bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Corticosteroid use and risk of orofacial clefts
Authors: Skuladottir Hildur , Wilcox Allen J. , Ma Chen , Lammer Edward J. , Rasmussen Sonja A. , Werler Martha M. , Shaw Gary M. , Carmichael Suzan L.
Published: April 2014

Background

Maternal use of corticosteroids during early pregnancy has been inconsistently associated with orofacial clefts in the offspring. A previous report from the National Birth Defect Prevention Study (NBDPS), using data from 1997 to 2002, found an association with cleft lip and palate (odds ratio, 1.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.1–2.6), but not cleft palate only (odds ratio, 0.5, 95%CI, 0.2–1.3). From 2003 to 2009, the study population more than doubled in size, and our objective was to assess this association in the more recent data.

Methods

The NBDPS is an ongoing multi‐state population‐based case‐control study of birth defects, with ascertainment of cases and controls born since 1997. We assessed the association of corticosteroids and orofacial clefts using data from 2372 cleft cases and 5922 controls born from 2003 to 2009. Maternal corticosteroid exposure was based on telephone interviews.

Results

The overall association of corticosteroids and cleft lip and palate in the new data was 1.0 (95% CI, 0.7–1.4). There was little evidence of associations between specific corticosteroid components or timing and clefts.

Conclusion

In contrast to the 1997 to 2002 data from the NBDPS, the 2003 to 2009 data show no association between maternal corticosteroid use and cleft lip and palate in the offspring. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 100:499–506, 2014. © 2014 The Authors Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Perioperative management of patients on new oral anticoagulants
Authors: Lai A , Davidson N , Galloway S W , Thachil J
Published: April 2014

Background

New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) offer an alternative to warfarin for preventing stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. NOACs are expected to replace warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists for most of their indications in the future. Knowledge of the use of NOACs in the perioperative period is important for optimal care.

Methods

Studies that reported on the use of NOACs were identified, focusing on evidence-based guidance relating to the perioperative period. PubMed was searched for relevant articles published between January 2000 and January 2014.

Results

The anticipated expanded clinical use of NOACs such as rivaroxaban (Xarelto™), apixaban (Eliquis™) and dabigatran (Pradaxa™) has the potential to simplify perioperative anticoagulant management because of fewer drug–drug interactions, rapid onset of action, predictable pharmacokinetics and relatively short half-lives. However, coagulation status cannot be monitored by international normalized ratio and no antidotes are currently available. In elective surgery, it is important to discontinue the use of NOACs, with special consideration of renal function as route of elimination. Guidelines for the management of bleeding complications in patients on NOACs are provided, and may be considered for trauma and emergency surgery. Haemodialysis could be considered for bleeding with use of dabigatran. Better options for reversal of the effects of NOACs when bleeding occurs may follow with novel drugs.

Conclusion

Management of NOACs in elective and emergency conditions requires knowledge of time of last intake of drug, current renal function and the planned procedure in order to assess the overall risk of bleeding. Currently no antidote exists to reverse the effects of these drugs.
Li3PO4‐Coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4: A Stable High‐Voltage Cathode Material for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Chong Jin , Xun Shidi , Zhang Jingping , Song Xiangyun , Xie Haiming , Battaglia Vincent , Wang Rongshun
Published: April 2014

LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 is regarded as a promising cathode material to increase the energy density of lithium‐ion batteries due to the high discharge voltage (ca. 4.7 V). However, the interface between the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode and the electrolyte is a great concern because of the decomposition of the electrolyte on the cathode surface at high operational potentials. To build a stable and functional protecting layer of Li3PO4 on LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 to avoid direct contact between the active materials and the electrolyte is the emphasis of this study. Li3PO4‐coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 is prepared by a solid‐state reaction and noncoated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 is prepared by the same method as a control. The materials are fully characterized by XRD, FT‐IR, and high‐resolution TEM. TEM shows that the Li3PO4 layer (<6 nm) is successfully coated on the LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 primary particles. XRD and FT‐IR reveal that the synthesized Li3PO4‐coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 has a cubic spinel structure with a space group of Fd$\bar 3$m, whereas noncoated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 shows a cubic spinel structure with a space group of P4332. The electrochemical performance of the prepared materials is characterized in half and full cells. Li3PO4‐coated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 shows dramatically enhanced cycling performance compared with noncoated LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4.
Alkyl Ammonium Cation Stabilized Biocidal Polyiodides with Adaptable High Density and Low Pressure
Authors: He Chunlin , Parrish Damon A. , Shreeve Jean'ne M.
Published: April 2014

The effective application of biocidal species requires building the active moiety into a molecular back bone that can be delivered and decomposed on demand under conditions of low pressure and prolonged high‐temperature detonation. The goal is to destroy storage facilities and their contents while utilizing the biocidal products arising from the released energy to destroy any remaining harmful airborne agents. Decomposition of carefully selected iodine‐rich compounds can produce large amounts of the very active biocides, hydroiodic acid (HI) and iodine (I2). Polyiodide anions, namely, I3−, I5−, which are excellent sources of such biocides, can be stabilized through interactions with large, symmetric cations, such as alkyl ammonium salts. We have designed and synthesized suitable compounds of adaptable high density up to 3.33 g cm−3 that are low‐pressure polyiodides with various alkyl ammonium cations, deliverable iodine contents of which range between 58.0–90.9 %.
Water Repellency in Hydrophobic Nanocapsules—Molecular View on Dewetting
Authors: Müller Achim , Garai Somenath , Schäffer Christian , Merca Alice , Bögge Hartmut , Al‐Karawi Ahmed Jasim M. , Prasad Thazhe Kootteri
Published: April 2014

