bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Enhanced engraftment and repairing ability of human adipose‐derived stem cells, conveyed by pharmacologically active microcarriers continuously releasing HGF and IGF‐1, in healing myocardial infarction in rats
Authors: Savi Monia , Bocchi Leonardo , Fiumana Emanuela , Karam Jean‐Pierre , Frati Caterina , Bonafé Francesca , Cavalli Stefano , Morselli Paolo G. , Guarnieri Carlo , Caldarera Claudio M. , Muscari Claudio , Montero‐Menei Claudia N. , Stilli Donatella , Quaini Federico , Musso Ezio
Published: February 2015

One of the main cause of ineffective cell therapy in repairing the damaged heart is the poor yield of grafted cells. To overcome this drawback, rats with 4‐week‐old myocardial infarction (MI) were injected in the border zone with human adipose‐derived stem cells (ADSCs) conveyed by poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) microcarriers (PAMs) releasing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) (GFsPAMs). According to treatments, animals were subdivided into different groups: MI_ADSC, MI_ADSC/PAM, MI_GFsPAM, MI_ADSC/GFsPAM, and untreated MI_V. Two weeks after injection, a 31% increase in ADSC engraftment was observed in MI_ADSC/PAM compared with MI_ADSC (p < 0.05). A further ADSC retention was obtained in MI_ADSC/GFsPAM with respect to MI_ADSC (106%, p < 0.05) and MI_ADSC/PAM (57%, p < 0.05). A 130% higher density of blood vessels of medium size was present in MI_ADSC/GFsPAM compared with MI_ADSC (p < 0.01). MI_ADSC/GFsPAM also improved, albeit slightly, left ventricular remodeling and hemodynamics with respect to the other groups. Notably, ADSCs and/or PAMs, with or without HGF/IGF‐1, trended to induce arrhythmias in electrically driven, Langendorff‐perfused, hearts of all groups. Thus, PAMs releasing HGF/IGF‐1 markedly increase ADSC engraftment 2 weeks after injection and stimulate healing in chronically infarcted myocardium, but attention should be paid to potentially negative electrophysiological consequences. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3012–3025, 2015.
Influence ofMC3T3‐E1 preosteoblast culture on the corrosion of aT6‐treatedAZ91 alloy
Authors: Brooks Emily K. , Tobias Menachem E. , Yang Shuying , Bone Lawrence B. , Ehrensberger Mark T.
Published: February 2015

This study investigated the corrosion of artificially aged T6 heat‐treated Mg‐9%Al‐1%Zn (AZ91) for biomedical applications. Corrosion tests and surface analysis were completed both with and without a monolayer of mouse preosteoblast MC3T3‐E1 cells cultured on the sample. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICPMS) were used to explore the corrosion processes after either 3 or 21 days of AZ91 incubation in cell culture medium (CCM). The EIS showed both the inner layer resistance (Rin) and outer layer resistance (Rout) were lower for samples without cells cultured on the surface at 3 days (Rin = 2.64 e4 Ω/cm2,Rout = 140 Ω/cm2) compared to 21 days (Rin = 3.60 e4 Ω/cm2,Rout = 287 Ω/cm2) due to precipitation of magnesium and calcium phosphates over time. Samples with preosteoblasts cultured on the surface had a slower initial corrosion (3 day,Rin = 1.88 e5 Ω/cm2,Rout = 1060 Ω/cm2) which was observed to increase over time (21 day,Rin = 2.99 e4 Ω/cm2,Rout = 287 Ω/cm2). Changes in the corrosion processes were thought to be related to changes in the coverage provided by the cell layer. Our results reveal that the presence of cells and biological processes are able to significantly influence the corrosion rate of AZ91. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 253–262, 2016.
Sphingomyelin Regulates the Activity of Secretory Phospholipase A2 in the Plasma Membrane
Authors: Nakamura Hiroyuki , Wakita Shigeo , Yasufuku Kana , Makiyama Tomohiko , Waraya Misa , Hashimoto Naohiro , Murayama Toshihiko
Published: February 2015

We examined the effect of the cellular sphingolipid level on the release of arachidonic acid (AA) and the activity of secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) using two Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)‐K1 cell mutants, LY‐B and LY‐A cells, deficient in sphingolipid synthesis. In LY‐B cells, deficiency of sphingolipids enhanced the release of AA induced by bee venom sPLA2‐III or human sPLA2‐V. These alterations were reversed by replenishment of exogenous sphingomyelin (SM). In LY‐A cells, deficiency of SM increased the release of AA induced by sPLA2. In CHO‐K1 cells, decrease and increase of SM level in the plasma membrane by pharmacological methods increased and inhibited the release of AA, respectively. SM inhibited the activity of sPLA2 in vitro. Niemann‐Pick disease type C (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutation of either the NPC1 or NPC2 gene, and is characterized by accumulation of cholesterol and sphingolipids including SM in late endosomes/lysosomes. Increased levels of AA and sPLA2 activity are involved in various neurodegenerative diseases. In CHO cells lacking NPC1 (A101 cells), SM level was lower in the plasma membrane, while it was higher in late endosomes/lysosomes. The release of AA induced by sPLA2 was increased in A101 cells than that in parental cells (JP17 cells), which was attenuated by adding exogenous SM. In addition, sPLA2‐III‐induced cytotoxicity in A101 cells was much higher than that in JP17 cells. These results suggest that SM in the plasma membrane plays important roles in regulating sPLA2 activity and the enzyme‐induced cytotoxicity in A101 cells. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1898–1907, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Convergent Regulation of Candida albicans Aft2 and Czf1 in Invasive and Opaque Filamentation
Authors: Xu Ning , Dong Yi‐Jie , Yu Qi‐Lin , Zhang Bing , Zhang Meng , Jia Chang , Chen Yu‐Lu , Zhang Biao , Xing Lai‐Jun , Li Ming‐Chun
Published: February 2015

