bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New zeolite adsorbents for downstream processing of polyphenols from renewable resources
Authors: Thiel Alexander , Tippkötter Nils , Suck Kirstin , Sohling Ulrich , Ruf Friedrich , Ulber Roland
Published: February 2013

Commercial materials with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone and polymeric amberlites (XAD7HP, XAD16) are commonly used for the adsorptive downstream processing of polyphenols from renewable resources. In this study, beta‐zeolite‐based adsorbent systems were examined, and their properties were compared to organic resins. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted with synthetic solutions of major polyphenols. Adsorption isotherms and desorption characteristics of individual adsorbent were determined based on these results. Maximum adsorption capacities were calculated using the Langmuir model. For example, the zeolites had capacities up to 203.2 mg/g for ferulic acid. To extend these results to a complex system, additional experiments were performed on rapeseed meal and wheat seed extracts as representative renewable resources. HPLC analysis showed that with 7.5% w/v, which is regarded as the optimum amount of zeolites, zeolites A and B could bind 100% of the major polyphenols as well as release polyphenols at high yields. Additionally, regeneration experiments were performed with isopropyl alcohol at 99°C to evaluate how zeolites regenerate under mild conditions. The results showed only a negligible loss of adsorption capacity and no loss of desorption capacity. In summary, it was concluded that beta‐zeolites were promising adsorbents for developing new processes to isolate polyphenols from renewable resources.
Emulsion stabilizing capacity of intact starch granules modified by heat treatment or octenyl succinic anhydride
Authors: Timgren Anna , Rayner Marilyn , Dejmek Petr , Marku Diana , Sjöö Malin
Published: February 2013

Starch granules are an interesting stabilizer candidate for food‐grade Pickering emulsions. The stabilizing capacity of seven different intact starch granules for making oil‐in‐water emulsions has been the topic of this screening study. The starches were from quinoa; rice; maize; waxy varieties of rice, maize, and barley; and high‐amylose maize. The starches were studied in their native state, heat treated, and modified by octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA). The effect of varying the continuous phase, both with and without salt in a phosphate buffer, was also studied. Quinoa, which had the smallest granule size, had the best capacity to stabilize oil drops, especially when the granules had been hydrophobically modified by heat treatment or by OSA. The average drop diameter (d32) in these emulsions varied from 270 to 50 μm, where decreasing drop size and less aggregation was promoted by high starch concentration and absence of salt in the system. Of all the starch varieties studied, quinoa had the best overall emulsifying capacity, and OSA modified quinoa starch in particular. Although the size of the drops was relatively large, the drops themselves were in many instances extremely stable. In the cases where the system could stabilize droplets, even when they were so large that they were visible to the naked eye, they remained stable and the measured droplet sizes after 2 years of storage were essentially unchanged from the initial droplet size. This somewhat surprising result has been attributed to the thickness of the adsorbed starch layer providing steric stabilization. The starch particle‐stabilized Pickering emulsion systems studied in this work has potential practical application such as being suitable for encapsulation of ingredients in food and pharmaceutical products.
An adaptive staggered grid finite difference method for modeling geodynamic Stokes flows with strongly variable viscosity
Authors: Gerya T. V. , May D. A. , Duretz T.
Published: February 2013

Here we describe a new staggered grid formulation for discretizing incompressible Stokes flow which has been specifically designed for use on adaptive quadtree‐type meshes. The key to our new adaptive staggered grid (ASG) stencil is in the form of the stress‐conservative finite difference constraints which are enforced at the “hanging” velocity nodes between resolution transitions within the mesh. The new ASG discretization maintains a compact stencil, thus preserving the sparsity within the matrix which both minimizes the computational cost and enables the discrete system to be efficiently solved via sparse direct factorizations or iterative methods. We demonstrate numerically that the ASG stencil (1) is stable and does not produce spurious pressure oscillations across regions of grid refinement, which intersect discontinuous viscosity structures, and (2) possesses the same order of accuracy as the classical nonadaptive staggered grid discretization. Several pragmatic error indicators that are used to drive adaptivity are introduced in order to demonstrate the superior performance of the ASG stencil over traditional nonadaptive grid approaches. Furthermore, to demonstrate the potential of this new methodology, we present geodynamic examples of both lithospheric and planetary scales models.
Evaluation of dynamically downscaled reanalysis precipitation data for hydrological application
Authors: Bastola Satish , Misra Vasubandhu
Published: February 2013

Skilful and reliable precipitation data are essential for seasonal hydrologic forecasting and generation of hydrological data. Although output from dynamic downscaling methods is used for hydrological application, the existence of systematic errors in dynamically downscaled data adversely affects the skill of hydrologic forecasting. This study evaluates the precipitation data derived by dynamically downscaling the global atmospheric reanalysis data by propagating them through three hydrological models. Hydrological models are calibrated for 28 watersheds located across the southeastern United States that is minimally affected by human intervention. Calibrated hydrological models are forced with five different types of datasets: global atmospheric reanalysis (National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy Global Reanalysis and European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts 40‐year Reanalysis) at their native resolution; dynamically downscaled global atmospheric reanalysis at 10‐km grid resolution; stochastically generated data from weather generator; bias‐corrected dynamically downscaled; and bias‐corrected global reanalysis. The reanalysis products are considered as surrogates for large‐scale observations. Our study indicates that over the 28 watersheds in the southeastern United States, the simulated hydrological response to the bias‐corrected dynamically downscaled data is superior to the other four meteorological datasets. In comparison with synthetically generated meteorological forcing (from weather generator), the dynamically downscaled data from global atmospheric reanalysis result in more realistic hydrological simulations. Therefore, we conclude that dynamical downscaling of global reanalysis, which offers data for sufficient number of years (in this case 22 years), although resource intensive, is relatively more useful than other sources of meteorological data with comparable period in simulating realistic hydrological response at watershed scales. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Male circumcision decreases high‐risk human papillomavirus viral load in female partners: A randomized trial in Rakai, Uganda
Authors: Davis Mitzie‐Ann , Gray Ronald H. , Grabowski Mary K. , Serwadda David , Kigozi Godfrey , Gravitt Patti E. , Nalugoda Fred , Watya Stephen , Wawer Maria J. , Quinn Thomas C. , Tobian Aaron A.R.
Published: February 2013

