bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ARID1A is a useful marker of malignancy in peritoneal washings for endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Nagymanyoki Zoltan , Mutter George L. , Hornick Jason L. , Cibas Edmund S.
Published: December 2014

BACKGROUND

ARID1A (AT‐rich interactive domain 1A gene) has recently been identified as a novel tumor suppressor gene and one of the driver genes in endometrial carcinogenesis. Approximately 30% to 40% of endometrial carcinomas harbor mutations in the ARID1A gene, which results in complete loss of ARID1A protein expression. Although ARID1A aberrations are not restricted to endometrial cancer, the authors hypothesized that it might be a useful marker of malignancy in peritoneal washings for patients with endometrial cancer.

METHODS

The cytology archive of Brigham and Women's Hospital was searched to identify cell blocks from peritoneal washings that contained malignant or benign endometrial epithelium. From 2006 through 2013, 17 cases of endometrial carcinoma (EMCA) and 16 cases of endometriosis were identified. Surgical pathology reports and follow‐up data were used to confirm the diagnoses. Immunohistochemistry for ARID1A was performed, and slides were scored as 0 (complete loss of staining) or 1 (retained staining) by 2 independent pathologists. The discordant cases were resolved by consensus. The two‐tailed Fisher exact probability test was used to calculate statistical significance.

RESULTS

Complete loss of ARID1A expression was found in 8 of 17 EMCA cases (47%) and none of the 16 endometriosis cases (0%) (P = .024). The concordance among the pathologists on first review was high (96.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the current study demonstrated that ARID1A can be used in peritoneal washings to confirm malignancy in patients with EMCA. Complete loss of ARID1A expression by immunohistochemistry is highly specific for carcinoma, but retained expression is not informative. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2015;123:253–257. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Langton's turmite meets Lights Out
Authors: Arangala Crista
Published: December 2014

The solution to the game of Lights Out and its many variants have been well studied. This article introduces Langton's turmite to the game of Lights Out and discusses when Langton's turmite can solve Lights Out on a torus. The article also explores the behavior of multiple Langton's turmites on a Lights Out on a torus. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 155–161, 2016
Monitoring of drug intake during pregnancy by questionnaires and LC‐MS/MS drug urine screening: evaluation of both monitoring methods
Authors: Hoeke Henrike , Roeder Stefan , Bertsche Thilo , Lehmann Irina , Borte Michael , von Bergen Martin , Wissenbach Dirk K.
Published: December 2014

Various studies pointed towards a relationship between chronic diseases such as asthma and allergy and environmental risk factors, which are one aspect of the so‐called Exposome. These environmental risk factors include also the intake of drugs. One critical step in human development is the prenatal period, in which exposures might have critical impact on the child's health outcome. Thereby, the health effects of drugs taken during gestation are discussed controversially with regard to newborns' disease risk. Due to this, the drug intake of pregnant women in the third trimester was monitored by questionnaire, in addition to biomonitoring using a local birth cohort study, allowing correlations of drug exposure with disease risk. Therefore, 622 urine samples were analyzed by an untargeted liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) urine screening and the results were compared to self‐administered questionnaires. In total, 48% (n = 296) reported an intake of pharmaceuticals, with analgesics as the most frequent reported drug class in addition to dietary supplements. 182 times compounds were detected by urine screening, with analgesics (42%; n = 66) as the predominantly drug class. A comparison of reported and detected drug intake was performed for three different time spans between completion of the questionnaires and urine sampling. Even if the level of accordance was low in general, similar percentages (~25%, ~19%, and ~ 20%) were found for all groups. This study illustrates that a comprehensive evaluation of drug intake is neither achieved by questionnaires nor by biomonitoring alone. Instead, a combination of both monitoring methods, providing complementary information, should be considered. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Wildfire risk for main vegetation units in a biodiversity hotspot: modeling approach in New Caledonia, South Pacific
Authors: Gomez Céline , Mangeas Morgan , Curt Thomas , Ibanez Thomas , Munzinger Jérôme , Dumas Pascal , Jérémy André , Despinoy Marc , Hély Christelle
Published: December 2014

Wildfire has been recognized as one of the most ubiquitous disturbance agents to impact on natural environments. In this study, our main objective was to propose a modeling approach to investigate the potential impact of wildfire on biodiversity. The method is illustrated with an application example in New Caledonia where conservation and sustainable biodiversity management represent an important challenge. Firstly, a biodiversity loss index, including the diversity and the vulnerability indexes, was calculated for every vegetation unit in New Caledonia and mapped according to its distribution over the New Caledonian mainland. Then, based on spatially explicit fire behavior simulations (using the FLAMMAP software) and fire ignition probabilities, two original fire risk assessment approaches were proposed: a one‐off event model and a multi‐event burn probability model. The spatial distribution of fire risk across New Caledonia was similar for both indices with very small localized spots having high risk. The patterns relating to highest risk are all located around the remaining sclerophyll forest fragments and are representing 0.012% of the mainland surface. A small part of maquis and areas adjacent to dense humid forest on ultramafic substrates should also be monitored. Vegetation interfaces between secondary and primary units displayed high risk and should represent priority zones for fire effects mitigation. Low fire ignition probability in anthropogenic‐free areas decreases drastically the risk. A one‐off event associated risk allowed localizing of the most likely ignition areas with potential for extensive damage. Emergency actions could aim limiting specific fire spread known to have high impact or consist of on targeting high risk areas to limit one‐off fire ignitions. Spatially explicit information on burning probability is necessary for setting strategic fire and fuel management planning. Both risk indices provide clues to preserve New Caledonia hot spot of biodiversity facing wildfires.
Dynamic relationships between body size, species richness, abundance, and energy use in a shallow marine epibenthic faunal community
Authors: Labra Fabio A. , Hernández‐Miranda Eduardo , Quiñones Renato A.
Published: December 2014