Candida albicans is the most common fungal pathogen of mucosal infections and invasive diseases in immuno‐compromised humans. The abilities of yeast–hyphal growth and white–opaque switching affect C. albicans physiology and virulence. Here, we showed that C. albicans Aft2 regulator was required for embedded filamentous growth and opaque cell‐type formation. Under low‐temperature matrix embedded conditions, Aft2 functioned downstream of Czf1‐mediated pathway and was required for invasive filamentation. Moreover, deletion of AFT2 significantly reduced opaque cell‐type formation under N‐acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) inducing conditions. Ectopic expression of CZF1 slightly increased the white‐opaque switching frequency in the aft2Δ/Δ mutant, but did not completely restore to wild‐type levels, suggesting that Czf1 at least partially bypassed the essential requirement for Aft2 in response to opaque‐inducing cues. In addition, multiple environmental cues altered AFT2 mRNA and protein levels, such as low temperature, physical environment and GlcNAc. Although the absence of Czf1 or Efg1 also increased the expression level of AFT2 gene, deletion of CZF1 remarkably reduced the stability of Aft2 protein. Furthermore, C. albicans Aft2 physically interacted with Czf1 under all tested conditions, whereas the interaction between Aft2 and Efg1 was barely detectable under embedded conditions, supporting the hypothesis that Aft2, together with Czf1, contributed to activate filamentous growth by antagonizing Efg1‐mediated repression under matrix‐embedded conditions. J. Cell. Biochem. 116: 1908–1918, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Prediction of drug clearance in children
Authors: Foissac Frantz , Bouazza Naïm , Valade Elodie , De Sousa Mendes Mailys , Fauchet Floris , Benaboud Sihem , Hirt Déborah , Tréluyer Jean‐Marc , Urien Saïk
Published: February 2015

The pediatric population is often exposed to drugs without sufficient knowledge about pharmacokinetics. The prediction of accurate clearance values in children, especially in neonates and infants, will improve the rational in dosing decisions. Drug clearances from birth to adulthood were compiled after a systematic review of pharmacokinetic reports. The analysis was performed using NONMEM. Clearance predictions were then evaluated by external validation. Prediction errors were also compared with those obtained from weight‐based allometric scaling and physiologically based clearance (PBCL) models. For the analysis, 17 and 15 drugs were used for model building and external validation, respectively. A model based on the adult drug clearance value and taking into account both weight and age was retained. Age‐related maturation of clearance reached 90% of the adult value within 1.5 years of life. For children less than 2 years old, allometric scaling alone systematically overestimated clearances. Accounting for age improved the clearance prediction in the 6 months–2 years age group (prediction error < 25%). Predictions obtained from the PBCL approach were close to our results. This analysis established a single equation using the adult clearance value as well as individual age and weight to predict drug clearance in children older than 6 months.
Comparison of stretched‐Exponential and monoexponential model diffusion‐Weighted imaging in prostate cancer and normal tissues
Authors: Liu Xiaohang , Zhou Liangping , Peng Weijun , Wang He , Zhang Yong
Published: February 2015

Background

To compare stretched‐exponential and monoexponential model diffusion‐weighted imaging (DWI) in prostate cancer and normal tissues.

Methods

Twenty‐seven patients with prostate cancer underwent DWI exam using b‐values of 0, 500, 1000, and 2000 s/mm2. The distributed diffusion coefficients (DDC) and α values of prostate cancer and normal tissues were obtained with stretched‐exponential model and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values using monoexponential model. The ADC, DDC (both in 10−3 mm2/s), and α values (range, 0–1) were compared among different prostate tissues. The ADC and DDC were also compared and correlated in each tissue, and the standardized differences between DDC and ADC were compared among different tissues.

Results

Data were obtained for 31 cancers, 36 normal peripheral zone (PZ) and 26 normal central gland (CG) tissues. The ADC (0.71 ± 0.12), DDC (0.60 ± 0.18), and α value (0.64 ± 0.05) of tumor were all significantly lower than those of the normal PZ (1.41 ± 0.22, 1.47 ± 0.20, and 0.85 ± 0.09) and CG (1.25 ± 0.14, 1.32 ± 0.13, and 0.82 ± 0.06) (all P < 0.05). ADC was significantly higher than DDC in cancer, but lower than DDC in the PZ and CG (all P < 0.05). The ADC and DDC were strongly correlated (R2 = 0.99, 0.98, 0.99, respectively, all P < 0.05) in all the tissue, and standardized difference between ADC and DDC of cancer was slight but significantly higher than that in normal tissue.

