bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The tankyrase‐specific inhibitor JW74 affects cell cycle progression and induces apoptosis and differentiation in osteosarcoma cell lines
Authors: Wessel Stratford Eva , Daffinrud Jeanette , Munthe Else , Castro Russell , Waaler Jo , Krauss Stefan , Myklebost Ola
Published: December 2013

Wnt/β‐catenin is a major regulator of stem cell self‐renewal and differentiation and this signaling pathway is aberrantly activated in a several cancers, including osteosarcoma (OS). Attenuation of Wnt/β‐catenin activity by tankyrase inhibitors is an appealing strategy in treatment of OS. The efficacy of the tankyrase inhibitor JW74 was evaluated in three OS cell lines (KPD, U2OS, and SaOS‐2) both at the molecular and functional level. At the molecular level, JW74 induces stabilization of AXIN2, a key component of the β‐catenin destruction complex, resulting in reduced levels of nuclear β‐catenin. At the functional level, JW74 induces reduced cell growth in all three tested cell lines, in part due to a delay in cell cycle progression and in part due to an induction of caspase‐3‐mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, JW74 induces differentiation in U2OS cells, which under standard conditions are resistant to osteogenic differentiation. JW74 also enhances differentiation of OS cell lines, which do not harbor a differentiation block. Interestingly, microRNAs (miRNAs) of the let‐7 family, which are known tumor suppressors and inducers of differentiation, are significantly upregulated following treatment with JW74. We demonstrate for the first time that tankyrase inhibition triggers reduced cell growth and differentiation of OS cells. This may in part be due to an induction of let‐7 miRNA. The presented data open for novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of malignant OS.
HPV DNAtesting improvesCIN2+ risk stratification and detection ofCIN2+ in delayed triage ofASCUSandLSIL. A population‐based follow‐up study fromWesternNorway
Authors: Budal Elisabeth B. , Haugland Hans K. , Skar Robert , Mæhle Bjørn O. , Bjørge Tone , Vintermyr Olav K.
Published: December 2013

InNorway, Pap smears with atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance (ASCUS) and low‐grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) are triaged after 6 months. The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of implementing human papillomavirus (HPV) test (2005) in delayed triage ofASCUSandLSILin a cohort of women fromWesternNorway. After a survey of 119,469 cervical Pap smears during 2005–2007, a total of 1055 women with an indexASCUSorLSILwere included in the study and followed up for 3–6 years with respect to progression into cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or worse (CIN2+). Overall sensitivity for detection ofCIN2+ withHPVtesting and cytology was 96% and 72%, respectively. The sensitivity for detection ofCIN2+ was not affected by age, but the specificity of theHPVtest increased with age. Thus, for the age groups <34 years, 34–50 years, and >50 years, the specificity of a positiveHPVtest to detectCIN2+ was 47%, 71%, and 82%, respectively. Positive predictive values forCIN2+ in women with positive cytology, positiveHPVtest, negative cytology, negativeHPVtest, or negativeHPVand cytology tests were 52%, 41%, 8%, 1.5%, and 0.4%, respectively.HPVtesting resulted in a net 22% increased detection ofCIN2+. Fifty‐six percent ofCIN2+ was detected at an earlier time point withHPVtesting in triage. Implementation ofHPVtesting in delayed triage ofASCUSandLSILimproved the stratification ofCIN2+ risk and increasedCIN2+ detection and at an earlier time point than with triage by cytology alone.
Modulation of Silver–Titania Nanoparticles on Polymethylhydrosiloxane‐based Semi‐Interpenetrating Networks for Catalytic Alkynylation of Trifluoromethyl Ketones and Aromatic Aldehydes in Water
Authors: Wang Hu , Yang Ke‐Fang , Li Li , Bai Ying , Zheng Zhan‐Jiang , Zhang Wei‐Qiang , Gao Zi‐Wei , Xu Li‐Wen
Published: December 2013

In this work, we have developed a new approach to monodispersed hybrid Ag@TiO2 nanocomposites using a titanium‐promoted cross‐linking reduction in the SiH functional material, polymethylhydrosiloxane (PMHS)‐based semi‐interpenetrating networks (PMHSIPN). The titania was designed to be highly dispersed on the functional material and then the Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles were formed in uniform size and shape under mild conditions. The experimental results reveal that the nanosilver catalysts (the fabricated Ag@TiO2 located on the PMHSIPNs, namely, nanoAg@TiO2@PMHSIPN) have enhanced catalytic activities in the alkynylation of trifluoromethyl ketones or α,β‐unsaturated trifluoromethyl ketones with terminal alkynes. In this reaction, the hybrid Ag@TiO2 nanoparticles exhibited a high level of catalytic activity for the selective 1,2‐alkynylation of various trifluoromethyl ketones and α,β‐unsaturated trifluoromethyl ketones into a wide range of fluorinated alcohols in water. Finally, on the basis of the nanoAg@TiO2@PMHSIPN‐catalyzed alkynylation of trifluoromethyl ketones, we developed a new concept whereby highly reactive substrates act as a “reactive tractor” or “reactive springboard” to drive the transformation of poorly reactive substrates as springboard chemistry. Consequently, we found that trifluoromethyl ketone can be used as an efficient additive in the nanosilver‐catalyzed alkynylation of aldehydes.
Impact of a Phosphate Solubilizing Bacterium and an Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus (Glomus etunicatum) on Growth, Yield and P Concentration in Wheat Plants
Authors: Saxena Jyoti , Minaxi  , Jha Anamika
Published: December 2013

