bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Answering questions on call: Pediatric resident physicians' use of handoffs and other resources
Authors: McSweeney Maireade E. , Landrigan Christopher P. , Jiang Hongyu , Starmer Amy , Lightdale Jenifer R.
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND

Little is known in the literature about the types of questions being asked of on‐call housestaff and the resources used to provide answers.

OBJECTIVE

To characterize questions being asked of pediatric interns on call and evaluate their use of written handoffs, verbal handoffs, and other resources.

DESIGN/METHODS

Prospective direct observational study.

SETTING

Inpatient wards at an academic tertiary care children's hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Pediatric interns.

RESULTS

Trainees were asked 2.6 questions/hour (interquartile range: 1.4–4.7); most involved medications (28%), general care plans (27%), diagnostic tests/procedures (22%), diet/fluids (15%), and physical exams (9%). Interns reported using information provided in written or verbal handoffs to answer 32.6% questions (written 7.3%; verbal 25.3%). Other resources utilized included general medical knowledge, the medical record, and parental report. Questions pertaining to diet/fluids were associated with increased written handoff use (odds ratio [OR]: 3.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.51–8.76), whereas having worked more consecutive nights was associated with decreased written handoff use (OR: 0.29, 95% CI: 0.09–0.93). Questions regarding general care plans (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.13–3.78), those asked by clinical staff (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.04–3.66), and questions asked of patients with longer lengths of stay (OR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.02–3.80) were predictive of verbal handoff use.

CONCLUSIONS

Pediatric housestaff face frequent questions during overnight shifts and frequently use information received during handoffs to provide answers. A better understanding of how handoffs and other resources are utilized by housestaff could inform future targeted initiatives to improve trainees' access to key information at night. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:328–333. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Medications associated with clinical deterioration in hospitalized children
Authors: Huang Emily J. , Bonafide Christopher P. , Keren Ron , Nadkarni Vinay M. , Holmes John H.
Published: April 2013

BACKGROUND

Medical emergency teams have been shown to reduce mortality in children's hospitals, but there are many potential barriers to their activation. Surveillance tools using electronic health record data help identify children at risk of deterioration. Existing early warning scores primarily include vital signs, but may benefit from the incorporation of medications.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the therapeutic classes of medications temporally associated with clinical deterioration that could be incorporated with vital signs into surveillance tools.

DESIGN

Case‐crossover study.

SETTING

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

PATIENTS

Children with clinical deterioration, defined as cardiopulmonary arrest, acute respiratory compromise, or urgent intensive care unit transfer while hospitalized on pediatric wards (n = 141).

EXPOSURES

Intravenous administrations of medications from therapeutic classes administered in ≥5% of control periods.

RESULTS

Nine therapeutic classes were significantly associated with clinical deterioration: glycopeptide antibiotics, anaerobic antibiotics, third‐generation and fourth‐generation cephalosporins, aminoglycoside antibiotics, systemic corticosteroids, benzodiazepines, loop diuretics, narcotic analgesics (full opioid agonists), and antidotes to hypersensitivity reactions.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified a set of therapeutic classes associated with increased risk of clinical deterioration. Future work should focus on evaluating whether including these therapeutic classes in multivariable models improves their accuracy in detecting early, evolving deterioration. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2013;8:254–260. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine
Mechanical, compositional, and structural properties of the mouse patellar tendon with changes in biglycan gene expression
Authors: Dourte LeAnn M. , Pathmanathan Lydia , Mienaltowski Michael J. , Jawad Abbas F. , Birk David E. , Soslowsky Louis J.
Published: April 2013

Tendons have complex mechanical properties that depend on their structure and composition. Some studies have assessed the role of small leucine‐rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) in the mechanical response of tendon, but the relationships between sophisticated mechanics, assembly of collagen and SLRPs have not been well characterized. In this study, biglycan gene expression was varied in a dose dependent manner using biglycan null, biglycan heterozygote and wild type mice. Measures of mechanical (tension and compression), compositional and structural changes of the mouse patellar tendon were evaluated. Viscoelastic, tensile dynamic modulus was found to be increased in the biglycan heterozygous and biglycan null tendons compared to wild type. Gene expression analyses revealed biglycan gene expression was closely associated in a dose‐dependent allelic manner. No differences were seen between genotypes in elastic or compressive properties or quantitative measures of collagen structure. These results suggest that biglycan, a member of the SLRP family, plays a role in tendon viscoelasticity that cannot be completely explained by its role in collagen fibrillogenesis. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31:1430–1437, 2013
CARS diagnostics of fluid phase behavior in small mesopores at near‐critical temperatures
Authors: Arakcheev V. G. , Morozov V. B.
Published: April 2013

