bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bibliometric and network analysis of the field of computational linguistics
Authors: Radev Dragomir R. , Joseph Mark Thomas , Gibson Bryan , Muthukrishnan Pradeep
Published: January 2015

The ACL Anthology is a large collection of research papers in computational linguistics. Citation data were obtained using text extraction from a collection of PDF files with significant manual postprocessing performed to clean up the results. Manual annotation of the references was then performed to complete the citation network. We analyzed the networks of paper citations, author citations, and author collaborations in an attempt to identify the most central papers and authors. The analysis includes general network statistics, PageRank, metrics across publication years and venues, the impact factor and h‐index, as well as other measures.
What's the use? Measuring the frequency of studies of information outcomes
Authors: Case Donald O. , O'Connor Lisa G.
Published: January 2015

Several prominent scholars suggest that investigations of human information behavior or “information needs, seeking, and uses” rarely measure how received information is applied or its effects on the recipient, that is, its outcomes. This article explores this assertion via systematic analysis of studies published in journals between 1950 and 2012. Five time periods and four journals were sampled, including 1,391 journal articles, 915 of which were empirical studies. Based on these samples, the percentage of studies of information outcomes climbed from zero in the 1950s and 1960s, to 8% in recent research reports. The barriers to studying information outcomes and possible future research on this topic are explored.
Family Quality of Life and ASD: The Role of Child Adaptive Functioning and Behavior Problems
Authors: Emily Gardiner , Grace Iarocci
Published: January 2015

The family is the key support network for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in many cases into adulthood. The Family Quality of Life (FQOL) construct encompasses family satisfaction with both internal and external dynamics, as well as support availability. Therefore, although these families face considerable risk in raising a child with a disability, the FQOL outcome is conceptualized as representative of a continuum of family adaptation. This study examined the role of child characteristics, including adaptive functioning and behaviour problems, in relation to FQOL. Eighty‐four caregivers of children and adolescents (range = 6–18 years) with ASD participated, completing questionnaires online and by telephone. Adaptive functioning, and specifically daily living skills, emerged as a significant predictor of FQOL satisfaction, after accounting for behavioural and demographic characteristics, including child age, gender, perceived disability severity, and behavioural problems, as well as family income. Furthermore, there were significant differences across each domain of FQOL when groups were separated by daily living skill functioning level (‘low,’ ‘moderately low,’ and ‘adequate’). The results suggest that intervention strategies targeting daily living skills will likely have beneficial effects for both individual and family well‐being, and may reduce family support demands. Autism Res 2015, 8: 199–213. © 2015 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Identification of urinary protein biomarkers for tobacco smoking
Authors: Haniff AJ Nabill , Gam Lay‐Harn
Published: January 2015

Smoking, passive smoking, and nonsmoking are conditions that give different degrees of stress to the body. In this study, a proteomic technique was used to analyze differentially urinary protein expression between these three groups of subjects. Urinary proteins were precipitated using ammonium sulfate followed by separation according to molecular weights using SDS‐PAGE. The gel was stained by Coommassie blue, and the image of the gel was captured for the comparison study. The protein bands that were consistently detected but expressed at different intensity between the smokers and nonsmokers were targeted for further analysis. Three targeted protein bands were excised from the gel, consisting of a unique protein band of smokers and a pair of differentially expressed protein bands from smokers and nonsmokers. The proteins were digested in gel by trypsin. The tryptic peptides were analyzed with ultra performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Protein identity was determined by the product ion spectrum in the MS/MS scan. Four unique proteins from the smokers, namely, pancreatic alpha amylase, proepidermal growth factor, protein 4.1, and prostatic acid phosphatase, were found to be potential urinary biomarkers to indicate smoking status of a person.
Isolation and characterization of novel multifunctional recombinant family 26 glycoside hydrolase from Mehsani buffalo rumen metagenome
Authors: Patel Avani B. , Patel Amrutlal K. , Shah Mihir P. , Parikh Ishan K. , Joshi Chaitanya G.
Published: January 2015

Rumen microbiota harbor a diverse set of carbohydrate‐active enzymes (CAZymes), which play a crucial role in the degradation of a complex plant polysaccharide thereby providing metabolic energy to the host animals. Earlier, we reported CAZYme analysis from the buffalo rumen metagenome by high throughput shotgun sequencing. Among the various CAZymes, glycoside hydrolase family 26 (GH26) enzymes have a number of industrial applications including in paper, oil, biofuel, food, feed, pharmaceutical, coffee, and detergent industries. Here, we report isolation and characterization of GH26 enzyme from the buffalo rumen metagenome. A novel GH26 gene composed of 1,119 base pairs was successfully amplified using the gene‐specific primers inferred based on the contig generated from metagenome sequence assembly and cloned in a pET32a (+) expression vector as an N‐terminal histidine tag fusion protein. A novel GH26 protein from an unknown rumen microorganism shared a maximum of 68% identity with the Prevotella ruminicola 23 encoded carbohydrate esterase family 7 and 46% with Bacteroides sp. 2_1_33B encoded mannan endo‐1, 4‐β‐mannosidase. The recombinant GH26‐histidine tag fusion protein was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified using Ni‐NTA affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme displayed multifunctional activities against various carbohydrate substrates including locust bean gum, beechwood xylan, pectin, and carboxymethyl cellulose suggesting mannanase, xylanase, pectin esterase, and endoglucanase activities, respectively.
Aggregated data from two double‐blind base station provocation studies comparing individuals with idiopathic environmental intolerance with attribution to electromagnetic fields and controls
Authors: Eltiti Stacy , Wallace Denise , Russo Riccardo , Fox Elaine
Published: January 2015