Available phosphorus is limiting in most of cultivable soils in several parts of India, including Rajasthan. The beneficial effects of rhizosphere microorganisms such as phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) have been found to increase in the presence of mycorrhizal symbiosis. In view of this, the synergistic effect of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF),Glomus etunicatumand an indigenous PSB strain,Burkholderia cepaciaBAM‐6 was studied on wheat plants grown in pots containing soil with low available P to see their potential to be used as bio‐inoculants in semi‐arid regions. The dual inoculation (AMF + PSB) augmented all growth and yield parameters studied in comparison to the individual inoculations with AMF and PSB. Crop yield and N concentration were enhanced >50 and 90%, respectively, following the dual inoculation, and percent root colonization by AMF and rhizosphere population of PSB were also found to increase with time in soil. This investigation reveals that the PSB strainB. cepaciaBAM‐6 interacted synergistically with AMF in promoting plant growth and nutrient uptake of wheat plants, therefore show great promise to be used as bio‐fertilizer for wheat crop grown in arid to semi arid regions.
Progression‐free survival as a surrogate endpoint of overall survival in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Halabi Susan , Rini Brian , Escudier Bernard , Stadler Walter M. , Small Eric J.
Published: December 2013

BACKGROUND

The current study was conducted to investigate the dependence between progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) and to explore whether PFS can be used as an intermediate endpoint of OS in this patient population.

METHODS

A total of 1381 patients from 2 prospective phase 3 trials (Cancer and Leukemia Group B [CALGB] 90206 and AVOREN) of interferon‐alpha with or without bevacizumab were analyzed. Both trials recruited previously untreated patients with clear cell mRCC with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0 to 2; adequate bone marrow, hepatic, cardiac, and renal function; and controlled blood pressure. The CALGB study served as the training data set, and the AVOREN study served as the testing data set. The dependence between PFS and OS was investigated using the Kendall tau for bivariate time‐to‐event endpoints.

RESULTS

In the training data set, the median OS times among patients who experienced progressive disease at 3 months or 6 months were 6 months and 8 months, respectively, compared with 25 months and 30 months, respectively, (P < .001) in patients who did not develop disease progress. The adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were 2.6 (P < .0001) and 2.8 (P < .0001), respectively, for patients who did and did not progress at 3 months or 6 months. The dependence between PFS and OS was 0.53. These associations were confirmed in the testing data set.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with mRCC who were treated with interferon‐alpha with or without bevacizumab, the PFS at 3 months and 6 months was found to be predictive of OS. A high dependence between PFS and OS was observed, suggesting that PFS may be used as a surrogate endpoint for OS. Although this is a novel observation for RCC, these findings require validation in patients with mRCC who are treated with other targeted agents.Cancer2014;120:52–60. ©2013 American Cancer Society.
Efficient graphics processing unit based layered decoders for quasicyclic low‐density parity‐check codes
Authors: Li Rongchun , Dou Yong , Zou Dan , Wang Shi , Zhang Ying
Published: December 2013

Because layered low‐density parity‐check (LDPC) decoding algorithm was proposed, one can exploit the diversity gain to achieve performance comparable to the traditional two‐phase message passing (TPMP) decoding but with about twice faster decoding convergence compared to TPMP. In order to reduce the decoding time of layered LDPC decoder, a graphics processing unit (GPU) is exploited as the modem processor so that the decoding procedure can be processed in parallel using numerous threads in the GPU. In this paper, we present the parallel algorithms and efficient implementations on the GPU for two different layered message passing schemes, the row‐layered and column‐layered decoding. In the experiments, the quasicyclic LDPC codes for WiFi (802.11n) and WiMAX (802.16e) are decoded by the proposed layered LDPC decoders. The experimental results show that our decoder has good bit error ratio (BER) performance comparable to TPMP decoder. The peak throughput is 712 Mbps, which is about two orders of magnitude faster than that of CPU implementation and comparable to the dedicated hardware solutions. Compared to the existing fastest GPU‐based implementation, the presented decoder can achieve a performance improvement of 2.3 times. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controlled Interfacial Electron Dynamics in Highly Efficient Zn2SnO4‐Based Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Shin Seong Sik , Kim Dong Wook , Hwang Daesub , Suk Jae Ho , Oh Lee Seul , Han Byung Suh , Kim Dong Hoe , Kim Ju Seong , Kim Dongho , Kim Jin Young , Hong Kug Sun
Published: December 2013

