bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dopamine, Neurochemical Processes, and Oxygen Toxicity at Pressure
Authors: Rostain Jean‐Claude , Lavoute Cécile
Published: June 2016

All mammals, including man, exposed to breathing gas mixtures at high pressures exhibit central nervous system disturbances, which differ according to the gas used. With the use of compressed air, the increased oxygen partial pressure induces hyperoxic disturbances that consist of epileptic seizures that occur, on average, after 30 min exposure to 2.8 ATA in man or to 5 ATA in rats. Increased oxygen partial pressure induces reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species production that could be related to neurotransmitter changes reported for the preepileptic phase or at pressures that produce epileptic seizures. In rats, oxygen pressures lower than 5 ATA induce a decrease of dopamine release in the stratum that could be due to disturbances of neurotransmitter regulatory processes that are different from those implicated for hyperbaric oxygen‐induced epileptic seizures. © 2016 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol6:1339‐1344, 2016.
Thyroid Hormone and Cardioprotection
Authors: Gerdes Anthony Martin , Ojamaa Kaie
Published: June 2016

The heart is a major target of thyroid hormones, with maintenance of euthyroid hormone balance critical for proper function. In particular, chronic low thyroid function can eventually lead to dilated heart failure with impaired coronary blood flow. New evidence also suggests that heart diseases trigger a reduction in cardiac tissue thyroid hormone levels, a condition that may not be detectible using serum hormone assays. Many animal and clinical studies have demonstrated a high prevalence of low thyroid function in heart diseases with worse outcomes from this condition. Animal and human studies have also demonstrated many benefits from thyroid hormone treatment of heart diseases, particularly heart failure. Nonetheless, this potential treatment has not yet translated to patients due to a number of important concerns. The most serious concern involves the potential of accidental overdose leading to increased arrhythmias and sudden death. Several important clinical studies, which actually used excessive doses of thyroid hormone analogs, have played a major role in convincing the medical community that thyroid hormones are simply too dangerous to be considered for treatment in cardiac patients. Nonetheless, this issue has not gone away due primarily to overwhelmingly positive evidence for treatment benefits and a new understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying those benefits. This review will first discuss the clinical evidence for the use of thyroid hormones as a cardioprotective agent and then provide an overview of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying beneficial changes from thyroid hormone treatment of heart diseases. © 2016 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol6:1199‐1219, 2016.
Reproductive Steroid Regulation of Mood and Behavior
Authors: Schiller Crystal Edler , Johnson Sarah L. , Abate Anna C. , Schmidt Peter J. , Rubinow David R.
Published: June 2016

In this article, we examine evidence supporting the role of reproductive steroids in the regulation of mood and behavior in women and the nature of that role. In the first half of the article, we review evidence for the following: (i) the reproductive system is designed to regulate behavior; (ii) from the subcellular to cellular to circuit to behavior, reproductive steroids are powerful neuroregulators; (iii) affective disorders are disorders of behavioral state; and (iv) reproductive steroids affect virtually every system implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. In the second half of the article, we discuss the diagnosis of the three reproductive endocrine‐related mood disorders (premenstrual dysphoric disorder, postpartum depression, and perimenopausal depression) and present evidence supporting the relevance of reproductive steroids to these conditions. Existing evidence suggests that changes in reproductive steroid levels during specific reproductive states (i.e., the premenstrual phase of the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, parturition, and the menopause transition) trigger affective dysregulation in susceptible women, thus suggesting the etiopathogenic relevance of these hormonal changes in reproductive mood disorders. Understanding the source of individual susceptibility is critical to both preventing the onset of illness and developing novel, individualized treatments for reproductive‐related affective dysregulation. © 2016 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol6:1135‐1160, 2016e.
Control of the Cutaneous Circulation by the Central Nervous System
Authors: Blessing William , McAllen Robin , McKinley Michael
Published: June 2016

The central nervous system (CNS), via its control of sympathetic outflow, regulates blood flow to the acral cutaneous beds (containing arteriovenous anastomoses) as part of the homeostatic thermoregulatory process, as part of the febrile response, and as part of cognitive‐emotional processes associated with purposeful interactions with the external environment, including those initiated by salient or threatening events (we go pale with fright). Inputs to the CNS for the thermoregulatory process include cutaneous sensory neurons, and neurons in the preoptic area sensitive to the temperature of the blood in the internal carotid artery. Inputs for cognitive‐emotional control from the exteroceptive sense organs (touch, vision, sound, smell, etc.) are integrated in forebrain centers including the amygdala. Psychoactive drugs have major effects on the acral cutaneous circulation. Interoceptors, chemoreceptors more than baroreceptors, also influence cutaneous sympathetic outflow. A major advance has been the discovery of a lower brainstem control center in the rostral medullary raphé, regulating outflow to both brown adipose tissue (BAT) and to the acral cutaneous beds. Neurons in the medullary raphé, via their descending axonal projections, increase the discharge of spinal sympathetic preganglionic neurons controlling the cutaneous vasculature, utilizing glutamate, and serotonin as neurotransmitters. Present evidence suggests that both thermoregulatory and cognitive‐emotional control of the cutaneous beds from preoptic, hypothalamic, and forebrain centers is channeled via the medullary raphé. Future studies will no doubt further unravel the details of neurotransmitter pathways connecting these rostral control centers with the medullary raphé, and those operative within the raphé itself. © 2016 American Physiological Society.Compr Physiol6:1161‐1197, 2016.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Photoelectrochemical and Photocatalytic Performance of NaNbO3/Ag2S Core–Shell Heterostructures
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Singh Aadesh P , Bera Chandan , Thirumal Meganathan , Mehta B. R. , Ganguli Ashok K.
Published: June 2016

