in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999–2004. Partial Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated, after adjusting for major confounders, including age, smoking status, and history of lactation and parity. Wolfe's method was used to compare correlation coefficients derived from the same participants.

Results

Twelve POPs showed significantly different correlations with fat depots in trunk and leg regions. β‐hexachlorocyclohexane, heptachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin, octachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin, and polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)‐126 showed stronger positive correlations with trunk FM% than with leg FM%, whereas PCBs with ≥6 chlorines were more inversely correlated with trunk FM% than leg FM%. Age‐stratified analysis showed stronger inverse correlations between POPs and trunk FM% mainly in participants <40 years, whereas stronger positive correlations between POPs and trunk FM% were observed in older participants.

Conclusions

Stronger associations between POPs and trunk fat as compared to leg fat possibly indicated a more important role of trunk fat in the pharmacokinetics of POPs, or a stronger effect of POPs, as endocrine disruptors, on trunk fat metabolism.
Compromised responses to dietary methionine restriction in adipose tissue but not liver of ob/ob mice
Authors: Stone Kirsten P. , Wanders Desiree , Calderon Lucie F. , Spurgin Stephen B. , Scherer Philipp E. , Gettys Thomas W.
Published: August 2015

Objective

Dietary methionine restriction (MR) reduces adiposity and hepatic lipids and increases overall insulin sensitivity in part by reducing lipogenic gene expression in liver, inducing browning of white adipose tissue (WAT), and enhancing the lipogenic and oxidative capacity of the remodeled WAT.

Methods

Ob/ob mice have compromised β‐adrenergic receptor expression in adipose tissue and were used to test whether MR could ameliorate obesity, insulin resistance, and disordered lipid metabolism.

Results

In contrast to responses in wild‐type mice, MR failed to slow accumulation of adiposity, increase lipogenic and thermogenic gene expression in adipose tissue, reduce serum insulin, or increase serum adiponectin in ob/ob mice. However, MR produced comparable reductions in hepatic lipids and lipogenic gene expression in both genotypes. In addition, MR was fully effective in increasing insulin sensitivity in adiponectin−/− mice.

Conclusions

These findings show that diet‐induced changes in hepatic lipid metabolism are independent of weight loss and remodeling of WAT and are not required for insulin sensitization. In contrast, the failure of ob/ob mice to mount a normal thermogenic response to MR suggests that the compromised responsiveness of adipose tissue to SNS input is an important component of the inability of the diet to correct their obesity and insulin resistance.
The risk of acute liver injury associated with the use of antibiotics—evaluating robustness of results in the pharmacoepidemiological research on outcomes of therapeutics by a European consortium (PROTECT) project.
Authors: Udo Renate , Tcherny‐Lessenot Stéphanie , Brauer Ruth , Dolin Paul , Irvine David , Wang Yunxun , Auclert Laurent , Juhaeri Juhaeri , Kurz Xavier , Abenhaim Lucien , Grimaldi Lamiae , De Bruin Marie L.
Published: August 2015

Purpose

To examine the robustness of findings of case–control studies on the association between acute liver injury (ALI) and antibiotic use in the following different situations: (i) Replication of a protocol in different databases, with different data types, as well as replication in the same database, but performed by a different research team. (ii) Varying algorithms to identify cases, with and without manual case validation. (iii) Different exposure windows for time at risk.

Methods

Five case–control studies in four different databases were performed with a common study protocol as starting point to harmonize study outcome definitions, exposure definitions and statistical analyses.

Results

All five studies showed an increased risk of ALI associated with antibiotic use ranging from OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.3–5.4) to 7.7 (95% CI 2.0–29.3). Comparable trends could be observed in the five studies: (i) without manual validation the use of the narrowest definition for ALI showed higher risk estimates, (ii) narrow and broad algorithm definitions followed by manual validation of cases resulted in similar risk estimates, and (iii) the use of a larger window (30 days vs 14 days) to define time at risk led to a decrease in risk estimates.