Male circumcision (MC) reduces high‐risk human papillomavirus (HR‐HPV) infection in female partners. We evaluated the intensity of HR‐HPV viral DNA load in HIV‐negative, HR‐HPV‐positive female partners of circumcised and uncircumcised men. HIV‐negative men and their female partners were enrolled in randomized trials of MC in Rakai, Uganda. Vaginal swabs were tested for HR‐HPV genotypes by Roche HPV Linear Array which provides a semi‐quantitative measure of HPV DNA by the intensity of genotype‐specific bands (graded:1–4). We assessed the effects of MC on female HR‐HPV DNA load by comparing high intensity linear array bands (3–4) to low intensity bands (1–2) using an intention‐to‐treat analysis. Prevalence risk ratios (PRR) of high intensity bands in partners of intervention versus control arm men were estimated using log‐binomial regression with robust variance. The trial included 335 women with male partners in the intervention arm and 340 in the control arm. At enrollment, the frequency of HR‐HPV high intensity linear array bands was similar in both study arms. At 24 months follow‐up, the prevalence of high intensity bands among women with detectable HR‐HPV was significantly lower in partners of intervention arm (42.7%) than control arm men (55.1%, PRR = 0.78, 95%CI 0.65–0.94, p = 0.02), primarily among incident HR‐HPV infections (PRR = 0.66, 95% CI 0.50–0.87, p = 0.003), but not persistent infections (PRR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.83–1.24). Genotypes with high HR‐HPV band intensity were more likely to persist (adjHR = 1.27 95% CI 1.07–1.50), irrespective of male partner circumcision status. MC reduces HR‐HPV DNA load in newly infected female partners.
Combined fluorescence‐Raman spectroscopic setup for the diagnosis of melanocytic lesions
Authors: Cicchi Riccardo , Cosci Alessandro , Rossari Susanna , Kapsokalyvas Dimitrios , Baria Enrico , Maio Vincenza , Massi Daniela , De Giorgi Vincenzo , Pimpinelli Nicola , Saverio Pavone Francesco
Published: February 2013

Two optical fibre‐based probes for spectroscopic measurements on human tissues were designed and developed. The two probes combine fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy in a multimodal approach. The fluorescence excitation was provided by two laser diodes emitting in the UV (378 nm) and in the visible (445 nm) range, while a third source in the NIR (785 nm) was used for Raman. The device was tested on freshly excised human skin biopsies clinically diagnosed as malignant melanoma, melanocytic nevus, or healthy skin. Discrimination of lesions based on their fluorescence and Raman spectra showed good correlation with the subsequent histological examination. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The epidemiology of acute organ system dysfunction from severe sepsis outside of the intensive care unit
Authors: Rohde Jeffrey M. , Odden Andrew J. , Bonham Catherine , Kuhn Latoya , Malani Preeti N. , Chen Lena M. , Flanders Scott A. , Iwashyna Theodore J.
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND

Severe sepsis is a common, costly, and complex problem, the epidemiology of which has only been well studied in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, nearly half of all patients with severe sepsis are cared for outside the ICU.

OBJECTIVE

To determine rates of infection and organ system dysfunction in patients with severe sepsis admitted to non‐ICU services.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

A large, tertiary, academic medical center in the United States.

PATIENTS

Adult patients initially admitted to non‐ICU medical services from 2009 through 2010.

MEASUREMENTS

All International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis codes were screened for severe sepsis. Three hospitalists reviewed a sample of medical records evaluating the characteristics of severe sepsis.

RESULTS

Of 23,288 hospitalizations, 14% screened positive for severe sepsis. A sample of 111 cases was manually reviewed, identifying 64 cases of severe sepsis. The mean age of patients with severe sepsis was 63 years, and 39% were immunosuppressed prior to presentation. The most common site of infection was the urinary tract (41%). The most common organ system dysfunctions were cardiovascular (hypotension) and renal dysfunction occurring in 66% and 64% of patients, respectively. An increase in the number of organ systems affected was associated with an increase in mortality and eventual ICU utilization. Severe sepsis was documented by the treating clinicians in 47% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Severe sepsis was commonly found and poorly documented on the wards at our medical center. The epidemiology and organ dysfunctions among patients with severe sepsis appear to be different from previously described ICU severe sepsis populations. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:243–247. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
On the multiplicity of nodal solutions of a prescribed mean curvature problem
Authors: Bonheure Denis , Derlet Ann , de Valeriola Sébastien
Published: February 2013