We study the temporal variation in the empirical relationships among body size (S), species richness (R), and abundance (A) in a shallow marine epibenthic faunal community in Coliumo Bay, Chile. We also extend previous analyses by calculating individual energy use (E) and test whether its bivariate and trivariate relationships with S and R are in agreement with expectations derived from the energetic equivalence rule. Carnivorous and scavenger species representing over 95% of sample abundance and biomass were studied. For each individual, body size (g) was measured and E was estimated following published allometric relationships. Data for each sample were tabulated into exponential body size bins, comparing species‐averaged values with individual‐based estimates which allow species to potentially occupy multiple size classes. For individual‐based data, both the number of individuals and species across body size classes are fit by a Weibull function rather than by a power law scaling. Species richness is also a power law of the number of individuals. Energy use shows a piecewise scaling relationship with body size, with energetic equivalence holding true only for size classes above the modal abundance class. Species‐based data showed either weak linear or no significant patterns, likely due to the decrease in the number of data points across body size classes. Hence, for individual‐based size spectra, the SRA relationship seems to be general despite seasonal forcing and strong disturbances in Coliumo Bay. The unimodal abundance distribution results in a piecewise energy scaling relationship, with small individuals showing a positive scaling and large individuals showing energetic equivalence. Hence, strict energetic equivalence should not be expected for unimodal abundance distributions. On the other hand, while species‐based data do not show unimodal SRA relationships, energy use across body size classes did not show significant trends, supporting energetic equivalence.
Outbreeding effects in an inbreeding insect, Cimex lectularius
Authors: Fountain Toby , Butlin Roger K. , Reinhardt Klaus , Otti Oliver
Published: December 2014

In some species, populations with few founding individuals can be resilient to extreme inbreeding. Inbreeding seems to be the norm in the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius, a flightless insect that, nevertheless, can reach large deme sizes and persist successfully. However, bed bugs can also be dispersed passively by humans, exposing inbred populations to gene flow from genetically distant populations. The introduction of genetic variation through this outbreeding could lead to increased fitness (heterosis) or be costly by causing a loss of local adaptation or exposing genetic incompatibility between populations (outbreeding depression). Here, we addressed how inbreeding within demes and outbreeding between distant populations impact fitness over two generations in this re‐emerging public health pest. We compared fitness traits of families that were inbred (mimicking reproduction following a founder event) or outbred (mimicking reproduction following a gene flow event). We found that outbreeding led to increased starvation resistance compared to inbred families, but this benefit was lost after two generations of outbreeding. No other fitness benefits of outbreeding were observed in either generation, including no differences in fecundity between the two treatments. Resilience to inbreeding is likely to result from the history of small founder events in the bed bug. Outbreeding benefits may only be detectable under stress and when heterozygosity is maximized without disruption of coadaptation. We discuss the consequences of these results both in terms of inbreeding and outbreeding in populations with genetic and spatial structuring, as well as for the recent resurgence of bed bug populations.
Postglacial range shift and demographic expansion of the marine intertidal snail Batillaria attramentaria
Authors: Ho Phuong‐Thao , Kwan Ye‐Seul , Kim Boa , Won Yong‐Jin
Published: December 2014

To address the impacts of past climate changes, particularly since the last glacial period, on the history of the distribution and demography of marine species, we investigated the evolutionary and demographic responses of the intertidal batillariid gastropod, Batillaria attramentaria, to these changes, using the snail as a model species in the northwest Pacific. We applied phylogeographic and divergence population genetic approaches to mitochondrial COI sequences from B. attramentaria. To cover much of its distributional range, 197 individuals collected throughout Korea and 507 publically available sequences (mostly from Japan) were used. Finally, a Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) method was applied to reconstruct the demographic history of this species. We found four differentiated geographic groups around Korea, confirming the presence of two distinct, geographically subdivided haplogroups on the Japanese coastlines along the bifurcated routes of the warm Tsushima and Kuroshio Currents. These two haplogroups were estimated to have begun to split approximately 400,000 years ago. Population divergence analysis supported the hypothesis that the Yellow Sea was populated by a northward range expansion of a small fraction of founders that split from a southern ancestral population since the last glacial maximum (LGM: 26,000–19,000 years ago), when the southern area became re‐submerged. BSP analyses on six geographically and genetically defined groups in Korea and Japan consistently demonstrated that each group has exponentially increased approximately since the LGM. This study resolved the phylogeography of B. attramentaria as a series of events connected over space and time; while paleoceanographic conditions determining the connectivity of neighboring seas in East Asia are responsible for the vicariance of this species, the postglacial sea‐level rise and warming temperatures have played a crucial role in rapid range shifts and broad demographic expansions of its populations.
A mechanism‐based pain sensitivity index to characterize knee osteoarthritis patients with different disease stages and pain levels
Authors: Arendt‐Nielsen L. , Egsgaard L.L. , Petersen K.K. , Eskehave T.N. , Graven‐ Nielsen T. , Hoeck H.C. , Simonsen O.
Published: December 2014