Conclusion

The stretched‐exponential model DWI provides more parameters for distinguishing prostate cancer and normal tissue and reveals slight differences between DDC and ADC values. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2015;42:1078–1085.
Tendon extracellular matrix damage, degradation and inflammation in response to in vitro overload exercise
Authors: Spiesz Ewa M. , Thorpe Chavaunne T. , Chaudhry Saira , Riley Graham P. , Birch Helen L. , Clegg Peter D. , Screen Hazel R.C.
Published: February 2015

The role of inflammation in tendon injury is uncertain and a topic of current interest. In vitro studies of tendon accelerated overload damage can serve as a valuable source of information on the early stages of tendinopathy. Viable fascicle bundles from bovine flexor tendons were subjected to cyclic uniaxial loading from 1–10% strain. Immuno‐staining for inflammatory markers and matrix degradation markers was performed on the samples after mechanical testing. Loaded samples exhibited visible extracellular matrix damage, with disrupted collagen fibers and fiber kinks, and notable damage to the interfascicular matrix. Inflammatory markers COX‐2 and IL‐6 were only expressed in the cyclically loaded samples. Collagen degradation markers MMP‐1 and C1,2C were colocalized in many areas, with staining occurring in the interfascicular matrix or the fascicular tenocytes. These markers were present in control samples, but staining became increasingly intense with loading. Little MMP‐3 or MMP‐13 was evident in control sections. In loaded samples, some sections showed intense staining of these markers, again localized to interfascicular regions. This study suggests that inflammatory markers may be expressed rapidly after tendon overload exercise. Interestingly, both inflammation and damage‐induced matrix remodeling seem to be concentrated in, or in the vicinity of, the highly cellular interfascicular matrix. © 2015 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:889–897, 2015.
Delivering rhFGF‐18 via a bilayer collagen membrane to enhance microfracture treatment of chondral defects in a large animal model
Authors: Howard Daniel , Wardale John , Guehring Hans , Henson Frances
Published: February 2015

Augmented microfracture techniques use growth factors, cells, and/or scaffolds to enhance the healing of microfracture‐treated cartilage defects. This study investigates the effect of delivering recombinant human fibroblastic growth factor 18 (rhFHF18, Sprifermin) via a collagen membrane on the healing of a chondral defect treated with microfracture in an ovine model. Eight millimeter diameter chondral defects were created in the medial femoral condyle of 40 sheep (n = 5/treatment group). Defects were treated with microfracture alone, microfracture + intra‐articular rhFGF‐18 or microfracture + rhFGF‐18 delivered on a membrane. Outcome measures included mechanical testing, weight bearing, International Cartilage Repair Society repair score, modified O'Driscoll score, qualitative histology, and immunohistochemistry for types I and II collagen. In animals treated with 32 μg rhFGF‐18 + membrane and intra‐articularly, there was a statistically significant improvement in weight bearing at 2 and 4 weeks post surgery and in the modified O'Driscoll score compared to controls. In addition, repair tissue stained was more strongly stained for type II collagen than for type I collagen. rhFGF‐18 delivered via a collagen membrane at the point of surgery potentiates the healing of a microfracture treated cartilage defect. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1120–1127, 2015.
Decadal Trends of Soil Loss and Runoff in the Koga Catchment, Northwestern Ethiopia
Authors: Yeshaneh Eleni , Salinas Jose Luis , Blöschl Günter
Published: February 2015

This study used the physically based distributed Annualized Agricultural Non‐Point Source model to simulate decadal trends in soil loss and runoff with changes in land use/cover in the 98·4 km2 upper part of the Koga catchment. The study indicated that soil loss in the study area has increased from 17 Mg ha−1 y−1 in 1957 to 25 Mg ha−1 y−1 in 2010 because of a decrease in the amount of woody vegetation cover. We found that over the past 50 years, high risk erosion areas with soil loss greater than 35 Mg ha−1 y−1 covered, on average, 41% of the study area, while these same areas contributed, on average, 78% of the soil loss from the study area. Twenty one percent of the study area has been in the high risk erosion category throughout all the years since 1957. The total amount of soil loss from the study area varied with changes in the amount of woody vegetation cover. Other factors such as landforms and soil type also affected the amount of soil erosion. Whereas most of the high erosion areas were found in the upper part of the catchment, most of the high runoff areas were found in the lower part of the catchment, indicating that the amount of soil erosion is not directly related to runoff volume in the study area. Crop fields contributed to most of the soil loss in the study area. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Modeling of the ATRcoP Processes of Methyl Methacrylate and 2‐(Trimethylsilyl) Ethyl Methacrylate in Continuous Reactors: From CSTR to PFR
Authors: Wang Wei , Zhou Yin‐Ning , Luo Zheng‐Hong
Published: February 2015

From the chemical reactor engineering viewpoint, the material flow pattern in continuous reactor can influence the reaction characteristics and reactor performance. Based on the molar balance equations and the method of moments, a tubular reactor model was developed, which was validated using the experimental data from the open reports. Then the atom transfer radical copolymerization (ATRcoP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and 2‐(trimethylsilyl) ethyl methacrylate (HEMA‐TMS) under different axial dispersions in tubular reactor were simulated using the developed model. The main ATRcoP behaviors and polymer micro‐characteristics were obtained. Finally, the effects of flow patterns (including the CSTR and PFR modes) on the ATRcoP characteristics were investigated using the models. The simulation results show that the reaction characteristics of the same ATRcoP system produced in flow with different axial dispersion levels are obviously different. Moreover, the comparison of properties such as monomer conversion, dispersity, copolymer composition, and chain‐end functionality between two extreme flow patterns, i.e plug flow in tubular reactor and completely mixed flow in CSTR, were performed. The compositions along the copolymer chain for the two flow modes are very close. As for the other three properties, the tubular reactor has its own comparative advantages over the CSTR.
Model predictive filtering MR thermometry: Effects of model inaccuracies, k‐space reduction factor, and temperature increase rate
Authors: Odéen Henrik , Todd Nick , Dillon Christopher , Payne Allison , Parker Dennis L.
Published: February 2015

Purpose

Evaluate effects of model parameter inaccuracies (thermal conductivity, k, and ultrasound power deposition density, Q), k‐space reduction factor (R), and rate of temperature increase (
) in a thermal model‐based reconstruction for MR‐thermometry during focused‐ultrasound heating.

Methods

Simulations and ex vivo experiments were performed to investigate the accuracy of the thermal model and the model predictive filtering (MPF) algorithm for varying R and
, and their sensitivity to errors in k and Q. Ex vivo data was acquired with a segmented EPI pulse sequence to achieve large field‐of‐view (192 × 162 × 96 mm) four‐dimensional temperature maps with high spatiotemporal resolution (1.5 × 1.5 × 2.0 mm, 1.7 s).

Results

In the simulations, 50% errors in k and Q resulted in maximum temperature root mean square errors (RMSE) of 6°C for model only and 3°C for MPF. Using recently developed methods, estimates of k and Q were accurate to within 3%. The RMSE between MPF and true temperature increased with R and
. In the ex vivo study the RMSE remained below 0.7°C for R ranging from 4 to 12 and
of 0.28–0.75°C/s.

Conclusion

Errors in MPF temperatures occur due to errors in k and Q. These MPF temperature errors increase with increase in R and
, but are smaller than those obtained using the thermal model alone. Magn Reson Med 75:207–216, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The accuracy of prenatal ultrasound in determining the type of orofacial cleft
Authors: Loozen C. S. , Maarse W. , Manten G. T. R. , Pistorius L. , Breugem C. C.
Published: February 2015

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of prenatal transabdominal ultrasound in determining the oral cleft type.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed on all consecutive cases of orofacial cleft diagnosed by prenatal ultrasound examination in the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, a tertiary referral hospital, between January 2002 and December 2012. Prenatal findings were compared with postnatal diagnoses.

Results

A total of 134 patients were included. The mean gestational age at ultrasound examination was 24 weeks + 5 days. Prenatal diagnosis was in accordance with postnatal findings in 76.9% of the cases (103/134) with regard to the cleft type. Underestimation of the cleft occurred in 19.4% (26/134), whereas in 3.7% (5/134), the extent was overestimated. In distinguishing bilateral from unilateral clefts, no errors were made.

Conclusion

Prenatal ultrasound is accurate in assessing the types of orofacial clefts in a large majority of the cases and is completely accurate in distinguishing between unilateral and bilateral clefts. This study indicates that it is a reliable technique to assess the cleft type, which is important for counseling future parents. Although, the clinician should be aware of the fact that a cleft palate is easily missed, and subsequently, underestimation of cleft extend is frequent. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
CuOx/a‐Si:H heterojunction thin‐film solar cell with an n‐type µc‐Si:H depletion‐assisting layer
Authors: Lee Seong Hyun , Shin Myunhun , Yun Sun Jin , Lim Jung Wook
Published: February 2015

We showed that thin n‐type CuOx films can be deposited by radio‐frequency magnetron reactive sputtering and demonstrated the fabrication of n‐CuOx/intrinsic hydrogenated amorphous silicon (i‐a‐Si:H) heterojunction solar cells (HSCs) for the first time. A highly n‐doped hydrogenated microcrystalline Si (n‐µc‐Si:H) layer was introduced as a depletion‐assisting layer to further improve the performance of n‐CuOx/i‐a‐Si:H HSCs. An analysis of the external quantum efficiency and energy‐band diagram showed that the thin depletion‐assisting layer helped establish sufficient depletion and increased the built‐in potential in the n‐CuOx layer. The fabricated HSC exhibited a high open‐circuit voltage of 0.715 V and an efficiency of 4.79%. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the impact of re‐centring initial conditions for ensemble forecasts
Authors: Lang Simon T. K. , Bonavita Massimo , Leutbecher Martin
Published: February 2015

Many weather forecasting centres generate the initial conditions for their ensemble prediction system by adding a set of perturbations to a single analysis. At the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), initial conditions from an ensemble of data assimilations (EDA) are re‐centred on the deterministic high‐resolution analysis. This study assesses how the re‐centring step affects the ensemble forecasts and what benefits starting directly from the perturbed EDA members may bring. Numerical experiments are based on suitably modified configurations of the ECMWF medium‐range ensemble.

Re‐centring leads to an artificial increase of the climatological variance of the initial conditions for variables and spatial scales that are not well constrained in the analysis. For those variables and spatial scales, the EDA variance can reach a similar magnitude as the climatological variance. Re‐centring on the unperturbed member of the EDA leads to a degradation of the ensemble skill in comparison to starting directly from the perturbed EDA members. Depending on the amplitude of the EDA spread and which scales are less constrained, different lead times are affected. Furthermore, the re‐centring step increases the jumpiness of the ensemble forecasts in general and alters the precipitation frequency during the first 12 h of the forecasts.