We prove existence and multiplicity results for sign‐changing solutions of a prescribed mean curvature equation with Dirichlet boundary conditions. Our arguments involve a perturbation of the degenerate part \documentclass{article}\usepackage{amssymb}\begin{document}\pagestyle{empty}$1/\sqrt{1+s}$\end{document}, which allows us to use classical variational techniques and to localize small regular solutions.
Folate‐genetics and colorectal neoplasia: What we know and need to know next
Authors: Figueiredo Jane C. , Levine A. Joan , Crott Jimmy W. , Baurley James , Haile Robert W.
Published: February 2013

Scope

The metabolism of folate involves a complex network of polymorphic enzymes that may explain a proportion of the risk associated with colorectal neoplasia. Over 60 observational studies primarily in non‐Hispanic White populations have been conducted on selected genetic variants in specific genes, MTHFR, MTR, MTRR, CBS, TCNII, RFC, GCPII, SHMT, TYMS, and MTHFD1, including five meta‐analyses on MTHFR 677C>T (rs1801133) and MTHFR 1298C>T (rs1801131); two meta‐analyses on MTR‐2756A>C (rs1805087); and one for MTRR 66A>G (rs1801394).

Methods and results

This systematic review synthesizes these data, highlighting the consistent inverse association between MTHFR 677TT genotype and risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and its null association with adenoma risk. Results for other variants varied across individual studies; in our meta‐analyses we observed some evidence for SHMT 1420C>T (rs1979277) ((odds ratio) OR = 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.73–1.00 for TT v. CC) and TYMS 5’ 28 bp repeat (rs34743033) and CRC risk (OR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.75–0.94 for 2R/3R v. 3R/3R and OR = 0.82; 95% CI = 0.69–0.98 for 2R/2R v. 3R/3R).

Conclusion

To gain further insight into the role of folate variants in colorectal neoplasia will require incorporating measures of the metabolites, including B‐vitamin cofactors, homocysteine and S‐adenosylmethionine, and innovative statistical methods to better approximate the folate one‐carbon metabolism pathway.
Directional change‐point detection for process control with multivariate categorical data
Authors: Li Jian , Tsung Fugee , Zou Changliang
Published: February 2013

Most modern processes involve multiple quality characteristics that are all measured on attribute levels, and their overall quality is determined by these characteristics simultaneously. The characteristic factors usually correlate with each other, making multivariate categorical control techniques a must. We study Phase I analysis of multivariate categorical processes (MCPs) to identify the presence of change‐points in the reference dataset. A directional change‐point detection method based on log‐linear models is proposed. The method exploits directional shift information and integrates MCPs into the unified framework of multivariate binomial and multivariate multinomial distributions. A diagnostic scheme for identifying the change‐point location and the shift direction is also suggested. Numerical simulations are conducted to demonstrate the detection effectiveness and the diagnostic accuracy.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013
Über die Forschung
Authors: Ramón Don Santiago
Published: February 2013

Es ist selbstverständlich, daß, wenn Physiker über die Forschung und ihre Bedeutung schreiben, sie Beispiele aus der Physik und Chemie in den Vordergrund stellen. Doch auch wenn wir den Biologen, der mit dem Physiker über die Fragen der Bedeutung der Forschung einer Ansicht ist, fragen, wird er viele Beispiele aus der Physik heranziehen. Das ist nur natürlich, denn Physik und Chemie sind das Fundament aller Naturwissenschaften und ihre technische Bedeutung ist jedem bekannt. Im folgenden mag der große Hirnforscher Prof. Cajal zu Worte kommen. Von diesem mit dem Nobelpreis ausgezeichneten Spanier, der 1934 starb, sagte Prof. Miskólczy in der Deutschen Zeitschrift für Nervenheilkunde, daß er der größte Neurohistologe aller Zeiten gewesen sei. Es seien einige Abschnitte aus dem sehr lesenswerten Buch “Regeln und Ratschläge zur wissenschaftlichen Forschung” wiedergegeben, das im Verlag Reinhardt in München erschien.
Wesen und Bedeutung der Physik
Authors: Finkelnburg W.
Published: February 2013

In der “Wissenschaftskunde in Einzeldarstellungen”, einer von Dr. W. Strauß und H. F. Schulz im Verlag des letzteren herausgegebenen Schriftenreihe, hat der Straßburger Experimentalphysiker Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Finkelnburg das Heft Physik übernommen, von dem trotz des Krieges kürzlich die zweite Auflage erschienen ist. Das Heft, das dem Physikernachwuchs eine klare und anschauliche Übersicht über die ihn angehenden Fragen gibt, beginnt mit einem Abschnitt über das Wesen und die Bedeutung der Physik, der in der Mahnung ausklingt: “Es darf und muß ohne jede Übertreibung festgestellt werden, daß der gegenwärtige Stand der physikalischen Forschung eines Volkes und Staates für die Entwicklung seiner Wirtschafts‐ und Wehrkraft in der Zukunft ausschlaggebend ist.” Dieser einleitende Abschnitt sei anschließend wiedergegeben.
Probleme der Physik
Authors: Westphal W.
Published: February 2013