Data from two previous studies were aggregated to provide a statistically powerful test of whether exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produced by telecommunication base stations negatively affects well‐being in individuals who report idiopathic environmental illness with attribution to electromagnetic fields (IEI‐EMF) and control participants. A total of 102 IEI‐EMF and 237 controls participated in open provocation trials and 88 IEI‐EMF and 231 controls went on to complete double‐blind trials in which they were exposed to EMFs from a base station emitting either a Global System for Mobile Communication and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System or a Terrestrial Trunked Radio Telecommunications System signal. Both experiments included a comparison sham condition. Visual analog and symptom scales measured subjective well‐being. Results showed that IEI‐EMF participants reported lower levels of well‐being during real compared to sham exposure during open provocation, but not during double‐blind trials. Additionally, participants reported lower levels of well‐being during high compared to low load trials and this did not interact with radiofrequency‐EMF exposure. These findings are consistent with a growing body of literature indicating there is no causal relationship between short‐term exposure to EMFs and subjective well‐being in members of the public whether or not they report perceived sensitivity to EMFs. Bioelectromagnetics. 36:96–107, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluation of the bioactive properties of avenanthramide analogs produced in recombinant yeast
Authors: Moglia Andrea , Goitre Luca , Gianoglio Silvia , Baldini Eva , Trapani Eliana , Genre Andrea , Scattina Antonella , Dondo Giancarlo , Trabalzini Lorenza , Beekwilder Jules , Retta Saverio Francesco
Published: January 2015

Saccharomyces cerevisiae has been proven to be a valuable tool for the expression of plant metabolic pathways. By engineering a S. cerevisiae strain with two plant genes (4cl‐2 from tobacco and hct from globe artichoke) we previously set up a system for the production of two novel phenolic compounds, N‐(E)‐p‐coumaroyl‐3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid (Yeast avenanthramide I, Yav I) and N‐(E)‐caffeoyl‐3‐hydroxyanthranilic acid (Yeast avenanthramide II, Yav II). These compounds have a structural similarity with a class of bioactive oat compounds called avenanthramides. By developing a fermentation process for the engineered S. cerevisiae strain, we obtained a high‐yield production of Yav I and Yav II. To examine the biological relevance of these compounds, we tested their potential antioxidant and antiproliferative properties upon treatment of widely used cell models, including immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblast cell lines and HeLa cancer cells. The outcomes of our experiments showed that both Yav I and Yav II enter the cell and trigger a significant up‐regulation of master regulators of cell antioxidant responses, including the major antioxidant protein SOD2 and its transcriptional regulator FoxO1 as well as the down‐regulation of Cyclin D1. Intriguingly, these effects were also demonstrated in cellular models of the human genetic disease Cerebral Cavernous Malformation, suggesting that the novel phenolic compounds Yav I and Yav II are endowed with bioactive properties relevant to biomedical applications. Taken together, our data demonstrate the feasibility of biotechnological production of yeast avenanthramides and underline a biologically relevant antioxidant activity of these molecules. © 2015 BioFactors, 41(1):15–27, 2015
Part I: cancer in Sudan—burden, distribution, and trends breast, gynecological, and prostate cancers
Authors: Elamin Amany , Ibrahim Muntaser E. , Abuidris Dafalla , Mohamed Kamal Eldin H. , Mohammed Sulma Ibrahim
Published: January 2015

Despite the growing burden of cancer worldwide, it continues to receive low priority in Africa, across the continent and specifically in Sudan. This is due to political unrest, limited health resources, and other pressing public health issues such as infectious diseases. Lack of awareness about the magnitude of the current and future cancer burden among policy makers play a major role as well. Although, the real scope of cancer in Sudan is not known, the reported cases have increased from 303 in 1967–6303 in 2010. According to Globocan estimates, the top most common cancers in both sexes are breast, non‐Hodgkin lymphoma, leukemia, esophagus, and colorectum. This review is the first of four papers that focuses on cancer, its distribution and trend as well as the risk factors most common in Sudan. It is expected that cancer will increase in Sudan as a result of migration of people from rural areas to urban cities in the pursuit of a better standard of living, which has resulted in lifestyle and behavioral changes that include tobacco chewing and smoking, unhealthy dieting, and a lack of physical activity. These changes are further exacerbated by the aging population and have made the country vulnerable to many diseases including cancer. These reviews are meant to provide a better understanding and knowledge required to plan appropriate cancer‐control and prevention strategies in the country.
Warburg effect regulated by amphiregulin in the development of colorectal cancer
Authors: Nam Sung Ouk , Yotsumoto Fusanori , Miyata Kohei , Fukagawa Satoshi , Yamada Hiromi , Kuroki Masahide , Miyamoto Shingo
Published: January 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most frequently occurring cancers with high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Amphiregulin (AREG), a member of the epidermal growth factor family and a rational target for CRC therapy, is essential for the three‐dimensional structure of tumor formation. To clone the genes associated with increased AREG expression, we performed a cDNA microarray analysis in two CRC cell lines undergoing two‐dimensional (2DC) and three‐dimensional culture (3DC). Upregulated (>2.0‐fold) and downregulated (<0.5‐fold) genes in 3DC compared with 2DC were selected. Pathway analysis using DAVID based on the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway databases revealed a number of genes involved in glycolysis. In CRC cells, glucose elevated the expression of GLUT1 and AREG as well as the activity of the hypoxia‐inducible factor 1 (HIF‐1) luciferase reporter promoter. The suppression of AREG expression reduced the uptake of glucose and production of lactate. Luciferase assay identified a critical regulatory region for AREG expression between −130 and −180 bp upstream of the start site, which contained a carbohydrate response element (ChoRE). Max‐like protein X (MLX) bound to ChoRE and enhanced the expression of AREG. Together these data suggest that AREG plays a pivotal role in the development of CRC through activation of the Warburg effect.
FilGAP, a Rac‐specific Rho GTPase‐activating protein, is a novel prognostic factor for follicular lymphoma
Authors: Nishi Tatsuya , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Hashimura Miki , Yoshida Tsutomu , Ohta Yasutaka , Saegusa Makoto
Published: January 2015