Conclusions

Reproduction of a study using a predefined protocol in different database settings is feasible, although assumptions had to be made and amendments in the protocol were inevitable. Despite differences, the strength of association was comparable between the studies. In addition, the impact of varying outcome definitions and time windows showed similar trends within the data sources. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
PNVCL‐PEGMA nanohydrogels with tailored transition temperature for controlled delivery of 5‐fluorouracil
Authors: González‐Ayón Mirian A. , Sañudo‐Barajas J. Adriana , Picos‐Corrales Lorenzo A. , Licea‐Claverie Angel
Published: August 2015

Sensitive nanohydrogels were prepared via surfactant free emulsion copolymerization of N‐vinylcaprolactam and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, and either N‐vinylpyrrolidone (VP) or 2‐methacryloyloxybenzoic acid (2MBA) to adjust the transition temperature (Ttr). The crosslinker ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was used for the polymer network construction. The resulting nanohydrogel sizes are between 120 and 300 nm. ρ‐Parameter, obtained from light scattering studies, suggests that core‐sell nanogels of flexible chains were obtained. Ttr increases with increasing comonomer content (VP or 2MBA) and decreases with decreasing pH for 2MBA containing nanohydrogels. Nanohydrogels containing 15.5% of 2MBA exhibit Ttr close to 38 °C. Nanogels are able to control the release of the loaded antineoplastic drug 5‐fluorouracil. For the prepared T/pH‐sensitive nanogels, the release is slower at pH 7.4 and 37 °C than at tumor conditions: pH 6 and 40 °C. Mathematical models were applied to evaluate the kinetics of drug release; Peppas model fitted best indicating a Fickian diffusion trough a sphere. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2015, 53, 2662–2672
Azide‐functionalized nanoparticles as quantized building block for the design of soft–soft fluorescent polystyrene core—PAMAM shell nanostructures
Authors: Baczko Krystyna , Fensterbank Hélène , Berini Bruno , Bordage Nadège , Clavier Gilles , Méallet‐Renault Rachel , Larpent Chantal , Allard Emmanuel
Published: August 2015

This work deals with the covalent coupling of azide‐functionalized polymeric nanoparticles as a reactive core and amino‐terminated PAMAM dendrons as a reactive shell. The nanoassemblies thereby obtained could be modified after the dendronization step by grafting an alkynyl Bodipy dye on the unreacted azide moieties. Only a few steps are required to attain nanoassemblies that could mimic dendrimers of high generation with sizes of nano‐objects beyond those of dendrimers. The structure of the nanoassemblies are composed of a polystyrene core, an inner shell including the Bodipy dyes along with the internal branches of the PAMAM, and the terminal amino groups from the outer shell. The dendritic shell acts as a protective layer that prevents NP from aggregation in a surfactant free aqueous solution. The nano‐objects display absorption and emission maxima above 500 nm with brightness that are the same order of magnitude than Qdots. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016, 54, 115–126
Transient sampling of aggregation‐prone conformations causes pathogenic instability of a parkinsonian mutant of DJ‐1 at physiological temperature
Authors: Milkovic Nicole M. , Catazaro Jonathan , Lin Jiusheng , Halouska Steven , Kizziah James L. , Basiaga Sara , Cerny Ronald L. , Powers Robert , Wilson Mark A.
Published: August 2015

Various missense mutations in the cytoprotective protein DJ‐1 cause rare forms of inherited parkinsonism. One mutation, M26I, diminishes DJ‐1 protein levels in the cell but does not result in large changes in the three‐dimensional structure or thermal stability of the protein. Therefore, the molecular defect that results in loss of M26I DJ‐1 protective function is unclear. Using NMR spectroscopy near physiological temperature, we found that the picosecond–nanosecond dynamics of wild‐type and M26I DJ‐1 are similar. In contrast, elevated amide hydrogen/deuterium exchange rates indicate that M26I DJ‐1 is more flexible than the wild‐type protein on longer timescales and that hydrophobic regions of M26I DJ‐1 are transiently exposed to solvent. Tryptophan fluorescence spectroscopy and thiol crosslinking analyzed by mass spectrometry also demonstrate that M26I DJ‐1 samples conformations that differ from the wild‐type protein at 37°C. These transiently sampled conformations are unstable and cause M26I DJ‐1 to aggregate in vitro at physiological temperature but not at lower temperatures. M26I DJ‐1 aggregation is correlated with pathogenicity, as the structurally similar but non‐pathogenic M26L mutation does not aggregate at 37°C. The onset of dynamically driven M26I DJ‐1 instability at physiological temperature resolves conflicting literature reports about the behavior of this disease‐associated mutant and illustrates the pitfalls of characterizing proteins exclusively at room temperature or below, as key aspects of their behavior may not be apparent.
Modeling effects of dexamethasone on disease progression of bone mineral density in collagen‐induced arthritic rats
Authors: Lon Hoi‐Kei , DuBois Debra C. , Earp Justin C. , Almon Richard R. , Jusko William J.
Published: August 2015