It also becomes apparent from our results that the benefit for the ECMWF ensemble of starting directly from EDA initial conditions is sensitive to several factors: the difference in analysis accuracy between the unperturbed EDA control and the high‐resolution analysis, the number of EDA members, and the EDA spread. At present, the forecast skill still benefits from centring the ensemble initial conditions on the high‐resolution analysis, but future changes to the EDA may change the balance.
Assessment of cardiac angle in fetuses with congenital heart disease at risk of 22q11.2 deletion
Authors: Vigneswaran T. V. , Kametas N. A. , Zinevich Y. , Bataeva R. , Allan L. D. , Zidere V.
Published: February 2015

Objectives

To evaluate fetal cardiac angle as a screening tool for 22q11.2 deletion among cases with cardiac anomalies known to be associated with this genetic condition, to examine the correlation of fetal cardiac angle with thymic–thoracic (TT)‐ratio, and to assess the performance of TT ratio as a covariate in screening for 22q11.2 deletion.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study that reviewed the records of 74 cases with cardiac anomalies known to be associated with 22q11.2 deletion (tetralogy of Fallot, common arterial trunk, interrupted aortic arch and right aortic arch) that were diagnosed between 2007 and 2013. The karyotype was known in all cases. The fetal cardiac angle and TT‐ratio were measured using stored three‐dimensional spatiotemporal image correlation volume datasets and compared in those with del.22q11.2 and those without.

Results

Of the 74 cases reviewed, 16 had 22q11.2 deletion. The mean cardiac angle was larger in the cases with 22q11.2 deletion than in those without (68.6° vs 58.7°, respectively; P = 0.02). Multivariate regression analysis showed an association between cardiac angle and TT‐ratio in fetuses with 22q11.2 deletion (r2 = 0.33; P = 0.02) but not in those with a normal karyotype (P = 0.4). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that fetal cardiac angle, but not TT‐ratio, is an independent predictor of 22q11.2 deletion among fetuses with 22q11.2 deletion‐associated cardiac anomalies (P = 0.02; area under the receiver–operating characteristics curve = 0.69).

Conclusions

An enlarged fetal cardiac angle is an independent predictor of 22q11.2 deletion among fetuses with 22q11.2 deletion‐associated cardiac anomalies. However, its performance as a single variable in a screening model is not sufficient to guide management decisions regarding invasive testing. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Hemodynamic effects of intravenous nicardipine in severely pre‐eclamptic women with a hypertensive crisis
Authors: Cornette J. , Buijs E. A. B. , Duvekot J. J. , Herzog E. , Roos‐Hesselink J. W. , Rizopoulos D. , Meima M. , Steegers E. A. P.
Published: February 2015

Objective

Nicardipine permits rapid control of blood pressure in women with severe pre‐eclampsia (PE) and hypertensive crisis. Our objective was to investigate its maternal and fetal hemodynamic effects.

Methods

Ten severely pre‐eclamptic pregnant women who required intravenous nicardipine for severe hypertension were included in this prospective observational trial. Maternal macrocirculation was assessed by transthoracic echocardiography. Maternal microcirculatory perfusion was examined sublingually with the sidestream dark field imaging technique. Fetal hemodynamics were assessed by Doppler examinations of the uteroplacental and fetal circulations. Maternal cardiac output, total vascular resistance, mitral E/A ratio and capillary heterogeneity index, uterine artery pulsatility index and fetal cerebroplacental ratio were considered primary outcomes. Paired measurements, obtained before administration of nicardipine infusion and after stabilization of blood pressure, were compared.

Results

Administration of nicardipine significantly reduced the mean arterial blood pressure (median difference, 26 mmHg; P = 0.002) and total vascular resistance (median difference, 791 dynes × s/cm5; P = 0.002) in all included women. This induced a reflex tachycardia with consequent increase in cardiac output of 1.55 L/min (P  =  0.004). There were no significant changes in the other determinants of maternal or fetal hemodynamic parameters.

Conclusions

Nicardipine effectively reduces blood pressure through selective afterload reduction that triggers an increase in cardiac output, without affecting maternal diastolic function, or microcirculatory, uteroplacental or fetal perfusion. This hemodynamic response is uniform and predictable. Fetomaternal cardiovascular profiling can be achieved by combining transthoracic echocardiography with obstetric Doppler. Copyright © 2015 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Prävalenz von Schwerhörigkeit im Nordwesten Deutschlands
Authors: von Gablenz P. , Holube I.
Published: February 2015

Hintergrund

Der mittlere Luftleitungshörverlust bei 0,5, 1, 2 und 4 kHz („pure tone average“, PTA-4) im besseren Ohr ist das international anerkannte Kriterium der Weltgesundheitsorganisation (WHO) zur Beschreibung des Hörvermögens. Zurzeit gibt es keine epidemiologischen Daten zum Hörverlust in der deutschen Bevölkerung, in der dieses Kriterium verwendet wird.

Methoden

Eine populationstypische Stichprobe erwachsener Personen aus Oldenburg und Emden wurde zu einer eingeladen. Analysiert wird der Zusammenhang von Hörverlusten mit Alter, Geschlecht, Lärm, Berufsbereich und schulischer Bildung. Die alters- und geschlechtsspezifische Prävalenz nach WHO wird mit internationalen Studienergebnissen verglichen.

Ergebnisse

Die Prävalenz von Schwerhörigkeit nach der WHO-Klassifikation lag bei den Studienteilnehmern (n = 1866) bei etwa 16 %. Bei Männern, die häufiger in lärmbelasteten Berufsbereichen tätig waren, wurde eine höhere Prävalenz als bei Frauen gleichen Alters beobachtet. Der Unterschied zwischen den Geschlechtern ist jedoch geringer als in internationalen Vergleichsstudien. Bei Berücksichtigung beruflicher Lärmexposition gleichen sich beide Geschlechter im PTA-4, signifikante Unterschiede zwischen verschiedenen Berufsbereichen aber bleiben erhalten.

Schlussfolgerung

Im internationalen Vergleich liegt die altersabhängige Prävalenz in HÖRSTAT niedrig. Aus den Studienergebnissen der vergangenen 25 Jahre ist eine Tendenz zu abnehmender Prävalenz von Schwerhörigkeit im mittleren bis oberen Altersbereich zu beobachten.
Morphological and anatomical changes related to leg anomalies in Tegenaria atrica
Authors: Napiórkowska Teresa , Napiórkowski Paweł , Templin Julita
Published: February 2015

A range of leg anomalies was detected in embryos of the Tegenaria atrica spiders exposed to alternating temperatures of 14 and 32 °C. Multiple anomalies were observed in 13 individuals. This study is based on five individuals: two individuals affected by oligomely combined, respectively, with heterosymely and polymely, one affected by polymely with heterosymely, one by complicated polymely (accompanied by the reduction in length and malformations of the distal parts of the legs), and one individual with pure polymely. Changes in the central nervous system of these five individuals were described in detail on the basis of histological sections. The changes were mainly related to the number of neuromeres. Individuals affected by polymely had additional ganglia corresponding to the number of additional appendages, whereas the absence of a leg (oligomely) was associated with the absence of a ganglion. Histological analysis showed the fusion of ganglia in the three polymelic specimens, even though additional appendages were not fused.
How to model and prove hybrid systems with KeYmaera: a tutorial on safety
Authors: Quesel Jan-David , Mitsch Stefan , Loos Sarah , Aréchiga Nikos , Platzer André
Published: February 2015

This paper is a tutorial on how to model hybrid systems as hybrid programs in differential dynamic logic and how to prove complex properties about these complex hybrid systems in KeYmaera, an automatic and interactive formal verification tool for hybrid systems. Hybrid systems can model highly nontrivial controllers of physical plants, whose behaviors are often safety critical such as trains, cars, airplanes, or medical devices. Formal methods can help design systems that work correctly. This paper illustrates how KeYmaera can be used to systematically model, validate, and verify hybrid systems. We develop tutorial examples that illustrate challenges arising in many real-world systems. In the context of this tutorial, we identify the impact that modeling decisions have on the suitability of the model for verification purposes. We show how the interactive features of KeYmaera can help users understand their system designs better and prove complex properties for which the automatic prover of KeYmaera still takes an impractical amount of time. We hope this paper is a helpful resource for designers of embedded and cyber–physical systems and that it illustrates how to master common practical challenges in hybrid systems verification.
Adolescent sexual and reproductive health: The global challenges
Authors: Morris Jessica L. , Rushwan Hamid
Published: February 2015

Adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH) has been overlooked historically despite the high risks that countries face for its neglect. Some of the challenges faced by adolescents across the world include early pregnancy and parenthood, difficulties accessing contraception and safe abortion, and high rates of HIV and sexually transmitted infections. Various political, economic, and sociocultural factors restrict the delivery of information and services; healthcare workers often act as a barrier to care by failing to provide young people with supportive, nonjudgmental, youth‐appropriate services. FIGO has been working with partners and its member associations to break some of these barriers—enabling obstetricians and gynecologists to effect change in their countries and promote the ASRH agenda on a global scale.
Legal Protections to Promote Response Willingness Among the Local Public Health Workforce
Authors: Rutkow Lainie , Vernick Jon S. , Thompson Carol B. , Piltch-Loeb Rachael , Barnett Daniel J.
Published: February 2015

Objective

The legal environment may improve response willingness among local health department (LHD) workers. We examined whether 3 hypothetical legal protections influence LHD workers’ self-reported response willingness for 4 emergency scenarios and whether specific demographic factors are associated with LHD workers’ response willingness given these legal protections.

Methods

Our 2011–2012 survey included questions on demographics and about attitudes and beliefs regarding LHD workers’ willingness to respond to 4 emergency scenarios given specific legal protections (i.e., ensuring priority health care for workers’ families, granting workers access to mental health services, and guaranteeing access to personal protective equipment). Data were collected from 1238 LHD workers in 3 states.

Results

Across scenarios, between 60% and 83% of LHD workers agreed that they would be more willing to respond given the presence of 1 of the 3 hypothetical legal protections. Among the 3 legal protections, a guarantee of personal protective equipment elicited the greatest agreement with improved response willingness.

Conclusions

Specific legal protections augment a majority of LHD workers’ response willingness. Policymakers must, however, balance improved response willingness with other considerations, such as the ethical implications of prioritizing responders over the general public. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2015;9:98–102)
The Impact of Healthcare-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus Infections on Post-Discharge Healthcare Costs and Utilization
Authors: Nelson Richard E. , Jones Makoto , Liu Chuan-Fen , Samore Matthew H. , Evans Martin E. , Graves Nicholas , Lee Bruce , Rubin Michael A.
Published: February 2015

OBJECTIVE

Healthcare-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections are a major cause of morbidity, mortality, and cost among hospitalized patients. Little is known about their impact on post-discharge resource utilization. The purpose of this study was to estimate post-discharge healthcare costs and utilization attributable to positive MRSA cultures during a hospitalization.

METHODS

Our study cohort consisted of patients with an inpatient admission lasting longer than 48 hours within the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) system between October 1, 2007, and November 30, 2010. Of these patients, we identified those with a positive MRSA culture from microbiology reports in the VA electronic medical record. We used propensity score matching and multivariable regression models to assess the impact of positive culture on post-discharge outpatient, inpatient, and pharmacy costs and utilization in the 365 days following discharge.

RESULTS

Our full cohort included 369,743 inpatients, of whom, 3,599 (1.0%) had positive MRSA cultures. Our final analysis sample included 3,592 matched patients with and without positive cultures. We found that, in the 12 months following hospital discharge, having a positive culture resulted in increases in post-discharge pharmacy costs ($776, P<.0001) and inpatient costs ($12,167, P<.0001). Likewise, having a positive culture increased the risk of a readmission (odds ratio [OR]=1.396, P<.0001), the number of prescriptions (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.138; P<.0001) and the number of inpatient days (IRR, 1.204; P<.0001,) but decreased the number of subsequent outpatient encounters (IRR, 0.941; P<.008).

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate that MRSA infections are associated with higher levels of post-discharge healthcare cost and utilization. These findings indicate that financial benefits resulting from infection prevention efforts may extend beyond the initial hospital stay.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;00(0): 1–9
Prevalence of Mental Disorder among young adults in Ireland: a population based study
Authors: Harley M. E. , Connor D. , Clarke M. C. , Kelleher I. , Coughlan H. , Lynch F. , Fitzpatrick C. , Cannon M.
Published: February 2015

Background

There is a lack of epidemiological research on the mental health of young adults in Ireland.

Objectives

To determine prevalence of psychiatric disorders in a cohort of young Irish adults.

Methods

The Challenging Times study was a landmark study of the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adolescents in North Dublin, Ireland: 212 school children aged 12-15 years were recruited through schools and interviewed using the K-SADS semi-structured diagnostic instrument. This cohort was traced again at age 19-24 years (mean age 20.8 years) and interviewed using SCID I & II. Main outcome measures were current and lifetime Axis I and Axis II psychiatric disorders.

Results

Follow-up rate was 80%. Using a weighted population prevalence analysis 19.8% of the cohort had a current mental disorder, 56.0% had a lifetime mental disorder of whom 28.4% had mood disorders, 27.1% had anxiety disorders, 22.7% had substance use disorders; 25.4% had lifetime multi-morbidity. Cluster A personality disorders were found in 2.3%. Lifetime prevalence of binge-drinking was 75.0%, cannabis use 65% and 17% of young adults had fulfilled criteria for an alcohol use disorder at sometime in their life. Lifetime prevalence of suicidal thoughts/behaviour was 21.1%.

Conclusions

Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorder and substance use were high in this sample of young Irish adults. Mental Health service provision for this age group is a priority. Larger studies of nationally representative samples are needed to inform service development.
Transforming youth mental health: a Canadian perspective
Authors: Iyer S. N. , Boksa P. , Lal S. , Shah J. , Marandola G. , Jordan G. , Doyle M. , Joober R. , Malla A. K.
Published: February 2015

In most mental illnesses, onset occurs before the age of 25 and the earliest stages are critical. The youth bear a large share of the burden of disease associated with mental illnesses. Yet, Canadian youths with mental health difficulties face delayed detection; long waiting lists; inaccessible, unengaging services; abrupt transitions between services; and, especially in remoter regions, even a complete lack of services. Responding to this crisis, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research announced a 5-year grant that was awarded to ACCESS, a pan-Canadian network of youths, families, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, community organisations and Indigenous communities. Using strategies developed collaboratively by all stakeholders, ACCESS will execute a youth mental healthcare transformation via early detection, rapid access and appropriate, high-quality care. The project includes an innovative, mixed-methods service research component. Similar in many respects to other national youth mental health initiatives, ACCESS also exhibits important differences of scale, scope and approach.
ON THE NORMALISED LAPLACIAN SPECTRUM, DEGREE-KIRCHHOFF INDEX AND SPANNING TREES OF GRAPHS
Authors: HUANG JING , LI SHUCHAO
Published: February 2015

Given a connected regular graph$G$, let$l(G)$be its line graph,$s(G)$its subdivision graph,$r(G)$the graph obtained from$G$by adding a new vertex corresponding to each edge of$G$and joining each new vertex to the end vertices of the corresponding edge and$q(G)$the graph obtained from$G$by inserting a new vertex into every edge of$G$and new edges joining the pairs of new vertices which lie on adjacent edges of$G$. A formula for the normalised Laplacian characteristic polynomial of$l(G)$(respectively$s(G),r(G)$and$q(G)$) in terms of the normalised Laplacian characteristic polynomial of$G$and the number of vertices and edges of$G$is developed and used to give a sharp lower bound for the degree-Kirchhoff index and a formula for the number of spanning trees of$l(G)$(respectively$s(G),r(G)$and$q(G)$).
INFINITE PRODUCTS OF CYCLOTOMIC POLYNOMIALS
Authors: DUKE WILLIAM , NGUYEN HA NAM
Published: February 2015

We study analytic properties of certain infinite products of cyclotomic polynomials that generalise some products introduced by Mahler. We characterise those that have the unit circle as a natural boundary and use associated Dirichlet series to obtain their asymptotic behaviour near roots of unity.
Colour Adjectives in the New Testament
Authors: Ureña Lourdes García
Published: February 2015