Coherent anti‐Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy is applied to investigate the fluid phase behavior in small mesopores at bulk sub‐ and supercritical temperatures. CARS spectra of the Q‐branch (1388 cm−1) of carbon dioxide were measured at isothermal compression in pores of two nanoporous glass samples with pore radii of 2 and 3.5 nm. The spectral transformations with pressure of the fluid indicate the formation of a condensed phase in the volume of pores that clearly demonstrates the shift of the critical point. The spectrum of carbon dioxide condensed in the wider pores corresponds approximately to the critical density in bulk. In the narrower pores, the spectrum is noticeably shifted towards the lower wavenumbers that correspond to higher density of condensed fluid. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The study of the mural painting in the 12th century monastery of Santa Maria delle Cerrate (Puglia‐Italy): characterization of materials and techniques used
Authors: De Benedetto Giuseppe E. , Fico Daniela , Margapoti Eleonora , Pennetta Antonio , Cassiano Antonio , Minerva Brizia
Published: April 2013

A multidisciplinary research was conducted by the University of Salento in collaboration with the Lecce Provincial Museum, in order to study different forms of art widespread in the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy) very valuable from an artistic point of view and important as driving force for the tourism of the area. In this research, the archaeometrical analysis was used to study the first cycle of paintings of the church of Santa Maria delle Cerrate, an italo‐greek monastery located in the country about 15 km north‐east of Lecce, probably built in the 12th century. Microscopic, chromatographic and spectrometric techniques were used: optical microscopy was used to study samples and the relevant stratigraphy, micro‐Raman Spectroscopy to identify pigments and Gas Chromatography with Mass Spectrometric Detection to investigate the techniques masters used to decorate the monastery church. Further information on organic and inorganic materials present in the samples were obtained from Fourier transform infrared analysis in attenuated total reflectance. Materials and techniques were clearly ascertained, and, interestingly, pigments were applied both by fresco and egg‐based tempera. Among the various pigments detected, the identification of both lapis lazuli and lead white opened new perspectives both from the historical and conservative points of view. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adequate lymph node recovery improves survival in colorectal cancer patients
Authors: Onitilo Adedayo A. , Stankowski Rachel V. , Engel Jessica M. , Doi Suhail A.R.
Published: April 2013

Introduction

Current recommendations suggest recovery of 12 lymph nodes during surgical resection for colorectal cancer (CRC) for proper staging and prognostication. Adequate lymph node recovery has been associated with improved patient survival, with results inconsistent.

Methods

We examined factors for association with adequate lymph node recovery and used findings to adjust survival analyses to clarify whether adequate lymph node examination is associated with CRC survival or associated with a subset of characteristics that biases lymph node recovery.

Results

In 74% of subjects (1,036/1,397) an adequate number of lymph nodes was examined. A stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed procedure year, cancer stage, tumor size, and age at diagnosis were significantly associated with lymph node recovery. These and other factors associated with survival status were adjusted for in further analyses, revealing no difference in unadjusted overall survival by adequacy of lymph node recovery (HR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.75–1.08, P = 0.239). However, in adjusted Cox proportional hazards analysis, adequate lymph node recovery was associated with reduced risk for death (HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.57–0.89, P = 0.002).

Conclusion

The current recommendation for retrieval and examination of at least 12 lymph nodes is appropriate for proper treatment and prognostication in patients undergoing surgical resection for CRC. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013;107:828–834. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Open tubular columns with mixed‐mode reversed‐phase and weak anion‐exchange stationary phase for capillary electrochromatography
Authors: Lei Jie , Zhang Xiangmin
Published: April 2013

Columns for open tubular capillary electrochromatography, coated with a mixed‐mode (RP/ion‐exchange) stationary phase, were prepared by using the sol–gel method. The synthetic procedure was optimized by changing the ratios of tetraethoxysilane, octyltriethoxysilane, and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane in the initial sol. SEM studies reveal that a coating with about 400 nm thickness can be obtained. The inner surface properties of these capillaries were probed by measuring the EOF as a function of pH. The surface of this stationary phase contains octyl, amine, and residual silanol moieties; the amine and silanol groups determine the net charge on the inner surface of the capillary and can produce a switchable EOF (anodal/cathodal). The performances of the columns were evaluated by open tubular capillary electrochromatography using a wide range of compounds (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, aromatic acids, and aromatic amines).
On vector spaces over specific fields without choice
Authors: Howard Paul , Tachtsis Eleftherios
Published: April 2013

We investigate the deductive strength of statements concerning vector spaces over specific fields in the hierarchy of various choice principles.
Initial clinical laboratory experience in noninvasive prenatal testing for fetal aneuploidy from maternal plasma DNA samples
Authors: Futch Tracy , Spinosa John , Bhatt Sucheta , de Feo Eileen , Rava Richard P. , Sehnert Amy J.
Published: April 2013

Objective

The aim of this study is to report the experience of noninvasive prenatal DNA testing using massively parallel sequencing in an accredited clinical laboratory.

Methods

Laboratory information was examined for blood samples received for testing between February and November 2012 for chromosome 21 (Chr21), Chr18, and Chr13. Monosomy X (MX) testing was available from July 2012 for cystic hygroma indication. Outcomes were collected from providers on samples with positive results.