A mechanism‐based model was developed to characterize the crosstalk between proinflammatory cytokines, bone remodeling biomarkers, and bone mineral density (BMD) in collagen‐induced arthritic (CIA) rats. Male Lewis rats were divided into five groups: healthy control, CIA control, CIA receiving single 0.225 mg kg−1 subcutaneous (SC) dexamethasone (DEX), CIA receiving single 2.25 mg kg−1 SC DEX, and CIA receiving chronic 0.225 mg kg−1 SC DEX. The CIA rats underwent collagen induction at day 0 and DEX was injected at day 21 post‐induction. Disease activity was monitored throughout the study and rats were sacrificed at different time points for blood and paw collection. Protein concentrations of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP‐5b) in paws were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Disease progression and DEX pharmacodynamic profiles of IL‐1β, IL‐6, RANKL, and OPG were fitted simultaneously and parameters were sequentially applied to fit the TRACP‐5b and BMD data. The model was built according to the mechanisms reported in the literature and modeling was performed using ADAPT 5 software with naïve pooling. Time profiles of IL‐1β and IL‐6 protein concentrations correlated with their mRNAs. The RANKL and OPG profiles matched previous findings in CIA rats. DEX inhibited the expressions of IL‐1β, IL‐6, and RANKL, but did not alter OPG. TRACP‐5b was also inhibited by DEX. Model predictions suggested that anti‐IL‐1β therapy and anti‐RANKL therapy would result in similar efficacy for prevention of bone loss among the cytokine antagonists.
Semiconductor hydrogen analogue candidates for observation of quasi‐Landau oscillations associated with semi‐classical electron orbits
Authors: Bleasdale C. , Lewis R. A.
Published: August 2015

Recently, oscillations above the ionization threshold were observed in high purity Si in a magnetic field. These oscillations were found to be related to the semi‐classical motion of excited electrons around impurity centers periodically returning to the nucleus. This effect had been previously observed for many elemental gases in magnetic fields, yet had never been observed in the semiconductor environment. In this work, we analyze other semiconductors to see if they provide a more favorable medium over Si for the observation of these orbits, and to establish the experimental conditions required to make such observations.
Geomorphic Responses to a Large Check‐Dam Removal on a Mountain River in Taiwan
Authors: Wang H.‐W. , Kuo W.‐C.
Published: August 2015

The ability to understand and predict the impacts of dam removal in river systems is important, especially as dam decommissioning is becoming increasingly popular. In this study, we document the morphological and sediment impact of the removal of Chijiawan Check Dam in May 2011; a 13‐m‐high dam located on a coarse‐grained, steep mountain river channel in Taiwan. An estimated 0.2 million m3 of sediment had accumulated within the impoundment before its removal. Longitudinal and bankfull cross‐sectional surveys and a detailed sediment textural survey were undertaken along a 3.2‐km study reach of the Chijiawan Creek between 2010 and 2012. A rotating knickpoint with migration rates of up to 22 m/day was observed along the study reach, following dam removal. The rate and character of channel change, associated with the dam removal, appear to be driven as much by channel morphology and distance from the dam as by the hydrology variability. Our results suggested that relatively small amounts of sediment were eroded during the first 3 weeks following dam removal because of low discharge conditions. However, after 1 and 15 months, 10 and 75% of the sediment that had accumulated within former impounded was eroded, respectively. Sites near the former dam had a sediment texture that reflected the transport of released sediment, and this suggested that basin‐wide sediment processes exerted a strong influence. The removal of Chijiawan Dam offers unique insight on how sediment processes can drive river channel responses to sediment pulses may vary with discharge and sediment load, in areas subject to remarkably high flows and sediment loads. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Assessing Juvenile Salmon Rearing Habitat and Associated Predation Risk in a Lower Snake River Reservoir
Authors: Tiffan K. F. , Hatten J. R. , Trachtenbarg D. A.
Published: August 2015