FilGAP, a Rho GTPase‐activating protein (GAP), acts as a mediator of Rho/ROCK (Rho‐associated protein kinase)‐dependent amoeboid movement, and its knockdown results in Rac‐driven mesenchymal morphology. Herein, we focus on the possible roles of FilGAP expression in normal and malignant lymphocytes. Eighty‐three cases of follicular lymphoma (FL), 84 of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and 25 of peripheral T‐cell lymphoma (PTCL), as well as 10 of normal lymph nodes, were immunohistochemically investigated. In normal lymph nodes, FilGAP immunoreactivity was significantly higher in lymphocytes in the mantle zone as compared to those in the germinal center and paracortical areas. In contrast, the expression levels of both cytoplasmic and perinuclear Rac1 were significantly lower in the germinal center as compared to paracortical regions, suggesting that changes in the FilGAP/Rac axis may occur in B‐cell lineages. In malignant lymphomas, FilGAP expression was significantly higher in B‐cell lymphomas than PTCL, and the immunohistochemical scores were positively correlated with cytoplasmic Rac1 scores in FL and DLBCL, but not in PTCL. Patients with FL and germinal center B‐cell‐like (GCB)‐type DLBCL showing high FilGAP scores had poor overall survival rates as compared to the low‐score patients. Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that a high FilGAP score was a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor in FL, but not in DLBCL. In conclusion, FilGAP may contribute to change in cell motility of B‐lymphocytes. In addition, its expression appears to be useful for predicting the behavior of B‐cell lymphoma, in particular FL.
HIV infection and domestic smoke exposure, but not human papillomavirus, are risk factors for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Zambia: a case–control study
Authors: Kayamba Violet , Bateman Allen C. , Asombang Akwi W. , Shibemba Aaron , Zyambo Kanekwa , Banda Themba , Soko Rose , Kelly Paul
Published: January 2015

There is emerging evidence that esophageal cancer occurs in younger adults in sub‐Saharan Africa than in Europe or North America. The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is also high in this region. We postulated that HIV and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections might contribute to esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) risk. This was a case–control study based at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Cases were patients with confirmed OSCC and controls had completely normal upper endoscopic evaluations. A total of 222 patients were included to analyze the influence of HIV infection; of these, 100 patients were used to analyze the influence of HPV infection, alcohol, smoking, and exposure to wood smoke. The presence of HIV infection was determined using antibody kits, and HPV infection was detected by polymerase chain reaction. HIV infection on its own conferred increased risk of developing OSCC (odds ratio [OR] 2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0–5.1; P = 0.03). The OR was stronger when only people under 60 years were included (OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.5–13.2; P = 0.003). Cooking with charcoal or firewood, and cigarette smoking, both increased the odds of developing OSCC ([OR 3.5; 95% CI 1.4–9.3; P = 0.004] and [OR 9.1; 95% CI 3.0–30.4; P < 0.001], respectively). There was no significant difference in HPV detection or alcohol intake between cases and controls. We conclude that HIV infection and exposure to domestic and cigarette smoke are risk factors for OSCC, and HPV immunization unlikely to reduce OSCC incidence in Zambia.
Establishing the Stability and Reversibility of Protein Pyrophosphorylation with Synthetic Peptides
Authors: Yates Lisa M. , Fiedler Dorothea
Published: January 2015

Protein pyrophosphorylation is emerging as a new post‐translational modification, yet its role in cellular signaling remains poorly characterized. Important factors in determining the biological relevance of pyrophosphorylation include understanding the chemical and biochemical stability of the pyrophosphoryl group and elucidating the reversibility of modification in a cellular context. Towards this end, we prepared a series of synthetic pyrophosphopeptides, which were utilized to demonstrate that the modification is quite inert over a wide pH range but can be removed biochemically by alkaline phosphatases. Importantly, we observed enzyme‐dependent removal of the pyrophosphate in mammalian and yeast cell lysates using the synthetic pyrophosphopeptides. The findings provide evidence for the reversibility of pyrophosphorylation and thereby highlight the potential impact of this modification on cellular signal transduction pathways.
Prognostic utility of myocardial blush grade after PCI in patients with NSTE‐ACS: Analysis from the ACUITY trial
Authors: Ng Vivian G. , Lansky Alexandra J. , Toro Saleem , Parise Helen , Cristea Ecaterina , Mehran Roxana , Stone Gregg W.
Published: January 2015

Objective

We evaluated the ability of post‐procedural myocardial blush grade (MBG) to stratify outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for non‐ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE‐ACS).

Background

MBG strongly correlates with survival after reperfusion therapy in patients with ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

Of 13,819 NSTE‐ACS patients randomized in the ACUITY trial, 3,115 patients underwent PCI and had MBG analyzed by an independent angiographic core laboratory. We examined net adverse clinical events (NACE; composite ischemia or bleeding), composite ischemia (death, MI or ischemia‐driven revascularization) and non‐CABG major bleeding according to final MBG.

Results

At 30 days, patients with MBG‐0/1 had higher rates of NACE (25.1% vs. 13.9%, P = 0.002) and composite ischemia (19.1% vs. 9.4%, P = 0.002) than patients with MBG‐2/3. At 1‐year follow‐up, MBG‐0/1 patients had significantly higher rates of composite ischemia compared to other patients (27.8% vs. 19.8%, P = 0.02). By multivariable analysis, MBG‐0/1 was an independent predictor of 30‐day ischemia‐driven revascularization (OR 5.74 [2.63, 12.54], P < 0.0001) in the total population and among patients with normal post‐PCI epicardial TIMI‐3 flow (OR 6.39 [2.06, 19.78], P = 0.001). However, 1‐year outcomes were similar between patients with and without normal myocardial perfusion.

Conclusions

In conclusion, MBG is a predictor of 30‐day revascularization in the overall population and in patients with normal epicardial flow but fails to stratify 1‐year outcomes. Thus, unlike in STEMI patients, the prognostic value of MBG in NSTE‐ACS patients appears to be limited to the short‐term. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A comparison of transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement in 1,141 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and less than high risk
Authors: Schymik Gerhard , Heimeshoff Martin , Bramlage Peter , Herbinger Tanja , Würth Alexander , Pilz Lothar , Schymik Jan S. , Wondraschek Rainer , Süselbeck Tim , Gerhardus Jan , Luik Armin , Gonska Bernd‐Dieter , Tzamalis Panagiotis , Posival Herbert , Schmitt Claus , Schröfel Holger
Published: January 2015

Objectives

To assess outcomes for patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) versus surgical aortic valve replacement but with less than high risk.

Background

While there is abundant data for high risk patients there is insufficient data for reduced risk.

Methods

Patients undergoing TAVI or SAVR between 2007 and 2012 in Karlsruhe were considered. They were assessed by cardiac computed tomography, transoesophageal echocardiogram, and logistic EuroSCORE I (ES) and groups compared using Propensity Score Matching.

Results

The mean ES was 10.1±2.8 in the TAVI group (n = 419) and 5.7 ± 3.2 in the SAVR group (n = 722;P < 0.0001). Mean survival probability over 3 years was higher in patients undergoing surgery (P < 0.0001). A total of 432 patients were considered for the matched‐pairs analysis based on propensity scores (216 in each group). Major vascular complications (10.6% vs. 0.0%;P < 0.0001), new pacemaker implantation (13.9% vs. 4.6%;P < 0.001) and moderate aortic insufficiency (3.2% vs. 0.5%;P = 0.03) were more frequent in patients undergoing TAVI. Major (20.8% vs. 4.2%;P < 0.0001) and life‐threatening (14.5% vs. 2.3%;P < 0.0001) bleeding complications were more frequent in those undergoing surgery. Survival probability over 3 years in the propensity matched cohort was comparable between both groups (P = 0.16).

Conclusions

In this large, single center, real world dataset there was no difference in mortality between patients undergoing TAVI or SAVR during a 3‐year follow‐up but there was a TAVI related increase in major vascular complications, new pacemaker implantation and aortic insufficiency and a SAVR related increased bleeding risk. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Impact of postoperative acute kidney injury on clinical outcomes after transcatheter aortic valve implantation: A meta‐analysis of 5,971 patients
Authors: Gargiulo Giuseppe , Sannino Anna , Capodanno Davide , Perrino Cinzia , Capranzano Piera , Barbanti Marco , Stabile Eugenio , Trimarco Bruno , Tamburino Corrado , Esposito Giovanni
Published: January 2015

Background

There is conflicting evidence on the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) in patients with postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI). Therefore, we conducted a meta‐analysis on the impact of AKI on clinical outcomes after TAVI.

Methods and Results

Twenty‐four studies including 5,971 patients were analyzed. The mean incidence of AKI in this population was 22.1% ± 11.2. Postoperative AKI significantly increased early (odds ratio [OR] 5.09; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.03–6.43 and OR 6.14; 95% CI, 3.26–11.55) and 1‐year (OR 3.27; 95% CI, 2.42–4.42 and OR 1.93; 95% CI, 1.38–2.71) all‐cause and cardiovascular mortality respectively, but also early myocardial infarction (OR 3.30; 95% CI, 1.44–7.57), life‐threatening bleeding (OR 2.90; 95% CI, 1.67–5.05), need for transfusion (OR 2.42; 95% CI, 1.96–2.99), and dialysis (OR 14.35; 95% CI, 6.21–33.20), with a non‐significant increase of stroke (OR 1.66; 95% CI, 0.94–2.95), hospitalization (mean difference [MD] 1.73; 95% CI, −0.31 to 3.77) and contrast medium received (MD 4.74; 95% CI, −2.33 to 11.81).

Conclusions

Postoperative AKI seems to significantly worsen TAVI prognosis. The results of the present meta‐analysis should be considered hypothesis‐generating and future studies on risk stratification, prevention, and postoperative management are needed. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support in acute coronary syndromes complicated by cardiogenic shock
Authors: Esper Stephen A. , Bermudez Christian , Dueweke Eric J. , Kormos Robert , Subramaniam Kathirvel , Mulukutla Suresh , Sappington Penny , Waters Jonathan , Khandhar Sameer J.
Published: January 2015

Background

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) complicated by shock is associated with high mortality despite the use of percutaneous support devices. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) offers cardiopulmonary support but its safety and efficacy in the ACS setting is still under investigation.

Methods

We reviewed the clinical characteristics and course of 18 consecutive patients who received femoral veno‐arterial ECMO in the cardiac catheterization lab for severe shock due to ACS at our center between 2007 and 2013.

Results

The average age was 59.9 years, 72.2% male. Of the 18 patients, 83% had a ST‐segment elevation myocardial infarction, of which 55% had a left main or left anterior descending artery occlusion. Thirteen patients received stents, three were referred for coronary artery bypass grafting alone, and two received balloon angioplasty. All patients received aspirin, a thienopyridine (either clopidogrel or ticagrelor), and heparin. Five patients received a glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor during the catheterization. The average length of ECMO was 3.2 ± 2.5 days, length of stay was 23.4 days, and 67% survived to discharge. Seventeen of eighteen patients (94%) required at least one blood transfusion and use of blood products was significantly higher in the group receiving glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors [19 U of packed red blood cells (PRBC) vs. 8.2 U (P = 0.003)].

Conclusions

In patients with severe shock or refractory ventricular arrhythmias due to ACS, VA‐ECMO likely offers an alternative form of biventricular support albeit with significant resource utilization and morbidity. A better understanding of how to manage patients with ACS requiring VA‐ECMO support including the associated morbidities such as bleeding is necessary. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A 10‐month angiographic and 4‐year clinical outcome of everolimus‐eluting versus sirolimus‐eluting coronary stents in patients with diabetes mellitus (the diabedES IV randomized angiography trial)
Authors: Maeng Michael , Baranauskas Arvydas , Christiansen Evald Høj , Kaltoft Anne , Holm Niels Ramsing , Krusell Lars Romer , Ravkilde Jan , Tilsted Hans‐Henrik , Thayssen Per , Jensen Lisette Okkels
Published: January 2015

Objective

We aimed to compare angiographic and clinical outcomes after the implantation of everolimus‐eluting (EES) and sirolimus‐eluting (SES) stents in patients with diabetes.

Background

There are limited data on long‐term outcome after EES vs SES implantation in diabetic patients.

Methods

We randomized 213 patients with diabetes and coronary artery disease to EES (n = 108) or SES (n = 105) implantation. Angiographic follow‐up was performed 10 months after the index procedure and all patients were followed clinically for 4 years. The primary endpoint was angiographic in‐stent late luminal loss at 10‐month follow‐up. Secondary endpoints included angiographic restenosis rate, the need for target lesion revascularization (TLR) and major adverse cardiac events (MACE; defined as cardiac death, myocardial infarction, definite stent thrombosis, or TLR) at 4‐year follow‐up.

Results

At 10‐month angiographic follow‐up, in‐stent late lumen loss was 0.20 ± 0.53 mm and 0.11 ± 0.49 mm (P = 0.28), and angiographic restenosis rate was 3.8% and 5.2% (P = 0.72) in the EES and SES groups, respectively. At 4‐year clinical follow‐up, MACE had occurred in 22 (20.4%) patients in the EES group and 25 (23.8%) patients in SES group (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.47–1.49; P = 0.55), with TLR performed in 6 (5.6%) and 10 (9.5%) patients in the two groups (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.21‐1‐58; P = 0.28).

Conclusion

EES and SES had comparable 10‐month angiographic and 4‐year clinical outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Substrate Requirements for Palladium–Aluminium Triflate Co‐catalysed Hydromethoxycarbonylation Reactions of Alkynes Bearing Oxygen Atoms
Authors: Makume Boitumelo F. , Bredenkamp Tyler , Williams D. Bradley G.
Published: January 2015

The front cover artwork for Issue 10/2014 is provided by a joint project between the University of Johannesburg and the Victoria University of Wellington. The image captures the detective work of chemists to reveal key features of chemical transformations, in this case the role of the distance between the oxygen atom and the alkyne and how this determines catalyst activity. See the Communication itself at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cctc.201402525.
Improving Oxygen Electrochemistry through Nanoscopic Confinement
Authors: Doyle Andrew D. , Montoya Joseph H. , Vojvodic Aleksandra
Published: January 2015

Oxygen evolution and reduction offer a promising method of grid‐level energy storage that could facilitate widespread adaptation of solar and wind power. However, the efficiency of these technologies is fundamentally limited by high overpotentials, which stem from correlations between adsorption energies of different reaction intermediates. We propose a scheme to circumvent these scaling relationships by defining a three‐dimensional nanoscopic catalyst structure that capitalizes on different interactions between the intermediates and the catalyst owing to confinement. These nanoscopic channels reduce the theoretical overpotential for oxygen evolution on RuO2 by over 200 mV, corresponding to a 10 % increase in theoretical catalyst efficiency compared with a two‐dimensional RuO2 surface. This approach may hold promise for other oxygen‐evolution catalysts or, more broadly, to other reactions limited by (intermediate) adsorption‐energy scaling relationships.
V2O5 Aerogel as a Versatile Cathode Material for Lithium and Sodium Batteries
Authors: Moretti Arianna , Maroni Fabio , Osada Irene , Nobili Francesco , Passerini Stefano
Published: January 2015

Vanadium oxide gels are appealing cathode materials as they offer multiple electron redox processes leading to high cation‐storage capacities. Moreover, they are able to intercalate different ionic and molecular species. Apart from low electronic conductivity, one of the main factors hindering the use of highly porous V2O5 gels is the difficulty in preserving their unique morphology, made up of an entangled network of thin ribbons, during conventional laminated electrode preparation. In this study, we tune the V2O5 synthesis conditions and use an innovative and green binder system (polyacrylic acid and ethanol) to obtain electrodes with a morphology optimized for ion intercalation. The electrochemical performance of such electrodes, tested against lithium and sodium anodes, are shown to be excellent.
A Carbon Nanotube Confinement Strategy to Implement Homogeneous Asymmetric Catalysis in the Solid Phase
Authors: Hashimoto Kazuki , Kumagai Naoya , Shibasaki Masakatsu
Published: January 2015

A readily recyclable asymmetric catalyst has been developed based on the self‐assembly of a homogeneous catalyst in a fibrous network of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Dimerization of an amide‐based chiral ligand with a suitable spacer allows for the efficient formation of a heterogeneous catalyst by self‐assembly on addition of Er(OiPr)3. The self‐assembly proceeds in the MWNT fibrous network and small clusters of assembled catalyst are confined in the MWNTs, producing an easily handled solid‐phase catalyst. The resulting MWNT‐confined catalyst exhibits a good catalytic performance in a catalytic asymmetric Mannich‐type reaction, which can be conducted in a repeated batch system and in a continuous‐flow platform.
Efficient Preparation of (R)‐2‐chloromandelic Acid Via a Recycle Process of Resolution
Authors: Hu Yu , Wu Chang , Wu Xue‐Ying , Li Shao‐Lei , Sun Xiao‐Xia , Tang Ze‐Biao
Published: January 2015

Efficient preparation of (R)‐2‐chloromandelic acid (R)-1 based on a recycle process of resolution is described. In the process, the desired (R)-1 was obtained by coordination‐mediated resolution with D‐O,O'‐di‐(p‐toluoyl)‐tartaric acid in the presence of Ca2+. Meanwhile, the undesired (S)-1 could be racemized in the presence of sodium hydroxide and the product was suitable for further resolution. A carbanion mechanism for the racemization of (S)-1 is proposed. Chirality 27:281–285, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Stroke and Bleeding Risk in Atrial Fibrillation: Navigating the Alphabet Soup of Risk‐Score Acronyms (CHADS2, CHA2DS2‐VASc, R2CHADS2, HAS‐BLED, ATRIA, and More)
Authors: Dzeshka Mikhail S. , Lane Deirdre A. , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: January 2015

Stroke prevention is central to the management of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). As effective stroke prophylaxis essentially requires oral anticoagulants, an understanding of the risks and benefits of oral anticoagulant therapy is needed. Although AF increases stroke risk 5‐fold, this risk is not homogeneous. Many stroke risk factors also confer an increased risk of bleeding. Various stroke and bleeding risk‐stratification schemes have been developed to help inform clinical decision‐making. These scores were derived and validated in different study cohorts, ranging from highly selected clinical‐trial cohorts to real‐world populations. Thus, their performance and classification accuracy vary depending on their derivation cohort(s). In the present review, we provide an overview of currently available stroke and bleeding risk‐stratification schemes. We particularly focus on the CHA2DS2‐VASc and HAS‐BLED schemes, as these are recommended by the latest European guidelines on AF management. Other risk‐stratification schemes (eg, CHADS2, R2CHADS2, ATRIA, HEMORR2HAGES, QStroke) and their place in the decision‐making are also considered.
Efficacy and Safety of Alirocumab as Add‐on Therapy in High–Cardiovascular‐Risk Patients With Hypercholesterolemia Not Adequately Controlled With Atorvastatin (20 or 40 mg) or Rosuvastatin (10 or 20 mg): Design and Rationale of the ODYSSEY OPTIONS Studies
Authors: Robinson Jennifer G. , Colhoun Helen M. , Bays Harold E. , Jones Peter H. , Du Yunling , Hanotin Corinne , Donahue Stephen
Published: January 2015

The phase 3 ODYSSEY OPTIONS studies (OPTIONS I, NCT01730040; OPTIONS II, NCT01730053) are multicenter, multinational, randomized, double‐blind, active‐comparator, 24‐week studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of alirocumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9, as add‐on therapy in ∼ 650 high‐cardiovascular (CV)‐risk patients whose low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) levels are ≥100 mg/dL or ≥70 mg/dL according to the CV‐risk category, high and very high CV risk, respectively, with atorvastatin (20–40 mg/d) or rosuvastatin (10–20 mg/d). Patients are randomized to receive alirocumab 75 mg via a single, subcutaneous, 1‐mL injection by prefilled pen every 2 weeks (Q2W) as add‐on therapy to atorvastatin (20–40 mg) or rosuvastatin (10–20 mg); or to receive ezetimibe 10 mg/d as add‐on therapy to statin; or to receive statin up‐titration; or to switch from atorvastatin to rosuvastatin (OPTIONS I only). At week 12, based on week 8 LDL‐C levels, the alirocumab dose may be increased from 75 mg to 150 mg Q2W if LDL‐C levels remain ≥100 mg/dL or ≥70 mg/dL in patients with high or very high CV risk, respectively. The primary efficacy endpoint in both studies is difference in percent change in calculated LDL‐C from baseline to week 24 in the alirocumab vs control arms. The studies may provide guidance to inform clinical decision‐making when patients with CV risk require additional lipid‐lowering therapy to further reduce LDL‐C levels. The flexibility of the alirocumab dosing regimen allows for individualized therapy based on the degree of LDL‐C reduction required to achieve the desired LDL‐C level.
Hypertensive mechanisms and converting enzyme inhibitors
Authors: Ferrario Carlos M. , Jaiswal Neelam , Yamamoto Katsuhiro , Diz Debra I. , Schiavone Marc T.
Published: January 2015

The introduction of angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors marks a new era in the understanding and treatment of high blood pressure. Although the benefits of therapy with ACE inhibitors are documented, it is more difficult to isolate the principal mechanisms that account for their effective actions in the treatment of hypertension. Recent data suggest that these agents affect both the pressor and depressor mechanisms that regulate vascular tone and cardiac function. For example, ACE inhibitors decrease angiotensin II–mediated vasoconstriction, reduce adrenal medullary catecholamine release, restore baroreceptor activity, and normalize vasomotor sympathetic activity. Experimental work indicates that ACE inhibitors also act on hypertensive mechanisms via actions on the central nervous system. Cardiovascular centers in the brain have receptor sites for angiotensin II and contain the proteins required for local synthesis of angiotensins. Vasomotor neurons possess such receptors and exhibit ACE activity. In addition, angiotensin II receptors involved in the regulation of baroreceptor activity are present in neuronal elements of the baroreflex arc. It is suggested that ACE inhibitors reach the brain via circumventricular organs to reduce sympathetic activity and enhance baroreceptor sensitivity. New studies suggest that depressor actions of ACE inhibitors include enhanced biosynthesis of vasodilator prostaglandins. From animal experiments it is deduced that enhanced production of angiotensin‐(1–7) after inhibition of ACE stimulates release of vasodilator prostaglandins. These investigations clarify the function of tissue renin‐angiotensin systems in the control of blood pressure in both normal and hypertensive states.
Debye Sources, Beltrami Fields, and a Complex Structure on Maxwell Fields
Authors: Epstein Charles L. , Greengard Leslie , O'Neil Michael
Published: January 2015

The Debye source representation for solutions to the time‐harmonic Maxwell equations is extended to bounded domains with finitely many smooth boundary components. A strong uniqueness result is proved for this representation. Natural complex structures are identified on the vector spaces of time‐harmonic Maxwell fields. It is shown that these complex structures are uniformized by the Debye source representation, that is, represented by a fixed linear map on a fixed vector space, independent of the frequency. This complex structure relates time‐harmonic Maxwell fields to constant‐k Beltrami fields, i.e., solutions of the equation

urn:x-wiley:00103640:media:cpa21560:cpa21560-math-0001

A family of self‐adjoint boundary conditions are defined for the Beltrami operator. This leads to a proof of the existence of zero‐flux, constant‐k, force‐free Beltrami fields for any bounded region in ℝ3, as well as a constructive method to find them. The family of self‐adjoint boundary value problems defines a new spectral invariant for bounded domains in ℝ3.© 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
An Approach to NMR Assignment of Intrinsically Disordered Proteins
Authors: Goradia Nishit , Wiedemann Christoph , Herbst Christian , Görlach Matthias , Heinemann Stefan H. , Ohlenschläger Oliver , Ramachandran Ramadurai
Published: January 2015

An efficient approach to NMR assignments in intrinsically disordered proteins is presented, making use of the good dispersion of cross peaks observed in [15N,13C′]‐ and [13C′,1HN]‐correlation spectra. The method involves the simultaneous collection of {3D (H)NCO(CAN)H and 3D (HACA)CON(CA)HA} spectra for backbone assignments via sequential HN and Hα correlations and {3D (H)NCO(CACS)HS and 3D (HS)CS(CA)CO(N)H} spectra for side‐chain 1H and 13C assignments, employing sequential 1H data acquisitions with direct detection of both the amide and aliphatic protons. The efficacy of the approach for obtaining resonance assignments with complete backbone and side‐chain chemical shifts is demonstrated experimentally for the 61‐residue [13C,15N]‐labelled peptide of a voltage‐gated potassium channel protein of the Kv1.4 channel subunit. The general applicability of the approach for the characterisation of moderately sized globular proteins is also demonstrated.
Palladium–Gold Alloy Nanowire‐Structured Interface for Hydrogen Sensing
Authors: Tang Lili , Yu Gang , Li Xiaogan , Chang Fangfang , Zhong Chuan‐Jian
Published: January 2015

Understanding how the detailed nanoscale structure governs the interfacial interactions and reactivities is key to the exploration of nanostructured chemical sensors. We describe herein novel findings of an investigation of a palladium–gold alloy nanowire interface for hydrogen sensing. A dielectrophoretic growth pathway was utilized for controllable fabrication of the alloyed nanowires with minimum branching structures on a microelectrode device using controlled ratios of palladium and gold precursors in a two‐step mechanism, a nucleation process initiated at a lower alternating current (AC) frequency followed by a growth process at a higher frequency up to 15 MHz. The nanowires showed a reduced branching propensity and highly oriented 1D feature, with the bimetallic composition scaling linearly with the frequency. The nanowires exhibited excellent responses to hydrogen in concentrations as low as 0.5 % by volume. The hydrogen‐response characteristic represents an optimized balance of the gold‐induced lattice expansion of palladium and hydrogen adsorption‐induced phase and stress changes, a new insight into the sensing mechanism of the alloy nanowire. The mechanistic sensing details are also discussed in correlation with the growth mechanism, which provides a new insight into the synergy of the bimetallic composition of the alloy nanowires for the enhanced sensitivity for the detection of hydrogen.
Ecological complexity and feedback control in a prey–predator system withHolling type III functional response
Authors: Chakraborty Kunal
Published: January 2015

This article deals with a bioeconomic model of prey–predator system with Holling type III functional response. The dynamical behavior of the system is extensively discussed. Continuous type gestational delay of predators is incorporated in the system to study delay induced instability. It is observed that the system undergoes singularity induced bifurcation at interior equilibrium point when net economic revenue of the system increases through zero. State feedback controller is designed to stabilize the system at positive economic profit. Time delay is considered as a bifurcation parameter to prove the occurrence of Hopf bifurcation phenomenon in the neighborhood of the coexisting equilibrium point. Finally, some numerical simulations are carried out to verify the analytical results and the system is analyzed through graphical illustrations. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Complexity 21: 346–360, 2016
Organogenesis special issue – preface
Authors: Trainor Paul A. , Johnson Randy L.
Published: January 2015

Key Findings

Organogenesis is important for development, homeostasis and disease.
Severe gastric dilatation due to superior mesenteric artery syndrome in anorexia nervosa
Authors: Mascolo Margherita , Dee Elizabeth , Townsend Ronald , Brinton John T. , Mehler Philip S.
Published: January 2015

Forty‐seven year old female, with a history of anorexia nervosa, was admitted to a medical stabilization unit (ACUTE) complaining of abdominal pain exacerbated by oral intake, associated with nausea, and relieved by emesis. Admission body mass index was 10.6. Labs were notable for hepatitis and hypoglycemia. On her progressive oral refeeding plan, she suddenly developed severe abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) revealed gastric dilatation and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome. SMA syndrome is a rare complication of severe malnutrition resulting from compression of the duodenum between the aorta and the SMA. It is diagnosed by an upper gastrointestinal series or an abdominal CT. Gastric dilatation, in turn, is a rare complication of SMA syndrome to be included in the differential diagnoses of abdominal pain in severely malnourished patients as it is potentially life‐threatening. The patient was switched to an oral liquid diet, began weight restoring, and had resolution of symptoms. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2015; 48:532–534)
Limnological regime shifts caused by climate warming and Lesser Snow Goose population expansion in the western Hudson Bay Lowlands (Manitoba, Canada)
Authors: MacDonald Lauren A. , Farquharson Nicole , Merritt Gillian , Fooks Sam , Medeiros Andrew S. , Hall Roland I. , Wolfe Brent B. , Macrae Merrin L. , Sweetman Jon N.
Published: January 2015

Shallow lakes are dominant features in subarctic and Arctic landscapes and are responsive to multiple stressors, which can lead to rapid changes in limnological regimes with consequences for aquatic resources. We address this theme in the coastal tundra region of Wapusk National Park, western Hudson Bay Lowlands (Canada), where climate has warmed during the past century and the Lesser Snow Goose (LSG; Chen caerulescens caerulescens) population has grown rapidly during the past ~40 years. Integration of limnological and paleolimnological analyses documents profound responses of productivity, nutrient cycling, and aquatic habitat to warming at three ponds (“WAP 12”, “WAP 20”, and “WAP 21″), and to LSG disturbance at the two ponds located in an active nesting area (WAP 20, WAP 21). Based on multiparameter analysis of 210Pb‐dated sediment records from all three ponds, a regime shift occurred between 1875 and 1900 CE marked by a transition from low productivity, turbid, and nutrient‐poor conditions of the Little Ice Age to conditions of higher productivity, lower nitrogen availability, and the development of benthic biofilm habitat as a result of climate warming. Beginning in the mid‐1970s, sediment records from WAP 20 and WAP 21 reveal a second regime shift characterized by accelerated productivity and increased nitrogen availability. Coupled with 3 years of limnological data, results suggest that increased productivity at WAP 20 and WAP 21 led to atmospheric CO2 invasion to meet algal photosynthetic demand. This limnological regime shift is attributed to an increase in the supply of catchment‐derived nutrients from the arrival of LSG and their subsequent disturbance to the landscape. Collectively, findings discriminate the consequences of warming and LSG disturbance on tundra ponds from which we identify a suite of sensitive limnological and paleolimnological measures that can be utilized to inform aquatic ecosystem monitoring.
Parasitism and the expression of sexual dimorphism
Authors: De Lisle Stephen P. , Rowe Locke
Published: January 2015

Although a negative covariance between parasite load and sexually selected trait expression is a requirement of few sexual selection models, such a covariance may be a general result of life‐history allocation trade‐offs. If both allocation to sexually selected traits and to somatic maintenance (immunocompetence) are condition dependent, then in populations where individuals vary in condition, a positive covariance between trait expression and immunocompetence, and thus a negative covariance between trait and parasite load, is expected. We test the prediction that parasite load is generally related to the expression of sexual dimorphism across two breeding seasons in a wild salamander population and show that males have higher trematode parasite loads for their body size than females and that a key sexually selected trait covaries negatively with parasite load in males. We found evidence of a weaker negative relationship between the analogous female trait and parasite infection. These results underscore that parasite infection may covary with expression of sexually selected traits, both within and among species, regardless of the model of sexual selection, and also suggest that the evolution of condition dependence in males may affect the evolution of female trait expression.