The hydrophobic effect plays a major role in a variety of important phenomena in chemistry, materials science and biology, for instance in protein folding and protein–ligand interactions. Studies—performed within cavities of the unique metal oxide based porous capsules of the type {(pentagon)12(linker)30}≡{(W)W5}12{Mo2(ligand)}30 with different acetate/water ligand ratios—have provided unprecedented results revealing segregation/repellency of the encapsulated “water” from the internal hydrophobic ligand walls of the capsules, while the disordered water molecules, interacting strongly with each other via hydrogen bonding, form in all investigated cases the same type of spherical shell. The present results can be (formally) compared—but only regarding the repellency effect—with the amazing “action” of the (super)hydrophobic Lotus (Nelumbo) leaves, which are self‐cleaning based on water repellency resulting in the formation of water droplets picking up dirt. The present results were obtained by constructing deliberately suitable hydrophobic interiors within the mentioned capsules.
A New 3,5‐Bisporphyrinylpyridine Derivative as a Fluorescent Ratiometric Probe for Zinc Ions
Authors: Moura Nuno M. M. , Núñez Cristina , Santos Sérgio M. , Faustino M. Amparo F. , Cavaleiro José A. S. , Almeida Paz Filipe A. , Neves M. Graça P. M. S. , Capelo José Luis , Lodeiro Carlos
Published: April 2014

A new 3,5‐disubstituted pyridine with two porphyrin moieties was prepared through an efficient synthetic approach involving 2‐formyl‐5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin (1), piperidine, and catalytic amounts of [La(OTf)3]. 3,5‐Bis(5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphyrin‐2‐ylmethyl)pyridine (2) was fully characterized and its sensing ability towards Zn2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, and Ag+ was evaluated in solution by absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy and in gas phase by using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)‐TOF mass spectrometry. Strong changes in the ground and excited state were detected in the case of the soft metal ions Zn2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, and Cu2+. A three‐metal‐per‐ligand molar ratio was obtained in all cases and a significant ratiometric behavior was observed in the presence of Zn2+ with the appearance of a new band at 608 nm, which can be assigned to a metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer. The system was able to quantify 79 ppb of Zn2+ and the theoretical calculations are in accordance with the stoichiometry observed in solution. The gas‐phase sensorial ability of compound 2 towards all metal ions was confirmed by using MALDI‐TOF MS and in solid state by using polymeric films of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) doped with ligand 2. The results showed that compound 2 can be analytically used to develop new colorimetric molecular devices that are able to discriminate between Hg2+ and Zn2+ in solid phase. The crystal structure of ZnII complex of 3,5‐bisporphyrinylpyridine was unequivocally elucidated by using single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies.
Stereocontrol in Dinuclear Triple Lithium‐Bridged Titanium(IV) Complexes: Solving Some Stereochemical Mysteries
Authors: Albrecht Markus , Isaak Elisabeth , Moha Verena , Raabe Gerhard , Fröhlich Roland
Published: April 2014

Compounds 1 a–f‐H2 form “monomeric” triscatecholate titanium(IV) complexes [Ti(1 a–f)3]2−, which in the presence of Li cations are in equilibrium with the triple lithium‐bridged “dimers” [Li3(Ti(1 a–f)3)2]−. The equilibrium strongly depends on the donor ability of the solvent. Usually, in solvents with high donor ability, the stereochemically labile monomer is preferred, whereas in nondonor solvents, the dimer is the major species. In the latter, the stereochemistry at the complex units is “locked”. The configuration at the titanium(IV) triscatecholates is influenced by addition of chiral ammonium countercations. In this case, the induced stereochemical information at the monomer is transferred to the dimer. Alternatively, the configuration at the metal complexes can be controlled by enantiomerically pure ester side chains. Due to the different orientation of the ester groups in the monomer or dimer, opposite configurations of the triscatecholates were observed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy for [Ti(1 c–e)3]2− or [Li3(Ti(1 c–e)3)2]−. A surprising exception was found for the dimer [Li3(Ti(1 f)3)2]−. Herein, the dimer is the dominating species in weak donor (methanol), as well as strong donor (DMSO), solvents. This is due to the bulkiness of the ester substituent destabilizing the monomer. Due to the size of the substituent in [Li3(Ti(1 f)3)2]− the esters have to adopt an unusual conformation in the dimer resulting in a stereocontrol of the small methyl group. Following this, opposite stereocontrol mechanisms were observed for the central metal‐complex units of [Li3(Ti(1 c–e)3)2]− or [Li3(Ti(1 f)3)2]−.
Water Repellency in Hydrophobic Nanocapsules—Molecular View on Dewetting
Authors: Müller Achim , Garai Somenath , Schäffer Christian , Merca Alice , Bögge Hartmut , Al‐Karawi Ahmed Jasim M. , Prasad Thazhe Kootteri
Published: April 2014