Subyearling fall Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Columbia River basin exhibit a transient rearing strategy and depend on connected shoreline habitats during freshwater rearing. Impoundment has greatly reduced the amount of shallow‐water rearing habitat that is exacerbated by the steep topography of reservoirs. Periodic dredging creates opportunities to strategically place spoils to increase the amount of shallow‐water habitat for subyearlings while at the same time reducing the amount of unsuitable area that is often preferred by predators. We assessed the amount and spatial arrangement of subyearling rearing habitat in Lower Granite Reservoir on the Snake River to guide future habitat improvement efforts. A spatially explicit habitat assessment was conducted using physical habitat data, two‐dimensional hydrodynamic modelling and a statistical habitat model in a geographic information system framework. We used field collections of subyearlings and a common predator [smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieu)] to draw inferences about predation risk within specific habitat types. Most of the high‐probability rearing habitat was located in the upper half of the reservoir where gently sloping landforms created low lateral bed slopes and shallow‐water habitats. Only 29% of shorelines were predicted to be suitable (probability >0.5) for subyearlings, and the occurrence of these shorelines decreased in a downstream direction. The remaining, less suitable areas were composed of low‐probability habitats in unmodified (25%) and riprapped shorelines (46%). As expected, most subyearlings were found in high‐probability habitat, while most smallmouth bass were found in low‐probability locations. However, some subyearlings were found in low‐probability habitats, such as riprap, where predation risk could be high. Given their transient rearing strategy and dependence on shoreline habitats, subyearlings could benefit from habitat creation efforts in the lower reservoir where high‐probability habitat is generally lacking. Published 2015. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
A mixed effect model for bivariate meta‐analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies using a copula representation of the random effects distribution
Authors: Nikoloulopoulos Aristidis K.
Published: August 2015

Diagnostic test accuracy studies typically report the number of true positives, false positives, true negatives and false negatives. There usually exists a negative association between the number of true positives and true negatives, because studies that adopt less stringent criterion for declaring a test positive invoke higher sensitivities and lower specificities. A generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) is currently recommended to synthesize diagnostic test accuracy studies. We propose a copula mixed model for bivariate meta‐analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies. Our general model includes the GLMM as a special case and can also operate on the original scale of sensitivity and specificity. Summary receiver operating characteristic curves are deduced for the proposed model through quantile regression techniques and different characterizations of the bivariate random effects distribution. Our general methodology is demonstrated with an extensive simulation study and illustrated by re‐analysing the data of two published meta‐analyses. Our study suggests that there can be an improvement on GLMM in fit to data and makes the argument for moving to copula random effects models. Our modelling framework is implemented in the package CopulaREMADA within the open source statistical environment R. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular Hemocompatibility of Graphene Oxide and Its Implication for Antithrombotic Applications
Authors: Kenry  , Loh Kian Ping , Lim Chwee Teck
Published: August 2015