Herein, we report the fabrication of visible‐light‐active NaNbO3/Ag2S staggered‐gap core–shell semiconductor heterostructures with excellent photoelectrochemical activity toward water splitting, and the degradation of a model pollutant (methylene blue) was also monitored. The heterostructures show a pronounced photocurrent density of approximately 2.44 mA cm−2 at 0.9 V versus Ag/AgCl in 0.5 m Na2SO4 and exhibit a positive shift in onset potential by approximately 1.1 V. The high photoactivity is attributed to the efficient photoinduced interfacial charge transfer (IFCT). The core–shell design alleviates the challenges associated with the electron–hole paths across semiconductor junctions and at the electrolyte–semiconductor interface. These properties demonstrate that NaNbO3/Ag2S core–shell heterostructures show promising visible‐light photoactivity and are also efficient, stable, and recyclable photocatalysts.
Performance Characteristics of a Non‐Fluorescent Aerolysin‐Based Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH) Assay for Simultaneous Evaluation of PNH Neutrophils and PNH Monocytes by Flow Cytometry, Following Published PNH Guidelines
Authors: Marinov Iuri , Illingworth Andrea J. , Benko Miroslav , Sutherland D. Robert
Published: June 2016

Background

CD157 has been recently reported as a useful glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐linked marker for the detection of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) clones in patients with suspected paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria by flow cytometry as it targets both neutrophils and monocytes. The aim of this study is to test the feasibility of a non‐fluorescent aerolysin (FLAER) approach and propose an alternative for laboratories, where FLAER is not available.

Methods

We validated a non‐FLAER‐based single‐tube, 6‐color assay targeting the GPI‐linked structures CD157, CD24, and CD14. We determined its performance characteristics on 20 PNH patient samples containing a variety of clone sizes and compared results with a previously validated FLAER‐based approach.

Results

Coefficient of variation (CV) for intra‐/interassay precision analyses ranged from 0.1%/0.2% to 3.02%/7.58% for neutrophils and from 0.10%/0.3% to 5.39%/6.36% for monocytes. Coefficient of determination (r2) for linear regression analysis of PNH clones from 20 patients ranging from 0.06% to 99.7% was 0.99 in all cases, Wilcoxon ranks test showed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05), Bland–Altman analysis demonstrated performance agreement with mean bias ranging from 0.06 to 0.2.

Conclusion

Our results confirm very good performance characteristics for both intra‐ and interassay precision analyses, favorable correlation, and agreement between the FLAER and non‐FLAER‐based approaches, using the CD157 GPI marker. Our experience suggests that a rapid and cost‐effective simultaneous evaluation of PNH neutrophils and monocytes by flow cytometry without using FLAER is possible in areas where FLAER may not be widely available. © 2016 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Pannexin 3 is required for late stage bone growth but not for initiation of ossification in avian embryos
Authors: Bond Stephen R. , Abramyan John , Fu Kathy , Naus Christian C. , Richman Joy M.
Published: June 2016

Background: Pannexin 3 (PANX3) is a channel‐forming protein capable of stimulating osteogenesis in vitro. Here, we studied the in vivo roles of PANX3 in the chicken embryo using the RCAS retroviral system to over‐express and knockdown expression during endochondral bone formation. Results: In the limbs, PANX3 RNA was first detected in the cartilage condensations and became restricted to the prehypertrophic cartilage of the epiphyses, diaphysis, and perichondrium. The increase in PANX3 was not sufficient to alter osteogenesis; however, knockdown with a virus containing an interference RNA construct caused a 20% reduction in bone volume. The control virus containing an shEGFP cassette did not affect development. Interestingly, the phenotype was restricted to later stages rather than to proliferation of the skeletogenic mesenchyme, formation of the cartilage condensation, or creation of the hypertrophic zones. In addition, there was also no change in readouts of Hedgehog, WNT, fibroblast growth factor, or bone morphogenetic protein signaling using either quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction or radioactive in situ hybridization. Conclusions: Based on the normal expression domains of PANX3 and the relatively late manifestation of the phenotype, it is possible that PANX3 hemichannels may be required to facilitate the transition of hypertrophic chondrocytes to osteoblasts, thereby achieving final bone size. Developmental Dynamics 245:913–924, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A compact unc45b‐promoter drives muscle‐specific expression in zebrafish and mouse
Authors: Rudeck Steven , Etard Christelle , Khan Muzamil M. , Rottbauer Wolfgang , Rudolf Rüdiger , Strähle Uwe , Just Steffen
Published: June 2016