Invited for the cover of this issue is the group of Achim Müller at the University of Bielefeld. The image (including artwork from Hartmut Bögge) depicts manifestations of the ubiquitous hydrophobic effects which play a crucial role in general biology, for example, the so‐called “self‐cleaning properties” of the Lotus leaves (model shown), in structural biology and for many practical applications in daily life. The new results refer to synthetic hydrophobic nanocapsules in which encapsulated water is repelled from the inner wall (left), in sharp contrast to the situation found in related hydrophilic capsules (right). Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.201402216.
Electro‐Fenton Degradation of Methylene Blue Using Polyacrylonitrile‐Based Carbon Fiber Brush Cathode
Authors: Xia Guangsen , Lu Yonghong , Gao Xueli , Gao Congjie , Xu Haibo
Published: April 2014

A polyacrylonitrile‐based carbon fiber brush (PAN‐CFB) cathode was firstly used to decolorize and degrade methylene blue (MB) in Na2SO4 solution via electro‐Fenton reaction between H2O2 from oxygen reduction and ferrous ions (Fe2+) externally added. The optimal current value for H2O2 production was 300 mA, with a maximum H2O2 concentration of 185 mg L−1 and current efficiency of 68% after 60 min, indicating that PAN‐based CF is a promising electrode material for 2 e− oxygen reduction reaction. Additionally, the effect of different parameters, such as the initial pH of the dye solution, Fe2+ and initial dye concentration on the decolorization efficiency, and COD removal was thoroughly investigated in simulated wastewater containing MB. The results showed that the electro‐Fenton system using the PAN‐CFB cathode had a wide applicable pH range 3.00–7.00, and the optimal Fe2+ concentration was 0.3 mmol L−1. Moreover, under the conditions of 300 mA current, pH 3.00, and 0.3 mmol L−1 Fe2+, a nearly 100% color removal after 30 min, 95.9% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal and the low electrochemical energy consumption of 11.6 kWh kg−1 COD after 60 min for 100 mg L−1 MB solution were obtained.
Systems with Competing Interlayer Interactions and Modulations in One Direction: Finding their Structures
Authors: Čepič Mojca
Published: April 2014

Complex structures in polar smectic systems can be studied within framework of discrete phenomenological models. Considered interactions are usually described by nonlinear trigonometric functions that do not allow for a straightforward search for solutions. The review of three methods reported in the literature are presented and their appropriateness, advantages and disadvantages are discussed. Examples are given as an illustration for each method.
Far‐Red Organic Fluorophores Contain a Fluorescent Impurity
Authors: Stone Matthew B. , Veatch Sarah L.
Published: April 2014

Far‐red organic fluorophores commonly used in traditional and super‐resolution localization microscopy are found to contain a fluorescent impurity with green excitation and near‐red emission. This near‐red fluorescent impurity can interfere with some multicolor stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy/photoactivated localization microscopy measurements in live cells and produce subtle artifacts in chemically fixed cells. We additionally describe alternatives to avoid artifacts in super‐resolution localization microscopy.
Ethanol Oxidation on Pt Single‐Crystal Electrodes: Surface‐Structure Effects in Alkaline Medium
Authors: Busó‐Rogero Carlos , Herrero Enrique , Feliu Juan M.
Published: April 2014

Ethanol oxidation in 0.1 M NaOH on single‐crystal electrodes has been studied using electrochemical and FTIR techniques. The results show that the activity order is the opposite of that found in acidic solutions. The Pt(111) electrode displays the highest currents and also the highest onset potential of all the electrodes. The onset potential for the oxidation of ethanol is linked to the adsorption of OH on the electrode surface. However, small (or even negligible) amounts of COads and carbonate are detected by FTIR, which implies that cleavage of the CC bond is not favored in this medium. The activity of the electrodes diminishes quickly upon cycling. The diminution of the activity is proportional to the measured currents and is linked to the formation and polymerization of acetaldehyde, which adsorbs onto the electrode surface and prevents further oxidation.
Screening Nitrogen‐Rich Bases and Oxygen‐Rich Acids by Theoretical Calculations for Forming Highly Stable Salts
Authors: Zhang Xueli , Gong Xuedong
Published: April 2014

Nitrogen‐rich heterocyclic bases and oxygen‐rich acids react to produce energetic salts with potential application in the field of composite explosives and propellants. In this study, 12 salts formed by the reaction of the bases 4‐amino‐1,2,4‐trizole (A), 1‐amino‐1,2,4‐trizole (B), and 5‐aminotetrazole (C), upon reaction with the acids HNO3 (I), HN(NO2)2 (II), HClO4 (III), and HC(NO2)3 (IV), are studied using DFT calculations at the B97‐D/6‐311++G** level of theory. For the reactions with the same base, those of HClO4 are the most exothermic and spontaneous, and the most negative ΔrGm in the formation reaction also corresponds to the highest decomposition temperature of the resulting salt. The ability of anions and cations to form hydrogen bonds decreases in the order NO3−>N(NO2)2−>ClO4−>C(NO2)3−, and C+>B+>A+. In particular, those different cation abilities are mainly due to their different conformations and charge distributions. For the salts with the same anion, the larger total hydrogen‐bond energy (EH,tot) leads to a higher melting point. The order of cations and anions on charge transfer (q), second‐order perturbation energy (E2), and binding energy (Eb) are the same to that of EH,tot, so larger q leads to larger E2, Eb, and EH,tot. All salts have similar frontier orbitals distributions, and their HOMO and LUMO are derived from the anion and the cation, respectively. The molecular orbital shapes are kept as the ions form a salt. To produce energetic salts, 5‐aminotetrazole and HClO4 are the preferred base and acid, respectively.
Modulated Ionomer Distribution in the Catalyst Layer of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells for High Temperature Operation
Authors: Choo Min‐Ju , Oh Keun‐Hwan , Kim Hee‐Tak , Park Jung‐Ki
Published: April 2014