Surface‐induced blood clotting is one of the major problems associated with the long‐term use of blood‐contacting biomedical devices. Central to this obstructive blood clotting is the adsorption of plasma proteins following the interactions between blood and material surface. Of all proteins circulating in the blood plasma, albumin and fibrinogen are the two important proteins regulating the blood–material interaction. As such, the adsorption of plasma proteins has been used as an indicator for the assessment of the blood compatibility of the biomedical devices. Numerous nanomaterials have been developed for antithrombotic surface coating applications, including the 2D graphene and its derivatives. Here, the antithrombotic property of albumin‐functionalized graphene oxide (albumin‐GO) and its potential for antithrombotic coating application under flow are investigated. The loading capacities, conformational changes, and adsorptions of albumin and fibrinogen on GO are probed. It is observed that GO possesses a high loading capacity for both proteins and simultaneously, it does not disrupt the overall secondary structure and conformational stability of albumin. Both albumin and fibrinogen adsorb well on the surface of GO. Subsequently, it is demonstrated that the albumin‐functionalized GO possesses enhanced antithrombotic effect and may potentially be used as an antithrombotic coating material of blood‐contacting devices under dynamic flow.
Differences in the Toxicological Potential of 2D versus Aggregated Molybdenum Disulfide in the Lung
Authors: Wang Xiang , Mansukhani Nikhita D. , Guiney Linda M. , Ji Zhaoxia , Chang Chong Hyun , Wang Meiying , Liao Yu‐Pei , Song Tze‐Bin , Sun Bingbing , Li Ruibin , Xia Tian , Hersam Mark C. , Nel André E.
Published: August 2015

2D molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has distinct optical and electronic properties compared to aggregated MoS2, enabling wide use of these materials for electronic and biomedical applications. However, the hazard potential of MoS2 has not been studied extensively. Here, a comprehensive analysis of the pulmonary hazard potential of three aqueous suspended forms of MoS2—aggregated MoS2 (Agg‐MoS2), MoS2 exfoliated by lithiation (Lit‐MoS2), and MoS2 dispersed by Pluronic F87 (PF87‐MoS2)—is presented. No cytotoxicity is detected in THP‐1 and BEAS‐2B cell lines. However, Agg‐MoS2 induces strong proinflammatory and profibrogenic responses in vitro. In contrast, Lit‐ and PF87‐MoS2 have little or no effect. In an acute toxicity study in mice, Agg‐MoS2 induces acute lung inflammation, while Lit‐MoS2 and PF87‐MoS2 have little or no effect. In a subchronic study, there is no evidence of pulmonary fibrosis in response to all forms of MoS2. These data suggest that exfoliation attenuates the toxicity of Agg‐MoS2, which is an important consideration toward the safety evaluation and use of nanoscale MoS2 materials for industrial and biological applications.
MgZnO Nanocrystals: Mechanism for Dopant‐Stimulated Self‐Assembly
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Liu Yanli , Song Jizhong , Xu Jiayue , Zeng Haibo
Published: August 2015

Understanding the growth behavior of nanocrystals (NCs), especially when heteroatoms are introduced, is very important for the optimization of doping (or alloying) and optoelectronic performances. Here, it is reported on the observation of alloying‐facilitated self‐assembly of MgZnO NCs and the underlying mechanism of alloying concentration‐dependent surface grafting. Using the developed one‐pot thermolysis of Zn and Mg organic salts with the help of oleylamine (OAm) and oleic acid (OA), the Mg ions can be introduced into the ZnO lattice without phase separation with concentrations as high as 20%. Interestingly, with the increase of Mg alloying concentration, the morphologies of the products transform from monodispersed NCs to nanoflowers, and then nanobouquet superstructures, which have quasi‐monocrystal features and obey the oriented attachment rules. According to the analyses of surface functional groups, a mechanism involving concentration‐dependent surface grafting is proposed for such alloying‐facilitated self‐assembly.
Supersymmetry and cotangent bundle over non-compact exceptional Hermitian symmetric space
Authors: Arai Masato , Baba Kurando
Published: August 2015

Abstract

We construct

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models on the cotangent bundles over the non-compact exceptional Hermitian symmetric spaces

$$ \mathrm{\mathcal{M}}={E}_{6\left(-14\right)}/\mathrm{SO}(10)\times \mathrm{U}(1) $$

ℳ
=

E

6

−
14

/
SO

10

×
U

1

and E
7(−25)
/E
6
× U(1). In order to construct them we use the projective superspace formalism which is an

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

off-shell superfield formulation in four-dimensional space-time. This formalism allows us to obtain the explicit expression of