Summary: Gene therapeutic approaches to cure genetic diseases require tools to express the rescuing gene exclusively within the affected tissues. Viruses are often chosen as gene transfer vehicles but they have limited capacity for genetic information to be carried and transduced. In addition, to avoid off‐target effects the therapeutic gene should be driven by a tissue‐specific promoter in order to ensure expression in the target organs, tissues, or cell populations. The larger the promoter, the less space will be left for the respective gene. Thus, there is a need for small but tissue‐specific promoters. Here, we describe a compact unc45b promoter fragment of 195 bp that retains the ability to drive gene expression exclusively in skeletal and cardiac muscle in zebrafish and mouse. Remarkably, the described unc45b promoter fragment not only drives muscle‐specific expression but presents heat‐shock inducibility, allowing a temporal and spatial quantity control of (trans)gene expression. Here, we demonstrate that the transgenic expression of the smyd1b gene driven by the unc45b promoter fragment is able to rescue the embryonically lethal heart and skeletal muscle defects in smyd1b‐deficient flatline mutant zebrafish. Our findings demonstrate that the described muscle‐specific unc45b promoter fragment might be a valuable tool for the development of genetic therapies in patients suffering from myopathies. genesis 54:431–438, 2016. © 2016 The Authors. Genesis Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ungulate browsers promote herbaceous layer diversity in logged temperate forests
Authors: Faison Edward K. , DeStefano Stephen , Foster David R. , Motzkin Glenn , Rapp Joshua M.
Published: June 2016

Ungulates are leading drivers of plant communities worldwide, with impacts linked to animal density, disturbance and vegetation structure, and site productivity. Many ecosystems have more than one ungulate species; however, few studies have specifically examined the combined effects of two or more species on plant communities. We examined the extent to which two ungulate browsers (moose [Alces americanus]) and white‐tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus]) have additive (compounding) or compensatory (opposing) effects on herbaceous layer composition and diversity, 5–6 years after timber harvest in Massachusetts, USA. We established three combinations of ungulates using two types of fenced exclosures – none (full exclosure), deer (partial exclosure), and deer + moose (control) in six replicated blocks. Species composition diverged among browser treatments, and changes were generally additive. Plant assemblages characteristic of closed canopy forests were less abundant and assemblages characteristic of open/disturbed habitats were more abundant in deer + moose plots compared with ungulate excluded areas. Browsing by deer + moose resulted in greater herbaceous species richness at the plot scale (169 m2) and greater woody species richness at the subplot scale (1 m2) than ungulate exclusion and deer alone. Browsing by deer + moose resulted in strong changes to the composition, structure, and diversity of forest herbaceous layers, relative to areas free of ungulates and areas browed by white‐tailed deer alone. Our results provide evidence that moderate browsing in forest openings can promote both herbaceous and woody plant diversity. These results are consistent with the classic grazing‐species richness curve, but have rarely been documented in forests.
Filling in the GAPS: evaluating completeness and coverage of open‐access biodiversity databases in the United States
Authors: Troia Matthew J. , McManamay Ryan A.
Published: June 2016

Primary biodiversity data constitute observations of particular species at given points in time and space. Open‐access electronic databases provide unprecedented access to these data, but their usefulness in characterizing species distributions and patterns in biodiversity depend on how complete species inventories are at a given survey location and how uniformly distributed survey locations are along dimensions of time, space, and environment. Our aim was to compare completeness and coverage among three open‐access databases representing ten taxonomic groups (amphibians, birds, freshwater bivalves, crayfish, freshwater fish, fungi, insects, mammals, plants, and reptiles) in the contiguous United States. We compiled occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), and federally administered fish surveys (FFS). We aggregated occurrence records by 0.1° × 0.1° grid cells and computed three completeness metrics to classify each grid cell as well‐surveyed or not. Next, we compared frequency distributions of surveyed grid cells to background environmental conditions in a GIS and performed Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests to quantify coverage through time, along two spatial gradients, and along eight environmental gradients. The three databases contributed >13.6 million reliable occurrence records distributed among >190,000 grid cells. The percent of well‐surveyed grid cells was substantially lower for GBIF (5.2%) than for systematic surveys (BBS and FFS; 82.5%). Still, the large number of GBIF occurrence records produced at least 250 well‐surveyed grid cells for six of nine taxonomic groups. Coverages of systematic surveys were less biased across spatial and environmental dimensions but were more biased in temporal coverage compared to GBIF data. GBIF coverages also varied among taxonomic groups, consistent with commonly recognized geographic, environmental, and institutional sampling biases. This comprehensive assessment of biodiversity data across the contiguous United States provides a prioritization scheme to fill in the gaps by contributing existing occurrence records to the public domain and planning future surveys.
Copper‐Catalyzed A3‐Coupling: Synthesis of 3‐Amino‐1,4‐diynes
Authors: Choi Yoon‐Jeong , Jang Hye‐Young
Published: June 2016