Ionomer distribution is an important design parameter for high performance polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs); however, the nano‐scale modulation of the ionomer morphology has not been intensively explored. Here, we propose a new route to modulate the ionomer distribution that features the introduction of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to the cathode catalyst layer and the leaching the PEG phase from the catalyst layer using a water effluent during operation. The key concept in the approach is the expansion of the ionomer thin film through the PEG addition. We demonstrate that the modulated ionomer distribution increases the electrochemical active area and proton transport property, without loss in oxygen transport, at a fixed ionomer content. At a high temperature of 120 °C, the power performance at 0.6 V is increased by 1.73‐fold with the modulated ionomer distribution as a result of 1.25‐fold increase in the electrochemical active area and two‐fold increase in the proton transport rate in the catalyst layer.
Thin a‐SiC:H Films Formed by Remote Hydrogen Microwave Plasma CVD using Dimethylsilane and Trimethylsilane Precursors
Authors: Wróbel Aleksander M. , Walkiewicz‐Pietrzykowska Agnieszka , Uznanski Pawel
Published: April 2014

The effect of substrate temperature (TS) on the chemical structure, surface morphology, density, and adhesion to a substrate of a‐SiC:H films is reported. The increase in TS from 30 °C to 400 °C causes the elimination of organic moieties from the film and the formation of Si‐carbidic network. The films produced at high TS are morphologically homogeneous, dense, and strongly adhere to coatings.
Paths selection‐based resequencing queue length in concurrent multipath transfer
Authors: Wang Fenghua , Xie Dongliang , Wang Jingyu , Zhang Peng , Shi Yan
Published: April 2014

Traditionally, concurrent multipath transfer (CMT) is used to achieve aggregate bandwidth in next generation networks, which are expected to be heterogeneous, integrating access networks employing different technologies. Simultaneous data transfer over multiple destination addresses could increase throughput, but causes data reordering at the destination. A lot of studies assumed that the receiver buffer (RBUF) in CMT is unlimited, actually, it's not. However, limited RBUF indeed affects the whole performance and even causes RBUF blocking problem in the real situation. In this paper, we analyze the RBUF blocking problem brought by simultaneous data transfer with limited RBUF. Then, we propose a new analytical model of reliable delivery to predict the Stream Control Transmission Protocol throughput and the length expectation of the resequenceing queue in CMT. Based on the model mentioned earlier, the paths selection problem is formulated as a knapsack problem, which maximizes the overall throughput and limits the resequencing queue length expectation to the fixed RBUF size. Through the computer simulations, the proposed analytical model can predict the throughput of CMT accurately. It is proved that our proposed paths selection has achieved much better performance than the others in CMT.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Optimized Nonclinical Safety Assessment Strategies Supporting Clinical Development of Therapeutic Monoclonal Antibodies Targeting Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Brennan Frank R. , Cauvin Annick , Tibbitts Jay , Wolfreys Alison
Published: April 2014

Preclinical Development Toxicology, Formulation Drug Delivery, Pharmacokinetics
Clinical Development Phases I‐III Regulatory, Quality, Manufacturing

An increasing number of immunomodulatory monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and IgG Fc fusion proteins are either approved or in early‐to‐late stage clinical trials for the treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases and organ transplant rejection. The exquisite specificity of mAbs, in combination with their multi‐functional properties, high potency, long half‐life (permitting intermittent dosing and prolonged pharamcological effects), and general lack of off‐target toxicity makes them ideal therapeutics. Dosing with mAbs for these severe and debilitating but often non life‐threatening diseases is usually prolonged, for several months or years, and not only affects adults, including sensitive populations such as woman of child‐bearing potential (WoCBP) and the elderly, but also children. Immunosuppression is usually a therapeutic goal of these mAbs and when administered to patients whose treatment program often involves other immunosuppressive therapies, there is an inherent risk for frank immunosuppression and reduced host defence which when prolonged increases the risk of infection and cancer. In addition when mAbs interact with the immune system they can induce other adverse immune‐mediated drug reactions such as infusion reactions, cytokine release syndrome, anaphylaxis, immune‐complex‐mediated pathology and autoimmunity. An overview of the nonclinical safety assessment and risk mitigation strategies utilized to characterize these immunomodulatory mAbs and Fc fusion proteins to support first‐in human (FIH) studies and futher clinical development in inflammatory disease indications is provided. Specific emphasis is placed on the design of studies to qualify animal species for toxicology studies, early studies to investigate safety and define PK/PD relationships, FIH‐enabling and chronic toxicology studies, immunotoxicity, developmental, reproductive and juvenile toxicity studies and studies to determine the potential for immunosuppression and reduced host defence against infection and cancer. Nonclinical strategies to facilitate clinical and market entry in the most efficient timeframe are presented.
Eating patterns in youth with restricting and binge eating/purging type anorexia nervosa
Authors: Elran‐Barak Roni , Accurso Erin C. , Goldschmidt Andrea B. , Sztainer Maya , Byrne Catherine , Le Grange Daniel
Published: April 2014

Objective

To describe eating patterns in youth with restricting and binge/purge type anorexia nervosa (AN) and to examine whether eating patterns are associated with binge eating or purging behaviors.