Results

There were 5974 samples tested, and results were issued within an average of 5.1 business days. Aneuploidy was detected in 284 (4.8%) samples (155 Chr21, 66 Chr18, 19 Chr13, 40 MX, and four double aneuploidy). Follow‐ups are available for 245/284 (86%), and 77/284 (27.1%) are confirmed, including one double‐aneuploidy case concordant with cytogenetics from maternal malignancy. Fourteen (0.2%) discordant (putative false‐positive) results (one Chr21, six Chr18, three Chr13, three MX, and one Chr21/13) have been identified. Five (0.08%) false‐negative cases are reported (two trisomy 21, two trisomy 18, and one MX). In 170 (2.8%) cases, the result for a single chromosome was indefinite.

Conclusions

This report suggests that clinical testing of maternal cell‐free DNA for fetal aneuploidy operates within performance parameters established in validation studies. Noninvasive prenatal testing is sensitive to biological contributions from placental and maternal sources. ©2013 Verinata Health, Inc. Prenatal Diagnosis published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The clinical implementation of non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis for single‐gene disorders: challenges and progress made
Authors: Lench Nicholas , Barrett Angela , Fielding Sarah , McKay Fiona , Hill Melissa , Jenkins Lucy , White Helen , Chitty Lyn S.
Published: April 2013

Recently, we have witnessed the rapid translation into clinical practice of non‐invasive prenatal testing for the common aneuploidies, most notably within the United States and China. This represents a lucrative market with testing being driven by companies developing and offering their services. These tests are currently aimed at women with high/medium‐risk pregnancies identified by serum screening and/or ultrasound scanning. Uptake has been impressive, albeit limited to the commercial sector. However, non‐invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) for single‐gene disorders has attracted less interest, no doubt because this represents a much smaller market opportunity and in the majority of cases has to be provided on a bespoke, patient or disease‐specific basis. The methods and workflows are labour‐intensive and not readily scalable. Nonetheless, there exists a significant need for NIPD of single‐gene disorders, and the continuing advances in technology and data analysis should facilitate the expansion of the NIPD test repertoire. Here, we review the progress that has been made to date, the different methods and platform technologies, the technical challenges, and assess how new developments may be applied to extend testing to a wider range of genetic disorders. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Uptake of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) in women following positive aneuploidy screening
Authors: Chetty Shilpa , Garabedian Matthew J. , Norton Mary E.
Published: April 2013

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate how the introduction of noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) impacted women's testing choices following a positive prenatal screening (PNS) result.

Methods

Beginning in March 2012, women referred to our Prenatal Diagnosis Center following a positive PNS result were offered NIPT or invasive prenatal diagnosis. Rates of invasive testing and declining follow‐up were compared with testing decisions the prior year. Differences were compared using t‐test and chi‐square. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of test choice.

Results

Between March 2012 and February 2013, 398 screen positive women were seen: 156 (39.2%) underwent invasive testing, 157 (39.4%) had NIPT and 84 (21.1%) declined further testing. In the prior year, 638 screen positive patients were seen: 301 (47.2%) had invasive testing and 337 (52.8%) declined. The rate of invasive testing declined significantly (p = 0.012). Moreover, fewer women declined follow‐up testing after introduction of NIPT, 21.2% versus 52.8%, p ≤ 0.001. Race/ethnicity and timing of results (first versus second trimester) were predictors of testing choices; payer and maternal age were not.

Conclusion

The introduction of NIPT resulted in a significant decrease in invasive diagnostic testing. Additionally, fewer women declined further testing when NIPT was available. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of maternal plasma DNA fetal fraction on next generation sequencing tests for common fetal aneuploidies
Authors: Canick Jacob A. , Palomaki Glenn E. , Kloza Edward M. , Lambert‐Messerlian Geralyn M. , Haddow James E.
Published: April 2013

Maternal plasma contains circulating cell‐free DNA fragments originating from both the mother and the placenta. The proportion derived from the placenta is known as the fetal fraction. When measured between 10 and 20 gestational weeks, the average fetal fraction in the maternal plasma is 10% to 15% but can range from under 3% to over 30%. Screening performance using next‐generation sequencing of circulating cell‐free DNA is better with increasing fetal fraction and, generally, samples whose values are less than 3% or 4% are unsuitable. Three examples of the clinical impact of fetal fraction are discussed. First, the distribution of test results for Down syndrome pregnancies improves as fetal fraction increases, and this can be exploited in reporting patient results. Second, the strongest factor associated with fetal fraction is maternal weight; the false negative rate and rate of low fetal fractions are highest for women with high maternal weights. Third, in a mosaic, the degree of mosaicism will impact the performance of the test because it will reduce the effective fetal fraction. By understanding these aspects of the role of fetal fraction in maternal plasma DNA testing for aneuploidy, we can better appreciate the power and the limitations of this impressive new methodology. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Fetal serum α‐1 microglobulin for renal function assessment: comparison with β2‐microglobulin and cystatin C
Authors: Nguyen Claire , Dreux Sophie , Heidet Laurence , Czerkiewicz Isabelle , Salomon Laurent J. , Guimiot Fabien , Schmitz Thomas , Tsatsaris Vassilis , Boulot Pierre , Rousseau Thierry , Muller Françoise
Published: April 2013

Objective

To compare the prognostic value of fetal serum α1‐microglobulin with that of β2‐microglobulin and cystatin C for postnatal renal function.