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models on the cotangent bundles over any Hermitian symmetric spaces in terms of the

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

superfields, once the Kähler potentials of the base manifolds are obtained. We derive the

$$ \mathcal{N}=1 $$

N
=
1

supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models on the Kähler manifolds

$$ \mathrm{\mathcal{M}} $$

ℳ

. Then we extend them into the

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

supersymmetric models with the use of the result in arXiv:1211.1537 developed in the projective superspace formalism. The resultant models are the

$$ \mathcal{N}=2 $$

N
=
2

supersymmetric nonlinear sigma models on the cotangent bundles over the Hermitian symmetric spaces

$$ \mathrm{\mathcal{M}} $$

ℳ

. In this work we complete constructing the cotangent bundles over all the compact and non-compact Hermitian symmetric spaces.
World Health Assembly Resolution WHA68.15: “Strengthening Emergency and Essential Surgical Care and Anesthesia as a Component of Universal Health Coverage”—Addressing the Public Health Gaps Arising from Lack of Safe, Affordable and Accessible Surgical and Anesthetic Services
Authors: Price Raymond , Makasa Emmanuel , Hollands Michael
Published: August 2015

On May 22 2015, the 68th World Health Assembly (WHA) adopted resolution WHA68.15, “Strengthening emergency and essential surgical care and anesthesia as a component of universal health coverage (UHC).” For the first time, governments worldwide acknowledged and recognized surgery and anesthesia as key components of UHC and health systems strengthening. The resolution details and outlines the highest level of political commitments to address the public health gaps arising from lack of safe, affordable, and accessible surgical and anesthetic services in an integrated approach. This article reviews the background of resolution WHA68.15 and discusses how it can be of use to surgeons, anesthetists, advanced practice clinicians, nurses, and others caring for the surgical patients, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries.
Longitudinal Impact of a Family Critical Time Intervention on Children in High‐Risk Families Experiencing Homelessness: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Shinn Marybeth , Samuels Judith , Fischer Sean N. , Thompkins Amanda , Fowler Patrick J.
Published: August 2015

A randomized trial compared effects of a Family Critical Time Intervention (FCTI) to usual care for children in 200 newly homeless families in which mothers had diagnosable mental illness or substance problems. Adapted from an evidence‐based practice to prevent chronic homelessness for adults with mental illnesses, FCTI combines housing and structured, time‐limited case management to connect families leaving shelter with community services. Families were followed at five time points over 24 months. Data on 311 children—99 ages 1.5–5 years, 113 ages 6–10 years, and 99 ages 11–16 years—included mother‐, teacher‐, and child‐reports of mental health, school experiences, and psychosocial well‐being. Analyses used hierarchical linear modeling to investigate intervention effects and changes in child functioning over time. Referral to FCTI reduced internalizing and externalizing problems in preschool‐aged children and externalizing for adolescents 11–16. The intervention led to declines in self‐reported school troubles for children 6–10 and 11–16. Both experimental and control children in all age groups showed reductions in symptoms over time. Although experimental results were scattered, they suggest that FCTI has the potential to improve mental health and school outcomes for children experiencing homelessness.
Effects of water quality in oil palm production landscapes on tropical waterbirds in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Sulai Petra , Nurhidayu Siti , Aziz Najjib , Zakaria Mohamed , Barclay Holly , Azhar Badrul
Published: August 2015