Method

Participants included 160 children and adolescents (M = 15.14 ± 2.17 years) evaluated at The University of Chicago Eating Disorders Program who met criteria for DSM‐5 restrictive type AN (AN‐R; 75%; n = 120) or binge eating/purging type AN (AN‐BE/P; 25%; n = 40). All participants completed the eating disorder examination on initial evaluation.

Results

Youth with AN‐R and AN‐BE/P differed in their eating patterns, such that youth with AN‐R consumed meals and snacks more regularly relative to youth with AN‐BE/P. Among youth with AN‐BE/P, skipping dinner was associated with a greater number of binge eating episodes (r = −.379, p < .05), while skipping breakfast was associated with a greater number of purging episodes (r = −.309, p < .05).

Discussion

Youth with AN‐R generally follow a regular meal schedule, but are likely consuming insufficient amounts of food across meals and snacks. In contrast, youth with AN‐BE/P tend to have more irregular eating patterns, which may play a role in binge eating and purging behaviors. Adults monitoring of meals may be beneficial for youth with AN, and particularly those with AN‐BE/P who engage in irregular eating patterns. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:878–883)
A nation‐wide study of the family aggregation and risk factors in anorexia nervosa over three generations
Authors: Steinhausen Hans‐Christoph , Jakobsen Helle , Helenius Dorte , Munk‐Jørgensen Povl , Strober Michael
Published: April 2014

Objective

This nation‐wide register‐based study investigated how often anorexia nervosa (AN) and co‐morbid disorders occur in affected families compared with control families. Furthermore, the study addressed the impact of sex, year of birth, and degree of urbanization in terms of risk factors.

Method

A total of N = 2,370 child and adolescent psychiatric subjects born between 1951 and 1996 and registered in the Danish Psychiatric Central Research Register (DPCRR) had any mental disorder before the age of 18 and developed AN at some point during their life‐time. In addition, N = 7,035 controls without any psychiatric diagnosis before age 18 and matched for age, sex, and residential region were included. Psychiatric diagnoses were also obtained on the first‐degree relatives as a part of the Danish Three Generation Study (3GS). A family load component was obtained by using various mixed regression models.

Results

AN occurred significantly more often in case than in control families. AN Risk factors included having a sibling with AN, affective disorders in family members, and co‐morbid affective, anxiety, obsessive‐compulsive, personality, or substance use disorders. Furthermore, female sex, and ascending year of birth were significantly associated with having AN. Urbanization was not related to the family load of AN and case‐relatives did not develop AN earlier than control relatives.

Discussion

These findings based on a very large and representative dataset provide evidence for the family aggregation and further risk factors in AN. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:1–8)
Distribution models for koalas in South Australia using citizen science‐collected data
Authors: Sequeira Ana M. M. , Roetman Philip E. J. , Daniels Christopher B. , Baker Andrew K. , Bradshaw Corey J. A.
Published: April 2014

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) occurs in the eucalypt forests of eastern and southern Australia and is currently threatened by habitat fragmentation, climate change, sexually transmitted diseases, and low genetic variability throughout most of its range. Using data collected during the Great Koala Count (a 1‐day citizen science project in the state of South Australia), we developed generalized linear mixed‐effects models to predict habitat suitability across South Australia accounting for potential errors associated with the dataset. We derived spatial environmental predictors for vegetation (based on dominant species of Eucalyptus or other vegetation), topographic water features, rain, elevation, and temperature range. We also included predictors accounting for human disturbance based on transport infrastructure (sealed and unsealed roads). We generated random pseudo‐absences to account for the high prevalence bias typical of citizen‐collected data. We accounted for biased sampling effort along sealed and unsealed roads by including an offset for distance to transport infrastructures. The model with the highest statistical support (wAICc ~ 1) included all variables except rain, which was highly correlated with elevation. The same model also explained the highest deviance (61.6%), resulted in high R2(m) (76.4) and R2(c) (81.0), and had a good performance according to Cohen's κ (0.46). Cross‐validation error was low (~ 0.1). Temperature range, elevation, and rain were the best predictors of koala occurrence. Our models predict high habitat suitability in Kangaroo Island, along the Mount Lofty Ranges, and at the tips of the Eyre, Yorke and Fleurieu Peninsulas. In the highest‐density region (5576 km2) of the Adelaide–Mount Lofty Ranges, a density–suitability relationship predicts a population of 113,704 (95% confidence interval: 27,685–199,723; average density = 5.0–35.8 km−2). We demonstrate the power of citizen science data for predicting species' distributions provided that the statistical approaches applied account for some uncertainties and potential biases. A future improvement to citizen science surveys to provide better data on search effort is that smartphone apps could be activated at the start of the search. The results of our models provide preliminary ranges of habitat suitability and population size for a species for which previous data have been difficult or impossible to gather otherwise.
B‐cell‐intrinsic STAT6 signaling controls germinal center formation
Authors: Turqueti‐Neves Adriana , Otte Manuel , da Costa Olivia Prazeres , Höpken Uta E. , Lipp Martin , Buch Thorsten , Voehringer David
Published: April 2014