Colour is used throughout the NT, although sparingly, with different functions and in conjunction with specific situations. The gospels and the letters do not contain many references to colour, but when they do it is typically to indicate more than a physical quality. On the other hand, the author of the Apocalypse uses the colour in its literal sense to describe a particular object or character. In view of the fact that the book was meant to be read aloud, his repetition of colour adjectives stresses the effectiveness and importance of aural effect as a conveyor of meaning.
Toward Critical Bioethics
Authors: ÁRNASON VILHJÁLMUR
Published: February 2015

This article deals with the question as to what makes bioethics a critical discipline. It considers different senses of criticism and evaluates their strengths and weaknesses. A primary method in bioethics as a philosophical discipline is critical thinking, which implies critical evaluation of concepts, positions, and arguments. It is argued that the type of analytical criticism that restricts its critical role to critical thinking of this type often suffers from other intellectual flaws. Three examples are taken to demonstrate this: premature criticism, uncritical self-understanding of theoretical assumptions, and narrow framing of bioethical issues. Such flaws can lead both to unfair treatment of authors and to uncritical discussion of topics. In this context, the article makes use of Häyry’s analysis of different rationalities in bioethical approaches and argues for the need to recognize the importance of communicative rationality for critical bioethics. A radically different critical approach in bioethics, rooted in social theory, focuses on analyses of power relations neglected in mainstream critical thinking. It is argued that, although this kind of criticism provides an important alternative in bioethics, it suffers from other shortcomings that are rooted in a lack of normative dimensions. In order to complement these approaches and counter their shortcomings, there is a need for a bioethics enlightened by critical hermeneutics. Such hermeneutic bioethics is aware of its own assumptions, places the issues in a wide context, and reflects critically on the power relations that stand in the way of understanding them. Moreover, such an approach is dialogical, which provides both a critical exercise of speech and a normative dimension implied in the free exchange of reasons and arguments. This discussion is framed by Hedgecoe’s argument that critical bioethics needs four elements: to be empirically rooted, theory challenging, reflexive, and politely skeptical.
The Evolving Idea of Social Responsibility in Bioethics
Authors: AHOLA-LAUNONEN JOHANNA
Published: February 2015

This article discusses the notion of social responsibility for personal health and well-being in bioethics. Although social responsibility is an intrinsic aspect of bioethics, and its role is increasingly recognized in certain areas, it can still be claimed that bioethics in general is committed to an individualistic theoretical framework that disregards the social context in which decisions, health, and well-being are situated. The philosophical premises of this framework regard individuals as rational decisionmakers who can be held accountable for their health conditions and who should be the primary objects of intervention in attempts to reduce lifestyle-associated chronic diseases. There are, however, social determinants of health that challenge this conclusion. Because their impact can be controlled, to a certain extent, by social and public policy decisions, their existence shows the inadequacy of the purely individualistic approach. I suggest, accordingly, that bioethics would benefit, both academically and societally, from a more social perspective. Bioethical studies that acknowledge, from the start, the social determinants of health would be more amenable to constructive multi- and interdisciplinarity, and a more balanced account of responsibility would further the contribution of sound bioethical work to sensible public policies.
The role of majority and minority language input in the early development of a bilingual vocabulary
Authors: DIJKSTRA JELSKE , KUIKEN FOLKERT , JORNA RENÉ J. , KLINKENBERG EDWIN L.
Published: February 2015

The current longitudinal study investigated the role of home language and outside home exposure in the development of Dutch and Frisian vocabulary by young bilinguals. Frisian is a minority language spoken in the north of the Netherlands. In three successive test rounds, 91 preschoolers were tested in receptive and productive vocabulary in both languages. Results showed a home language effect for Frisian receptive and productive vocabulary, and Dutch productive vocabulary, but not for Dutch receptive vocabulary. As for outside home exposure, an effect was found on the receptive vocabulary tests only. The results can be explained by the amount of L2-input that participants received. The Dutch input is higher for participants with Frisian as home language compared to the Frisian input for participants with Dutch as home language. The conclusions lead to further implications for language professionals working in language minority contexts.
SEPARATION OF CONVEX SETS IN EXTENDED NORMED SPACES
Authors: BEER G. , VANDERWERFF J.
Published: February 2015

We give continuous separation theorems for convex sets in a real linear space equipped with a norm that can assume the value infinity. In such a space, it may be impossible to continuously strongly separate a point $p$ from a closed convex set not containing $p$, that is, closed convex sets need not be weakly closed. As a special case, separation in finite-dimensional extended normed spaces is considered at the outset.
Protecting the Science of Climate Change
Authors: Hecht Alan D.
Published: February 2015

A scientist recalls the politically motivated editing of climate change science in government reports, offering insight into why the reality of climate change was hard for officials to accept.
Los Angeles Gets Serious About Preparing for the “Big One”
Authors: Rosen Julia
Published: February 2015

A large earthquake in southern California could devastate Los Angeles. To help reduce the city's risks, one scientist spent last year working in the LA mayor's office.
Tiny Mineral Grains Could Drive Plate Tectonics
Authors: Wendel JoAnna
Published: February 2015

Scientists turn to granular scales to explain how plate tectonics may have evolved billions of years ago.
White House Budget Request Calls for 2.9% Increase for NASA
Authors: Showstack Randy
Published: February 2015

NASA's proposed budget would provide a small increase overall as well as for the agency's Science Mission Directorate.