Background

In a cohort of well‐characterized patients with different degrees of knee osteoarthritis (OA) and pain, the aims were to utilize mechanism‐based quantitative sensory testing (QST) to (1) characterize subgroups of patients; (2) analyse the associations between clinical characteristics and QST; and (3) develop and apply a QST‐based knee OA composite pain sensitivity index for patient classification.

Methods

Two hundred seventeen OA pain patients and 64 controls were included. Kellgren and Lawrence (KL) grading scores were obtained, and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), temporal summation of pain to repeated painful pressure stimulation and conditioning pain modulation (CPM) were assessed. Associations between pain score/area/duration, radiological findings and QST‐related parameters were analysed. A pain sensitivity index was developed and applied based on PPT, temporal summation and CPM. z‐Score, as statistical tool, was calculated for statistically comparing the pain index of a single patient with a healthy control group.

Results

High knee pain associated with low KL grade showed particular signs of pain sensitization. Patients showed significant associations between clinical knee pain intensity/duration and lowering of knee PPTs (p < 0.01), facilitation of temporal summation (p < 0.01), reduction of CPM function (p < 0.01) and high pain sensitivity index (p < 0.01). The index classified 27–38% of the OA patients and 3% of the controls as highly sensitive with no association to KL. The index increased for high knee pain intensities and long pain duration.

Conclusions

Radiological scores, contrary to clinical pain intensity/duration, were poorly associated with QST parameters. The pain sensitivity index could classify OA patients with different degrees of OA and pain.
Evaluating damage extent of fractured beams in steel moment‐resisting frames using dynamic strain responses
Authors: Li Xiaohua , Kurata Masahiro , Nakashima Masayoshi
Published: December 2014

Delays in the postearthquake safety estimations of important buildings significantly increase unnecessary disorder in economic and social recovery following devastating earthquakes. Providing promptness and objectivity in evaluation procedures, damage detection through a structural health monitoring system using sensors attracts attention from building owners and other stakeholders. Nonetheless, local damage on individual structural elements is not easily identifiable, as such damage weakly relates to the global vibrational characteristics of buildings. The primary objectives of this research are to present and verify a method that quantifies the amount of local damage (i.e., fractures near beam–column connections) for the health monitoring of steel moment‐resisting frames that have undergone a strong earthquake ground motion. In this paper, a novel damage index based on the monitoring of dynamic strain responses of steel beams under ambient vibration before and after earthquakes is firstly presented. Then, the relation between the amount of local damage and the presented damage index is derived numerically with a parametric study using a nine‐story steel moment‐resisting frame model. Finally, the effectiveness of the damage index and an associated wireless strain‐sensing system are examined with a series of vibration tests using a five‐story steel frame test bed. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Meta‐Analysis of Temperament in Eating Disorders
Authors: Atiye Minna , Miettunen Jouko , Raevuori‐Helkamaa Anu
Published: December 2014

Although suggested as an important contributor to the development and maintenance of eating disorders, temperament has not previously been studied adopting a meta‐analytical approach. We therefore pooled data (N = 14 studies; N = 3315 cases, N = 3395 controls) on Cloninger's temperament traits (novelty seeking, harm avoidance, reward dependence and persistence) in anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), binge eating disorder (BED) and eating disorders not otherwise specified. Persistence was significantly higher than in the controls in all eating disorders except for BED the highest levels being observed in AN. Correspondingly, the highest effect sizes for harm avoidance were seen in AN. Novelty seeking was significantly elevated relative to the controls only in BN. Harm avoidance was significantly lower, and reward dependence was significantly higher in individuals who had recovered from AN than in those who remained ill. Future studies with a longitudinal design are needed to explore the temporal relationships between eating disorders and temperament traits. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.
Optimization and comparison analysis for application of PV panels in three villages
Authors: Fadaeenejad Mohsen , Mohd Radzi Mohd Amran , Fadaeenejad Mohammad , Zarif Mahdi , Gandomi Zohreh
Published: December 2014

In recent years, research about the application and optimization of PV panels has grown rapidly. Especially for stand‐alone solar systems there have been some problems related to first stages of design and application. Finding the optimum slope of PV panels in order to maximize the absorbed solar radiation is considered as one of the major obstacles. Although in Malaysia there have been some research works about finding of optimal tilt angle, however, this research work aims to start investigation about slope of PV panels for three villages without electricity and prior research. The Liu and Jordan model is applied to find the monthly optimal tilt angle and fixed tilt angle for the application of solar energy in these rural locations. The results demonstrate that the optimal tilt angle in these locations is less than 5°.
Is geomorphology sleepwalking into oblivion?
Authors: Woodward Jamie
Published: December 2014