Aus der Wochenzeitung “Das Reich” vom 10. Oktober 1943 sei anschließend ein etwa auf ein Drittel gekürzter Beitrag von Prof. Westphal wiedergegeben, der sich als Lehrer an der Berliner Technischen Hochschule durch die Leitung des Physikalischen Praktikums, durch sein Lehrbuch über Physik, aber auch durch sonstige jahrelange Bemühungen um den Nachwuchs große Verdienste erworben hat und an den Generationen von Ingenieuren denken, wenn sie sich ihres Studiums an der Berliner Technischen Hochschule erinnern. — Der Bericht scheint dem Herausgeber eine wertvolle Ergänzung der übrigen Beiträge zu sein. In dem Aufsatz von Westphal handelt es sich um die heutigen Probleme der Physik. Es sind noch Schlachten, die an der Front der Physik geschlagen werden und deren Ausgang noch ungewiß ist. Doch schon ahnt man auch hier technische Möglichkeiten: Bei der Kernphysik ist es die Erschließung der ungeheuren in den Kernen gebundenen Energiemengen, die zwar nicht den von Erkenntnisdrang getriebenen Physiker zu seiner Arbeit Veranlaßt, ihm jedoch eines Tages als Frucht seiner Forschungsarbeit in den Schoß fallen kann. Bei der Supraleitung deutet der Autor selbst gewisse Möglichkeiten mit den Worten an: “Welche umwälzende Wirkung würde es für die Elektrotechnik haben, wenn man eines Tages Stoffe fände, die schon bei, gewöhnlicher Temperatur supraleitend sind!”
Das Entstehen neuer Disziplinen aus der Physik
Authors: Ramsauer C.
Published: February 2013

Aus dem gleichen Vortrag, aus dem auf S. 30 berichtet Wurde, sei im folgenden ein weiterer Teil wiedergegeben, der sich auf das Entstehen neuer technischer Gebiete bezieht. Der Gedanke, daß die physikalische Grundlagenforschung der Quell jedes grundsätzlichen technischen Fortschrittes ist, ward durch die Ausführungen des Autors und die von ihm gezeichnete Figur sehr anschaulich belegt. Damit weist gerade diese Darstellung in besonders eindringlicher Weise auf die Bedeutung physikalischer Forschung hin und unterstreicht die Forderung Ramsauers: Der Schlüsselstellung der Physik muß auch der Staat Rechnung tragen, wenn es sich um die materielle Unterstützung der physikalischen Forschung oder um die optimale Organisation der physikalischen Ausbildung handelt.
Ziele und Wege der physikalischen Forschung
Authors: Klumb H.
Published: February 2013

Der folgende Bericht eines gleicherweise auf dem Gebiet der Forschung wie der Entwicklung stehenden Physikers wurde vor einigen Jahren geschrieben. Er enthält im ungekürzten Original außer den wiedergegebenen allgemeinen Betrachtungen Vorschläge zur Leistungssteigerung auf dem Gebiet der physikalischen Forschung. Diese Vorschläge sollen bei späterer Gelegenheit zusammen mit Vorschlägen von anderer Seite wiedergegeben und diskutiert werden. Dr. Klumbs Anregungen sind zum Teil inzwischen verwirklicht. Es sei nur an die Worte von Reichsminister Speer erinnert, die auf S. 23 wiedergegeben wurden und die die Überwindung der von Dr. Klumb noch am Schluß seines Berichtes erwähnten Schwierigkeiten der Gerät‐ und Rohstoffbeschaffungen zeigen. Es sei weiter an die Möglichkeit erinnert, auch für abstrakte Forschungsaufgaben höchste Dringlichkeiten zu erhalten und das physikalische Forschungspersonal zurückzurufen. Zu der im Schlußabschnitt ferner von Dr. Klumb angeregten zentralen Betreuung der gesamten Forschung mag auf den Reichsforschungsrat hingewiesen werden, dem der Reichsmarschall seine Autorität gegeben hat.
Der Nachwuchs der Physiker
Authors: Wien M.
Published: February 2013

Im Winter 1937/38 schrieb der frühere Direktor des Jenaer Physikalischen Instituts Prof. Max Wien seine Gedanken über das Nachwuchsproblem, das er nach mehreren Jahrzehnten Lehrtätigkeit und Beobachtungen als Leiter physikalischer Institute besonders gut zu beurteilen vermochte, nieder. Wenn dieser Bericht auch unvollendet geblieben ist — Max Wien starb bereits 1938 —, so ist er doch in seinen vorliegenden Teilen für die Beurteilung der Lage vor dem Kriege wertvoll. Allerdings nur vor dem Kriege, denn der Krieg hat natürlich alle Extrapolationen aus der von Max Wien betrachteten Zeitspanne illusorisch gemacht. Die Tatsache, daß Wien sein Zahlenmaterial durch Umfrage bei 22 der deutschen Universitäten gewann, daß es sich hier also nicht nur um die Erfahrungen an einer einzigen Universität, sondern um allgemeingültige Feststellungen handelt, gibt dem Bericht Wiens ein starkes Gewicht. Die Schriftleitung veröffentlicht im folgenden diejenigen Teile, die sich mit der Feststellung des absinkenden Nachwuchses beschäftigen, wobei das reichliche Zahlenmaterial auf Angabe einiger Prozentzahlen beschränkt und auch sonst — wenn auch wenig — gekürzt wurde. Institutsvorstände, die sich für die Einzelheiten interessieren, können sie von Herrn Prof. Kulenkampff, Jena, erhalten. Ihm und Herrn Prof. Hanle, Gießen, ist der Herausgeber für die Zuleitung der Beiträge Max Wiens zu Dank verpflichtet.
Work of breathing as a tool to diagnose severe fixed upper airway obstruction
Authors: Khirani S. , Pierrot S. , Leboulanger N. , Ramirez A. , Breton D. , Couloigner V. , Fauroux B.
Published: February 2013