Cu‐catalyzed A3 (amine, aldehyde, and alkyne) coupling reactions were investigated for the synthesis of 3‐amino‐1,4‐diynes. Although metal‐catalyzed A3‐coupling reactions have been extensively used to synthesize various propargylamines, the A3‐coupling for the synthesis of 3‐amino‐1,4‐diynes has been rarely reported. In this study, various symmetrical 3‐amino‐1,4‐diynes were synthesized by the sequential Cu‐catalyzed dealkynylation of propargyl aldehydes followed by A3‐coupling. Unsymmetrical 3‐amino‐1,4‐diynes were also synthesized in 49–85 % yields by Cu‐catalyzed A3‐coupling.
The Global Perspective
Authors: Morton Frank
Published: June 2016

The International Test Center Network (ITCN) was established in 2012 as collaboration between Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM), in Norway, and the National Carbon Capture Center, in the United States. Here Frank Morton, Consulting Engineer for Southern Company Services, talks to Greenhouse Gases Science and Technology about the ITCN's vision, how it believes that global collaboration is the best way to take the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology forward, and what its plans are for the future.
The Relationship Between HR Capabilities and Quality of Patient Care: The Mediating Role of Proactive Work Behaviors
Authors: Khatri Naresh , Gupta Vishal , Varma Arup
Published: June 2016

Based on theoretical frameworks of resource‐based theory, dynamic capabilities, and behavioral perspective on human resource management, we developed a multidimensional construct of human resource (HR) capabilities and tested its relationship with quality of patient care using a national sample of U.S. hospitals. The data on HR capabilities were collected from senior managers (421 individuals nested in 279 hospitals) representing both the administrative and clinical sides of the hospitals. The data on quality of patient care were gathered from two unique sources—patients of 207 hospitals who reported the data via the hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems Survey, and 421 senior managers of 279 hospitals. Our analyses using structural equation modeling suggests that the positive relationship of HR capabilities with quality of patient care is mediated by proactive behaviors of health care workers. Implications of the study findings for research and practice are discussed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Understanding the Organizational Context of Academic Program Development
Authors: Dee Jay R. , Heineman William A.
Published: June 2016

This chapter provides a conceptual model that academic leaders can use to navigate the complex, and often contentious, organizational terrain of academic program development. The model includes concepts related to the institution's external environment, as well as internal organizational structures, cultures, and politics. Drawing from the literature in management, organizational studies, and higher education, this chapter explains how various organizational configurations lead to different assumptions and practices regarding data use and program development decisions. These assumptions and practices are illustrated through a case study of the development of online programs in a community college system.
Higher Education Leadership Graduate Program Development
Authors: Freeman Sydney , Chambers Crystal Renée , Newton Rochelle
Published: June 2016

Graduate programs in higher education administration and leadership have sought to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and competencies for higher education leadership; that is, to prepare globally minded leaders who can navigate the internal and external demands of, and for, higher education. With the use of the Lattuca and Stark model of curriculum as an academic plan, this chapter provides an overview of opportunities and challenges to be considered when developing higher education leadership graduate programs.
Hindlimb Immobilization, But Not Castration, Induces Reduction of Undercarboxylated Osteocalcin Associated With Muscle Atrophy in Rats
Authors: Lin Xuzhu , Hanson Erik , Betik Andrew C , Brennan-Speranza Tara C , Hayes Alan , Levinger Itamar
Published: June 2016

Undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) has been implicated in skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity and function. However, whether muscle mass and strength loss in atrophic conditions is related to a reduction in ucOC is not clear. We hypothesized that both immobilization and testosterone depletion would lead to reductions in ucOC, associated with not only the degree of muscle atrophy but also changes to atrophy signaling pathway(s) in male rats. We subjected 8-week-old male Fischer (F344) rats to 7 days of hindlimb immobilization 10 days after castration surgery. Hindlimb immobilization, but not castration, resulted in a significant reduction in ucOC (30%) and lower ucOC was correlated with the degree of muscle loss and muscle weakness. ucOC levels, the expression of ucOC-sensitive receptor G protein-coupled receptor, class C, group 6, member A (GPRC6A), as well as the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and 5′ adenosine monophosphate–activated protein kinase (AMPK) were associated with the expression and activity of a number of proteins in the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and Forkhead Box O (FOXO) signaling pathways in a muscle type–specific manner. These data suggest that ucOC may have other effects on skeletal muscle in addition to its insulin sensitizing effect. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
GAAP Accounting for Tax Equity Investments in Partnerships and LLCs
Authors: Strobel George L.
Published: June 2016

This article takes a very practical approach to the reporting of tax equity investments in partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs). While generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) appear to specify the equity method, this article recommends bifurcation of the investment into two pieces, one being the present values of the tax attributes, which should be booked together with the other tax assets, and the second component being the present value of expected cash flows from the investment. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does Hedge Accounting Under SFAS 133 Increase the Information Content of Earnings: Evidence From the U.S. Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Beneda Nancy L.
Published: June 2016