Among ternary oxides, Zn2SnO4 (ZSO) is considered for dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) because of its wide bandgap, high optical transmittance, and high electrical conductivity. However, ZSO‐based DSSCs have a poor performance record owing largely to the absence of systematic efforts to enhance their performance. Herein, general strategies are proposed to improve the performance of ZSO‐based DSSCs involving interfacial engineering/modification of the photoanode. A conformal ZSO thin film (blocking layer) deposited at the fluorine‐doped tin oxide–electrolyte interface by pulsed laser deposition suppressed the back‐electron transfer effectively while maintaining a high optical transmittance, which resulted in a 22 % improvement in the short‐circuit photocurrent density. Surface modification of ZSO nanoparticles (NPs) resulted in an ultrathin ZnO shell layer, a 9 % improvement in the open‐circuit voltage, and a 4 % improvement in the fill factor because of the reduced electron recombination at the ZSO NPs–electrolyte interface. The ZSO‐based DSSCs exhibited a faster charge injection and electron transport than their TiO2‐based counterparts, and their superior properties were not inhibited by the ZnO shell layer, which indicates their feasibility for highly efficient DSSCs. Each interfacial engineering strategy could be applied to the ZSO‐based DSSC independently to lead to an improved conversion efficiency of 6 %, a very high conversion efficiency for a non‐TiO2 based DSSC.
A phase‐space model to describe bang‐bang phase detectors
Authors: Sánchez‐Azqueta Carlos , Gimeno Cecilia , Aldea Concepción , Celma Santiago
Published: December 2013

A phase detector (PD) is a key element in the structure of phase‐locked loops (PLLs) and, in particular, of PLL‐based clock and data recovery circuits (CDRs). Thanks to their good properties in terms of robustness and ease of design, bang‐bang PDs (BBPDs) are the most common choice for the implementation of a PD in such systems. The operation of BBPDs is typically modelled only in terms of the phase difference between their inputs; however, this approach is not sufficient to describe their dynamic behaviour completely. To address this issue, this paper introduces a more comprehensive model of the operation of BBPDs that takes into account phase as well as frequency differences between their inputs, leading to a two‐dimensional description of the output of BBPDs. Numerical simulations of the operation of a CDR have been realised to evaluate the validity of the model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Energy‐efficient multi‐level and distance‐aware clustering mechanism for WSNs
Authors: Mehmood Amjad , Khan S. , Shams Bilal , Lloret Jaime
Published: December 2013

Most sensor networks are deployed at hostile environments to sense and gather specific information. As sensor nodes have battery constraints, therefore, the research community is trying to propose energy‐efficient solutions for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) to prolong the lifetime of the network. In this paper, we propose an energy‐efficient multi‐level and distance‐aware clustering (EEMDC) mechanism for WSNs. In this mechanism, the area of the network is divided into three logical layers, which depends upon the hop‐count‐based distance from the base station. The simulation outcomes show that EEMDC is more energy efficient than other existing conventional approaches. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Exploring avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in eating disordered patients: A descriptive study
Authors: Norris Mark L. , Robinson Amy , Obeid Nicole , Harrison Megan , Spettigue Wendy , Henderson Katherine
Published: December 2013

Objective

To assess and compare clinical characteristics of patients with avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) to those with anorexia nervosa (AN).

Method

A retrospective review of adolescent eating disorder (ED) patients assessed between 2000 and 2011 that qualified for a diagnosis of ARFID was completed. A matched AN sample was used to compare characteristics between groups.

Results

Two hundred and five patients met inclusion criteria and were reviewed in detail. Of these, 34 (5%) patients met criteria for ARFID. A matched sample of 36 patients with AN was used to draw comparisons. Patients with ARFID were younger than those with AN, more likely to present before age 12, and more likely to be male. Patients in both groups presented at low weights. Common eating‐specific behaviors and symptoms in the ARFID group included food avoidance, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, and fear of vomiting. Rates of comorbid psychiatric diagnoses and medical morbidity were high in both groups. Almost 80% of AN patients and one‐third of ARFID patients required hospital admission as a result of medical instability. Symptom profiles in 4/34 ARFID patients resulted in eventual reclassification to AN.

Discussion

This study supports the notion that a small percentage of adolescent patients presenting with restrictive eating disorders meet criteria for ARFID. Patients are younger than average, more likely to be male compared to adolescent AN samples, and have high rates of psychiatric and medical morbidity. The study also suggests that a proportion of patients evolve into AN as treatment progresses. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2014; 47:495–499)
Positional distribution of fatty acids on hoki and tuna oil triglycerides by pancreatic lipase and 13C NMR analysis
Authors: Tengku‐Rozaina Tengku Mohamad , Birch Edward John
Published: December 2013

Positional distribution of fatty acids in hoki and tuna oils was carried out in the present study via pancreatic lipase hydrolysis and 13Carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) spectroscopy. The two methods gave consistent results for hoki but conflicting values for tuna oil. Saturated fatty acids (SFA) were generally enriched at sn‐2 while MUFA were preferentially located at sn‐1,3 for hoki by pancreatic lipase treatment. Of the PUFA, DHA in hoki oil was significantly located at sn‐2 position, whereas eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) was randomly distributed via both methods. DHA and EPA in tuna oil were both preferentially located at sn‐2 position by NMR spectroscopy. The NMR results for n‐3 PUFA were in general agreement with other fish oils studied where DHA showed preference for sn‐2 but EPA displayed preferential differences among species. The ratio of DHA in hoki oil at sn‐2 position was higher than tuna oil, thus enhancing its bioavailability. The opposite was the case for EPA. For pancreatic lipase hydrolysis of tuna oil, results showed that both DHA and EPA were incompletely recovered along with other PUFA confirming that pancreatic lipase hydrolysis is an unreliable method for positional distribution determination in tuna oil compared to 13C NMR analysis. The ratio of long chain PUFA to triglycerides exceeds 1:1 in tuna oil, causing steric hindrance for hydrolysis of the long chain PUFA residue at sn‐1,3 position.