Infection with helminths and exposure to antigens induce a strong type 2 immune response resulting in the secretion of the cytokines IL‐4 and IL‐13 by CD4+ T cells and several innate cell types. IL‐4 and IL‐13 promote class switch recombination to IgG1 and IgE while their role for germinal center (GC) formation is poorly understood. We found a dramatic reduction in the numbers of GC B cells when investigating different type 2 immune responses in IL‐4/IL‐13‐deficient mice. IL‐4/IL‐13 from T cells located outside B‐cell follicles was sufficient for GC formation. We further revealed that IL‐4/IL‐13 acts directly on B cells for the formation of a robust GC response. The frequency of apoptotic GC B cells was not altered in the absence of IL‐4/IL‐13 and proliferation was even enhanced. However, deficiency of signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 signaling in B cells resulted in failure to downregulate the chemotactic receptor Gpr183 (Ebi2) and downregulation of this receptor has been shown to be essential for proper GC B‐cell differentiation. Thus, T‐cell‐derived extrafollicular IL‐4/IL‐13 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 6‐regulated genes in B cells play a critical role for orchestration of the GC response in type 2 immunity.
Modeling of Multitubular Reactors for Iron‐ and Cobalt‐Catalyzed Fischer–Tropsch Syntheses for Application in a Power‐to‐Liquid Process
Authors: Kaiser Philipp , Jess Andreas
Published: April 2014

Two‐dimensional reactor modeling for iron‐ and cobalt‐catalyzed Fischer–Tropsch syntheses (FTS) is shown within this work. The modeling includes the intrinsic and effective kinetics of the FT‐reaction and side reactions such as methanation and water–gas shift (WGS), that is, the influence of pore diffusion was considered for both catalysts (Fe, Co). A parametric study was used to identify the most important parameters for designing a technical multitubular FT reactor; which include superficial velocity, tube diameter, and cooling temperature. Based on these considerations, optimized case simulations of a single reactor tube were performed to calculate the catalyst performance; the cobalt catalyst showed a productivity of 0.17 kg kgcat−1 h−1 compared to 0.12 kg kgcat−1 h−1 obtained with iron. Moreover, basic data for an industrial power‐to‐liquid (PTL) plant are outlined. An iron‐based plant can produce 75 kt per year using a reactor with approximately 2600 single tubes with a diameters of 6 cm. In contrast, for the cobalt‐catalyzed reaction, the same production volume requires a reactor with 8000 single tubes (of 3 cm diameter).
Considerations for Providing Test Translation Accommodations to English Language Learners on Common Core Standards‐Based Assessments
Authors: Turkan Sultan , Oliveri Maria Elena
Published: April 2014

In this article, we review translation, adaptation policies, and practices in providing test accommodation for English language learners (ELLs) in the United States. We collected documents and conducted interviews with officials in the 12 states that provide translation accommodations to ELLs on content assessments. We then summarized challenges to ensuring fair and valid accommodations to ELLs and provided recommendations to address the challenges involved in translating a content test while preserving its validity.
Probabilistic classification learning with corrective feedback is associated with in vivo striatal dopamine release in the ventral striatum, while learning without feedback is not
Authors: Wilkinson Leonora , Tai Yen Foung , Lin Chia Shu , Lagnado David Albert , Brooks David James , Piccini Paola , Jahanshahi Marjan
Published: April 2014

The basal ganglia (BG) mediate certain types of procedural learning, such as probabilistic classification learning on the ‘weather prediction task’ (WPT). Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), who have BG dysfunction, are impaired at WPT‐learning, but it remains unclear what component of the WPT is important for learning to occur. We tested the hypothesis that learning through processing of corrective feedback is the essential component and is associated with release of striatal dopamine. We employed two WPT paradigms, either involving learning via processing of corrective feedback (FB) or in a paired associate manner (PA). To test the prediction that learning on the FB but not PA paradigm would be associated with dopamine release in the striatum, we used serial 11C‐raclopride (RAC) positron emission tomography (PET), to investigate striatal dopamine release during FB and PA WPT‐learning in healthy individuals. Two groups, FB, (n = 7) and PA (n = 8), underwent RAC PET twice, once while performing the WPT and once during a control task. Based on a region‐of‐interest approach, striatal RAC‐binding potentials reduced by 13–17% in the right ventral striatum when performing the FB compared to control task, indicating release of synaptic dopamine. In contrast, right ventral striatal RAC binding non‐significantly increased by 9% during the PA task. While differences between the FB and PA versions of the WPT in effort and decision‐making is also relevant, we conclude striatal dopamine is released during FB‐based WPT‐learning, implicating the striatum and its dopamine connections in mediating learning with FB. Hum Brain Mapp 35:5106–5115, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Dismal outcome of t‐cell lymphoma patients failing first‐line treatment: results of a population‐based study from the Modena Cancer Registry
Authors: Biasoli Irene , Cesaretti Marina , Bellei Monica , Maiorana Antonino , Bonacorsi Goretta , Quaresima Micol , Salati Massimiliano , Federico Massimo , Luminari Stefano
Published: April 2014