This article examines the information content of reported earnings for a sample of U.S. oil and gas firms that use hedge accounting, under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 133 and International Accounting Standard (IAS) 39. The study finds that for firms that use hedge accounting, earnings are more informative about firm value and risk exposure than firms that do not use hedge accounting. The study also finds that firms that use hedge accounting and are effectively using derivatives have higher firm value than other firms in the study sample. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Introduction to Horizontal Management in Financial Services (Part 1)
Authors: Dauphinee Jeff , Vercio Alan
Published: June 2016

Focusing on the financial services industry, this article explains what is meant by horizontal management, the benefits, the required organizational structure, and, in Part 2, the measurement system. This process is labeled end to end (E2E). The E2E process determines the customer experience. Accordingly, customer requirements are clearly articulated. From these requirements, E2E participating department requirements are established. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Blockchain and Its Coming Impact on Financial Services
Authors: Fanning Kurt , Centers David P.
Published: June 2016

This article provides insight into how “Blockchains” work. A block chain or Blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a continuously growing list of data records that are hardened against tampering and revision, even by operators of the data store's nodes. One can view a Blockchain as a public ledger of all transactions that have ever been executed. It is constantly growing as completed blocks are added to previous blocks forming a chain. Importantly, blocks are added to the Blockchain in a linear, chronological order. Each miner gets a copy of the Blockchain when joining the Bitcoin network. The Blockchain they receive has complete and accurate information about the addresses and their balances right from the genesis block to the most recently completed block. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Matrix Accounting Illustrated: Contribution Margin
Authors: Hughes Melvin
Published: June 2016

This article is a follow‐up to a previous article, “The Simple Analytics of Matrix Accounting, Activity‐Based Costing, and Linear Programming” published in the JCAF March/April 2016 issue. In this issue, the author goes over the steps on the computer used to solve these types of mathematical problems. Some notation of matrix algebra is reviewed, followed by example case studies. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
PPARγ Modulation of Cytokine‐Stimulated MUC16 (CA125) Expression in Breast and Ovarian Cancer‐Derived Cells
Authors: Morgado Micaela , Carson Daniel D.
Published: June 2016

CA125 is serum tumor marker consisting of an epitope carried by a portion of the extremely large (>3 MDa), heavily glycosylated cell surface transmembrane mucin, MUC16. In malignancies, membrane bound mucins lose their polarized distribution, become aberrantly over‐expressed and protect tumor cells from the actions of chemotherapeutic agents as well as the immune system. Previously, we described stimulation of MUC16 expression by the proinflammatory cytokines, tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interferon γ (IFNγ), in breast and ovarian cancer cells and tissues. Herein, we show that PPARγ modulates cytokine‐stimulated MUC16 in a complex manner: at low concentrations (<10 µM) rosiglitazone further potentiates cytokine‐driven MUC16 expression while at high concentrations (>20 µM) rosiglitazone antagonizes cytokine stimulation. Rosiglitazone actions were fully reversible by the PPARγ antagonist, GW9662. Furthermore, siRNA‐mediated PPARγ knockdown also prevented a large portion of high dose rosiglitazone suppression of MUC16 expression indicating that rosiglitazone inhibition is largely PPARγ‐dependent. Cytokines greatly (>75%) suppressed PPARγ expression. Conversely, PPARγ activation by rosiglitazone at either low or high concentrations greatly (>75%) suppressed NFκB/p65 expression. NFκB/p65 expression was largely preserved in the presence of cytokines at low, but not high, rosiglitazone concentrations accounting for the different concentration dependent effects on MUC16 expression. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that PPARγ is an important modulator of MUC16 expression. The ability to deliver high doses of PPARγ agonists to MUC16‐expressing tumors offers an avenue to reduce expression of this protective glycoprotein and increase tumor sensitivity to killing by chemotherapeutic drugs and the immune system. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 163–171, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
New Regular Parallelisms of PG(3, 5)
Authors: Topalova Svetlana , Zhelezova Stela
Published: June 2016

We construct all regular parallelisms of with automorphisms of order 3. Their number is 8. The two cyclic parallelisms found by Prince are among them. The other six ones are the first examples of noncyclic regular parallelisms and the first examples of regular parallelisms that do not belong to the infinite families of Penttila and Williams.
Augmented Activity of Cyclooxygenase‐2 in Tissue and Serum of Patients With Cervical Cancer
Authors: Jawanjal Poonam , Salhan Sudha , Dhawan Indrani , Das Nirmalendu , Aggarwal Ruby , Tripathi Richa , Rath Gayatri
Published: June 2016

Background

Cyclooxygenase‐2 (Cox‐2) is frequently overexpressed in cervical carcinoma, but little is known about its altered serum concentration. Hence, this study evaluates clinical utility of cellular and serum level of Cox‐2 enzyme in cervical cancer.

Methods

The expression of Cox‐2 was evaluated in cervical tissues and serum samples collected from normal controls (n = 100; n = 68), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia patients (CIN, n = 67; n = 12), and invasive squamous cell carcinoma patients (SCCs; n = 153; n = 127) by immunohistochemical and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses.