Method

Retrospective study of α1‐microglobulin, β2‐microglobulin, and cystatin C in fetal serum from 126 fetuses with congenital abnormalities of the kidney and urinary tract (73 and 53, respectively). Two groups were defined: group with normal renal function and group with renal failure. For live born infants, renal function was assessed on the basis of serum creatinine (cutoff 50 µmol/L) or glomerular filtration rate (cutoff 75 mL/min/1.73 m2) or both. In case of infant or fetal death, histological kidney lesions were considered.

Results

Significant differences (p < 0.001) were observed for the three markers between fetuses with good renal prognosis and those with renal failure (34.4 mg/L vs 67.6 mg/L for α1‐microglobulin, respectively; 3.9 mg/L vs 7.35 mg/L, for β2‐microglobulin, respectively; and 1.67 mg/L vs 2.12 mg/L for cystatin C, respectively). Areas under receiver operator curves were used to compare the three markers, 0.96, 0.90, and 0.74 for β2‐microglobulin, α1‐microglobulin, and cystatin C, respectively.

Conclusion

Although α1‐microglobulin is significantly different in fetuses with good renal prognosis and those with renal failure, overall, it is a less reliable prognostic marker than fetal serum β2‐microglobulin. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal serum cytokines at 30–33 weeks in the prediction of preeclampsia
Authors: Mosimann Beatrice , Wagner Marion , Poon Leona C.Y. , Bansal Amolak S. , Nicolaides Kypros H.
Published: April 2013

Objective

The aim of this case–control study at 30–33 weeks, a few days or weeks before the clinical onset of preeclampsia (PE), was to assess whether serum concentrations of cytokines differ between patients who are destined to develop PE and those with uncomplicated pregnancies.

Methods

A panel of cytokines was measured using Luminex technology at 30–33 weeks' gestation in 39 cases that developed PE at or after 34 weeks and 117 unaffected controls.

Results

The serum concentrations of most analysed cytokines were no different in women who developed PE than in controls. The proportions of women with detectable concentrations of MIP‐1α and IL‐8 were significantly lower in those with PE than in the controls (MIP‐1α: 14/39 vs 76/117, P = 0.003; IL‐8:13/39 vs 83/117, P < 0.0001). The median maternal serum concentration of IL‐1β was significantly lower in the PE cases than in the controls (0.38 pg/mL, range 0.01–0.92, vs 0.60 pg/mL, range 0.02–3.54, P = 0.005).

Conclusion

Our findings do not lend support to the hypothesis that systemic inflammation precedes the onset of PE or that cytokines are good markers for such inflammation and certainly the panel of cytokines we examined does not provide useful prediction of subsequent development of PE. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and characterization of novel adamantane‐based copoly(aryl ether ketone)s with low dielectric constants
Authors: Geng Zhi , Lu Yaning , Zhang Shuling , Jiang Xu , Huo Pengfei , Luan Jiashuang , Wang Guibin
Published: April 2013

A series of novel adamantane‐based copoly(aryl ether ketone)s (PAEK‐CF3‐Ad) with low dielectric constants were prepared by post‐amidation of copoly(aryl ether ketone)s containing (3‐trifluoromethyl)phenyl and carboxyl groups with 4‐adamantylaniline. Compared with the preparation of adamantane‐containing poly(aryl ether ketone)s by direct polymerization of adamantyl‐substituted monomers, this side‐chain grafting method avoids various problems, such as high polymerization temperature and the difficult polymerization of adamantyl‐substituted monomers. The dielectric, thermal and mechanical properties of the synthesized PAEK‐CF3‐Ad were characterized using a precision impedance analyzer, differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, and a universal tester, respectively. The results indicate that PAEK‐CF3‐Ad films exhibited low dielectric constants ranging from 2.33 to 2.65 at 1 MHz due to the introduction of the adamantyl groups. The synthesized PAEK‐CF3‐Ad copolymers exhibited good thermal and mechanical properties. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
A biofeedback intervention to control impulsiveness in a severely personality disordered forensic patient
Authors: Howard Rick , Schellhorn Klaus , Lumsden John
Published: April 2013

Impulsiveness in personality disordered forensic patients is associated with poor treatment completion and high risk of re‐offending. A biofeedback training protocol, previously found to reduce impulsiveness and improve attention in children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, was used in an initial attempt to reduce impulsiveness in a severely personality disordered man with borderline, antisocial and histrionic features. Electrocortical, behavioural and self‐report measures of impulsiveness were taken before and immediately following 6 weeks of biofeedback training and at 3 months follow‐up. The patient successfully engaged with the intervention. His self‐reports of reduced impulsiveness and improved attention were corroborated by behavioural and electrocortical measures that indicated reduced impulsiveness and better focused attention. Results suggest this intervention might prove useful in improving behavioural and emotional self‐regulation in severely personality disordered patients. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proteomic analyses of serous and endometrioid epithelial ovarian cancers – Cases studies – Molecular insights of a possible histological etiology of serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Longuespée Rémi , Gagnon Hugo , Boyon Charlotte , Strupat Kurstin , Dauly Claire , Kerdraon Olivier , Ighodaro Adesuwa , Desmons Annie , Dupuis Jocelyn , Wisztorski Maxence , Vinatier Denis , Fournier Isabelle , Day Robert , Salzet Michel
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Epithelial ovarian carcinogenesis may occur de novo on the surface of ovarian mesothelial epithelial cells or from cells originating in other organs. Foreign Müllerian cell intrusion into the ovarian environment has been hypothesized to explain the latter scenario. In this study, MALDI MS profiling technology was used to provide molecular insights regarding these potentially different mechanisms.