A 4‐year‐old girl with bilateral vocal fold palsy was successfully decannulated from tracheotomy after seven laryngeal procedures. But an important stridor and dyspnea recurred 13 months after decannulation. Nocturnal gas exchange was normal but her daytime work of breathing was increased by fourfold, without any beneficial effect of nasal noninvasive continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (CPAP), reflecting a severe fixed airway obstruction. Endoscopic examination confirmed the work of breathing findings showing glottic and supraglottic stenosis. This upper airway obstruction was successfully treated with a recannulation. In conclusion, the major message of this case report is that measurement of the work of breathing was able to document the “fixed” nature of the airway obstruction, by showing no improvement even with highest tolerated levels of nasal CPAP. As such, the work of breathing may be proposed as a screening tool to quantify and assess the reversibility of severe upper airway obstruction in children. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:E35–E39. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reference standards for forced expiratory indices in Chinese preschool children
Authors: Leung Ting F. , Liu Tak C. , Mak Kwok K. , Su Xuefen , Sy Hing Y. , Li Albert M. , Lau Joseph T.F. , Lum Sooky , Wong Gary W.K.
Published: February 2013

Spirometric testing is traditionally achievable in children of school‐age and beyond. Incorporation of interactive incentives motivates preschool children to facilitate measurement of forced expiratory indices. Validated spirometric reference standards are available for Caucasian preschoolers but lacking in Asians. We established spirometric references in Chinese children aged 2–7 years, who were recruited from 19 randomly selected nurseries and kindergartens in Hong Kong. Parents completed International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire, and children concurrently performed incentive spirometry on‐site according to international guideline. Prediction equations for spirometric indices were formulated by linear regression. One thousand four hundred two (72.9%) of 1,922 consented children, with mean (SD) age 4.4 (1.0) years, successfully performed spirometry. Following exclusions due to medical and technical reasons, 895 (63.8%) children contributed spirometric data to our references. Girls had lower FEV0.5, FEV0.75, FEV1, FVC, and PEF but similar FEF25–75 than boys, adjusted for age, weight, and standing height as covariates. Standing height was the most important predictor for FEV0.5, FEV0.75, FEV1, FVC, and PEF in both boys (adjusted R2 0.525–0.734) and girls (adjusted R2 0.583–0.721), whereas the best prediction model for both gender is formed by standing height, weight, and age. At various standing heights, our preschoolers had FEV1 Z‐scores 0.13–1.00 higher than those of collaborative Caucasian reference. This study justifies the need for ethnic‐specific reference equations and presents spirometry references in young Chinese children. Their forced expiratory indices are determined by gender, age, weight and standing height, and standing height is the best anthropometric index to predict all spirometric indices. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:1119–1126. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Characterization of pulmonary function impairments in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses—changes with age and treatment
Authors: Lin Shuan‐Pei , Shih Shou‐Chuan , Chuang Chih‐Kuang , Lee Kuo‐Sheng , Chen Ming‐Ren , Niu Dau‐Ming , Chiu Pao Chin , Lin Shio Jean , Lin Hsiang‐Yu
Published: February 2013

Background

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) comprise a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders characterized by deficiencies in enzymes catalyzing the degradation of glycosaminoglycans. Impairment of pulmonary function is an important health problem for patients with MPS. However, there are few published reports on the prevalence and severity of pulmonary dysfunction in relation to age and treatment in this disorder.

Methods

To evaluate pulmonary function in patients with MPS, we performed spirometry in 35 patients (22 males and 13 females; 1 with MPS I, 12 with MPS II, 16 with MPS IVA, and 6 with MPS VI; mean age, 14.6 ± 5.9 years; age range, 6.4 years to 33 years). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1), FEV1 to FVC ratio (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of FVC (FEF25–75%) were measured.

Results

Mean FVC, FEV1, PEF, and FEF25–75% were 74.2%, 73.9%, 64.7%, and 37.1% of the predicted values, respectively. By spirometric classification, 32 patients (91%) had small airway disease (FEF25–75% < 65%), 17 (48%) had restrictive lung disease, and 3 (9%) had obstructive lung disease. Percent predicted FVC, FEV1, and PEF, as well as FEV1/FVC, were all negatively correlated with age (P < 0.01), such that pubertal and post‐pubertal patients had significantly lower values than younger patients. Of eight attenuated MPS II and VI patients who underwent follow‐up pulmonary function testing after receiving enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for 1.5–7.4 years, six showed improvements in % predicted FVC and five improved in % predicted FEV1.

Conclusion

Our additional characterization of the types and prevalence of pulmonary function abnormalities seen in MPS patients should be useful for clinical care. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:277–284. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Small airway involvement in cystic fibrosis lung disease: Routine spirometry as an early and sensitive marker
Authors: Bakker E. Marije , Borsboom Gerard J.J.M. , van der Wiel‐Kooij Els C. , Caudri Daan , Rosenfeld Margaret , Tiddens Harm A.W.M.
Published: February 2013

Background

In young children with cystic fibrosis (CF) the forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) is often normal and a more sensitive measure to detect early obstructive lung disease is needed.

Aim

To evaluate the progression of selected spirometry parameters with age in a cohort of CF patients and healthy children aged 6 to 20 years.