This commentary uses Google Books N‐grams to briefly explore the changing use of the word geomorphology in books published in British English and American English. Both show a decline in the use of the term geomorphology in recent years. A singular feature of the British data is a very sharp rise and fall in the use of term geomorphology in books published since 1980. The steep falling limb (post 1993) of this curve is of particular concern and several possible explanations are put forward including, since 1986, the influence exerted by Research Assessment Exercises on publication practice in UK universities. The N‐gram trends pose important questions for all geomorphologists and we should monitor them to gain a better understanding of where we need to be most visible to ensure the long‐term health of our discipline. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Methane calibration burner and C‐factor determination with cone calorimeter – validation of the standardized calibration protocol
Authors: Guillaume Eric , Saragoza Laurent
Published: December 2014

The cone calorimeter is one of the major fire tests. In its reference standard ISO 5660‐1, the apparatus (and especially a characteristic of its orifice plate mass flow meter, called C‐Factor) is calibrated using a methane burner set at 5 kW. However, measurements performed in end‐use are in the range 1–10 kW. In addition, standard proposes to check linearity at 1 and 3 kW, which means in the lowest part of the range. This communication establishes the validation of the linearity on the whole range and determines the optimal condition for C‐factor determination. It justifies the technical choices of the standard. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Integrating metabolomic data from multiple analytical platforms for a comprehensive characterisation of lemon essential oils
Authors: Mehl Florence , Marti Guillaume , Merle Philippe , Delort Estelle , Baroux Lucie , Sommer Horst , Wolfender Jean‐Luc , Rudaz Serge , Boccard Julien
Published: December 2014

Citrus cold pressed oils are of great importance to the flavour and fragrance industry. Because of their high added value, careful attention must be paid to ensure the oils' genuineness and authenticity. Characterising their chemical complexity in a holistic perspective constitutes a potent way to relate specific compounds to the organoleptic properties of interest and to assess their quality. In this context, a complete characterisation using untargeted metabolomics represents an analytical challenge. The present study takes advantage of multiblock data modelling to integrate heterogeneous signals collected from GC‐FID, 1H‐NMR, UHPLC‐TOF/MS‐ (negative mode) and UHPLC‐TOF/MS+ (positive mode) platforms to obtain a complete characterisation of 64 samples of cold pressed lemon oil (CPLO). Two statistical approaches (MB‐PLS‐DA and Consensus OPLS‐DA) were used to classify the samples according to their extraction processes [i.e. Sfumatrice, Food Machinery Corporation Inline Extractor (FMC), Brown Oil Extractor (BOE), Pelatrice, or mixed FMC + Pelatrice]. Furthermore, the multiblock strategy allows links between variables from different analytical methods to be drawn easily and facilitates the identification of compounds. Because citrus oils extracted using the Sfumatrice process constitute the reference quality from an organoleptic point of view, these samples were characterised thoroughly and are reported to contain less fatty acids but more sesquiterpenes and furocoumarins compared with products obtained using other extraction processes. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Global transcriptome and sequenome analysis of formalin‐fixed salivary epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma specimens
Authors: Fonseca Isabel , Bell Achim , Wani Khalida , Bell Diana
Published: December 2014

Diverse microarray and sequencing technologies have been widely used to characterize molecular changes in malignant epithelial cells in salivary neoplasms. Such gene expression studies to identify markers and targets in tumor cells are, however, compromised by the cellular heterogeneity of these tumors and by the difficulties to accrue matching controls representing normal salivary glands. Seventeen samples of primary salivary epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma along with tissue from six normal major salivary glands were microdissected from paraffin‐embedded tissue. Pools of RNA from highly enriched preparations of these cell types were subjected to expression profiling using a whole‐transcriptome shotgun sequencing experiment. In parallel, extracted genomic DNA was used for the 50 gene hotspot panel sequenome. KRAS mutations in three patients (18%), NRAS mutations in one patient (6%), but no HRAS, MET, PIK3CA, or BRAF mutations. Using strict and conservative criteria, 220 differentially expressed transcripts were found, with 36% up‐ and 64% downregulated. The transcripts were annotated using NCBI Entrez Gene, and computationally analyzed with the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis program. From these significantly changed expressions, the analysis identified 26 cancer‐related transcripts and 16 transcripts related to mitochondrial dysfunction overlapping with three cancer‐related genes. These 220 differentially expressed genes including microRNAs provide here a sufficiently large set to specifically define epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma and to identify novel and potentially important targets for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of this cancer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Abnormal hippocampal morphology in dissociative identity disorder and post‐traumatic stress disorder correlates with childhood trauma and dissociative symptoms
Authors: Chalavi Sima , Vissia Eline M. , Giesen Mechteld E. , Nijenhuis Ellert R.S. , Draijer Nel , Cole James H. , Dazzan Paola , Pariante Carmine M. , Madsen Sarah K. , Rajagopalan Priya , Thompson Paul M. , Toga Arthur W. , Veltman Dick J. , Reinders Antje A.T.S.
Published: December 2014

Smaller hippocampal volume has been reported in individuals with post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dissociative identity disorder (DID), but the regional specificity of hippocampal volume reductions and the association with severity of dissociative symptoms and/or childhood traumatization are still unclear. Brain structural magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed for 33 outpatients (17 with DID and 16 with PTSD only) and 28 healthy controls (HC), all matched for age, sex, and education. DID patients met criteria for PTSD (PTSD–DID). Hippocampal global and subfield volumes and shape measurements were extracted. We found that global hippocampal volume was significantly smaller in all 33 patients (left: 6.75%; right: 8.33%) compared with HC. PTSD–DID (left: 10.19%; right: 11.37%) and PTSD‐only with a history of childhood traumatization (left: 7.11%; right: 7.31%) had significantly smaller global hippocampal volume relative to HC. PTSD–DID had abnormal shape and significantly smaller volume in the CA2‐3, CA4‐DG and (pre)subiculum compared with HC. In the patient groups, smaller global and subfield hippocampal volumes significantly correlated with higher severity of childhood traumatization and dissociative symptoms. These findings support a childhood trauma‐related etiology for abnormal hippocampal morphology in both PTSD and DID and can further the understanding of neurobiological mechanisms involved in these disorders. Hum Brain Mapp 36:1692–1704, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sofosbuvir compassionate use program for patients with severe recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation
Authors: Forns Xavier , Charlton Michael , Denning Jill , McHutchison John G. , Symonds William T. , Brainard Diana , Brandt‐Sarif Theo , Chang Paul , Kivett Valerie , Castells Lluís , Prieto Martín , Fontana Robert J. , Baumert Thomas F. , Coilly Audrey , Londoño Maria Carlota , Habersetzer François
Published: December 2014

Recurrent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after liver transplantation (LT) is associated with accelerated progression of liver disease, frequently leading to graft loss and early death. Existing treatment options for severe recurrent HCV infection are limited by suboptimal efficacy, poor tolerability, and numerous drug interactions. We provided sofosbuvir (SOF) and ribavirin (RBV) on a compassionate‐use basis to patients with severe recurrent hepatitis C, including those with fibrosing cholestatic hepatitis (FCH) and decompensated cirrhosis who had a life expectancy of 1 year or less. All patients were to receive 24‐48 weeks of SOF plus RBV. Investigators could add pegylated interferon to the regimen at their discretion. Data from the first 104 patients who completed or prematurely discontinued treatment by January 1, 2014 are presented. Of the 104 patients analyzed, 52 had an early severe recurrence (diagnosed <12 months after LT) and 52 had cirrhosis (diagnosed >12 months after LT). Twelve patients who underwent retransplantation were excluded from our efficacy analysis. Of the 92 patients assessed, 54 (59%) achieved sustained virological response (SVR) at 12 weeks after the end of treatment, with a higher rate (73%; 35 of 48) in patients with early severe recurrence. Of the 103 patients assessed for clinical outcome, 59 (57%) reported clinical improvement at the last study visit, 23 (22%) were unchanged, 3 (3%) had a worsened clinical status, and 13 (13%) died. Overall, 123 serious adverse events (SAEs) occurred in 49 patients (47%). SAEs associated with hepatic decompensation were the most frequent, with 26 SAEs occurring in 19 patients (18%). Conclusion: SOF and RBV provide high rates of SVR in patients with severe recurrent HCV, including patients with early severe recurrence, FCH, and cirrhosis. (Hepatology 2015;61:1485–1494)
Heat Transfer and Friction Characteristics of Perforated Fin with a Longitudinal Slot under Forced Convection
Authors: Rawat Kuldeep , Patil Anil K.
Published: December 2014

Extended surfaces are used in a variety of heat transfer applications owing to their ability in reducing the convection resistance by exposing a large surface area to the surrounding fluid. Surface modification in the form of perforations is a passive method of increasing the heat transfer rates with the additional benefit of weight reduction. This work deals with numerical investigation of heat transfer and friction from a perforated fin (with and without slot) subjected to forced convection. The perforated fin with slot has been found to have a maximum enhancement in heat transfer with the simultaneous increase in frictional losses versus that of a solid fin. Further, the perforated fin without slot has been able to transfer heat at a relatively higher rate with a considerable reduction in energy loss due to friction in comparison to a solid fin.
The high prevalence of undiagnosed prostate cancer at autopsy: implications for epidemiology and treatment of prostate cancer in the Prostate‐specific Antigen‐era
Authors: Jahn Jaquelyn L. , Giovannucci Edward L. , Stampfer Meir J.
Published: December 2014