Results

The significant cytoplasmic overexpression of Cox‐2 was noted in 50.7% of CIN and 69.9% of SCCs as compared with normal (P = 0.0001). Serum level of Cox‐2 was also found to be elevated both in CIN (median 4.35 ng/ml) and in SCCs (median 19.39 ng/ml) with respect to normal (median 0.44 ng/ml; P = 0.0001), respectively. The ROC analysis revealed the potential of serum Cox‐2 over its cellular expression to distinguish CIN and SCCs from normal.

Conclusion

Augmented Cox‐2 activity is implicated in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer, and its serum level could serve a potential to distinguish this malignancy. Therefore, it is suggested that serum Cox‐2 may be useful in monitoring the diagnosis and treatment outcome of patients.
AUC‐Guided Vancomycin Dosing in Adolescent Patients With Suspected Sepsis
Authors: Lanke Shankar , Yu Tian , Rower Joseph E. , Balch Alfred H. , Korgenski E. Kent , Sherwin Catherine M.
Published: June 2016

Vancomycin is a first‐line treatment for β‐lactam‐resistant Gram‐positive bacterial infections. Understanding the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) characteristics of vancomycin in an adolescent population is of clinical importance in this often overlooked pediatric population. This retrospective study investigated vancomycin PK‐PD in an adolescent cohort (12 to 18 years of age) of 463 patients (57% male, 81% white) admitted to the Intermountain Healthcare System between January 2006 and December 2013. Population PK modeling was performed in NONMEM 7.3. Vancomycin PK was well described with a 1‐compartment model that identified both body weight (WT) and creatinine clearance (CRCL) as covariates significantly impacting vancomycin disposition. The model was then utilized to determine dosing strategies that achieved the targeted area under the 24‐hour time curve vs minimum inhibitory concentration (AUC0‐24/MIC) ratio of ≥400. Additionally, these data were correlated with minimum steady‐state concentrations (Css,min) to find an acceptable target trough concentration range in adolescents. This analysis demonstrated that Css,min ranging from 10 to 12.5 mg/L were highly predictive of achieving an AUC0‐24/MIC ≥400 when the MIC was ≤1 mg/L. These results suggest that the target trough concentration for adolescents may be lower than that for adults.
Cycle‐Continuous Mappings—Order Structure
Authors: Šámal Robert
Published: June 2016

Given two graphs, a mapping between their edge‐sets is cycle‐continuous, if the preimage of every cycle is a cycle. The motivation for this definition is Jaeger's conjecture that for every bridgeless graph there is a cycle‐continuous mapping to the Petersen graph, which, if solved positively, would imply several other important conjectures (e.g., the Cycle double cover conjecture). Answering a question of DeVos, Nešetřil, and Raspaud, we prove that there exists an infinite set of graphs with no cycle‐continuous mapping between them. Further extending this result, we show that every countable poset can be represented by graphs and the existence of cycle‐continuous mappings between them.
Tight Descriptions of 3‐Paths in Normal Plane Maps
Authors: Borodin O. V. , Ivanova A. O. , Kostochka A. V.
Published: June 2016

We prove that every normal plane map (NPM) has a path on three vertices (3‐path) whose degree sequence is bounded from above by one of the following triplets: (3, 3, ∞), (3,15,3), (3,10,4), (3,8,5), (4,7,4), (5,5,7), (6,5,6), (3,4,11), (4,4,9), and (6,4,7). This description is tight in the sense that no its parameter can be improved and no term dropped. We also pose a problem of describing all tight descriptions of 3‐paths in NPMs and make a modest contribution to it by showing that there exist precisely three one‐term descriptions: (5, ∞, 6), (5, 10, ∞), and (10, 5, ∞).
A Relaxed Version of the Erdős–Lovász Tihany Conjecture
Authors: Stiebitz Michael
Published: June 2016

The Erdős–Lovász Tihany conjecture asserts that every graph G with ) contains two vertex disjoint subgraphs G1 and G2 such that and . Under the same assumption on G, we show that there are two vertex disjoint subgraphs G1 and G2 of G such that (a) and or (b) and . Here, is the chromatic number of is the clique number of G, and col(G) is the coloring number of G.
Implementation and evaluation of a “works‐in‐progress” session to promote scholarship in an academic hospitalist group
Authors: Patel Hemali , Fang Margaret C. , Harrison James D. , Auerbach Andy , Kangelaris Kirsten Neudoerffer
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Hospitalists frequently work on diverse projects, but often do not have the training and experience necessary to translate projects into peer‐reviewed publications and grants.

OBJECTIVE

Describe implementation and effect of a works‐in‐progress (WIP) series on progress and training in scholarly work.

DESIGN

Cross‐sectional survey.

SETTING

Urban academic medical center.

INTERVENTION

A weekly WIP session, named Incubator, serving as a forum where researchers, clinicians, and educators meet to review and provide feedback on projects underway across the Division of Hospital Medicine.

MEASUREMENTS

We surveyed presenters at Incubator to evaluate the impact of Incubator on scholarly activities. Responses were based on Kirkpatrick's 4‐level training hierarchy: (1) Reaction: participants' satisfaction; (2) Learning: knowledge acquisition; (3) Behavior: application of skills; and (4) Results of projects. We compared responses between researchers and nonresearchers using χ2 tests.