Practical applications: Fish oil contains bioactive omega‐3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA), however bioavailability and oxidative stability of these omega‐3 fatty acids depends on their positional distribution. Pancreatic lipase has been used in determination of positional distribution of fatty acids in fish oil, but this method involves heat and is time consuming and not suitable for fish oil with more than one molecule of PUFA in a single triglyceride. NMR has gained popularity in positional distribution determination of n‐3 fatty acids in fish oil as it is a rapid and non‐destructive method compared to the conventional chemical and enzymatic methods.
A novel approach for studying the indoor dispersion of aroma through computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Plana‐Fattori Artemio , Trelea Ioan C. , Le Page Jean‐François , Souchon Isabelle , Pollien Philippe , Ali Santo , Ramaioli Marco , Pionnier‐Pineau Estelle , Hartmann Christoph , Flick Denis
Published: December 2013

We propose a mechanistic modelling approach for studying the indoor dispersion of aroma compounds which are released from, for instance, food products. The approach combines the indoor velocity field with a release model for aroma compounds. The release mass flux is expressed as a function of key variables such as mass transfer and gas–liquid partition coefficients, and the source geometry. The transport properties of ambient air are assumed to be independent of the aroma concentration; hence release and dispersion problems can be solved separately. First, the velocity field is obtained as solution of the fluid flow problem through computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The turbulent velocity field is then used to predict the time evolution of concentration of an aroma compound released by a constant rate source, in an initially aroma‐free environment. These results are interpreted in terms of a step response function. The aroma concentration as a function of time is finally estimated by convolving the possibly time‐varying release mass flux and the response function associated with the position of interest. The modelling approach is flexible and computationally effective, since different release models as well as the release of distinct aroma compounds can be directly studied by taking into account a same velocity field, without any additional CFD simulation. The validity of the approach is assessed from measurements of aroma concentration in a 140 m3 room, under constant release mass flux. The approach is also illustrated for a case where the release mass flux is not constant in time. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Passive sampling methods for contaminated sediments: Risk assessment and management
Authors: Greenberg Marc S , Chapman Peter M , Allan Ian J , Anderson Kim A , Apitz Sabine E , Beegan Chris , Bridges Todd S , Brown Steve S , Cargill John G , McCulloch Megan C , Menzie Charles A , Shine James P , Parkerton Thomas F
Published: December 2013

This paper details how activity-based passive sampling methods (PSMs), which provide information on bioavailability in terms of freely dissolved contaminant concentrations (Cfree), can be used to better inform risk management decision making at multiple points in the process of assessing and managing contaminated sediment sites. PSMs can increase certainty in site investigation and management, because Cfree is a better predictor of bioavailability than total bulk sediment concentration (Ctotal) for 4 key endpoints included in conceptual site models (benthic organism toxicity, bioaccumulation, sediment flux, and water column exposures). The use of passive sampling devices (PSDs) presents challenges with respect to representative sampling for estimating average concentrations and other metrics relevant for exposure and risk assessment. These challenges can be addressed by designing studies that account for sources of variation associated with PSMs and considering appropriate spatial scales to meet study objectives. Possible applications of PSMs include: quantifying spatial and temporal trends in bioavailable contaminants, identifying and evaluating contaminant source contributions, calibrating site-specific models, and, improving weight-of-evidence based decision frameworks. PSM data can be used to assist in delineating sediment management zones based on likelihood of exposure effects, monitor remedy effectiveness, and, evaluate risk reduction after sediment treatment, disposal, or beneficial reuse after management actions. Examples are provided illustrating why PSMs and freely dissolved contaminant concentrations (Cfree) should be incorporated into contaminated sediment investigations and study designs to better focus on and understand contaminant bioavailability, more accurately estimate exposure to sediment-associated contaminants, and better inform risk management decisions. Research and communication needs for encouraging broader use are discussed. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2014;10:224–236. © 2014 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of SETAC.

Key Points

The freely dissolved concentration (Cfree) of a hydrophobic organic contaminant in sediment is a better predictor of bioavailability than the total concentration in bulk sediment. Passive sampling methods (PSMs) that target Cfree reduce uncertainty in site investigations by characterizing spatial and temporal contaminant trends, source contributions, calibrating models, and improving weight-of-evidence based decision frameworks. PSMs can help delineate sediment management zones, assess remedy effectiveness, and evaluate risk reduction following management action. Cfree can be used to better inform risk management decision making.
Statins inhibit tumor progression via an enhancer of zeste homolog 2‐mediated epigenetic alteration in colorectal cancer
Authors: Ishikawa S. , Hayashi H. , Kinoshita K. , Abe M. , Kuroki H. , Tokunaga R. , Tomiyasu S. , Tanaka H. , Sugita H. , Arita T. , Yagi Y. , Watanabe M. , Hirota M. , Baba H.
Published: December 2013

While statin intake has been proven to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC), the mechanism of antitumor effects and clinical significance in survival benefits remain unclear. Statin‐induced antiproliferative effects and its underlying mechanism were examined using six CRC cell lines. Statins except pravastatin showed antiproliferative effects (simvastatin ≥ fluvastatin > atorvastatin) even though both of simvastatin and pravastatin could activate mevalonate pathways, suggesting the statin‐mediated antiproliferative effects depended on non‐mevalonate pathway. Indeed, statin induced p27KIP1 expression by downregulation of histone methyltransferase enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2), which acts as an epigenetic gene silencer. Additionally, the use of simvastatin plus classII histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor (MC1568) induced further overexpression of p27KIP1 by inhibiting HDAC5 induction originated from downregulated EZH2 in CRC cells and synergistically led to considerable antiproliferative effects. In the clinical setting, Statin intake (except pravastatin) displayed the downregulated EZH2 expression and inversely upregulated p27KIP1 expression in the resected CRC by immunohistochemical staining and resulted in the significantly better prognoses both in overall survival (p = 0.02) and disease free survival (p < 0.01) compared to patients without statin intake. Statins may inhibit tumor progression via an EZH2‐mediated epigenetic alteration, which results in survival benefits after resected CRC. Furthermore, statin plus classII HDAC inhibitor could be a novel anticancer therapy by their synergistic effects in CRC.
Fragment N2, a caspase‐3‐generated RasGAP fragment, inhibits breast cancer metastatic progression
Authors: Barras David , Lorusso Girieca , Lhermitte Benoît , Viertl David , Rüegg Curzio , Widmann Christian
Published: December 2013

The p120 RasGAP protein negatively regulates Ras via its GAP domain. RasGAP carries several other domains that modulate several signaling molecules such as Rho. RasGAP is also a caspase‐3 substrate. One of the caspase‐3‐generated RasGAP fragments, corresponding to amino acids 158–455 and called fragment N2, was previously reported to specifically sensitize cancer cells to death induced by various anticancer agents. Here, we show that fragment N2 inhibits migration in vitro and that it impairs metastatic progression of breast cancer to the lung. Hence, stress‐activated caspase‐3 might contribute to the suppression of metastasis through the generation of fragment N2. These results indicate that the activity borne by fragment N2 has a potential therapeutic relevance to counteract the metastatic process.
Incidence of low back pain related occupational diseases in the Netherlands
Authors: Miedema H.S. , van der Molen H.F. , Kuijer P.P.F.M. , Koes B.W. , Burdorf A.
Published: December 2013

Background

Until recently, no evidence‐based criteria were available to determine the work‐relatedness of low back pain (LBP) in an individual worker. Incidence figures for LBP that can be qualified as occupational disease (OD) are scarce. We studied the trend in the number of OD notifications due to LBP in the Netherlands and estimated incidence rates of LBP‐related OD notifications.

Methods

We developed an instrument for the assessment of work‐relatedness of non‐specific LBP (NLBP) in 2004, accompanied by an OD registration guideline. We analysed the trend in LBP‐related OD notifications in the register of the Netherlands Centre for Occupational Diseases (NCOD) from 2004 to 2011. We estimated incidence rates for LBP‐related OD notifications with data from a prospective cohort study, performed by NCOD in 2009–2011.

Results

After implementation of the instrument and guideline, we noticed a huge increase in numbers of LBP‐related OD‐notifications, from 0.7% of all notified ODs in 2004, via 8.6% in 2005 and 13.6% in 2008, to 9.1% in 2011. We estimated the incidence rate of ODs due to LBP at 24.1 per 100,000 worker years (19.2 for NLBP), with a large difference between men and women (31.3 and 3.2, respectively).

Conclusions

The instrument for the assessment of work‐relatedness of NLBP played an important role in the recognition of LBP‐related ODs. It provides a basis for a more uniform and objective evaluation of the role of work‐related risk factors in the occurrence of NLBP. This knowledge can be used to initiate or direct preventive actions towards subgroups with higher incidence rates.
Age does not modify the effects of treatment on pain in patients with low back pain: Secondary analyses of randomized clinical trials
Authors: Ferreira M.L. , Ferreira P.H. , Henschke N. , Kamper S.J. , Koes B. , Hayden J.A. , Maher C.G.
Published: December 2013

Background

While many treatment options have been advocated to speed recovery in adults with back pain, it is still unclear whether older patients with back pain respond differently to treatment when compared to younger patients.

Aims

This study aims to evaluate if age modifies response to treatment in patients with back pain, by conducting secondary analyses of seven randomized clinical trials of common interventions for back pain.

Methods

Data from 1233 participants were sourced from two randomized clinical trials on patients with acute back pain and five on patients with persistent back pain. Trials were conducted between 2001 and 2010 and assessed conservative treatments for back pain, including exercise, spinal manipulative therapy and anti‐inflammatory drugs. Individual participant data analyses were performed using a ‘one‐stage’ approach including all available data in a single two‐level model, with participants being one level and trials being the second level. Only pain outcomes assessed immediately after treatment were included in the analyses.

Results

Mean combined age of included participants was 49 years (SD: 15.4). Multivariate fractional polynomial analyses revealed no significant interaction (p > 0.05) between age and treatment effect sizes in patients with low back pain for any of the treatment comparisons.

Conclusion

These results offer preliminary evidence suggesting that the generally small effects of conservative treatments for low back pain are in fact observed across all age groups.
FURTHER EVIDENCE ON THE SPATIO‐TEMPORAL MODEL OF HOUSE PRICES IN THE UNITED STATES
Authors: Baltagi Badi H. , Li Jing
Published: December 2013

Holly, Pesaran, and Yamagata (Journal of Econometrics 2010; 158: 160–173) use a panel of 49 states over the period 1975–2003 to show that state‐level real housing prices are driven by economic fundamentals, such as real per capita disposable income, as well as by common shocks, such as changes in interest rates, oil prices and technological change. They apply the common correlated effects estimator of Pesaran (Econometrica 2006; 74(4): 967–101), which takes into account spatial interactions that reflect both geographical proximity and unobserved common factors. This paper replicates their results using a panel of 381 metropolitan statistical areas observed over the period 1975–2011. Our replication shows that their results are fairly robust to the more geographically refined cross‐section units, and to the updated period of study. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Recent Progress on Routes to Spirooxindole Systems Derived from Isatin
Authors: Xia Min , Ma Ru‐Zheng
Published: December 2013

Because of their definite or potential biological and pharmaceutical activities, spirooxindole heterocycles have been widely studied, and there has occurred a research boom on routes to these significant compounds in recent years. This review surveys the last 5‐year progress on the construction of spirooxindole systems derived from isatin with typical examples.
Further Studies with Ethyl 5‐Amino‐3‐phenyl‐lH‐pyrazole‐4‐carboxylate1
Authors: Ghozlan Said A. S. , Abdelrazek Fathy M. , Mohammed Mona H. , Azmy Khaled E.
Published: December 2013

The newly synthesized ethyl 3‐amino‐5‐phenylpyrazole‐4‐carboxylate 1 was diazotized and coupled with β‐naphthol, active methylene reagents 6, 9, 12, 15, and the active methine 19 to afford the pyrazolo[5,1‐c]triazines 5, 8, 11, 14, 17, 18, and the pyrazolo[5,1‐c]‐1,2,4‐triazoles 21, 22, and 23, respectively. Structures are elucidated and mechanisms are discussed.
Synthesis of Amide and Ester Derivatives of Naphthopyrone Carboxylic Acid
Authors: Soni J. N. , Soman S. S.
Published: December 2013

The synthesis of various amide and ester derivatives of naphthopyrone‐2‐carboxylic acid has been carried out by reaction of 1‐naphthol with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate, which gave a mixture of E and Z isomers of naphthoxy diester. The diester on hydrolysis with KOH gave corresponding diacid, which was a mixture of E and Z isomers. The E and Z isomers were difficult to separate, which were subjected to cyclization in sulfuric acid to get cyclized naphthopyrone carboxylic acid. This acid is converted into titled compounds.
Direct computation of current density to solve 3D electric conduction problems using facet elements with FEM
Authors: Ferrouillat Pauline , Guérin Christophe , Meunier Gérard , Ramdane Brahim , Carpentier Anthony
Published: December 2013

In this paper, an original alternative method to compute the current density J in two steps with the FEM is proposed, called the J0 − T formulation. The goal of this formulation is to respect the conservation of the normal component of the current density. The first step computes an initial source current density J0, and the second step computes an electric vector potential T. Finally, the current density J is computed using J = J0 + curl T. The first step ensures the conservation of the normal component of J0 between the facets of the mesh. To reach this condition, J0 is computed with facet finite elements. However, J0 is not unique, which is why a second step is added. In addition to the conditions of the first step, the second step corrects the tangential component of J. To reach these conditions, T is computed with edge finite elements. The J0 − T formulation is then validated on a right angle conductor with section and direction changes and on a 21‐turn copper coil. A conservation of the current is obtained with this formulation that is better than the classical electric scalar potential formulation. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Finite‐element discretisation of the eddy‐current term in a 2D solver for radially symmetric models
Authors: Vanoost Dries , De Gersem Herbert , Peuteman Joan , Gielen Georges , Pissoort Davy
Published: December 2013

This paper discusses the discretisation of the eddy‐current term of the magnetoquasistatic subset of the Maxwell equations in a 2D setting with radial symmetry. It is shown that dedicated finite element shape functions are needed to make sure that particular distributions of the magnetic flux density and the electric field strength can be resolved exactly. Moreover, the shape functions should obey a partition‐of‐unity property and should achieve a prescribed convergence order. The 2D solver with radial symmetry is applied to calculate the performance of a multi‐coil induction cooking system. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Impact of hyperthermia on pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal mitomycin C in rats investigated by microdialysis
Authors: Sørensen Olaf , Andersen Anders Mikal , Kristian Alexandr , Giercksky Karl‐Erik , Flatmark Kjersti
Published: December 2013

Background and Objectives

Patients with peritoneal surface malignancies are treated with cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy, commonly using mitomycin C (MMC). The purpose of this study was to investigate impact of hyperthermia on pharmacokinetics of intraperitoneal MMC.

Methods

In 14 athymic nude male rats, microdialysis (MD) probes were implanted in jugular vein (V), hind leg muscle (M) and extraperitoneal space (XP). Probes were calibrated by retrodialysis. Intraperitonal chemotherapy perfusion (IPEC) was administered over 90 min with MMC 5 mg/kg and saline 0.9% 500 ml/kg at 35 and 41°C, defining the normothermic (NG) and hyperthermic groups (HG), respectively. MD and peritoneal perfusion fluid (PPF) samples were collected at 10 min intervals to determine MMC concentration.