Experimental design

Using MALDI MS profiling, the molecular disease signatures were established in their anatomical context. MALDI MS profiling was used on serous and endometrioid cancer biopsies to investigate cases of epithelial ovarian cancer. We then applied bioinformatic methods and identification strategies on the LC‐MS/MS analyses of extracts from digested formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded tissues. Extracts from selected regions (i.e. serous ovarian adenocarcinoma, fallopian tube serous adenocarcinoma, endometrioid ovarian cancer, benign endometrium, and benign ovarian tissues) were performed, and peptide digests were subjected to LC‐MS/MS analysis.

Results

Comparison of the proteins identified from benign endometrium or three ovarian cancer types (i.e. serous ovarian adenocarcinoma, endometrioid ovarian adenocarcinoma, and serous fallopian tube adenocarcinoma) provided new evidence of a possible correlation between the fallopian tubes and serous ovarian adenocarcinoma. Here, we propose a workflow consisting of the comparison of multiple tissues in their anatomical context in an individual patient.

Conclusion and clinical relevance

The present study provides new insights into the molecular similarities between these two tissues and an assessment of highly specific markers for an individualized patient diagnosis and care.
Trauma‐associated human neutrophil alterations revealed by comparative proteomics profiling
Authors: Zhou Jian‐Ying , Krovvidi Ravi K. , Gao Yuqian , Gao Hong , Petritis Brianne O. , De Asit K. , Miller‐Graziano Carol L. , Bankey Paul E. , Petyuk Vladislav A. , Nicora Carrie D. , Clauss Therese R. , Moore Ronald J. , Shi Tujin , Brown Joseph N. , Kaushal Amit , Xiao Wenzhong , Davis Ronald W. , Maier Ronald V. , Tompkins Ronald G. , Qian Wei‐Jun , Camp David G. , Smith Richard D. ,   the Inflammation and the Host Response to Injury Large Scale Collaborative Research Program
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) play an important role in mediating the innate immune response after severe traumatic injury; however, the cellular proteome response to traumatic condition is still largely unknown.

Experimental design

We applied 2D‐LC‐MS/MS‐based shotgun proteomics to perform comparative proteome profiling of human PMNs from severe trauma patients and healthy controls.

Results

A total of 197 out of ∼2500 proteins (being identified with at least two peptides) were observed with significant abundance changes following the injury. The proteomics data were further compared with transcriptomics data for the same genes obtained from an independent patient cohort. The comparison showed that the protein abundance changes for the majority of proteins were consistent with the mRNA abundance changes in terms of directions of changes. Moreover, increased protein secretion was suggested as one of the mechanisms contributing to the observed discrepancy between protein and mRNA abundance changes. Functional analyses of the altered proteins showed that many of these proteins were involved in immune response, protein biosynthesis, protein transport, NRF2‐mediated oxidative stress response, the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, and apoptosis pathways.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Our data suggest increased neutrophil activation and inhibited neutrophil apoptosis in response to trauma. The study not only reveals an overall picture of functional neutrophil response to trauma at the proteome level, but also provides a rich proteomics data resource of trauma‐associated changes in the neutrophil that will be valuable for further studies of the functions of individual proteins in PMNs.
Individual and US County Determinants of Repeat Migration: a Comparison of Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics
Authors: Pais Jeremy
Published: April 2013

Contemporary internal migration trends in the US raise questions about the role of community characteristics in shaping individual‐level migration propensities among different racial and ethnic groups. To examine this issue more closely, this research incorporates key county‐level characteristics into a study of repeat migration. With data from the 1979 National Longitudinal Survey of Youth merged with US census data, this study found that heavily populated counties and counties with large concentrations of employment in manufacturing industries reduce the odds of primary outmigration, onward migration to other locations, and return migration to a previous county of residence. Counties with a high degree of natural amenity retain longstanding white residents. Net of individual unemployment, the county‐level unemployment rate hinders primary and onward migration among whites. In support of the cultural constraints hypothesis – a hypothesis that anticipates divergent community‐level effects for minority and majority group members – whites are more likely to engage in repeat migration from counties with smaller shares of non‐Hispanic White population whereas blacks are more likely to engage in repeat migration from areas with larger shares of non‐Hispanic White population. whites and blacks are more likely to move out of counties with larger shares of foreign‐born population. The share of neither non‐Hispanic White population nor foreign‐born population affects Hispanic repeat migration propensities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identification of impurities in methotrexate drug substances using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry
Authors: Wu Cai‐Sheng , Tong Yuan‐Feng , Wang Peng‐Yuan , Wang Dong‐Mei , Wu Song , Zhang Jin‐Lan
Published: April 2013

RATIONALE

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antineoplastic therapeutic medicine that acts as an antimetabolite of folic acid. In this study we identified the impurities in MTX drug substances produced by different manufacturers and in different batches using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with a photodiode array detector and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (HPLC‐PDA/FTICR‐MS).