Oil palm expansion is a major driver of habitat loss in the tropics. Although a number of studies have evaluated the consequences for terrestrial biodiversity, the effects on wetland habitats and fauna are less well described. This study aims to determine the conservation value of flood‐control drainage channels in oil palm smallholdings for waterbirds. We also measured the water quality (water temperature; pH; dissolved oxygen, DO; total dissolved solids, TDS; salinity; water depth; conductivity; and turbidity) and habitat characteristics (vegetation cover and channel width) to determine the relationship between waterbird species richness, water quality, and habitat characteristics. Birds were surveyed along 25 line transects within peat swamp‐ and mangrove‐converted oil palm smallholdings. Data were collected in seven smallholdings between March and December 2013. We recorded a total of 1111 waterbirds from eight resident species. Both mangrove forest‐ and peat swamp‐converted smallholdings had similar waterbird diversity. Waterbird species richness increased with increasing DO and decreased with water depth, temperature, and conductivity. The most parsimonious predictive model (minimum quasi Akaike information criterion = 476.48) explained 52.39 % of the variation in species richness. Our data indicate that even man‐made aquatic habitats, such as flood‐control channels, can be important for some waterbirds in oil palm smallholdings. However, considering the relatively small increase in waterbird species richness in channels, the most successful strategy for conserving waterbirds will require protection of intact wetlands supported by better management of drainage channels in oil palm smallholdings.
Mycoplasma hyorhinis‐encoded cytidine deaminase efficiently inactivates cytosine‐based anticancer drugs
Authors: Vande Voorde Johan , Vervaeke Peter , Liekens Sandra , Balzarini Jan
Published: August 2015

Mycoplasmas may colonize tumor tissue in patients. The cytostatic activity of gemcitabine was dramatically decreased inMycoplasma hyorhinis‐infected tumor cell cultures compared with non‐infected tumor cell cultures. This mycoplasma‐driven drug deamination could be prevented by exogenous administration of the cytidine deaminase (CDA) inhibitor tetrahydrouridine, but also by the natural nucleosides or by a purine nucleoside phosphorylase inhibitor. TheM. hyorhinis‐encoded CDAHyor gene was cloned, expressed as a recombinant protein and purified. CDAHyor was found to be more catalytically active than its human equivalent and efficiently deaminates (inactivates) cytosine‐based anticancer drugs. CDAHyor expression at the tumor site may result in selective drug inactivation and suboptimal therapeutic efficiency.
Analysis of JAK2 V617F mutation in Jordanian patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms
Authors: Jaradat Saied A , Khasawneh Rawan , Kamal Nazmi , Matalka Ismail , Al-Bishtawi Mohammed , Al-Sweedan Suleiman , Ayesh Mahmoud H
Published: August 2015

OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND:

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are heterogeneous clonal bone marrow stem cell disorders and include polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) neoplasia. In 2005, the JAK2
V617F mutation was identified in Philadelphia chromosome-negative patients. The aim of this study was to sequence coding exons 12 and 14 of the JAK2 gene in Jordanian patients with MPN.

METHODS:

Both exons 12 and 14 of the JAK2 gene were amplified using polymerase chain reaction from DNA extracted from 68 blood and bone marrow samples belonging to 57 MPN patients and subjected to DNA sequencing.

RESULTS:

JAK2
V617F mutations were detected in 26 of 57 Jordanian patients (45%) with different MPNs. JAK2
V617F was identified in 70%, 31%, and 14% of PV, ET, and IMF cases, respectively. Five men diagnosed with PV were homozygous for JAK2
V617F, whereas the other 21 patients were heterozygous for the mutation. Neither the JAK2
V617F mutation nor any DNA polymorphism in exon 12 or exon 14 of the JAK2 gene was detected among the 40 leukemic patients. A rare single nucleotide polymorphism, c.1860C→T (rs375442615), was detected in one patient with ET.

CONCLUSION:

This study is the first molecular investigation of the JAK2 gene in Jordan. We successfully identified the JAK2
V617F mutation in Jordanian patients with Philadelphia chromosome-negative MPNs. Our results provide a basis for the early detection of this mutation and simplify the diagnostic workup for these disorders at the molecular level.
The effects of TMT faultline configuration on a firm’s short-term performance and innovation activities
Authors: Xie Xiao-Yun , Wang Wei-Liang , Qi Zhen-Jiang
Published: August 2015

Faultline configurations in top management teams are of vital importance in predicting firm outcomes. Grounded in faultline theory, we hypothesise the positive effects of faultlines through the dual routes of coordination and information processing under conditions of various subgroup configuration types. Second-hand data from publicly traded Chinese information technology firms are used to test our hypotheses. The results demonstrate that TMT faultline strength is positively related to a firm’s short-term performance only when both the number and the balance of subgroups are high and is positively related to a firm’s innovation activities only when the number of subgroups is high and the balance of subgroups is low. This study contributes to faultline theory by enriching the connotation of faultlines with the configurational perspective and advancing the debate on the effects of team faultlines as we reveal the benefits of TMT faultlines.
Machine Learning in Fine Wine Price Prediction
Authors: Yeo Michelle , Fletcher Tristan , Shawe-Taylor John
Published: August 2015

Advanced machine learning techniques like Gaussian process regression and multi-task learning are novel in the area of wine price prediction; previous research in this area being restricted to parametric linear regression models when predicting wine prices. Using historical price data of the 100 wines in the Liv-Ex 100 index, the main contributions of this paper to the field are, firstly, a clustering of the wines into two distinct clusters based on autocorrelation. Secondly, an implementation of Gaussian process regression on these wines with predictive accuracy surpassing both the trivial and simple ARMA and GARCH time series prediction benchmarks. Lastly, an implementation of an algorithm which performs multi-task feature learning with kernels on the wine returns as an extension to our optimal Gaussian process regression model. Using the optimal covariance kernel from Gaussian process regression, we achieve predictive results which are comparable to that of Gaussian process regression. Altogether, our research suggests that there is potential in using advanced machine learning techniques in wine price prediction. (JEL Classifications: C6, G12)
Antidepressant‐like effects of quercetin in diabetic rats are independent of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis
Authors: Demir Enver Ahmet , Gergerlioglu Hasan Serdar , Oz Mehmet
Published: August 2015

Objective

Quercetin, one of the most potent flavonol in the family of flavonoids, has been shown to have benefits against diabetes and its complications. In the present study, we investigated effects of quercetin on depression-like behaviours and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis in diabetic rats.

Methods

Experimental diabetes was induced by using streptozotocin, and either 50 or 100 mg/kg quercetin was intraperitoneally administered for 21 days. Following the last treatment, animals were subjected to the forced swim test, and subsequently, the blood was obtained by cardiac puncture to measure plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) levels.

Results

A significant increase of the total immobile time, accompanied by a decrease in the immobility latency, which suggests a depressive status, was observed in diabetic animals that was reversed by the treatment of 50 mg/kg quercetin. However, the higher dose of quercetin (100 mg/kg) was ineffective in alleviating depression-like behaviours. The plasma concentrations of ACTH, and total- and free-CORT were not affected by both doses of quercetin.

Conclusion

Therefore, we concluded that the antidepressant-like effects of quercetin in diabetes are independent of the HPA axis.
The Medieval Islamic Republic of Letters as World Model
Authors: al-Musawi Muhsin
Published: August 2015

My argument in the two-part essay focuses on the dilemma of nahḍah as an unfinished mission; a transition as Țāhā Ḥusayn calls it. I join many scholars who are trying to see through its problematic nature, but I see it also in relation to the immediate past with which it has maintained an uneasy relationship. The recent premodern or medieval past, I argue, could have been read and approached differently to build up a better link with the masses that the nahḍah intellectual bypasses or disparages. The past as a significant period of constellations and knowledge construction could have helped the search for new paths that could also accommodate European knowledge. Other models, alluded to by my insightful respondents and interlocutors, confirm the validity of this proposal, despite the fact that the medieval Islamic republic of letters—as a blanket term for multidimensional efforts—offers more venues in knowledge construction that challenge Casanova’s one single model.
Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman in Comparative Frameworks
Authors: Quayson Ato
Published: August 2015

This essay places Wole Soyinka’s Death and the King’s Horseman in various comparative contexts. These include the comparison with Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God, literary tragedy, and world literature. Setting out the difficulties in teaching African and minority literatures in the Euro-American classroom, the essay details the means by which such problems are negotiated and the ways in which the text is brought alive as a dramatic text that speaks to various themes and ideas.
Treasure-hunting in Ireland – its rise and fall
Authors: Kelly Eamonn P.
Published: August 2015

Recent decades have seen remarkable finds of metal objects from Irish soil – and equally remarkable consequences when some of those objects have surfaced on the open antiquities market.