Results

Time–concentration curves were virtually parallel between temperature groups, with equal peak concentrations (µM) of 0.3 (V), 0.7 (XP) and 0.3 (M). The following area under time–concentration curve (AUC) ratios were calculated: AUC PPF/AUC V were 69 in NG and 79 in HG (P = 0.54); AUC XP/AUC V were 2.7 in NG and 2.6 in HG (P = 0.90).

Conclusions

IPEC provides high intraperitoneal MMC concentration and increased bioavailability in extraperitoneal tissue, combined with low systemic absorption. Hyperthermia at 41°C did not modify MMC pharmacokinetics. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:521–526. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Serum prognostic biomarkers in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Lin Ho‐Sheng , Siddiq Fauzia , Talwar Harvinder S. , Chen Wei , Voichita Calin , Draghici Sorin , Jeyapalan Gerald , Chatterjee Madhumita , Fribley Andrew , Yoo George H. , Sethi Seema , Kim Harold , Sukari Ammar , Folbe Adam J. , Tainsky Michael A.
Published: December 2013

Objectives/Hypothesis

A reliable estimate of survival is important as it may impact treatment choice. The objective of this study is to identify serum autoantibody biomarkers that can be used to improve prognostication for patients affected with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Study Design

Prospective cohort study.

Methods

A panel of 130 serum biomarkers, previously selected for cancer detection using microarray‐based serological profiling and specialized bioinformatics, were evaluated for their potential as prognostic biomarkers in a cohort of 119 HNSCC patients followed for up to 12.7 years. A biomarker was considered positive if its reactivity to the particular patient's serum was greater than one standard deviation above the mean reactivity to sera from the other 118 patients, using a leave‐one‐out cross‐validation model. Survival curves were estimated according to the Kaplan‐Meier method, and statistically significant differences in survival were examined using the log rank test. Independent prognostic biomarkers were identified following analysis using multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.

Results

Poor overall survival was associated with African Americans (hazard ratio [HR] for death = 2.61; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58‐4.33; P = .000), advanced stage (HR = 2.79; 95% CI: 1.40‐5.57; P = .004), and recurrent disease (HR = 6.66; 95% CI: 2.54‐17.44; P = .000). On multivariable Cox analysis adjusted for covariates (race and stage), six of the 130 markers evaluated were found to be independent prognosticators of overall survival.

Conclusions

The results shown here are promising and demonstrate the potential use of serum biomarkers for prognostication in HNSCC patients. Further clinical trials to include larger samples of patients across multiple centers may be warranted.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 124:1819–1826, 2014
Polymer Melting Kinetics Appears to be Driven by Heterogeneous Nucleation
Authors: Vyazovkin Sergey , Yancey Benjamin , Walker Kahleah
Published: December 2013

A recently proposed method is used to parameterize the nucleation‐driven kinetics of poly(ε‐caprolactone) melting. The method is based on fitting a theoretically derived temperature dependence of the effective activation energy to the experimental dependence obtained from the Kissinger plot. Although the theoretical dependence fits the experimental one accurately, the fit gives rise to a surface free energy that is significantly smaller than the one obtained from crystallization data. A similar result is reported in other publications that make use of a homogeneous nucleation model for poly­mer melting. It is argued that a heterogeneous nucleation model is a more appropriate representation of the melting process and that its use resolves the problem of estimating the unusually small surface free energies.

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Directing Self‐Assembly of Nanoscopic Cylindrical Diblock Brush Terpolymers into Films with Desired Spatial Orientations: Expansion of Chemical Composition Scope
Authors: Cho Sangho , Yang Fan , Sun Guorong , Eller Michael J. , Clark Corrie , Schweikert Emile A. , Thackeray James W. , Trefonas Peter , Wooley Karen L.
Published: December 2013

Diblock brush terpolymers (DBTs) with different fluorinated methacrylate‐based block segments are synthesized through sequential ring‐opening metathesis polymerizations and are used to prepare polymer thin films with predictable film thicknesses. These DBTs exhibit preferable substrate vertical alignments within the films, induced by the relatively lower surface energy of the fluorinated structural components, together with the overall cylindrical morphology of the brush architecture.

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A network approach to diagnostic biomarkers in progressive supranuclear palsy
Authors: Santiago Jose A. , Potashkin Judith A.
Published: December 2013

Diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) remains challenging because of the clinical overlap with Parkinson's disease (PD). To date, disease‐specific biomarkers have yet to be identified. In the absence of reliable biomarkers, we used an integrated network approach to identify genes and related biological pathways associated with PSP. We tested a highly ranked gene in cellular whole‐blood samples from 122 patients enrolled in the Prognostic Biomarker Study. Biological and functional analysis identified 13 modules related to activation of leukocytes and lymphocytes, protein dephosphorylation, and phosphatase activity. Integration of these results with those from microarrays identified ptpn1 as a potential biomarker for PSP. Assessment of biomarker performance revealed that ptpn1 could be used to distinguish PSP patients from PD patients with 86% diagnostic accuracy. Ptpn1 may be a diagnostic marker useful for distinguishing PSP and PD. Further evaluation in a larger well‐characterized prospective study is warranted. © 2013 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Different types of solutions to a multivalued model of granular flow
Authors: Skonieczna Joanna
Published: December 2013

We deal with a modification of the Savage–Hutter model describing granular material with multivalued friction force. The multivalued structure of this model requires a modification of known definitions of a solution. The connections between definitions of three different types of solutions: entropy, measure‐valued and kinetic are shown. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
9Be and 31P NMR analyses on the influence of imino groups on Be2+ complex stabilities of a series of cyclo‐μ‐imido triphosphate anions
Authors: Maki Hideshi , Tsujito Masahiko , Nariai Hiroyuki , Mizuhata Minoru
Published: December 2013

The complexation behaviors of Be2+ with cyclo‐μ‐imido triphosphate anions, cP3O9−n(NH)n3− (n = 1, 2), have been investigated by both 9Be and 31P NMR techniques at −2.3 °C in order to clarify the coordination structures of the complexes. The spectra showed that cP3O9−n(NH)n (n = 1, 2) ligands form ML, ML2, and M2L complexes with Be2+ ions, and the formation of complexes coordinating with nitrogen atoms of the cyclic framework in the ligand molecule has been excluded. These complexation trends are very similar to those of Be2+‐cP3O6(NH)33− system, which has been reported by us. The peak deconvolution of 9Be NMR spectra made these beryllium complexes amenable to stability constant determinations. The stability constants of the complexes increase with an increase in the protonation constants of the ligands as the number of imino groups, which constitute the ligand molecules, is ascended. This increase is primarily attributable to the lower electronegativity of nitrogen atoms than oxygen atoms, which are directly bonded to central phosphorus atoms; moreover, tautomerism equilibrium in the entire of the imidopolyphosphate molecule is also responsible to the higher basicity. 31P NMR spectra measured concurrently have verified the formation of the complexes estimated by the 9Be NMR measurement. Intrinsic 31P NMR chemical shift values of the phosphorus atoms belonging to ligand molecules complexed with Be2+ cations have been determined. Not only the protonation constants but also the stability constants of all Be2+ complexes increase approximately linearly with an increase in the number of imino groups. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Correction of proton resonance frequency shift MR‐thermometry errors caused by heat‐induced magnetic susceptibility changes during high intensity focused ultrasound ablations in tissues containing fat
Authors: Baron Paul , Deckers Roel , de Greef Martijn , Merckel Laura G. , Bakker Chris J.G. , Bouwman Job G. , Bleys Ronald L.A.W. , van den Bosch Maurice A.A.J. , Bartels Lambertus W.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

In this study, we aim to demonstrate the sensitivity of proton resonance frequency shift (PRFS) ‐based thermometry to heat‐induced magnetic susceptibility changes and to present and evaluate a model‐based correction procedure.

Theory and Methods

To demonstrate the expected temperature effect, field disturbances during high intensity focused ultrasound sonications were monitored in breast fat samples with a three‐dimensional (3D) gradient echo sequence. To evaluate the correction procedure, the interface of tissue‐mimicking ethylene glycol gel and fat was sonicated. During sonication, the temperature was monitored with a 2D dual flip angle multi‐echo gradient echo sequence, allowing for PRFS‐based relative and referenced temperature measurements in the gel and T1‐based temperature measurements in fat. The PRFS‐based measurement in the gel was corrected by minimizing the discrepancy between the observed 2D temperature profile and the profile predicted by a 3D thermal model.

Results

The HIFU sonications of breast fat resulted in a magnetic field disturbance which completely disappeared after cooling. For the correction method, the 5th to 95th percentile interval of the PRFS‐thermometry error in the gel decreased from 3.8°C before correction to 2.0–2.3°C after correction.

Conclusion

This study has shown the effects of magnetic susceptibility changes induced by heating of breast fatty tissue samples. The resultant errors can be reduced by the use of a model‐based correction procedure. Magn Reson Med 72:1580–1589, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
3D multislab, multishot acquisition for fast, whole‐brain MR elastography with high signal‐to‐noise efficiency
Authors: Johnson Curtis L. , Holtrop Joseph L. , McGarry Matthew D.J. , Weaver John B. , Paulsen Keith D. , Georgiadis John G. , Sutton Bradley P.
Published: December 2013

Purpose

To develop an acquisition scheme for generating MR elastography (MRE) displacement data with whole‐brain coverage, high spatial resolution, and adequate signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in a short scan time.

Theory and Methods

A 3D multislab, multishot acquisition for whole‐brain MRE with 2.0 mm isotropic spatial resolution is proposed. The multislab approach allowed for the use of short repetition time to achieve very high SNR efficiency. High SNR efficiency allowed for a reduced acquisition time of only 6 min while the minimum SNR needed for inversion was maintained.

Results

The mechanical property maps estimated from whole‐brain displacement data with nonlinear inversion (NLI) demonstrated excellent agreement with neuroanatomical features, including the cerebellum and brainstem. A comparison with an equivalent 2D acquisition illustrated the improvement in SNR efficiency of the 3D multislab acquisition. The flexibility afforded by the high SNR efficiency allowed for higher resolution with a 1.6 mm isotropic voxel size, which generated higher estimates of brainstem stiffness compared with the 2.0 mm isotropic acquisition.

Conclusion

The acquisition presented allows for the capture of whole‐brain MRE displacement data in a short scan time, and may be used to generate local mechanical property estimates of neuroanatomical features throughout the brain. Magn Reson Med 71:477–485, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.