METHODS

MTX and its impurities were separated on a Restek Pinnacle II C18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 µm) with a gradient elution system composed of 0.2% formic acid and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min. Ultraviolet (UV) detection was set at 305 nm. Mass detection was carried out using FTICR‐MS with full‐scan mass analysis at a resolving power of 100 000 coupled with multiple‐stage mass analysis using a parent list of compounds.

RESULTS

Fifteen impurities were detected in MTX drug substances, and their structures were predicted from using HPLC‐PDA/FTICR‐MS data, including their UV spectra, high‐resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), fragmentation patterns, and MSn spectra. Ten of the impurities detected in the MTX drug substances are reported for the first time. There was a high abundance of esterified impurities in some batches of MTX drug substances, over the identification threshold of International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines, which requires particular attention.

CONCLUSIONS

This paper describes a HPLC‐PDA/FTICR‐MS method to profile and identify impurities in MTX drug substances. The results suggest that HPLC‐PDA/FTICR‐MS is a valuable analytical technique for the rapid identification of impurities. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Properties of isotope patterns and their utility for peptide identification in large‐scale proteomic experiments
Authors: Okawa Satoshi , Fischer Bernd , Krijgsveld Jeroen
Published: April 2013

RATIONALE

In proteomic experiments, isotope patterns are routinely generated for all detected peptides. While this pattern is determined by peptide composition, it has not been evaluated as a parameter that can help in the process of peptide identification.

METHODS

First, we investigated how the relative isotope abundance (RIA) accuracy in proteomic data sets depends on the spectral intensity, resolution, and the number of mass spectrometry (MS) 1 scans, using an Orbitrap Velos mass spectrometer. Next, we explored the discriminatory power of isotope patterns in the context of proteome analyses of various complexities, either alone or in combination with a Mascot database search. Finally, we provide a theoretical framework for the required accuracies of both peptide mass and RIA for peptide identification.

RESULTS

We demonstrate that the RIA error obtained in routine proteome analyses is 4–5%, and that this is only modestly influenced by spectral intensity, resolution, and the number of MS1 scans. While RIA alone has no discriminatory power, in a Mascot search isotope patterns can distinguish top scoring hits from runner‐up hits in 70–95% of cases. Our theoretical approach shows that RIA accuracy needs to be ~0.2% in order to uniquely identify peptides in full proteomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that isotope patterns can have discriminatory power when used in combination with a classical database search. Inclusion of this parameter in proteomic workflows may help to increase confidence in peptide identification, but in practical terms this will be limited to small proteomes. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sensitivity in statistical evaluation of biomarkers
Authors: Li Wen , Qu Yongming , Kulkarni Pandurang M.
Published: April 2013

In clinical research and practice, biomarkers help in understanding disease progression and are useful when monitoring patients and making treatment decisions. Correct quantification of biomarkers in predicting the clinical outcome is important for better treatment of individual patients. Despite the rich literature in statistical validation, application of these validation methods in real data is not well studied. Specifically, the question is whether the change in a biomarker or the actual assessed value of the biomarker should be used. Contrary to most published papers in which the actual value of the biomarker is used, we showed through theory, simulation, and an example that it is more appropriate to use the change or the actual value in the marker with adjustment for the baseline value in evaluating a marker. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microstructure of Nb‐Bearing Pipeline Steel with Improved Property Applying Ultrafast Cooling Process
Authors: Yao Sheng‐Jie , Du Lin‐Xiu , Wang Guo‐Dong
Published: April 2013

X70 pipe line steel with high mechanical strength and high ductility can be achieved through hot rolling and ultrafast cooling process at a low cost. A large amount of nano‐sized precipitates and dislocations are identified near the surface layer of the steel applying ultrafast cooling, which contribute immeasurably to the improvement of mechanical properties. In addition, high cooling rate decreases the mean distance of pearlite laminae, and massive ferrite grains characterized by curved grain boundaries and high dislocation density are also transformed as one of the typical microstructures in the samples applying ultrafast cooling process.
Market Entry Strategies in Emerging Markets: An Institutional Study in the BRIC Countries
Authors: Holtbrügge Dirk , Baron Anastasia
Published: April 2013

This article addresses two of the strategically important questions of market entry strategies in emerging markets: how to enter and when to enter. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between market entry strategies and market success. On the basis of the institutional theory, we develop hypotheses that are tested against data collected from 564 foreign firms with operations in the BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, and China), using an online survey. Our findings suggest that market entry strategies have a significant effect on market success, showing the greatest market success in India and the lowest in China. We also find that entry mode and length of operation exhibit a significant positive effect on market success. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
FDI Inflow and Human Development: Analysis of FDI's Impact on Host Countries' Social Welfare and Infrastructure
Authors: Lehnert Kevin , Benmamoun Mamoun , Zhao Hongxin
Published: April 2013