RESULTS

Of 51 surveys completed (response rate 70%), 35 (69%) projects were nonresearcher led. Reaction, behavior change, and results were all positive, with >90% respondents reporting a positive outcome in each category, a high rate of publication/funding, and 35% reporting learning as a result of Incubator. Comparison of researchers and nonresearchers revealed no significant differences, except nonresearchers reported significantly more favorable results in behavior and mentoring (P < 0.05).

DISCUSSION

A regularly scheduled, researcher‐led WIP session within a largely clinically oriented hospital medicine division can provide a venue for feedback that may promote progress and practical training in scholarly projects. In addition to robust career mentorship programs and protected time, a WIP can be an adjunct to improve scholarly output among academic hospitalists. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:719–723. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine
Isolation and evaluation of endophytic Streptomyces endusOsiSh‐2 with potential application for biocontrol of rice blast disease
Authors: Xu Ting , Li Yan , Zeng Xiadong , Yang Xiaolu , Yang Yuanzhu , Yuan Shanshan , Hu Xiaochun , Zeng Jiarui , Wang Zhenzhen , Liu Qian , Liu Yuqing , Liao Hongdong , Tong Chunyi , Liu Xuanming , Zhu Yonghua
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Biocontrol is a promising strategy in the control of rice blast disease. In the present study, we isolated and characterized a novel antagonist to the pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae from rice endophytic actinomycetes.

RESULTS

Out of 482 endophytic actinomycetes isolated from rice blast infected and healthy rice, Streptomyces endus OsiSh‐2 exhibited remarkable in vitro antagonistic activity. Scanning electron microscopy observations of M. oryzae treated by OsiSh‐2 revealed significant morphological alterations in hyphae. In 2‐year field tests, the spraying of OsiSh‐2 spore solution (107 spores mL−1) is capable of reducing rice blast disease severity by 59.64%. In addition, a fermentation broth of OsiSh‐2 and its cell‐free filtrates could inhibit the growth of M. oryzae, suggesting the presence of active enzymes and secondary metabolites. OsiSh‐2 tested positive for polyketide synthase‐I and nonribosomal peptide synthetase genes and can produce cellulase, protease, gelatinase, siderophore, indole‐3‐acetic acid and 1‐amino‐cyclopropane‐1‐carboxylate deaminase. A preliminary separation indicated that the methanol extract of OsiSh‐2 could suppress the growth of pathogens. The major active component was identified as nigericin.

CONCLUSION

Endophytic S. endus OsiSh‐2 has potential as a biocontrol agent against rice blast in agriculture. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Genotypic character relationship and phenotypic path coefficient analysis in chili pepper genotypes grown under tropical condition
Authors: Usman Magaji G , Rafii Mohd Y , Martini Mohammad Y , Oladosu Yusuff , Kashiani Pedram
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND

Studies on genotypic and phenotypic correlations among characters of crop plants are useful in planning, evaluating and setting selection criteria for the desired characters in a breeding program. The present study aimed to estimate the phenotypic correlation coefficients among yield and yield attributed characters and to work out the direct and indirect effects of yield‐related characters on yield per plant using path coefficient analysis. Twenty‐six genotypes of chili pepper were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications.

RESULTS

Yield per plant showed positive and highly significant (P ≤ 0.01) correlations with most of the characters studied at both the phenotypic and genotypic levels. By contrast, disease incidence and days to flowering showed a significant negative association with yield. Fruit weight and number of fruits exerted positive direct effect on yield and also had a positive and significant (P ≤ 0.01) correlation with yield per plant. However, fruit length showed a low negative direct effect with a strong and positive indirect effect through fruit weight on yield and had a positive and significant association with yield.

CONCLUSION

Longer fruits, heavy fruits and a high number of fruits are variables that are related to higher yields of chili pepper under tropical conditions and hence could be used as a reliable indicator in indirect selection for yield. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Laryngeal chondrosarcoma: A systematic review of 592 cases
Authors: Chin Oliver Y. , Dubal Pariket M. , Sheikh Ahmed B. , Unsal Aykut A. , Park Richard Chan Woo , Baredes Soly , Eloy Jean Anderson
Published: June 2016

Objectives/Hypothesis

Laryngeal chondrosarcomas are rare entities that arise from the cartilaginous structures of the larynx, including the cricoid, thyroid cartilage, epiglottis, and arytenoid cartilages. These tumors represent a minority of malignancies involving the larynx and can be mistaken for benign pathologies. The treatment has historically been surgical excision, often by total laryngectomy. This review investigates treatment modalities and patient outcomes.

Study Design

Systematic review using PubMed/MEDLINE and EMBASE database.

Methods

The databases were used to identify articles reporting cases of chondrosarcomas occurring exclusively in the larynx. Variables analyzed included patient demographics, presenting symptoms, grade, therapeutic approach, patient outcomes, and follow‐up.

Results

Five hundred and ninety‐two cases were identified. The average age reported was 62.5 years. There was a 3:1 male to female ratio. The most common surgical approach was local excision in 178 cases, followed by total laryngectomy in 174 cases. Nonsurgical treatment such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy was only used in 0.8% and 0.2%, respectively. Disease‐specific survival rates for 1, 5, 10, and 20 years were 97.7%, 91.4%, 81.8%, and 68.0%, respectively, with no differences when comparing 5‐year survival rates for location, grade, and therapy.