Methods

Retrospective comparison of longitudinal spirometry data from CF patients with data from two cohort studies in healthy subjects. Quantile regression was used to calculate the longitudinal 10th percentile (P10), 50th percentile (P50), and 90th percentile (P90) of forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1, and the forced expiratory flow at 75% of FVC (FEF75). Sample size estimates were calculated using these three parameters as clinical trial endpoints.

Results

FVC, FEV1, and FEF75 were all significantly lower in CF patients than healthy children. Abnormalities in FEF75 occurred at younger ages and remained substantially larger than abnormalities in FEV1 or FVC throughout childhood. Therefore, fewer patients would be required to detect a similar treatment effect if FEF75 is used as a primary endpoint compared with FEV1 or FVC.

Conclusions

Our data support the use of FEF75 as a more sensitive marker of early CF lung disease than FEV1 and FVC, because abnormalities in FEF75 occur at younger age and FEF75 is diminished more than other parameters. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:1081–1088. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Fungal sensitization in childhood persistent asthma is associated with disease severity
Authors: Vicencio Alfin G. , Santiago Maria Teresa , Tsirilakis Kalliope , Stone Anne , Worgall Stefan , Foley Elizabeth A. , Bush Douglas , Goldman David L.
Published: February 2013

Rationale

Recent observations, especially in adults, suggest that asthma severity may be associated with fungal sensitization. Other studies suggest that some patients with severe asthma and fungal sensitization may benefit from anti‐fungal therapy. Currently, the prevalence of fungal sensitization among children with severe asthma is not well characterized.

Methods

We determined prevalence of fungal sensitization among children with moderate to severe persistent asthma and compared clinical characteristics between sensitized and non‐sensitized children, including asthma severity, serum immunoglobulin E, and pulmonary function.

Results

Of the 64 children enrolled, 25 (39%) had evidence of sensitization to one or more fungi. Nineteen of 25 (76%) children with fungal sensitization were categorized as severe persistent compared to 13 of 39 (33%) children without evidence of fungal sensitization (odds ratio = 6.33, 95% confidence interval 2.04–19.68, P = 0.0014). Of 32 severe persistent asthmatics, 19 (59%) demonstrated evidence of fungal sensitization. Serum immunoglobulin E was significantly higher (P < 0.001), and pulmonary function (including FEV1, FEV1/FVC, and FEF25–75%) significantly lower in the fungal‐sensitized patients (P = 0.016, 0.0004, and 0.002, respectively). Bronchial biopsy of sensitized children revealed basement membrane thickening and eosinophil infiltration.

Conclusions

Fungal sensitization in children with persistent asthma is associated with disease severity. Almost 60% of our severe persistent asthma patients had evidence of fungal sensitization and, based on our previous studies, may be potential candidates for anti‐fungal therapy. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:8–14. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An interesting case of dysautonomia presenting with dyspnea
Authors: Popatia Rizwana , Subramaniam Meera
Published: February 2013

Dysautonomia such as POTS syndrome presenting with respiratory symptoms can often be misdiagnosed for other common pulmonary conditions. It can be diagnosed with a comprehensive history and orthostatic vital measurement. Simple diagnostic test such as diffusing capacity in supine and standing position can emerge as a noninvasive tool to guide the long‐term monitoring and treatment response.Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:E25–E26.© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Tidal breathing FeNO measurements: A new algorithm
Authors: van Mastrigt Esther , de Groot Ruben C.A. , van Kesteren Hans W. , Vink Anton T.J. , de Jongste Johan C. , Pijnenburg Mariëlle W.H.
Published: February 2013

Objective

International guidelines recommend measuring fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) during a single slow exhalation with a constant flow of 50 ml/sec. We developed a new algorithm to compute FeNO at 50 ml/sec from tidal breathing measurements. The main objective is to assess the correlation and agreement of this algorithm with the conventional single breath FeNO measurements.

Methods

We recruited children aged 6–18 years, who performed both a single breath and a tidal breathing FeNO measurement in random order. Both maneuvers were performed on the Eco Medics NO‐analyser (Eco Physics AG, Duernten, Switzerland).

Results

We included 109 patients between January 2011 and April 2011. Geometric mean (95% CI) FeNO values did not differ significantly between single breath and tidal breathing technique: 21.0 (17.7–24.8) ppb and 20.0 (17.0–23.6) ppb (P = 0.18), respectively. We found an excellent intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.96 (0.94–0.97) and moderate agreement with a mean difference of 4% (95% limits of agreement −43% and +90%).

Conclusion

Tidal breathing FeNO values could be transformed with a new algorithm to match single breath FeNO at a constant flow of 50 ml/sec. This algorithm opens the way to standardized FeNO measurements in preschool children and uncooperative patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:15–20. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of grand maternal nicotine exposure during gestation and lactation on lung integrity of the F2 generation
Authors: Maritz Gert S. , Mutemwa Muyunda
Published: February 2013

Background

Maternal nicotine exposure during gestation and lactation adversely affects lung development in the offspring. It has been suggested that the “program” that control long‐term maintenance of the structural integrity of the lung may be compromised. The aim of the study was to establish whether the effect of grand‐maternal nicotine exposure during gestation and lactation can be transferred to the F2 generation.

Methods

After mating, rats were randomly divided into two groups (F0). One group received nicotine (1 mg/kg body weight/day). The controls receive saline. Body weight (BW), lung volume (Lv), linear intercept (Lm), alveolar wall thickness (Tsept), senescent and proliferating cell numbers were used to evaluate changes in the lung structure of the offspring (F1). The F1 generation was divided into four groups, namely, (1) control (F1 males mated with F1 females, (2) NmCf (F1 nicotine exposed male mated with F1 control female), (3) NfCm (F1 nicotine exposed female mated with F1 control male), and (4) NmNf (F1 male exposed to nicotine mated with F1 female also exposed to nicotine). The F1 nicotine exposed males and females were exposed to nicotine via the placenta and mother's milk (F0 generation) only. The F2 progeny was never exposed to nicotine.

Discussion

Grand‐maternal nicotine (F0) resulted in parenchymal deterioration and emphysema in the F2 progeny due to increased numbers of premature senescent cells together with a slower cell proliferation. The transfer of premature aging characteristics from the F1 progeny to the F2 progeny is via the male and female germ cell line.

Conclusion

Grand‐maternal nicotine exposure induces structural changes in the lungs of the F2 generation that resembled premature aging. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2014; 49:67–75. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Social HAZOP at an Oil Refinery
Authors: Ávila S.F. , Pessoa F.L.P. , Andrade J.C.S.
Published: February 2013

Several tools are used in the maintenance of process safety at industry [e.g., Preliminary Risk Analysis (PRA) and Hazards Operation Assessment (HAZOP)]. Each tool or technique can prevent that hazards becoming accidents through project improvements and managerial decisions. The project of equipment and process of chemical industries include technical specifications that work better if human behavior in operation has a pattern without great variations. The HAZOP study indicates top human errors in the control process activities, only identifies common human error of slip (it does not discuss), memory mistake, rules and, consequently, the wrong decision. The Social HAZOP (SH) discusses cognitive processing and the commitment level of the operator in task execution. The SH includes these activities: building of team to investigate human error, identification of critical situations at process with integration with social/human aspects, establish social nodes, analysis of social/human factors, choose items after comparison of standards and subjective measurements, analysis of deviations from social and human processes, recommendations of the SH. An exercise of SH application was done involving level control at separation equipment in a refinery. The recommendations suggest actions in different levels (strategic, tactic, routine, and emergency) and different types (policies, team, managerial aspects, leadership, human and social aspects, stress process at job, risk management, and root cause). © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 32: 17–21, 2013
Risk tolerance criteria and the IEC 61511/ISA 84 standard on safety instrumented systems
Authors: Baybutt Paul
Published: February 2013

The determination of safety integrity levels (SILs) for safety instrumented functions requires the comparison of calculated risk with risk tolerance criteria. The IEC 61511/ISA 84 standard on safety instrumented systems specifies the use of risk tolerance criteria for hazardous events but does not provide any guidance on the type or form of criteria that should be used. Industry guidance on appropriate risk tolerance criteria for SIL determination is also lacking. This article discusses the type and form of criteria that should be employed and their use in SIL determination is described. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog 32: 307–310, 2013
On the validation of safeguards for process hazards analysis
Authors: Baybutt Paul
Published: February 2013

An article presented at the 8th Global Congress on process safety addressed the need to validate the adequacy of safeguards in order for them to be credited in process hazard analysis (PHA). Validation of safeguards is critical for process safety but its inclusion within PHA would cause a serious distraction from identifying hazard scenarios, which is the key objective of PHA. Furthermore, safeguard validation needs to be performed by qualified personnel with a different skill set than PHA team members using validation methods that are much different than PHA. Consequently, validation of safeguards, and other aspects of process safety that support PHA, should be performed before commencing PHA. The PHA team can then focus on the qualification ofsafeguards for specific hazard scenarios during the PHA. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2013
Investigating process safety near misses to improve performance
Authors: Nesmith Greg , Keating Jack T. , Zacharias Luiz A.
Published: February 2013

The identification, reporting, investigation, and subsequent elimination of the causes of process safety near miss (PSNM) events and the improvement of corresponding management systems will reduce or eliminate causes of process safety incidents before they occur. This article will focus on how The Dow Chemical Company is implementing a PSNM program at a global level. In addition, there will be several case studies demonstrating how the PSNM program has driven sustained improvements in facility management systems and unit operations. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2013
Recommended assessment and treatment of nausea and vomiting
Authors: Goel Rishi , Wilkinson Mark
Published: February 2013

The causes of nausea and vomiting are multifarious and a full clinical history is required before commencing treatment. Our Drug review discusses the diagnosis and the available drug options and their properties, followed by sources of further information.
Whose experience matters in the boardroom? The effects of experiential and vicarious learning on emerging market entry
Authors: Tuschke Anja , Sanders WM. Gerard , Hernandez Exequiel
Published: February 2013

Using an organizational learning perspective, we develop arguments about vicarious learning through board interlocks and its relation to experiential learning. Although it is well established that firms learn from board interlocks, little attention has focused on which types of interlocks are most consequential and why. We distinguish between the relative advantages of various tie attributes such as experience, authority, and credibility and argue that these distinctions lead to measureable differences in learning outcomes. We further demonstrate that whether vicarious learning substitutes or complements focal firm experiential learning depends upon the type of interlock involved. After accounting for the endogeneity of ties, we find support for our framework in a longitudinal analysis of foreign investments by German firms in emerging economies between 1990 and 2003. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Prenatal diagnosis using combined quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction and array comparative genomic hybridization analysis as a first‐line test: results from over 1000 consecutive cases
Authors: Scott F. , Murphy K. , Carey L. , Greville W. , Mansfield N. , Barahona P. , Robertson R. , McLennan A.
Published: February 2013

Objectives

First, to assess the performance of a prenatal diagnostic service using quantitative fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (QF‐PCR) and array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) as first‐line investigations. Second, to determine the incidence of copy number variants (CNVs) by indication for testing, with particular reference to ultrasound and biochemical parameters measured in combined first‐trimester screening.

Methods

All patients undergoing invasive prenatal testing at a specialist prenatal screening service in Sydney, Australia, were included in the study. All samples underwent QF‐PCR and targeted aCGH.

Results

Of 1049 cases, CNVs were reported in 156 (14.9%). Preliminary QF‐PCR identified abnormalities in 104 of these cases. Of the remaining 52 cases, 20 could have been detected on karyotype testing, leaving 32 cases (3.1%) with CNVs only detectable by aCGH, of which 13 (1.2%) were pathogenic. Variants of unknown significance (VOUS) were seen in only three cases. Fetal structural abnormalities identified in the first trimester were the group most likely to be associated with pathogenic CNVs (11.8%).

Conclusions

Combining QF‐PCR and aCGH is an effective first‐tier prenatal testing regime that does not require conventional karyotyping. The incidence of VOUS in this study was very low owing to appropriate aCGH targeting and specific reporting criteria that reduced the number of potentially difficult counseling encounters. Pathogenic CNVs are positively correlated with the presence of fetal structural abnormalities, but not with enlarged nuchal translucency or abnormal first‐trimester serology results. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Age distributions and dynamically changing hydrologic systems: Exploring topography‐driven flow
Authors: Gomez J. D. , Wilson J. L.
Published: February 2013

Key Points

Age distributions evolve over time under transient flow conditions

Transient flow leads to the emergence of new characteristic time scales in ADs

Dynamic ADs impact the biogeochemical evolution of water in watersheds and HZs
Na3SbS3: Single Crystal X‐ray Diffraction, Raman Spectroscopy, and Impedance Measurements
Authors: Pompe Constantin , Pfitzner Arno
Published: February 2013

Na3SbS3 was prepared by the reaction of anhydrous Na2S, antimony, and sulfur in a ratio of 3:2:3 at 870 K. The pale yellow compound is air and moisture sensitive. A microcrystalline sample was obtained after annealing Na3SbS3 for two weeks at 720 K. The crystal structure of Na3SbS3 was determined by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction at 123 K. Na3SbS3 crystallizes in the cubic space group P213 (No. 198) with a = 8.6420(1) Å, V = 645.42(1) Å3 and Z = 4. The structure refinement converged to R = 0.0099 (wR = 0.0181) for 592 independent reflections and 23 parameters. Na3SbS3 is isotypic with Na3AsS3. Sodium atoms are located on three different sites, which show a strongly distorted octahedral coordination sphere of sulfur. The coordination polyhedra of equivalent sodium sites share common vertices, whereas those of different sodium sites share common faces. Antimony and sulfur form trigonal SbS3 pyramids, which coordinate sodium as a mono‐, bi‐, or tridentate ligand. Raman spectroscopic investigations result in stretching modes ν(Sb–S) at 334, 321, and 312 cm–1, respectively. Thermoanalytical studies do not show any additional thermal effects up to the melting point of 875 K. Impedance spectroscopy on Na3SbS3 in a range from 325 to 570 K shows a temperature dependent Na+ conductivity, which is 1.9 × 10–6 Ω–1·cm–1 at 570 K.
Prospective Study of Sensation in Anterior Chest Areas Before and After a Bilateral Axillo‐breast Approach for Endoscopic/Robotic Thyroid Surgery
Authors: Kim Su‐jin , Lee Kyu Eun , Myong Jun Pyo , Koo Do Hoon , Lee Jeonghun , Youn Yeo‐Kyu
Published: February 2013

Background

The bilateral axillo‐breast approach for endoscopic/robotic thyroid surgery (BABA) shows good oncologic and surgical outcomes and does not result in neck scars. However, there is concern about potential sensory changes of the skin flaps after BABA, especially of the breast areas. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate sensory changes in the skin flaps after BABA.

Patients and Methods

A total of 19 women (mean age 36.9 ± 8.7; age range 21–51 years) who underwent BABA were enrolled. Skin flap sensory assessments were performed for each patient preoperatively and again at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament test was used to evaluate the cutaneous light‐pressure thresholds, a biothesiometer was used to evaluate the vibration thresholds, and an infrared thermometer was used to measure skin temperatures of the skin flaps.

Results

There were changes in the sensations of the anterior chest areas over time, as determined by the Semmes‐Weinstein monofilament test (1.5 vs 4.3 versus 1.4; P < 0.05) and the biothesiometer (26.8 vs 31.2 vs 22.3; P < 0.05). The sensations in the anterior chest areas normalized to preoperative levels at 3 months postoperatively. No significant differences were seen in the infrared thermometer test at any of the time points (36.2 vs 36.2 vs 36.3 °C; P = 0.9927).

Conclusions

While anterior chest area sensations were changed at 1 month postoperatively, the sensations normalized at 3 months after BABA. These results suggest that BABA has minimal adverse effects on anterior chest area sensation.