Widespread prostate‐specific antigen (PSA) screening detects many cancers that would have otherwise gone undiagnosed. To estimate the prevalence of unsuspected prostate cancer, we reviewed 19 studies of prostate cancer discovered at autopsy among 6,024 men. Among men aged 70–79, tumor was found in 36% of Caucasians and 51% of African‐Americans. This enormous prevalence, coupled with the high sensitivity of PSA screening, has led to the marked increase in the apparent incidence of prostate cancer. The impact of PSA screening on clinical practice is well‐recognized, but its effect on epidemiologic research is less appreciated. Before screening, a larger proportion of incident prostate cancers had lethal potential and were diagnosed at advanced stage. However, in the PSA era, overall incident prostate cancer mainly is indolent disease, and often reflects the propensity to be screened and biopsied. Studies must therefore focus on cancers with lethal potential, and include long follow‐up to accommodate the lead time induced by screening. Moreover, risk factor patterns differ markedly for potentially lethal and indolent disease, suggesting separate etiologies and distinct disease entities. Studies of total incident or indolent prostate cancer are of limited clinical utility, and the main focus of research should be on prostate cancers of lethal potential.
The Implications of Sarcopenia and Sarcopenic Obesity on Cardiometabolic Disease
Authors: Kim Tae Nyun , Choi Kyung Mook
Published: December 2014

The important changes in body composition associated with aging are a decline in skeletal muscle mass and an increase in body fat. Body fat distribution also changes with age; subcutaneous fat decreases and visceral abdominal fat increase, which contributes to numerous cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Sarcopenia often accompanied by an increase in body fat and vice versa, a scenario termed sarcopenic obesity (SO), which might lead to the cumulative risk of both sarcopenia and obesity. However, there is still no consensus regarding the definition and consequences of SO. The lack of a unified definition for SO might contribute to inconsistent findings about the association of SO with CMD. Complex etiologies are associated with development of SO. A vicious cycle between the loss of muscle and the accumulation of ectopic fat might be associated with CMD via an intricate interplay of factors including proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, dietary energy, physical activity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and other factors that have yet to be identified. Moreover, recent epidemiological studies suggest that SO is related to CVD and mortality. This review focuses on the current literature with regard to the association between sarcopenia, dynapenia, and obesity, as well as their implications for CMD. The ultimate goal of this Prospects is to encourage conduct of well‐designed future studies that elucidate the relationship among sarcopenia, SO, and CMD. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1171–1178, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Biochemical investigations of human papillomavirus‐infected cervical fluids
Authors: Choi Samjin , Park Hun‐Kuk , Min Gyeong Eun , Kim Yeon‐Hee
Published: December 2014

Purpose: Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high‐risk types of human papillomavirus (HPV). The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a stand‐alone analytical tool for clinical diagnosis of HPV infection using human cervical fluids. Method: A drop‐coating deposition surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (DCD‐SERS) method was identified as the most effective method of biochemical analysis in cervical biofluids. Results: Using a 2‐µL sample, the proposed DCD‐SERS method yielded Raman spectra with high reproducibility, noise‐independence, and uniformity. Additionally, the produced spectra were independent of the volume of fluid used and detection zone analyzed within the central and the ring zones. The optical detection of HPV infection in cervical fluids could be detected accurately in the central zone. Different Raman spectra were obtained according to HPV type. In particular, HPV‐16 and HPV‐18, which are the major risk factors for cervical cancer, showed a distinct spectral difference in cervical fluids, with a similar pattern for high Raman bands at >1,000 cm−1 but a different pattern for low Raman bands at <1,000 cm−1. Therefore, all ranges of HPV‐gated DCD‐SERS could be used to detect the presence of HPV infection. Conclusions: Raman spectroscopy provides a good alternative method for early clinical diagnosis of HPV infection, and we are hopeful that this proposed method of HPV assessment will be approved for use in obstetrics and gynecology clinics. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsc. Res. Tech. 78:200–206, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Laparoscopic pancreatic reconstruction technique following laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy
Authors: Kang Chang Moo , Lee Sung Hwan , Chung Myung Jae , Hwang Ho Kyoung , Lee Woo Jung
Published: December 2014

With the advance of laparoscopic experiences and techniques, it is carefully regarded that laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (lap‐PD) is feasible and safe in managing perimapullary pancreatic pathology. Especially, laparoscopic management of remnant pancreas can be a critical step toward completeness of minimally invasive PD. According to available published reports, there is a wide range of technical differences in choosing surgical options in managing remnant pancreas after lap‐PD. For the evidence‐based surgical approach, it would be ideal to test potential techniques by randomized controlled trials, but, currently, it is thought to be very difficult to expect those clinical trials to be successful because there are still a lack of expert surgeons with sound surgical techniques and experience. In addition, lap‐PD is so complicated and technically demanding that many surgeons are still questioning whether this surgical approach could be standardized and popular like laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In general, surgical options are usually chosen based on following question: (1) Is it simple? (2) Is it easy and feasible? (3) Is it secure and safe? (4) Is there any supporting scientific evidence? It would be interesting to estimate which surgical technique would be appropriate in managing remnant pancreas under these considerations. It is hoped that a well standardized multicenter‐based randomized control study would be successful to test this fundamental issues based on sound surgical techniques and scientific background.
Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some Novel Thiazoles, 1,3,4‐Thiadiazines, 1,3,4‐Thiadiazoles Incorporating Coumarin Moiety
Authors: Abdel‐Aziem Anhar
Published: December 2014

Starting from 3‐acetyl‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one and hydrazinecarbothiohydrazide, new functionalized thiazoles, 1,3,4‐thiadiazines, and 1,3,4‐thiadiazoles were prepared. The structures of the compounds prepared were confirmed by both elemental and spectral analyses as well as by alternate synthesis. The antimicrobial activities of the compounds prepared were screened, and the results showed that most of such compounds exhibit considerable activities.
Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of gallium‐68‐labeled glycine and hippurate conjugates for positron emission tomography renography
Authors: Pathuri Gopal , Hedrick Andria F. , January Spenser E. , Galbraith Wendy K. , Awasthi Vibhudutta , Arnold Charles D. , Cowley Benjamin D. , Gali Hariprasad
Published: December 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate four new 68Ga‐labeled 1,4,7,10‐cyclododeca‐1,4,7,10‐tetraacetic acid (DOTA)/1,4,7‐triazacyclononane‐1,4,7‐triacetic acid derived (NODAGA)‐glycine/hippurate conjugates and select a lead candidate for potential application in positron emission tomography (PET) renography. The non‐metallated conjugates were synthesized by a solid phase peptide synthesis method. The 68Ga labeling was achieved by reacting an excess of the non‐metallated conjugate with 68GaCl4− at pH −4.5 and 10‐min incubation either at room temperature for NODAGA or 90 °C for DOTA. Radiochemical purity of all 68Ga conjugates was found to be >98%. 68Ga‐NODAGA‐glycine displayed the lowest serum protein binding (0.4%) in vitro among the four 68Ga conjugates. Biodistribution of 68Ga conjugates in healthy Sprague Dawley rats at 1‐h post‐injection revealed an efficient clearance from circulation primarily through the renal–urinary pathway with <0.2% of injected dose per gram remaining in the blood. The kidney/blood and kidney/muscle ratios of 68Ga‐NODAGA‐glycine were significantly higher than other 68Ga conjugates. On the basis of these results, 68Ga‐NODAGA‐glycine was selected as the lead candidate. 68Ga‐NODAGA‐glycine PET renograms obtained in healthy rats suggest 68Ga‐NODAGA‐glycine as a PET alternate of 99mTc‐Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA).
Survivorship
Authors: Harrison Douglas J. , Schwartz Cindy
Published: December 2014

Significant therapeutic advances for soft tissue sarcomas allow increasing numbers of patients—adult and pediatric—to achieve long term survival. However, the harsh cytotoxic therapies are responsible for adverse physical and psychosocial effects that require long‐term follow‐up care, specific to survivorship issues. In the adult and pediatric patient population, guidelines for care developed by experts in comprehensive survivorship clinics are evolving to assist the practitioner while on‐line supports bring information directly to the survivors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:648–655. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio predicts pattern of recurrence in patients undergoing liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis and thus the overall survival
Authors: Giakoustidis Alexandros , Neofytou Kyriakos , Khan Aamir Z. , Mudan Satvinder
Published: December 2014

Objective

We investigate the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a potential prognostic factor for patients undergoing curative liver resection for colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).

Methods

We identified patients who underwent liver resection, via our prospectively accumulated surgical database at the Royal Marsden Hospital and The London Clinic, by two liver surgeons (SM and AZK) between January 2005 and December 2012 and patients included had liver resection for CRLM and received preoperative chemotherapy with an NLR > 2.5 considered elevated. NLR's role in disease‐free, post‐recurrence and overall survival was determined by univariate and multivariate Cox regression models.

Results

One hundred and sixty nine patients were enrolled. Seventy‐one patients (42%) demonstrated NLR > 2.5. Elevated NLR was associated with decreased OS in univariate and multivariate analysis (HR 2.12; 95% CI, 1.18–3.82; P = 0.012) but not with DFS. Analyzed as continuous variable, higher NLR was associated with decreased OS(HR 1.17; 95% CI, 1.03–132; P = 0.011) and associated with increased risk of extrahepatic/multifocal recurrence (P = 0.007), linked in this way with a decreased post‐recurrence survival (HR 1.24, 95% CI, 1.02–1.52; P = 0.032).

Conclusions

Elevated NLR in patients who undergo hepatectomy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for CRLM increases risk of extrahepatic/multifocal recurrence and is an independent predictor of overall survival. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:445–450. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Developing a prognostic model for localized Ewing sarcoma family of tumors: A single institutional experience of 224 cases treated with uniform chemotherapy protocol
Authors: Biswas Bivas , Rastogi S. , Khan S.A. , Shukla N.K. , Deo S.V.S. , Agarwala S. , Mohanti B.K. , Sharma M.C. , Vishnubhatla Sreenivas , Bakhshi S.
Published: December 2014

Background

Data on patients with localized Ewing sarcoma family of tumors (ESFT) who have received a uniform chemotherapy protocol are minimal.

Methods

This is a single institutional review of patients with ESFT treated between June 2003 and November 2011.