Conclusion

Laryngeal chondrosarcomas are rare with a good prognosis. Various surgical approaches exist, with no difference noted in 5‐year survival outcomes. Nonsurgical approaches were rarely used for these lesions.

Level of Evidence

N/A. Laryngoscope, 2016 127:430–439, 2017
Synthesis of Chiral Oligomer‐Grafted Biodegradable Polyurethanes and Their Chiral‐Dependent Influence on Bone Marrow Stem Cell Behaviors
Authors: Hu Bin , Deng Jun , Zheng Honghao , Yu Shan , Gao Changyou
Published: June 2016

Chirality is one of the most fascinating and ubiquitous features in nature, especially in biological systems. The effects of chiral surfaces, especially in combination with degradable materials of good biocompatibility, on stem cell behaviors has not yet been tackled. In this communication, the chiral monomers N‐acryloyl‐l(d)‐valine (l(d)‐AV) are synthesized and are polymerized to obtain chiral (l(d)‐PAV‐SH) oligomers, which are covalently immobilized onto electron‐deficient poly(propylene fumarate) polyurethane (PPFU) via Michael addition. The PPFU‐l‐PAV can interact more strongly and actively with bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) than PPFU‐d‐PAV, leading to a larger cell spreading area, faster migration velocity, and stronger osteodifferentiation tendency.

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Posttranslational Regulation of Organic Anion Transporters by Ubiquitination: Known and Novel
Authors: Xu Da , Wang Haoxun , You Guofeng
Published: June 2016

Organic anion transporters (OATs) encoded by solute carrier 22 family are localized in the epithelia of multiple organs, where they mediate the absorption, distribution, and excretion of a diverse array of negatively charged environmental toxins and clinically important drugs. Alterations in the expression and function of OATs play important roles in intra‐ and interindividual variability of the therapeutic efficacy and the toxicity of many drugs. As a result, the activity of OATs must be under tight regulation so as to carry out their normal functions. The regulation of OAT transport activity in response to various stimuli can occur at several levels such as transcription, translation, and posttranslational modification. Posttranslational regulation is of particular interest, because it usually happens within a very short period of time (minutes to hours) when the body has to deal with rapidly changing amounts of substances as a consequence of variable intake of drugs, fluids, or meals as well as metabolic activity. This review article highlights the recent advances from our laboratory in uncovering several posttranslational mechanisms underlying OAT regulation. These advances offer the promise of identifying targets for novel strategies that will maximize therapeutic efficacy in drug development.
One‐dimensional dynamics of saturated incompressible porous media: analytical solutions and influence of inertia terms
Authors: Zhang Yunpeng , Pedroso Dorival M. , Ehlers Wolfgang
Published: June 2016

The complexity of formulations for the hydromechanical coupled mechanics of porous media is typically minimised by simplifying assumptions such as neglecting the effect of inertia terms. For example, three formulations commonly employed to model practical problems are classified as fully dynamic, simplified dynamic and quasi‐static. Thus, depending on the porous media conditions, each formulation will have advantages and limitations. This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of these limitations when solving one‐dimensional fully saturated porous media problems in addition to a new solution that considers a more general loading situation. A phase diagram is developed to assist on the selection of which formulation is more appropriate and convenient regarding particular cases of porosity and hydraulic conductivity values. Non‐dimensional formulations are proposed to achieve this goal. Results using the analytical solutions are compared against numerical values obtained with the finite element method, and the effect of porosity is investigated. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Paediatric weight management programme for children with diabetes: a pilot study
Authors: McEwan Raphaella , Gilligan Niamh
Published: June 2016

The purpose of this pilot was to develop a curriculum and teaching plan for weight management for children with diabetes.

Session aims and objectives were discussed with the diabetes multidisciplinary team. The programme was entitled ‘Stepping Stones’ and divided into a junior (4–10 year olds) and senior (11–15 year olds) programme.

The Heart of England NHS Trust cares for 408 paediatric patients with diabetes. For pilot purposes Stepping Stones took place at one hospital site (n = 148). For the juniors programme 35 patients were invited (n = 7 were due to attend sessions, n = 5 actually attended). For the seniors programme 56 patients were invited (n = 6 were due to attend sessions, n = 0 attended). For the pilot, it was decided that the programme would run once‐weekly for four weeks. Each session was 1 hour and held at the Education Centre at the hospital.

Overall, the attendance at the group sessions was disappointing and meant that the results achieved from the juniors programme were not necessarily representative of the patient group. Only 40% (n = 2) of the attendees were actually overweight but one of the participants successfully lost some weight and managed to move a centile line in weight while the other continued to track the same centile line for weight. On evaluation of the programme, all children felt that the Stepping Stones programme was helpful and 60% felt that it has improved their diabetes knowledge. All participants who attended the initial session did come to each of the following sessions as well, which demonstrated good attrition rates. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons.