bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of bevacizumab added preoperatively to oxaliplatin on liver injury and complications after resection of colorectal liver metastases
Authors: van der Pool Anne E.M. , Marsman Hendrick A. , Verheij Joanne , Ten Kate Fibo J. , Eggermont Alexander M.M. , IJzermans Jan N.M. , Verhoef Cornelis
Published: May 2012

Background

Chemotherapy (CTx) before resection of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) may cause hepatic injury and postoperative complications. To ascertain whether adding bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody against VEGF, to oxaliplatin‐based CTx has an influence on liver injury and postoperative complications.

Methods

Patients with CRLM who received neoadjuvant CTx and underwent resection between 2003 and 2008 were analyzed whether or not they received bevacizumab added to oxaliplatin‐based CTx.

Results

The total study group existed of 104 patients: 53 patients received oxaliplatin‐based CTx and 51 patients received oxaliplatin‐based CTx and bevacizumab. The overall complication rate (29%) was not significantly different between the two groups. The bevacizumab group exhibited less moderate sinusoidal dilatation (8% vs. 28%, P = 0.01). No difference in complication rate was found between patients given fewer than six cycles of oxaliplatin‐based CTx and those given six or more cycles, or between patients with a short (<5 weeks) interval between the last dose of oxaliplatin and resection and those in which the interval was longer.

Conclusion

Bevacizumab added to oxaliplatin‐based CTx may protect against moderate sinusoidal dilatation without significantly influencing morbidity. Neither duration of oxaliplatin‐based CTx nor the time interval between cessation of oxaliplatin‐based CTx and surgery were associated with postoperative complications. J. Surg. Oncol. 2012; 106:892–897. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The impact of laryngeal disorders on work‐related dysfunction
Authors: Cohen Seth M. , Kim Jaewhan , Roy Nelson , Asche Carl , Courey Mark
Published: May 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

To determine the short‐term disability (STD) and lost work productivity related to laryngeal disorders.

Study Design:

A retrospective analysis of a national database of work absence and STD claims was performed.

Methods:

Patients with 12 months of follow‐up who had an STD claim specifically linked to a dysphonia diagnosis based on ICD‐9 codes were identified during the period of January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2008. Patient age, sex, and diagnosis and the total number of work days absent were determined. Using the mean national hourly wage, productivity losses in terms of lost wages were calculated.

Results:

Of the 18,466 unique patients with an STD claim, 386 (2.1%) had an STD claim due to a laryngeal disorder. The mean age was 45.9 years (standard deviation, 9.6) with 53.2% male. The mean number of work days absent was 39.2 days (95% confidence interval: 31.9–46.5). Total STD payments in 2008 dollars were $647,269.30 with a mean per person in 12 months of $3,406.68. Total and mean lost wages in 12 months were $843,198.72 and $4,437.89, respectively. Patients with laryngeal cancer had the most days absent and highest total STD payment.

Conclusions:

Laryngeal disorders lead to work‐related disability with STD and productivity losses and represent a significant societal burden. Managing work limitations from laryngeal disorders is an important public health goal. Laryngoscope, 2012
Cochlear implantation in children with postlingual hearing loss
Authors: Ahmad Faisal I. , DeMason Christine E. , Teagle Holly F.B. , Henderson Lillian , Adunka Oliver F. , Buchman Craig A.
Published: May 2012

Objectives/Hypothesis:

Although it is clear that early auditory stimulation through cochlear implantation (CI) has been shown to improve speech and language development trajectories for children with prelingual hearing loss, data supporting implantation in postlingual children are mostly lacking. The purpose of this study was to characterize speech perception abilities following CI in a group of children with previously well‐developed language abilities.

Study Design:

Retrospective analysis.

Methods:

Twenty‐eight hearing‐impaired children who received CIs were selected for study based on the presence of well‐developed spoken language skills before implantation. Fifteen children with prelingual hearing loss served as a control group. Speech perception skills were assessed using developmentally appropriate measures.

Results:

Children with postlingual hearing loss showed a statistically significant improvement in open‐set speech perception scores as early as 6 months following CI, whereas prelingual children demonstrated significant improvements only after 24 months of use. Despite these early disparities in performance, the two groups were similar 36 months after implantation and beyond (60 months of implant use).

Conclusions:

Children with well‐developed language abilities before CI showed substantial (and statistically significant) early improvements in open‐set speech perception abilities following implantation that continued beyond 2 years of follow‐up. These results suggest that postlingual children are excellent candidates for CI. Laryngoscope, 2012
High Power Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser Systems
Authors: Moench Holger , Grabherr Martin , Pankert Joseph , Pruijmboom Ir. Armand
Published: May 2012

Systems with arrays of VCSELs can realize multi kilowatt output power. The inherent simplicity of VCSELs enables a performance and cost breakthrough in solutions for thermal processing and the pumping of solid state lasers. Wafer‐level integrated micro‐optics facilitates tailoring intensity distributions to the precise needs of the application. The basic technology and illustrative prototype systems are described in this article, which introduces this new alternative to classical high power laser diodes.
Laser Welding of Polymers
Authors: Olowinsky Alexander , Rösner Andreas
Published: May 2012

For many applications especially in electronics laser welding but also in medical device manufacturing is the dominating joining technology. The main advantages are the non‐contact and vibration‐free energy input, the precise control of the deposited energy and thus the related reproducibility and low thermal load of the parts. The decreasing costs for laser source and beam guiding system are enhancing these advantages and make laser welding even more competitive compared to other joining technologies.
Mikołaj Kruszewski: Theory and Vision (Part Two)†
Authors: Silverman Daniel
Published: May 2012

Although it prefigures many advances in linguistic theory, the scholarship of nineteenth century scholar Mikołaj Kruszewski is today largely forgotten. In these papers I hope to rectify this situation somewhat by introducing Kruszewski’s insights to modern discourse on phonology. In addition to a detailed summary of Kruszewski’s major work, An Outline of Linguistic Science (Očerk Nauki O Jazyke) (1883), I place his work in the context of subsequent (mostly post‐war) approaches to language structure. Some of Kruszewski’s major insights include (1) the arbitrary relationship between sound and meaning, (2) the non‐teleological nature of the linguistic system, (3) the generative or creative character of language, (4) the connectionist organization of the lexicon, and (5) the optimality‐theoretic‐esque proposal that linguistic systems may be analyzed as the product of pressures and constraints in inherent conflict with one another. This, Part Two of a two‐part presentation, considers the second five chapters of Kruszewski’s ten‐chapter book.
Composition of quasiconformal mappings and functions in Triebel‐Lizorkin spaces
Authors: Hencl Stanislav , Koskela Pekka
Published: May 2012

Let α > 0 and p ∈ [1, ∞) satisfy αp ≤ n. Suppose that f: Rn → Rn is a K‐quasiconformal mapping and let u ∈ Wα, p(Rn) have compact support. We find an optimal value of β = β(α, K, n) such that u○f ∈ Wβ, p(Rn). We also give an answer to the analogous problem where we moreover assume that u is bounded.
A New Approach to the Dore —Venni Theorem
Authors: Monniaux Sylvie
Published: May 2012

The present paper works out the link between the Dore‐Venni theorem and the theory of analytic generators developped by I. Ciornescu and L. Zsid. The main result is an inverse theorem: on an UMD‐Banach space, analytic generators of C0‐groups and operators with bounded imaginary powers are the same. The maximal regularity theorem of G. Dore and A. Venni appears as a corollary of this fact.
Parallel Algorithm for 3D SCF Simulation of Copolymers With Flexible and Rigid Blocks
Authors: Kriksin Yury A. , Khalatur Pavel G.
Published: May 2012

Numerical SCFT simulations of inhomogeneous polymers at the mesoscale can easily become computationally extremely demanding as the size (spatial resolution) of the simulated 3D system increases, making massively parallel computing a necessity. A new parallel algorithm for large‐scale 3D SCFT simulations of rod‐coil copolymers with interplay between microphase separation and orientational ordering is presented. For large systems, this algorithm scales well up to 1024 processors, achieving more than 200‐fold speedups. While existing SCFT simulations were limited to studying 1D and 2D models, this algorithm is applied to new, intrinsic 3D structures such as a hexagonally arranged columnar morphology that possesses macroscopic chirality arising as a result of spontaneous symmetry breaking.

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A Fast Method to Compute the MSD and MWD of Polymer Populations Formed by Step‐Growth Polymerization of Polyfunctional Monomers With Identical Reactive Groups
Authors: Hillegers L. Tom , Blokhuis Aart , Slot Johan J. M.
Published: May 2012

A fast method is presented for the calculation of the MSD and the MWD of polymers obtained via step‐growth polymerization of polyfunctional monomers bearing identical reactive groups (i.e., systems of type “Afi”). Using this method, the complete distribution can be calculated rapidly, not just the statistical averages of the polymer population such as $\overline {M} _{{\rm n}} $ or $\overline {M} _{{\rm w}} $. The computed MSD and MWD give more insight than these averages and can be compared to similar data measured on actual polymer systems. The low‐ and intermediate molecular size/weight part of the distribution curves are calculated using a recurrence scheme, while the high‐molecular tail (large and very large polymers) of the distributions is derived from an asymptotic approximation of the associated generating functions.

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Debaryomyces hansenii strains differ in their production of flavor compounds in a cheese‐surface model
Authors: Gori Klaus , Sørensen Louise Marie , Petersen Mikael Agerlin , Jespersen Lene , Arneborg Nils
Published: May 2012

Flavor production among 12 strains of Debaryomyces hansenii when grown on a simple cheese model mimicking a cheese surface was investigated by dynamic headspace sampling followed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The present study confirmed that D. hansenii possess the ability to produce important cheese flavor compounds, primarily branched‐chain aldehydes and alcohols, and thus important for the final cheese flavor. Quantification of representative aldehydes (2‐Methylpropanal, 3‐Methylbutanal) and alcohols (2‐Methyl‐1‐propanol, 3‐Methyl‐1‐butanol, and 3‐Methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol) showed that the investigated D. hansenii strains varied significantly with respect to production of these flavor compounds. Contrary to the alcohols (2‐Methyl‐1‐propanol, 3‐Methyl‐1‐butanol, and 3‐Methyl‐3‐buten‐1‐ol), the aldehydes (2‐Methylpropanal, 3‐Methylbutanal) were produced by the D. hansenii strains in concentrations higher than their sensory threshold values, and thus seemed more important than alcohols for cheese flavor. These results show that D. hansenii strains may have potential to be applied as cultures for increasing the nutty/malty flavor of cheese due to their production of aldehydes. However, due to large strain variations, production of flavor compounds has to be taken into consideration for selection of D. hansenii strains as starter cultures for cheese production.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals promote the growth of ovarian cancer cells via the ER‐CXCL12‐CXCR4 signaling axis
Authors: Hall Julie M. , Korach Kenneth S.
Published: May 2012

The majority of ovarian cancers over‐express the estrogen receptor (ERα) and grow in response to estrogens. We previously demonstrated that ER induction of the chemokine CXCL12 (stromal cell‐derived factor‐1) is required for estradiol (E2)‐stimulated proliferation of human ovarian carcinoma cells. In the current study, we report that known “endocrine disrupting chemicals” (EDCs) display mitogenic activities in ovarian cancer cells via their ability to activate the ER and upregulate CXCL12 expression. Notably, the EDCs genistein, bisphenol A and HPTE stimulated both cell proliferation and induction of CXCL12 mRNA and protein in a manner comparable to estradiol. The effects were completely attenuated by the ER antagonist ICI 182,780, revealing that observed activities of these agents were receptor‐mediated. In cell proliferation assays, the mitogenic effects of estradiol and EDCs were obviated by siRNAs targeting CXCL12 and restored upon addition of exogenous CXCL12. Furthermore, an inhibitor to the CXCL12 receptor CXCR4 completely attenuated growth‐stimulatory effects of E2 and EDCs. These studies highlight a potential role of EDCs possessing estrogenic activities in the etiology of ovarian cancer. Moreover, they suggest that the ER‐CXCL12‐CXCR4 signaling axis may represent a promising target for development of therapeutics for ER+ ovarian cancers. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The prolyl isomerase Pin1 interacts with and downregulates the activity of AMPK leading to induction of tumorigenicity of hepatocarcinoma cells
Authors: Khanal Prem , Kim Garam , Yun Hyo Jeong , Cho Hae‐Guk , Choi Hong Seok
Published: May 2012

Pin1 is a unique regulator that catalyzes the conversion of a specific phospho‐Ser/Thr‐Pro‐containing motif in target proteins. Herein, we identified AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) as a Pin1‐binding protein. Pin1 wild‐type, but not Pin1 mutant at serine 16 (S16A), associated with AMPK. Reciprocally, the constitutively active form of AMPK (AMPK‐CA), but not the dominant negative form of AMPK (AMPK‐DN), interacted with Pin1 wild type. In addition, mutation of Ser176 site in AMPK led to a significant loss of binding between AMPK and Pin1. Ablation of the Pin1 gene in MEFs enhanced AMPK phosphorylation induced by AICAR. Pin1 overexpression in Pin1−/− MEFs and SK‐HEP‐1 cells attenuated AMPK phosphorylation induced by EGF, whereas gene knockdown of Pin1 by siRNA enhanced it. The association between Pin1 and AMPK was increased by EGF, leading to their interaction with protein phosphatase‐2A (PP2A). Furthermore, Pin1 increased the PP2A activity induced by EGF. In addition, AMPK‐WT and AMPK‐CA, but not AMPK‐DN, inhibited EGF‐induced neoplastic cell transformation of JB6 Cl41 cells and tumorigenicity of SK‐HEP‐1 cells. The overexpression of Pin1 in JB6 Cl41 cells and SK‐HEP‐1 cells attenuated the inhibitory effect of AMPK in EGF‐induced neoplastic cell transformation of JB6 Cl41 and tumorigenicity of SK‐HEP‐1 cells, respectively. Taken together, these results indicate that Pin1 plays a pivotal role in EGF‐induced carcinogenesis through downregulation of AMPK activity in hepatocarcinoma cells. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Depression and quality of life in monogenic compared to idiopathic, early‐onset Parkinson's disease
Authors: Kasten Meike , Kertelge Lena , Tadic Vera , Brüggemann Norbert , Schmidt Alexander , van der Vegt Joyce , Siebner Hartwig , Buhmann Carsten , Lencer Rebekka , Kumar Kishore R. , Lohmann Katja , Hagenah Johann , Klein Christine
Published: May 2012

Quality of life (QoL) is decreased in PD and is linked with depression and anxiety. However, little is known about QoL in monogenic PD. Subjects with mutations in PD genes were recruited from ongoing family and genetic studies (manifesting carriers, n = 23; nonmanifesting carriers, n = 19). For comparison purposes, we included patients with idiopathic PD (IPD; n = 128; early onset, n = 38; late onset, n = 90), healthy controls (n = 127), and data on depressive symptoms of 144 patients with major depression (treated controls). Depression affected 31% of early‐onset PD cases, 21% of late‐onset cases, and 44% of manifesting carriers of mutations in PD genes, but was rare in the nonmanifesting carriers (7%) and healthy controls (5%). Subjects with Parkinson‐associated depression reported fewer feelings of guilt or self‐doubt than treated controls, but the occurrence of suicidal ideation was associated with severity of depression only. Social phobia (P = 0.018) and agoraphobia (P = 0.059) were more common in manifesting carriers than in any other group. QoL was decreased in the Parkinson groups, particularly in the early‐onset cases (P < 0.001), and QoL correlated with depression in all analyses. In our study, monogenic and IPD cases were comparable in QoL and depression characteristics. The QoL and, possibly, overall prognosis of all PD patients can be improved by appropriate attention and treatment for depression, sleep impairments, and anxiety, even if the treatment of the motor problems cannot be further optimized. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Is alpha‐synuclein in the colon a biomarker for premotor Parkinson's Disease? Evidence from 3 cases
Authors: Shannon Kathleen M. , Keshavarzian Ali , Dodiya Hemraj B. , Jakate Shriram , Kordower Jeffrey H.
Published: May 2012

Background: Despite clinicopathological evidence that Parkinson's disease (PD) may begin in peripheral tissues, identification of premotor Parkinson's disease is not yet possible. Alpha‐synuclein aggregation underlies Parkinson's disease pathology, and its presence in peripheral tissues may be a reliable disease biomarker. Objective: We sought evidence of alpha‐synuclein pathology in colonic tissues before the development of characteristic Parkinson's disease motor symptoms. Methods: Old colon biopsy samples were available for three subjects with PD. Biopsies were obtained 2‐5 years before PD onset. We performed immunohistochemistry studies for the presence of alpha‐synuclein and Substance P in these samples. Results: All subjects showed immunostaining for alpha‐synuclein (two, five and two years before first motor Parkinson's disease symptom). No similar alpha‐synuclein immunostaining was seen in 23 healthy controls. Staining of samples for substance P suggested colocalization of alpha‐synuclein and substance P in perikarya and neurites. Conclusions: This is the first demonstration of alpha‐synuclein in colon tissue prior to onset of PD. Additional study is required to determine whether colonic mucosal biopsy may be a biomarker of premotor PD. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society
Prospective Prediction of Antitarget Activity by Matched Molecular Pairs Analysis
Authors: Warner Daniel J. , Bridgland‐Taylor Matthew H. , Sefton Clare E. , Wood David J.
Published: May 2012

Matched molecular pairs analysis (MMPA)1,2 is an inverse quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) technique that is rapidly gaining popularity in the retrospective analysis of large experimental datasets.3,4 While much of the recent focus has been on the differences in properties between structurally related groups of existing compounds, attempts to extend this methodology to the de‐novo design of novel structures have been limited. To our knowledge the aggregate effect of multiple transformations, all suggesting the same molecular structure, has only ever being considered within a very limited dataset.5 We therefore sought to test this exciting new approach to the design (and absolute property prediction – effectively QSAR‐by‐MMPA) of novel chemical entities based on a larger, more diverse dataset, and couple these designs to MMPA‐based predictions of antitarget activity.
Concurrent combined verification: reducing false positives in automated NMR structure verification through the evaluation of multiple challenge control structures
Authors: Golotvin Sergey S. , Pol Rostislav , Sasaki Ryan R. , Nikitina Asya , Keyes Philip
Published: May 2012

Automated structure verification using 1H NMR data or a combination of 1H and heteronuclear single‐quantum correlation (HSQC) data is gaining more interest as a routine application for qualitative evaluation of large compound libraries produced by synthetic chemistry. The goal of this automated software method is to identify a manageable subset of compounds and data that require human review. In practice, the automated method will flag structure and data combinations that exhibit some inconsistency (i.e. strange chemical shifts, conflicts in multiplicity, or overestimated and underestimated integration values) and validate those that appear consistent. One drawback of this approach is that no automated system can guarantee that all passing structures are indeed correct structures. The major reason for this is that approaches using only 1H or even 1H and HSQC spectra often do not provide sufficient information to properly distinguish between similar structures. Therefore, current implementations of automated structure verification systems allow, in principle, false positive results. Presented in this work is a method that greatly reduces the probability of an automated validation system passing incorrect structures (i.e. false positives). This novel method was applied to automatically validate 127 non‐proprietary compounds from several commercial sources. Presented also is the impact of this approach on false positive and false negative results. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A framework of robust fault estimation observer design for continuous‐time/discrete‐time systems
Authors: Zhang Ke , Jiang Bin , Cocquempot Vincent , Zhang Huaguang
Published: May 2012

A design framework of the observer‐based robust fault estimation for continuous‐time/discrete‐time systems is presented in this paper. Firstly, a multiconstrained fault estimation observer under the H∞ performance specification with the regional pole constraint is proposed to achieve robust fault estimation. Then, the existence conditions for both continuous‐time/discrete‐time systems are derived explicitly. Furthermore, by introducing slack variables, improved results on the multiconstrained fault estimation observer design are obtained such that different Lyapunov functions can be separately designed for each constraint. Finally, simulation results of a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft are presented to illustrate our contributions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Environmental sustainability decision‐making: clearing a path to change
Authors: Sekerka Leslie E. , Stimel Derek
Published: May 2012

If people expect organizations to care for the natural environment, leaders in public affairs need to better understand how and why firms move to engage in sustainable enterprise. We broach this issue as an ethical challenge and present a theoretical framework to explain the path to environmental sustainability decision‐making (ESDM). Standard ethics and economic decision‐making models inform our work, yet we also incorporate a non‐rational element, allowing us to draw insight from psychology and organizational behavior. This view reflects the holistic nature of ESDM, an effort driven by both conscious and non‐conscious elements. Our work edifies sustainable development theory by presenting ESDM in the context of collective moral emotions, which serve as underlying motivators of ideas and feelings. We add granularity to prior models, describing how this affective force can influence an organization's progression along the ESDM path. In moving to achieve sustainability goals that affect stakeholders, we explain how negative sentiments may impose drag and how positive sentiments may compel lift toward environmental sustainability action. These paths can contribute to worthwhile, yet different, forms of change. Awareness of the ESDM framework will help public affairs establish more congruent communication, processes, and policies, working to reduce uncertainty and encouraging the need for more explicit internal self‐regulation. By synthesizing concepts, we create a coherent and useful picture, one that can give public affairs access to these ideas and help them find useful ways to apply them. Implications suggest leveraging strengths from affective forces may be a useful means to encourage actions that protect the natural environment. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Translokationen des MLL‐Gens
Authors: Marschalek Rolf
Published: May 2012

Eine besondere Form von Leukämie‐Erkrankung wird durch eine chromosomale Translokation des MLL‐Gens (11q23) charakterisiert. Das normale MLL‐Gen kodiert für ein nukleäres Protein, das eine wesentliche Rolle bei Differenzierung und Organbildung spielt. Es vermittelt wichtige epigenetische Eigenschaften, indem es Gewebe‐spezifische Promotoren aktiviert und die Transkription dieser aktivierten Gene aufrechterhält.
Stammzelltransplantation bei akuten Leukämien
Authors: Klingebiel Thomas , Bader Peter
Published: May 2012

Die akute lymphatische Leukämie (ALL) des Kindesalters ist eine Erkrankung, bei der die Wahrscheinlichkeit des Überlebens (pOS = overall survival) heute um 0,85 und die Wahrscheinlichkeit des ereignisfreien Überlebens (pEFS = event free survival) 0,78 beträgt; solche Daten werden nicht nur von der BFM‐Gruppe, sondern auch von der St. Jude Group berichtet.
Fitness für Couch‐Potatoes?
Authors: Zündorf Ilse , Dingermann Theo
Published: May 2012

Kürzlich wurde über ein neues Hormon mit dem schönen Namen Irisin in Nature berichtet, das den gleichen Effekt macht, wie stundenlanges Training im Fitness‐Studio. Könnte ein entsprechendes Mimetikum endlich die ultimative Lösung für alle übergewichtigen Sportmuffel sein?
Use of multiple sources and capture–recapture method to estimate the frequency of hospitalizations related to drug abuse
Authors: Jouanjus Emilie , Pourcel Laure , Saivin Sylvie , Molinier Laurent , Lapeyre‐Mestre Maryse
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Addictive behaviours are often associated with hidden characteristics that are difficult to detect by usual approaches. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of serious drug‐related complications by using the capture–recapture method in defined geographical area.

Methods

Hospitalizations with mention of disorders related to drug of abuse were considered serious drug‐related complications. We searched these cases in and crossed three sources of data: spontaneous reports of drug of abuse–related disorders called NotS (‘Notification Spontanee’) collected by the regional addictovigilance centre, computerised hospital database Programme de Medicalisation des Systemes d'Information (PMSI) and toxicological analyses (TA) carried out for hospitalized patients.

Results

In 2007 and 2008, 1509 distinct cases were captured. After data modelling, the estimated number of psychoactive drug–related hospitalizations was 4744 (95%CI = 4060–5429). Most frequent products were opioids (34%), cannabis (19%) and cocaine (13%). ‘Multiple drugs’ were observed in 26% of cases. The incidence of serious drug‐related complications in the area covered should be estimated at 5.7 (95%CI = 5.5–5.9) per thousand 15‐ to 64‐year‐old inhabitants. The exhaustiveness of sources were 0.4% (95%CI = 0.2–0.6) for NotS, 11.6% (95%CI = 10.7–12.5) for TA and 22.6% (95%CI = 21.4–23.8) for PMSI.

Conclusions

The ‘real’ number of cases far exceeds that of cases that can be identified through simple counts. In particular, it confirms the underreporting and even quantifies its magnitude. These results confirm that drug users are frequently hospitalised and require heavy medical management. Moreover, these results show the real although limited advantage of hospitalization database in detecting drug associated disorders in epidemiological studies. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Algorithms to estimate the beginning of pregnancy in administrative databases
Authors: Margulis Andrea V. , Setoguchi Soko , Mittleman Murray A. , Glynn Robert J. , Dormuth Colin R. , Hernández‐Díaz Sonia
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The role of administrative databases for research on drug safety during pregnancy can be limited by their inaccurate assessment of the timing of exposure, as the gestational age at birth is typically unavailable. Therefore, we sought to develop and validate algorithms to estimate the gestational age at birth using information available in these databases.

Methods

Using a population‐based cohort of 286,432 mother–child pairs in British Columbia (1998–2007), we validated an ICD‐9/10‐based preterm‐status indicator and developed algorithms to estimate the gestational age at birth on the basis of this indicator, maternal age, singleton/multiple status, and claims for routine prenatal care tests. We assessed the accuracy of the algorithm‐based estimates relative to the gold standard of the clinical gestational age at birth recorded in the delivery discharge record.

Results

The preterm‐status indicator had specificity and sensitivity of 98% and 91%, respectively. Estimates from an algorithm that assigned 35 weeks of gestational age at birth to deliveries with the preterm‐status indicator and 39 weeks to those without them were within 2 weeks of the clinical gestational age at birth in 75% of preterm and 99% of term deliveries.

Conclusions

Subtracting 35 weeks (245 days) from the date of birth in deliveries with codes for preterm birth and 39 weeks (273 days) in those without them provided the optimal estimate of the beginning of pregnancy among the algorithms studied. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Controllable ring‐opening polymerization of trimethylene carbonate catalyzed by aliphatic tertiary amines in the presence of benzyl alcohol or F127
Authors: Mingfa Yan , Tao Wang , Na Qiang , Yongkai Huang , Daping Quan
Published: May 2012

With the increased awareness of avoiding residue metals, the field of organocatalysts is attracting more attention. Aliphatic tertiary amines, such as triethylamine (TEA), N, N, N, N‐tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) and 1,1,4,7,7‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDTA), have low boiling points which allow their easy elimination after a chemical reaction. Here, we used these aliphatic tertiary amines to catalyze ring‐opening polymerizations (ROPs) of trimethylene carbonate (TMC). In the presence of benzyl alcohol, the catalytic activities of the tertiary amines were in the order of TEA < TMEDA < PMDTA. Correlation between the molecular weight of polycarbonates and monomer conversions was linear, suggesting the polymerization was controlled. The polymerization pathway was presumed to follow an alcohol‐activated mechanism according to the end‐group fidelity determined using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The ROP of TMC was also successfully initiated by PEO99‐PPO65‐PEO99 (F127) under the catalysis of the tertiary amines, producing well‐defined PTMCn‐F127‐PTMCn copolymers with narrow dispersity (ca 1.2) and with thermosensitive properties in aqueous solution. Furthermore, copolymerizations of TMC with acryloyl‐containing cyclic carbonate were catalyzed by the tertiary amines in the presence of F127. No crosslinking reactions were detected. Our results demonstrate that the aliphatic tertiary amines have the potential to catalyze TMC homo‐ or copolymerization featuring controllable structure and composition under mild conditions. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Dreidimensional fernsehen
Authors: Kauff Peter , Müller Karsten , Schäfer Ralf , Zilly Frederik
Published: May 2012

Ein zukünftiges dreidimensionales Fernsehen kommt ohne Spezialbrillen aus. Die dazu nötigen autostereoskopischen Displays müssen allerdings auf das Stereosehen abgestimmt sein. Kritisch ist die Information über die Tiefe eines Objekts im Bild. Auf die Tiefeninformation ist die gesamte Verarbeitungskette eines zukünftigen 3D‐Fernsehsystems ausgerichtet. Dieser Beitrag beschreibt alle Schritte von der Aufnahme mit Stereokameras, die wesentlichen Grundregeln der 3D‐Produktion, die Kalibrierung der Kameras, die Übertragung bis hin zum Empfänger. Zentral ist die automatische Erstellung von Tiefenkarten der Szenen. Sie erlauben eine zuverlässige 3D‐Rekonstruktion in verschiedenartigen Endgeräten. Zudem sind sie wichtig für eine komprimierte, wirtschaftliche Signalübertragung. Autostereoskopische 3D‐TV‐Displays errechnen aus den empfangenen Videobildern und ihren Tiefenkarten Zwischenbilder für wechselnde Zuschauerperspektiven. Das ist der Schlüssel zu einem komfortablen 3D‐Fernsehen ohne Spezialbrille.
Hundert Jahre Zweisamkeit
Authors: Keimer Bernhard
Published: May 2012

Seit ihrer Entdeckung durch Heike Kamerlingh Onnes im Jahr 1911 faszinieren Supraleiter Wissenschaftler wie Visionäre. Für Theoretiker erwiesen sie sich als harte Herausforderung. Erst die BCS‐Theorie brachte 1957 den Durchbruch in der Theorie mit der Erkenntnis, dass die Elektronen Cooper‐Paare bilden. Die Entdeckung der ersten unkonventionellen Supraleiter 1979 gab jedoch erneut Rätsel auf. Das gilt auch für die Hochtemperatur‐Supraleiter, die seit 1986 den Traum vom technischen Einsatz bei Raumtemperatur beflügeln. Die neuen Eisenpniktid‐Supraleiter untermauern das Bild, dass bei allen diesen Supraleitern fluktuierende Magnetmomente für die Bildung der Cooper‐Paare sorgen. Eine umfassendeTheorie steht allerdings noch aus. Experimente mit atomar dünnen, reinen Schichtsystemen geben einen tieferen Einblick in den Mechanismus. Vielleicht eröffnen sie den Weg zur erträumten Supraleitung bei Raumtemperatur.
Flüssiglinsen
Authors: Schneider Werner B.
Published: May 2012

Flüssiglinsen haben in den letzten zehn Jahren eine breite Anwendung vor allem bei Handykameras gefunden. Mittlerweile erobern sie immer weitere Bereiche der Optik. Ein im Folgenden beschriebener, einfacher Versuchsaufbau demonstriert das Prinzip.
Aroma ist Schall und Kraut
Authors: Vilgis Thomas
Published: May 2012

Kräftiges und ausgewogenes Würzen und Kräutern gehört zum Handwerkszeug eines jeden Kochs. Bei der Zugabe von Kräutern und Gewürzen gelangen deren ätherische Öle in die Speisen. Oft sind jedoch farbintensive Kräuter störend, wenn zum Beispiel das strahlende Weiß von Frischkäse oder Joghurt gefragt ist. Dann hilft Ultraschall, um eine geschmacklich überzeugende Aromatisierung zu erreichen.
Person–environment transactions: personality traits moderate and mediate the effects of child sexual victimization on psychopathology
Authors: Gallardo‐Pujol David , Pereda Noemí
Published: May 2012

Personality, environmental adversity and psychopathology are related, and different models have been proposed to explain their interaction. The theory of person–environment transactions may elucidate the role of personality in these interactions beyond traditional conceptualizations. To our knowledge, hardly any studies have explored the relationships between the Five Factor Model, child sexual victimization and general psychopathology. We hypothesized (1) that neuroticism and conscientiousness will moderate the effect of sexual victimization on psychopathology and (2) that neuroticism will mediate the relationship between sexual victimization and psychopathology. Our findings partially support these hypotheses. Neuroticism, conscientiousness and sexual victimization have a direct effect on psychopathology, whereas extraversion, openness to experience and agreeableness do not. With regard to interactive effects, conscientiousness, but not neuroticism, moderates the effect of sexual victimization on psychopathology, and neuroticism does mediate the aforementioned effect. No other interactions were found with regard to extraversion, agreeableness or openness to experience. To our knowledge, the present study represents the first global test of person–environment transactions with regard to psychopathology and sexual victimization within the framework of the Five Factor Model. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Bibliometric View on the Use of Contingency Theory in Project Management Research
Authors: Hanisch Bastian , Wald Andreas
Published: May 2012

Contingency theory has influenced organization theory since the 1950s. Project management research has only recently started to consider context factors. In this area, applications of contingency theory still represent a fragmented field with a nonuniform use of terminology. Fully utilizing the contingency theory approach requires a systematic foundation. This article presents an overview of contingency theory in both permanent and temporary organizations. In a bibliometric study based on 1,622 articles from four academic project management journals, we identify dominating authors, prevalent keywords, and different focal areas in project contingency theory as well as the most researched project types.
Remote substituent effects on homolytic Fe‐N bond energies of p‐G‐C6H4NHFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) and p‐G‐C6H4(COMe)NFe(CO)2(η5‐C5H5) studied using Hartree–Fock and density functional theory methods
Authors: Zeng Qing , Li Zucheng
Published: May 2012

The nature and strength of metal–ligand bonds in organotransition–metal complexes is crucial to the understanding of organometallic reactions and catalysis. The Fe‐N homolytic bond dissociation energies [ΔHhomo(Fe‐N)′s] of two series of para‐substituted Fp anilines p‐G‐C6H4NHFp [1] and p‐G‐C6H4N(COMe)Fp [2] were studied using the Hartree–Fock (HF) and the density functional theory methods with large basis sets. In this study, Fp is (η5‐C5H5)Fe(CO)2 and G are NO2, CN, COMe, CO2Me, CF3, Br, Cl, F, H, Me, MeO and NMe2. The results show that BP86 and TPSSTPSS can provide the best price/performance ratio and accurate predictions of ΔHhomo(Fe‐N)′s. B3LYP can also satisfactorily predict the α and remote substituent effects on ΔHhomo(Fe‐N)′s [ΔΔHhomo(Fe‐N)′s]. The good correlations [r = 0.96 (g, 1), 0.99(g, 2)] of ΔΔHhomo(Fe‐N)′s in series 1 and 2 with the substituent σp+ constants imply that the para‐substituent effects on ΔHhomo(Fe‐N)′s originate mainly from polar effects, but those on radical stability originate from both spin delocalization and polar effects. ΔΔHhomo(Fe‐N)′s(1,2) conform to the captodative principle. Insight from this work may help the design of more effective catalytic processes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
One‐pot three‐component preparation of novel selenium‐containing spiroketals
Authors: Braverman Samuel , Cherkinsky Marina , Kalendar Yuliya , Gottlieb Hugo E. , Mats Ella Meltzer , Gruzman Arie , Goldberg Israel , Sprecher Milon
Published: May 2012

The one‐pot three‐component preparation of novel selenium‐containing spiroketals with potential biological activity is described. When in situ prepared selenium dichloride is reacted with either propargyl or homopropargyl alcohols in the presence of acetone, two competitive reactions take place, namely 1,2‐addition to the triple bond with the formation of the corresponding functionalized divinyl selenides in a completely regio‐ and stereospecific manner and selenylation at the α‐position of the ketone, leading to the novel selenium‐containing spiroketals. An alternative approach to the synthesis of the selenium‐containing spiroketals with substantial increase of the chemical yield involves the reaction of alkynyl acetals with SeCl2. The structure of (4E,11E)‐4,11‐bis(chloromethylene)‐1,8‐dioxa‐5,12‐diselenaspiro[6.6]tridecane was unambiguously confirmed by X‐ray analysis. These novel selenium‐containing spiroketals were tested for regulation of glucose uptake in L6 myotubes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Intervening to improve psychological outcomes for men with prostate cancer
Authors: Chambers Suzanne K. , Ferguson Megan , Gardiner R. A. , Aitken Joanne , Occhipinti Stefano
Published: May 2012

Background

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the Western world with well‐described negative effects from treatments. However, outcomes are highly heterogeneous. A Phase 3 trial of a psycho‐educational intervention was undertaken, aiming to reduce cancer‐specific and decision‐related distress and improve quality of life for men newly diagnosed with localised prostate cancer.

Methods

Seven hundred forty (81.7%) men were recruited after diagnosis and before treatment and randomised to a tele‐based nurse‐delivered five‐session psycho‐educational intervention (N = 372) or usual care (N = 368). Participants were assessed before treatment and 2, 6, 12 and 24 months post‐treatment. Outcome measures included cancer‐specific and decision‐related distress, cognitive judgmental adjustment, subjective well‐being, and domain‐specific and health‐related quality of life. Social support was assessed as a potential moderator.

Results

No unconditioned effects were found. Classification analyses on pre‐randomisation measures distinguished three subgroups: younger, higher education and income men (N = 290); younger, lower education and income men (N = 106); and older men (N = 344). Younger, higher education and income men showed positive intervention effects for cancer‐specific distress ( p = 0.008) and mental health ( p = 0.042). By contrast, for younger, lower education men, participation in the intervention was associated with decreases in cognitive judgmental adjustment over time ( p = 0.006).

Conclusions

Response to intervention and adjustment over time varied according to previous sexual functioning, age, educational level and income. How to best intervene with younger, low education, low income men with prostate cancer is a critical future research question. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Reduced Arylsulfatase B activity in leukocytes from cystic fibrosis patients
Authors: Sharma Girish , Burke Jenifer , Bhattacharyya Sumit , Sharma Neha , Katyal Shivani , Park R. Lucy , Tobacman Joanne
Published: May 2012

The enzyme Arylsulfatase B (ARSB; N‐acetylgalactosamine‐4‐sulfatase) removes 4‐sulfate groups from chondroitin‐4‐sulfate and dermatan sulfate and is required for the degradation of these sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAGs). Since these GAGs accumulate in patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF), we investigated the activity of ARSB in leukocytes of patients with CF, to consider if reduced activity of ARSB might contribute to the pathophysiology of CF. Previous cell‐based experiments had demonstrated that when the deficiency of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) was corrected in bronchial epithelial cells, the ARSB activity increased significantly. De‐identified, citrated blood samples were collected from 16 children with CF and 31 control subjects, seen in the Pediatric Clinic at Rush University Medical Center. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) and mononuclear cell (MC) populations were separated by density gradient, and blinded determinations of ARSB activity were performed using the exogenous substrate 4‐methylumbilliferyl sulfate. Interleukin‐6 was measured in the plasma samples by ELISA. ARSB activity was significantly less in the PMN and MC from the CF patients than controls (P < 0.0001, unpaired t‐test, two‐tailed). Interleukin‐6 levels in plasma were significantly greater in the CF population (P < 0.001). Mean age, age range, and male:female ratio of CF patients and controls were similar, and no association of ARSB activity with age, gender, or CFTR genotype was evident. Since recombinant human ARSB is used successfully for replacement therapy in Mucopolysaccharidosis VI, it may be useful to restore ARSB activity to normal levels and increase degradation of sulfated GAGs in CF patients. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:236–244. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Lung ultrasound characteristics of community‐acquired pneumonia in hospitalized children
Authors: Caiulo Vito Antonio , Gargani Luna , Caiulo Silvana , Fisicaro Andrea , Moramarco Fulvio , Latini Giuseppe , Picano Eugenio , Mele Giuseppe
Published: May 2012

Background

The diagnosis of community‐acquired pneumonia (CAP) is based mainly on the patient's medical history and physical examination. However, in severe cases a further evaluation including chest X‐ray (CXR) may be necessary. At present, lung ultrasound (LUS) is not included in the diagnostic work‐up of pneumonia.

Aim

To describe the ultrasonographic appearance of CAP at presentation and during the follow‐up.

Methods

A total of 102 patients with clinical signs and symptoms suggesting pneumonia, who underwent a clinically driven CXR, were evaluated by LUS on the same day. LUS signs of pneumonia included subpleural lung consolidation, B‐lines, pleural line abnormalities, and pleural effusion. The diagnostic gold standard was the ex‐post diagnosis of pneumonia made by two independent experienced pediatricians on the basis of clinical presentation, CXR and clinical course following British Thoracic Guidelines recommendations.

Results

A final diagnosis of pneumonia was confirmed in 89/102 patients. LUS was positive for the diagnosis of pneumonia in 88/89 patients, whereas CXR was positive in 81/89. Only one patient with normal LUS examination had an abnormal CXR, whereas 8 patients with normal CXR had an abnormal LUS. LUS was able to detect pleural effusion resulting from complicated pneumonia in 16 cases, whereas CXR detected pleural effusion in 3 cases.

Conclusions

LUS is a simple and reliable imaging tool, not inferior to CXR in identifying pleuro‐pulmonary alterations in children with suspected pneumonia. During the course of the disease, LUS allows a radiation‐free follow‐up of these abnormalities. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2013; 48:280–287. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Structural, kinetic, and thermodynamic studies of specificity designed HIV‐1 protease
Authors: Alvizo Oscar , Mittal Seema , Mayo Stephen L. , Schiffer Celia A.
Published: May 2012

HIV‐1 protease recognizes and cleaves more than 12 different substrates leading to viral maturation. While these substrates share no conserved motif, they are specifically selected for and cleaved by protease during viral life cycle. Drug resistant mutations evolve within the protease that compromise inhibitor binding but allow the continued recognition of all these substrates. While the substrate envelope defines a general shape for substrate recognition, successfully predicting the determinants of substrate binding specificity would provide additional insights into the mechanism of altered molecular recognition in resistant proteases. We designed a variant of HIV protease with altered specificity using positive computational design methods and validated the design using X‐ray crystallography and enzyme biochemistry. The engineered variant, Pr3 (A28S/D30F/G48R), was designed to preferentially bind to one out of three of HIV protease's natural substrates; RT–RH over p2‐NC and CA‐p2. In kinetic assays, RT–RH binding specificity for Pr3 increased threefold compared to the wild‐type (WT), which was further confirmed by isothermal titration calorimetry. Crystal structures of WT protease and the designed variant in complex with RT–RH, CA‐p2, and p2‐NC were determined. Structural analysis of the designed complexes revealed that one of the engineered substitutions (G48R) potentially stabilized heterogeneous flap conformations, thereby facilitating alternate modes of substrate binding. Our results demonstrate that while substrate specificity could be engineered in HIV protease, the structural pliability of protease restricted the propagation of interactions as predicted. These results offer new insights into the plasticity and structural determinants of substrate binding specificity of the HIV‐1 protease.
How Charles Huggins made his nobel prize winning discovery—in his own words: An historic audio recording
Authors: Walsh Patrick C.
Published: May 2012

On February 12, 1962, 4 years before he was awarded the Nobel Prize, Charles Huggins gave an informal interview to Dr. Willard Goodwin and co‐workers at UCLA on how he made one of the greatest discoveries in our field—hormonal therapy for prostate cancer. In this fascinating story, he tells how he transformed the investigation of what causes a hydrocele into a Nobel Prize winning discovery. Prostate 72:1718–1718, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.