Results

224/374 (60%) patients with ESFT presented with localized disease; median age was 15 years (range: 0.1–55). Ninety‐nine patients underwent surgery of which 50 received adjuvant radiotherapy; 80 patients received radical radiotherapy following neoadjuvant chemotherapy. At median follow‐up of 40.2 months (range: 1.3–129), 5‐year EFS, OS, and local‐control‐rate, were 36.8 ± 3.6%, 52.4 ± 4.3%, and 63 ± 4.3%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, tumor diameter >8 cm (P = 0.03), symptom duration >4 months (P = 0.04), and WBC >11 × 109/L (P = 0.003) predicted inferior EFS; spine/abdomino‐pelvic primary (P = 0.009) and WBC >11 × 109/L (P = 0.003) predicted inferior OS. Tumor size >8 cm (P = 0.03) and radical radiotherapy as local treatment (P = 0.01) predicted inferior local‐control‐rate.

Conclusion

Prognostic hazard models for EFS and OS based on significant prognostic factors suggested that patients with combination of ESFT of spine/abdomino‐pelvic region and baseline WBC >11 × 109/L had inferior OS (hazard ratio 4.44, P < 0.001) while patients with combination of ESFT with symptom duration >4 months, tumor diameter >8 m and baseline WBC >11 × 109/L had inferior EFS (hazard ratio 3.89, P = 0.002). J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:683–689. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sarcopenia is an independent predictor of complications following pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma
Authors: Joglekar Savita , Asghar Aeen , Mott Sarah L. , Johnson Benjamin E. , Button Anna M. , Clark Eve , Mezhir James J.
Published: December 2014

Background and Objectives

Sarcopenia, which is subclinical loss of skeletal muscle mass, is commonly observed in patients with malignancy. The objective of this study is to determine the correlation between sarcopenia and operative complications following pancreatectomy for cancer.

Methods

A retrospective review of a pancreatectomy database was performed. The Hounsfield Unit Average Calculation (HUAC) of the psoas muscle, a marker of muscle density and fatty infiltration, was measured from preoperative CT scans. Complications were graded and multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed.

Results

One hundred eighteen patients met criteria for analysis; the overall morbidity rate was 78.8% (n = 93). There were 31 (26.3%) patients who met criteria for sarcopenia using the HUAC. When analyzed as a continuous variable, sarcopenia was an independent predictor of major grade III complications, length of stay, intensive care unit admission, delayed gastric emptying, and infectious, gastrointestinal, pulmonary, and cardiac complications.

Conclusions

These data suggest that sarcopenia as measured with the HUAC, a value that can be obtained from a preoperative CT scan, is a significant independent predictor of surgical outcome and can be used to improve patient selection and informed consent prior to pancreatectomy in patients with cancer. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:771–775. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Role of radiation therapy for non‐extremity soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: De Amorim Bernstein Karen , Delaney Thomas F.
Published: December 2014

Background

Negative surgical margins are uncommon for non‐extremity soft tissue sarcomas. Radiation therapy is usually recommended to improve local control; however, appropriate RT dosing is challenging due to nearby dose‐limiting normal structures.

Material and Methods

Comprehensive literature search using PubMed (March 2014).

Results

Data suggest radiation therapy is an important modality in maximizing local tumor control in non‐extremity sarcomas.

Conclusion

The literature supports the use of RT to improve local control for non‐extremity soft tissue sarcomas. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:604–614. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Significance of diabetes on morbidity and mortality following cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy
Authors: Randle Reese W. , Ahmed Shuja , Levine Edward A. , Fino Nora F. , Swett Katrina R. , Stewart John H. , Shen Perry , Votanopoulos Konstantinos I.
Published: December 2014

Background and Objectives

Patients with diabetes suffering from peritoneal surface disease represent a challenge to treat due to the effects of both processes on multiple organ systems. We sought to define the impact of diabetes on outcomes following cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (CRS/HIPEC).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a prospective database of 1065 CRS/HIPEC procedures was conducted. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and tumor characteristics were reviewed.

Results

CRS/HIPEC was performed in 91 diabetic and 844 non‐diabetic patients with peritoneal surface disease from 1991 to 2013. Diabetics and non‐diabetics spent 6.8 and 3.1 (P = 0.009) days in the ICU, respectively. Diabetics were more likely to suffer major complications (P < 0.001) including infectious (P < 0.001) and thrombotic (P = 0.05) complications, arrhythmias (P = 0.007), renal insufficiency (P = 0.002) and respiratory failure (P = 0.002) than non‐diabetics. Mortality was significantly worse for diabetic patients at 30‐days (8.8% vs. 2.7%, P = 0.007) and at 90‐days (13.2% vs. 5.2%, P = 0.008). Even after adjusting for other significant predictors of morbidity, diabetes predicted more major complications and increased mortality following CRS/HIPEC.

Conclusions

Diabetes predicts major complications and specific complication patterns associated with increased ICU stay and worse mortality in patients undergoing CRS/HIPEC. Diabetic patients deemed to be appropriate candidates for CRS/HIPEC should be treated with caution. J. Surg. Oncol. 2015 111:740–745. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.