We examine the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the mediating effects of country national governance on the welfare and knowledge infrastructure of host countries. Based on a five‐year anchored panel data of 175 countries producing over 9,000 observations, we find that in general FDI has a positive influence on both host country welfare and knowledge infrastructure and the national governance positively mediates these relationships.1 © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Relationship Between Competitive Intensity, Internal Resources, and Firm Performance: Evidence from Indian ITES Industry
Authors: Lahiri Somnath
Published: April 2013

The purpose of this article is to investigate how competitive intensity impacts the relationship between crucial firm resources (human capital, organizational capital, management capability) and firm performance. Using a sample of 105 service providers from the Indian information technology–enabled services (ITES) industry, I find that competitive intensity positively moderates the relationship between firm resources and firm performance such that the relationships become stronger when competitive intensity is high than when it is low. Results imply that top managers' evaluation of the performance implications of internal firm resources are significantly shaped by the perceptions of intensity of competition encountered by their firms. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Does 17‐α‐hydroxyprogesterone caproate affect fetal biometry and birth weight in twin pregnancy?
Authors: Mulder E. J. H. , Versteegh E. M. J. , Bloemenkamp K. W. M. , Lim A. C. , Mol B. W. J. , Bekedam D. J. , Kwee A. , Bruinse H. W. , Christiaens G. C. M. L.
Published: April 2013

Objective

Increasingly, maternal administration of 17‐α‐hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17‐OHPC) is utilized to prevent preterm birth, but the fetal safety of 17‐OHPC is still a matter of concern. This study aimed to assess whether exposure to 17‐OHPC during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy affects fetal biometry in twin gestations.

Methods

This study included a subset of women with a twin pregnancy who had been previously included in a randomized clinical trial comparing the effectiveness of 17‐OHPC and placebo on neonatal outcomes and preterm birth rates in multiple pregnancy. In the present study, the individual growth patterns of femur length, head circumference and abdominal circumference were compared between fetuses of women who had been randomized to receive weekly injections of either 17‐OHPC (n = 52) or placebo (n = 58) at between 16–20 and 36 weeks' gestation.

Results

The three biometric variables assessed developed similarly in fetuses in both the group exposed to 17‐OHPC and the placebo group during the second half of pregnancy. Birth weight adjusted for parity and fetal sex was also comparable between groups.

Conclusion

The use of 17‐OHPC has no adverse effects on fetal biometry and birth weight in twins. Copyright © 2013 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Defects, super-Poincaré line bundle and fermionic T-duality
Authors: Elitzur Shmuel , Karni Boaz , Rabinovici Eliezer , Sarkissian Gor
Published: April 2013

Abstract

Topological defects are interfaces joining two conformal field theories, for which the energy momentum tensor is continuous across the interface. A class of the topological defects is provided by the interfaces separating two bulk systems each described by its own Lagrangian, where the two descriptions are related by a discrete symmetry. In this paper we elaborate on the cases in which the discrete symmetry is a bosonic or a fermionic T-duality. We review how the equations of motion imposed by the defect encode the general bosonic T-duality transformations for toroidal compactifications. We generalize this analysis in some detail to the case of topological defects allowed in coset CFTs, in particular to those cosets where the gauged group is either an axial or vector U(1). This is discussed in both the operator and Lagrangian approaches. We proceed to construct a defect encoding a fermionic T-duality. We show that the fermionic T-duality is implemented by the Super-Poincaré line bundle. The observation that the exponent of the gauge invariant flux on a defect is a kernel of the Fourier-Mukai transform of the Ramond-Ramond fields, is generalized to a fermionic T-duality. This is done via a fiberwise integration on supermanifolds.
Short term chemotherapy followed by radiofrequency ablation in stage III pancreatic cancer: results from a single center
Authors: Frigerio Isabella , Girelli Roberto , Giardino Alessandro , Regi Paolo , Salvia Roberto , Bassi Claudio
Published: April 2013

Background

Neo‐adjuvant chemotherapy (CHT) has gained increasing importance in resectable and borderline resectable pancreatic cancer leading to a better performing surgery when we look at negative resection margins and selection of patients with less aggressive disease. We apply this principle to patients with Stage III (LAC) pancreatic cancer undergoing RFA and try to select patients who may benefit from a local treatment.

Methods

All patients affected by LAC were treated with RFA for a stable disease after a short CHT. Postoperative morbidity and mortality were evaluated together with overall survival (OS) and disease specific survival (DSS).

Results

We consecutively treated 57 patients affected by LAC. Median duration of CHT before RFA was 5 months. The postoperative mortality rate was zero. Overall morbidity was 14 % with RFA‐related morbidity of 3.5 %. The OS and DSS were 19 months and when compared to a similar population who received RFA as up front treatment, there was no difference.