We conducted a population‐based study to establish the outcome of T‐cell lymphoma (TCL) patients failing systemic first‐line therapy. All TCL patients failing first‐line systemic therapy in the province of Modena were identified from Modena Cancer Registry between 1997 and 2010. A total of 53 patients were analysed. Regarding the type of failure, 18 patients relapsed, and 35 progressed during first treatment. Among relapsed patients, the median time from date of response to relapse after first treatment was 6.2 months (range 1.87–102). A total of 18 patients (34%) died before receiving salvage treatment, 21 received platinum or gemcitabine‐containing regimens (7 addressed to autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT)), 12 other CT regimens; 2 received radiotherapy (RT). The median survival after relapse (SAR) was 2.5 months. After a median follow‐up for living patients after failure of 35 months (range 8–111 months), 44 patients died, and the cause of death was found to be lymphoma progression in all (98%) but one of them. The median SAR was 2.5 months. The 3‐year SAR was 19%. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses for SAR were performed. In multivariate analysis, performance status and type of failure were associated with a higher risk of death after relapse. The outcome of TCL patients failing first‐line therapy is poor. Only a few cases that could receive ASCT had promising chances of long remission. There is urgent need for novel agents for patients requiring second‐line treatment. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organizational Work‐Family Culture and Working Mothers’ Affective Commitment: How Career Expectations Matter
Authors: Chang Eunmi , Chin Hyun , Ye Jieun
Published: April 2014

The research undertaken here examines how an organizational work‐family culture affects the attitudes of working mothers. This research extends the existing findings by examining two separate mediation processes: work‐family conflict and career expectations. The cases of 1,308 working mothers were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results show that career expectations mediated the effect of an organizational work‐family culture on affective commitment while work‐family conflict did not. As an additional analysis, working mothers’ perceptions and attitudes were compared with those of 288 peers. Results disclose that working mothers were no less committed to their organization, and were even more committed than their peers early in their careers. Working mothers’ career expectations, however, were consistently lower than their peers’ expectations. Implications of these results are included. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Large‐Area, Solution‐Based Deposition of Single‐Crystal Organic Semiconductors
Authors: Shaw Leo , Bao Zhenan
Published: April 2014

Although solution processing has been hailed as a more industrially relevant route for the deposition of organic semiconductors to be used in devices, the quality and performance of solution‐deposited thin films of these materials have not been able to reach that of vapor‐grown single crystals until recently. Single crystals and single‐crystalline films benefit from the absence of grain boundaries and the reduction of crystalline defects that impede effective charge transport through the solid. Although solution‐phase deposition techniques for high‐quality single‐crystal growth have been reported, high‐throughput, large‐area deposition methods for single‐crystalline films remain challenging. However, a shift toward this direction has emerged in recent years and has produced a diversity of techniques to grow, deposit, and pattern organic semiconductor single crystals and thin films. In this review, we survey the physical basis for a variety of solution‐based single‐crystal growth and deposition methods and discuss their advantages and shortcomings in the hopes of inspiring new ways to approach these challenges.
Topical high‐concentration menthol: Reproducibility of a human surrogate pain model
Authors: Mahn F. , Hüllemann P. , Wasner G. , Baron R. , Binder A.
Published: April 2014

Background

Human experimental pain models play an important role in studying neuropathic pain mechanisms. The objective of the present study was to test the reproducibility of the topical menthol model over a 1‐week period.

Method

We performed an open, two‐period study in 10 healthy volunteers with 40 menthol applications. The side of menthol application was randomly assigned. Two trial periods were separated by 1 week. Before and after applying menthol, selected quantitative sensory testing (QST) was performed. The area of mechanical pin‐prick hyperalgesia was quantified. Spontaneous pain was recorded.

Results

Application of menthol induced a statistically significant decrease in the cold pain threshold (CPT) (p < 0.001) and mechanical pain threshold and an increase in the mechanical pain sensitivity (MPS) (p < 0.001), indicating cold and mechanical (pin‐prick) hyperalgesia. Test–retest reliability was best for CPT (r = 0.959) and MPS (r = 0.930). Intraclass correlation values showed excellent reliability for cold pain and MPS (ICC = 0.96, 0.89). The QST values post‐menthol showed high inter‐period correlation factors and no significant inter‐period differences (paired t‐test, t = 1.767−1.361; p = 0.111−0.988). The area size of mechanical hyperalgesia was not reliably reproducible.

Conclusion

For an observation period of 1 week, the signs of cold and mechanical hyperalgesia were reproducible with a highly significant correlation of about r = 0.8 and good agreement except for the area size of mechanical pin‐prick hyperalgesia. These results demonstrate that the topical menthol pain model is suitable for pharmacological interventions repeated within an observation period of 1 week.
New force field parameters for metalloproteins I: Divalent copper ion centers including three histidine residues and an oxygen‐ligated amino acid residue
Authors: Wise Olivia , Coskuner Orkid
Published: April 2014

Transition metal ion complexation with proteins is ubiquitous across such diverse fields as neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases and cancer. In this study, the structures of divalent copper ion centers including three histidine and one oxygen‐ligated amino acid residues and the relative binding affinities of the oxygen‐ligated amino acid residues with these metal ion centers, which are debated in the literature, are presented. Furthermore, new force field parameters, which are currently lacking for the full‐length metal‐ligand moieties, are developed for metalloproteins that have these centers. These new force field parameters enable investigations of metalloproteins possessing these binding sites using molecular simulations. In addition, the impact of using the atom equivalence and inequivalence atomic partial charge calculation procedures on the simulated structures of these metallopeptides, including hydration properties, is described. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sub‐Toxic Nicotine Concentrations Affect Extracellular Matrix and Growth Factor Signaling Gene Expressions in Human Osteoblasts
Authors: Marinucci Lorella , Bodo Maria , Balloni Stefania , Locci Paola , Baroni Tiziano
Published: April 2014

Exposure to nicotine and other compounds contained in cigarette smoking affects human health. This study examined the effects of exposure to a single or multiple sub‐toxic nicotine concentrations on human osteoblasts. Cell growth and expression of genes involved in bone differentiation, extracellular matrix (ECM) metabolism, and growth factor signaling pathways were investigated in nicotine‐treated cells compared to untreated cells. Depending on osteoblast concentration and maturation stages, nicotine differently regulated cell growth. Real‐time PCR showed regulated expressions of genes expressed by nicotine‐treated osteoblasts compared to untreated cells. Among ECM genes, type I collagen was down‐regulated and osteonectin was up‐regulated in nicotine‐treated osteoblasts; similarly, fibroblast growth factor‐1 (FGF1) and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2), two members of FGF signaling system, were discordantly modulated; genes involved in osteoblast maturation and differentiation such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt‐related transcription factor‐2 (RUNX2), and bone sialoprotein (BSP) were over‐expressed after drug treatment. Our results show a positive association between nicotine exposure and osteoblast phenotype and illustrate for the first time a mechanism whereby acute or chronic exposure to sub‐toxic nicotine concentrations may affect bone formation through the impairment of growth factor signaling system and ECM metabolism. J. Cell. Physiol. 229: 2038–2048, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Hepatitis C virus genotypes circulating in patients with chronic hepatitis C in Thailand and their responses to combined PEG‐IFN and RBV therapy
Authors: Kumthip Kattareeya , Chusri Pattranuch , Pantip Chansom , Thongsawat Satawat , O'Brien Amornrat , Nelson Kenrad E. , Maneekarn Niwat
Published: April 2014

Different genotypes of hepatitis C virus (HCV) are circulating in different areas of the world. In Thailand, distribution of HCV genotypes has been investigated mostly in the central area while the information in other regions is limited. This study aimed to determine the HCV genotypes circulating in chronic hepatitis C patients in Chiang Mai, Thailand and to investigate the response of different HCV genotypes to pegylated interferon (PEG‐IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) treatment. Patients infected chronically with HCV were treated with PEG‐IFN/RBV based on the standard regimens for each HCV genotype and followed up the patients until the end of treatment and 6 months afterward. Out of 158 patients, three major HCV genotypes and eight subtypes were identified. Genotype 3 was the most predominant at 54.5%, followed by genotypes 1 (31%) and 6 (14.5%). Among subtypes, 3a was the most prevalent subtype (45%), followed by 1b (18.4%), 1a and 6f (each at 12.6%), 3b (9.5%), and 6a, 6i, 6n (each at 0.63%). Patients with genotype 3 showed higher rate of responding to the treatment at 80.2% compared to genotypes 1 (73.5%) and 6f (65%). Additionally, patients with genotype 6f showed higher rate of relapsing (25%) compared to genotypes 1 and 3 (14.3% and 16.3%, respectively). In conclusion, this study reported multiple HCV genotypes circulated in Thai patients and the response of different HCV genotypes to PEG‐IFN/RBV treatment. J. Med. Virol. 86:1360–1365, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
In vivo loss of cement–bone interlock reduces fixation strength in total knee arthroplasties
Authors: Goodheart Jacklyn R. , Miller Mark A. , Mann Kenneth A.
Published: April 2014

Prevention of aseptic loosening of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) remains a clinical challenge. Understanding how changes in morphology at the implant–bone interface with in vivo service affect implant stability and strength could lead to new approaches to mitigate loosening. Enbloc TKA retrievals and freshly‐cemented TKA tibial components were used to determine if the mechanical strength of the interface depended on the amount of cement–bone interlock and the morphology of the supporting bone under the cement layer. Implants were sectioned into small specimens of the cement–interface–bone from under the tibial tray. Micro‐CT scans were used to document interlock morphology and architecture of the supporting trabecular bone. Axial compression tests were used to assess mechanical behavior. Postmortem retrievals had lower contact fraction (42 ± 55%) compared to freshly‐cemented constructs (121 ± 61%) (p = 0.0008). Supporting bone architecture parameters were not different for the two groups. Increased interface contact fraction and supporting bone volume fraction (BV/TV) were positive predictors of interface strength (r2 = 0.72, p = 0.0001). For the same supporting bone BV/TV, postmortem specimens had weaker interfaces; they were also more compliant. Cemented TKAs with in vivo service experience a loss of fixation strength and increased micro‐motion due to the loss of cement–bone interlock. © 2014 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:1052–1060, 2014.