Conclusions

Our results do not support the adoption of a short CHT as a way to identify patients to treat with RFA with the most benefit. Based on this and by knowing the role of immune modulation after RFA and its specific involvement in pancreatic carcinoma, we can propose RFA as upfront treatment.
Fabrication of GM3‐Enriched Sphingomyelin/Cholesterol Solid‐Supported Lipid Membranes on Au/SiO2 Plasmonic Substrates
Authors: Margheri G. , D'Agostino R. , Del Rosso M. , Trigari S.
Published: April 2013

The fabrication of solid‐supported artificial lipid bilayers enriched with biological agents is an important step for acquiring more insights into their behavior from in vitro studies. In this work we demonstrate the formation of lipid artificial membranes enriched with ganglioside GM3, whose role in the cell proliferation and tumor angiogenesis is still an object of extensive investigation. The membranes are formed by fusion of small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) obtained from the sonication of multi‐lamellar vesicles (MLV) formed from a hydrated mixture of GM3, brain sphingomyelin and cholesterol. The effective formation of SUV was confirmed by Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The recognition of the ganglioside in the biomimetic raft like biomembranes is accomplished via surface plasmon resonance (SPR) by exploiting the ganglioside affinity with wheat germ agglutinin (WGA). The affinity constant of the binding between the inglobated GM3 and WGA has been measured for three different GM3 molar concentrations. Beside the effective generation of GM3‐enriched biomimetic membranes, our results indicate a decrease in the apparent WGA–GM3 dissociation constant at increasing GM3 concentrations up to 20 mol%, consistent with clustering effects of the ganglioside in the fabricated biomembranes.
Elected versus Appointed County Commission Executives: Race, Political Favors and Support Facilities
Authors: Hoover Gary A. , Collins Sondra
Published: April 2013

In this paper we explore how blacks influence expenditure and employment decisions of county commission executives. We also explore whether or not this influence varies when county commission executives are elected verses appointed to their positions. The desire to earn votes could mean that elected officials treat voting populations, including blacks, in a manner that is distinctly different from their appointed counterparts. We find that in areas where there is more discretion, elected officials tend to have higher per capita expenditures. However, there does not appear to be any difference in employment practices. We find that having a larger black population is positively related with discretionary spending and employment.
Difference in mitochondrial gene expression in granulosa cells between recombinant FSH and hMG cycles under in vitro fertilization and transfer
Authors: Saito Natsuho , Yamashita Yoshiki , Ono Yoshihiro , Higuchi Yoko , Hayashi Atsushi , Yoshida Yoko , Yamamoto Hikaru , Kawabe Sachiko , Kamada Mika , Terai Yoshito , Ohmichi Masahide
Published: April 2013

Purpose

Examination of the mitochondrial mRNA expression in granulosa cells from an unspecified population of infertile patients to evaluate whether recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (recFSH) is more effective in producing higher quality embryo rates compared with human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG).

Method

Thirty‐nine patients who underwent the in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer program were retrospectively examined. Patients were administered recFSH (n = 18) or hMG (n = 20) in a long protocol where GnRH agonist was used. Granulosa cells were obtained during oocyte retrieval and examined for mitochondria mRNA expression ratio against GAPDH. Expressions of mitochondria mRNA were evaluated by real‐time PCR analysis.

Results

The high‐quality embryo rate in the hMG cycle was higher than in the recFSH cycle, and the total dose of hMG showed a positive correlation with the expression level of mitochondrial genes in granulosa cells. Moreover, mitochondria mRNA expression was higher in the hMG cycle than in the recFSH cycle.

Conclusions

Compared with recFSH, hMG induces a higher mitochondrial gene expression ratio in granulosa cells at the time of oocyte retrieval and, therefore, may lead to higher quality embryo rates.
Using a mild stimulation protocol combined with clomiphene citrate and recombinant follicle‐stimulating hormone to determine the optimal number of oocytes needed to achieve pregnancy and reduce the concerns of patients
Authors: Sugiyama Rikikazu , Nakagawa Koji , Nishi Yayoi , Ojiro Yuko , Juen Hiroyasu , Sugiyama Rie , Kuribayashi Yasushi
Published: April 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate how many oocytes are needed to achieve an adequate pregnancy rate per 1 oocyte retrieval cycle in mild ovarian stimulation.

Methods

This protocol consisted of clomiphene citrate and recombinant‐follicle‐stimulating hormone injection without a gonadotropin‐releasing hormone‐antagonist. From January 2009 through December 2010, there were 1,227 women who underwent assisted reproductive technologies treatment with mild stimulation at the Sugiyama Clinic. The overall pregnancy rate per single oocyte retrieval cycle was evaluated using both fresh and cryopreserved‐and‐thawed embryos according to the retrieved oocyte number.

Results

According to the retrieved oocyte number, a total of 1,227 cycles were divided into 4 groups: group A (the oocyte number <4; 433 cycles), group B (the oocyte number = 4, 5; 317 cycles), group C (the oocyte number = 6, 7; 206 cycles), and group D (the oocyte number ≥8; 271 cycles). The overall pregnancy rates for groups A, B, C, and D were 22.2, 42.9, 52.4, and 56.0 %, respectively, the rates for groups C and D were significantly higher than that for group A (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The optimal number of retrieved oocytes proved to be between 6 and 7 for the patients who received our milder stimulation protocol and experienced no reduction in their overall pregnancy rate.